Fermentation: The Daily Wine Blog

Wet Paint & Wine

It's important for me to note that I endorse THIS in no way. THIS only minimizes the serious nature of wine and wine drinking. In fact, THIS purports to be humor, but in reality THIS is just another blow to the industry when the industry needs nothing like THIS.

Is THIS really what people want to read?

Only a few years ago THIS sort of thing would never fly. THIS would have been condemned. THIS really is harmful to a serious pasttime.

Again, I don't recommend you read THIS.

It's THIS I'm talking about.

Loving the Fermentation Wine Blog

A Salute to Those Who Help Keep FERMENTATION going. Check them out. Please.

THE WINERY CHANNEL. A new sponsor. Sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the show

HUMANITAS WINERY. Where givers go to drink charitably

 

RADCRU. One wine per day is all you need

INERTIA BEVERAGE GROUP. The winery-direct revolutionaries

 

WINE TASTING NETWORK. State of the art wine fulfillment

Change the world...one sip at a time

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Don't forget to take the Fermentation Survey!
CLICK HERE to take the survey...All I ask is three minutes of your day.
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Meet the new Fermentation Sponsor:

I know...it's a tease. You'll just have to click on the ad and find out who wants you to change the world one sip at a time. These aren't just good folks, they are wonderful winemakers. I opened a bottle of their 2000 Pinot two nights ago and it was like sipping of liquid cherry silk.

Sponsors help this blog keep at it. So thank them by at least clicking on their ad above or over there on the left.and checking out their world.

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Don't forget to take the Fermentation Survey!
CLICK HERE to take the survey...All I ask is three minutes of your day.
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Embracing Your Inner Wine Geek

I spent a bit of time looking over Gary Vaynerchuk's Wine Library TV when it first launched. I thought it a good idea watching the first episode, but it also stuck me as a bit bland; as though Gary, the host and the focus of the show, hadn't found his stroke yet.

After WineLibrary TV placed an ad with Fermentation I went back and took another look. Gary has most certainly found his stoke!!

Before you label me a whore for pushing advertisers go watch a few episodes of Gary's WineLibrary TV. I don't believe I've ever seen anyone so completely and utterly embrace their inner wine geek in such an enthusiastic and un-selfconscious way as Gary.

Each episode, of which there are now 125, Gary sits at a little table in front of a camera with a few wines in front of him and tastes them on the spot. In this respect it's a pretty intimate experience for the viewer. You can almost see Gary doing mental warm ups as he approaches the wines in front of him. Then the sipping and mouth swishing occurs. (the audio is VERY good...you can hear the wine wash over each and ever taste bud Gary possesses). Then the review comes. On the spot. There's a wierd anticipation that overcomes the view as they wait to see what Gary will come up with in  response. It's fun.

And, clearly this man is having fun too!! But his viewers are too. The comment section attached to each episode is probably the most robust of any wine blog/podcast/winevideo site on the Internet. There is something of a cult following developing over at WineLibrary TV.

It's very hard to pick a favorite episode of WineLibrary TV.  Nevertheless, I've been converted. I know. That sounds like a publisher praising an advertiser. I don't care what it sounds like. This is really good stuff!!

UPDATE: Nov 13, 2006
If you want to watch a fantastic episode of WineLibrary TV that showcases what Gary does on his show, THIS IS THE ONE.

Those Who Help the Cause

Just a reminder to those reading FERMENTATION that there is a cadre of folk who help the FERMENTATION Cause.

Check them out. Visit their websites and businesses.

They include:

K&L WINE MERCHANTS
A fantastic wine retailer located in the San Francisco Bay Area and on the Internet. They recently got serious props from the Wall Street Journal for just about everything they do in the store and on the Net.

INERTIA BEVERAGE GROUP
The industry experts on how to sell wine on the Internet, IBG is breaking ground in every direction they go. And, we are very proud to work with IBG. Their blog however is one of the real jewels in their crown. If you are a winery or sell wine direct you must really check it out.

MAYO FAMILY RESERVE ROOM
After changing the way wine tasting rooms approach the wine experience with their Sonoma Valley based RESERVE ROOM, Mayo Family Winery has opened a second RESERVE ROOM in Healdsburg. A simple but brilliant concept the Wall Street Journal called "An Awesome Experience: For $20 you get seven reserve wines delivered with seven amazingly prepared food pairings.

OHIO WINES
A new sponsor here at FERMENTATION. It's a beautiful website filled to the brim with info on one of the country's most important wine producing states that once was the leader in production. It's clearly time to look beyond the usual suspects and investigate wine from "other states".

The Daily Wine Blog's Biggest Fans: You & Them

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THE  FERMENTATION READER SURVEY
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Our sponsors are our sponsors because they believe you are just the type that will be interested in their services. Check them out and see if they are. Or, just check them out to thank them for helping to keep FERMENTATION going.

K & L Wine Merchants
K & L is one of America's finest wine merchants. Their strong suit is their selection and service. As for the latter, check out their "waiting list" feature which allows you to tell them exactly which wine or which type of wine you are looking for and they will immediately email you when it comes into one of their stores.

ZINPOSIUM--Presented by Zinfandel Advocates & Producers
ZINPOSIUM is the most comprehensive Zinfandel-centric seminar in the world. ZAP, the organizers of that amazing tasting in January, is behind it. July's ZINPOSIUM will feature tastings led by the likes of Paul Draper from Ridge and Joel Peterson of Ravenswood as well as numerous other seminars, dinners and field trips. It's a three day event that members of the trade and true Zin lovers shouldn't miss.

Inertia Beverage Group
Inertia is the technology and wine company that is allowing wineries to REthink the way they sell wine and manage their sales in a world where consumers demand the convenience of on-line transactions. Over 250 brands are driven by Inertia's web based REthink Engine. They are technologists, wine lovers and marketers. They help wineries sell more wine. Their expertise is on display every day at the REthink Wine Blog.

Mayo Family Winery RESERVE ROOM's
Not just a wine tasting room, it's the way wine tasting ought to be. Sit down at one of the Mayo Family Winery's Reserve Rooms in Healdsburg or Sonoma Valley and experience a seven wine-seven food pairing the Wall Street Journal called "An Awesome Experience...the best deal in wine country."

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The Big Thank You

Time To Honor the Sponsors...the folk who honor FERMENTATION by their presence.

INERTIA BEVERAGE GROUP
The pros when it comes to direct sales of wine, web management and all things wine and selling on-line. Their new blog, REthink Wine Blog, is ramped up and delivers daily insights on how to sell more wine on-line.

K&L WINE MERCHANTS
Wine retailers extraordinaire. But they too maintain a blog (K&L Uncorked). Currently it's all about Bordeaux with emphasis on the apparently great 2005 vintage.

MAYO FAMILY WINERY RESERVE ROOM
It's more than a Sonoma Valley wine tasting room, it's an "Awesome Experience" (says the Wall Street Journal). They have released their $20 Spring 2006 wine & food pairing menu:

Tomato-Basil Hummas “Mayo Style”
2004 Chardonnay,  Laurel Hill Vineyard, “Sonoma Valley, “Estate Bottled”

Sturgeon Reuben
2004 Gewurztraminer, Kunde Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma  Valley, “Off Dry”

Smoked Duck Tostada
2004 Pinot Noir, Darien Vineyard, Russian River Valley, “Gary’s Block”

Coq au Vin Kabob
2004 Syrah, D’Ambrosia Vineyard, Napa Valley, “Jennifer’s Blend”

Beef Bourguignon
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa River Ranch, Napa Valley, “Julie’s Block”

Smoked Porkloin BBQ Sandwich
2004 Petite Sirah, Sodini Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Apricot-Stilton Blue Cheese-Honeycomb Brioche
2005 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Kunde Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

Sponsor Wine News

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS

News from FERMENTATION Sponsors...

K&L WINE MERCHANTS
K&L Wine Merchants has it's own blog. Currently there is a post that delivers a vintage report on the 2001 Brunello Vintage. Worth a look. Also, don't forget to check out the Inventory Clearance page where the last of some great wines are highlighted.

MAYO FAMILY WINERY
Glen Ellen's Mayo Family Winery has announced the opening of its second RESERVE ROOM, this one in the town of Healdsburg just off the plaza. As with it's Sonoma Valley Reserve Room, the Healdsburg rendition offers a tasting room with chairs, service and seven food and wine pairings for $20. The Wall Street Journal called the Sonoma Valley RESERVE room "The best deal in Wine Country"

Sponsors Toast

A Toast To FERMENTATION Sponsors

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K & L WINE MERCHANTS
Click Here to check out the latest arrivals at K&L (It looks like Cain Five, one of the classic Napa ageables is back on the shelves)

MAYO FAMILY RESERVE ROOM
A recent article described the Mayo Reserve Room this way: "The in-depth approach here might spoil people for other tastings - and it's one of the best deals in the Wine Country."

LENNE ESTATE
Oregon Premium Vineyard and Winery Selecting Partners
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FERMENTATION Sponsor Tidbits

FERMENTATION SPONSOR TIDBITS

In our continuing effort to provide added value to Fermentation Sponsors and deliver nuggets of info to our readers we offer the following:

Fermentation sponsor K&L Wine Merchants offers up a list of their Top Sellers in the Under $30 and Over $30 categories. Interestingly, the top wine in the Under $30 category is an $9 Cab/Shiraz/Merlot blend from Australia. A well known Napa Cab holds the top spot for Over $30.

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The Mayo Family Reserve Tasting Room has launched their Winter 2006 Tasting Menu. For a $20 fee it includes:

Smoked Trout Crostini
2004 Chardonnay,  Laurel Hill Vineyard, “Sonoma Valley, “Estate Bottled”

Mango-Ginger Dungeness Crab Salad
2004 Viognier, Sunny View Vineyard, Russian River Valley, “Henry’s Cuvee”

Ahi Tuna Tartare  “Fish & Chip”
2004 Pinot Noir, Darien Vineyard, Russian River Valley, “Gary’s Block”

Mayo Family Waldorf Salad
2003 Merlot, Laurent Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, “Nellie’s Block”

Fennel Dusted Prosciutto Skewer
2004 Syrah, D’Ambrosia Vineyard, Napa Valley, “Jennifer’s Blend”

Almond Crusted Portobello & Stilton Pinwheel
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Random Ridge Vineyard, Napa Valley, “Top of the Mountain”

Gold Dusted Chocolate Truffle
2004 Zinfandel Port, Ricci Vineyard, Russian River Valley, “Old Vine”

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Fermentation Sponsor Lenne Estate offers those looking for an opportunity to invest in the wine industry a few different ways to join their Oregon vineyard and winery project. That project is now in its fifth year of development and currently the tasting room is being built.