In lieu of our normal monthly newsletter, given our home base in Northern California, we at Charles Communications Associates, representing wineries from our own backyard and around the world, dedicate this missive to those affected by the Northern California fires of October 2017
The Napa Valley has recently taken a lot of heat – both literally, due to the serious temperature spike that hit the valley earlier this month, as well as figuratively from those who think the aberrant fluctuation spelled doom for the entire region’s harvest. The media has been eager to report this story, which we can all understand – what’s sexier than a potential climate change story about America’s most recognized wine region? Fortunately for the consumer, cooler heads prevail for those of us on the ground, and I wanted to share the perspective from someone who has been around the vineyard block.
Meet Faith Armstrong, the winemaker behind Onward and Farmstrong wines. As refreshing as the Pétillant Naturel she makes of Malvasia Bianca, many of the words used to describe Faith's wine could be used to describe the winemaker herself. Honest, vibrant, unfiltered, true to her origins, bright, complex.
For too long rosé has been relegated to the summer season. Broadly portrayed as a quaffable, almost girlish wine, rosé has been historically under-appreciated and its exceptional versatility under-sung. With the profusion of pink we see this time of year, February is the month of la vie en rosé, which is why we asked Devon Magee, Wine Specialist at JJ Buckley Fine Wines, to share why he thinks rosé is righteousness year round.
“Just Google It” has become the “cure all” answer for the modern American. In any industry molded mostly to consumer wants and needs a great place to start when looking to better a product or service is by getting as close to the bone as possible. Google Trends reveals some interesting data on the questions and comments American consumers have on buying and consuming wine today.
Part and parcel of rescinding the 19th amendment was allowing the individual states the authority to create their own regulations around the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages. Never underestimate the ability of government entities to create a labyrinth of byzantine laws designed to modify individual behavior.
Did you know there are over 8,000 wineries in the United States? If on average those wineries have two brands each, that’s 16,000 brands available in the market in one form or another. On the surface, that looks like the definition of a fragmented market. Compare it against the car industry: domestically we have three car companies. Throw in Tesla and you have four. There might be 100 models to choose from. Pretty different business models.
Most people outside (and some inside) the wine business have a romanticized view of what this business is all about. Most things look different when you are an audience member. Once you go behind the curtain, you can become extremely disillusioned by what you see. So if you love wine… STOP READING NOW! KEEP BELIEVING IN UNICORNS! However, if you want to look behind the curtain… come on backstage.
