Michael Pinkus Wine Review - On the Road with the Grape Guy

Report from - Get Fresh in the Valley ... May 7-8, 2011

29 May 2011

Details: Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

Back in 2008 I did something I have never done since: I had a guest writer write a blog entry of an event that I could not attend. His name was Fred Couch, and although I and my readers enjoyed his frank, honest assessment of Wrapped Up in the Vally 2008, a certin winery had some choice words for Mr. Couch (I think they threatened to eat his children, good thing for Fred that he does not have any). Anyway, it has taken me 2 years but I have coaxed Fred off the couch and on to the road again – this time for a look at the new 20 Valley event “Fresh”. Fred has also told me that he tried to remain positive, and where negativity did seep in he did not mention any names (I guess he wanted to not only protect the guilty but himself as well) …

“Get Fresh in Twenty Valley” Passport Event … By F.G. Couch ... (read Fred's take here)

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.

Report from - California Wine Fair 2011 ... April 4, 2011

29 May 2011

Details: Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

Lots of glad-handing and back-slapping on this day … the LCBO thanked California wines for making them so much money … California wines thanked the LCBO for making them a lot of money … and it was quite a different lunch time keynote than I expected. In past years it has been a winemaker or winery owner with vision or insight (or both) speaking about the past, the present and/or the future of the California wine industry. Instead, today’s lunch featured Lindsey Gallagher (Director of International Marketing) who told us what is to come in the marketing of California wines as the Californians strive for world domination (when it comes to wine anyway); instead of just being satisfied with their number one status in the LCBO’s Vintages section (first time ever that France has not been top of the pops). I found this year’s lunch and speech disappointing, but the wines I tried more than made up for the mediocre lunch and sis-boom-bah rah-rah-rah-Cali.Forn.Ia talk.

With well over 450 wines in the room there was no way to try everything, but I tried something from each table (or so I though) and here are my findings, listed alphabetically by winery (with selected notes) …
(Click thru to see the list of preferred wines - of the ones I got to taste)

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.