TO O RDER M ORE F EATURED W INES CALL 1-800-823-5527 TODAY! Volume 15 The Number 11 ©Vinesse Wine Club 2007 SKU 10640 Gra evine HE FFICIAL EWSLETTERp FOR INESSE INE LUB EMBERS GraTHE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FORevineVINESSE WINE CLUB MEMBERS T O N p V W C M Sipping, Nibbling & Spitting Your Way Through a Tasting Room By Robert Johnson MARTIN’S ntil we get that wine in your mouth, it’s perfectly OURNAL U law passed that acceptable to spit it out — that’s J allows people to buy what the buckets on the tasting bar hen Arnold their wine only from are for. If you’re self-conscious about spitting, just take very small W Schwarzenegger Vinesse, we know sips and pour any unused wine into was elected Governor you’re probably going the bucket. You won’t insult the of California, some to stop by a winery winemaker; he or she doesn’t want figured he wouldn’t be (or two or three) you to get drunk, either. spending much time when the occasion 5. Some wineries offer compli- in the capital city of arises. mentary nibbles. Eat them. Or eat before you hit the road. Food helps Sacramento. to metabolize alcohol. So, to help you get the most out 6. Take notes. Especially if you’re But “Awnold” has embraced the of the touring-and-tasting experi- going to be tasting a lot of wines, Northern California community, and ence, we offer the following 10 this will help you remember what Sacramento’s proximity to “wine tips... you like. country” likely contributed to his 1. Select a designated driver. 7. Ask questions. (And listen to decision to proclaim September as D.U.I. laws are so restrictive in the answers.) You’ll learn a lot. “California Wine Month.” many states that even one tasting 8. If the winery offers a tour, But let’s not forget that Sacramento room visit could put one’s blood take it. You’ll learn about the wine- itself is home to an emerging wine alcohol over the legal limit. Reward making process and what makes scene. Numerous restaurants have the designated driver with a bottle that winery special. developed impressive wine lists, (or two or three) to enjoy at home. 9. Ask if there are any “special including my personal favorite, 2. Don’t use cologne, perfume, bottles” behind the counter. You Mulvaney’s Building and Loan, scented soap or anything else just may get to taste something nor- where much of the cuisine is local with a strong scent. You want to mally reserved for regular cus- — from the produce to the vino. be able to savor the aroma of the tomers or fans of the winery. Plus, if you drive south, east or wine in the glass... and so do the 10. Have fun. This isn’t rocket west from Sacramento, you’re head- other tasting room visitors. science. Don’t be so focused on ing toward wineries. The city is basi- 3. Take your time. The goal is being a “wine geek” that you don’t cally surrounded by vineyards. not to see how many wineries you get as much enjoyment out of the And if anyone knows what to do can visit, but to discover two or experience as you could... or when he’s surrounded, it’s the three special bottles that you’ve should. Governator: Start popping corks! never had before. 4. Spit. After swirling a sip of Robert Johnson can be reached at [email protected]. 2 • The Grapevine • Visit vinesse.com wineries, because the value percentage is directly connected to the bottom line. Without draining the supply line, they were able to realize a return on investment that all businesses (with the possible exception of Google) would envy. OUR MISSION: But what if those figures were To uncover and bring you wine gems reversed? What if the volume of from around the world, which you’re exported wine had increased by 30 not likely to discover on your own, and percent, but its value had gone up by which enhance your wine enjoyment. wasn’t great in math only 4 percent? YOUR GRAPEVINE TEAM: I during my school True, any increase in value is a good Intrepid Wine Enthusiast, Chief days, but as an adult thing, but when it takes massive vol- Taster and Winehound: ume to realize a modest increase, it Martin Stewart I’ve developed a love for can stress the supply line and result in Chief Operating Officer statistics. higher prices for everyone — including (aka “The Buck Stops Here”): Lawrence D. Dutra us here in the States. In fact, did you know that 78.9 per- It’s all about supply and demand. If Editor: Robert Johnson cent of all statistics are made up on the demand for a product exceeds the Wine Steward: the spot? (Sorry — heard that joke the supply, its price will go up. That’s why Katie Montgomery other day and just couldn’t resist using the makers of America’s so-called “cult it here.) wines” can command prices that I The Grapevine is published by Vinesse, Actually, statistics come in very consider obscene. 822 Hampshire Road, Suite E, Westlake Village, CA 91361; 1-800-823-5527. handy in my job as the wine steward The 2006 export statistics are particu- Copyright by Vinesse, LLC. Printed in USA. for the clubs of Vinesse. Specifically, larly impressive because many coun- No responsibility is assumed for loss or damage to unsolicited materials. wine sales fig- tries levy tariffs on ures. By tracking imports that can run sales activity and two-and-a-half times trends around the the U.S. rate. CHARTER MEMBER world, we can Looking ahead, the BENEFITS: identify areas big elephant in the The Grapevine Newsletter where opportuni- room, as it is in so Premium wine selections at ties may exist to many industries, is members-only prices secure certain China. Slowly but types of wine. surely, that giant mar- Wine tasting as a participant Likewise, statis- ket is opening its on VINESSE’s Gold Medal Award Panel tics can help us plan for the future — doors to “luxury products” such as both short-term and long-term — as wine. Free subscription to VINESSE’s they pinpoint under-served or over- Once an avid wine-drinking popula- Cyber Circle Community served markets, holes in the distribu- tion is established in the world’s most Members-only savings, includ- tion lines, the popularity of certain populous country, America won’t be ing Food & Wine subscriptions, wine varieties and so on. the only wine-producing nation eyeing dining out, gourmet food and Let me share some recently released it with covetous intentions. tickets to the hottest events statistics with you, as well as what I The result could be higher profits for Random giveaways of wine and think they could mean for club mem- the wineries, but also higher prices for accessories bers like you. all of us. Whether those price hikes Wine Finders Reward — identify The Commerce Department reports will be felt mainly among value-priced a future wine selection and that U.S. wine exports (mostly from wines or across the price spectrum earn a reward California, since that state produces a remains to be seen. Perfectly matched recipes for vast majority of America’s wine) One thing is for sure: Winemakers, featured wine selections increased by 30 percent in value and 4 distributors and exporters will be percent in volume from 2005 to 2006. watching the statistics very closely. That’s great news for America’s Visit vinesse.com • The Grapevine • 3 WINE APPELLATION SHOWCASE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE ATOZ their signature wine. nniskillen. A winery in Canada’s n Michigan, it’s Lake Michigan Shore also is home IOntario province known, in I known as “the other particular, for its icewines. west coast.” And it’s to some stunning renditions of Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris ammy. Description of a berry- home to more than and Pinot Grigio. Of course, you’ll Jlike quality in some wines. Used 10,000 acres of wine- find most of the “usual suspects” — most often in describing California grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel. Chardonnay, et al — at istler. A winery in California’s area wineries, but Lake K Sonoma County, best known This expanse of Michigan Shore is build- for its Chardonnay. land runs roughly ing its reputation on from New Buffalo in “under-the-radar” ength. Word used in assessing the south to varieties. L how long a wine’s flavor Saugatuck in the The wineries are a mix remains in the mouth after it has north, and as far of relatively new ven- been swallowed. When the flavor east as Paw Paw. Its tures and venerable remains for several seconds, the western border is estates. The oldest is also wine is said to have a “long finish,” or “good length.” Lake Michigan. the best known: St. Because the area Julian. It was founded in usty. An aromatic impression shares a common 1921 by Mariano Meconi, Min some wines — similar to climate and light, and today is operated by mildew or wet cardboard — indi- beach-like soils, it his grandson, David cating that the bottle may not have has been made an Braganini. Another third- been properly stored, or that the official American Viticultural Area. generation operation is Warner cork was faulty, allowing air to get The AVA’s name is Lake Michigan Vineyards, an officially recognized into the bottle. Shore. Michigan Historic Site.