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How time flies. It seems just days ago that we were asked about the ideal wine for Valentine’s Day. Well, it was just a few days ago, but even last year seems very recent. I even recall my favorite lines by a wine writer in New Jersey last February aimed at people who reject a romantic Valentine’s Day. “Drink the ‘black’ wines of Cahors,” he counseled. These deep, deep red Malbecs from southwest France are “brooding wines,” he wrote and remarked that those who don’t find romance on this holiday are likely to brood. But let those who would brood do so; we’ll counsel those who seek wines of romantic character.
Four harvests ago, I was privilged to walk the two vineyards I treasure most in my associations with this lovers’ holiday. For different reasons, my love for the wines from these two sites has gone unrequited lately. One of them was from the vineyard known as les Amoureuses in the village of Chambolles-Musigny. Earlier that day, I had been sampling several vintages of that voluptuous, silky wine in the cellars of Louis Jadot in nearby Beaune. Its average price tag of $150 a bottle (when I can find it) keeps it out of my reach, even on Valentine’s Day.
The other is a few miles down the highway in Burgundy in the village of St-Amour. This delicious, fruity, refreshing Grand Cru Beaujolais is easily my favorite wine for this special day and not only because of its average price tag of about $15. It is sensuous in the mouth and soft on the finish. But not many importers bring it to America and not many retailers buy it if they do. I seldom see it, even in early February.
I’m fond of pink sparkling wines and am a devotee of the Gruet Brut Rose from New Mexico (about $15). If the pink sparkler Je T’Aime (about $20) produced by Vampire Vineyards weren’t so closely linked with the company’s wines we often served at the Story Inn on Halloween with names like Dracula and Trueblood, I could approach it more amorously.
Seriously-in-love couples could celebrate with the rich and creamy bubbling Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee, about $40. Its bubbles rising in the glass actually suggest a bridal veil.
A “manly” wine for this mid-February event comes from the Spring Valley District in Napa Valley, a Cabernet Sauvignon called Terra Valentine. The name alone makes it a good choice, but so does its chocolate, earthy fruitiness.
And remember, to woo and win, the wine must have food partners, so don’t forget the oysters, foie gras, quail eggs, and Stilton cheese, washed down, of course, with a glass of old Port. A la tienne.
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Loath as I am to admit it, one of my favorite guilty pleasures is those silly quizzes from trashy magazines: the ones with titles like, “What Type of Wine are You?”
Don’t even wonder. I took the quiz.
Long story short, after answering questions about my ideal date (staying home) and dream career (deep-sea diver), I was quite scientifically informed that I am a Cabernet Sauvignon. But I don’t like cabernets, I pouted as I ambled toward the stylist’s chair. Then I remembered that as a wine blogger, it is my professional duty to learn more about wine…and myself. So my next step on this valiant journey was Big Red Liquors, where I was greeted by the familiar label of Barefoot wines. Since Barefoot is fairly ubiquitous, I assumed their wines were middle-shelf, mediocre types. Then I was informed, by way of a metallic sticker, that their brand is the “most awarded brand priced under $15 in U.S. competitions.” Far be it from me to question the authority of a sticker!
I uncorked and poured it to find a lovely purplish-red color, not the deep burgundy I normally associate with a cabernet. It was nearly opaque, and at room temperature, provided a rich flavor colored by oak (I know it’s cliché, but it’s true). There wasn’t the mouth-sapping dryness I normally associate with a cabernet, either. It was quite refreshing, and would probably pair nicely with a bold-flavored entrée like steak or grilled portobello mushrooms.
In summation: it was good, and affordable! If I pick up a cabernet in the future, I’ll likely reach for Barefoot brand.
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The Wine Industry Sales Education (WISE) Academy has become something of a Michelin inspection service for wineries. According to industry trade journal WINES AND VINES last week, WISE over the past three years has trained more thana thousand “mystery shoppers” to visit and evaluate wineries, especially winery tasting rooms open to the public. Writer Paul Franson explains that WISE evolved from demands of wineries themselves.
Franson reports that WISE shoppers evaluate the things they deem “important: brand story; guest experience; sales success; rapport building; and service standards.” The mystery shoppers take intensive three-day training programs and are all either winery staff members or aspiring staff members, mostly tasting room employees. WISE co-founder Lesley Berglund says the shoppers cannot say “They’re local or that they work in the wine business. And they pay full price for tastings.”
At the end of each visit, shoppers complete a scorecard to include such things as overall winery management and functional issues. Some 20 wineries have already shelled out $1,500 each to cover costs of six winery visits to assure different data points with different staff associates. For an additional fee, wineries can have WISE mystery- shop specific competitors.
Franson points out that the basic mantra of WISE is to help tasting room staff sell wine, sell wine club memberships, and capture contact data. Their findings are not made public but are shared with management.
The bottom line is that winery managers get valuable feedback that improves their marketing strategies and overall sales. So far, WISE is active only in Napa and Sonoma Counties in California but will begin offering classes in Paso Robles in a few months.
The article in WINES AND VINES did not indicate whether WISE shoppers comment on the quality of the wines tasted.
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