#EWBC - Some great memories from last year's conference in Austria.

As we get ready for EWBC in Italy, I just wanted to share some great memories from last year's conference in Austria.

Cheers,
LA

 

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It's a grape VARIETY, for heaven's sake!!!

This past week, while touring the wineries and vineyards of the Republic of Georgia with some other wine professionals of the US, I confirmed what I already knew: People (even "wine people") are constantly saying "it's a grape varietal", when what they really mean is "it's a grape variety" (a term that actually refers to a cultivar).

Clark Smith (Appellation America), a wine writer/winemaker for whom I have a huge amount of respect is one of the culprits for the misuse of the term. According to him (and I will quote him), "You're fighting a lost war and you should direct your energy and efforts towards something more important."  Well, with the support of Lisa Granik MW who also shares this view that we should set an example and make sure that the English language is properly used, Clark agreed that he will start using "grape varieties" from now on and, during his rehabilitation process, I could pinch his arm.
Don't you love happy endings? :)

So, what's a varietal? The answer is as simple as this:

A wine sold by the name of the principal grape variety from which it is made.

Will you join my fight? :)

Cheers,

Luiz Alberto

• >>> Founder of the #winelover community

• >>> Member of the Circle of Wine Writers

• >>> Italian Wine Ambassador

• >>> I combine my passion for wine with social media

• >>> Follow me on twitter: @thewinehub

•  >>> On Instagram: 1winelover

NEWPORT MANSIONS WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Kicks off this FRIDAY--TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE by Philip S. Kampe

For the past several weeks I have been passing out brochures about the NEWPORT MANSIONS WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL to all of my wine friends, both in and out of the wine industry.

I said to all of them "WHY NOT SPEND THE WEEKEND IN NEWPORT, one of America's most charming cities, and attend the NEWPORT MANSIONS WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL?"

It looks like a lot of fun...and a true ESCAPE from reality.
The POSITIVE response has been overwhelming....

Why not ESCAPE TO NEWPORT this weekend and join in the FESTIVITIES?
It is for a good cause--THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTY--a non-profit organization.

The NEWPORT WINE &FOOD FESTIVAL is the most sophisticated wine and food festival on the East Coast. ROSECLIFF and MARBLE HOUSE host the Festival where more than 100 of the world's Finest Vintners and more than two dozen of New England's finest chefs prepare their signature dishes for the festival attendees.

WINE SEMINARS start on Friday, September 23rd at 12:30pm.
The first SEMINAR (all priced $20 on Friday) is led by the Italian Trade Commission.
Titled: PERUSING THE PENINSULA, the Seminar will complete your Italian lifestyle experience by presenting a stellar selection of Italian wines hailing from snow-capped and sun-kissed regions of Italy. The session will be led by MICHAEL WILSON and IAN WOLFF of LA CUCINA ITALIANA Magazine.

At 2:30pm, my friend and wine personality, MARK OLDMAN, will lead a SEMINAR titled, DRINK BRAVELY, fashioned after his new Best Selling book, OLDMAN'S BRAVE NEW WORLD OF WINE. The seminar will focus on finding irresistible wines of moderate cost and maximum appeal. Mark is known to all as the main judge in the PBS series, THE WINEMAKERS.

The final seminar on Friday begins at 4pm and is led by International Wine Celebrities, ALAIN & JOHN JUNGUENET. They will guide you through a tasting of TEN of the TOP FRENCH WINES from recent 2005-2010 vintages. Some of the wines that will be sampled include: 2005 CHATEAU La GRACE DIEU, a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru; 2008 CLOS des PAPES, a Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc and a 2009 CHATEAU GUIRAUD Bordeaux Blanc 'Le G'.

On SATURDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER two seminars take place:
At 10am 'THE ART OF BORDEAUX BLENDING' ($40) will be led by the founder of JUSTIN Vineyards of Paso Robles, California, JUSTIN BALDWIN. Justin walks you through the steps of blending Boredeaux varietals into world class wines. At the seminar you will be able to blend wines from barrel samples.

At 12:30pm FOOD & WINE Executive Wine Director, RAY ISLE, will lead you through 'EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WINE' ($20).Yu will taste eight wines and will learn all of the wine basics and myths.
++ALL SEMINARS WILL BE HELD AT HOTEL VIKING++

THE NEWPORT MANSIONS WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL GALA takes place at 7pm on Friday night, September 23rd, at ROSECLIFF, Newport's seaside answer to the GILDED AGE of splendor. ROSECLIFF is home to many famous movies including THE GREAT GATSBY. The GALA will be a remarkable evening of music, food and wines being served that are priced above $65 a bottle This elegant event is a chance to experience an evening of high style paired with vintage wines and chef prepared dishes.

The 6th Annual GRAND TASTING takes place on both Saturday and Sunday from 12-4pm at the MARBLE HOUSE. Wines will be samples from over 100 wineries. Food from the areas leading restaurants and caterers will be served.
Celebrity chefs demonstrations will take place at the Cooking Tent.
Celebrity chefs include: ROSEANN TULLY of INTERMEZZO; DAN ENOS of OCEANAIRE SEAFOOD ROOM; JAKE ROJAS of TALLULAH of THAMES; KEVIN GAUDREAU of THE PIER RESTAURANT; DAVE JOHNSON of LOCAL 121; NEIL MANACLE of FLUKE WINE,BAR & KITCHEN; KARSTEN HART of CASTLE HILL; ERIC HAUGEN of OCEAN HOUSE and KYLE KETCHUM of HYATT REGENCY NEWPORT.
Auctions, book signings and the Infiniti Inspiration Lounge round out the events centered around the GRAND TASTING.

One of the HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEKEND will be the SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH with LIDIA BASTIANICH. The brunch takes place from 10:30am to noon at Hotel Viking and features a menu inspired by LIDIA. Boston TV and radio personality, BILLY COSTA, will be the emcee for this NOT TO MISS BRUNCH. After the Brunch, LIDIA will be available to autograph her newest book: LIDIA COOKS FROM THE HEART OF ITALY: A FEST OF 175 REGIONAL RECIPES.

This upcoming weekend of September 23rd to 25th will be one to remember.
TICKETS can be purchased online at: www.NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org or by calling 401-847-1000 ext.140

PHILIP S. KAMPE
MARIA REVELEY
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

"HARVEST IN THE SQUARE" takes place on SEPTEMBER 22nd by Philip S. Kampe and Maria Reveley

On Thursday evening, September 22nd,UNION SQUARE will become the home of the 16th Annual "HARVEST IN THE SQUARE" Celebration, joining Community and Cuisine for New York's "PREMIER FOOD and WINE EVENT".

"HARVEST IN THE SQUARE" features CHEFS from the hottest and most popular restaurants in the Union Square neighborhood. At last count, 56 restaurants will prepare their "SIGNATURE DISHES" using fresh farm produce from Union Squares GREENMARKET to tantalize your taste buds. In addition to the 56 restaurants, 50 vineyards will pour their wines that were chosen specifically to pair with the gastronomic delights of the evening.

HARVEST IN THE SQUARE is presented by the Union Square Partnership, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Proceeds from the event will benefit the organizations ongoing beautification and maintenance efforts in Union Square Park. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law with the exception of $50 per ticket.

"HARVEST IN THE SQUARE", one of the cities LARGEST CULINARY EVENTS presents an array of mouth-watering delights made exclusively for the Annual Celebration of Community and Cuisine.

Some RESTAURANTS of INTEREST include:
ALDEA
BLT FISH
BLUE SMOKE
BLUE WATER GRILL
CRAFT
GRAMERCY TAVERN
HILL COUNTRY
OLIVES
PRIMEHOUSE
REPUBLIC
ROSA MEXICANO
SAN ROCCO
SD26
TAMARIND
TOCQUEVILLE
UNION SQUARE CAFE
VERITAS
wichcraft
WILDWOOD BARBEQUE

Some WINERIES of INTEREST include:
FINGER LAKES WINE ALLIANCE--2010 VINTAGE RIESLING LAUNCH
BEDELL CELLARS
DR.KONSTANTINE FRANK
MIONETTO PROSECCO
THE LENZ WINERY
WARWICK VALLEY WINERY & DISTILLERY
RAVINES WINE CELLARS
WOLFFER ESTATE VINEYARDS
ANTHONY ROAD
FOX RUN
GLENORA
HERON HILL
KEUKA LAKE VINEYARDS
LAMOREAUX LANDING WINE CELLARS
RED NEWT CELLARS
WAGNER VINEYARDS

TICKETS for VIP (6pm) or General Admission (7:30pm) can be purchased by visiting:
www.harvestunionsquarenyc.org

IT IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT THAT IS NOT TO BE MISSED!!

PHILIP S.KAMPE
MARIA REVELEY

A WINE and FOOD TASTING EVENT on 19 September in NYC to Benefit SHARE by Philip S. Kampe

The "A SECOND HELPING OF LIFE" event will take place at PIER 60, CHELSEA PIERS in NYC on Monday, September 19th, 2011. TOP WOMEN CHEFS will serve their SIGNATURE DISHES, while FREDERICK WILDMAN & SONS will pour WINES from their TRAPICHE and FOLONARI portfolio.

The event will benefit SHARE, who for 35 YEARS has helped women with Ovarian and Breast Cancer through Support, Education and Advocacy.

STAR CHEFS include:
APRIL BLOOMFIELD +The Spotted Pig and Breslin+
ANITA LO +Annisa+
SUE TORRES +Suenos+
IVY STARK +Dos Caminos+
JENNIFER APPLE +Buttercup Bakeshop+
HEATHER BERTINETTI +Lion and Crown+
LYNN BOUND +Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 MOMA+
HEATHER CARLUCCI-RODRIGUEZ +Print+
REBECCA CHARLES +Pearl Oyster Bar+
GINA DePALMA +BABBO++
ARIANE DAGUIN +D'Artagnan+
COLLEEN GRAPES +The Harrison & The Red Cat+
GABRIELLE HAMILTON +Prune+
EMILY ISSAC +Trois Pommes Patisserie+
PATTI JACKSON +I Trulli+
SARA JENKINS +Porchetta & Porsena+
MEREDITH KURTZMAN +Otto+
SARABETH LEVINE +Sarabeth's+
NANCY OLSON +Gramercy Tavern+
ANGELA PINERTON +Eleven Madison Park+
ALEXANDRA RAIJ +Txikito & El Quinto Pino+
ROSA ROSS +Scrimshaw+
AMY SCHERBER +Amy's Bread+
BARBARA SIBLEY +La Palapa+
JULIE TARAS WALLACH +Tipsy Parson+

The Executive CHEF for the evening will be ALEXANDRA GUARNASCHELLI of the Darby & Butter Restaurant.

The V.I.P. Reception and AUCTION starts at 6pm, followed by a Tasting from 7 to 9:30pm.

Tickets for this "GASTONOMIC PHILANTHROPY" can be Purchased by calling 212-937-5581 or by visiting www.sharecancersupport.org

PHILIP S. KAMPE
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

The 'BIG E", New England's "EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION" promotes WINE and CHEESE by Philip S. Kampe

The "BIG E" is New England's answer to the question, "WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE FARM AND AGRICULTURAL WORLD IN VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, CONNECTICUT, MAINE, RHODE ISLAND and MASSACHUSETTS?". The fair has promoted farming and agricultural competitions, technology and everything related since 1917.

This year the "EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION" runs until October 2nd and is located in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Over one and a quarter million people attended this two week event in 2010. With cool weather to start this year's event, a record-setting crowd gathers daily to witness the fairs most popular traditions, including horse shows, livestock displays, petting zoos and concerts featuring country and popular stars.

This year a wine competition took place with 364 entries. Winners from the "BIG E" states included a Cranberry wine made by WINTERPORT WINERY of Winterport, Maine; Connecticut's winners included SHAPE HILL VINEYARDS Cuvee Ammi Philips and HOPKINS VINEYARD 2007 Estate Grown Vidal Blanc Ice wine; TRURO VINEYARDS Diamond White of Cape Cod took Massachusetts honors, while New Hampshire's JEWELL TOWN VINEYARDS'S Vidal Blanc took top honors; SAKONNET VINEYARDS Vidal Blanc 2009 won for Rhode Island's Best wine. Rounding out New England's winners was Vermont's EAST SHORE VINEYARD of Grand Isle's Traminette.

ALL WINES CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE MALLARY WINE SHOP at the Fair, located near the rotunda of the Mallary Complex. Bottle and Competition Winners will be on display.

The "BIG E'S" highly contested Cheese Competition lured 119 entries. BONNE BOUCHE from the Vermont Butter and Cheese Company won as "BEST IN SHOW".

The BIG E'S "AVENUE OF STATES" features replicas of the six Eastern States Capitols that make-up the fair. Each state house represents what goes on in each state through commerce, state police, food and products that are typical of that state.
Maine's potato concession is as popular as Vermont's Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop.
There is something for everyone.

Visit the BIG E'S website at: www.thebige.com to learn about "NEW ENGLAND'S GREATEST FAIR".

The drive from New York is under 2 1/2 hours and a little over an hour and a quarter from Boston.

Tickets are $15 a person and $10 for kids 12 and under...

PHILIP S. KAMPE
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

The Buyer’s Dilemma – Whose Rating Should a Wine Drinker Pay Attention to?

The American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE) just posted a new AAWE Working Paper on its website.

AAWE Working Paper No. 91 Economics
The Buyer’s Dilemma

Whose Rating Should a Wine Drinker Pay Attention to?
Omer Gokcekus and Dennis Nottebaum

 

Abstract:
A wine buyer is faced by a multitude of often diverging expert reviews and ratings of one and the same wine. In this paper we attempt to shed light on the question of whose rating a regular buyer should pay attention to. We do so by comparing the taste of regular consumers, proxied by community tasting notes, and expert ratings. We find that for 120 2005 Bordeaux wines listed at www.cellartracker.com, (a) both the average and median community scores are lower than the three expert scores of Robert Parker, the Wine Spectator, and Stephan Tanzer; (b) the correlation between the expert ratings is higher than the correlation between the community and the expert ratings; (c) among the experts, Stephen Tanzer’s scores are most highly correlated with the community ratings; and (d) more interestingly, compared to expert ratings, average price paid for a bottle of wine is more highly correlated with median community score.
* Omer Gokcekus: John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University, USA -­‐ omer.gokcekus@shu.edu
* Dennis Nottebaum: Centre for Interdisciplinary Economics (CIW), University of Münster, Germany,

nottebaum@wwu.de

The Buyer’s Dilemma – Whose Rating Should a Wine Drinker Pay Attention to?

More free-access Working Papers can be found at:
http://wine-economics.org/workingpapers
Please also check out the Journal of Wine Economics:
http://www.wine-economics.org/journal
In order to receive the Journal of Wine Economics (hard copy and online access) join AAWE.
You can sign up or renew your membership at:
http://wine-economics.org/membership

 

TheWineHub Store

http://www.thewinehub.com/

One of the pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy having discoveries...  

TheWineHub exists to help you with that.