Getting a Taste for Edinburgh
Friday 29 May
It’s Friday night and a quick well done to all first year MW students for getting through the exams today. Six sweeties in the tasting including a Recioto that confused us all and a 2003 Burgundy that did not taste like Burgundy (Volnay Les Taillepieds from Carre-Courbin in case you were wondering - and I wouldn’t bother if I were you!)
So it’s Edinburgh’s Taste Festival and I’ve just flown up on this beautiful evening to pour wines at the Real Rose and Blason de Bourgogne stand, so if you’re around come and see me!
I promise more hard news and opinion in my blogs from next week but as it’s Friday night, I think a bit of light-hearted entertainment is in order. It’s father’s day on June 21 and the Famous Grouse is launching a new microsite called The Famous Dad Dance.
Basically you upload your dad’s photo and it’s superimposed on to a choice of four bodies. You then decide if he does the Highland Fling or some other dance and send the e-card with a message. Guess what John Gibb is getting in 3 weeks’ time? He deserves it, his side-step is really something.
Thanks for all your comments on the blogs thus far - good to see you are getting involved.
Proving your age
Monday 25 May
My anti-wrinkle cream must be working. I was asked for I.D. this weekend buying two bottles of wine on the way to teach at the London Wine Academy.
I’m sure one day when I’m old and wizened, I’ll be pleased to be asked for I.D.in Sainsbury’s but at the moment I’m feeling rather ashamed by the whole thing. I wouldn’t mind if I had been buying a decent bottle but it was Gallo’s Sycamore Canyon Cab Sav. Needless to say, it won’t be making my wine of the week. Nevertheless, most of the students on the course preferred its ripe, easy-going drinking than the Chateau Fontenilles from Bordeaux at twice the price.
Being young and in the wine industry is fabulous but at the same time it’s tough. In several interviews at the London wine fair, the interviewees said I didn’t look old enough to be drinking let alone grilling them on the latest issues. Thanks very much indeed.
We all have to work our way up the ladder over time but I wonder if other young people in the industry feel the same way? Or is it just me? I’d love to hear your thoughts…
Heads down
Friday 22 May
Journalism is going on hold for a few days, so I won’t be regaling you with juicy wine news for a week. .The fact is, I am now furiously studying canopy management, yeast spoilage etc etc in the hope of passing the first-year Master of Wine exams in a week.
Never did I think I would be so interested in planting densities or pH levels. I think I may be turning into a bore.
Why bother? Well, I like wine, I strangely like studying and, people take you more seriously in the trade.
But it all comes at a cost. Financially, it’s a massive drain. Not only do you pay your fees (thanks to my uncle Phil for helping me out on this one), there’s the trips, tastings plus you have to take into account loss of earnings when you’re taking time out to study. A fellow student has taken a month’s unpaid leave before the exams. Ouch.
Is it worth it? Hell yeh. Ask me again in about three years’ time when I’m still trying to pass, and the answer might be different. If you are considering it and can motivate yourself to study, then go for it. You’ll meet so many great people in the wine trade from around the world but, be aware, you will turn into a wine geek. Sad but true,
Origin: does anyone care?
Tuesday 19 May
Echo Falls is the latest wine brand to have a multi-country range.
The Californian mass-market brand is extending its reach to Chile. It will launch a Sauvignon Blanc and a Shiraz under the Echo Falls label.
It follows in the footsteps of Lindemans, which moved into South Africa and Chile in 2006; and Blossom Hill that now produces South African, Chilean and Italian wine under the label.
What does all this mean? Does origin matter anymore? I’d argue most consumers couldn’t give a monkeys. Wine Intelligence research shows country of origin sits a lowly fourth in order of importance when buying wine in the UK. Grape variety and promotion are the two most important purchasing cues.
Of course, for fine wine, country (and region) of origin does matter. The allure of Domaine de la Romanee Conti and the whole concept of terroir lies in its sense of place. But consumers don’t care about terroir; many can’t even pronounce it.
Consumers want a brand they can trust and a bargain. It’s a reality and a sad one. You might not like Echo Falls but the truth is, it sells. And that’s a lot more than you can say for many wines.
Wine fair round up
Thursday 14 May
Three days, two sore feet and one headache later, the London Wine Fair is over. Thank the Lord.
So what have been the news highlights of the fair? Bibendum’s social networking seminar was an eye-opener and now I’m scared by how much more there is beyond blogging and tweeting. There aren’t enough hours in the day. I am tweeting now - see my Twitter page here - so become a follower and I’ll keep you updated with the latest stories as soon as I get them.
If you are already a follower of the Gibb Gospel, you’ll have been one of the first to hear David Cox is taking over as the head of Wines of New Zealand. I’m so pleased for him and it’s a good appointment. I can’t wait to see how it works out with twin brother Michael Cox as head of Wines of Chile UK and David at the Kiwi helm. I’ve suggested a dance off between Chile and New Zealand with Michael renowned for being the wine world’s John Travolta/Michael Flatley..
Also interesting to see Tyrrell’s won’t be bottling any 2008 reds this year (check out decanter.com for my story). It’s likely other producers including Hope won’t be bottling any reds either and will move straight on to the 2009 when it’s ready.
And the wines? Well, a fellow first year on the MW course is a proud Slovenian, so he persuaded me to visit the Verus winery stand. And I was pleasantly surprised. After being shown where Slovenia was on the map (geography never was my best subject), I discovered a top notch Sauv Blanc and an interesting Furmint. The labels are cool are modern too. Go Slovenia!
Sorry to name drop, but I got to taste Penfold’s Grange 2004. The joys of being a journalist. Bloody marvellous. It’s one of those wines that lures you in, then makes you happy for the rest of the day.It’s nowhere near ready yet having just been released. But if you are looking for something drinking well, the new Koonunga Hill Autumn Riesling is gorgeous with a honeyed nose, and loads of lime and fruit salad. At 11.5%, you can drink a whole bottle. It’s been repackaged and comes in an old-school brown Alsatian bottle with a 70s label.
Anyway, that’s all folks. Heaps more to report but I’ll do that over the coming week. Time to put my two sore feet up and take an aspirin.