Enter if you Dare!!

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To celebrate Halloween we have built, we hand built it, a display piece called the Cellar of the Devil, which is the exact english translation for the wine Casillero del Diablo.  Self proclaimed the wine of Halloween, Casillero del Diablo, part of the Concha y Toro Winery, has become not only a house hold name, but the wine to buy during the month of October.  Usually selling for $10.99, Casillero will be sold at $7.98 per bottle for the month of October, but only those that dare enter the cellar will have the privilege of buying it at that price.

A special invitation for wine devotees.

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Beginning this week we will begin a new program in which we will produce two offers each month of cellar-quality wines–but only to people who sign up for the Collectors Corner email – a special list for people who are interested in special wines.

The list is called ‘Collector’s Corner’ and it will feature limited, time-sensitive offers of some of the very best wines from the best growers in the best appellations.

If you are serious about wine, we guarantee there will be something to pique your interest on a regular basis. As we get to know your interests, there may also be opportunities to notify you of specific items that meet your criteria as they become available in the fine and rare market.

Click here to sign up now!

Black beer or Black sheep…

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Following my last post about hops, I thought it fitting to consider a relatively new trend in brewing – the Black IPA.  This style falls somewhere between Porter and Stout and strives for IPA like qualities.  The fact that it is called an IPA may speak more to the marketing draw associated with ‘IPA’ than to the style itself.  These brews typically show less body and less oomph than a stout (coffee and other nuances in stouts are often not included here either) as well as more hops and more bitterness than a porter.  It is a roasty, toasty brew showing the character of dark malts.  There is often a solid dry-hopping and, needless to say, the color is dark.  Although some come out a little more brown than black, the appealing, opaque, blackness of the beer is really the signature. Continue reading Black beer or Black sheep…

Basking in the California Sun – Day 1

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I recently had the privilege of visiting Napa, California on behalf of Constellation Brands Co., and I have to say, it was wonderful! It was sunny for the majority of the time, and the people couldn’t have been nicer. I was treated to some of the finest food, wine and hospitality that Napa has to offer.  To contradict one of my colleague’s blog posts, if that is what magazine living is like, bring it on!  The next few blogs I release will be my recap of each day I spent there. Continue reading Basking in the California Sun – Day 1

The Marketing Mess!

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A customer approached me the other day in the tequila aisle and asked a very interesting question that I would like to address today.  He asked me if Patron is the best tequila on the market.  While Patron is an excellent top-shelf tequila, it is more a pop culture phenomenon and not necessarily the best tequila out there.  Much of the liquor industry is centered around image and marketing.  Many of the products that society and marketing stipulate to be the best are generally excellent products, but I would never call them the best.  Grey Goose and Patron are both very good products, just as their advertising campaigns dictate.  However, my recommendation to you is that, as a consumer, don’t let yourself be marketed to.  A determination of the best can only be decided upon by the consumer.  Drink what you like, not what other people tell you that you should like. Continue reading The Marketing Mess!

Grand Cru Silent Auction

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During our Annual Harvest Tastings on October 22 & 29 from 2-5pm, select wines from our reserve cabinet will be up for auction.  This silent auction will showcase many prices 50% or more off the original sticker.  Wines featured at the auction will range from classic French Bordeaux to new world California Cabernet Sauvignon.  So save the date and join us for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Continue reading Grand Cru Silent Auction