In general: Great work on your list! BTW I’m about halfway between your prediction and Bill’s on the online sales/shipping front. I think progress can be made, as with anything though, you need critical mass. More specifically, it will take a pretty big consumer movement to overcome the entrenched establishment.

Speaking of Tempranillo, had an interesting one from Mano a Mano last night–an Argentinian Tempranillo, no less. I’m still forming my impressions, but it was pretty nice. I’ll have to see what it’s like this evening after it had a bit of exposure to air last night (we Vacu-Vin’ed the bottle) and the tannins soften just a bit.

And, Jeff, one more question: Which curse word does *%#&@! represent?

Douglas: I’m not sure if there is a space for a new wine pub unless there is a very strong online component. Perhaps some of the tests with the magalog format will produce something, but I understood the Wine Enthusiast was targeting Millennials with that format. That would be great if that demographic read print as much as us older folks. What I think would really be interesting is a pub that rolled up the best of the wine blogosphere, but I’m not very objective

Jeff: Nice point about style vs. geography. It doesn’t matter where the grapes come from if the style of the wine is balanced and elegant. I do think more of these types of wine will come from the Old World, however, and I think it’s a great opportunity for France to reverse their troubles (if they recognize it; but that’s another story). I also think you should make an old school Zin

Tim – your original post is dead on. It’s really hard to add to.

One point – it’s not “Old World” it’s “Old World Elegance” or style or just plain tastiness. I don’t make Zin, but I do love Zin. But most of the Zins today are not the Zins that I fell in love with long ago. As a consumer I am tired of over-extracted wines and the “snap-back” to sensible alcohol levels will come from all over, not just the Old World.

I also obviously can’t argue with the Tempranillo observation, that ship sailed for me several years ago… I’ve noticed that people who long for the Zins of old seem to really like Tempranillo. I’ve started to say that “Tempranillo is the new Sangiovese” and you can quote me…:) And I wouldn’t count out Mourvedre either – it’s always been a bestseller for us in our *%#&@! blend.

And flights – yes yes yes!

Bill – shipping to the several states has improved from a winery perspective, to the extent that I have more states that I can ship to. The addition of NY and FL is especially huge. But keeping track of the permitting and taxes on a state basis is pretty rough.

Also, Douglas may be on to something – I actually agree there is a space for a new print wine magazine, but it would need to plug into just the right spot, and probably would need to have an extraordinary editor to make it happen.

Let’s hope there are some restaurant owners out there that get this tip; I think it would be great for their business.

Or I could be totally wrong That’s what makes this so fun!

Thanks for the optimism, EVWG… and for drinkin’ those Old World wines.

Having been involved in the legal battle at the start that led to the Supreme Court’s ruling several years later and watching since then, I can tell you that the big guys in the business–wineries like E&J Gallo and the wholesalers–are pushing hard to retain their control over the three-tier system.

The Supreme Court ruling only said states have to treat in-state and out-of-state wineries equally. A state is free to ban all direct shipments to consumers, or a state can do what my own state of Indiana has done–create a completely arcane system of laws that makes it “legal” to ship to Indiana consumers under limited circumstances, but also in a way that will discourage most sellers from doing so.

For example, I could not go to the Chateau Ste. Michelle web site and join their wine club and have wines shipped to me here in Indiana. If I went to the winery in person, and they checked my ID, then they could send me wine–not a trip I’m likely to make just to join a wine club.

But even then, the winery would have to apply for a permit from Indiana and pay the fee. Chateau Ste. Michelle might be willing to do so considering the size of its operations, but a small winery like Twisted Oak may not.

Assuming the wineries are willing to go through that hassle just to send me a few bottles now and then, Indiana’s law prohibits me from acquiring more than a set amount from all sources outside Indiana. (How they are supposed to enforce that rule, I have no idea–how does one winery know how much another winery has shipped to me?)

So, while the Supreme Court decision has opened the door a bit, states like Indiana have not rushed to open the door completely and indeed seem to be determined to keep the door just slightly ajar. For me, it’s a pain in the neck and requires me to keep renting a wine locker in Chicago and to occasionally make the four-hour round trip to collect my shipments.

I look forward to the day that I can have wine delivered to my office (where someone over 21 is present to sign for it even if I’m not here) as easily as a new Mac Book Pro. But until enough pressure from consumers can offset the power (and contributions) of the wholesalers’ lobbyists, I don’t see that day arriving soon.

East Village Wine Geek
http://www.evwg.blogspot.com