Tasting Flight 6/9/06
It looks to be a beautiful Friday. What is going on in the world of wine?
Swedish Wine - Part 2
Yesterday I mentioned the “systembolaget” EU lawsuit against Sweden. Sure, I decided to bring it up again because I like the word. But, Sweden is in the news again today. This time, the concern is labeling wine from Israel’s Golan Heights. For some reason, Sweden decided to play geopolitical arbiter. First, the Systembolaget yielded to calls to change labels for Golan Heights to say “Made in Syrian Occupied Territory.” Clearly that pissed off Israelis. This Systembolaget just keeps getting into trouble. (Decanter)
British Drama
I have no idea who these famous Brits are, but I liked the story. Gordon Ramsay exchanged words with Sir Richard Cliff. Clearly this is more compelling if you know the participants. Still, it is amusing that Sir Richard Cliff, owner of Vida Nova wines in Portugal, called his own wine “trash” during a blind tasting. He then, reportedly, lost it on Gordon Ramsay, telling him to “F-off”. The Brits are astonished - Sir Richard Cliff shouldn’t use such language. I can think of a few ‘Sirs’ who frequently let loose, but it seems Cliff shouldn’t be one to indulge. (ITV)
Future Visions
The Fetzer guy, along with some other industry pros, recognize the changing challenges facing wine. Namely, demographic shifts pose new marketing paradigms for wineries - Australia is winning that battle. So a group of American wineries is joining forces to create Wine Vision, a industry group to promote wine in this new world. Sure, their website is stale and not at all reaching their mission. But, I admire their resolve; and, WineFetch will do whatever we can do to promote wine in this brand new world. (brand, new…it’s a pun). (East Bay Business Journal)