Decanter.com had an interesting post recently on “intelligent wine barrels.”
An intelligent barrel is apparently one that has a special band around it that can tell winemakers things like when their wine has finished aging and how often to top off. Barrel makers are now claiming that their barrels could enhance specific wine flavors and characteristics like red fruit, spices, tobacco leaf, and tannin levels.
We all know that the direct shipping laws are crazy right? Well now eCompli has started www.directshiplicense.com, where anyone that needs them can download direct-to-consumer wine shipping license applications. President of Compli, Rachel Dumas Rey, says “The do-it-yourself model allows any winery to complete direct shipper license applications, required certificates, forms and tax permits. The website provides detailed instructions by state on the correct sequence and documents required.” eCompli has been in the compliance business since 1997, but before now have only offered their products on a large scale. This web-based platform allows smaller wineries and producers to access those very same tools.
American “port-style” wines are attempting to find a new name for themselves. The U.S. has never been as strict with wine naming conventions as European countries are. Where to us Port means a fortified wine, elsewhere it specifically means from the Porto region of the Duoro River Valley in Portugal, made from specific Portuguese grape varieties and shipped from the town of Oporto. That difference may not seem like a big deal, except when you’re attempting to do business internationally. To add to the problem, in 2006 the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) ceased approval of new domestic “port” labeled products. While anyone who received approval prior to 2006 is “grandfathered” in, new producers and brands have to find different terms to use.
The members of the Sweet and Fortified Wine Association (SFWA) have expressed a preference for the term “fortified wine” because it can be used to encompass not just port, but other products such as sherry and madeira as well. However the TTB hasn’t allowed that term on wine labels in the past, possibly because of its use on nutritional supplement products and the confusion it might cause to have two meanings.
Some of the alternatives names the SFWA has come up with are: Fort, Forte, and “WSA” (wine spirits additions). Personally I would lean toward a name like Fort or Forte, simply because of it’s similar sound to the traditional Port name. It’s tough to completely change a product’s name and ensure consumers will still buy it.
The SFWA is also attempting to combat the stereotype that port-style wines are an “old person’s” drink. They’re attempting to market more towards the 21 to 40-year-old age group.
If you’re new to the world of ports I recommend trying D’Vine Wine’s Raspberry Chocolate Port or Desert Moon Vineyards Fireside Ruby. Both are excellent ports and very easy to drink.
I wanted to let you all know about a couple of events coming up that you might be interested in.
14th Annual Hospitality and Restaurant Show – March 8th, Broadmoor West 12p-3p
This event will feature 40 restaurants from southern Colorado, as well as a cooking competition with local chefs and radio stations. I volunteered to help out last year, and it was a lot of fun. Tickets are $40 at the door, or purchase at www.ppcra.org and receive $5 off! Lots of food and wine samples, so don’t each lunch before you go.
Annual Scorpion Mezcal Dinner – March 12, Tambien Cantina 7pm
This dinner features 5 courses, each with a scorpion mezcal pairing. The courses include Achiote Rubbed Lobster, Chocolate Duck Sope, Roasted Sea Scallop, Crisp Pork Shank, and Mexican Guava Jerricalla. To make a reservation call 303-333-1763, you can check out www.tambien-restaurant.com for more info on the restaurant. Tickets are $75 per person. This one just sounds fun. If any readers go, please let me know how it is (sadly I have classes that night).
Friday night I went out to dinner at the Melting Pot for Denver’s Restaurant Week, but first I stopped by Kate’s Wine Bar in Old Town Littleton (or LiDo). It’s a small place, but very cozy. The first thing that caught my attention were the wine quote t-shirts hanging on the walls. The quotes led to some great conversation.
The wine list features a good selection, and as I tried to choose between two Rieslings I was offered to try both of them before picking a bottle. They feature a full bar as well, so my husband was able to have a Rum and Coke while I enjoyed my wine. Even though we were going out to dinner, we were starving, so we decided to order an appetizer while we were there. They have a great selection of food to snack on while you enjoy your wine. We ordered the Artichoke and Jalapeno dip and it was fantastic. Very creamy, with just the right amount of spice. I definitely recommend stopping in if you’re in the area.
Kate’s is located at : 5671 S. Nevada Street, Littleton, Co 80120 www.kateslittleton.com
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