#1 - we are still drinking wine, despite the economy. At least my distributors are telling me this as they show up, week after week, with all the optimism of a well seasoned sales rep, who knows that if he believes it, maybe I will too. As far as I can tell, people are in fact, still drinking wine. Now, there are noticable changes in buying behavior, ie., price, quantity, frequency...but by in large, wine consumption is steady. This, I believe, it attributed to the unique power of wine - it's ability to relax us, treat us (at reasonable cost) and to help us maintain hope that good times are just around the corner. Wine reminds us that we are merely participants in a grapes journey that employs thousands of hands and minds along it's way. I say... cheers to that.
#2 - There are alot of damned good Chardonnay's from Central Coast California. I cannot wait for warmer weather, so we can get these in front of our barrel room clients. A couple of weeks ago we tasted the Summerland Chardonnay (Paso Robles) and loved how balanced it is; it shows great pear and kiwi fruit on the palate, and it's barely kissed with oak, creating a creamy finish. The Geode Chard is another.... I love these wines, so they are on my shelves. But I swear - new Labels of CC Chards are coming out of the woodwork, and I wish I could dedicate a whole section to them ! I just don't have the room ! So expect to see more of these wonderfully balanced, food friendly, yet pleasantly oaked wines, hitting our Barrel Room in the months to come.
#3 - People don't believe that I'm working when they come into the gallery and see me drinking wine. I swear - people will try to sell me anything from advertising to massages and tires and yap away at me, as if I'm some store clerk taking a break and knocking back some of the company's profits while I do so. Please ! While it is quite hard for some to grasp - I consider it the most important part of my job to personally taste the wines I plan to present to my clients. I take pride in understanding the nuances of each bottle, and making recommendations to my clients based on their description of their preferences. So to all the sales people who stroll in and assume I'm some lush and therefore a good target for a 6-pack of Braves Tickets.... Yes, I am drinking wine - and Yes, I am working !!
