"Adult Environment". This two word announcement on the front door of vboggs galleries, was intended to alert parents of young children that vboggs galleries isn't an extension of the park and playground. Upon it's conception, I never thought the idea would extend to a more subtle meaning..."Adult Conversation".... but that has become a refreshing byproduct of conducting our Saturday tastings. I must say, that most of the tasting rooms I've visited have been at wineries, therefore, I didn't frequent them more than a couple of times a year. Our tasting room, is frequented by clients on a much more regular basis, and has come to resemble an English Pub environment of local people, enjoying conversation and commraderie and sometimes - really funny, silly, naughty and enjoyable talk.
Subjects of conversation run the gamut of movies, politics (yikes!), religion (double yikes!), local people, local events, sports, GOLF (alot of golf), Art, and sometimes even wine. I must say, that I really love this accidental byproduct of the Barrel Room. The idea that there is a gathering place, where people feel comfortable enough to share whatever is on their mind - is the greatest compliment to what we've tried to create. An Art Gallery should be a creative place, and I truly believe that if we were tasting in any place other than an Art Gallery - there wouldn't be as much freedom of expression and openess. I cherish it every Saturday and always look forward to the suprise of some comment or notion that makes us all laugh or shake our heads. It's just fun - and dammit - fun is what we need !
I love the movie chat especially - My Netflix list is slap full of recommendations I hear in the Barrel Room - Our clientele have as astute taste in movies as in wine - and the recommendations are always spot on.
On that note - I thought I would close with a few recommendations of my own (and collected), expecially some "wine" movies, that may deserve a second look:
1. Bottle Shock - If you haven't seen it yet - go get it. This is the true story of how a little known California wine won the 1976 Paris Tasting - beating out some of the most prestigous Burgundy's. There is eye candy for us girls and the boys - and the scenery is just breathtaking. It's darned funny too.
2. Mondovino - A mockumentary about the wine industry - a global look. LONG - but extremely educational and subtly funny. There is really cool history about the feuds and land wars that will open your eyes up to the business of wine and the business of family. Truly Cool.
3. Blood & Wine - oldy but goody. J.Lo, Jack Nicholson and Michael Cane and Judy Davis (LOVE HER). It's not really about wine, but it's got some great wine quotes in it and well, like I indicated, I love Judy Davis.... and my husband loves J. Lo.
4. A Good Year - Honestly, I could watch this once a week. Really well done cinematography and strong acting (Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard, Albert Finney) give us a beautiful look into the intimacy of french a chateau and how unassuming some of the finest winemakers may be - it's a little feel-goody, but a nice lesson on smelling the roses.
No, I didn't list Sideways - as I am assuming everyone has seen it, and I just don't want to further perpetuate the slighting of Merlot. Thanks to that movie, you can't buy a bottle of Pinot for under $25 and people are turning their noses up to Merlot. Well, not vboggs. I have some awesome Merlots for you - structured, no sweet vanilla and great for grilled steaks.
Though, I did really like the movie. We can talk about it next time you're in.
Cheers,
v
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A Thought on Wine and our Economy
I'm absolutely amazed. I'm amazed at the number of emails I receive from online wine retailers and local shops alike that have "great deals" on super high end wines - even somewhat high end wines (let's say in the $40-$100 range). Who is buying this stuff ? Granted, I totally get that there is still 93% employment in Georgia, and many of those still employed, have not been hurt by the economic downturn (at least not their short term outlook - they are still getting nice paychecks) - so I understand that plenty of people are still buying expensive wines....BUT, doesn't it seem a little bit shortsighted ? I mean, unless you are buying low to sell high (think cellar auctions) why spend when you can save ? I guess I'm just frugal, and admittedly, don't have the income to flaunt.
My challenge, every day, is to look at my distributors and say - how much ? I NEVER used to do that. I usually don't want to know - and have said so in earlier blogs. But now, I even feel guilty tasting wine that I have no intention of buying. (Ok, not too guilty.)
When I'm pricing out wines, I ask myself - is this price defendable? Is it fair to ask my clients to pay this price, for this wine? It's become my most pressing thought as I choose wines. I'm painfully aware, that it's so easy for my clients to pick up an under $10 bottle of wine at the grocery, when they pick up dinner. So what compels someone to make the trip to a specialty wine store and select a bottle, that will likely be MORE than $10 ? Hopefully, there will be an appreciation for the thought that goes behind the selections in the store. Specialty wine retailers are more known for our "boutique" selections...ie., expensive - and we all have to get beyond that and focus on bringing true value by hand selecting wines that taste fantastic and have a defendable price.
For example - we are pouring Napa Valley wines this week - can you believe I found 4 Napa wines - good ones - small production, really good fruit - Napa Appellation - all for under $25 ?
For now, vboggs will continue to dig for the values. While I may have to constantly justify what I consider a "value" - I believe firmly that if I put this much thought into the wine, you'll put all your effort into enjoying it. Afterall - no one can argue that it's that glass of wine at the end of the day that is making all the bad news go down a little better.
Cheers,
Vanessa
My challenge, every day, is to look at my distributors and say - how much ? I NEVER used to do that. I usually don't want to know - and have said so in earlier blogs. But now, I even feel guilty tasting wine that I have no intention of buying. (Ok, not too guilty.)
When I'm pricing out wines, I ask myself - is this price defendable? Is it fair to ask my clients to pay this price, for this wine? It's become my most pressing thought as I choose wines. I'm painfully aware, that it's so easy for my clients to pick up an under $10 bottle of wine at the grocery, when they pick up dinner. So what compels someone to make the trip to a specialty wine store and select a bottle, that will likely be MORE than $10 ? Hopefully, there will be an appreciation for the thought that goes behind the selections in the store. Specialty wine retailers are more known for our "boutique" selections...ie., expensive - and we all have to get beyond that and focus on bringing true value by hand selecting wines that taste fantastic and have a defendable price.
For example - we are pouring Napa Valley wines this week - can you believe I found 4 Napa wines - good ones - small production, really good fruit - Napa Appellation - all for under $25 ?
For now, vboggs will continue to dig for the values. While I may have to constantly justify what I consider a "value" - I believe firmly that if I put this much thought into the wine, you'll put all your effort into enjoying it. Afterall - no one can argue that it's that glass of wine at the end of the day that is making all the bad news go down a little better.
Cheers,
Vanessa
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Art is Fun ?!?!
Who knew ? Art is fun ?!? Believe it or not, that was the number one comment we received from clients who attended our 2nd annual GA SPCA Fundraiser this past Saturday - if you missed it - then all I can say is....you better go ahead and rsvp for next year, because this event is getting some wind under it's wings !
I had no idea what one little comment would mean to me. "We didn't realize Art was this fun!" was the comment and it was uttered by multiple clients attending the event. Mission accomplished ! While the purpose of the event was to raise money and awareness for the GA SPCA, the real reward was seeing people get turned on by art for the first time. After much thought, I came to the realization that so many people who don't consider themselves "appreciators of art" probably just haven't had the right exposure. So often galleries feel intimidating and stuffy, and that can turn almost anyone off. This Saturday, over 100 people attended our Silent Auction and Art Exhibit. As I walked around, closing out the bids, I watched as clients hovered over their selection, securing it so that no one else could bid. Once the red dot went on the sheet, there were high-fives and screams of excitement as people "won" their prize, after heated and competitive bidding. I can promise you - I've never seen people so excited to buy art. Perhaps it had to do with the incredible deals to be had (our very generous artists put some unbelievable work up), or perhaps the crowd, the wine or the combination of it all. All I know is, I couldn't sleep that night for thinking about proud new owners going home with their well deserved art - and hanging it on their wall - as they high five themselves. Kudos to all who attended and supported us !
I recently read a WSJ article about "interesting entrepreneurs", and one very cool lady, Mary Boone, who is an art dealer in NY, had this to say: "Remember {sic}, especially in this economy, Art can be restorative. Art gives our eyes and mind a chance to rest, to muse, to think." I loved this thought, and I love that there are now a few new minds open to the restorative properties of Art.
Cheers,
V
I had no idea what one little comment would mean to me. "We didn't realize Art was this fun!" was the comment and it was uttered by multiple clients attending the event. Mission accomplished ! While the purpose of the event was to raise money and awareness for the GA SPCA, the real reward was seeing people get turned on by art for the first time. After much thought, I came to the realization that so many people who don't consider themselves "appreciators of art" probably just haven't had the right exposure. So often galleries feel intimidating and stuffy, and that can turn almost anyone off. This Saturday, over 100 people attended our Silent Auction and Art Exhibit. As I walked around, closing out the bids, I watched as clients hovered over their selection, securing it so that no one else could bid. Once the red dot went on the sheet, there were high-fives and screams of excitement as people "won" their prize, after heated and competitive bidding. I can promise you - I've never seen people so excited to buy art. Perhaps it had to do with the incredible deals to be had (our very generous artists put some unbelievable work up), or perhaps the crowd, the wine or the combination of it all. All I know is, I couldn't sleep that night for thinking about proud new owners going home with their well deserved art - and hanging it on their wall - as they high five themselves. Kudos to all who attended and supported us !
I recently read a WSJ article about "interesting entrepreneurs", and one very cool lady, Mary Boone, who is an art dealer in NY, had this to say: "Remember {sic}, especially in this economy, Art can be restorative. Art gives our eyes and mind a chance to rest, to muse, to think." I loved this thought, and I love that there are now a few new minds open to the restorative properties of Art.
Cheers,
V
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
How I Pick My Wines...(Often Asked!)
Probably the #1 question I hear at the gallery is "how do you choose your wines?". While it would be fun to reply that I pick them from a catalog blindfolded, it is my sincere pleasure to report that I take this function extremely seriously and I do in fact, have a criteria for selecting wines for our weekly tastings, as well as, for general availability.
First and foremost, I gotta like it. I believe that in order to be a successful saleperson, you must like what your selling, or it's an uphill battle. Lucky for my clients, I like alot of wines.
So I taste, and as I taste, I remind my purveyors to withhold the pricing until I ask for it. I prefer to assess the wine without clouding my judgement with price considerations. I feel like the adage - "Great Wine for the Money" is soooo overused, and shouldn't it just be a great wine ?!?!
When tasting, I take an inordinant amount of time smelling the wine; probably to an annoying degree, however, it's important to me - because I smell better than I taste. (Everyone's different...) I like to smell the wine with short little sniffs then one long one. The short sniffs give me the aromas, the long sniff tells me the alcohol content and structure. If the wine has interesting and abundant aromas - I like it. If the alcohol is in check (not too hot), I like it. If I notice there are undercurrent aromas that I can't quite pinpoint, then I detect nice structure, and I like it.
Once I taste the wine, I want a little air to mix with the wine in my mouth, so I slurp. Yes, it sounds disgusting, and funny and pretentious but it's fun. Plus, I get a better idea of the mouthfeel and the structure when I slurp. I like it when a wine fills my palate, and when the flavors show themselves without any puckering or burning.
Once "I Like It", I then want to hear the price. Price is relative. A $40 Cab, should be compared to other $40 cabs - not to a $20 Cab. My criteria for price is simple...Don't Shock Me. If you tell me it's a $40 cab, then it darned well better taste like I just spent $40 and I'm thrilled. I believe the wine should taste as good as it cost - and it's a total bonus when it's tastes better, or way better, than it costs. LOVE that. And I try to buy those, whenever I can !
Additional criteria -
1. I'm a sucker for a good story. I love to hear the journey the grape took to the bottle, and about the crazy, inspired people who helped it get there.
2. Food Friendliness is uber important. I want the wine to be a dead ringer for a Chipotle rubbed Pork Tenderloin or Lobster Salad. Makes my job easier.
3. Is it sippable ? As important as food friendliness, is people friendliness. Can you just pop it open, pour it up - share it and love it without too much pontification ? Perfect !
Noticably Missing from my criteria.... RATINGS. ENDORSEMENTS. COOL LABELS.
Cheers,
v
First and foremost, I gotta like it. I believe that in order to be a successful saleperson, you must like what your selling, or it's an uphill battle. Lucky for my clients, I like alot of wines.
So I taste, and as I taste, I remind my purveyors to withhold the pricing until I ask for it. I prefer to assess the wine without clouding my judgement with price considerations. I feel like the adage - "Great Wine for the Money" is soooo overused, and shouldn't it just be a great wine ?!?!
When tasting, I take an inordinant amount of time smelling the wine; probably to an annoying degree, however, it's important to me - because I smell better than I taste. (Everyone's different...) I like to smell the wine with short little sniffs then one long one. The short sniffs give me the aromas, the long sniff tells me the alcohol content and structure. If the wine has interesting and abundant aromas - I like it. If the alcohol is in check (not too hot), I like it. If I notice there are undercurrent aromas that I can't quite pinpoint, then I detect nice structure, and I like it.
Once I taste the wine, I want a little air to mix with the wine in my mouth, so I slurp. Yes, it sounds disgusting, and funny and pretentious but it's fun. Plus, I get a better idea of the mouthfeel and the structure when I slurp. I like it when a wine fills my palate, and when the flavors show themselves without any puckering or burning.
Once "I Like It", I then want to hear the price. Price is relative. A $40 Cab, should be compared to other $40 cabs - not to a $20 Cab. My criteria for price is simple...Don't Shock Me. If you tell me it's a $40 cab, then it darned well better taste like I just spent $40 and I'm thrilled. I believe the wine should taste as good as it cost - and it's a total bonus when it's tastes better, or way better, than it costs. LOVE that. And I try to buy those, whenever I can !
Additional criteria -
1. I'm a sucker for a good story. I love to hear the journey the grape took to the bottle, and about the crazy, inspired people who helped it get there.
2. Food Friendliness is uber important. I want the wine to be a dead ringer for a Chipotle rubbed Pork Tenderloin or Lobster Salad. Makes my job easier.
3. Is it sippable ? As important as food friendliness, is people friendliness. Can you just pop it open, pour it up - share it and love it without too much pontification ? Perfect !
Noticably Missing from my criteria.... RATINGS. ENDORSEMENTS. COOL LABELS.
Cheers,
v
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
What I learned about wine this week....
#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 !!
#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 !!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Go figure.
I for one cannot WAIT to ring in 2009 ! It's not that I have some misguided notion that when the clock strikes midnight all of our challenges from '08 will just disappear....But, I do believe that we inherently need something to happen for us to feel capable of change, so the changing of the year clock, some resolutions and some sparkling wine may be just the thing. vboggs galleries is certainly going to participate in a bullish attitude towards 2009. The gallery will continue our efforts to share awesome wines with you, and show you some of the finest art you can afford. We're also going to push harder to excite and challenge you - to raise your heartrate and make you ask questions. We're going to bring you great events that you'll long remember and opportunities to share in my interest in supporting our community. Please join me in anticipation of a rocking '09 !!
Look for information about our upcoming show...."figure." We are holding our 2nd annual fundraiser to support the Georgia SPCA, with a show of figurative works. This is going to be one sexy show ! Show date is February 21, 2009.
Cheers,
v
Look for information about our upcoming show...."figure." We are holding our 2nd annual fundraiser to support the Georgia SPCA, with a show of figurative works. This is going to be one sexy show ! Show date is February 21, 2009.
Cheers,
v
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