Jan 28 2015: This week we decide to weigh in on some of these predictions for 2016 that have been squirming around in wine media. Is it new, is it news, or is it just plain nuts? This is our “state of the wine” episode where we discuss the changing times in what can sometimes seem like a wacky world of wine. There are some requests, some goals, and there is some mention of fly dance moves that will hopefully not involve physical therapy or muscle relaxers, as neither of these pair well with wine. We hope you enjoy our commentary this week and pick up some fun sip tips! Cheers ~
Val: Happy Thirsty Thursday, listeners, and welcome back. Are you ready for Episode 42? I’m Val, and together with my podcasting partner in wine drinking crime, Steph, we are so excited to be drinking and chatting with you today.
Steph: Hello everyone! .. and hey Val, I have some exciting news to tell you. On Saturday I had a ladies luncheon at The Kitchen in Fort Collins and our server Cameron said “Aren’t you the Wine Two Five lady?” Hilarious! And of course I was surprised and delighted. He remembered me from Episode 26 where I gave him a shout out. He was so tickled and told me that he forwarded that episode to his mom. Seriously made my day.
Val: That is so cool! When you get recognized in public now (and not because you were in some shady You Tube video or on the news). No autographs yet, however. Which is cool because my handwriting is abysmal. By the way, what’s in your glass?
Drinking:
Steph: Byrrh Grand Quinquina aperitif wine – the Famous Languedoc-Roussillon, France aperitif.
- 18% alcohol
- $13/750mL
- Serve straight, cold (12 – 14°) but not chilled and without ice, with a little lemon zest or a slice of orange.
Val: Turley 2005 Duarte, Contra Costa county Zinfandel. While this thing is still drinking amazingly well, I have to say the 15+% abv is so well-integrated, and the wine’s acid, tannin, flavour intensity and body is still perfectly in balance. The fruit is almost candied, like dark fruits – prunes, maybe some black raspberries. Finish is just falling short, so it’s in a drink now situation. I think we opened it at a perfect time!
We had it it with Marcella Vallodolid’s picadillo-stuffed peppers and acorn squash! (Didn’t plan ahead, and had just watched the “stuffed” episode of the Kitchen, so we stuffed what we had since there weren’t enough peppers up in here.)
Discussion Topic: “We’re going to call this the “cracked crystal ball” episode as we take a lighter look at the “state of the wine world” in 2016.
“We’ve seen more than way too many of these “predictions” or write ups for the wine world for 2016 from somms, wine writers, bloggers and even satirists (Val’s favorite). Today we’re going to talk not about what we think is going to happen in 2016 in the wine world, but better yet, what we’d like to see happen in the wine world.
Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Mag collected “predictions” from industry experts, particularly Bloomberg’s Elin McCoy. I think some of these are a big “duh, no kidding”, like:
“Continued impact of climate change (like, it’s not going to reverse itself?)
However, I have to agree with:
“New technologies such as smartphone price-checking apps
“This also pertains to predictions that somm influence, particularly in New York, is going to decline, and Levi Dalton, host of the “I’ll Drink to That” podcast weighs in on this in his 29 December Eater.com article titled, Why 2016 Could be a Difficult Year for Sommeliers. Besides the popularity of apps, he also mentions other factors like increased DTC sales, more people interested in becoming educated, and the new ‘no tipping’ policies slowly gaining momentum.
“Other trends – kind of a carry over from the last year, really:
“Global appreciation for English sparkling wines
“More and better wine by the glass programs, thanks to Coravin
“We are super excited about: Wine trucks alongside food trucks
Val’s not a fan of:
“More celebrity wine labels. I mean, I have no interest in celebrities or their brands. Am I missing something here?
Steph? What are your thoughts on these?”
Steph:
“There are 3 you mentioned that I’d like to hit on, even though I have no predictions other than…
#1 – I will still be a redhead
#2 – I will still be married because my hubby likes my red hair
#3 – I will drink no more and no less than I drank in 2015 – I’m staying strong with my healthy “everyday drinking for everyday people”
“So, back to the 3 predictions you mentioned…
- Wine trucks alongside food trucks – MAN! I hope so!!! My friend Hillary needs to fire up a wine truck engine and go out there and kill it. I think it only makes sense, but again, it is the painful and frustrating liquor laws in this country that disway entrepreneurs from launching these wine trucks.
- More and better wine by the glass programs, thanks to Coravin – YES, and I enjoy the hell out of it when I see those wines on the by-the-glass list. Immediately I know they must be using Coravin. So, thanks Coravin for sticking it out when the going-got-tough. You are changing the landscape for wine enthusiasts everywhere.
- New ‘no tipping’ policies slowly gaining momentum- I was reading Entrepreneur Magazine this morning and came across a good article written by Corie Brown in the Jan 2016 issue called “Tipping Point”. I thought it was well written, but definitely on the side in favor of the change. In my opinion, I agree, and it makes sense to me. I think customers will like it, just as we like using Uber services and not having to tip. Most of all, the entire restaurant team benefits and works together – busboys, dishwashers, sous chefs, prep cooks, and servers. This is a big change from 1938 when federal law mandated that tips belong to servers.
“… and that’s my two cents for what it is worth.”
Val: “Well, it seems that BordeauxWines.com played right into our #W25Challenge hand this year by throwing out some fun “goals” (and these are not “drinking goals” as in, “who can out drink the other person” goals, by the way). These are just ways to integrate new things into your wine & food fun:
– Try a new wine once a month (or more!)
– Try as many appellations as you can (includes a link)
– Try an unexpected food and wine pairing
“After all, it’s so much fun to try new things! More information on shaking things up can be found here: http://www.bordeaux.com/us/blog/goals-for-winelovers-in-2016.”
“Steph: If you could make one thing happen in the world of wine, what would that be? Also, how are you shaking up your own wine world this year?”
Steph: “Well, Val, if I had a Genie in a bottle, I would change our country’s liquor laws, specifically the 3 tiered system. In the world of wine, that would be a big hairy deal, because the US market is so giant and influential.
“And my final answer – how am I shaking-up my own wine world? – since you’ve brought it to my attention, I think I’ll shake my ass a little bit more. I will make an increased effort to pair wine with dirty dancing and loud beats. Shazzaam! … and of course that leads into our #W25Challenge!”
At this point there was discussion about drinking, dancing, injuries and shared secrets about our dancing skills:
- Val wanted to be a Fly Girl for In Living Color.
- Steph wanted to be one of Tina Turner’s backup dancers.
Thennnn … back on track before we strayed too far we moved on to Shoutouts and the Wino Radar:
Steph: Thanks to our listeners – we are giving you shout-outs for posting your #W25Challenges. Here’s what they’ve tried and is now on everyone’s radar.
- Susan’s Week 4 #W25Challenge inputs: Okuzgozu from Turkey and Alto Adige Lagrein
- Janet’s comment on our Libsyn website: “Massimo you are the man! I lift a glass to the three of you. ‘Live the Wine’ Look forward to trying some of the wines mentioned. They fit my 2016 challenge. Cheers!!”
“I’m also going to be a guest on this week’s episode of We Like Drinking! This should be great fun.
Val: “SOMM 2, INTO THE BOTTLE, COMES OUT ON TUESDAY on iTunes!!!”
Steph: “Wait, Val. Do you have any predictions for 2016?”
“Val’s prediction for 2016? There will be another overabundance of these stomach turning “Girl Scout cookie pairing” pieces. Good gawd. Make it stop already. I’d love to see HoseMaster go there … wait, nope. He already did. He covered that in the ‘Wineblogger’s Prayer’, along with breakfast cereal and other things… Maybe the Girl Scout cookies should be paired with celebrity wines. Kill two trends at once, I say.”
Photo courtesy of Society of Wine Educators
NEXT WEEK:
Our guest: Sharron McCarthy – VP of Wine Education at Banfi Vintners. Here’s a quote from Sharron just to whet your palates. “Wine has one purpose in life – to give pleasure! It’s about family, friends, and enjoying life.”
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Until next week: Cheers! and don’t forget to expand your palate with the #W25Challenge!