Good wines vs Drinkable wines

I am usually asked the question "What do you drink as an everyday wine?" That's actually a tough question because of its shear nature. Do you answer how a geek wine consumer would answer or do you put yourself in the shoes of someone who just wants an easy-to-drink glass of wine when they get home?

For me, I have always thought a good balance of good vs. drinkable wines is the best way to go for your casual wine consumption. Those two descriptions may sound similar, but let me explain.

Good wines are those that are above the average and one's that you will open with a great meal or when you have the need to please people other than the two of you. These types of wines often resonate their quality immediately after opening. A person can typically distinguish the difference from their "everyday" or "drinkable" wines from the flavors in these examples. See below for examples:

Drinkable wines are those that taste good, are within the everyday budget, but are nothing to really hang your hat on or take somewhere to impress people. However, these wine fit the bill perfectly for the glass of wine that tastes "like wine" and not some other over-sugared or over-oaked failed attempt. For me, these wines come in all shapes and sizes. See below for examples:

I hope this little tid bit will help you in making your weekly wine buying decisions. And please let me know if have any recommendations that you have found would be perfect as a drinkable or good wine.

Good wine:
Alma Negra - Argentina $15 - $20
Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Whole Cluster $15 - $20
Franciscan Merlot ~$15
Catena Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon ~$20
Juan Gil Tinto ~$14
Franciscan Chardonnay ~$13

Drinkable wine:
Vina Borgia (3L Box) $14.99 "Great value if you can find it"
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot $8
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay $8
Layer Cake Shiraz $11

New life, same old wine bug

Well, I can't say leaving the wine business was the easiest. I made it my passion to study wine and learn all I could about such an interesting topic. And, as luck would have it, I was able to achieve a lot of success through the wine industry as a buyer.

However, when opportunity (and luck) strikes again I firmly believe that you have to ride that train no matter the hazy future. I was offered the very luxurious position of Supply Chain Manager for the Sysco Corporation back in July. So, on the one hand I had a great job buying wine for one of the largest retailers in Texas with a lot of perks. But, on the other hand I had a huge opportunity with the biggest distributor of food in the world in their supply chain (thus building on my career). Very difficult decision, and one that I made selfishly for my family.

With all that said, the wine bug has not calmed down. In fact, if anything the wine bug in me has gained a renewed look on life. I still think about wine all the time, but now have the freedom to seek out those wines I like with an unbiased mind. The skills and education I learned working for Spec's has allowed me to be a refined observer of good wines in the marketplace wherever I may find them.

And, in keeping with tradition, I have decided to once again take up this blog and post my latest entries into the world of wine. It is my hope that those of you that read these blogs will enjoy my ramblings, recommendations, and experiences into wine.

Cheers Everybody!

Edna Valley Vineyards Winemaker Josh Baker on Wine Down with Spec's

Rockstar Winemakers Bo and Heidi Barrett

I have never been the kind of person who gets “star-stuck”. It seems to me that at the end of the day that everyone once to be treated like normal despite how the celebrity status or influence of that person. However, I do have to admit that within the wine world there are few “celebrity winemakers” quite like Bo and Heidi Barrett.

Bo Barrett, as owner and winemaker, has helped Napa Valley find itself on the wine world map through his family’s winery in Calistoga Chateau Montelena. Many of you may know this name due to the winery’s influence in the famous “Judgement of Paris” competition that elevated the wines of California over those of France. Now, Bo continues the operations of Chateau Montelena as they repeatedly produce wines of exceptional character vintage after vintage.

Heidi Barrett has rose to fame through multiple high profile wine making jobs including the iconic wine of “Screaming Eagle”. Due to the absolute prestige of this wine under Heidi’s control it received perfect scores in multiple vintages and is recorded as the highest bided wine ever sold in auction! Now, she has started her own line of wines under the name “La Sirena” that display her character and absolute prowess and understanding of expert quality wine.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to have Heidi and Bo as guests on an Episode of Wine Down with Spec’s. While I had an endless array of questions that I wanted to ask, ultimately I allowed our employees within the chain to use the video as a platform to ask anything to the dynamic duo. In the video, you will watch as we taste through two of their amazing wines and answer a few questions from our wine salesmen.

Check it out on our website www.youtube.com/specs1962 and become a Subscriber to get updates on wine pairings, tips, winemakers, and everything under the sun about the wine Biz!

La Sirena Muscat Azul 2008

A dry style of Muscat, this wine shows a vast array of different tropical, peach, and citrus fruit on the nose. Highlighted by brilliant acidity on the palate, the wine is fresh and clean and leaves you salivating.

Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

A great example of true Cabernet character from Napa, this wine highlights spice flavors while also allowing the fruit to take center stage. Seamless and full bodied, this wine’s tannin structure is so well integrated that it appears very soft on the palate.

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5ncnD-JolQ&sns=em

Wine Down with Spec's: Rockstar Winemakers Heidi and Bo Barrett

Wine Down with Spec's Episode: Jarro Viejo Tequila with Carl Lewis