Tastings Gone Wild

CellarTracker Main Site

Tastings Gone Wild

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Cellar Talk] >> General Discussion >> Tastings Gone Wild

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Tastings Gone Wild - 7/15/2008 7:16:05 PM

zippz

Posts: 233
Joined: 6/28/2008
From: Chicago IL USA
Status: offline

As the saying goes "When in Rome do as the Romans do".
Well by today's world yard stick, NYC could pass for a Rome.
Being that America is rotting from within and showing all the same signs of an inevitable collapse as a world empire... can you say "Déjà Vu"? But that's a whole other forum board to explore. (a taboo here) Though we can explore the merits of ignoring our nose and palatete and taking an unrestrained unadulterated plunge into the hedonistic joys of embracing a buzz... along with all of it's fringe benefits.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/nyregion/09winery.html?_r=1&ex=1341633600&oref=slogin

...has anyone experienced, witnessed or heard here-say of such events?
it just seems too good to be true ...

_____________________________

“See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil... just Drink wine” ~ CT mantra

Post #: 1

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/15/2008 7:38:25 PM

RoundersRob

Posts: 634
Joined: 7/1/2006
From: Santa Cruz, CA
Status: offline

No - this seems to good to be true..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080714/od_nm/britain_dc

How was I not at this event?

(in reply to zippz)

Post #: 2

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/15/2008 8:01:43 PM

jhannah27

Posts: 408
Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Anaheim, CA
Status: offline

As mentioned in the article, Napa is having these same issues with drunken tourists being dropped off by the bus-loads at all the top wineries. I was up there not too long ago and one of the wineries was telling us that it is now County law that wineries only give tastings by appointment (with some exceptions based on how long the winery has been around).

While I hate the long lines that come from the tour buses, I also enjoy the fact that I only live 70 minutes from Napa and can just shoot up there on a whim. I don't want to have to plan ahead and make an appointment. Luckily, depending on how busy they are, not many of the wineries institute the rule too strictly.

But this is yet another reason why Sonoma is much more appealing to me as a region to go taste in. Fewer crowds, fewer/cheaper tasting fees, and top quality producers.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to zippz)

Post #: 3

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/15/2008 8:02:45 PM

jhannah27

Posts: 408
Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Anaheim, CA
Status: offline

oops..technical difficulties. Sorry for the multiple posts.

< Message edited by jhannah27 -- 7/15/2008 8:03:37 PM >

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to zippz)

Post #: 4

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/15/2008 8:09:18 PM

jhannah27

Posts: 408
Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Anaheim, CA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: RoundersRob

No - this seems to good to be true..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080714/od_nm/britain_dc

How was I not at this event?

This should be a new Olympic event. It was originated in Greece afterall...

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to RoundersRob)

Post #: 5

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/15/2008 8:22:06 PM

zippz

Posts: 233
Joined: 6/28/2008
From: Chicago IL USA
Status: offline

Reflecting on all the posts thus far... I just had a perverted vision of a new business model for wineries... hosting wine tastings and competitions at nudist colonies and towards the end of the event the whole operation busts loose into a free-for-all orgy. lol ... i'll have to sleep on that one... or may be not.

_____________________________

“See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil... just Drink wine” ~ CT mantra

(in reply to jhannah27)

Post #: 6

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/19/2008 10:44:32 AM

pbm

Posts: 266
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: offline

Based on my recent visit if I had to choose between Napa and Sonoma from a wine tasting experience perspective it's the latter hands down because of the more personal authentic nature of the interactions. (I'm about halfway through my write-up by the way and it's already six pages.)

_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to zippz)

Post #: 7

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/19/2008 12:16:07 PM

jhannah27

Posts: 408
Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Anaheim, CA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: pbm

Based on my recent visit if I had to choose between Napa and Sonoma from a wine tasting experience perspective it's the latter hands down because of the more personal authentic nature of the interactions. (I'm about halfway through my write-up by the way and it's already six pages.)

I agree 100%. I have had several unenjoyable experiences in Napa due to crowded tasting rooms and people behind the counter who just don't seem to like they think they are too good to be pouring for you. On the other hand, every time I have been in Sonoma I feel I am greated warmly, there is typically someone who takes the time to talk to you about the wines and their experience with them, and, depending on the time of year you go, there is ample room at the bar to be comfortable. No contest in my book.

The one thing Napa has going for it (although this may be part of the reason why they have so many problems with drunks

) is that all the wineries are right next to eachother either on Hwy 29, or on the Silverado Trail. Not that Sonoma is all that spread out, but Napa is just so much more convenient and easy to get around.

_____________________________

"Quickly! Bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever."
Aristophanes 450 - 385 b.c.

(in reply to pbm)

Post #: 8

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/20/2008 6:31:11 PM

zippz

Posts: 233
Joined: 6/28/2008
From: Chicago IL USA
Status: offline

They must be giving out whole bottles at tastings in Ohio.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/05/29/ddn052908policeblotter.html

_____________________________

“See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil... just Drink wine” ~ CT mantra

(in reply to jhannah27)

Post #: 9

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/20/2008 8:50:40 PM

vinopkm

Posts: 68
Joined: 6/14/2008
From: Orange County, CA
Status: offline

I have been to Napa and Sonoma twice each- 2 random weekends and 2 years in a row on Memorial Day weekend- I have never had any problems tasting- I think that if you stay away from V. Sattui, ZD, Miner and a couple other mainstream large wineries you will be alright. Pass them up or go later. I think the tasting room people can read you and if you go in thinking you will be treated bad- they will. Every time I go I get to try stuff not on the list or reserve wines when I only paid for the standards. Flora Spring once did a vertical tasting of their Triology wine for free (02, 03 & 04- 04 was unopened and in the back) when my girlfriend jokingly asked. We were tasting their for free with a coupon from our hotel. And this is from a 28 yr male usually wearing shorts and sandals- all the reasons to not treat me well at the tasting rooms. The only place I felt like the winery staff was snobbish was ZD. I guess I'm luck to not have had horror stories happening to me. I think that if you ask for things a lot of times they will do it or if you seem interested in certain wines. Usually I go to different wineries looking to try specific wine and make them aware up front, even if it is not on the list, I'll ask to try it- being polite helps as well.

(in reply to zippz)

Post #: 10

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/25/2008 8:42:13 PM

zippz

Posts: 233
Joined: 6/28/2008
From: Chicago IL USA
Status: offline

Wine tasting and slaughtering a wild boar - just another day in NZ

Not quite a Tastings Gone Wild, but "wild" as in not your typical urban adventure.
A experience more reminiscent of the days of Rome.

_____________________________

“See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil... just Drink wine” ~ CT mantra

(in reply to vinopkm)

Post #: 11

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/26/2008 11:54:38 AM

smahk

Posts: 68
Joined: 2/23/2007
From: Long Island, NY
Status: offline

Living on Long Island and very close to the North Fork Wineries I have witnessed this first hand. In the past, tastings were complimentary. Now they charge for flights to deter the "simply want to get a free drink and get buzzed" crowd. And the rowdiness and rudeness.......

Buses and limos full of folks for bachelor parties, birthday parties, corporate events have ruined the little winery feel. The summer and fall weekends are the worst after 12 PM.

However, I do belong to wine clubs at two of my favorite wineries and as soon as I identify myself - I get waited on by one server and always taste the reserve wine or the not yet released wine that is not even on the tasting menu.

(in reply to zippz)

Post #: 12

RE: Tastings Gone Wild - 7/26/2008 1:20:12 PM

pjaines

Posts: 699
Joined: 5/26/2008
From: London
Status: offline

As an opposite to all this excess, try going to Champagne for tasting days. You literally have to kick their front door in just to go and buy the stuff. Even in the small vineyards. "Customers? Why do we want those?" seems to be the modus operandi.

_____________________________

-- Paul

(in reply to smahk)

Post #: 13