November 22, 2007

So this stag walked into a bar…

posted by alesha in Wine Industry

Recently I got to thinking… What’s the proper protocol for ordering wine on a date?

Here’s what precipitated this… Last week I had dinner at City Crab with my date- let’s call him Tom- who knew little (read: nothing) about wine. Seemed like the only thing he did know was that wine was made from grapes. As we sat down the waiter appeared, asking if we wanted the wine list. We did. He then handed it to Tom (why did he just automatically hand the list to the guy?), who gazed at me shyly and pleaded, “I must admit… I don’t really drink wine- would you pick one for us?”

I welcomed Tom’s honesty and selected a Stag’s Leap 2003 Sauvignon Blanc. I like to drink Sauvignon Blanc with seafood and, since Tom’s from California, I figured he’d appreciate a wine from his home state. When the waiter returned, and before I had a chance to order, he turned to Tom. “Have you decided on a wine?” the waiter asked him. I felt invisible! The waiter had just assumed that Tom knew more than me and that ordering was a man’s job.

Worst of all, Tom couldn’t understand why I was upset. I told him that I felt the waiter had overlooked me. I felt like a girl in a boys’ club. I understand that sometimes men do the ordering, but Tom’s thinking troubled me. He told me he saw nothing wrong with the waiter’s actions “because the guy usually pays anyway.” (!!!)

Then he proceeded to tell me that I was overreacting and making a big deal out of nothing.

It all boils down to this. Does the one who pays also earn the right to control the ordering of the wine and food? If so, then where does that leave me, and the multitude of other women who feel uncomfortable pretending to be helpless around men (at least when it comes to the wine lists)?

When ordering wine, are women to let the guys do the ordering, or should we assert ourselves? If my date admits to knowing nothing about wine, should I just sit there and smile serenely while he struggles with the selection? It just doesn’t make sense. It is quite a conundrum and I’d like to hear from all of you- have you been in this situation and how have you dealt with it?

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November 14, 2007

Corn Belt Wine

posted by alesha in Wine

I came across a curious report by The Chicago Tribune last week. It went like this, “the novelty of the golf course community may have begun to fade in recent years, but now vineyard living is emerging as an alternative. The American fascination with wine has never been more intense — wine consumption increased by 25 percent or 142 million gallons between 2001 and 2006, according to the San Francisco-based Wine Institute — and new housing developments are appearing alongside or right in the middle of vineyards across the country, even in areas not well known for their wine production.”

Vineyard living?!

A wine newbie, I have always been under the impression that the major wine producers in the United States were California, New York, Oregon and Washington. To my surprise, I recently learned that Idaho, Texas, and Arizona are giving the old timers a run for their money! Last year a New York Times article discussed how farmers in those states are moving away from growing agricultural crops to growing grapes.

I never thought I’d see the day when American farmers would abandon corn, cotton and sorghum for wine!

Our country is so consumed with wine that people are switching from golfing and reading to studying viticulture. Growing up in Florida, I knew nothing about wine, mainly because no one in my family drank it and we weren’t exactly surrounded by vineyards. On special occasions we’d toast with “Champagne,” (actually Asti Spumanti) but other than Martini & Rossi, I didn’t know what else was out there.

Oh boy, things sure have changed. Now, Iowans can learn to appreciate wine right at home. It isn’t all about California and New York anymore.

So… to all the farmers out there… I salute you for taking a risk! Not everyone can grow grapes for wine making, but then again, not everyone is willing to leave their comfort zone to start over again with something exciting and new. I’m looking forward to trying some Ohio Riesling and any other offerings from the Corn Belt. Maybe I’ll even treat my Florida family to some for Thanksgiving!

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November 7, 2007

Pocket Shot: Flask on the Fly

posted by alesha in Spirits

Ever wanted to go back in time and drink like you did back in college? For some that may be a rhetorical question… but that’s exactly what sprang to mind when I heard about Pocket Shot, a handy new way to tote liquor around. For a mere $2 a bottle, Pocket Shot offers a choice of five portable spirits: gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, and tequila.Pocket Shots

Its website describes it as a “‘grab and go’ convenient and user-friendly package for alcoholic beverages. Packaged with a distinctive shape to resemble a miniature bottle complete with bottleneck for easy pouring and a high quality sheen with bright graphics, Pocket Shot is truly the first new concept in alcohol packaging to hit shelves in North America.”

So versatile it can go from office to clubbing (sort of like the little black dress of spirits?). Other suggested activities include fishing, hiking, rollerblading, swimming… Now why in the world would I want to carry alcohol with me when I’m hiking or swimming?

To me Pocket Shot seems more appropriate for college students, not young professionals. When was the last time you seriously contemplated buying a flask? I just wonder, is this product sending the right message? Sure, ours is a fast paced world, but isn’t promoting small, cheap bottles of liquor akin to promoting binge-drinking?

An interesting niche market, for sure (maybe these guys would want to partner with Fred, the spring water that comes in a flask-like clear bottle)?

This info, posted on the company’s website rang true: “According to a 2005 Packaging Trends Report, seven of 10 respondents said they would choose one product over another because of its packaging. The Pocket Shot package was designed to function as the most equitable combination of product and promotion to address the need for convenience in today’s highly mobile lifestyle. This package creates a new category definition and enhanced shelf appeal because of the unique design.”

What next, baby bottles filled with beer?

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