We’ve all seen a sommelier gently pouring a bottle of older wine into an elegant decanter and service from this fancy glassware, not the bottle. But why do they do this? And when is it appropriate? Continue reading “When Do You Decant a Wine?”
How Does the Wine Distribution System Work?
The three-tier distribution system (Maker – Distributor – Retailer) goes back to the repeal of Prohibition in the United States in 1933. The states were put in charge of the laws around distribution of alcohol, but the states and the federal governmentwere mostly concerned about collecting taxes. Most states have outlawed the ownership of the entire chain of distribution to make sure there are clear demarcation points where they can collect, except in some special cases like brewpubs. Continue reading “How Does the Wine Distribution System Work?”
What is the Difference between a $10 and $100 Bottle of Wine?
If you answered $90, you are only partially right. You can spend a widely varying amount on a bottle of wine, from a bottle of Barefoot wine at under $5.00 to a bottle of of Chateau Petrus at nearly $5,000. They are both wine, made from grapes, so what causes this difference? And what goes into the costs? It turns out it starts from the very ground the grapes are grown on and goes from there. Continue reading “What is the Difference between a $10 and $100 Bottle of Wine?”