Sake: The Other White Wine
Geek assumes that those reading this are well aware that sake is way more than that scalding -hot stuff out of a bag-in-box at Benihana. Though that beverage has its place, it is not very similar to the premium sakes being produced in Japan today. Premium ‘Special Designation Sake’ (Tokutei Meisho-shu) is a whole ‘nuther […]
Bang for the Buck?
Finding Value in the wine world is very akin to playing Whack-a-Mole…and right now, the Mole is sticking his head out of certain French terroirs. France is the ceremonial home of premium wine. Indeed, many, many of the world’s greatest wines—and all of the uber-expensive wines—hail from this oh-so-lovely country. Of course, France has always […]
Merlot’s ‘Time Out’ is Over
The Return… Two of the most famous movie lines of all time are “I’ll be back” (Arnold Schwarzenegger The Terminator 1984) and “I’m not drinking any ******* Merlot!” (Paul Giamatti Sideways 2004). Fast forward to 2018 and we noticed a new movie coming out titled I’m Back Bitches. We’re wondering if it is about Merlot…because […]
Red Wine: on the Rocks?
Beyond ‘Room Temperature’, Geek is increasingly being subjected to wines being served by restaurants at the wrong temperature—from way too cold to downright hot! Like the rest of Michiganders, Wine Geek enjoyed a particularly lovely and warm summer this year. Not much to complain about with one exception: the warm temperatures sometimes migrated indoors—especially in […]
Don’t Kick the Can – Wine Geek
There’s a big buzz right now (no pun intended) regarding canned wine. It’s the latest and greatest wine trend currently (well, other than rosé). It’s a cool category which by all indications is about to explode. So Wine Geek—who always loves to tell our customers what they are missing—will shed some light on the trend. […]
Old World, New Wines
Tradition & Regulation is Giving Way to Innovation and Imagination as the Classic European Wine Regions Up Their Game As cited in an earlier Wine Geek Speaks missive, for the better part of the 20th century, if one wanted ‘good’ wine, that meant buying imported wine—usually from France, Italy or Germany. Then in the last […]
Retrospective — Rochioli Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
From the 4th Quarter 2017 Great Lakes Wine & Spirits Wine Catalog Rochioli Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Few, if any, California wineries are more closely associated with the rise in esteem of American Pinot Noir than Rochioli Vineyards & Winery. Located in the ‘Cote d’Or’ of the Russian River Valley, the Rochioli’s have been […]
Napa Cabernet—Becoming Just a Memory?
Prices for Napa Valley Vineyards and Grapes—Hence Wines—Have Reached Previously Unimagined Levels; Will Napa Cabernet Become Just a Memory for Us Regular Folks? Wine Geek is old enough to remember when he could (and did) purchase Château Lafite-Rothschild—the famed ‘First Growth’ Bordeaux—for $350. That was for a case. A case of twelve that is. Yes, […]
Brian Greenlee, In Memorium
Brian P. Greenlee 1952-2017 Please join us in mourning the loss of our friend and co-worker Brian Greenlee, who passed in November of this year. Known as ‘The Rev’ for his inspiring presentations at sales events throughout the years, many of us at Great Lakes Wine & Spirits will be inspired by Brian for many […]