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Let’s Bring Some Closure

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Almost 10 years ago—when the whole ‘screwcap thing’ was just starting to percolate—one of our New Zealand producers gave us a choice on our container order (1,100 cases) of Sauvignon Blanc: ‘you can have cork, or screwcap…same price’. Being early adopters, we were inclined to say ‘make it all screwcap, thank you very much’. But […]

Whither the Wine Critic…

  The Power Brokers of the past have faded considerably and now the most important wine critic might be sitting right next to you  There was a time when one went to the local wine shop, asked a few questions (perhaps answered a few as well), a few selections were made, and then the enjoyment […]

Back to the Future… Again: Aperitifs & Aromatized Wines

Back to the Future… Again Aperitifs & Aromatized Wines It was a perfect storm of sorts: as Americans were becoming increasingly interested and savvier about wine/food/restaurants/ingredients the craft spirits/craft cocktail boom was beginning… at first by all those Brooklyn hipsters and the San Francisco foodie crowd. But it was quickly and widely embraced by ‘regular’ […]

Detroit: Food & Wine City

Imagine this: in less than five years, Detroit has gone from ‘Will the last person to leave please turn out the lights?’ to ‘2014 Bar City of the Year’[1], ‘15 Hottest Cities in America’[2] and Zagat’s ‘#3 Hot Food City in America’. Really. The #3 Hot Food City in America—right behind Berkeley CA, and ahead […]

Exploring Minerality

    Geek loves to use this page to inform, educate, chastise & pontificate to other geeks and wannabe geeks alike. We typically try to be ‘au courant’ and address the very latest hot button subjects, but today’s subject: ‘minerality’ in wine is not a new subject: it has been much discussed and debated over […]

More Information from the Wine Institute

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   FACT SHEET Wine Institute is the association of 1,000 California wineries. In recent days, unfounded litigation has raised questions about the safety of California wine. We want to assure you that the health and safety of consumers is of the greatest importance to our wineries and that the wine produced by our members is […]

Wine Institute Press Release

March 18, 2015   WINE INSTITUTE STATEMENT ON POSSIBLE ARSENIC LITIGATION   As the association of 1,000 California wineries, Wine Institute is concerned with the health and safety of consumers who enjoy wine. We have learned of possible litigation alleging that certain wines pose a risk to consumers because they contain trace amounts of arsenic.  […]

At the Movies…

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January 21, 2005 was the U.S. theatrical release of the iconic film Sideways. Recently, Geek has seen numerous articles noting this pending 10 year anniversary, and the effect the movie had on Pinot Noir sales, Merlot sales and wine tourism. Of course, Wine Geek has his own opinions. In case any of our readers have […]

Building a Display

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One of our hardworking retail wine reps posted this video on YouTube of him building a display. If you’ve ever wondered what a retail wine sales rep does, check it out. (Most don’t don’t make short films though; nice job, Jake.)