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My Friend André Iché, An Appreciation
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For a Defense of the English Language!
Say No to Work-Withs!
Here in the wine industry, we wine suppliers are often scheduled to work with salespeople from our distributors. We go out in their cars with lots of samples, visit restaurant owners and retailers, and sell huge quantities of wine.
We wine professionals call these appointments work-withs.
In reality, there is no such term in the English language.
In fact, a work-with is a dangling preposition.
Please, can we come up with a new term? A kinder, gentler, grammatical way of describing the beautiful, bonding experience of forcing clients into buying wine.
Then again, as much as I am against the dangling prepopsition, lets keep sentence fragments alive and well.
I love them.
The winning entry will receive a complimentary bottle of Caligrame Janières, our latest cult wine, if it is legal to ship from New York City to the State where the winner resides.
Employees of LDM Wines and their immediate family members are not eligible to win this prize.
An Open Letter of Apology
I've degenerated into a lazy and inactive blogger.
My apologies.
I've been very busy:
- Nearly a month in France and Italy
- 35 French vignerons coming to America
- Undergoing extreme dental surgery with a liberal dentist shocked by all his right-wing customers
- Going to Chicago
- Celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary
- Losing suppliers (as we in the wine industry call vignerons)
- Gaining suppliers
- Soliciting orders
- Processing new orders
- Undergoing accupuncture treatment
- Dieting
- Taking Chinese herbs which might have god-only-knows what in them
- Cycling
I promise to write more soon.
Congratulations to Helen Turley!
Noted winemaker Helen Turley and her husband, John Wetlaufer, just won $255,000 in back pay from Don Bryant of the Bryant Family for breach of contract.
This was way below the $556,958 that the couple had asked. The jury decided that Ms. Turley had not looked for work elsewhere or something like that.
This translates into a lot of Muscadet. Ms. Turley and Mr. Wetlaufer can now buy about 106,250 bottles of good-quality Muscadet, ex-cellar France. This is way below the 232,065 bottles they would have bought if they had won the amount they demanded. Either way, this makes for a lot of Muscadet.
As a consolation, we will be sending Don Bryant a bottle of the 2002 Clos des Briords Muscadet, a wine that was highly praised in the Wine Spectator, but which has never received as many points as the Bryant Family wines made during Helen Bryant's tenure.
It goes great with oysters.
Don't Miss the Fabulous Domaine du Closel Dinner on Monday Night at Morrell's Restaurant
Hosted by Isaure de Pontbriand-Cribiore of the Domaine du Closel!
There will be lots to drink and eat. Like:
Reception
hors d’oeuvres (and lot's of them!)
2002 "Jalousie"
Dinner
Roast Quail with Citrus-Infused Couscous
2002 "Caillardières"
Seared Monkfish, Bok Choy and Cardamom Jus
2002 "Clos du Papillon"
Valençay, Pain d’epice
1989 Moëlleux, “Cuvee Isa”
Mignardises (don't miss this course, it's the best!)
Coffee (both caffeinated and non-caffeinated, with cream, without, with sugar, without)
The Cost is $75, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required by noon on Friday, March 5th. Inquiries can be made by calling Morrells Restaurant at 212.253.0900.
It's going to be a great time! And don't forget to keep some space for the Mignardises!
Believe it or Not!
Famous vignerons Jean-Paul Brun and André Iché are in my office as I writing this!
Believe it or not!
Don't Miss Today's Polaner Selections Tasting
Yesterday's tasting in Boston was a smashing success.
Another six vigernons arrived from France last night and there will be 34 vignerons from Louis/Dressner at today's gala Polaner Selections event.
This marathon, all-day affair should be great fun and we hope to see you there. Consult the Polaner Selections site to find out more information about the tasting or call me on my cell phone at 646 833-2913.
To find the Polaner site, do an advanced Google search and search for all the following words:
Copain Brewer-Clifton Carlisle DuMol Pax Michael Wheeler
Don't Miss Todays Tasting in Boston
28 vignerons and I showed up in Boston yesterday.
We have rented an entire floor at the Parker House hotel, which is the birthplace of the Parker Roll and the Boston Cream Pie. Furthermore, the popular vigneron hero, Ho Chi Minh, worked here during his student days in Boston. Malcolm X also worked here.
We spent yesterday visiting ancient Puritan graveyards and inviting dead Puritans to today's trade only wine tasting.
You are invited too!
Ask your Carolina distributor representative for the location or call me on my cell phone: 648 872 6824
Who is Russell Briggs?
My dog Buster came into bed at 5 am this morning and starting licking my toes. He likes doing this.
So, I was up and decided to surf the web.
Most of my web surfing these days involves planning the educational future of my children. My son Jules is planning to go to school next year in Montréal and I am quickly becoming an expert on Montréal's lifestyle. I am totally obsessed with all the details and am micro-managing the transition to University life. At least it keeps me off the porn sites!
This morning, I learned that the University of Montréal is having a special week to encourage car pools. The headline on their web site is:
Semaine de covoiturage: un ami de plus, un char de moins!
My son has been accepted to this University, but doesn't want to go there. Perhaps he is against covoiturage. Who knows?
I also discovered this morning that students between ages 18 and 25 are eligible for a special transit pass, la Carte Privilège, which gives them unlimited monthly use of the excellent mass transit system for only $31.00 Canadian a month, as opposed to $59.00 Canadian. I then went to www.xe.com, which monitors currency rates, and learned that $31.00 Canadian is the equivalent of $23.31 American. Of course, these currency exchange rates are the inter-bank rates and are based on transactions of millions of dollars. Nevertheless, it is clear that Montréal's mass transit system is a bargain for students.
It being only 7 am, I surfed on to some web sites. The Garagiste, a great retailer with an active internet site, has an article about a New Zealand Wine Importer named Russell Briggs. The article states:
Forget your preconceptions of what New Zealand wine has to offer and start with a clean slate. These are wines of immense natural acidity and terroir rarely found anywhere in the world. If you are a fan of the searing, nervous energy of great un-oaked Chablis or the eccentric offerings of Joe Dressner you have found a new friend in Russell Briggs. This is certainly one of the most important new portfolios in the last several years.
One hour later I get an e-mail from Wine Personality of the Year Michael Wheeler asking me if he could bring some of the Russell Brigg's wines to our tasting party next week!
The internet is a fabulous place, despite its many detractors.
By the way, what an embarassment to have George Bush as President of the United State. What they ought to have is a consitutional amendment to keep the entire Bush family out of public office. What a repulsive and despicable individual.
Polls got you down? Play the anti-gay card.
34 French Vignerons land in Boston and New York. Australians panic!
by Kevin McKenna
NEW YORK. The news of the impending initiative of an elite viticultural team of independent grapegrower/winemakers from various regions of France into two occupied territories of the Eastern United States has gained enthusiastic support from resistance leaders in the two areas.
The axis of Chilean and Australian forces, heavily supported by government subsidies, tax initiatives and low-end Spanish Cooperatives getting big scores in The Wine Advocate, have been at a loss in dealing with the impending assault.
As allied jets loaded at Charles de Gaulle airport, the industry leaders convened at an undisclosed San Diego location and are expected to give a press release from the home of TwoBuck Chuck on Thursday.
Meanwhile, resistance leaders are confident for a successful campaign despite the war-weakened dollar and see this moment as a new era in taste. "It is time to show these plonky thugs what elegance really means," said one anonymous retailer from his hideout not far from Harvard Yard, Cambridge. "We plan to feed them defeat at every table" said an irate restaurateur from an undisclosed seedy, but hip, area of Brooklyn
In the meantime, the Band of Vins has announced their battle plans. We hope that you will find the time to pick up a glass and join them in their struggle.
Saturday, February 28
Chambers Street Wines, 160 Chambers Street, NYC 5-7 PM (Open to all) 212.227.1434
- François Pinon, Domaine Pinon, Vouvray
The Colonnade Hotel - Boston, MA (Trade-only event) - 1-4 PM
- Catherine Breton from Bourgueil
- Bernard & Henriette Baudry from Domaine Bernard Baudry in Chinon
- Jean-Paul Brun from Domaine des Terres Dorées in Beaujolais
- Isaure de Pontbriand from Domaine du Closel in Savennières
- Francoise & Jean-Baptisite Dutheil from Château St-Anne in Bandol
- Jerome Guimberteau from Clos de Caveau in Vacqueyras
- André Iché from Château d’Oupia in Minervois
- Jean-Mary & Catherine Le Bihan from Mouthes le Bihan in Duras
- Thomas Morey from Domaine Bernard Morey in Chassagne-Montrachet
- Eric & Chrisitine Nicolas from Domaine de la Bellivière in Jasnières
- Marc Ollivier from Domaine de la Pépière in Muscadet
- François Pinon from Vouvray.
The Westside Loft - New York, NY (Trade-only event) 12-5 PM
Everyone at the Boston tasting plus:
- Philippe Beraud from Costières-de-Nimes
- Jean-Pierre & Chantal Frick from Alsace.
Thursday, March 4th
Burgundy Wine Company, 143 West 26th Street, NYC 6:30-9:30 PM (Open to all) 212.691.9092
- Thomas Morey, Domaine Bernard Morey & Fils, Chassagne-Montrachet
Chambers Street Wines, 160 Chambers Street, NYC 5-7 PM (Open to all) 212.227.1434
- Catherine & Claude Maréchal, Domaine Catherine & Claude Maréchal, Beaune
- Bernard & Henriette Baudry from Domaine Bernard Baudry in Chinon
- Eric & Chrisitine Nicolas from Domaine de la Bellivière in Jasnières
- Catherine Breton from SCEA Catherine & Pierre Breton, Bourgueil
- Marc Ollivier, Domaine de la Pépière, Muscadet
- Isaure de Pontbriand, Domaine du Closel, Savennières
- Jean-Paul Brun, Domaine des Terres Dorées, Beaujolais.
Friday, March 5th
Prospect Wine Shop, 322 Seventh Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
- Marc Ollivier, Domaine de la Pépière, Muscadet
- Jean-Paul Brun, Domaine des Terres Dorées, Beaujolais
- Jean-Mary & Catherine Le Bihan, Les Mouthes de Bihan, Duras.
Whole Foods Wines, Colombus Circle, 59th & CPW, NYC 4-7 PM (Open to all) 212.823.9600
- Jerome Guimberteau, Clos de Caveau, Vacqueyras
- Eric & Chrisitine Nicolas, Domaine de Belliviere, Jasnières
- Jean-Pierre & Chantal Frick, Pierre Frick, Alsace.
Astor Wines & Spirits, 12 Astor Place, NYC 5-8 PM (Open to all) 212.674.7500
- Thomas Morey, Domaine Bernard Morey & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet
- Françoise & Jean-Baptiste Dutheil, Chateau Sainte-Anne, Bandol
- André Iché, Chateau d'Oupia, Minervois.
Chelsea Wine Vault, 75 Ninth Avenue, NYC 4-7PM (Open to all) 212.462.4244
- Isaure de Pontbriand, Domaine du Closel, Savennières
- Bernard & Henriette Baudry, Domaine Bernard Baudry, Chinon.
Chambers Street Wines, 160 Chambers Street, NYC 5-7 PM (Open to all) 212.227.1434
Back from France!
I have just returned from a ground-breaking trip to France!
As soon as I get over jet-lag, I will be writing in this space to detail the many wondrous and exciting experiences I had in viticultural France.
Stay tuned....
Ruché!
I'm in the Asti area and have met the next hot grape variety:
Ruché!
Blaterle!
I am freezing cold somewhere in Italy's Dolomites.
I have met the future....
Blaterle!
New Material at Louis/Dressner Site
My flight to Florence is delayed and I am writing this from the airport lounge using an IPAQ PocketPC, a folding keyboard, a Nokia 3650 Cell Phone, T-Mobile, a bluetooth connection and GPRS. If you don't understand what any of this means, don't worry.
The Louis/Dressner Selections site has been significantly updated. Take a look:
Exciting Italian Wines Now Available!
Domaine Oratoire St-Martin in Cairanne
Crazy New Vignerons from the Côtes-de-Duras
Wines from Krasnodarskii Krai!
I just got an interesting e-mail offering wines from Kuba, which is off the Black Sea in southern Russia.
The site has much badly worded English, but it looks very interesting. Apparently, the wines are always sour:
The sour taste itself can not be a drawback of wine. But the fact is that all Kuban dry wines have this sour taste. It is neither bad nor good. It is the whim of nature. It is a local peculiarity and nowhere else in the world you'll try wines with above mentioned taste qualities.
Honestly, I know nothing about these wines, but you might want to take a look at the web site:
Interesting Post-Soviet Wines,
Off to Italy and France
I've packed my bags and will be leaving New York for nearly a month on Friday.
First off is some exploration in Italy to see if we can find some stubborn Peasant/Vignerons who would quality for February's Peasant/Vigneron Month Festivities.
Then, I'm off to the Loire Valley to attend lots of fabulous events with a lot of our fabulous customers. Every state of the union will be represented in the contingent we have put together, with the sole exceptions of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Travelling with 48 wholesalers can be exhausting!
Then, I'm off to Burgundy, the Mâconnais, the Beaujolais, the Rhône, the Languedoc and, my favorite, I finish up in the Toul.
I hope to write some interesting material here before I leave but I doubt I will have the time.
Best regards to everyone and feel free to call me on my French cell phone.
Denyse and I to Celebrate our 20th Anniversary in late March!
There's going to be a big party and the printed invitations went out yesterday. Don't forget to RSVP!
We will be serving Jeroboams of Mâcon-Lugny les Charmes 1984, the beautiful wine we drank at our wedding. Denyse's family is from that area and were founding members of the cooperative that makes that outstanding wine.
We set aside 24 Jeroboams in 1984 and we are dying to see how they developed since then. It's always a crapshoot with an older Chardonnay, but we're hoping for the best!
Denyse and I in 1984 at our marriage in Lake Tahoe. We were so young and so in love!
Even if you are not invited, this is a rare opportunity to send us gifts. Call me on my cell phone for more details. The number is 347 828 1984. The folks at Cingular were kind enough to give me a phone number with the same last four digits of our wedding anniversary!
Telephone Messages
I receive many telephone messages.
Please do me a favor. I am old, have arthritic hands and am a bit feeble-minded. When you leave a phone number for me, please enunciate the phone number slowly and then repeat the number a second time. Say the content of your message as quickly as you like, but slow down cowboy when you get to your phone number. Say it nice and slowly. Then, repeat the number nice and slowly.
The Louis/Dressner Selections order board on a typical Thursday afternoon
This gives me sufficient time to correctly write down your number and call you back promptly. Otherwise, I have to listen to your message several times and I am constantly nervous that I will miss or confuse a digit. Repeating messages takes forever and I do not want to hear your message numerous times, even though I am delighted you are calling me.
Returning your phone call should be a great pleasure. But, by hastily recounting your telephone number without giving me time to write it down, you are wasting my time, making my arthritic hands suffer even greater pain, delaying the return phone call, and clouding my thoughts when I eventually do call you back. Why inflict unnecessary pain, insecurity and self-doubt when all you need to do is slow-up and say the phone number twice.
Taking messages has become even more complicated now that all messages are digitally recorded. In the not-so-old days, messages were stored on tape recorders and the listener could fast forward through a lengthy message to get right back to the phone number. Unfortunately, digital recorders do not have this feature and everytime someone calls you have no choice but to listen to the entire message to get to the very end where they give you the phone number.
So, please remember, your call is very important to us, please continue to hold the line. The next available representative will be with you as soon as possible.
Michael Wheeler Wins the 2003 Wine Personality of the Year Award
Michael Wheeler, a principal in Polaner Selections, was overwhelmingly voted the 2003 Wine Personality of the Year Award today.
Michael Wheeler
Michael started out in retail years ago, then aided Winebow in becoming a major player in the national wine market. Next, he was off to Michael Skurnik Wines, where he was instrumental in their leap from a small house to a major, quality distributorship.
Three years ago, Mr. Wheeler left Skurnik to become a principal in Polaner Selections. That company is now one of the hottest distributorships in the country. Along with Douglas Polaner and Tina Fischer, Mr. Wheeler has propelled Polaner Selections from a small start-up to a major force in the New York/New Jersey market.
But all this gives little sense of what makes Michael Wheeler the man of the year. Mike is not just a salesman. Mike is not a Lomanesque brand pusher.
Mike Wheeler makes his customers, colleagues and suppliers remember what is joyful about wine. Why wine and food can be such a grand and deep pleasure for all of us. Mike Wheeler has mastered the fine art of communicating his enthusiasm and making it contagious. The man is a walking, talking, irresistible explosion of generosity and joie de vivre.
Mr. Wheeler is not the most powerful person in the wine trade. But he is what every one of us in the trade wishes they could be.
Congratulations to Michael Wheeler, Wine Personality of the Year.