As the holiday season rushes in, we are reminded of all we are thankful for:
Thanks for all our abundant riches. We truely live like kings!
Thanks for family and friends many we only see once a year, but never lose touch.
Thanks for our faith in the goodness on earth. Our spirits are renewed, hope is rekindled.
No thanks to the greed, the anger, the pettiness that can creep into our lives through the stress of the season.
Thanks for the food, the parties, the bubbles, the cookies, the gift's, the giving and the warmth we feel.
Thanks for those who work while we rest, travel, shop and dine.
Thanks for the wine, the women and song. for the time honored movies and festive events.
No thanks to the traffic, the lines and the wait.
Thanks for the time with book, a spot by the fire and a glass of good port.
Thanks for the new trinkets, and gadgets galore.
Thanks for the sports, the specials, the music and the lights!
No thanks to being troubled, to war and strife.
Thanks for justice and peace and love!
"Be safe out there!"
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
WHY IS IT STILL DARK IN HERE????!!!
OUCH!
I feel like the Chicago Tribune...NOV 3rd 1948...(scratch that 2010) "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN!"...
(scratch that "DAWN OF A NEW AGE, 1100 WILL PASS")
Hey, dont look at me like that!
I predicted the Jets over the Colts in Super Bowl III!
Unfortunately, my last great revelation.
NOW WHAT?
As many of you are saying, we all hope the State of Washington and the WSLCB realize they dodged a howitzer barrage and get the message.
GET OUT OF THE LIQUOR SALES BUSINESS!!!
Sell franchises, promote WASHINGTON products and adjust taxation so we don't lose revenue.
Until the lights come on, the caravan to California and then back with cheap booze, continues!
I feel like the Chicago Tribune...NOV 3rd 1948...(scratch that 2010) "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN!"...
(scratch that "DAWN OF A NEW AGE, 1100 WILL PASS")
Hey, dont look at me like that!
I predicted the Jets over the Colts in Super Bowl III!
Unfortunately, my last great revelation.
NOW WHAT?
As many of you are saying, we all hope the State of Washington and the WSLCB realize they dodged a howitzer barrage and get the message.
GET OUT OF THE LIQUOR SALES BUSINESS!!!
Sell franchises, promote WASHINGTON products and adjust taxation so we don't lose revenue.
Until the lights come on, the caravan to California and then back with cheap booze, continues!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
GET OUT THE VOTE!
Well today's the day!
A dawn of a new age in Washington!
By all accounts 1100 appears headed for passage and 1105 will be close.
If they both pass??? I haven't read anyone who knows the future that clearly.
Kudo's are shouted out to Sean Sullivan and his tireless efforts to shed light on the whole issue.
I voted against 1100 and for 1105. That contridicts my somewhat Libertarian nature. Maybe it was being here in Boston and having them go back and forth on liquor taxes that spooked me. I was worried about the smaller wine producers and the burgeoning WA batch liquor trade getting pummeled by big business.
We'll see!
Anyways, the regulatory doors will fly open and the free market will reign..
And in the end that has worked best.
A dawn of a new age in Washington!
By all accounts 1100 appears headed for passage and 1105 will be close.
If they both pass??? I haven't read anyone who knows the future that clearly.
Kudo's are shouted out to Sean Sullivan and his tireless efforts to shed light on the whole issue.
I voted against 1100 and for 1105. That contridicts my somewhat Libertarian nature. Maybe it was being here in Boston and having them go back and forth on liquor taxes that spooked me. I was worried about the smaller wine producers and the burgeoning WA batch liquor trade getting pummeled by big business.
We'll see!
Anyways, the regulatory doors will fly open and the free market will reign..
And in the end that has worked best.
Monday, October 4, 2010
AND SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ABOUT HR 5034
FOX NEWS Why Is Congress So Afraid of Mail Order Wine?
WINE BUSINESS.COM HR 5034 Hearing: Underage Access Cries Fall Short on Deaf Ears
PRNEWSWIRE NetChoice Warns that CARE Act Will Harm Internet Commerce
WINE INSTITUTE Wine Institute Makes a Strong Case to Reject H.R. 5034
NATIONAL BEER WHOLESALERS ASSOCIATION CARE Act Takes a Big Step Forward
FERMENTATION Rep (MA) Bill Delahunt's letter to Congress
WINEPOLICY.COM Wholesale Political Manipulation on H.R. 5034
FERMENTATION Hearings Set for Wednesday on H.R. 5034: Wholesaler Protection Act
WINE BUSINESS.COM HR 5034 Hearing: Underage Access Cries Fall Short on Deaf Ears
PRNEWSWIRE NetChoice Warns that CARE Act Will Harm Internet Commerce
WINE INSTITUTE Wine Institute Makes a Strong Case to Reject H.R. 5034
NATIONAL BEER WHOLESALERS ASSOCIATION CARE Act Takes a Big Step Forward
FERMENTATION Rep (MA) Bill Delahunt's letter to Congress
WINEPOLICY.COM Wholesale Political Manipulation on H.R. 5034
FERMENTATION Hearings Set for Wednesday on H.R. 5034: Wholesaler Protection Act
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
WASHINGTON WINE SOCIAL MEDIA PILLARS
I wanted to take a moment and laud the work of a group of dedicated advocates of Washington State Wine.
These tireless and somewhat whacked group of Social Media Masters are voices of information, reason and most importantly passion and fun! Their dedication, attention to detail, almost Sherlock Holmsian pursuit of the truth is only exceeded by their total belief in the quality of Washington Wine.
For starters there can only be Paul Gregutt. He has been the voice of Washington wine for almost ten years now. His palate and his concise writing style have guided wine aficionados through the maze of the exploding Washington wine scene, creating sense of standard and ultimately lifting the quality of wine for everyone.
Respect his opinion, heed his concerns and most importantly follow his writing.
No one on the Washington wine scene has evolved (exploded, really) with more dedication and passion than Josh Wade of DrinkNectar.com. And no one has done more to tout the wineries and wine scene of Spokane, WA when it could have been drowned out by the "Woodinville" or "Walla Walla " voices. Josh has been everywhere; video, virtual tastings, blogging and appearances, bringing the "Good News" of Washington wine to anyone who will listen. Follow him. You won't be disappointed.
Certainly the most prolific, with excellent quality, is Sean Sullivan and the Washington Wine Report. And a nicer, more positive and encouraging guy you may never meet. Sean really cares. He loves Washington wine and he wants you to share his passion. His detailed and thought provoking posts tell a story. They are informed, connected and important, for they give his readers many reasons to be "evangelists" for up and coming labels, if not the whole of Washington wine. Take a moment and give Sean a read. You will learn something!
Barbara Evans, Seattle Wine Gal, is one of the most dynamic, intelligent and passionate people you could know. She MADE the Social Media scene in Seattle come alive for wine. She organized, connected, cajoled and insisted that people understand how great wine is in Washington. Every time you are with her, it's an EVENT! She knows her wines and the people. More importantly, she knows the power of combining passion and information. If you want to stay informed, you'll try to keep up with Barbara!
Woodinville Wine Update, Shona Milne, is the Queen of Woodinville. Shona is the glue every region needs that keeps everyone connected. Her intelligence and passion around not only Woodinville, but all of Washington wine is to be commended. If you want to stay on top of one of the great wine regions in the world, you will connect with Shona!
Bean Fairbanks of Wine Beer Washington is also a positive force for Washington Wine & Beer promotion
Even though these are a group people I know, have talked to and/or worked with, there are many more important contributors.
Washington is blessed with the greatest Social Media Wine Army in the world.
These tireless and somewhat whacked group of Social Media Masters are voices of information, reason and most importantly passion and fun! Their dedication, attention to detail, almost Sherlock Holmsian pursuit of the truth is only exceeded by their total belief in the quality of Washington Wine.
For starters there can only be Paul Gregutt. He has been the voice of Washington wine for almost ten years now. His palate and his concise writing style have guided wine aficionados through the maze of the exploding Washington wine scene, creating sense of standard and ultimately lifting the quality of wine for everyone.
Respect his opinion, heed his concerns and most importantly follow his writing.
No one on the Washington wine scene has evolved (exploded, really) with more dedication and passion than Josh Wade of DrinkNectar.com. And no one has done more to tout the wineries and wine scene of Spokane, WA when it could have been drowned out by the "Woodinville" or "Walla Walla " voices. Josh has been everywhere; video, virtual tastings, blogging and appearances, bringing the "Good News" of Washington wine to anyone who will listen. Follow him. You won't be disappointed.
Certainly the most prolific, with excellent quality, is Sean Sullivan and the Washington Wine Report. And a nicer, more positive and encouraging guy you may never meet. Sean really cares. He loves Washington wine and he wants you to share his passion. His detailed and thought provoking posts tell a story. They are informed, connected and important, for they give his readers many reasons to be "evangelists" for up and coming labels, if not the whole of Washington wine. Take a moment and give Sean a read. You will learn something!
Barbara Evans, Seattle Wine Gal, is one of the most dynamic, intelligent and passionate people you could know. She MADE the Social Media scene in Seattle come alive for wine. She organized, connected, cajoled and insisted that people understand how great wine is in Washington. Every time you are with her, it's an EVENT! She knows her wines and the people. More importantly, she knows the power of combining passion and information. If you want to stay informed, you'll try to keep up with Barbara!
Woodinville Wine Update, Shona Milne, is the Queen of Woodinville. Shona is the glue every region needs that keeps everyone connected. Her intelligence and passion around not only Woodinville, but all of Washington wine is to be commended. If you want to stay on top of one of the great wine regions in the world, you will connect with Shona!
Bean Fairbanks of Wine Beer Washington is also a positive force for Washington Wine & Beer promotion
Even though these are a group people I know, have talked to and/or worked with, there are many more important contributors.
Washington is blessed with the greatest Social Media Wine Army in the world.
"THE BATTLE OF WASHINGTON STATE" - 1100 vs 1105
IT'S ON! One thing is for sure, there will be change in Washington. The people of the state have salivated over the opportunity to remove the WSLCB from SELLING alcohol. The question is "HOW?"
1100 threatens to blow up everything.
This is "Free Market" capitalism at its best.
The gold rush is on and the big boys know it
(see the Wine Spectator article for $ spent).
And fear mongers cry foul with scenes of drunks in the streets and nothing but cheap Chilean wine in every store.
1105 is a distributors wet dream; get the state out of distribution, while retaining their control of product flow (again see how much $ is being spent!).
High volume restaurants and box stores will not have nearly the leverage with volume purchases as they would under 1100.
What to do? What to do?
No one knows what's really going to happen.
And what if they BOTH pass??!!
That'll be up to the State Supreme Court I imagine.
But all is NOT lost. There are some possible solutions.
First, although this is probably going to be drastic change a little too quickly, Free Markets do eventually work for the best.
Second, with change MUST come NEW thinking.
Let's look at the issues that removal of WSLCB sales controls may incur:
#1 Loss of revenue to the state coffers.
#2 Market dominance by large "Box" chains and large producers.
#3 Increased short term and long term alcohol social and health issues.
#1 seems easy to me; RAISE THE TAX ON ALCOHOL!
Market forces will drive down distribution and sales costs so alcohol pricing will drop.
If the state makes up, let's say HALF the difference with increased taxes, the combination of greater sales volume and a higher tax % should cover any shortfall.
#2 is an increased awareness both publicly and financially of the very important role that the craft alcohol industry plays in the Washington economy. Renewable, sustainable and labor intensive as any industry, the state has done only a fair job of promoting and selling Washington Alcohol Products (The WSLCB stores should have been Washington wine dominate, not just a month a year promotion!)
That means either tax Washington Alcohol Products differently than out of state products or subsidize and promote their production in every way possible.
#3 is the most nebulous of the issues. The connection between a more free market environment and social issues is debatable at best. There will be a need for more oversight and training in the new economy.
1100 threatens to blow up everything.
This is "Free Market" capitalism at its best.
The gold rush is on and the big boys know it
(see the Wine Spectator article for $ spent).
And fear mongers cry foul with scenes of drunks in the streets and nothing but cheap Chilean wine in every store.
1105 is a distributors wet dream; get the state out of distribution, while retaining their control of product flow (again see how much $ is being spent!).
High volume restaurants and box stores will not have nearly the leverage with volume purchases as they would under 1100.
What to do? What to do?
No one knows what's really going to happen.
And what if they BOTH pass??!!
That'll be up to the State Supreme Court I imagine.
But all is NOT lost. There are some possible solutions.
First, although this is probably going to be drastic change a little too quickly, Free Markets do eventually work for the best.
Second, with change MUST come NEW thinking.
Let's look at the issues that removal of WSLCB sales controls may incur:
#1 Loss of revenue to the state coffers.
#2 Market dominance by large "Box" chains and large producers.
#3 Increased short term and long term alcohol social and health issues.
#1 seems easy to me; RAISE THE TAX ON ALCOHOL!
Market forces will drive down distribution and sales costs so alcohol pricing will drop.
If the state makes up, let's say HALF the difference with increased taxes, the combination of greater sales volume and a higher tax % should cover any shortfall.
#2 is an increased awareness both publicly and financially of the very important role that the craft alcohol industry plays in the Washington economy. Renewable, sustainable and labor intensive as any industry, the state has done only a fair job of promoting and selling Washington Alcohol Products (The WSLCB stores should have been Washington wine dominate, not just a month a year promotion!)
That means either tax Washington Alcohol Products differently than out of state products or subsidize and promote their production in every way possible.
#3 is the most nebulous of the issues. The connection between a more free market environment and social issues is debatable at best. There will be a need for more oversight and training in the new economy.
IMMUNO CAP IgE-WHY YOU NEED THIS TEST
Although, wine is always on my radar screen, I came to Boston to pursue Social Media from a medical perspective. Through that endeavor, I was reintroduced to this amazing test.
A lot of what we encounter around health is more of a mystery, hocus pocus, hear say and hardly understood. "Red wine is good". "Too much alcohol is bad." "Fat is bad." "This fat is good." "Carbo load for energy." "Go on Atkins and skip the carbs."
WHAT?...HUH?...YES...NO...WHY...MAYBE...TRY THIS...DON'T DO THIS...
Each person has their own genetic make-up, life history and present condition. Wouldn't it be nice to KNOW what exactly is going on with your body. I know a whole bunch of people that have allergies, asthma and other medical problems. They suffer through life with little or no help.
I say STOP! GET THE TEST!
ImmunoCAP IgE from Quest Diagnostics will tell you what are the conditions and triggers that are causing issues in your body. DEAL WITH FACTS! And then learn the techniques and tools you can use to avoid, reduce and in some cases eliminate these stresses from your life.
It's available, it's easy, and it is cost effective; CHEAP by any standard
A lot of what we encounter around health is more of a mystery, hocus pocus, hear say and hardly understood. "Red wine is good". "Too much alcohol is bad." "Fat is bad." "This fat is good." "Carbo load for energy." "Go on Atkins and skip the carbs."
WHAT?...HUH?...YES...NO...WHY...MAYBE...TRY THIS...DON'T DO THIS...
Each person has their own genetic make-up, life history and present condition. Wouldn't it be nice to KNOW what exactly is going on with your body. I know a whole bunch of people that have allergies, asthma and other medical problems. They suffer through life with little or no help.
I say STOP! GET THE TEST!
ImmunoCAP IgE from Quest Diagnostics will tell you what are the conditions and triggers that are causing issues in your body. DEAL WITH FACTS! And then learn the techniques and tools you can use to avoid, reduce and in some cases eliminate these stresses from your life.
It's available, it's easy, and it is cost effective; CHEAP by any standard
Monday, September 27, 2010
WHERE'S THE WASHINGTON WINE??!!
After a few weeks in Boston I'm shocked, "Shocked I tell you!", that there are no Washington wines anywhere to be seen (Sorry Ste. Michelle/Columbia Crest all though solid, don't constitute a representation)
Where's the McCrea, the DeLille Cellars, the Amavi? Nobody talks Cabernet Franc here. I see Barrister and Barrage wowing people.
Get this. Boston is a bookend to Seattle (With better sports!); education, seafood, on the coast, liberal, beer and they drink a TON of wine. Wouldn't the divine Walter Dacon Viognier go beautifully with steamed lobster!
The Boston Wine Expo, one of the top wine festivals, has Mercer Wine Estates & Pacific Rim Winemakers, THAT'S IT!
At least Oregon has the Northwest Core Collection.
Folks, we all know the quality, the value and availability of great Washington wines.
WHY DOESN"T BOSTON!
There is an abundance of world class reds from Walla Walla, Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain and there is a growing exploration of new varietals (Grenache, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Mourvedre to name a few).
Let's tell Boston and the world WHAT"S UP in Washington!
Where's the McCrea, the DeLille Cellars, the Amavi? Nobody talks Cabernet Franc here. I see Barrister and Barrage wowing people.
Get this. Boston is a bookend to Seattle (With better sports!); education, seafood, on the coast, liberal, beer and they drink a TON of wine. Wouldn't the divine Walter Dacon Viognier go beautifully with steamed lobster!
The Boston Wine Expo, one of the top wine festivals, has Mercer Wine Estates & Pacific Rim Winemakers, THAT'S IT!
At least Oregon has the Northwest Core Collection.
Folks, we all know the quality, the value and availability of great Washington wines.
WHY DOESN"T BOSTON!
There is an abundance of world class reds from Walla Walla, Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain and there is a growing exploration of new varietals (Grenache, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Mourvedre to name a few).
Let's tell Boston and the world WHAT"S UP in Washington!
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