Oklahoma Wines

The Fouling Of Festivus - Airing Of Grievances

2008-12-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

Is nothing sacred?
According to the LA Times, a hoard of hucksters, including Grape Ranch
have tainted the true spirit of Festivus. In the case of Grape Ranch. the offense was to produce a seasonal Festivus wine, thus joining the purveyors of "other Kitschy merchandise".
Great work guys. You do realize that we now have no choice but to proceed on to "Feats Of Strength", right?

StableRidge Oklahoma Centennial

2008-12-21T06:10:00.000-08:00

Very disappointing semi-sweet white. Tastes like a blush and even has a hint of rose color rose to it in the glass. Almost no nose at all. Slightly cloying. The name, for some reason, had me hoping for better. At thirteen dollars a bottle this is an expensive mistake.

Beethoven's Birthday Was Yesterday

2008-12-17T06:56:00.000-08:00

And even though I missed it it seems like I ought to offer some commemoration.

Vintage Oklahoma '09

2008-12-17T02:48:00.000-08:00

Buy yer tickets here

Antitrust Violations 10, Wine 0

2008-12-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

Tony Mauro of the Legal Times sez:

Wolf is right, in that the 21st Amendment led to creation of the three-tier (producers, wholesalers, retailers) state-regulated system for purveying wine, beer and liquor. That system is under challenge fairly regularly, most recently in the 2005 Supreme Court decision in Granhom v. Heald. The Court upheld the system, but said the 21st Amendment does not allow states to violate the Commerce Clause by discriminating against out-of-state wineries seeking to sell direct to their residents.

"The three-tier system is alive and kicking," said the association's co-general counsel Karin Moore in an interview at the event. "That's what we are celebrating tonight." The system provides licensed, safe and accountable distribution, she said. But Moore, formerly with the Federal Trade Commission and with O'Melveny & Myers in D.C., acknowledged that challenges persist, some brought on by growing Internet sales and others by antitrust concerns. She had just returned from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond, which heard arguments Tuesday in TWFS v. Franchot, an antitrust challenge to aspects of Maryland's alcohol regulations.

Grace Hill Winery, Wichita,KS

2008-12-16T09:19:00.000-08:00

A nice write-up for our neighbors to the North, the Grace Hill Winery in Wichita:

Before Wichitans Dave and Natalie Sollo went to a land auction in March 2003, "Dave told me he just wanted some property in the country that he could mess around on." Until they were driving away from the 160 acres they'd just bought, he didn't mention that he'd also wanted to start a vineyard for 10 or 15 years.

It's grown into Grace Hill Winery, and with their first wine sales earlier this year, the two physicians -- he's an anesthesiologist; she's a pediatrician -- now are commercial vintners as well.

A Cancer-Free Winebibber

2008-12-16T09:14:00.000-08:00

There is hope for me yet:

Every day there's more news about the health benefits of red wine, but this one is really hard to believe: Moderate consumption of red wine is related to a 60 percent reduced risk of lung cancer in men who have ever smoked

Here's The Oklahoma Wine Problem

2008-12-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

In a nutshell:

Some states use a "three-tier" system of distribution, in which a winery must sell to a distributor, which must sell to a retailer, which then sells to customers. The wholesalers control which wines are available in a given state, and each state has just a few wholesalers operating there. If a wholesaler doesn't care to work with one of the nation's 5,000-odd wineries, too bad for you if you want that winery's offerings.

During the decade-plus debate over direct Internet sales of wine, it's proponents of that three-tier system that have been most resistant to change and most vocal in opposition to online wine purchases.

The odious system at play here is bad economics, bad law and very bad for consumers. The ABLE commission's oh-so-cozy relationship to the liquor distributors is an insult to the taxpayer and a scandal. It is time and past time for Oklahomans to end this farce.

Chapel Creek Meritage Blows Gary Vaynerchuk's Mind

2008-12-16T07:03:00.000-08:00

I haven't found a bottle yet, but it would appear congratulations to the students are in order:

A Cloud On The Horizon

2008-12-16T06:29:00.000-08:00

I don't know how I missed Wark's ongoing dissection of the questions revolving around 734, but I did. In terms of the litigatory plans of our distributors, Wark is quite cynical and almost certainly correct:

The new law would allow both in-state and out-of-state wineries making less than 4,200 cases of wine per year to self distribute to retailers and restaurants in OK. GREAT!!

However, the law says that they may only do so with vehicles that they own themselves. They may not use any other types of carriers.

In addition, the bill says that if any part of this law is deemed unconstitutional, the rest of the bill will be invalidated and wineries may no longer self distribute.

This potential new law is so clearly discriminatory against out of state wineries, and on a number of levels at that, that if challenged it should most certainly be invalidated by the courts.

So…Wait for it…..Do you think the OK distributors will challenged the law once the voters approve it?…And they will approve it!

Tom Wark Rips Oklahoma A New One

2008-12-16T06:07:00.000-08:00

He does a very intriguing post-mortem on State Question 743. I think I agree with him but there are quite a few interesting disagreements in his comments section. It's a little old but still worth reading as I doubt we have heard the last of it. Be sure to read the whole thing. Sample:

The Ballot Measure, State Question 743, is among the most cynical referendums I've seen this election season. It was put in place for the purpose of protecting the profits of a small group of distributors, but publicized as a pro-winery law. If you have any doubt that the gallonage limit and the requirement that the wine only delivered in vehicles that are owned by the winery, are meant to restrict trade and protect the poweful alcohol wholesalers in Oklahoma, then read this little bit of information attributed to Brad Naifeh, a representative of Central Liquors, an important Oklahoma alcohol distributor, and OK representative Danny Morgan that wrote the proposed (and now passed) constitutional amendment:

"Brad Naifeh of Central Liquor cautioned lawmakers against the bill. Some large winemakers from other states, such as California's E&J Gallo, sell wines under hundreds of labels that produce less than 5,000 gallons per year, said Naifeh, and could use the proposed law to flood the market in Oklahoma without using a wholesaler.

Morgan said the bill requires both in-state and out-of-state wineries who sell directly to retailers in Oklahoma to transport their wines in vehicles owned by the winery, and requires such deliveries to be transferred directly from the winery to the retailer. Such vehicles must obtain the necessary licensure and permits from the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement agency. Morgan questioned if it would be cost-effective for an out- of-state winery to drive a few thousand gallons of wine all the way to Oklahoma."

This is a remarkably honest assessment

Have Yourself A Merry Little Locavore Chrtistmas

2008-12-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

From the Norman Transcript:

The state Agriculture Department is promoting a range of Made In Oklahoma products. Separately, a new group associated with an alternative newspaper in Oklahoma City is pushing a "shop local" campaign.

Total Despair In Arkansas

2008-12-16T05:52:00.000-08:00

Wow. Dig this."I'd very much like to see the focus on the Arkansas wine industry, it's a dying industry I feel," said Audrey House, owner of Chateau Aux Arc in Altus, the center of the state's wine country."

"That cracks my soul," he said. "If you want to start a winery go to Missouri or Oklahoma. Harsh words, but this is my home state so I can say them."

State prohibitions on selling wine over the Internet have hurt his business, which is largely dependent on out-of-state tourists, Cowie said.

"Texans are my bread and butter," he said. "But I can't ship my wine to them."

Post said he's happy with the ban on Internet sales as his winery has a good relationship with distributors and is stocked in grocery stores. The status quo on interstate shipping is fine with him.

"My primary focus this session will be that no one messes with it," Post said.

Justin Morris, distinguished professor of food science at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, said the Arkansas wines are closely tied to tourism. And tourism is likely to take a big hit in the coming months of recession.

"They have some really good wines in their tanks down in Altus, but they've got to have tourists coming in there and buying," Morris said.

But the state's wine industry has always struggled to carve out a niche, Morris said.

"It's never been nice and calm. It's always been a survival type situation."

Strebel Creek Vineyard

2008-12-16T05:38:00.000-08:00

Here is a writeup of Dr. Gary Strebel of Strebel Creek Vineyard, which also veers off into a slightly broader discusiion of Oenological and viticultural eduction in Oklahoma :

Redlands Community College in El Reno offers associate degrees and 15-hour certification programs in viticulture, or grape growing, and enology, the science of making wine.

Classes average 25 students, who get hands-on experience working in a college vineyard.

"Most are transitioning into retirement, and don’t need another degree,” said Andrew Snyder, who teaches in the program, owns Sand Hill Vineyards in Geary and serves as president of the Oklahoma Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association.

Snyder hopes more Oklahomans will embrace wineries as an agriculture endeavor, turning wheat land or pasture into vineyards. With proper irrigation, Oklahoma has a good climate for growing grapes, Snyder said. It’s much like Fresno, and California until 30 years ago wasn’t on the map for winemaking, he said. It was all about French wines.

"Oklahoma just needs to wake up, grow some grapes and make some good wine,” Snyder said.

The Rules Of The Road

2008-12-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

Thank God someone is around to explain it to me:

What are the ethical standards for wine bloggers?

The Wine Blogger bylaws clearly state that it is ethically acceptable to do whatever it takes to get wineries, winemakers, and anyone else actually influential in the wine trade to acknowledge your existence and give you free stuff. As long as you're upfront about it, kind of. For example, if a winery sends you samples of wines to review and you review them positively in your blog, is it necessary to note that in your review? Yeah, right, who are you, Edward R. Murrow? Get over it. What if they send you free samples and you hate the wines? Now you got problems. Not ethical problems, but real problems. You can't go around trash talking free samples! Free samples have a way of drying up. Wine Blogger ethics have a simple way of dealing with this sticky problem--pretend it didn't happen. Close your eyes and make it go away as if you'd invested with Bernard Madoff. We're Wine Bloggers, we're not under oath. But it is safe to say that we certainly aspire to the ethical standards of Illinois Governors.

I, for one, am ready to take up this ethical burden.

The Oklahoma Wines Theme Song

2008-12-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

Every new blog deserves a theme tune, right?

Stone Bluff Maria

2008-12-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

Don't you hate it when poxy wine critics say that a given wine is "fun"? What the fuck does that mean? And how condescending of them. The last wine I drank that I would describe as genuinely "fun" was a bottle of warm Cold Duck when I was 16 years old and with a lady who was truly sick of her husband. Now that was fun wine.
But Stone Bluff's Maria really is fun. And delicious. I gave a glass to my teetotaler mother and asked her how it smelled and she said it smelled like "a sunset"....being synaesthetic myself this made perfect sense to me, but for those of you not so neurologically gifted let me translate. It means it smells durn good.
Stone Bluff describes this as a light wine, leaving me to wonder what they would call a heavy one. This is very flavorful and exciting. I don't know if it is quite a "sunset" or not but for sure it is a wine you would like to share with someone you were very fond of. It is slightly sweet but far from cloying....good for dinner or just by itself. Lovely deep ruby color, too. Blows Stone Bluff's Chardonel away.

Wiederkehr Niagra - Our Friends In Arkansas

2008-12-15T12:34:00.000-08:00

Let me begin by saying that a lot of folks like this wine, and at absolute rock-bottom prices (about 5 clams) it is hard not to like.
Unfortunately, the price reflects the underlying reality that this is just a very mediocre wine.To be polite, I would say that upon decanting the bottle I noticed a barnyard aroma. To be less polite, I would say that I was reminded of Athlete's Foot which leads me to believe that my bottle was suffering from a fungal infection issue.
Since God is not only Just, but Merciful as well, I will note that a second and then a third glass left me with an altogether more positive feeling for the product. Nonetheless, it strikes me that paralyzing the frontal lobe should not be a prerequisite to enjoying a glass of wine.
On the other hand, the wine really is cheap, and I mean cheap not "inexpensive", so it might make a good stocking stuffer. Plus it is always a good thing to support our home team. Just be aware that this one is not quite ready for prime time.

Stone Bluff Chardonel

2008-12-15T11:11:00.000-08:00

Very nice aroma....a little grass, or perhaps hay? The color is pale and clear and slightly sparkling. The flavor is quite pronounced, very full-bodied and fruity and a bit more alcoholic than maybe it should be. It is quite acidic and more suitable for dinner than as a stand-alone tipple. Excellent finish.
At less than $15.00 per bottle this is an affordable and enjoyable table wine.

Support Your Local Vinter

2008-12-15T11:01:00.000-08:00

Though it was timed to coincide with the annual hype of the Beaujolais Nouveau, this represents very good advice for the year round, and particularly for the Holidays.

This November 20, cases of Beaujolais Nouveau will fall from the sky and land as endcaps in wine shops everywhere. This fall, I encourage you to say NO to the Nouveau – and reach for a local wine instead.

Beaujolais Nouveau is a travesty on at least two levels, one gustatory and one environmental. The grapes for this proto-wine were harvested only three months prior to the airdrop. In some years, they are not ripe enough and need to have their alcohol levels boosted by sugar. And most of the Nouveau is made with carbonic maceration, commercial yeast strains and enzymes to give it a confected taste.