Irregular Update
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Copyright © Ric Einstein 2009
Welcome to this week's Irregular Update which has all sorts of different things for your reading pleasure.
Last weeks second snippet titled This Weeks BS Alert generated a small amount of feedback which has been posted under the story. However, I also received a number of other other emails which basically all said the same thing. Readers like reading these articles, so I will try and do more of them on a regular basis.
The feedback on Chapter Seven of the Tour Diary which featured the life and times of Sparky and Sarah Marquis of Mollydooker was positive. If you missed the story last week, its well woth reading and can be found here.
There are three new items this week; two Snippets and one article. The first and most concerning snippet is about a very successful US importer of Australian wines. A story was leaked on the Parker Forum that (incorrectly) stated that the Grateful Palate had walked away from all except their own brands. The true story quickly became apparent. A number of brands had walked away recently, but others had also been ditched, radically reducing the size of TGP portfolio. The snippet details all this, but that is not the most interesting aspect of this situation. A New Handle tells all this and more.
The second Snippet is titled, A Helping Hand Across the Water. What has golf, South Africa and Oz wine got to do with each other? This short Snippet will tell how an these three unique aspects have come together thanks to the generosity of a few people.
The most important aspect of this Update is this week Article titled, Where’s The Paddle. Things are tough in the wine world. Very tough! And they are only going to get tougher. Sales in the all important UK and US export markets declined over the last twelve months; that's the first time that has happened in living memory. The Australian domestic economy is not conducive to the expansion of premium wine sales either. So how and why did this come about. The reasons are a lot deeper than many people realise. This article takes a highly critical look at those reasons in detail, and points the finger where it needs to be pointed. Some wineries are positioned well to weather this storm, and those factors are examined too. It can be found here.
A few new Tasting Notes have also been added. Mike Press Wines are known for their great value and these, along with a top quality Cabernet, have been added here.
The News section died again this week. Stories of possible interest include...
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Bottle of Penfolds 1951 Grange Wine Fetches A$54,000 at Auction
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Criminals turn wine into weed
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Oatley wine to irk Foster's
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Blogging Piques Interest of US Wine Industry
Those stories and more can be found here.
This weeks wine quote. "I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has
taken out of me." - Winston Churchill (And he kept the brandy business in good
health too.)
Until next time.... Cheers Ric
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Copyright © Ric Einstein 2008