When stomping grapes, do not get too excited by the prospect of winning a silly contest:

Grape Snafu

Good article in WSJ about issues surrounding counterfeit wine sales and the increased scrutiny wine sellers are under to prove authenticity of wine sales. Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed the auction arms of Christie’s in London and Zachy’s in NY. Have these companies engaged in a don’t ask, don’t tell policy of selling knowingly questionable wines? Time will tell…

Wine Magazine has a nice write-up (including one from the publisher) of the passing of Ernest Gallo, a legend in the wine industry and one who is often credited with commercializing wine sales in the United States.

Interesting article in today’s WSJ about how French wine-makers are reaching out to China to exploit what is still a very much an untapped market. I especially like the quote about a Chinese business man buying an ’82 Lafite, only to then mix it with Coke!

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In December 2006, US News asked Shawn Lightfoot, the wine buyer for Denver’s Applejack Wine & Spirits, for his top value picks out of the 15,000 wines Applejack stocks (yes, some obvious spending caps applied).