On this one, I took a risk of alienating all my friends in the wine industry and offered my take on it, which seemed to me, before I got into it, to be very difficult to figure out from the outside. I give a few pointers and offer some hard truths about it (it's not as pretty as you may think when you're sitting behind your computer at your day job thinking about making a move into it). MC Ice was great to have around for this one, since he lived it with me while I was working for the big hulking winery!
Here are the show notes:
Shoutouts to friends on Twitter, Facebook, and commenters the blog
Main topic: Inside the Wine Industry
- · How does the wine industry work? -- Regulation, the three tier system, and how it functions
- A few ways you can get into the industry if you want to pursue it as a career
- The real scoop -- My opinions on how it's far from glitz and glamour. M.C. Ice and I share some personal experiences and tell it how it really is
- Personalities in the wine industry -- from the veteran to the lifestyle junkie, to the snobs, you'll find it all in this biz
- To sum it all up: think long and hard before diving into the wine industry...it's not too much different from any other business, despite what it looks like from the outside!
And...The Grape of the Week is Cabernet Franc
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Episode 16: The Wine Industry — The True Hollywood Story
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Another great episode! Thanks for putting things into perspective for me. Some things really hit home. Especially the part about this being a business. I would say I was naive thinking otherwise.
ReplyDeleteRecently went to a local winery and soon realized all the wines we were tasting were from CA and Italy. The pourer confirmed this. So much for that home grown feel. My family left town raving about VA wines, but I didn't have the heart to tell them our last stop was a phony! But now I understand how that happens.
On a side note, going to Alaska in a few weeks for a fishing trip. Already checked on the wineries and there is one in Anchorage that has Merlot, Pinot and Cabernet so I'll let you know how it goes. I guess all 50 states do have wineries!
P.S. Like the new co-host.
Wow! You gave a very interesting talk on something I've been wondering about for a while. I would like to know more about really what goes into the cost of a bottle of wine and how wine makers come up with what they charge for a bottle of wine. A lot of times I think a $20 bottle of wine is better than a $50 botlle. Why? Should it? Thanks again. Stan
ReplyDelete@Matt M -- sorry to take so long to reply! Glad you liked this podcast. It was a little bit of a risky one for me (if I ever wanted to get back working for a big guy in the industry this may be frowned on!) but I get the question all the time, so I thought it would be worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI think it's ridiculous about the VA winery not serving local wines. From what I understand (no experience yet, but planning a trip there soon), they actually have decent wines there, so why fake it? Odd. Did they give you a reason why they imported those in a tasting room?
You are SO lucky to be heading to AK! It's on my list. I love the outdoors and hiking, so I'm hoping someday to make it. YES, there are bonded wineries in all 50 states (Hawaii too) although most of the places do not grow their own grapes, but import them from CA or other big winegrowing states (NY, WA, OR)...and some of them lie and say they don't, but they do this (totally illegal but true story). PLEASE report back on Facebook, re: AK wines. Would love to hear the verdict!
Have fun and thanks for listening!
Elizabeth
Stan,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delayed response. GREAT idea. I want to do a podcast on that. Wine quality and pricing is such an enigma. Having working in marketing for a large winery, I had to do a lot of pricing due diligence. I think we can do an awesome show on this. We'll get on it!!!
Thanks for the idea!
Elizabeth
Hi guys! some feedback here:
ReplyDeleteThis was to me a bit too much focused on the US... what happens in other countries? I'm a european normal person who likes wine :)
Thanks however, I find this most interesting and have since I started listening to you found that choosing wine has become so much easier!
Thanks again
I know this was super US focused. It's because that's what I'm familiar with and I know there was a lot of interest from listeners here. I wish I knew more about how the system works in other countries -- maybe with time I'll learn and can speak on it!
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely some similarities everywhere though -- especially on the personalities that get into wine. That is ubiquitous, as far as I have seen...
Sorry it wasn't more relevant to you but I'll work on it. I'm glad the other stuff has been helpful to you. We try hard not to make it specific to the US. As I say, I'm a representative of wine as a topic -- not a brand or a country, so I'm glad you think we're making it work!
Thanks a million for your comment!
Elizabeth