Publisher and CEO, Tina Olivero says, “Creating a globa publication that bridges to readers and buyers around the globe is what we do.  Perhaps our client wants to attract investors or garnish new hires from around the world, we pride ourselves in finding creative ways to make that happen. We love the challenge of using new programmatic technology and algorithms to bridge the gap between the seeker and the solution. It’s a creative process that bridges the business development gap for our clients. I’m hoping in the not too distant future there won’t be any such thing as marketing, just ‘direct to sale’. That would make life alot easier for everyone. We have the solution that’s the closest thing to it!”

The OGM network spans over .5 million viewers online and has special print distribution for exhibitions and subscribers. It’s world class presentation puts it in a league unto itself. It’s credible, positive and always focused on connecting and uniting the industry.  The game of business takes a tribe of committed and dedicated people and The OGM has the privilege of working with those people every day.

Take a video adventure through some of The OGM’s great brands and realize just how many companies entrust their message with The OGM.

Ask us about programmatic solutions where we can reach people who searched for your product or services by broadcasting out to over 2000 other magazines, thereby reaching 1-2 MILLION viewers in a month! The results are simply the most cost effective in comparison to any other medium on earth. Programmatic solutions are the future folks, so learn everything you can about it.

LEARN ABOUT PROGRAMMATIC NATIVE CONTENT
Find out more on programmatic native content right here:

SEE PROGRAMMATIC IN ACTION
See how our clients used programmatic native content to fill up their CAD training program with strategic content, a multi-media mix, and a lead generator.

HERE’S WHAT OUR CLIENT HAD TO SAY:
“Rounding up students for our CAD training was a real challenge and to be hones, we were getting nowhere. After several months of spending huge sums on traditional advertising, in came Tina Olivero from The OGM who completely revamped our marketing approach. It felt a bit like Gordon Ramsey Boot Camp. But coming out the other side, we began to see real results. The problem flipped to being overwhelmed by responses!  The winning formula Tina developed combined targetted social media with sponsored content. In simple terms, our internal team managed the social media messaging which included a link to the OGM article with a call to action. The key her was the combined effects of targeted social media messaging reinforced by the OGM article which was effectively a third-party recommendation. Three months on and we’re still up there on google with a constant stream of inquiries from around the globe. The world is suddenly much smaller!”  Gareth Owen – Partner and General Manager, Metroworth & North Atlantic Technical.

Enjoy the ride!

Tina Olivero

GREAT BRANDS IN THE OGM

YES! I WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE MY BUSINESS GOALS WITH THE OGM. Please contact me.

So how does this work exactly? Well, unfortunately, the Pinot Grigio will have to step aside, as health benefits have mostly only been attributed to red wine. The only difference between red wine and white wine is the pigment of the skin, and the red skin seems to have all the good stuff! The skin found on red grapes and their seeds are packed with antioxidants known as flavonoids. These flavonoids are responsible for: reducing bad cholesterol, boosting good cholesterol and reducing blood clotting. One glass of red wine a day is said to reduce heart disease and heart attacks due to the scrubbing action of antioxidants. Specifically, the antioxidant resveratrol, prevalent in the skin of red grapes, may prevent tumor growth and promote the growth of nerve cells. Research suggests that the red pigment may have an anti-aging affect, help with tooth decay and improve mental agility.

So white is out, red is in, does it matter which kind? Yes, the type of red you drink does make a difference! There are three main elements that shape the taste of your signature wine collection: the earth, the air and the climate. This is why wines from different regions carry a unique edge to them. Specific grape lineages will carry a higher flavonoid content than others based on the earth they grew from, while the air and climate shape the success of fermentation. The University of California found that Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir are the safest bet for highest flavonoid count. The rule of thumb to follow is that the dryer the wine, the better it will be for benefitting your health.

Women should drink in moderation. How much exactly is in moderation? Women and men will both consume different ratios: “Women absorb alcohol more rapidly than men because of their lower body water content and different levels of stomach enzymes. Therefore, moderate wine consumption will be a lower amount for women than for men.” Women should consume one serving, approximately 4 oz. of red wine a day to gain the maximum antioxidant benefit. You do not want to exceed the suggested serving as three or more can elevate fat in the bloodstream. Likewise, drinking excessively can damage the organs and cells of the body and become quite hazardous to a person’s health. Always keep in mind, that the size, shape and body type of an individual may also shape the exact portion of a serving. Wine in this context is meant to be consumed for its medicinal value, not as an alcoholic beverage.

I don’t drink, will grape juice do the trick? Grape juice shows antioxidative benefits, however it was unable to significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels as compared to red wine. If you do not consume alcohol, antioxidants can be found in a variety of other sources such as cocoa, blueberries, and green tea. Any food or drink that you consume will affect your body, so it is crucial to make healthy-conscious choices daily and combine it with moderate exercise in order to maintain a healthy feminine glow on the inside and outside.

So ladies, when consumed in moderation, there may be good enough reason for you to enjoy your guilty pleasure a little more each night. It is important to continue reading current research and follow up with new findings that appear in the medical field each day. We all know how hard women work in their careers and personal lives, so always remember to find balance in the chaos through maintaining a proper diet, exercise routine and sound lifestyle. But most importantly, let your hair down, soak in the tub a little while longer, and remember that a girl needs to have at least a little bit of fun!

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Scotch Whisky Is Divided Into Five Distinct Categories:

• Single malt
• Single grain
• Blended malt (formerly called “vatted malt” or “pure malt”)
• Blended grain
• Blended Scotch whisky

Scotch whisky is revered and judged by its age, flavour, and blends. All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. The value of whisky is determined by the age, rarity, and the different types of blends.

One of the most renowned brands of Scotch, Johnnie Walker, prepares premium blended Scotch whiskies based on over 190 years of unbroken distilling and blending tradition. A combination of consumer insight and determination enabled three pioneering generations of Walkers to grow a small grocery store into an international Scotch whisky business, selling the globally recognized brand that today defines the Scotch whisky category: truly an entrepreneurial success story.

Inspired by Sir Alexander Walker’s passion for epic journeys around the world and crafted from three rare, hand-selected single malts, the House of Walker has newly launched the first triple malt Scotch whisky – John Walker & Sons Odyssey.

John Walker & Sons Odyssey stands proudly amongst the rarest of Scotch whisky blends in the House of Walker portfolio, which includes The John Walker®, Johnnie Walker® XR 21, and King George V® Blended Scotch Whiskies. Developed by Master Blender Jim Beveridge, using Sir Alexander Walker’s handwritten notes, it is a unique blend that captures the spirit of luxury and continues the House of Walker’s passion for whisky excellence through supreme craftsmanship, quality, heritage, and innovation.

The lavish blend successfully balances hints of fresh citrus, smooth honey, and creamy caramel flavors for a distinctive taste profile. It has been carefully blended and married in European oak casks to combine the flavors of the three rare malts and provide an expansive, multi-layered experience with exceptional smoothness. The blend is best enjoyed neat or with a dash of water, and always responsibly.

An ultra-modern interpretation of Sir Alexander Walker’s legendary 1932 “nautical” decanter bottle created for Johnnie Walker® Swing® Blended Scotch Whisky, the crystal-grade glass decanter for John Walker & Sons Odyssey is a symbol of both the steadfastness and dynamic progression of the House of Walker. The bottle can rotate 360 degrees within the box and always rests in an upright position. It is inspired by a gyroscope, as the bottle always remains steady while the world revolves around it.

Canada has received only 46 bottles of the Odyssey blend. British Columbia received 24 bottles, Alberta 20 bottles, and Nova Scotia two bottles. Suggested retail price is $2,000 for a 750 ml bottle.

Little girls, who attend their grand-fathers’ funerals, never really understand the full magnitude of it at the time. All they know is that a loved one has passed, and they don’t get to play with them anymore. I still remember the day that I walked up the Masonic Temple steps to my grandfather’s casket. The building was larger than life, and the people were flocking by the hundreds from everywhere. The only place I felt secure was next to my mom.

My grandfather, Hedley Bramwell Snelgrove, was a Grand Master. Back in those days, that was quite an honor, as it was the highest order of the Masonry at the St. John’s Masonic Temple. At the time, all I knew about the Masons was that they had private meetings and secret handshakes, from which women were excluded. It wasn’t until much later in life that I discovered how much good they did for the community, supporting businesses, the economy, and people down on their luck who needed a hand. Over the years, I’ve heard people say that Hedley was a short but powerful man—strong willed and strong voiced. He gave a lot of speeches, motivating and inspiring people. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, since I spent last weekend teaching a group of transformational training students about personal and professional empowerment at the Masonic. In many respects, it helped to bring them to a higher level of themselves, just as the Freemasons seek to do. As I looked out at the students in my transformational class, my ten-year-old twins, Angelina and Ben, were there. I marveled at the idea of three generations learning and being a contribution to our people and our culture—all because of the grand legacy of Hedley Snelgrove.

The Masonic Temple

Freemasonry always had a certain appeal for me. Perhaps, it was the mystery of the organization or, maybe, it was the way people lived and worked, abiding by admirable virtues. Today Freemasonry exists in many forms around the world with an estimated six million people involved. For Pop Snelgrove, the Masonic Temple was his second home. It is a handsomely crafted building that is now a majestic free-standing icon, built 118 years ago in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The Freemasons held the first Masonic meeting in the building in 1896, and the last meeting was held there in June 2007.

Currently the Masonic Temple is owned by a pair of visionaries, Kathy Hicks and Peter Halley, who had the foresight to turn the venue into a home for the arts. Fondly known as the Spirit of Newfoundland, you can find the most entertaining, gut-splitting, roaring-with-laughter musical theatre in Newfoundland at the Masonic Temple today. People who come to the theatre for a fantastic meal and a grand show quickly realize that the word spirit has many meanings in that building. Not only does it mean the spirit of art, entertainment, culture, and heritage, but it also defines the ghostly spirits that are associated with the building’s dungeon, old walk-in safe, pipe organ, time capsule, main altar, iconic all-seeing eye in the ceiling, and other leftover symbols and secrets of the Masons.

The other spirit you will find at the Masonic Temple is RUM. Just this year, the Spirit of Newfoundland Team opened the first-of-its-kind Screech Room–a museum and pub-shoppe, where you can explore artifacts and the age old story of rum-running. The Screech Room also offers a not-to-be missed special ceremony, giving you the right to become an honorary Newfoundlander. It is a destination stop that should be on a tourist’s bucket list, and, two times a day, it offers one of the oldest and most creative ceremonies of our time—the “Screech-In.”

Screech-In

The Screech-In is about rum and Newfoundland’s love affair with rum instead of other grain spirits like whiskey. In the early days, St. John’s was a fishing community, and cod was traded for molasses and Jamaican rum. When the Government took control of the liquor business, they began selling rum to the local people. It arrived in barrels, and the government required that it be packaged in clear glass bottles. No label was required. So for many years, this unnamed rum was the Spirit of Newfoundland.
The term “Screech” appeared in the 1940s, and there’s an old story about how it got its name. It goes something like this: During World War II, a commanding officer came from America to Newfoundland. Drinking with the locals, the American and the Newfoundlanders together downed a shot of screech in one gulp. The American let out a blood-curdling scream, which frightened everyone and got a lot of attention. A close-by American sergeant, who heard the scream, demanded to know, “What the cripes was that ungodly screech?” The Newfoundlander who’d just taken a shot, fondly replied, “Da Screech? ‘Tis the rum, me son.” Before you knew it, the word got around that there was a rum that could make you screech, and in the true spirit of Newfoundlanders, they were up for anything that would make you screech!

Just like the Masons, I can’t reveal all the secrets of the “Screech-In” here, but what we can say is that you might need to wash out your mouth after it’s over—because you get to kiss the unthinkable! Tourists and come-from-aways—grab your grannies and get over here! I can only imagine what my Pop Snelgrove is saying to himself up there in the heavens right now, with all the rum on the go: something like “Oh, my goodie! I’m winded.”

It is not uncommon to hear a ­“knowledgeable” wine consumer make the blanket statement: “I don’t like New World wines.” Why would someone say ­something so strange and potentially pompous? If you hear this from someone, you should know that he or she is making a comment on the style of wine made in certain regions of the world.

New World wines are ones which come from relatively new ­winemaking regions, places like America, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and ­Argentina. Wines from these regions all have a certain ­distinguishable style about them. They generally are bold expressions of the grape used to produce the wines—the flavors tend to attack the front part of the palate and seem more “fruit-forward” or “stronger” than ­other wines. Many times, wines from New World ­regions are higher in ­alcohol content than wines from other growing regions. ­Finally, New World wines tend to be produced by ­winemakers who use grapes and modern techniques to convey a personal style of winemaking.

Old World wines, as the term suggests, come from older, more ­established wine-growing ­regions like France, Italy, Spain, and ­Germany. Old World wines tend to express elements of the ­uniqueness of their soils and growing ­seasons—instead of the ­winemaker’s ­personal style of winemaking.

An example of this would be wines from the Burgundy region in France. Red Burgundy is made from only one grape, Pinot Noir. ­Winemakers from Burgundy don’t feel that they are making Pinot Noir wines. ­Rather, ­Pinot Noir is their vehicle for making wines that ­communicate what their grapes ­encountered during their ­growing ­cycle. It’s all about where the grapes come from, not the will a ­winemaker may impose upon them. Because of this, Old World wine labels don’t list the grapes on their wine labels. Instead, they list the regions where the grapes were grown.

In the New World vs. Old World debate, it’s is all about where the grape was grown—not what a winemaker has done with it after the harvest. The best part of the debate? In ­order to determine which side you’re on, you’re ­going to have to drink a lot of different wines from all over the world—not a bad thing!

These days, marketing has a bit more sway over the information ­presented on the label, although certain things are still required for wines of any quality, especially if they are exported to other ­countries. Most countries insist on a vintage indicating from which year the grapes were grown. Exceptions to this include some types of port, non-vintage champagne, and other sparkling wines. In theory, vintage should guide the consumer to select better vintages for purchase and when to drink a certain bottle. Most wines are released ready to drink and won’t benefit from further long-term aging of more than a couple of years in a cellar. As a collector, you’ll know what vintages you want anyway, and, in my opinion, there are very few bad vintages these days. There are plenty of good vintages, some great vintages, and many ways to improve the quality of mediocre vintages to make better wines.

Wine labels will have a statement somewhere on the label telling the consumer how much alcohol is present in the wine. Normally ­expressed as a percentage or “Alcohol by Volume” (ABV), this is a valuable clue as to the character or flavor of the wine inside. Alcohol in wine is made by fermenting sugar (in the grapes) into alcohol, so less alcohol in the wine can mean more sweetness—right? Sometimes. Most wines are made in a dry style with most of the sugar fermented into alcohol, and the resulting wines aren’t perceivably sweet, ­although some sugar will remain. Look at a few hundred different bottles of red wine from around the world, and you’ll note that virtually all of them are between 12.5 percent and 15 percent ABV at the high end.

Virtually all red table wines are considered dry which means they don’t taste sweet. With white wines, the normal range of alcohol content is a little lower, but once you start seeing wines with less than 11 percent alcohol, the wines will start tasting sweet. A perfect example of this is German riesling; at 10.5 percent, the wine will have a ­noticeable sweetness; at 8 percent, there is no denying it’s sweet, and, with ­alcohol levels less than that, it is like delicious candy in your glass. There is a tasty, sweeter sparkling wine from Italy called Moscato d’Asti that in recent years has been exported as an excellent quality wine that taste just like “summer in a glass,” with the alcohol content a sobering 5 percent or so.

Your wine label will also have to tell you where it came from. In ­Europe, where wine production has spanned centuries and even millennia, most regions have a short list of permitted grapes varieties. This also means that you don’t always see the name of the grape on the ­label in European wines—though, in a nod to the global marketplace, it is ­becoming more common. But you won’t find a pinot noir from ­Bordeaux, and you won’t find a gamay in Chianti Classico.

It can be a bit daunting at first, but tasting several different wines from a specific region can yield insight into what you should expect from a region, and allow you to celebrate the nuances of each producer or variations in vintage. If you follow your palate and are interested, then by all means research the wines you enjoyed and look for similar blends, similar regions, and stock up. Being able to sit down, relax, and enjoy a good bottle of wine with good friends is a great pleasure in life, and I hope you can try and enjoy some of these wines yourself.

	Isole E Olena 2009, Chianti Classico, Italy Always a hit on the table, this Chianti is clean, modern, tasty, and perfect with almost any ­Italian fare or meaty dishes. Good fruit, a little ­earthiness, spice, and some great balance. Price is around $30.
	Dr. Loosen 2011, Dr. L Riesling, Mosel, Germany A solid “best buy” Riesling, it’s a touch on the sweeter side (8.5% alcohol), but the sweetness is so well balanced by great acidity. Crisp apple fruit, a little lime, and mineral flavors round out a great Riesling at an everyday price too, $15-$20.
	Michele Chiarlo 2011, Nivole Moscato D’ Asti, Italy Effervescent, with bright, crisp tropical flavors and some sweetness, it’s a wine that doesn’t need to be discussed, but one that needs to be simply enjoyed. Serve well chilled, and it tastes best enjoyed on a deck or patio, about $12 for a 375 ml bottle.
	Louis Jadot 2009, Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France An excellent place to start delving into the ­wonderful wine world of Burgundy, the lean ­cherry fruits, a touch of earth and spice, and vegetable leaf aromas, this pinot whets the ­appetite for other great pinot noirs. Enjoy with duck, lamb, or homemade burgers, around $25.

Chianti captures everything Tuscan in a bottle. It is an invigorating ­experience and speaks of the harmony between Tuscany’s soil, sun, and people. It evokes images of rugged, rocky, sloping hillsides that are dotted with stone castles, spiraling Cypresses, golden wheat fields, and lush wine vineyards. Wines from Chianti embody dusty fruit flavors of rustic cherries combined with elegant minerality, fresh herbs, and warm acidity.

The Legend of the Black Rooster

If you look at a bottle of Chianti Classico, you will see the image of a black rooster, usually located on the neck of the bottle. Why is it there? Well, the legend of the black rooster goes back to a time when the cities of Florence and Siena had a land dispute. They fought over the area that is now the Chianti Classico zone. (Chianti Classico is where Chianti originated. It is one of eight Chianti zones and is located between ­Florence to its north and Siena to its south.) Both cities argued over their claim to the land that was located between them. The dispute waged on for years, and in the early 1200s, the leaders decided to settle the issue once and for all.

They called in an arbitrator who came up with a competition that would permanently settle the question. On a designated day, each city would send their best horseman toward the other city. Where the two horsemen met would decide the boundary of each city. The signal for the start of the race would be a cock’s first morning crow.

The leaders of Siena selected a fat, slovenly white rooster as its ­designated starting pistol. The people of Florence chose a black rooster which they did not feed before the race day. As a result, the Florentine rooster crowed much earlier than its Sienese counterpart. The legend says the black rooster crowed long before dawn because it was hungry, so the Florentine rider started much earlier than the Sienese rider. The rider from Siena only made it about 12 miles outside of Siena before he was met by the horseman from Florence and, therefore, Florence has much more land than Siena.

In 1384, the Chianti League established a black rooster silhouetted in front of a golden field as their emblem. Now, that rooster emblem can be seen on all Chianti bottles.

Music was, and continues to be, a significant part of our cultural legacy. Newfoundland’s distinctive folk music has its roots in the early settlers of the province. Shanties and ballads were brought from the old country and over time were revised along with new songs created to share their own specific stories. Newfoundlanders still to this day use music to record the realities, both good and bad, of life on this island.²

The Irish Influx

There is a special place in the hearts of Newfoundlanders for the Irish, as they are the most recognizable contributor to our present-day traditions and way of life.

The expansion of the Irish population in Newfoundland began with the growth of trade from Ireland in the late 1600s. Vessels on their way from England to Newfoundland would stop at the major ports in Ireland for supplies and would transport Irish immigrants along the way. The Irish were escaping the severe poverty and oppression at home; however, even in Newfoundland, they found themselves on the margins of society. Considered to be troublemakers and ruffians by the English majority, anti-Irish settlement laws were established.¹ Fortunately, despite these laws, the Irish population continued to flourish. Near the end of the eighteenth century, there were actually more Irish than English in the St. John’s area.³

Downtown St. John’s Develops

In the very early 1800s, ships’ rooms and fish flakes dominated what are now Harbour Drive and Water Street, and for generations, these hindered the orderly development of the city.  Once a law allowing private property ownership was passed in 1811, a legal settlement was finally tolerated and a downtown started to emerge.

During this period, St. John’s was beginning to get a name for itself with its taverns and grog-shops flourishing, and supplies of rum and other spirits plentiful.  In particular, Water Street became a major mercantile centre and is known to be the oldest commercial street in North America.¹

George Street: The Biggest Little Street in North America

One landmark of Irish culture in St. John’s is the George Street Entertainment District. Today, it is lined with pubs and bars, many showcasing Irish-Newfoundland music, and offering up Irish brew and traditional menus.

The scene on George Street was quite different in its very early days!  Before cars were in general use, it was the city’s transportation lifeline.  There were at least four blacksmith shops on this small street.  The blacksmiths who manufactured horseshoes, along with those who shod the horses were in great demand at this time.  George Street was also a centre for animal feeds, hay and wholesale groceries as well as home to several bootleggers, a jewellery store, warehouses and a welding shop.  Also interesting to imagine is that before taxi cabs there were horse-drawn cabmen who could be found in the area behind the old general post office.⁴

Bridie Molloy’s: A Traditional Irish Pub Experience!

Bridie Molloy’s Pub and Eatery is an authentic Irish pub located on our famous party street and a favourite with the locals!  This welcoming and cozy pub embodies the character of the Irish heritage in Newfoundland, the history of early Irish settlers in St. John’s, and the strong spirit and will of these people who helped create this city and who made it what it is today.

On a recent visit, while savouring a pint of Guinness at the bar, I myself was taken in by the Bridie’s experience.  The Irish influence is felt throughout, not only by the warm architecture of the wood interior, but also by the smaller touches: the vast collection of local antiques which showcase both Newfoundland and Celtic heritage, the ornate floor tiling just inside the entrance, the lanterns and the wall art.  Combined with the authentic architecture, the excellent menu selections and traditional music, this is a place where anyone can feel at home and take in a genuine Irish-Newfoundland experience.

Bridie Molloy’s is known for its live music. Each week you’ll find local well-known artists like Siochana, Connemara and Station Road, just to name a few!  This is the place to be for a rollicking night of guitar, fiddle and accordion; energetic jigs and nostalgic ballads; the music that every Newfoundlander can relate to, and every visitor wants a piece of during their stay on the Rock.

George Street is the hub of entertainment in St. John’s, and Bridie’s is at the centre of it all!  During annual celebrations like the George Street Festival and the George Street Mardi Gras, as well as St. Patrick’s Day and Canada Day, Bridie’s is a part of all the action and nowhere else can you find such a traditional and authentic way to celebrate.

A familiar song by the famous Newfoundland group, Simani began to play during my visit and couldn’t have been a more perfect way to sum up an experience at Bridie Molloy’s:

“I’ve done a lot of living and I’ve found
no matter where you go the whole world round
they always go together hand in hand
where there’s one, there’ll be the other, music and friends”

Whether you’re looking to stop by for a pint, enjoy a delicious meal, or spend a night partying and dancing to local live talent, Bridie Molloy’s is a must-see.  No matter where you’re from, your experience here will leave you feeling nostalgic for the Irish spirit that runs through the history of this town and through the hearts and souls of every Newfoundlander.

To experience Birdie Malloy’s please visit www.bridiemolloys.ca

Footnotes

¹ O’Neill, P. (2003). The oldest city: The story of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Portugal Cove-St. Philips, NL: Boulder Publications.

² Fitzpatrick, J. (2001). Music. Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage. Retrieved July 29, 2012 from http://www.heritage.nf.ca/arts/music_arts.html.

³ McCarthy, M. (1999). The Irish in Newfoundland. 1600-1900: Their trials, tribulations & triumphs. St. John’s, NL: Creative Publishers.

⁴ White, J. A. (1989). Streets of St. John’s. St. John’s, NL: Creative Publishers.

Right now, Texas wines are dominated by two well-known grape varietals: Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.  These two grapes are the most planted grapes in the state.  Why do they dominate the vineyards in Texas?  Because people know what they are, and they sell.  When it comes down to it, wineries need to make money to exist, so to plant anything else would be a risky business proposition.  But this might not be the best thing for Texas wines because these two varietals typically fare better in cooler climates.

Texas’ geography and climate has been compared to places like Portugal and Spain. Vineyards in those countries use grapes such as Turiga Nacional, Garnacha (Grenache), Tinta Francisca, and Tempranillo.  Each one of these grapes loves the heat.  Texas is hot.  So why not plant heat-loving grapes?  Wouldn’t they prosper better than grapes that thrive in climes that are a bit cooler?  One would think.  The problem still comes down to what sells.  Turiga Nacional and Tempranillo don’t drive the attention in Texas (or America) that Cabernet and Chardonnay do.

Nevertheless, just planting what sells isn’t the way to go.  Texans will support their home state—they’re a tremendously proud people.  They really would support and purchase great wines from Texas—even if the wines aren’t well known.  They would because hot weather grapes, from a hot weather location, will produce better wines and bring greater attention and greater success to Texas.

There are a few wineries/winemakers that work with the hot weather grape of Tempranillo.  Tempranillo is the dominant red grape of Spain and is the primary grape in Rioja.  Three producers are: Kim McPherson of McPherson Cellars, Fall Creek Vineyards, and the up-and-coming Duchman Family Winery.  These wineries produce wines that Texans should be drinking simply because they just taste good.  They are made with grapes that love the heat; these are the right wines for Texas.

Be on the lookout for wines made from these grapes at your favorite Texas restaurant or in your local Texas wine shop.  Support the burgeoning Texas wine industry and support the lesser-known grape varietals which are perfectly suited to the hot Texas climate—you won’t be disappointed.

Indeed,wine is the nectar of the gods, and some of us may believe we are rich and have more money than most. We would not hesitate to spend a lot of money on a good bottle of wine. Now we are talking about wines that cost more than our mortgages or even a Roman Abramovich yacht in some cases. However, if you ever wanted to indulge and cost is not a factor, enjoy the list of exclusive and extravagant wines below.

1. Chateau Lafite 1787:

The bottle of wine that fetched the highest ever price was Chateau Lafite, 1787. Sold at $160,000 in Christie’s London in 1985. The wine was bought for Forbe’s collection. The specialty of the bottle is that it bears Thomas Jefferson’s initials etched on the glass.

2. Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1945:

Jeroboam Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 fetched the second highest price ever. The wine was considered to be one among the highly admired vintages of the 20th century. It was sold for a whopping $114,614 at Christie’s London in 1997.

3. Chateau d Yquem 1784:

The wine bottle of 1784 Chateau d’Yquem stands third. It was sold at Christie’s London in 1986 for an amazing sum of $56,588. This bottle also bears the initials of Thomas Jefferson.

4. Massandra Sherry:

Now comes the turn of the 1775 Sherry from the Massandra Collection, sold at Sotheby’s London in 2001. It fetched a price of $43,500. Massandra winery was highly admired in the Czarist Russia. Massandra’s cellar contains many bottles (close to a million) of both Russian and Western European wines. This Sherry was the oldest among the Western European variety.

5. Romanee Conti:

At the fifth place stands a set of eight bottles of Romanée-Conti, DRC 1990. The set was sold for $224,900 (or $28,112 per bottle) at Sotheby’s London in 1996.

6. Le Montrachet:

Sixth in line is Le Montrachet, DRC 1978. Seven bottles of it were sold at Sotheby’s New York in 2001 at $23,929 per bottle.

7. Romanée-Conti DRC 1990:

Romanée- Conti, DRC 1990 is in the seventh place. 6 magnums of the wine were sold at Zachy’s New York at $5,800 each.

8. Screaming Eagle 1994:

At the eighth spot stands three bottles of Screaming Eagle 1994, sold at Christie’s Los Angeles in 2000. The price fetched was $3,833 per bottle.

9. Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1982:

Ninth in line is fifty cases (six hundred bottles) of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1982. The sale was made at Christie’s/Zachy’s New York in 1997 for an astonishing price of $420,000 ($700 per bottle).

10. Screaming Eagle Cab 1992:

Let us now come to the tenth wine of the day. Though this wine should have ranked first in terms of price, its value was somehow overshadowed as it was auctioned for charity. Imperial of Screaming Eagle Cab 1992 was sold at the Napa Valley Wine Auction in 2000 for an astronomical sum of $500,000. The wine as purchased by Cisco Systems executive Chase Bailey. Though technically it had fetched the highest ever price, but much of its price has to be discounted as it was meant for charitable purposes.

Source: newluxuryitems.com

The Gimonnet family has been producing terroir focused wines for many years, with all their 25 hectares of vineyards exclusively planted with Chardonnay. The Cuis is a Premier Cru vineyard that has produced a richly textured, creamy Champagne with intense toasted brioche, peach and apple flavours and aromas, and, then racy, mineral acidity to freshen up the palate. A complex and delicious wine to start any occasion.

Domaine du Pegau Cuvée Reservée Châteauneuf-du-Pape AC 2007 (Rhône, France) $110

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is much loved for its intensity, warmth, richness and boldness of flavour. The Pegau Cuvée Reservée delivers everything you would expect and more with an intense nose of ripe raspberry, clove, strawberry jam, earth and complex notes of garrigue (the wild herbs of the southern Rhône). The palate is rich, full and lush with raspberry jam, mixed berries, earth, plum, graphite and roasted thyme. As the wine evolves in the glass, its complexity deepens and the finish lingers long on the palate.

Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2004 (Tuscany, Italy) $105

Brunello is the name of a superior clone of the famed Tuscan grape Sangiovese. Grown in the warm, dry climate around the town of Montalcino, the Brunello grape produces many stunning wines. The great 2004 vintage has produced a wine that is subtle but complex on the nose with intriguing and beautiful aromas of leather, clove, dried cherry, charred meat, marzipan and floral and orange zest notes. The complexity continues on to the palate which is intense, medium-full bodied and structured with tannin and acidity to develop for many years in the cellar.

Domenico Clerico Ciabot Mentin Ginestra Barolo DOCG 2004 (Piemonte, Italy) $142

Domenico Clerico combines modern techniques with great vineyard sites to produce Barolo’s that are approachable when young yet have the structure to develop for many years. This wine from the Monforte d’Alba vineyard of Ginestra is fragrant with beautiful aromas of liquorice, vanilla, spice, almond, plum and burlap. The palate defies the subtle beauty of the nose with its intense power – full in body, tannin and acidity and very long and persistent. Flavours of dried cherry, charred meat, pepper and spice linger on a very long palate. Can cellar for 15+ years.

Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2005 (Eden Valley, Australia) $140

Henschke is one of the top names in Australian wine. The Mount Edelstone vineyard differs from many of the blockbuster Australian Shirazes, due to its higher elevation in the Eden Valley, away from the heat of the Barossa Valley floor. The result is a wine that is still immensely flavourful and concentrated but with a more complex range of flavours and aromas. The 2005 vintage produced excellent growing conditions, the 90 year old vines delivering aromas of damson plum, blueberry, blackberry and complex floral and gamy notes combined with well integrated oak. The palate is full and structured with mixed berry and plum combined with hints of clove and eucalyptus. The finish is long and rich with the concentrated fruit promising a great future for cellaring.

Did you know?

How long can a wine age? In order to mature and develop complex flavours and aromas, a wine needs two things – concentrated flavours to preserve and something to preserve it. The flavour concentration you can taste by the intensity of flavours in a young wine. The preserving comes from either acidity and/or tannin in the wine. Both are necessary for a wine to develop into something complex and special.

Riesling, as a grape variety, has a great wine history. Hailing from Germany, the grape has been favourably mentioned in history for over six centuries. For a period, it was considered to produce some of the world’s greatest wines, while the likes of the currently in vogue Bordeaux were mere quaffers.

However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Riesling. The variety underwent, perhaps, its most severe decline in popularity in the 1980s after its good name was tarnished with a slew of sweet, simple “sugar-water” wines. The side-effect was an entire generation of baby boomers cajoled into believing that Riesling could only be sweet, German and, decidedly, uncool. This was not the first time the light nature of Riesling has caused it problems. In the Middle Ages, Riesling from Alsace was often fortified or spiced to make it fuller-bodied and, therefore, provide competition for the naturally burlier wines of the Mediterranean.

Through its up and downs, the Riesling grape has observed it all – changing international boundaries, countless wars, different rulers, and, yet, it must have one of the most stable curves of popularity of any variety. In fact, there is no curve at all but a slow, steady line of growth.

Why has Riesling, with all its impressive history, not infatuated wine drinkers to the point where there is a bottle on the table every night? There is something unique about the taste of Riesling that sets it apart. Newer wine drinkers tend to be swayed by sweetness, lower acid and softness in a wine. With the exception of the fabulous, delicate and balanced Rieslings from Germany, which courtesy of the 1980s, most wine drinkers now have an aversion to, Riesling tends to be intense, high in acidity, racy and lean: everything a new palate to wine is trying to avoid. To make matters worse, Riesling ages not just to honey and spice flavours, but it also has a distinctive kerosene or diesel aroma – something certainly not for everyone.
Nonetheless, with time and after exploring the wines of the world, the characteristics of Riesling has started to intrigue wine drinkers. Eventually, people and palates tire of simple wines, and they start looking for something with a bit of edge. Thus, it is here that Riesling delivers – the intense green apple, mineral, citrus and floral flavours and aroma excite the palate, and, before long, you are hooked. It is also a great food wine, standing up beautifully to crisp and light spring dishes.

The further one ventures into the wine world, the more one seems to fall in love with Riesling; yet, still, in spite of the “love fest” amongst wine media and influential wine people, the general public just never quite gets on board. For those that love Riesling, this is not a bad thing because it keeps prices in check and ensures even the world’s greatest Rieslings are relative bargains compared to other top wines of the world.

Once you move beyond the cheapest and simplest wines, the world of Riesling is a very exciting place to explore. Great Riesling wines are routinely made in the classic wine regions of Germany, Alsace in France, Austria and Australia, and in upcoming regions of Okanagan and Niagara in Canada. New Zealand and Washington State are also showing great potential.
One of the major developments to have hit Riesling in recent years is the confidence of producers to produce drier wines. Yes, Riesling is not always sweet. Even the old standbys Black Tower and Blue Nun have changed and are now nearly dry. As more great wines emerge from the classic regions, producers are starting to see the Riesling grape as not just a cheap, simple sweet quaffer but as something that can produce really great wine. The wine drinker is the beneficiary, so let us hope that Riesling stays out of the limelight, so we can enjoy this little secret of the wine world for a few more years.

Sustainable Riesling Wines for this Spring

Tantalus Riesling 2008, Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada (13.2%), $23 (BC pricing).

Hailed by the likes of wine legend Jancis Robinson, the Tantalus Riesling is helping to put BC Riesling on the map. Starting in the vineyard, Tantalus is well on the way to organic certification, managing the old vines with small amounts of irrigation and sustainable techniques such as compost and compost teas to provide nutrition for the vines. The winery is also working towards becoming BC’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified winery. All of these techniques come out of a respect for the vines. In 2008, these vines have produced a very intense, aromatic wine with aromas of apple, pear, peach, lime, passion-fruit, lemon curd and a touch of flowers. The palate is bone dry, crisp and powerful with mineral and passion-fruit, lime, peach skin and green apple flavours with excellent persistence, lingering on the palate. This zingy wine is delicious to drink now, but the complexity will reward cellaring for up to a decade.

Weingut Max Ferdinand Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, 2007, Mosel, Germany (7.5%), $39 (BC Pricing)

Sustainability for Weingut Max Ferdinand Richter comes in the form of 300 years of family ownership and a team that has decades of experience working the vines together. With 40 acres of stunning, steeply-sloped vineyards, Richter produces some of Germany’s best wines. Winemaking is old school with late harvesting for full ripeness and fermentation in neutral old oak casks. The 2007 Spätlese from the Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard is the fantastic, classic German style, intense yet elegant, fruity yet savoury, and it has a very long, persistent and complex taste. The wine is off-dry, high in acidity and with flavours and aromas of apple, pear, mandarin orange, mineral and blood orange: A wine suitable for now or to age for over a decade.

Pyramid Valley Vineyards ‘Lebecca Riesling’ 2006, Marlborough, New Zealand (8.5%), $25 (BC Pricing)

New Zealand is often bridging the gap between dry, new world style wines and the traditional style of Germany. This Pyramid Valley Riesling is a medium-sweet style that uses natural winemaking and biodynamic growing techniques. Natural winemaking is a big trend in the wine world involving wild yeast fermentation and little intervention. The wine is pale lemon in colour with a medium-sweet palate, high acidity, and a light delicate body with good intense flavours of lemon, apple, grapefruit pith and some savoury lees and baking spice notes.
Domaine Weinbach Cuvée Sainte Catherine Riesling 2004, Alsace, France (13.5%), $59 (BC Pricing)

Weinbach is producing wines using biodynamic techniques designed to preserve and enhance the soil and improve a vines, natural defences against pest and disease. Tasks are performed based on the cycles of the sun and moon. The wines are very serious; the 2004 Cuvée Sainte Catherine Riesling a full, dry, rich and intense style of Riesling. Complex aromas and flavours of honey, baked peach, apricot and spice linger on a long finish. Very different in style to the wines of Germany just across the border, this wine forgoes finesse for power.