cecil77 said:

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Wow. Just looked at all the promotions they're doing and the prices involved.

My guess is that wine sales are really down and they're doing all they can to preserve/generate revenue.

As Roy's Gazette article discusses in detail, the direction Napa prices are heading is unsustainable.

And it's getting really bad for the small guys...

Was California's Wine Revolution Just a Mirage?

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The simple fact is that there is too much wine. And, living in CA is really expensive. Hence, it's expensive to make here and too much competition. Quality and production has gone up, but consumption is going down.

QBCade said:

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cecil77 said:

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Wow. Just looked at all the promotions they're doing and the prices involved.

My guess is that wine sales are really down and they're doing all they can to preserve/generate revenue.

As Roy's Gazette article discusses in detail, the direction Napa prices are heading is unsustainable.

And it's getting really bad for the small guys...

Was California's Wine Revolution Just a Mirage?

---

The simple fact is that there is too much wine. And, living in CA is really expensive. Hence, it's expensive to make here and too much competition. Quality and production has gone up, but consumption is going down.

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This is true, but the state still produces plenty of wine at lower price points profitably. A lot of this high end/cult level pricing being discussed (Realm) has nothing to do with production of the actual wine. It's going further into the luxury good category after a certain point.

To the last point, yes consumption is going down overall. Seeing it across BevAlc. I think a lot of companies got comfortable with a couple of bloated years (2020 and 2021) and have been struggling since then amidst expectations of continued good performance and growth. Alcohol, like the rest of the economy, rode a big wave in the 2010s and it's been a hard few post-Covid years.

Chipotlemonger said:

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QBCade said:

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cecil77 said:

---

Wow. Just looked at all the promotions they're doing and the prices involved.

My guess is that wine sales are really down and they're doing all they can to preserve/generate revenue.

As Roy's Gazette article discusses in detail, the direction Napa prices are heading is unsustainable.

And it's getting really bad for the small guys...

Was California's Wine Revolution Just a Mirage?

---

The simple fact is that there is too much wine. And, living in CA is really expensive. Hence, it's expensive to make here and too much competition. Quality and production has gone up, but consumption is going down.

---

This is true, but the state still produces plenty of wine at lower price points profitably. A lot of this high end/cult level pricing being discussed (Realm) has nothing to do with production of the actual wine. It's going further into the luxury good category after a certain point.

To the last point, yes consumption is going down overall. Seeing it across BevAlc. I think a lot of companies got comfortable with a couple of bloated years (2020 and 2021) and have been struggling since then amidst expectations of continued good performance and growth. Alcohol, like the rest of the economy, rode a big wave in the 2010s and it's been a hard few post-Covid years.

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Agree. The article was discussing how young, talented wine makers are having trouble. One of their issues is paying their living expenses when they don't make any money on wine. Having to buy grapes/juice and rent space, material makes it tough to make an inexpensive wine.

QBCade said:

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Chipotlemonger said:

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QBCade said:

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cecil77 said:

---

Wow. Just looked at all the promotions they're doing and the prices involved.

My guess is that wine sales are really down and they're doing all they can to preserve/generate revenue.

As Roy's Gazette article discusses in detail, the direction Napa prices are heading is unsustainable.

And it's getting really bad for the small guys...

Was California's Wine Revolution Just a Mirage?

---

The simple fact is that there is too much wine. And, living in CA is really expensive. Hence, it's expensive to make here and too much competition. Quality and production has gone up, but consumption is going down.

---

This is true, but the state still produces plenty of wine at lower price points profitably. A lot of this high end/cult level pricing being discussed (Realm) has nothing to do with production of the actual wine. It's going further into the luxury good category after a certain point.

To the last point, yes consumption is going down overall. Seeing it across BevAlc. I think a lot of companies got comfortable with a couple of bloated years (2020 and 2021) and have been struggling since then amidst expectations of continued good performance and growth. Alcohol, like the rest of the economy, rode a big wave in the 2010s and it's been a hard few post-Covid years.

---

Agree. The article was discussing how young, talented wine makers are having trouble. One of their issues is paying their living expenses when they don't make any money on wine. Having to buy grapes/juice and rent space, material makes it tough to make an inexpensive wine.

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To pile on my own post, as I live in CA, I've always tried to buy 99% CA wine. Like to support local. However, the pricing is out of control. So, while I do still buy 99% CA, I've killed all my wine subs and have only bought action for the last 6+ months.

Australia pulling tens of millions of grape vines.

But producers that have operated conservatively and developed loyal followings and NOT succumbed to massive price increases can still do well.

I'm in Tampa a few times a year for work and try to get to Berns at least once year year.

WestUAg said:

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Let's have our own realm wine dinner, we can go to a few restaurants in town that will allow us to BYOB. We all bring a bottle or 2 and we will have a much better time than going to that overpriced tasting..

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Honestly I was thinking the same thing.

Makes three of us.

Speaking of BYO…anyone have any new Houston spots? We do Pizarro's most often because it's good pizza and super casual. KP Kitchen is really close so it's in the rotation as well. Then Porta Vino and Lucia's round out the list with less frequent visits. Would love to have more here but Texas just isn't BYO friendly.

Amore on shepherd, Uchi is always a nice byob spot, Himalaya, Lucios byob. I have a few other spots that I byo but they aren't usually byo…happy to have dinner together at any of these spots just let me know.

BSD said:

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Makes three of us.

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sounds fun, but I don't have any Realm. I can bring something else.....

bularry said:

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BSD said:

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Makes three of us.

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sounds fun, but I don't have any Realm. I can bring something else.....

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I've some Realm I'm never gonna drink. Pick one. I'll contribute. (Not the Absurd )

Cheapskate.

Oh, and I'd take the Bards and Houyi off your hands if you don't want them.

QBCade said:

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Oh, and I'd take the Bards and Houyi off your hands if you don't want them.

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Sure what ever I paid, or preferably an interesting trade.

Niiice!

I'll just go shoot myself now...

Tonight 2012 Ch Canon and now on to 2016 BV Georges LaTour Private Reserve.

How was the Gascon bubbly?

Objective Aggie said:

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Had back to back nights of two star Michelin restaurants and the wines pairings were great.

First was D.O.M. in So Paulo with famed chef Alex Atalla. He was actually there that night and served several of our courses and invited us back to the kitchen. He had a mix of Brazilian, French, Portuguese and other wines. Everything was great.


We then went to Aramburu in Buenos Aires and I have never been to anything close. A surreal dining experience. I'll post a few of my favorite wines and I think they all were Argentinean.

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looks amazing

Incredible, honeymoon?

I have never tried an old Hermitage.... so how was it?

looks amazing... Wow!!

aggiejumper said:

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How was the Gascon bubbly?

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It was quite good. Clean crisp not overly sweet. I would buy.

cecil77 said:

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What a blessing. Very few people on the planet have such an experience!

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The timing worked out. I will say fine dining is a bit cheaper in South America. But I know we are blessed.


Not exactly a honeymoon. We got married twice. One in Texas and once in Brazil and then did some side trips.

Relais & Chateau properties are pretty much the finest out there. Well done.

Nice! I need to get into some older Dunn Howell Mountains. I had a glass of 2014 Pott Turf War cab tonight. It was a nicely balanced wine.

Another new one for me - Odette. Was v delicious.

BSD said:

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After 5 weeks, it finally arrived. Well, it actually arrived about 11 days ago but they sent it in the wrong venting configuration so it had to go back to be modified. I'm going to let it sit overnight and then install tomorrow.

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Follow up to this post: where is the best place to buy a Eurocave at a good price? The dog's concern was justified. This Breezaire is not doing the trick and it's time to start over.