Chillin’ with TheChillBag
Innovation never stops, and that’s the best news of the universe… most of the time. It’s fun being on the influencer side of new things coming out, because I get to see a few things first, for my impressions. I was just asked if I’d check out “TheChillBag.” Sounded interesting enough. I’m all for seeing [...]
Wine Dinner in New York City at The Modern Sets a City Standard for Opulence
Staging “the” Perfect Meeting with Client and Media If you’re just getting into PR, a perfect setting is really important when you’re planning a meeting. This is my most recent example. I just traveled to New York City to discuss Finisterra and Alente wines (from the Alentejo region of Portugal) with an important group of [...]
Ten Wine Marketing Take-Aways From Times²
Having just returned from meeting my Alentejo client Delfim Costa, and our new importer Adele Capela (Value Vines) in New York City, my Times Square experience is still swimming around inside of my head. First of all, the last time I was in Time Square experiencing it was in the 1980s. Jose and I traveled [...]
Does the weight of a bottle have anything to do with the quality of the wine?
How do you feel about the weight of wine bottles these days? I know of one wine writer who, when the bottles began to take on the “Big Boy” effect, had serious issues right away. It’s only been within the last 10 years that wine bottles have put on the extra pounds… As part of [...]
Finding that paradigm shift in PR, when things aren’t going well
Sometimes humor can work to diffuse what’s sure to become a PR nightmare; but it’s got to be handled really well, or it could easily backfire. I have to admit that I’m relentless, when it comes to advocating for any underdog. I have a mission, and I’m like a pit bull that’s latched onto someone’s [...]
What’s the silver bullet, Dr. Vino?
[This Petite Sirah character was created by Appellation America, based on a poem I had written about Petite Sirah. Do you need inspiration, a wine with sensation?] The question posed to Dr. Vino at the Eighth Annual Petite Sirah Noble Symposium this year was, “Can Petite Sirah be the next Pinot Noir?” Or, more to [...]
Plastic corks are going to be the death of me
It all began at a bridal shower, when I had brought some wine. Had I known the wine that I purchased had plastic corks, I wouldn’t have bought those brands. (I’m creating an unshopping list in my head as I write this.) I forgot to have a corkscrew in my purse… I usually travel with [...]
