Do you want a chance win a mixed ½ case of great Washington Wine?

Merlot is making a comeback. After getting pushed around by Miles from Sideways, Merlot is taking a stand and regaining its rightful place of respect. Washington makes some damn fine Merlot and you should be drinking it! Since you’re probably on your way to Walla Walla for WBC10, consider this an opportunity to do some pre-awareness reconnaissance investigation. In the name of science and brotherhood of man, you’ll want to participate! Plus, did I mention the free wine?

March is Washington Wine month. What better way to celebrate the Rocky Mountains, skiing, beautiful pristine lakes, the birthplace of Starbucks, The Mariners, the home of Microsoft, Father’s Day, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Apolo Ohno, Jimi Hendrix and Grunge than to drink Washington Wine. Plus, there’s free wine!

Here is how it works:

• Register for #WAMerlot http://wamerlot.eventbrite.com/
• Find yourself some #WAMerlot (Wine Library & Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman have some great deals)
• Blog (see the details below)
• Promote and Tweet #WAMerlot: Join us on March 25 and tweet as the world celebrates Washington Merlot

Sounds simple enough.

Blog Details

We’d love your support. One of my favorite aspects of Social Media has been the collaboration and support that the community offers. So, if you’re in, just make sure your blog talks about Washington Wine (in general), mentions #WAMerlot (with the link to the event page), and talks about what you’re looking forward to about coming to the Wine Bloggers Conference in June. You’re invited to help us celebrate Washington! One blogger will be chosen to receive a mixed 1/2 case of Washington Wine as a thank you from the great state of Washington. Thanks for helping us spread the word. I look forward to reading and tweeting your posts.

*To emphasize, this is a thank you for your help in promoting Washington.

If you and your readers need help getting their hands on Washington Merlot, point them to these great supporters of #WAMerlot:

#WAMerlot is sponsored by these great Washington Wine Lovers on Twitter

@SeattleWineGal @WAWineReport @WineBeerWA @Catie @WBCorBUST @Shona425 @WineeYak @YakimaValley @NWwineandRE @lunabeanmedia

and www.drinknectar.com @nectarwine

February, 2010 has come to a close. March brings spring which leads to BBQ’s, running outdoors and most importantly, trips to God’s country – Walla Walla, Lake Chelan and Woodinville. The short month of February saw nearly 1000 tweets, 27 posts and 21 wine reviews.

DrinkNectar is proud of the following in February:

• Participating in a local Social Media forum
• Top Ten listings at Post Rank for Wine Blogs
• Mention in Wine Enthusiast Online as most engaging wine blog

Below are some of my favorite tweets from February. With the closing of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver – these are the gold medal winners of tweeters!

Wines of the Month

Best Value Under $15

2006 Kiona Lemberger

While I didn’t formally review this wine, I did have an impromptu visit with JJ Williams (aka 1EyeWineGuy) during a recent trip to Costco. A bottle of Lemberger was in my future.

• The Stuff: 100% Estate Lemberger from Red Mountain AVA Kiona Vineyards
• The Swirl: A dark strawberry color that was about 50% translucent. Muted jewel tones
• The Sniff: Bright strawberry and cherry with moderate earthiness and minerality
• The Sip: A sweet wash of cherry, vanilla and some cola flavors. The wine is sweet and soft with more substance on the back end with some spice and tannin
• The Score: At just $11 this is easily a 4 (out of 5). An incredible value for a wine that provides a variety of flavor

*Runner-up 2008 Chateau St. Michelle Riesling $6 – Reviewed Here

BEST WINE

2004 Croze Cabernet Sauvignon – Reviewed Here

• The Stuff:100% Napa Valley Cabernet, 42 months in oak, 13%ABV, 637 cases made 
• The Swirl: Nice dark rust colored plum with a little translucence (almost see to the bottom of the glass)
• The Sniff: I never wanted to stop smelling this wine. Floral perfume kissed me first, then gentle bright blueberry and strawberry aromas held hands and skipped through my nose. They were followed up by some mellow vanilla notes. This is the kind of wine scent you wish for in every bottle of Cabernet!
• The Sip: Definitely does not disappoint – The fruit is soft and supple like a long slow French kiss. The passion builds as some spicy pepper jumps in. The finish is super balanced and longs with enough tannin to keep the wine strong with food.
• The Score: At $35 this is a 5 (out of 5) wine for me. I love the complete package and would definitely buy this bottle again.

*Runner-up 2007 Arbor Crest Cabernet Franc

Random Favorite Highlights from February

The Post that Made Me Spit Wine Out of My Nose – Wine Bloggers Bite the Big One: This post from @DirtySouthWine (aka Hardy Wallace, aka NPAHardy) was in response to recent allegations that wine blobbers are a bunch of uninfluential, wine whores railing against traditional media and seeking free wine. This amazing post will have you laughing from poop to chainsaws.

Best Wine Event: #CaliCabs on February 11 brought over 50 California Wineries and hundreds of tweeters together with one common purpose. Promoting California Cabernet! The event was spearheaded by @RickBakas in the traditional grass roots method. If you liked #CaliCabs you’ll love #SauvBlanc on March 4.

Best Wine Picture (tie) – This cute Valentine’s Day tweet came from @SeattleWineGal depicting love in the form of two wine bottle openers.

@SuppleWine makes the list for the second month in a row, this time for his Wine in the Wild series featuring Super Model Julie Ordon and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Best wine quote: “A wine so delicious my tongue wanted to make love to my tonsils.” – From @goodgrape from a February 11 post.

Best Social Media Post: This is such a difficult category because so much good stuff comes out each month. I went with a presentation by @lunabeanmedia to a group of Walla Walla wine makers! Social Media for Wineries

Best Blog Feature: Sean Sullivan from @WaWineReport contributes a weekly labor of love for Washington wine enthusiasts. Only one stop is needed to stay “in the know” for everything pertaining to Washington Wine. Washington Wine Round-Up

DrinkNectar Most Viewed Post: Wine Ripped off and Ticked Off (60+ comments) – A look at the horrible wine practices of restaurants and their 400% mark-up, uninspired wine lists and crappy wine glasses.

“My wife died for no damn good reason.   It’s time to do something about this.” – Budge Brown, Owner of Cleavage Creek

At an age when most men have earned the right to retire, 77 year old Budge bought the Cleavage Creek label with one goal – fight breast cancer. After his wife of 48 years passed away, Brown was “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.” Every year 40,000 women die of breast cancer and 130,000 are diagnosed. The passionate act of making wine has led to over $73,000 in donations to Oncology Research Centers, medication, and financial help for women struggling to survive.

Many of you come to DrinkNectar for wine reviews and this is a wine review of three Cleavage Creek wines. Life is more than wine. Life is about connecting with people and making a difference and leaving a legacy. Cleavage Creek donates $1.50 from every bottle sold. Drinking wine can actually make a difference in a woman’s life. Chances are, as you are reading this, you can think of someone who has been touched by breast cancer, maybe you’ve even lost someone close to you.  You can relate to Budge’s passionate anger toward finding a cure.

I was first introduced to Cleavage Creek when they agreed to participate in my Wineries on Twitter Series. Their use of Social Media is a model to be followed. They connect, their social, and they rarely promote. They are using the power of the social world to spread the great word about their wine and their mission. With vineyards in Napa Valley (20 acres) and Tracy Hills (20 acres), Cleavage Creek has a vast selection of estate wines, reserve releases and blends.

On the label of each Cleavage Creek wine is the picture of a breast cancer survivor. Their story of struggle, courage, and hope can be found at the Cleavage Creek Web Site. Terrie, who graces the bottle of 2008 Chardonnay, was diagnosed in 2004. After a long painful battle, including a Mastectomy and several surgeries, Terrie is a survivor!  “I don’t take anything for granted and I thank my Creator every day for all of my blessings. Dealing with breast cancer was a horrible experience but I emerged a more positive, appreciative person. I am thankful for the incredible people I have in my life. They are my angels. My life is blessed and I know it.”

Yes, this is a wine review, but more than that, it’s a humanity review. In my book, Budge and the folks at Cleavage Creek score a Best in Show, Double Gold and 100 point score for their efforts!

The NectarView

2008 Tracy Hills Chardonnay

• The Stuff: 100% Estate Chardonnay from Tracy Hills AVA, CA – 8 Months in new French oak; 225 cases 
• The Swirl: Golden Wheat colored with less “viscosity” than some Chardonnay
• The Sniff: Interesting to find a predominate melon (no pun intended) and citrus aroma with hints of smoky vanilla. Not a strong nose, but very pleasing
• The Sip: Classic Chardonnay thickness on the front palate with a gentle flavor of vanilla and nut. The melon flavor is very mild (maybe like a Honeydew Melon). The acid is light on the back end.
• The Score: At $18, this is an above average Chardonnay and the price point is good. I score it a 3 (out of 5). The flavor was nice but lacked depth and dimension.

2007 Tracy Hills Shiraz-Merlot

• The Stuff: While the label says Shiraz, the blend is actually 67% Syrah and 33% Merlot. 230 Cases
• The Swirl: Very dark and inky, opaque and ominous looking
• The Sniff: As described in the video, the fruit seemed to be playing hide-n-seek with a tree. There was a distinct woodiness and moderate fruit play. The typical Syrah spice was downplayed (probably because of the Merlot).
• The Sip: The wine needed to breathe. The initial sip felt like an all out assault on my mouth. In the video, you can tell I was not super pleased with the presentation. DAY TWO provided a great experience. The wine opened up very nicely with a beautiful blackberry / dark cherry flavor and the tannins on the back end were much more palatable presenting a nice finish. Strongly encouraged to decant this wine.
• The Score: At first sip, I was going to score this a 2 (out of 5) because of the bold tartness that seemed to overwhelm. My enjoyment on day two lifts the score to a 3+ (out of 5). For $18, this is a nicely balanced Syrah (after decanting) that provided a good structure of fruit, spice, and finish.

2007 Tracy Hills Secret Red

• The Stuff: There is no disclosure of the blending of this wine (hence the secret) – my guess would be predominately Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Syrah (or Zinfandel); 400 cases produced
• The Swirl: The color is what I like to describe as a rusty purple, similar to what you might find with an aged wine or a Cabernet.
• The Sniff: The fruit raises his hand from the back of the class and says, “Hello, I’m here and I’d like you to meet my friends cocoa and cinnamon.” This is a nice mildly aromatic wine, not overwhelming but nice.
• The Sip: At first taste this wine was my favorite of the three tasted (although after the day two showing of the Shiraz-Merlot it is close). The structure seemed to be a dance between the cherry and a cinnamon / pepper spice on the front. As the pair danced away, the mouth was met with a two note melody of cocoa and oak. The tannins were mild and the acidity was balanced. Nice sipping wine that would hold well to pork or a chicken with a red sauce.
• The Score: Also at $18 this is a 3+ (out of 5). The mild aroma holds this back from being a 4. At $18, it’s a sure bet to please most casual wine drinkers and connoisseurs.

The cause if phenomenal, the story is inspiring, and the wine does not disappoint. I couldn’t more highly recommend a wine to support and enjoy. Your mouth will enjoy and your heart will swell with pride.

Today’s post has little to do with wine, and more to do with life…enjoy!

33.2 miles from my doorsteps as a winter wonderland that I’ve neglected for seven years. With life, work, wine and other business adventures and hobbies the winter months have become an exercise in surviving till spring than enjoying the beauty that surrounds the Pacific Northwest.

My step-son has been snowboarding since he was 9. It is an activity that he does with his dad. From time to time he’s expressed interested in going with me, but timing has never worked out. He’s turning 13 soon.  When talking about what he wanted for his birthday, he said, “I want Josh to take me snowboarding.” Not a party? Not a sleep-over? Needless to say I was stoked…and scared. Spending 8 hours with a teenage boy is a little like spending 8 hours with a crazy monkey hyped up on sugar.

I rented my skis, packed the Jeep, and we made the 48 minute journey to the top of Mt. Spokane. The video camera came along because his mom has never seen him snowboard either and she couldn’t come with us. After getting my bearings with a few Bode Miller-esque downhill runs (it’s amazing how the muscle memory remains), the camera came out to film Ian.

When the camera came on, Ian immediately went in to “Welcome to Drink Nectar.com, I am your host…” – It was hilarious and unscripted. From there we put together this video montage of the five senses of snowboarding (and skiing). The best way to end any perfect day on the slopes is with a glass of wine. Ever seen a 13 year old give his best swirl and sniff (no sipping involved)?

The wine featured in this video is a 2007 Cleavage Creek Secret Red. Look for this in Episode 38 of DrinkNectar.com

No child should live with the fear of death. No child should die with unfulfilled dreams. The Wishing Star foundation is one of the true heroes of this world, providing hope and fulfilling dreams to children who live with the impending threat and stress of terminal illness.  These young children live their lives with thoughts of doctor’s visits, tests, pain, and medication. The Wishing Star Foundation helps to fulfill dreams of vacations, room makeovers, trips to Disneyworld, Hollywood experiences, and meeting famous people. As individuals in Spokane (and across the internet) it may seem overwhelming for us to do our part. How can we help?

Taste Spokane is an event to support! For four hours on a Friday, you can enjoy Spokane wine, local food, and bid on fabulous auction items. Your $20 ($25 at the door) goes to help fund the wishes of these beautiful children.

Coordinator Taryn Erickson got involved with Wishing Star after a family friend, who was a “wish child” passed away. She watched the miracles first hand and was compelled to be involved. Spokane has 40+ active wishes including 21 year old Andrew who has a rare cancer of the bone. Andrew was diagnosed as a teenager and has given up school, college, job to fight this monster into remission. Your attendance can help fulfill his wish!

This year’s Taste Spokane includes a wider selection of food and wine vendors. Visit the web site (linked below) for a complete list.  Please join Wishing Star and DrinkNectar.com in support of helping fulfill these children’s whishes.

Event Details:

When: Friday, March 5 from 6-10 p.m.

Where: Northern Quest Casino (discounted room rates available)

Cost: $20 in advance and $25 at the door

www.tastespokane.com

www.wishingstar.org

The goal of this series is to connect with wineries and wine business that use Social Media (Twitter and Facebook) effectively. These interviews can serve as a catalyst to help other wineries and wine businesses to see the benefits (and pitfalls) of joining the social revolution. Click http://drinknectar.com/tag/wineries-on-twitter/ to view all interviews.

Lange Twins:       On the Web    -    On Twitter    -     On Facebook

How long have you been using Twitter?

I’ve been on Twitter since Sept. 2008 – my how the time flies!  I actually had to Google search ‘how to find out when you joined Twitter’ to get this answer.  Not a good sign – do the questions get harder?

What prompted you to dive in?

I’m an addict for new technologies and with all the media coverage on Twitter, it looked like it was here to stay.  Now look at it – something like 600 tweets per second?

What type of strategy or approach do you use when posting content?

I look at Twitter as just one more way for us to interact with our fans – the keyword there is interact.  It’s tempting to just scream offers and news from the rooftops but it’s much more enjoyable when you get to know your Twitter fans.  It’s amazing who is following you!

What have been the benefits of using Twitter/Facebook? (increased traffic, increased brand awareness, customer connection, etc)

Brand awareness and interaction is the goal for me.  If someone buys your wine, enjoys it, and tosses the bottle, that’s where the interaction stops.  If this same customer does a simple Google search for the winery and finds a great way to interact with the winery (enter Twitter & Facebook) then that experience is strengthened. 

Is there a single success story that you can point to with using Twitter/Facebook?

Oh, there are tons!  My favorites are the customers who find our wines out in the market and tweet about how much they enjoyed it.  For such a small brand like LangeTwins, it’s really cool to see where people are finding our wines and what they think of them.  On the flip side, if they don’t like it, Twitter and Facebook give you a line of communication to have a dialogue with that customer – that’s vital.

What do you think is the single biggest barrier to why we don’t see more wineries actively using Social Media tools?

I think the biggest barrier is time – most family wineries like ours are running 110% all year long.  It’s fun, but incredibly consuming.  I’ve made social media (blog, Twitter, FB) a priority because I see the value in it, and, I enjoy it!  But it took a bit for everyone @ LangeTwins to come around.

What advice would you give to wineries joining the stream or getting back into the stream?

Jump.  Pour yourself a glass of wine some night and spend 30mins browsing around Facebook and Twitter.  Then watch that 30mins turn into 3hrs!  Now you’re hooked.

Briefly tell us about your winery, a new release, or something unique about you?

We’re a multi-generational family owned winery that crafts wine from sustainably grown winegrapes.  As a 5^th generation family farmer in Lodi, California, it’s important to preserve the land we farm for future generations.  From using solar panels to produce green energy to restoring native habitat areas amongst our vineyards, we take an all-encompassing approach to sustainability.

New release?  Nice timing!  We are just releasing our Proprietary Tier of wines, which are limited individual lot selections sourced from our favorite vineyards.  Our initial release is a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2008 Chardonnay.  The wine label was chosen by our fans on Facebook and our blog!  Talk about a social media wine…

What is your favorite rock band and why?

Oh man – I am probably going to be ousted by the family now.  Metallica!  Since I was a kid, they’ve always stayed in my Top 5 (well, there was a rough patch there with Load/Reload) and Dec 08 my wife surprised me with concert tickets.  It was insane.  Their last album, Death Magnetic, is amazing. *changes Pandora station to Metallica*