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ZAP Mania

ZAP Mania. With the ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) Tasting in the offing, I decided to do a ZAP Preview Tasting for our wine grid, along with a series of blogs. I told the ZAP organizers to encourage their members to send wine for this blind tasting and the response has been astounding. I have 200-plus bottles so far and the wine keeps coming.

By | January 17th, 2010|0 Comments

Recession-Proof Romance

Recession-Proof Romance Recession-Proof Romance The clock is ticking. Romeo-wannabes just have a few weeks to become debonair before Valentine’s Day. And in this economic climate, just how does one budget romance? Luckily, we have plenty of tips.

By | January 15th, 2010|5 Comments

Cash-strapped Romeo?

Cash-strapped, Romeo? Don’t despair. There are always options for the clever Valentine. In fact, some budget-savvy Napa Valley businesses are offering discounts from 35% to 50% during the month of February to help couples rev up romance. They include Go Fish, Ehlers Estate and Palmaz Winery, Silverado Resort, The Grill at Silverado and Napa Valley Bike Tours.

By | January 14th, 2010|2 Comments

Controversial?

Controversial? The sale of wine reaching a minimum of 14 percent alcohol has tripled in the last decade. (This is according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau.) Is there anything controversial about this statistic? Yes. No. Maybe.

By | January 13th, 2010|1 Comment

Sarah Palin paired with wine?

Sarah Palin paired with wine? You betcha. According to The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) website, it has confirmed Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska (2006-2009) and 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential Nominee, as the keynote speaker for the opening General Session at its 67th Annual Convention and Expositional, April 6-8, 2010, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

By | January 12th, 2010|13 Comments

New feature

In next week's Wine of the Week grid in the newspaper, we'll include alcohol levels of our wine picks. There appears to be increasing interest in alcohol levels, whether it's due to New Year's and a means to diet (lower alcohol wines are less caloric) or a means to drink more without feeling the effects.

By | January 6th, 2010|3 Comments

One Melnik Minute

With the New Year only 24 hours away, it’s time to fine=tune our resolutions. But here’s a twist – how about making the unbreakable kind?

By | December 31st, 2009|0 Comments

One Melnik Minute

With a tital wave of bubbly to come New Year's Eve, it's a good time to prime yourself with some tactical advice. How does one open a sparkler? Read on ...

By | December 30th, 2009|1 Comment

Is the Global Warming Conference worth the bucks?

There has been an uproar over the Sonoma County Supervisors’ decision to send seven people to the international conference on climate control in Copenhagen Denmark next week. The critics say allocating $22,500 during budget cuts and employee furloughs is outrageous. But vintner Paul Dolan, who plans to go to the conference, said spending the money is a wise investment.

By | December 4th, 2009|5 Comments

One Melnik Minute

Who doesn't have a minute to talk champagne, especially as we begin bubbly season? Sure, I know you're already busy budgeting presents, but here's a quick hit factoid for you to boost your Bubby IQ:

By | November 30th, 2009|1 Comment