Live Wine Blogging, the pre-eminent event at the annual Wine Bloggers Conference, was thrilling for me. I took it as a personal challenge to live Tweet as winemakers and winery representatives frantically poured wines to tables of bloggers.
The hour-long event was fast and furious as bloggers shouted out questions, wines were poured and quickly evaluated, keyboards clacked, and digital cameras whirred. After five minutes, the winemakers rotated to other tables. It was speed dating for wine tasters, and it was intense yet invigorating. Since it’s pretty much impossible to both take photos, Tweet, and live blog simultaneously, I focused on Tweeting.
Here I’ve compiled a list of all of my Tweets that were posted live on Twitter during the event. Next year I’ll try to do better with taking photos but solely using my tablet made more sense. Some bloggers refused to participate in the exercise because they feel that five minutes is not an appropriate amount of time to properly evaluate a wine, and I tend to agree. But these two sessions offered a helpful challenge for me and again, they were informational, exhilarating, and wholly enjoyable.
My journalism background greatly aided me during these exercises, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading my “off the cuff” descriptions and tasting notes.
White Wine Live Blogging – Friday
Antica Winery
First up: @AnticaWine Block A26 Chardonnay, the 26 represents the 26th generation of this wine. Like buttered popcorn in the glass.
Hanna Winery
Hanna 2016 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc, made by the same winemaker for the last 16 years, something that’s almost totally unheard of. Beautiful aromas of fresh limes. #WBC17 @hannawinery
Leto Cellars
2014 Chardonnay from @Letocellars has the most delicious nose of toasted caramel, vanilla and bourbon! Crafted by winemaker Brad with St. Helena fruit and a sweet love story too. #WBC17
Acumen Wines
Time for the @AcumenWine 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, released only 4 days ago. Crisp, tart with a floral barnyard nose. Not what I expected from a Sauv Blanc, and that’s sometimes not a bad thing! #WBC17
William Hill Estate Winery
2015 North Coast Chardonnay from William Hill Estate Winery is an incredible value at $17. Peach and citrus notes marry to make a tasty, well balanced wine. #WBC17
Dancing Coyote Wines
Best logo so far goes to the whimsical @DC_Wines. Their Gruner Veltliner wine (indigenous to Austria) is the perfect crisp and dry white wine. #WBC17
Anaba Wines
White Rhone blend from @AnabaWines, the Turbine white blend. Why turbine? There’s a wind turbine on the property. The fresh floral nose instantly won me over! #WBC17
Paradise Ridge
Sad story from @ParadiseRidge, as they lost their tasting room and production facilities in the fires, but their spirits are high and the 2016 Grandview Sauv Blanc is yummy. #WBC17
Breathless Wines
The @BreathlessWines Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine is 70% pinot noir, 30% chardonnay, and 100% scrumptious. Hooray for bubbles! #WBC17 #hoorayforbubbles
Wagner Family of Wine
White Zin is the gateway wine for many, but Conundrum from @ConundrumWines is a great place for newbies to start. Slightly sweet & an easy intro to wine that’s also easy on your wallet. #WBC17
Frank Family
Who knew @FrankFamilyWine makes a sparkling wine? Production of 2000 cases of their ‘13 Blanc de Blancs is handmade in traditional method — and the attention to detail and quality shows. #WBC17
Red Wine Live Blogging – Saturday
The HILT
Live wine blogging at #WBC17 first up 2015 The HILT Pinot Noir, a blend from all of the winery’s vineyards. @TheHiltWines Approachable, light and an easy drinking red.
Wagner Family of Wine
“Best blend in CA for $25 bucks,” according to the @ConundrumWines rep. 2015 Conundrum is a crowd pleaser that will appeal to many different palates. It’s an on the porch, casual and relaxing type of sipper. Petite Sirah, Zin and Cab Sauv blend. #WBC17
Cliff Lede
2014 Cab Sauv from the Stags Leap District from @CliffLedeWine. All estate cab from their 60 acre vineyard, exciting addition of 9% Petit Verdot keeps things interesting. A great Bordeaux style blend aged in 75% new French oak. I LOVE THIS WINE! #WBC17
Planeta Winery
2016 vintage of Planeta La Segreta Nero D’Avola red from the Sicilia DOC. Long tart cherry finish that reminds me of freshly picked sour cherries, a result of its stainless steel tank fermentation. A value at $14.99 for those interested in new and up and coming wines. #WBC17
Jack Winery
Next up @JackWinery 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon from Diamond Mountain in Napa Valley. $121 price point and only 100 cases produced. Rich toasted vanilla notes from the 100% French oak barrels and 22 months of cave aging. #WBC17
Cain Vineyard and Winery
Love that @CainVineyardandWinery started out with a palate cleanser before launching into their 2006 Cain Five cab blend from the Spring Mt. District. Not my style of wine but those into aged Bordeaux styles may wish to seek it out. #WBC17
Troon Vineyard
First wine today from Oregon, estate bottled 2015 @troonwines Black Label Estate from Applegate Valley. 297 cases produced with no additives, no sugars, no enzymes, just sustainably farmed natural grapes. Interesting blend of tannat with malbec and a touch of tempranillo. #WBC17
St. Supery
A peppery, mouth puckering, soft yet tannic 2014 Napa Valley estate Cab Sauv from @StSupery, a big red from Rutherford & Dollarhide vineyards. Enticing coffee bean and mocha chocolate bar nose on this Bordeaux style wine. I fell in love with the second sip. #WBC17
Acumen Wines
The delightful Edgar pouring @AcumenWine 2013 Mountainside cab sauv, a perfect wine for meat eaters. I like wines I can feel and the mouth-coating, lush tannins feel like a day at the spa. It’s young and big and a winner. #WBC17
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Upshot 2015 non-traditional red blend from @rsvineyards has a touch of Riesling for its fruit-driven, soft edge. An odd and tasty wine that, at its reasonable $28 price point, could prove to be a real conversation starter at your next dinner party. #WBC17
Thanks for reading my collection of live Tweets and if you don’t already, please follow The Grape Geeks on Twitter at @thegrapegeeks.
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