Thursday, November 30, 2006

In search of the elusive Grape Weasel...

Life as a tasting room employee is never boring. Like a bartender, I meet some interesting people with some unusual stories.

One of the most memorable (and absurd) examples took place this past summer.

In addition to working behind the bar, I also gave tours of the vineyards and wine making facility. It was in this more intimate setting where a guest asked me about the growing concern of grape weasels in the Finger Lakes. He had been told by another winery that this obnoxious little creature could destroy acres of grapes. According to him, little is known about these weasels except for their love of grapes and their ability to be domesticated. Sound absurd?

Although I would consider myself fairly knowledgeable regarding the entire process, this was not something that I was aware of. Putting my sleuth hat on (I own many hats), I investigated further. It turns out that this tale had been told by Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, the local party house notorious for stories about ficticious animals such as the jackalop (jack rabbit-deer mix), and now the grape weasel.

Fox Run's response:

Wanted: Grape Weasels. Dead or Alive. $1 bounty to be paid by Fox Run Vineyards.

Oh how I miss my summers in wine country!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

You like what you like

At least once a week I would get demands for a tasting of one of our wines that was recently rated—please don’t let glossy magazines such as Wine Spectator tell you what wines you should like. Just because they received a high rating doesn’t mean that you’ll like them—this is just ridiculous. One size does not fit all; everyone has different tastes, and this is what keeps the wine industry profitable.

My Australia-bound co-worker, a Pinot Noir snob, puts it best with her love for Pinot Evil, a wine that costs only $7.

And then that brings me to Harley owners; those big, bad motorcycle riders . Unlike this stereotype would suggest, whenever HOG rallies would make a stop by the winery, the bestselling wine during their visit was Ruby Vixen, our sweetest blush wine.

Also, you shouldn't let tasting fees for wine affect your perception of their quality. The tasting sheet at Fox Run includes 5 free wines and depending on the time of the year, about 7 additional wines that cost between $0.50 and $2.00 a piece to taste. So many people assume that these are better wines—they aren’t! Instead, they are in low supply and the winery wants to hold on to them as long as possible. I have seen some great wines be featured on the free side...

Free does not equal cheap.

This is going to be the start of a beautiful relationship

Having grown up in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York State, I have enjoyed wine for a number of years—and I’m not even 21 yet! Unlike other beverages, wine has numerous benefits—both for the heart and mind.

Given this, the beverage is something that I feel everyone should appreciate; most importantly for its taste, but also for the role that it has played in the development and evolution of society. Naturally, wine’s intoxicating effects have always been enjoyed by all!

As an employee of Fox Run Vineyards, I have dealt with people who appreciate wine for different reasons. I have also dealt with people who have no knowledge of wine and are trying to find something that interests them. With such a huge selection, I am confident that you will find something you enjoy.

Cheers!

My Favorite Wines

  • Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Fox Run Vineyards 2002 Cabernet Franc
  • Fox Run Vineyards 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Fox Run Vineyards 2004 Reserve Chardonnay
  • Hermann J. Wiemer 2005 Dry Riesling
  • Miles Wine Cellars 2002 Pinot Noir