» GMN

Beresan Winery – The End for Now

GMN — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:18:26 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Sadly, we have come to the end of our adventures at the Beresan Winery….

Balboa Winery, Walla Walla, Washington

GMN — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:11:02 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Thanks to everyone for bearing with me as the day job continues to overwhelm me….

I am still working on producing my videos that I took at the Wine Bloggers’ Conference.

This video is of Thomas Glase of Balboa Winery as we tasted his spectacular wine, Mith. Cheers!

WBC’10 – Beresan Winery

GMN — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:02:56 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Has it really been a week since I posted last? I have finally crawled out from beneath the giant pile of work that fell on me after I returned from Walla Walla in order to put together this video. The order of these videos might be coming to you out of order because I am just like that. The important part is that you can see what it is like visiting the vineyards!

WBC’10 Wine Blog Awards

GMN — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:01:35 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

This year’s Wine Blog Awards were given out at the Conference. The event was hosted by Alan Kropf of the Wine Mutineer Magazine, who gave the presentation that we won’t soon forget! Thanks to Laura and Lisa from Jordan Winery for video taping the experience. I was certainly not expecting the type of presentation (though I have added some of my photos of the event for additional color.

And clearly, you can see the ceremony needed more color!

Congratulations to the winners!

Best Wine Blog Graphics, Photography, & Presentation: Good Grape
Best Industry/Business Wine Blog: Criteria: Good Grape
Best Wine Reviews on a Wine Blog: Bigger Than Your Head
Best Single Subject Wine Blog: Criteria: New York Cork Report
Best Winery Blog: Criteria: Been Doon So Long
Best Writing On a Wine Blog: Catavino
Best New Wine Blog: Criteria: Swirl, Smell Slurp
Best Overall Wine Blog: Criteria: 1 Wine Dude

Wine Bunny

GMN — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:01:41 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Yes, I know.. This is not about the Wine Bloggers’ Conference, but rather something that happened to me yesterday. I opened the door to the store to take some recycling to the bin and there practically beneath my feet was this baby. I have never seen a baby bunny so close up and personal. Frankly, for a while I thought that this baby had made its way to my doorstep to croak. I couldn’t even see it breathing.

Eventually, it got used to me hovering near the door enough to move around a bit.

Here is my footage… just because it is cute.

And no. This baby was not offered a complementary tasting.

WBC’10 Meet The Sponsors

GMN — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:01:03 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Now that I have returned from my cross-country trek and my holiday weekend trek I am beginning to run through my photos and video. Where to start… at the beginning I guess.

For those of you who want to know what a wine blogging conference is like, here is a sneak peak!

If you guessed that we would be chatting and tasting the wines of the sponsors, then you were right! If you guessed drunken debauchery… well, sorry to disappoint you. Maybe next year!

Wine Blogger’s Conference Fun!

GMN — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:39:34 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Noticed this video posted by Wine Biz Radio’s Randy Hall. Not only did we have a lovely lunch at Whitman Cellars, but we were entertained by one of our own as well! Nicky Vallee, VinoChick seranaded us at lunch. Enjoy!

How I Want To Open Champagne From Now On

GMN — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:49:54 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

I saw a demonstration last night on how to sabre a bottle of Champagne. I want to do this from now on, although realistically, I realize that my personal sommelier, Sophie will undoubtably take over this task, as she loves to open wine for me.

So, Sophie? This is for you, my love. Study up.

and remember as Napoleon said, “In victory, you deserve Champagne, in defeat, you need it”

Road Trip Planning 2010 – Idaho

GMN — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:05:14 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Even though I am actually on my trip, I am still planning. After all, I still need to get through Idaho.

Now, for the purposes of my trip, my quest through Idaho will be quite short as I will be scooting across the panhandle on my way into Washington. There are two wineries in the area that I will hopefully be able to stop at:

Pend d’Oreille Winery
Coeur dAlene Cellars

As far as other things to do, well there are beautiful lakes in Coeur D’Alene and Pend D’Oreille. Also there is a gold mine museum in Kellogg. Ultimately, most of the things to do and see in Idaho are further south. Even the Snake River Canyon that was jumped by Evel Knievel in my youth (pronouned yoot) is further south. Sigh. Next time!

Road Trip Planning 2010 – Wyoming

GMN — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:01:21 +0000

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Yes, I know that I have been to Wyoming before, but this year I will be in the northern part of the state. According to my map there is a winery near my travel location (though the phone number is disconnected, grrr, Thanks a bunch, Wyoming Tourism Board). So what else can I do in Northern Wyoming without going into Yellowstone, or Jackson Hole (which would have regional wine nearby)?

Well, get out the mashed potatoes, but don’t start sculpting yet as I will be driving in the vicinity of Devil’s Tower and you will be wanting updated photos unless you are seeing them in your head, that is…. I plan to avoid the anal probe so I probably won’t be stopping. I will be near Yellowstone, just not while I am in Wyoming.

If you are aware of anyplaces along the road in Wyoming in the north of the state, please, please, let me know. Email me at gretchen@vinoverve.com.

AnyWho. Here is the updated map!

(I don’t remember being so timid with color when I prepared this last year!)