James Laube Signed as Wal-Mart

 Wine Spokesperson

Wal-Mart executives announced today that the famous wine critic and California editor of the Wine  Spectator has signed a contract to head up their new fine wine division.  The two year contract, rumored to be worth $1.5 million, obligates Mr. Laube to leave his Napa Valley home for Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. In addition to being featured in Wal-Mart television and newspaper advertising, he will be responsible for developing a new line of  wines made in China for the Charles Shaw label that Wal-Mart recently acquired.  His contract term coincides with a sabbatical from his editorship at Wine Spectator.  The sabbatical is said to have been prompted by Wine Spectatorpublisher Marvin Shankin being awarded the prestigious  "Creative Wine Writing by Editors Suffering from Dysosmia" award sponsored by the Beaulieu and Chateau Montelena wineries.  

The 30,000 acre vineyards and wine manufacturing plant now rising in the Zhejiang provence just south of Shanghai will be the largest in the world.  It is said to be be based upon the design of Gallo Sonoma's giant California winemaking facility.  Industry analysts warn that the construction of this wine factory will drive the price of stainless steel tanks and oak chips to record levels.   Wines will be manufactured in sterile conditions and the bottles sealed with pry off closures similar to those used on pop bottles to prevent TCA contamination.   

 Mr. Laube, when reached for comment, stated "I am looking forward to this challenge.  Frankly, I was feeling a little stale living in Napa valley tasting TCA contaminated wine all day.  Bringing two dollar wines to the American Heartland is my new passion.  And remember, Low Prices, Always!"  

This another recipe from associate Wine Guy Mark Finch.  Mark says this is a real crowd pleaser when he takes it to parties...

Spam, Velveeta and Pineapple Hawaiian Delight

Serves 2

16 oz crushed pineapple
1 tsp onion powder
2 cups biscuit mix
large pinch nutmeg
2 cups milk
12 oz can of Spam, diced
8 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups Velveeta, cubed
12 tbs butter or oleo, melted
4 green onions, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350°F. Drain pineapple, reserving some for garnish, if desired. Combine biscuit mix, milk, eggs, butter, onion powder and nutmeg in blender or large mixer bowl and mix until smooth. Stir in Spam, Velveeta, onions and pineapple. Pour into two greased 9" pie plates or one 13" baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until set. Garnish with reserved pineapple.

Wine Guy Reviews

It seems that Robert Parker has finally acknowledged the wine cocktail trend that began in the deep south and is now sweeping the country. Here are a pair of refreshing blends from the latest issue of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate that are sure to please...

Plump & Pepperis said to have been created at the Daytona Motor Speedway and is rumored to be Jeff Gordon's favorite post race refreshment!

What the Wine Critics Thought: Wine Advocate 94 points
The 2002 Plump & Pepper is terrific! Wonderful floral notes intermixed with blueberries and black currants intermingle with the lavishly sweet plummy aromas of the Dr. Pepper on the nose.   This deep, full-bodied wine is enhanced by the lively effervescence and the deep almost raisiny quality of the Dr. Pepper.  Its sumptuous syrupy texture, and a long sweet finish displaying the Cabernet's beautifully integrated tannins leaves you with the sensation of sticky purple fur clinging to your teeth.  Kudos to Plumpjack and Dr. Pepper!

This combination brings together two of your favorite summer flavors.  When Britney Spears takes a break on tour, they say that she relaxes with Mer & Dew! 

Mer Soleil Chardonnay 2003 and Mountain Dew

What the Wine Critics Thought:  Wine Advocate 92 points
The 2003 Mer Soleil and Dew is a breathtaking blend.  The ripe, opulent style of the Mer Soleil contrasts beautifully with sweet tart lemon lime notes of the Mountain Dew.  Fizzy and bright with ripe apple, toasty oak and hazelnut flavors sweetened and enhanced by the blast of pure citrus sweetness and caffeine supplied by the Dew.  Just the thing for summer cookouts! 

This week, Kent Ezra, proprietor of the Cobblestone Grill in downtown Zionsville, announced the acquisition of a Hooters franchise for his Main Street location.  The new "Hooters in the Village" is scheduled to open May 1st,  just in time for the Zionsville Country Market crowds.  Kent thinks the Country Market will give the new venture a real boost by giving all those husbands something to do while their wives shop for painted saw blades.   

Cobblestone Grill will close about April 1st for work on the transition to begin.  We hope to hold our first wine tasting at the new Hooters in the Village sometime in late May.  And, while Tom and I will still be there, we think you're going to just love that we plan to let the girls do the pouring.   Kent promises a great new "deep fried" menu and lots of new TVs.  When asked, why the change? Kent replied "I guess I just  love the way Liz looks in those orange shorts!"    

  New Arrivals

I decided to broaden my horizons and not limit myself to wines rated 85 or above. I'm starting with these two wines I found on Wine Spectator online.

Benin di Batasiolo Barbera d'Asti Sabri 2002 Piedmont, Italy  $15 
 What the Wine Critics Thought: Wine Spectator 69 points
Very earthy and dungy on the nose. It doesn't blow off. Sorry. Don't step into this one. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 3,500 cases made. (JS)

Bookcliff  Viognier  2001 Colorado $13 
What the Wine Critics Thought: Wine Spectator 69 points
Has some peach and floral notes, but an overt earthy, cat's pee streak ruins it. Something wrong here. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 100 cases made. (JL)

     The Wine Guy
Pick of the Week 

The Wine of Molvania

Last Christmas, Linda gave me the new travel guide from Jetlag Press, Molvania - A Land Untouched By Modern Dentistry.  Since reading their description of the emerging Molvanian wine industry, I have been searching for some of their wines.  Last week I found one and I want you to be some of the first people in the United States to taste one of these amazing and unusual wines.  Here is what the travel guide had to say about them: 

"Vajana is an historic wine-growing region and produces the world's only red Riesling.  The most popular is a type of claret made from a unique grape varietal called Soursavignon.  Many wine writers have tried to describe the the taste of this grape but most liken it to fermented lemon rind.  The grape has an extremely tough skin and for many years could only be crushed with rifle butts.  The juice from this crush is extremely astringent and must undergo a filter press.  The first run is used in premium cuvees and the second juice is used to tan saddles."

I was unable to find any Soursauvignon, but I think you will find this Red Riesling interesting. 

Barone Jzlakkensklowcza Busjbusj Riesling Rouge 2004 $6.00
What the Wine Critics thought: Too Obscure to be Reviewed

There is certainly an "Old World" feel to this unique varietal.  Red Riesling was created when the first Barone Busjubsj managed to crossbreed a German Riesling vine with the native Soursauvignon grape over 600 years ago.   The nose of this wine seems to be dominated by petrol aromas that almost evoke diesel oil.  No one seems sure whether this is the result of the Riesling grape's natural tendency to produce petrol aromas, or the fact that during the years of Soviet rule, the vineyard where the grapes were grown was an oil refinery.

This may be the only wine I have ever tasted that could be sweet and sour at the same time. The palate seems to lack fruit and is dominated by fierce acidity and formidable tannins that must  have come from its red parent.  Find something to serve this with that will distract you from the flavors or just hold your nose when you swallow.  11,000 cases made.  WG

 Interested?  Just use "reply to sender" to return this form or just give me a call. 

Additional case discounts do not apply to items with .99 sale price endings.  However sale wines do combine with other wines to make non sale wines eligible for cases discounts. Case discounts are 7% on mixed cases and 10% on full cases of the same the same wine.