labeled.ca – opening bottles and minds

 

In other parts of the world, people rely on things like weather and calendars to tell the when summer is knocking on the proverbial door.  In the Nova Scotia wine world, we just look to our emails to that wonderful newsletter that tells us when Benjamin Bridge’s Nova 7 will be released.

Benjamin Bridge has done the almost unthinkable with their slightly-sparkling, sweet concoction released each May.  Nova 7 is a rare occurrence in the wine world in which it can please everyone.  It can be a refreshing treat after a long day of carting the kids around,  it can cause a sommelier to giggle like a schoolgirl in excitement while they rhyme off dozens of descriptors in an attempt to decipher its complexity, and it satisfies those who want to support our proud, local businesses and farmers.  Nova 7 does what great wine is supposed to do: it brings people together, both literally and figuratively.

Without further ado, here are my thoughts on the 2011 vintage to be released on May 7th:

“The 2011 Nova 7 from Benjamin Bridge is another fantastic effort.  Although it remains consistent with the style that we are now very-familiar with, it shows the beautifully subtle differences that we come from a cool-climate like the Gaspereau Valley.  The wine still has its salmon coloured hues which its drinkers have come to expect and the nose is simply gorgeous.  It is an explosive mixture of bright lychee fruit, candied lime, pink grapefruit and Chanel No 5.  The light, creamy, slightly sparkling mouthfeel is very well-balanced with the ample fruit, delicate sweetness and bright acidity all working hard to make each other work even better.  This is the way real wine should taste.”

It will be available almost everywhere in Nova Scotia on May 7th.  Pick up a bottle on your next trip to Harvest Wines and Spirits or Cristall Wine Merchants  if you are in HRM or add it to your next online order!

Another year in #marcmad has come and gone.  Thousands of votes were counted and a surprise (to some) winner was revealed when the wines of British Columbia arose as the answer to the question “What region’s wine would you take with you to your desert island?”

I say surprise because in the final it faced off against the wine world equivalent of Goliath – Burgundy.  Ironically enough, the day of the final vote I was reading about Burgundy in one of my favourite wine books (Karen MacNeill’s “The Wine Bible”) and saw this opening passage which was haunting to say the least:

“To the proverbial question, if you could take just one wine to a desert island, what would it be? Many zealous wine lovers answer instantaneously: Burgundy.”

See?  You can see why the Burgundy lovers thought it was a lock, but the passionate wine folks of BC came out in droves and spread the good word of their wonderful wine enough to get the win.  Sure, there were people who said it only won because there were a lot of Canadian voters, but who cares?  If nothing else it piqued the interest of those who were yet to have tasted the phenomenal wines made in British Columbia.

How can that be a bad thing?  We currently have a bill in front of the House of Commons about to go to its 3rd reading.  If it passes, the ridiculous prohibition-based laws that prevent direct shipping across provincial borders will be abolished.  So for those of you in the same boat as I am that want to taste the incredible wines of BC or Ontario will be able to have the wine shipped to you.  Yeah.  Essentially it means that Canadian wine laws are moving into the 21st Century.

Did #marcmad have anything to do with this bill passing?  Not directly. For that you can thank MP Dan Albas and the wonderful work done by Free My Grapes. But enough people were talking about Canadian wine that it was trending in Canada on Twitter.  Who could possibly see that as a bad thing for the industry?  Instead of talking about what Kardashian sister is engaged/pregnant/idiotic/spoiled/ridiculous, people were talking about the wines of British Columbia and Ontario.  That my friends, is a win.

Thank you to those who participated this year and you better believe it will be back next year in bigger and better form.  You have a lot of time to catch up on your Canadian wines, which hopefully, will be able to be shipped directly to your door soon.

Updated Bracket Here!

#1 Burgundy

Do you see that long, skinny, stick-like numeral just before our name? It’s a one.  As in “the best”.  We came in as the #1 seed in the much much more powerful Old World Conference and we performed up to expectations.  Our wines are regarded by a large number of people as the absolute best (both red and white) wines of the world.  With those types of comments, do you think we would be worried about a #13 seed that nobody really knows about unless they live there?

Yes, we are worried.

We watched yesterday as BC defeated our close relative in Ontario and their wines are some of the closest things we’ve seen to our own! We noticed that some never seen before BC supporters came out in droves to vote for the region they are so proud of.  We hope that all we have achieved and done for in the wine world will be recognized and not diminished by a slew of swoop-in/swoop-out voters.  We don’t want to solicit your votes to try and win this by simply adding a hashtag to your tweet.  We want you to vote for Burgundy because you can’t live without our wines.  This is a competition about which wines you would bring to your deserted island and would drink for the rest of your life.  Price is not an option.  If nothing else just think of the wines that you COULD be having on your island including all of the crus of Chablis, the Cotes des Nuits and Cotes des Beaune, and Beaujolais.  Yes we are biased as you are.  However when you have been at this for as long as we have, we think we have earned the right.

Do the right thing today and vote with your palate.  Vote for the wines you will enjoy when your daughter gets married or you finally become a partner.  Tell me, on your desert island when you catch your first fish after endless hours of trying…is there any better way of celebrating than with La Tache? Or Richebourg?  No.  There isn’t.  And good luck finding those in British Columbia. Vote Burgundy.  (@jonathanwil)

#13 British Columbia

Inter-office Memo

Checklist for World Recognition, To Be Completed By Ontario/BC Upon Victory

- Better Canadian market access to wines (All provinces need direct-product access first.  This is overdue.)

- Increase Canadian demand (Wine needs to do more than sit on a store shelf. Moreover, it needs to be consumed once in the home.)

- Provincial/regional stylistic profiles defined for all, not just industry (Differences between Naramata Bench and Similkameen Valley should be evident.  Products should differ and experts/general public should be able to casually differentiate.)

- Better cross-Canadian-industry knowledge (Winemakers in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia should know what BC’s doing, and vice-versa.  They should look at Canada as where they make wine, and each province/appellation/sub-appellation as a slice of that larger pie, within the bakery of the whole mondo-vino.)

- Back it up: maximize quality per vineyard site (It doesn’t have to be a single-vineyard-bottling every time, but it helps knowing the right grapes are growing in the right spot.)

- Once product is embedded in national professional psyche, or even in tandem with this process, ensure consistent international recognition and distribution.  (Some of this is already underway with limited exports, but we need better American market presence.  Scores in publications and other written/online press aid this considerably.)

- Beyond retail, restaurateur support is also critical (Canada and abroad.  Though low prices are hard to manage with tax, labour and land cost, many restaurants cannot support high-priced wines.  Wineries must temper pricing to be competitive.)

- Professional Canadian presence abroad (Canadian-born winemakers, sommeliers, and other wine-professionals who are able to work internationally must preach the gospel of Canadian wine.  But – and this is vital – they must share exceptional wines.  Good and very good won’t cut it.)

- International exposure (Taste more than just local.  Know the benchmarks before you can surpass them.)

- Continue #bcwinechat, because dialogue is vital to community.  Building a strong, unified and informed community is paramount.  Maybe #canwinechat next?

- Seriously, #freemygrapes.  (@writersblanc)

Updated Bracket Here! 

 

#6 Ontario

“Vin-yl Cafe”

(With all respects to Stuart McLean and CBC.)

Believe me when I tell you that I didn’t come here to cause trouble. I’m just like you– a product of my environment. Everything I’m about to tell you is absolutely true.

I grew up in wine-country before it was “Wine Country.” My elementary school was surrounded by vineyards; there was even a winery across the street. As a child, I remember my mother buying local wines for gifts. We’d frequent all but one winery whose founder dated my mother a decade past. My father wasn’t the jealous type, but we knew we were never drinking THAT wine.

As I grew older, I started noticing more signs for wineries. More write-ups in the paper, and more branded delivery trucks pulling up to restaurants. And this was all before the Icewine craze hit. It seemed like everyone was receiving those long, skinny bottles and arranging them on display in their basements and rec rooms; or on top of the refrigerator, or inside the refrigerator. It got people thinking about where to store wine, because frankly, most didn’t know. They were ornamental, but they were icons of the late ‘90s.

When high school neared its close, I took a job in a fruit market which, much to my surprise, was in the process of becoming a winery. The summers passed between university sessions. Each year, the property became more attuned to the ins and outs of the wine business. Theirs was a family business. Even when my mother suggested I join THAT OTHER winery – she knew a friend or two – I said, ‘No thank you, I’m in a good place.’

We learned together, my friends at the winery. It wasn’t just the business of growing grapes and making wine. It was more than meeting our neighbours; more than giving tours and teaching how to taste. We learned the language of wine. And in truth, we’re still refining it. Or maybe, we’re simply finding it.

After being in it more than a decade, it’s safe to say the industry is in a better place than when we started. Educational centres at Brock and Niagara College have created an inspired group of local talent whose voice is singing in unison more and more. As they engage each other – as they engage the land – you’ll see, very quickly, how Ontario’s wine-identity will be defined.

It takes more than a book to make you smart. It takes more than a workout to get you fit. But as I look out at an industry which has truly come of age in the last few years, a smile always comes to my face. You see, high school’s tough for anyone. You try to find the right crowd, and enjoy the activities that make you happiest. You spend this time discovering so that when you mature, you confidently take the next step. Well to Ontario’s wineries, high school’s over. Welcome to the rest of your life: it’s going to be a great one. (@writersblanc)

 

#13 British Columbia

This match-up says one of two things:  A) This tournament is biased towards Canadian wine regions and full of Canadian people voting.  B) Anyone who has had these wines know they are indeed sublime and deserve to be voted for.

To be perfectly honest, I think it’s both.  Like many sommeliers, I am loyal to my country’s wines, but not all of them. Just the good ones!  It would not in the best interest of us to tell everyone how good the wines were if they were awful!  I would look like a terrible sommelier and the wines would be ridiculed.  I just think that the world needs proof of what they are being told.  One of my favourite things is the reaction that overwhelms a person the first time they have one.  “This is Canadian wine?!?!?!”.

The wines of BC are ridiculously good. Scary good. Osoyoos Larose is as right-bank Bordeaux as it gets.  Tantalus Riesling leaves a sensation on your tongue that cannot be described via this blog.  And that is just the tip of the iceberg.  Dont even get me started on the boutique wineries.  These are real wines made by real people.  True cool-climate viticulture with the vines being kept warm thanks to the radiating passion of the vineyard workers and winery staff.

I am not going into deep detail about the wines and how good they are.  I want you to seek them out and try them for yourselves by any means necessary.  You will not regret it. And I don’t want to hear that they are not available readily. Do not blame the wines of BC, blame the economic principles of supply and demand (and the ridiculous wine laws in this country!). Vote #BCWINE (@jonathanwil)

 

 

 What is #MarcMad?

Updated Bracket Here!

 

#1 Burgundy

Burgundy is your loving wife who always stands by you.  It is your loyal husband of 40 years.  Would you think of leaving them for a perfumed floozy named Cabernet Franc or the bipolar guy who works down the road, Chenin Blanc?  Sadly enough, some people are.

After all Burgundy has done for you.  It stood next to you when you fooled around with Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.  Burgundy knew that their higher alcohol levels made your judgement become questionable.  Others would have thrown you under the bus and found another willing suitor who was waiting in line.  Not Burgundy.  It was there when you flirted with cheap Aussie Chardonnay for a while but knew that you wouldn’t stray too far because Chablis and Meursault are too good to walk away from for a cheap fling with a kangaroo.

Burgundy is happy with whatever you give it.  Sure it wants you to spend some money on it from time to time, but doesn’t everyone want to be appreciated and pampered?  Burgundy is quite happy with you focusing on her value side.  She does flirt with rich businessmen once in a blue moon, but she does it to remind you that she is a great catch!  Can you blame her for wanting to be wanted?

Burgundy is sexy and sultry yet manly and rugged.  He can be light and bubbly while you watch Sex and the City together and discuss how much Samantha reminds you of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  He can be gritty and rustic while you go camping deep in the Boreal forest.  His labels are chiseled.  When you call him his proper name, it flows off your tongue like silk.  After having someone named Gevrey-Chambertin lay in bed next to you, how can you switch so easily to someone named St Nicholas de Bourgeuil???  It sounds like you are sleeping with a 14th century French priest instead of a dashing French merchant.

Ignore the advances of the skanky Loire.  They will never EVER give you what Burgundy can give, and has given, despite the sweet nothings they whisper in your ear.  Vote Burgundy. (@jonathanwil)

 

#7 Loire Valley

We parody a lot of things during Marc Madness. (It’s partly the consequence of writing as much as we have to.) So for this, the final Old World match, I want to shake that habit.

What did you do when faced with your last impossible task? Did you, like Meursault in Camus’ L’Etranger, wish for crowds to scream at you before execution? Did you embrace the satisfaction of an expected defeat? Or did you brace against impact, collect your ideas, and will yourself forward?

The Loire Valley is a collection of charming, picturesque appellations that most wine enthusiasts romanticize. Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne are your stars here; Pinot Noir in the supporting cast; Chardonnay might make a cameo at best.

Today’s battle is about The B-Team. Burgundy’s alliance of the Cote d’Or, Chablis and Beaujolais provides distinction and nobility between [an albeit limited selection of] classic grapes and styles. “Classic” is what we challenge today.

Why can’t Loire be the “New Classic”? History and legacy should not bury inherent quality. If the word ‘Bourgogne’ stirs a person, how much of that has been programmed by our vinous education? Step backward a moment and ask yourself what you purchase regularly. Consider your heart’s flutter when your eyes discover bottles of Chinon like Baudry and Joguet on the shelf. Don’t get me started on Moulin Touchais — that would spur me to unmentionable acts.

Burgundy’s been done. Loire is undiscovered country. Take a risk today. And if you don’t– if you vote Burgundy– please tell me what you have tried that would make you choose it over the truly captivating wines of this underappreciated region. Vote for the B-Team. Vote Loire… and execute Meursault. (@writersblanc)

What is #MarcMad?

Updated Bracket Here!

 

#6 Ontario

I can’t be objective about Ontario. I think we get better every year. I think we’ll learn more collectively about grapes and styles best suited to our natural advantages, and that will create better wines. I’ll gush more if we, the humble, defeat the incredibly successful South Island New Zealand.

It’s encouraging to know that – if patriotism carries the victory today – we have a collection of dedicated producers, critics and fans who would be content drinking their local product until their end of days. When this industry hit its restart-button in 1975, we probably couldn’t say that.

Pat yourselves on the back for raising your voice. Let’s take the chance to share Ontarian wines with friends abroad today. Let’s show them that which is worth sharing. And let’s encourage our brethren to stay true to their land and look for ways to improve.

And now… Rick Astley:

(@writersblanc)

 

#7 South Island New Zealand

You would think that because these two regions are seeded so close that it should almost be a dead heat going into today’s matchup, but that isn’t exactly the case.  In this competition perhaps they are close, but on the world scene, there would be many people who would be shocked that Ontario was seeded at all, let alone #6.

There are some that will claim that the reason Ontario isn’t known internationally is because they are so young in the industry.  Fair enough.  But if that is your reference point, how do you explain New Zealand?  They have been making wine seriously for about the same duration as Ontario.  They had to re-invent the wheel and uproot almost all of the plantings of a grape they were told to plant by the Geisenheim Institute (Muller -Thurgau)!  They replaced most of the plantings with Sauvignon Blanc and started their journey all over again.  And, whether you like it or not, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has been called the best SB in the world by many a critic/writer/consultant/whatever.  They now know their identity and what they want to focus on.  Can you say the same about Ontario?  In some sub-appellations perhaps, but on the whole, Ontario is still trying to find out who they are.

So if you want to vote for Ontario, go for it.  However, don’t give me this sob story about how Ontario is still so young and it deserves the vote for what they have achieved in such a short period of time.  It is a great story of success, however, when you compare it side-by-side to what the south island of New Zealand has done and their effect on the global market of wine (not just within their country), the Ontario wine story comes in second place.

Vote for the small region that continues to wow and revolutionize.  If Sauvignon Blanc isn’t your thing, fine.  I can find another great reason for you or two for you to vote for SINZ.  C-O-P-N-A-R.  Central Otago Pinot Noir and Riesling.  Vote for South Island New Zealand!  (@jonathanwil)

 

What is #MarcMad?

Updated Bracket Here!

 

#3 Toscana

In the year 1982,  David Paich wrote a song called  “Rosanna ” that was eventually recorded by his band, Toto.  It is a devilishly catchy tune supposedly written about a lovely lady named Rosanna.  However,  I think this song was written about the wines of Tuscany.  I have written the translations below the lyrics so you can see for yourself:

“All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see your eyes Toscana, Toscana. I never thought that a girl like you could ever care for me, Toscana”

-  If you have ever had Maestrojanni’s Brunello di Montalcino you know this to be true. When you have this the night before, you want it again and again.  And the wine is so damn good that you figure it could never love you back.  But it does.  It needs you as much as you need it.

“All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you tight Toscana, Toscana. I didn’t know you were looking for more than I could ever be.”

-  If there is anything as satisfying as a late night glass of Chianti by the fire I would love to hear it.  The wines of Tuscany demand more of their drinkers however.  Not any simpleton will enjoy these.

“Not quite a year since she went away, Toscana yeah. Now she’s gone and I have to stay.”

-  Remember!  There are specific aging requirements in Tuscany and the wines will have to be aged before getting to you.  It will seem like an eternity.  Ensure that you have some great Tuscan wines to drink while waiting for the others to be released!

“I can see your face still shining through the window on the other side Toscana, Toscana”

-  Actually yes,  the wines of Sangiovese are usually very bright and reflective, yet light in colour!  It is like you can see the whole world through a glass of Chianti.

“All I wanna tell you is now you’ll never ever have to compromise Toscana, Toscana.  I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad.”

-  I am sorry that I decided to drink only New World wines for a short time.  I know some of your producers comprised and began making their wine in a New World style to try and win me back.  I didn’t realize how much I loved you until I started tasting those sweet high-alcohol wines of California.  I love you Toscana.

Vote for the wines that inspire 80′s hits!  You certainly dont want me to remind you that Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” was about Vin Santo, do you?  Vote Toscana!  (@jonathanwil)

 

#7 Loire Valley

I’m hunched over the computer with a runny nose right now. Puffy eyes, sore throat; the whole deal. I think I’ve been poisoned by the wines of Tuscany. In my delusional state, I’ve decided that a play-by-play of a Loire victory, NFL-style, is the only way to go. We’re also going to invoke the ghost of John Madden, because he and Al Michaels were such a great team (with all respect to Collinsworth).

——

Al Michaels: At the 2-minute mark, we find Loire with the ball at their own 20-yard line. Trailing by 5 points, Tuscany’s ahead 22-17. A touchdown will do it, John.

John Madden: And you hate them backed up like this, but if there’s any QB in the league that can muscle out a victory, it’s Sancerre. Did you see what he did last week against Bordeaux?

AM: Yes we did, a huge upset in the division! All right, team’s set up in the I-Formation, only Vouvray split out on the right side. Chinon passes the snap to Sancerre– play-action– and he lobs it out to Vouvray who’s covered by Vernaccia di San Gimignano at about the 50 yard line.

JM: I still can’t believe they fit all that on the back of his jersey.

AM: Still, a poor decision and execution by Sancerre on that play.

JM: He’s lucky that wasn’t picked off! Vernaccia’s had a hard season though, so Sancerre thought it wasn’t much of a risk.

AM: Of course we’re all familiar with the story: Tuscany lost the unheralded Trebbiano Toscana earlier in the month to a fractured cordon, so they promoted Vernaccia di San Gimignano and even traded for Orvieto and Est! Est!! Est!!! to fill out the void at Cornerback.

JM: Okay, here we go.

AM: 2nd down and 10, ball at the 20 yard line, Loire’s operating out of the shotgun this time. Vouvray split out on the right side, Muscadet in the slot, Rosé d’Anjou wide left. Sancerre takes the snap. He’s reading the field- oh! He throws a laser on a cross pattern to Muscadet who scoots past Linebacker Brunello di Montalcino, but he’s met by Stong Safety Vin Santo to be taken down at their own 40. Gain of 20 on the play.

JM: Clock’s still ticking and they’re down to 1:40, 1:39, they got no timeouts left-

AM: And we see the Loire hurrying to the line to presumably spike it; they do.

JM: No disrespect to Muscadet, but they need to get the ball into the hands of their big-play tight ends: either Savennieres, or Coteaux du Layon. These guys are future Hall of Famers and I can’t believe they’re on the same team!

AM: Perhaps coach Joly of the Loire will heed your advice, John. Play clock’s winding down, Sancerre’s ready for the next call– they run a draw! Pouilly-Fumé takes it off the Left Tackle, Saumur doing a great job picking up the SuperTuscan linemen. And he’s wrapped up at the 47 by Linebacker Morellino di Scansano.

JM: That brings up 3rd and short, but that clock’s still ticking. You can see a little panic in Sancerre’s eyes right now, but he needs to stay calm if they’re going to have a shot at this.

AM: He’s got his Wide Receivers bunched to the left, 3rd and 3 at their own 47. Takes the snap. Hands it off to Pouilly Fumé, oh! Vouvray takes it back the other direction on a reverse– picks up the first down, he’s still going. Carmignano and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano both over-pursued and are paying the price. Free Safety Chianti Classico doesn’t make the tackle but forces him out of bounds at Tuscany’s 40 yard line. A huge gain of 13.

JM: And most importantly, they stopped the clock. He had the wherewithal to get out of bounds, because with just over a minute left, they’ve got zero room for error.

AM: And just like you predicted John, they’re bringing in their two-TE set.

JM: Savennieres has delivered all season because you just can’t cover him! He won’t say much in an interview, but boy is he one tough son of a gun.

AM: Here we are, 1st and 10 on the opposition’s 40; 1:02 left to play in the 4th quarter. Loire trails by 5 points. A field goal will not cut it, they need it all here. Sancerre takes the snap, draw play for Pouilly-Fumé off the Right Tackle Bourgueil. Chianti Classico reads the play the whole way, shakes off Savennieres, gain of 4 yards.

JM: That’s not gonna cut it. You need to take chances this late in the game.

AM: Clock’s still running, 2nd and 6, ball on the 36. Still rolling with two Tight Ends. They’re really taking their time here, this could be costly. Down to 40 seconds. Looks like Sancerre’s changing the play at the line. Thirty seconds.

JM: They’re going for it all here. Play clock’s winding down. This is very risky Al.

AM: You said they needed to take chances, John.

JM: Not like this.

AM: The snap, Sancerre fires it over to Savennieres who burns all the LBs on a post- he’s got it at the 30, 20, the 10, Chianti’s on his heels, the 5, Savennieres extends the ball but is wrapped up and taken down — is he shy of the goal line? No time left on the clock, we’ll have the result either way.

JM: Wow! One of the referees is signalling for a touchdown, the other one’s saying too short — we’re going to have to go to the booth for this one.

AM: If he makes it, we’ll have an upset for the ages. Here’s a squad that was 4-12 last year, today they’re vying for a championship title.

JM: Yeah, Tuscany’s a perennial powerhouse, but they’ve lacked gusto in recent seasons. They lean on Chianti just a little too heavily for my taste; all they’ve drafted are international varietals who’ve yet to take on their system.

AM: Well put, John. I think they’re ready for the call on the field.

Referee: After reviewing the play, the receiver did penetrate the plane before his knee hit the ground. Touchdown.

AM: There you have it! The team is storming on the field, swarming Savennieres with hugs and cheers! The rest of the coaching staff dousing Coach Joly with a barrel of Gatorade. This is truly a remarkable day for the Loire. Final score 23-22, Loire over Tuscany.

JM: You said it Al, a feel good story if I ever saw one.

(@writersblanc)

What is #marcmad?

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#1 North Coast California

Black. Scene opens. Flint sparks. Close-up on Zippo flame. Cigarette burns. Smoke slides backward. Pan out. Draper, grey suit, black tie at desk. Scotch bottle 2/3 finished. Photos scattered before him.

Draper, distraught takes drag of cigarette. Draper shuffles photos, pauses, shakes head.

Campbell enters, pokes head in at a 45 degree angle; that awkward nice-boy-smile. “Don, Roger wants to see what you have on the Napa account.”

Don fixates on the picture. “What they’re asking us to do can’t be done, Pete.” Drags smoke. Long pause.

“Be that as it may, we can’t come to the table empty-handed. I’ve spoken with Peggy, we think we can take the youth angle. Picture a couple, a young man and a woman, sitting on a beach with a bottle of Californian wine. No ice cubes, no garnishes, just clean and simple. They’re young, they’re attractive-”

“Stop, Pete.” Don stands, hands out. Walks over to window. Don looks pensive; concerned. “That’s the same trite we ran over last week. If the Napa Vintners want us to represent them, it can’t be through sex and youth. They need to get to the core of their product and expose it. It’s 1959. The top restaurants in Manhattan are all selling French. You know what the French do? They specialize. They create hierarchy. And they do a damned good job of it.”

“Can’t we do the same thing in Napa, Don?”

“Have you ever been to California?” Draper drinks from scotch tumbler. “That’s not the culture. We need something grassroots. Ground up. Once you create a culture for wine in Napa, you’ll have success.”

“We can do that with a youth-focus. Creative already has a few boards drawn up.”

“The presentation isn’t going to be about youth, Pete. If you roll out some brand that’s meant for kids, it’ll last as long as their attention. Would you drink wine? Do we?”

“Not kids Don-”

“You know what I mean.” Draper drinks again. “Any product must be true to itself. They have sun, and they must have talent out there. Their time is going to come. I just don’t think it’s today. Maybe 15 years from now. They’ll come of age on their own. And maybe, maybe they’ll make the best goddamn wine in the world. When they do, they have to knock on the world’s door and tell them. We can’t do that for them. No amount of branding can compete with honest to God quality, and that’s any product.”

Draper sits at the table, picks up photos, looks at Campbell. “Are they here yet?”

Campbell pauses, looks down, smirks, “They’re scheduled for an hour from now.”

“Tell Roger what I told you. Then I’ll tell them the same.” Draper looks up at Campbell, taps cigarette ash into tray. Campbell exits. [END SCENE]

(@writersblanc)

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#13 British Columbia

This is an excerpt from two speeches given by Sir Winston Churchill to the UK House of Commons on June 4th and May 13th 1940 which have been modified to reflect todays matchup:

We are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history…. That we are in action at many points — in North America and in Asia—, that we have to be prepared in the Okanagan. That the battle against goupy, high-alcohol wines is continuous, and that many preparations have to be made here at home.

I would say to the House as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.

You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs — Victory in spite of all terroir — Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival.

Even though large tracts of North America and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of California and all the odious apparatus of goupy wine rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in #marcmad, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend the wines of BC, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the benches, we shall fight on the lake-shores, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and if, which I do not for a moment believe, this region or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Columbia Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

Vote for the incredible, REAL, wines of British Columbia and free the world from the goupy grip that Napa Valley sees to have on them. (@jonathanwil)