Wine Store Design Continued: More Racks and Lights and Stuff

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Just a couple of images for the now…

Some of the single-depth racks, assembled (thanks again to Tim Krablin of Modern Cellar for the photo)…

And the interior of one of the lampshades, of which there will be 48, in three different shades of blue-ish purple. Keep in mind this is 36″ in diameter — as in three feet (the exterior is aluminum, non-powdercoated. I’ll let your imagination do the work).

Maybe one day I’ll post about the wines I’ve been tasting and stocking, and actually try to sell you something…which would possibly help me pay for all these neat things…ummmm, maybe next week…

Wine Store Design Part 4: Wine Rack Construction

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Thanks to Tim Krablin of Modern Cellar for the linked album, showing the beginnings of the wine rack construction for the shop. Here’s a sneak peek photo attached:

Wine Store Design Part 3: Urinal Defense Fund

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

I need to make some upgrades to the plumbing in the space formerly known as California Food Mart. Today I got an estimate for a few items that hadn’t been anticipated, like adding a urinal, some other fixtures, and upgrading both the water line and a water heater. Needless to say, the costs are mounting. So help me afford that urinal (and a whole bunch of other things) by buying some wine from the d547 online shop!

To incentivize the crap (or should I say pee) out of you, any in-stock item is now 15% off. Just use coupon code “R.Mutt” during checkout and you’ll be a proud contributor to the Domaine LA Urinal Defense Fund.

Cheers!

BBQ Wine, Rosé, Summer Sippers and Such

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

I know, I’ve been unusually quiet over here. My attention has been very much focused on the brick and mortar space, so the website has taken sort of a back seat for the time being. I apologize.

But I’ll be honest. The brick and mortar isn’t the only reason I’ve been quiet. The other reason is that this time of year, the usual flood of blog posts and newspaper articles on wine tend to get repetitive. I’m not sure I can count the number of articles I read the past two weeks on what wines go best with barbecued or grilled fare. Okay, I hate to be the nay-sayer but pretty much any wine you like is appropriate to serve at your barbecue, and of course it always depends on what food you’re serving. My general rule of thumb is, if you like it, it’s okay to serve. Period.

And now that Memorial Day has passed, and at least until the next wave of “wines to grill by” articles hits us as we approach July 4th, we’re going to be inundated with pieces on Rosé wines, and what people like to call “Summer Sippers.” Patrick Comiskey starts the pink season off with a nice piece in today’s LA Times that functions as a Rosé 101 of sorts. It’s informative, to be sure, but I say enough is enough with the endless cycle of seasonally-themed wine writing.

Sorry for being snarky, but I just think it’s way too easy to fall into the trap of Zin goes with barbecue, Rosé is for summer, and Sauv Blanc sipping on the porch-swing pieces.

Of course, I don’t have a proposed alternative, other than that I’ll continue to write about wines I like, and place them in whatever context might be appropriate for each wine (seasonal or otherwise). Hopefully a few of those posts will come soon. Today, all you get is this rant.

Over and out.

get your wine on

2007 Scholium Project Naucratis Verdelho

Abe Schoener strikes again, this time with a great Verdelho at a slightly lower price-point than the Gemella. This is 100% tank-fermented and a very dry, mineral-laden wine. This is one of the reasons why Schoener is earning status as a winemaker as a cult winemaker. It delivers. $28 for Scholium goodness.

2007 Skylark Cellars Alondra Chardonnay

I admit, I really don’t dig Chardonnay, so you don’t see many around these parts. I do, however, love this one. Not surpisingly, it’s unoaked. $18 of un-oaked, un-malo’ed goodness!

2007 La Fenetre “A Coté” Red Blend, Santa Barbara County from Timeless Palate Wines

This is astoundingly good for the money. It’s 60% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, and 40% Merlot from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. The winemaker, Josh Klapper, is a mere 29 years old and one to watch. This is red, juicy and lush but not over the top. $18 and worth every penny.

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wine jargon

Frizzante
From Wikipedia: Frizzante is an Italian wine term term for semi-sparkling wine (as opposed to Spumante, which is generally used for fully sparkling wines). Frizzante wines generally owe their bubbles to a partial secondary fermentation in tank. You might notice a light fizz or tingly sensation on the tongue with a Frizzante wine, compared to the more carbonated sensation that more fully sparkling wines yield.


Scorekage
Okay, so we made up this word yesterday after a great restaurant experience. We brought a bottle of wine with us, expecting to pay a corkage fee. But the restaurant either forgot to charge us the $15, or decided to be nice to us. We scored! Hence, “scorekage” has entered our lexicon. This can also refer to BYO friendly restaurants that don’t charge for corkage under any circumstances.


Frizzante


March 29th, 2008

Scorekage


March 23rd, 2008

Rioja


March 3rd, 2008

grapewise

logoI recently stopped by Venokado, a new-ish shop in LA. I bought a Lirac imported by Kermit Lynch, and it was yummers. Last night I had the pleasure of spending some time with one of its owners, Susan Brink.

Read more…

Fabulous & Frugal!
Our friends launched a new site and domaine547 is a featured wine columnist in their premiere edition! Go check out Fabulous & Frugal for some fantastic lifestyle tips for living the good life during what, for most of us, is an economically challenging time. There’s much more than wine there, and we’re thrilled to be a small part of the start of what will surely be a successful venture. Congrats to Brandi & Steph for their achievement!

Read more…