Resource, Retail & Entertainment - www.winelibrary.com

A couple of weeks ago, Winophile Adam introduced me to my new favorite wine-related website - http://www.winelibrary.com/.

You can purchase wine online through the website, and each wine listing contains great information about the wine's price, reviews, etc.

But, the real reason to go to this site is to watch Wine Library Director of Operations, Gary Vay-ner-chuk's (you'll understand the spelling once you watch an episode) fifteen (15) minute, daily video clips containing reviews of a specific wine varietal and/or region. Vaynerchuk is informative, entertaining, and really demonstrates the proper order in which to taste and evaluate a bottle of wine. He scores the wines tasted and gives recommendations regarding their purchase. Plus, I like watching him because I want his job.

For example, the following is a great quote from one of Winelibrary TV's recent episodes wherein Vaynerchuk is describing how a particular $50.00-pinot noir from Australia tastes nothing ("goose egg") like it smells (smells "old world and tastes "new world"):

"...it smells like Cindi Lauper and tastes like Christina Aguilera, I mean it goes from Old World to New World that quickly..."

Great site. Check it out.

Winophiles Meeting No. 2 Report- 6 April 2007 / Red Rioja

Report and pictures from Meeting No. 2 of the Winophiles Wine Club

Rioja's unexpected effect on Senor DuBois

Winning Selection - Finca Valpiedra, Reserva 2001 (Producer: Martinez Bujanda)

Ganadores

Senor Peer gives Rioja "two thumbs up"

Senior Gallagher describing the virtues of his winning rioja to his group

Future Winophile

Meeting No. 2 of the Winophiles was held on Friday, April 6, 2007. Again, the unstoppable Winophiles, Adam and Mindy selected the winning bottle of red Rioja. Congratulations! Hopefully, if you keep winning, all Winophile members will be contributing to Laeney's college fund! Great work.

The following is link to a review of the Finca Valpiedra, Reserva 2001, from the Spanish wine website, http://www.aporvino.com/: http://www.aporvino.com/comprar_vino/finca-valpiedra-reserva-2001-p-1086.html. Basically, the review states that the aroma of the wine gives off a very fruity, toasty characteristics. On the palate, it is full and round with black fruit notes and has a long, persistent finish. For additional information, also see the Finca Valpiedra's website: http://www.bujanda.com/english/valpiedra/index.html.

The next meeting of the Winophiles will be on Friday, May 4, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at Pete and Emily's home. Due to the fact that many club members will be out of town for the next meeting, the wine selection for the next meeting is any red wine that is produced in the United States. There are many great wine growing regions in our fine country, including areas in California, Oregon, Washington, etc. The Gallaghers will select the varietal/region for the June 2007 meeting. Until May 4, be well.

The "Light Saber" - Best Wine Gadget You Will Ever Purchase

As a public service to all Winophiles members, I am posting to alert you to the best, and last, wine opener you will ever need to purchase. If you are like us, you may have three or four wine openers of different shapes, sizes and capabilities around your home.

For $19.99-$24.99 you can purchase the Oster Inspire Wine Opener. It contains the following features:

• Cordless operation with recharging base for convenience and mobility (and apparently can open 40 bottles on one full charge)
• Opens a bottle in seconds with no effort allowing you to spend more time with your guests (not an exaggeration)
• Includes a foil cutter to remove seals with more ease (best foil cutter I have used)
• Ergonomically designed soft grip handle to fit the palm of your hand for a firm grip

The Wanning "Light Saber" will be opening the bottles of Rioja at the April 6, 2007 Winophiles meeting. Seriously... Jedi Knights will be jealous.