Time for "Family Time"

Celebrating our oldest Granddaughter's First Communion was a family gathering featuring all four grandchildren and daughters Dawn and Amy. Notice Grandpa Brower in the middle.

As reported by Wine and Spirits Daily - Look at the last line!

Wine & Spirits Daily is one of my favorite publications, however you have to look at Robert Parkers comments on the 2007 French vintage, read the last line!

Wine & Spirits Daily
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Weekly Headline Round-Up

April 18, 2008

DIAGEO CAPITALIZES ON HILLARY'S PUBLICITY STUNT

An article in Ad Age calls Diageo "as shameless as politicians," claiming the company "pounced" on the free publicity after Hillary Clint's shot-and-a-beer act earlier this week. As you'll recall, Hillary took a shot of Crown Royal and drank a beer in front of TV cameras in an Indiana bar, and Diageo is apparently using the incident as a marketing opportunity (do you blame them?).

"It used to be that whenever the cameras came around, you'd see the politicians hiding their drinks behind their back," said a Diageo spokesman to reporter Jeremy Mullman. "But she was using it ... as a way of touching the people."

While Diageo isn't planning to use Clinton's image in any Crown Royal ads, the company reportedly plans to send bottles of its obscure Jeremiah Weed Bourbon Liqueur to all three remaining presidential campaigns. Diageo hopes to boost the brand through sampling, word-of-mouth, and a brand website launched yesterday.

When asked why the company wasn't using the "watershed" moment to promote Crown Royal, the spokesman pointed out: "Well, you all are doing that for us."

ROBERT PARKER TOUTS FRENCH WINES AS THE BEST

Infamous American wine critic Robert Parker thinks French wines are the best in the world, outperforming California and every other region. In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper, he said: "French wines remain the benchmark for all countries producing great wines. Their boldness and intrinsic quality are indicators that influence winemakers in other countries," reports the AFP.

"French wines have considerably improved in quality, even during difficult years," said Parker, considered the world's leading Bordeaux expert.

With that said, he wasn't too impressed with the 2007 vintage. He told the newspaper that the majority of the 2007 production was bland, "with a hereby taste... Overall, they are disappointing." Ouch.

More Good News about Wine

WINE AND HEALTH HITS THE WIRES

News on the health benefits of wine is always good press for the industry, and as luck would have it several things surfaced this week.

One study found that women who drink wine are less likely to develop dementia in middle-age, particularly women that drink wine exclusively. Women who reported drinking wine, beer and spirits were 40% less likely to develop dementia. The risk dropped almost 70% in women who consumed only wine. By contrast, women who drank liquor had an increased risk of dementia. The study is based on a random sample of nearly 1,500 women living in Gothenburg, Sweden who, beginning in 1968, were followed for 34 years.

So what makes wine so special? Researchers said antioxidants found in wine and not beer and liquor might help prevent dementia. Also, the wine drinkers may have certain characteristics the researchers are unable to measure.

Another study found that resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, may kill pancreatic cancer cells. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that resveratrol in combination with radiation, but not alone, helped fight pancreatic cells.

"While additional studies are needed, this research indicates that resveratrol has a promising future as part of the treatment for cancer," lead investigator Dr. Paul Okunieff said in a university statement.

Emerald Bay - Sustainable (New) ready to launch

Chateau Julien Wine Estate is proud to announce the release of its Emerald Bay - Sustainable (NEW) product release to Winebow, Inc. The new release of sustainable produced wines will start in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Washington DC.. The new package will be released in four varietals, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and White Zinfandel. All varietals are bottled in 750 ml and 1.5 sizes.

Chateau Julien introduces Emerald Bay wines - Sustainably Produced

Chateau Julien Wine Estate and Emerald Bay wines are Sustainable Produced.

Sustainability is the concept of blending economic prosperity, social responsibility, and environmental quality based on the belief that the confluence of these enhances the quality of life for present and future generations.

From our winery construction to our production of fine wine we believe that our optimal site and facility combine traditional winemaking philosophies, such as minimal fruit and wine handling, with modern engineering and aesthetics.

Quote of the Week!

**Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!***

Wine Industry news as reported by Wine & Spirits Daily

U.S. LARGEST RETAIL MARKET. California wine sales in the U.S., other states and foreign producers rose 4% compared to the previous year to 745 million gallons (313 million cases) for a total retail value of $30 billion. This value makes the U.S. the largest retail wine market in the world. Of the total volume, table wine sales were 650 million gallons; dessert wine 62 million gallons; and sparkling wine 33 million gallons. California wine's 457 million gallons shipped in the U.S. accounted for a 61% market share of the volume sold.

Rocky Point Restaurant - California Coast

Under the title of "did you know" - did you know that Rocky Point Restaurant has been featuring Chateau Julien Merlot since 1996! What a great place to have a lobster or steak, view the ocean and enjoy a great bottle of Chatea Julien Wine. Rocky Point is about 15 minutes south of Carmel, on Highway 1.