Wine Spectator October 15-31, 2017

Visit www.winespectator.com/101517 to find links to all of the following resources. Free resources for all WineSpectator.com readers: VOTE IN THE 2017 VIDEO CONTEST! Original short wine videos have been pouring into Wine Spectator’s 11th annual video contest. On Sept. 11, we’re posting the finalists so you can vote for your favorite. The winner will receive a pair of tickets to our spectacular Wine Experience weekend. The top video will be revealed on Sept. 19. In the meantime, check out the entry guidelines and previous years’ finalists. THE WINE WORLD, UNFILTERED Love wine and spirits? Into pop culture? Get the scoop on how drinks intersect with movies, TV, music, sports, politics and more in our weekly Web column and its companion email newsletter. Sign up so you don’t miss a word! WINE SPECTATOR VIDEO Watch…

Neither of us were born in New York. But we have made our homes and our lives here and we are very proud to be New Yorkers. With this issue, we share our city with you, our readers. Marvin was born in New Haven, Conn., and educated in Miami and Washington, D.C. He moved to New York soon after earning his MBA and, following a stint on Wall Street, founded his publishing business. There were lean days at first. He lived and worked in a small apartment in Midtown. Like many newcomers to this city, he struggled, but persisted and ultimately succeeded. He now lives on the Upper West Side with his wife, Hazel. They enjoy being close to Lincoln Center, where they have season tickets to the Metropolitan Opera, and to…

Collectors’ Corner The July 31 issue (“The Art of Collecting, cover) was great. What I enjoyed [most] were “The [Path to Wine] Collecting” and “[Built to Age].” They were all very well done, but the cellar I liked the best was Dina Given’s, and she hit the nail on the head when she said she wanted a cellar where she could drink a glass and not be freezing. My hat goes off. We have been in the wine and liquor business since 1966 and have seen many cellars, but Dina’s was the top one. Giacomo Butera Sr. Owner, Margaux and Associates Dallas The various articles about collecting and collectors were interesting. But to us the most enjoyable aspect is purchasing a case or more of a particular favorite when it’s released. Then after properly…

A report from Goldman Sachs forecasting a weak outlook for the U.S. beer market is making waves across the drinks industry. Released this summer, the report cites millennials’ shift away from beer in favor of wine and spirits as a key factor behind beer’s slowdown, which has been ongoing but seems to be accelerating this year. The report highlights several interesting trends for wine producers, particularly as baby boomers retire and begin to drink less while millennials and Gen Xers expand their consumption. The report found that millennials drink less than past generations but gravitate toward more premium beverages, opting for quality over quantity. Goldman has responded by downgrading its expectations for the beer market over the next two years, anticipating volume declines of 0.7 percent and 0.3 percent for 2017 and…

Domenico Clerico, a renowned vintner who helped build a new wave of enthusiasm for Barolo wines, died July 16 at his home in Monforte d’Alba after a long battle with cancer. He was 67. Clerico, who considered himself more a grapegrower than a winemaker, produced rich, dense Barolos from his 52 acres of vines in Monforte. His Barolos—Ciabot Mentin and Pajana from the cru Ginestra vineyard; Percristina, named after his late daughter and sourced from the Mosconi vineyard; and Aeroplan Servaj from the Baudana cru in Serralunga— expressed their sites, showing purity of fruit, minerality and structure for aging. Clerico’s Barolos have routinely scored outstanding (90 points or more) on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale. Clerico’s Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 2006 was No. 8 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2011. Clerico’s…

The team at Pedroncelli Winery celebrated its 90th anniversary in late July. For close to a century, the family has been producing dependable and affordable wines in northern Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma. Founders Giovanni and Julie Pedroncelli initially acquired 25 acres of vines in 1927 and sold grapes to local home winemakers during Prohibition. Son John Jr. took over as winemaker in 1949 and made the first Pedroncelli-labeled wine. His brother Jim joined as sales manager in 1955. Today the third and fourth generations run the business. The celebration began with tasting flights of library wines spanning four decades, followed by a new vineyard dedication, and concluded with a dinner. Guests told stories and praised the family for its commitment to quality and affordability. Several winery employees have been with the…