Celebrity Wines & the Price Quality Ratio Conundrum

What do Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Dan Ackroyd have in common? They all have their own wines. How a celebrity (some posthumously) can create and market their wines leaves some mystified and curious. Just last week, Frank Sinatra himself resurrected from his grave to launch his own wines. He specifically told the press via email that he was "unavailable" for comment after a particular member of his entourage spilled the beans stating that "Ol' blue eyes like Jack Daniels, not wine." While its always entertaining to see how a celebrity can yield their powers towards charity and enterprise, few actually have anything whatsoever to do with the actual wine-making, simply lending the name in the spirit of private enterprise. Whether the wines are good or unpalatable, should be left up to the fans to decide. Please do leave comments and tell us what you think about their wines!

Two most important factors in choosing wines are price relative to quality. Quality Price Ratio is a term that industry people, collectors and simple wine enthusiasts look for consciously or subconsciously when buying wines. Independent reviews lend a hand to oenophiles by slapping a 0-100 point score on a wine, but is there really a difference between a 90 point wine at $20 and a 90 point wine at $100? Is the difference substantial to warrant such a difference and is the enjoyment? When a wine buyer selects inventory for their store, QPR and availability should be the two largest factors in their buying decisions. An inexpensive wine is only good if it passes a set of criteria that gives it credibility as a "best buy." Best buy wines are characterized as "bang for your buck" and exhibit the characteristics of the wine varietal with excellence at a relatively low price point. In the coming weeks as we enter the full swing of Fall with High Holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years (just to name a few), step into your local retailer, and ask the question... "I am shopping for price and quality, where is your best buy in Red, White or Sparkling?" If they can't answer you with reason, you are buying wine at the wrong place. As a wine enthusiast, you'll secretly be toasting success at the next dinner party.

Back to Wine School Sale!

Its August right now, many of us are entrenched in family vacation, sports, travel, and best of all drinking great wines. We're seeing lots of great deals on wines coming this fall including some Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, and a few others to accentuate the wine list on Personal Wine. We're very excited to prices low, service high while most importantly setting a high benchmark for quality in wine, labels, and etchings. Whether you are looking for a custom wedding gift, retirement party favor, launch party gift, or convention swag, we've got it here on Personal Wine. The results you get with Personal Wine is so good you can literally taste it.

As we roll into September, October, November, December we invite you to take advantage of pre-purchasing your holiday gifts at Personal Wine. We've got almost everything on sale, and discounted 30% off most items, even up to 50% off with free shipping on some of the higher end wine selections. Did you know we can easily send out one bottle to one customer starting under $30? In a year like this, we want to show gratitude, while not overdoing it. Its important to show business partners, employees, family and friends that we care enough to send a thoughtful gift. Even better when it doesn't break the bank and it tastes great. I guarantee you that a bottle of wine, personalized with a label or etched will impress and give you a good headstart in 2010.

Written by Alex Andrawes CEO, Founder (512) 476-9463 ext 304 (that's me on the right, glass in hand inspecting the future)

Adventures of a Personalized Wine Part IV

Its August, I get married in less than a month. Am I nervous? Not at all. Why? Well we've helped so many brides/grooms with their personalized wedding wines and champagnes that we kinda got a good idea about what to do. Tiramasu layered cake, a jazz band, some incredible catering and a suit (no tux) so I can wear it at my biz meeting the following week. Since we're going with halibut and filet mignon, we're choosing the Castle Rock Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Its got the beautiful color of a fruit forward, jammy Pinot. There is some nice minerality and texture with a well balanced and polished finish. The tannin levels are moderate so its diverse meaning you can eat it with cheese dishes, poultry, even meats, but its going to pair best with that Halibut Filet. Post dinner, we're cracking into the Charles de Fere Blanc de Blancs. We've got them in a mini bottle format which is great because we know we are getting exactly how much we need ($). I'll keep you posted on the events and some pics and I appreciate all the well wishes that have come our way.

Adventures of a Personalized Wine Bottle Part III

We're approaching 10 years in business! Personal Wine has seen some really incredible looking wine labels for just about every occasion. Celebrating the birth of a new family member, even the departure of a loved one. Celebrity singers, corporate executives and the guy/girl next door, each looking for that special occasion gift. I will tell you that I am a Personal Wine frequent customer. It gives truth to the saying that When in Rome, do as Romans would do. I come to work at Personal Wine everyday and frequently leave with a gift for a friend, just like any good citizen of Rome would do!

I am 32 years old, about to marry the perfect woman, and all my friends are wondering what will be served at my wedding? Personal Wine of course! We're going with the mini champagne bottles, personalized for the grab bags. For out of town guests, we're going to do two bottles in each room - Groom Shiraz (a beautiful 96 pointer) and the Morgan Chardonnay (a consistently dry, oaky production from Santa Lucia Highlands). The toast will be given using a Brut Rose (not personalized, from Wines.com). Email me at alex at personalwine dot com, tell me about how and why you use Personal Wine. If we feature your story, we'll give you a free gift certificate to Personal Wine! By Alex Andrawes, Founder and President

Sauvignon Blanc - Wine Tasting 101

Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape, originating from the Loire Valley in Central Western France. These days, SB is being produced by just about every major wine appellation, including New Zealand, California, Washington, South Africa just to name a few. Sauvignon Blanc is a dry (not overly dry like a chardonnay) white wine with distinct apple, apricot, gooseberry flavors. This wine is widely available as a single varietal or as a blend with Semillon.

SB is typically light to medium-bodied, crisp & rich with acidity that makes this a fantastic food wine. What can you expect from your typical Sauvigno Blanc? Mineral tones with notable flavors of citrus and tropical flavors like gooseberry, apricot, and a hint of earth or grass. Its acidity makes this wine a great opportunity for some interesting food pairings.

Sauvignon Blanc loves to be accompanied with appetizers like spinach artichoke dip, garlic heavy foods, or Italian creamy dishes. Try a SB with a Greek or Caesar salads. Thai foods, fish (sushi), and poultry dishes pair well and its always refreshing to drink poolside with no food at all! Got a question about Sauvignon Blanc or any other wine varietal? Visit our Wine Forum for tips, suggestions of just to talk wine! We're not snobby, we just love wine!

Favorite Things for Father's Day - By The Succulent Wife

The Succulent Wife's Favorite Things by Audrey van Petegem, Contributing Editor

I realize I may be getting ahead of myself worrying about Father's Day (June21), since Mother's Day just past, but I tend to do this when I’m looking to buy a meaningful gift for father of my children. I know that I'm not the only one who thinks “what do you get for the man who does not seem to need anything!” Being married to him for 23 (blissful) years and having his three children makes me think I know him pretty well, but when it comes to buying him something, for any occasion, I still panic!!! He is truly the hardest person to buy for. One thing I do know about him is that he loves great wine. So I was thrilled to discover www.personalwine.com. I loved the idea of personalizing a bottle of wine, just for Father’s Day.Their selection of wines is impressive; from high end to moderately priced. They carry a wide variety of reds, whites, blush and sparkling wine from the US, as well as a selection from Italy, Chile, Spain, Australia and France. I liked that all their wines have great descriptions with suggested meal pairings, so that although I am not a Wine Spectator reader, I know that I’m making an“educated” selection. Someone has done their homework and I get to take advantage of it! Some wines have their points rated with dates of maturity...

Adventures of a Personalized Wine Bottle II w/ Coupon Code!

Spring is held dear by the guys and gals here at Personal Wine simply because we understand the importance. We honor family and friends, in particular the ones we hold dearest, our Mothers and Fathers. Our parents love small gifts, in particular ones that hold meaning, not ties and golf balls. They love things with taste and class, but they want it to come with the message of love and care. Check out our labels this year for Mother's & Father's Day, simply put it is the coolest and most cost effective gift to give this year.

If you are headed to a wedding this year, think about giving a gift of customized wines. We now etch wines as well as label them. For under $15 per bottle, we can deliver a nice bottle, custom labeled with your greeting, sure to be enjoyed by the bride and groom. For a few bucks more, we'll etch those bottles.

GET FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $500 using coupon code XWXNGJ. Call us for bulk deals and don't forget we have mini bottles as well for give-aways!

Adventures of a Personalized Wine Bottle Part I

As Personal Wine approaches its 10 year anniversary, I invite my customers to share what memories were created with their custom label wine.  Here are two stories that stand out in my mind.  

First, a CEO of a Texas based company was approaching a big milestone, over 50 years in business.  Even after the company morphed into a large multi-franchise environment with hundreds of employees and assistants, he personally ordered a 50th anniversary company gift.  It was a two bottle custom label wine set with the Delicato line that was beautifully packaged in a custom etched wood box.  When he came to pick up his personalized wine, I saw pride in his accomplishments and excitement about his order. Personal Wine enjoys helping others celebrate joyous occasions.  

Second, I spoke to a wonderful lady who vacationed with her husband in Florida every summer.  A few years ago, a hurricane destroyed her home.  Luckily, two of her prized possessions were salvaged.  One is a bottle of 1982 Chateau Margaux, which is considered to be one of the most collectable years of the 1980's. The other is a bottle of personalized wine bottle that we created to commemorate her 60th wedding anniversary.  

This is why I love my job.  Personal Wine helps people celebrate memorable events. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day.  

Pretty and Pink from the Penedes

The Penedes wine region in the Spanish province of Catalonia is that nation's epicenter of art, literature, philosophy, gastronomy and culture.  More importantly, for wine drinkers, it's where Spain's famed cavas are made.  Cavas, named for the caves within which they are aged. 

I recommend the Marques de Monistrol MPX Brut Rose' Cava.  While this pink sparkler is certainly not expensive, it is a shining example of the overall wine value potential available from Spain.  Pink and pretty from the Penedes, the MPX Rose' Cava has a soft, creamy style with a well-integrated mousse.  This Cava is crisp and elegant on the palate with intense red berry fruit flavors.  While the fruit is there, this is no sweet affair. Minimal residual sugar on the back of the palate shows a restrained "dosage", or extra sweetness added to the sparkling wine with a bright cherry note woven into the fabric here.  

On sale through Winter for $11.99 and free shipping on a case at Wines.com!

Luxe Riesling

We've been huge fans of crisp 21st century rieslings here at Wines.com since they started pouring into the states at the dawn of the new century. Today's wine du jour hails from the Moselle River Valley in the sleepy state of Luxembourg. We've come across a nice parcel of the Clos Rochers Mussbaum Vineyards Grand Premier Cru 2005 Riesling, & we've even put it on sale!  This is no sweet apple-bomb. This gem is an atypical riesling with ample mineralized lemon zest, even zingy lemongrass. As a food pairing, Spicy Grilled Snapper comes to mind.  NOT sweet, just bracing and refreshing.  Food-friendly, crisp, mineral-focused, unlike any riesling you've ever tasted.  This rare and unique wine is available for a limited time here at Wines.com.