It's here!

We've been waiting for this huge event since we saw the chatter beginning on Facebook about a month ago.  If you would like to try some killer wines and meet your fellow wine-loving "tweeps" in real life, then you need to join us and register online with EventBrite.  Take a look at the setting (pictured below), the beautiful To Kalon Cellar at the Robert Mondavi Winery:

The Napa Valley Tweetup is a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from respected thought leaders in the digital media space.  Join Silicon Valley and Napa Valley business leaders, online marketing experts and internet aficionados, wine lovers, and friends to enjoy award-winning wines, network and raise money for the Napa Valley Education Foundation.

Event Details:

• Who: You, other wine lovers, wine pros, and digital media rockstars
• What: Tweetup, Networking, and Fundraiser to benefit the Napa Valley Education Foundation
• When: Friday, March 12  -  6 - 9pm
• Where: Robert Mondavi Winery, 7801 Saint Helena Hwy, Napa, CA
• How: RSVP online with EventBrite

In addition to the wonderful networking opportunity, Robert Mondavi Winery Winemaker Genevieve Janssens and Master of Wine Mark De Vere will be leading interesting and exciting programs such as:

Essence Tasting - a discussion of aromatic essences including green apple, leather, peach, smoke and pineapple, commonly associated with red and white wines.

Guided Tasting - including how to read wine visually, evaluate aromas and flavors and experience mouthfeel.

Tasting Stations - try the Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon available to taste at the event, and pair them with a plentiful assortment of cheese, charcuterie, and passed hors d'oeurves.

Exclusive Raffle Prizes - support the Napa Valley Education Foundation and enter for your chance to win amazing prizes such as concert tickets, winery tours and luncheons, wine club memberships, and of course, wine!

Don't forget to RSVP online with EventBrite!

Accommodations

If you are traveling from out of town, the event sponsors have arranged for special rates at Napa River Inn (use promocode "NVTweetup"), and Napa Marriott.

Already attending?

Share this event and help spread the word on Twitter & Facebook (click on the buttons below):

See you there!

- Rick from Hello Vino

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Hello Everyone,

A Wine Wednesday quickie...

Over the weekend, we caught up with some family, socialized some puppies, and were treated to "beer can chicken" with some wine from Portugal. Portugal is still a hot spot for delicious wines at a crazy value. If you haven't tried some Portuguese wines yet, you can find them for under $12.00 at your local stores. These bottles always taste more expensive than their sticker price, so Portugal is always a good pick off the shelf when you want to try something different.

Making beer can chicken is easy and fun. The preperation opens the door for various jokes, but the end result is fantastic.

Beer Can Chicken Preparation:

1. Grab a whole chicken and a can of beer.
2. Rub the outside of the chicken a bit with your choice seasoning: (salt, pepper, garlic, cayenne, onion, cumin, etc.)
3. Pour 1/2 of the beer out (or find someone to drink it down).
4. Strategically place the open 1/2 can of beer, and sit the chicken on it.
5. Place chicken on the grill (can and all).
6. Cook at 300 to 325 degrees (5 to 6 pound bird should take you about 2 to 3 hours)

My wife's brother-in-law, Doug, likes to grill and uses the technique of indirect cooking when he can.

Indirect Cooking/Grilling: Indirect cooking/grilling means food is cooked by hot air circulating around the food, much like a convection oven. It is a slower cooking method and ideal for larger cuts of meat that require longer cooking times.

Place the chicken in the middle of the grill, but do not turn on the burner directly under it. If you can, only fire up the front and back burners to surround the meat with the circle of heat.

Why Beer?

Moisture. The beer helps the skin become thin and crispy while the meat remains juicy and tender.

Bottom line: the chicken was delicious. On the table was a bottle of Dão that was recommended to Doug by the local liquor store down the street in Weymouth, MA.

About the Wine

2006 Quinta Do Correio Red Wine (Dão)

The Winery: Quinta dos Roques

Grape Varieties: Jaen 45%, Touriga National 35%, Alfrocheiro 10%, Tinta Roriz 5%, Rufete 5%

Wine Notes: Clear ruby color with intense fruit on the nose. For taste, this red wine had wild berries and pine needle notes. The winery states that this wine becomes better with age (6-12 months in bottle at the earliest). Since the vintage we were enjoying was 2006 (3+ years since harvesting), then bottled in late 2007, the wine was ready to enjoy. And we did enjoy.

Just a random food and wine pairing that I wanted to share. Give beer can chicken a try and tell us what you think. Send pics - :)

Cheers!

Jim from Hello Vino

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Credits: Mark on Flickr

Hello Everyone,

Did you know there is a mustard season in wine country?

From late January through March, mustard plants dot the vinyards, and the vibrant yellow colors inject some life into grey skies and sleeping vines.

The mustard plants actually help stimulate the soil and encorage the grapes to grow better in the summer. I guess mustard plants are the Rob Scnieder supporting character for grapes (You can do it). Kidding.

Look for mustard flowers placed along the rows between the grape vines, and you'll see that they make the off-season landscape picturesque. Sometimes the yellow color really pops off the dank, foggy background and produces memorable scenery if you catch it on the right rainy day.

There is even a Mustard Festival in Napa you can check out: http://www.mustardfestival.org/

Since the ground is cultivated with mustard flowers, I thought...what wines pair well with mustard? There are many dishes that incoporate mustard, but here are few to think about:

Pork with Dijon mustard - Cotes du Rhone

Chicken with tart/creamy styled mustard dressing: a light, fruit forward Pinot Noir

Beef with mustard sauce (like braised short ribs with Dijon): a Syrah/Shiraz with hints of pepper

Dishes with spicy mustard sauce (like pasta with sausage): a soft Merlot would be perfect.

A Freshwater fish like Pike with mustard sauce - Mersault

Do you happen to have any pictures of vineyards, or favorite foods that involve mustard?

We'd love to see some pics and hear about your fave foods!

Cheers!

Jim from Hello Vino

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We love food and wine, but from a marketing standpoint, the wine industry's perfect pairing may be social media. Here are just a few of the reasons:

• Wine is a social beverage
• Consumers of wine are always seeking advice and recommendations
• Consumers are sometimes intimidated when selecting a wine
• The market is saturated with brands (creating the intimidating "wall of wine")
• Traditional vehicles for promoting wine have been losing steam for a while now

Bottom line: Wineries need to cut through the noise, and connecting with consumers on a personal (social) level is an effective way to do this.

So, the other night we posed a simple question on Twitter:

When you chat with a winery on Twitter, are you curious to try their wines?

We asked, and consumers responded. The answers we received to our question were honest, and telling. Here are a few:

To summarize all the Tweets we received, consumers are interested in the winery's story, not just their product, fancy label, or sale price. When a winery's personality comes out, and they offer informative content instead of always hard selling, people respond.

Simple, friendly conversations help to create a positive brand perception.

Everyone knows wineries want to sell wine... we all get that... but the consumer should feel like they have a reason to make that wine purchase. This is where the personal connection comes into play. Here are a few simple ways to do just that:

• Tell a story - every winery is unique.
• Look for opportunities to offer tips or advice (e.g. "What wine goes with lasagna?").
• It's very important to try your hardest to respond to messages, and be personable.
• Thank someone for commenting on your product, and address negative comments with kindness and possible solutions.
• Do not just say "Hi" - When you initiate conversation, give people a look behind the curtain, they appreciate it. (I know I do.)

The responses we received clearly point out that these people have a strong desire to interact with wineries online, and try their wines based on the social relationship that has been created. Wineries can become a "must-visit" stop during a trip to wine country, or produce a "must-try" wine by simply putting a personal touch on their social interactions.

What about you? When you chat with a winery on Twitter, are you curious to try their wines? Please leave a comment below.

Cheers,

The Hello Vino Team

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Good Wine + Good People = a Great Time

Pair that with the Super Bowl, and how could your Sunday afternoon be anything less than sensational?

I recently attended the Boston Wine Expo and met a lot of fun, interesting people. Sitting down with the family this past weekend and reminiscing about the great time at the expo, I decided it fitting to pop open a bottle that was given to me at the event...

This 2008 Titus Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc was a perfect accompaniment to the start of the Big Game, with its light and crisp delivery of lemon and tropical fruit. It also paired perfectly with my wife's spinach salad topped with walnuts and goat cheese. I could get used to this.

Here's to the Super Bowl, stellar wine, and sharing both with the people we love!

Cheers!

Chris from Hello Vino

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Hey Everyone,

If your watching the wallet and staying in for Valentine's Day this year,
why not get a little creative?

Here's a quick idea...table side S'mores

• Box of Graham Crackers
• Bag of Marshmallows
• Package of Skewer Sticks
• Milk Chocolate Bar
• Tea Lights
• Your Valentine

If you both enjoy white wine, try a fruity Viognier for a nice surprise.

If you are more of a red wine people, a nice Cabernet will do the trick.

The tasty sleeper choice...Tawny Port.
Enjoy the nutty almonds & caramel flavors with your table side creation!

That's it. Short and Sweet : )

Cheers,
Hello Vino

p.s. Please visit HelloVino.com for more Valentine's Day wine and Valentine's Day gift ideas

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