Photographer Documents Faces Before and After Wine; L.A. Dodgers Swing For the Fences With Wine Brand; and Washington's Newest Cash Crop | Wine Enthusiast
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Photographer Documents Faces Before and After Wine; L.A. Dodgers Swing For the Fences With Wine Brand; and Washington’s Newest Cash Crop

Marcos Alberti’s 3 Glasses project started as a joke. The Brazilian photographer began snapping pictures of friends as they drank one, two and three glasses of wine as a way of capturing the stress and fatigue after a full day’s work. The visible results of the wine kicking in are impressive.

Subject of Marcos Alberti's 3 Glasses
Photo credit Marcos Alberti

Alberti says he was inspired to combine his interests in socializing, photography and wine for this project.

“There is a saying about wine that I really like,” says Alberti. “The first glass of wine is all about the food, the second glass is about love and the third glass is about mayhem. I really wanted to see for myself if that affirmation was in fact true!

“I started this project because if you search for alcohol on the internet you only can find bad stuff about it. I wanted to show the good side of it—of course, among friends who are drinking responsibly in a good environment.”

Play Ball and Drink Local

The Los Angeles Dodgers are pouring their Club Series wines at home games this season. In the lineup are a pair of exciting newcomers from Santa Barbara—a Syrah and a Chardonnay—and in the cleanup spot is a Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Bob Lindquist, winemaker, former owner of Qupé and a lifelong LA Dodgers fan, makes the wine.

The initial run is 1,100 cases of each bottling. The Club Series is available in Southern California and Central Coast retail shops, the Phoenix area—where the team holds its spring training sessions—and in Bakersfield, California. Not to be outdone in their ongoing rivalry, the San Francisco Giants offer a sparkling wine that carries their logo, made by Mumm Napa.

Welcome To the Land of Milk and Mary Jane

The latest sales numbers from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board report monthly marijuana sales in Spokane county reached $5 million in March, passing total sales of household staples like wine, milk and bread. Spokane county bud shops reported just over $43 million in sales in 2015, an average of $225.64 per household. Retail beer sales were a toke higher at $232.70 per household, while the average household spent $154.85 on wine, $155.37 on milk and $109.71 on bread. No data was provided on sales of chips, popcorn and pizza.

Speaking of Going Green

Humbolt's Finest
Photo courtesy Humboldt Distillery

In related news, Humboldt Distillery’s newest offering is a vodka is infused with cannabis sativa, Humbolt’s Finest. The catch? It’s not yet legal to use Humbolt marijuana in this product. The solution? Import the herbal component from southern Oregon, where it’s legally grown. The producer notes it is “a specialty spirit with a unique botanical character, a smooth finish and an aroma reminiscent of fresh cannabis.” No need to worry about getting in over your head as the abv is a standard 40%, and THC a minimal 0.3. You may get a buzz, but that’s the vodka talking.

Meanwhile, In the Trade

Diageo Chairman Will Step Down

On April 11th it was announced that Dr. Franz Humer, the Swiss-Austrian businessman who took the chairman’s position at Diageo in 2010, is stepping down, sparking speculation of an imminent shake-up of the company’s board.

“As a matter of good governance process, the board has clearly started to think about succession and a process is under way,” the company told The London Sunday Times. “At the appropriate time we will announce our plans for succession.”

Humer became a Diageo non-executive director in 2005 following a career at Roche, the Swiss pharmaceuticals giant.

Elsewhere, a New Winemaker Steps Up

Tyler Tennyson has joined Walla Walla Valley’s Dunham Cellars as winemaker, their third since the winery’s founding in 1995. He will oversee all winemaking operations, including working with growers, managing cellar staff, directing winemaking protocol and overseeing sensory evaluation and blending.

Tennyson comes to Dunham Cellars from Gordon Estate Winery in Pasco, where he had served as winemaker since July 2014.  Prior to that, he worked at Seven Hills and Dusted Valley, both in Walla Walla.

“Tyler brings a strong winemaking background, a can-do attitude and demonstrated leadership to our team,” said Dunham Cellars’ president John Blair.

New Yorkers’ Declare: You’ll Have To Pry The Bloody Marys From Our Cold, Dead, Well-Manicured Fingers

In a move sure to be celebrated by boozy-brunchers statewide, New York may be looking to end the outdated post-Prohibition blue laws that forbid alcohol sales at restaurants, bars and taverns between 4 am and noon on Sundays. It is one of several changes to state liquor laws recommended by an Alcohol Beverage Control Law Working Group set up by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The state previously loosened the restrictions on Sunday sales at package liquor stores and beer sales at grocery stores.

Among the other recommendations is one allowing customers to take home partially finished bottles from wineries, authorizing winery sales in refillable growlers.

14 Hands Has Two New Wines For The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs14 Hands Winery has been the official wine sponsor of the Kentucky Derby for the past four years and is offering two new wines for 2016 to celebrate the partnership. The 2013 Limited Release Kentucky Derby Red is a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend, and its label depicts American Pharaoh and jockey Victor Espinoza, the winners of last year’s Kentucky Derby and the 2015 Triple Crown. Meanwhile, the 2014 Stampede Red Blend is a lively blend of Syrah, Merlot, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre.

Both wines are priced at $12 and available at retailers nationwide.

On The Scene

Here are some upcoming wine events that are likely to sell out in advance, so move fast!

Annual Sexy Syrah in Seattle, April 28. Get your fill of sips and nibbles at Salty’s on Alki Beach, where you can sample Syrah from over 35 of Washington’s best wineries.

London Wine Fair 2016, May 3–5. This showcase for unsung regions will tie in with May’s International Cool Climate Symposium.

11th Annual ShipCompliant DIRECT Conference, June 23–24. San Francisco hosts this two-day event focusing on the latest in legislative changes in the alcoholic beverage industry. This year’s theme is “Build Tomorrow,” with a particular eye on technology and future industry trends.

International Pinot Noir Celebration, July 29–31. Pinot lovers from around the world converge on McMinnville for this annual festivity featuring rare wines, outrageous meals and surprise visits to Willamette Valley wineries. Tickets are 80 percent sold, so don’t wait.