We often talk aout wine blogs, recommendations, and other websites, but the wine critic seems to be in a seperate category.  What exactly is a wine critic's role?

Is it to tell you what to drink?  What NOT to drink? How to drink? What is swill?  What should stay on the shelf? This is something we need to step back and truly investigate.  As times continue to change; and twitter, facebook, and other online media services become more readily available, we find thousands of people who will tell us what to drink.  But there is a missing component from this, somebody that speaks your own language. 

The new wine critic will be able to define a style for you.  How the wine can make your life better.  What the wine will do for you, your dinner table, and your guests.  As we move further into the digital age, that is what a 'wine critic' should be advising you...how your day will be better when you open up  a certain bottle.

If I looked at you and said the word bland, what you think?

I know a good portion of you would say oatmeal, some would say vanilla.  Others, not from my region, would says grits...without butter and salt.  So what exactly is bland?

There are some that believe that's where we are going with the wine business.  They believe it's what we are now making and consuming.  Is American wine starting to get bland?

Is it truth or fiction?  Honestly, I don't think its truth.  However, the more we get into ratings, the more we look at what is coming out of California and Washington state, there does seem to be a consistency across the board. Is it that people are standing out and making exxceptional wines or have we become accustomed to a certain varietal and profile that we continue to go back to again, again, and again?  Is this our mother's chocolate chip cookies, our soul food, that which gives us comfort? Or do we just simply not want to step outside the box?

I don't know about you, but I have never appreciated being referred to as anything similar to the term bland, and I don't think you should either.  Now's going to be a very good time to go out and try something different so we don't vote ourselves into a situation where everything tastes the same for the next five years.

Whether you see Cupid as an hero or someone to avoid, it doesn't really matter.  Everyone has an opinion.  How does Valentine's Day fit into the world of wine?

Here are some things to think about:

California produces 60% of American roses, but the majority sold on Valentine's Day in the US is imported, mainly from South America.  Just as we try to buy our wine locally, let's make an effort to support California and buy their roses. 

A second thought: Women purchase 85% of all Valentines and ironically 70% of women purchase the wines in grocery stores.  Let's put these two together and think about this... Men, Valentine's  Day is like New Year's.  It happens the same day every year.  Remember to buy a card, some chocolates and definitely a bottle of wine.  It will set a romantic mood for all to enjoy.