Extreme Pours

spillwine.jpg “I’ll be pouring some excellent Cab Francs today.” Whatever happened to “We’re tasting some excellent Cab Francs today?” Everyone seems to be pouring everywhere these days. Am I the only person who thinks that this sounds strange? What would the equivalent be with chocolate chip cookies? “I’ll be placing some excellent chocolate chip cookies today?” Perhaps it’s the “me” part – I’ll be pouring – that seems odd. It’s a little like when a waiter says “my marzipan is really delicious” or “I’ve got some amazing Chimichangas.” I’m sure you do. Or maybe it’s just that the term pouring seems to imply vast amounts of liquids gushing forth as in “it’s not just raining, it’s pouring!” Pouring wine rapidly and in huge volumes doesn’t seem to be strange at all on the internet; in fact it’s de rigueur. A quick browse around most wine sites reveals wine being poured in ways that would put NASA velocity tests to shame. Is the subject really so boring that it needs to be tarted up by pushing the limits of fluid mechanics? Are the stock photo people really that bored? Was a stunt sommelier employed for any of these shots? Do I hear Eric Burdon and War playing Spill the Wine somewhere? Obviously there are a lot of unanswered questions here, so before I really scare myself and become Andy Rooney, the candidates for the most Extreme Pour of 2007 (in no apparent order) are:

Kapture Group Inc.

kapturegroup-com.jpg Not a wine site, but the Kapture Group sells equipment to help capture moments of vinous mayhem like the typhoon in a glass pictured here.

New York Times

new-york-times.jpg Eric Asimov’s blog is called The Pour so it should come as no surprise that they have a strong entry. A real study of contrasts here as a heavy rope of wine appears to be breaking the surface of an otherwise tranquil glass. Sediment be damned – get it in the glass!

Nat Decants

nat-decants.jpg Is that a giant red wine Cobra threatening Natalie MacLean’s wholesome head? Watch out Natalie!

67 Wine

67-com.jpg Not a lot of action here but a lot of wine. Do still waters run deep? The half-full half-empty debate certainly has no room here. No! Fill it to the brim! Let it be known that the people of 67 Wine are not stingy!

Dining on the Vine

diningonthevine-com.jpg Given the apparent lack of gravity, I would call this site Dining on the Moon instead of Dining on the Vine. Is that a bottle or a hose? Waiter, please bring me the 1990 La Tâche and a mop!

Royal Doulton

royaldoulton-com.jpg The quintessential British tableware maker weighs in with a classic Poseidon Adventure pour. Either that or they’re introducing a line of Chablis coloured baby Baboons in crystal. Please Vote:
{democracy:8}

Win a Shiny New Spittoon!

spittoon.gif To enter, simply leave a comment below. A winner will be selected Monday December 17th at random. You don't have to write anything clever. A simple "nice spittoon" will do.

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Comments

  • No doubt about it: “Dining on the Vine” gets the nod for wasting wine while attempting a show-off pour.

    Nice spittoon.

    Jeff Grossman on
  • nothing like a splash in the pan [or glass] for high speed aeration

    jim sipkins on
  • Have seen some great pours especially late at night. No pics unfortunately.

    Ray Manza on
  • Pouring is part of the wine experience and as such needs respected.

    Jim on
  • I don’t even say “taste”, I say “drink”…!

    David Buckley on
  • That lovely spittoon will remain in pristine condition in my humble abode. It may be interesting to note that stylists are busy at work before the perfect photo is taken and that the wine may not really be wine at all but a colored and thickened liquid that will give the desired result. As any food stylist will readily admit, what you see in the media as a photo representation of any item can be totally unrelated to that item in its components. Still it is a lovely spittoon, cheers.

    VClyne on
  • Reminds me of a experience visiting Napa and the tasting room host was inebriated. Good times!

    Michael B on
  • Actually that photo of Royal Doultan is kind of classy (even if it does look like Ginger Ale).

    Dave Miller on
  • I could be SPITTING some excellent Cab Francs today! I wish…

    Dan Collins on
  • This extreme pouring has me hyped up!
    I feel like buying a few gallons of jug wine and trying my hand at some of this extreme pouring action. The photos should be awesome! ………. Just kidding but hey, “nice spittoon”!

    Marco on

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