Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/70673
February's Contributors F Paul Franson ranson writes the introductory article for the "Flash Report," a department that makes its debut in this issue on page 14. A veteran business reporter and our senior correspondent, Franson researches the phenomenon of "flash sales" websites that sell discounted wines and details the leading companies involved. His reporting accompanies extensive and ex- clusive new statistics on these flash sites from WinesVinesDATA. Laurie Daniel ournalist Laurie Daniel interviews Deborah Golino, the director in charge of preserving and improving grapevine plant material for nurseries and vineyard owners. In Daniel's Q&A with Golino on page 44, she addresses how the publicly funded Foundation Plant Services organization in Davis, Calif., certifies J clean rootstocks and scion wood, and Golino reveals exciting new varieties and clones now available. Peter Mitham O ur Northwest correspondent contributes two articles about vineyard practices that he researched primarily in Washington state. The first, on page 50, revisits one of the big topics of the 2000s, hang time, to weigh the costs and benefits of extra ripening for both dollars and flavor impact. Mitham's second story, page 54, examines the potential benefits of native plants as cover crops. Read his roundup to identify forbs versus grasses and plugs versus seeds. Clark Smith mith's January Postmodern Winemak- ing column covered "Biodynamics and the Limits of Rationalism." His explication of Biodynamic grapegrowing caused a stir among readers, who gave us lots of input (see Feedback, page 10). This month Smith, a winemaker and winery technology pioneer, S analyzes the usefulness of flash extraction. Wines & Vines has published three significant articles about this technology during the past two years, but Smith makes the strongest case yet for its game-changing potential. February's Cover A Seguin Moreau French oak barrel is heat- ed over a fire in the brazier (charcoal pan) before the bousinage phase, when barrels are toasted to develop specific aromatics and flavor. With tough market conditions, many winemakers are continuing to feel the heat. Explore options for barrel budget relief on page 26. 4 Wines & Vines FeBRUARY 201 1 A Member of Wine Communications Group Inc. EDITORIAL Editor Jim Gordon Production Editor Kate Lavin Technical Editor Kerry Kirkham Contributing Editor Jane Firstenfeld Senior Correspondent Paul Franson Northwest Correspondent Peter Mitham Winemaking: Tim Patterson, Clark Smith Grapegrowing: Cliff Ohmart, Glenn T. McGourty Columnists Editors: Hudson Cattell, Linda Jones McKee; Writer: Richard Carey Contributing Writers Wine East Laurie Daniel, Suzanne Gannon, Jamie Goode, Mike Lynch, Thomas Ulrich President & Publisher Chet Klingensmith PUBLISHING Hugh Tietjen Chairman Publishing Consultant Ken Koppel WEST: Jacques Brix, Vice President & Director of Sales (707) 473-0244, jbrix@winesandvines.com ADvERTISING MIDWEST: Hooper Jones Associates Inc. (847) 486-1021, hooperhja@aol.com (215) 794-3442, marshatabb@comcast.net EAST: Marsha Tabb INTERNATIONAL: Dave Bayard (973) 822-9275, dave@bayard.com Administrative Coordinator Stephanie Papadakis Advertising Coordinator Christina Ballinger ADMINISTRATION Office Assistant Gina Brodie CIRCULATION & DATABASE DEvELOPMENT Database Manager Lynne Skinner Circulation Manager Emilee Schumer Circulation Assistant Alia Vander Lind Research Assistant Allison Bowser Web Developer James Rust WEBSITE Design & Production Manager Bridget Williams DESIGN & PRODUCTION Wines & Vines, ISSN 043-583X, a member of Wine Communications Group, Sonoma, CA, is published monthly. Periodicals postage paid at San Rafael and at additional mailing offices. Publishing Information Volume 92, Number 2 (866) 453-9704 • subs@winesandvines.com • www.winesandvines.com Subscription Rates Wines & Vines, 1800 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901-1298 Customer Service Send address changes to our publication office: Postmaster U.S., $38.00; Canada/Mexico, $48.00 All other countries, $85.00 (for airmail add $85.00) Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Wines & Vines does not assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or materials. Contributors are responsible for the proper release of proprietary and/or classified information. Wines & Vines is distributed through an audited circulation. Deborah Roberti Ad Prepress