The Long Tail of Wine Gems?

We had a guest speaker today, Wired Magazine's Editor in Chief Chris Anderson who recently published a book called "The Long Tail" about the new law of economics as it pertains to information via new media.  Which got me thinking about how my love of wine is partly centered around my quest to find that tasty, reasonably priced gem. 

In fact much of the wine retail industry is focused on this concept which is packaging the "Head" into "Tail" like ways to get consumers to purchase.  The head refers to well marketed, widely available vintages.  The tail is the less known, not widely available type of wines such as Farella Vineyard's Alta (300 cases) or August Briggs Russian River Pinot Noir (366 cases). 

Some folks like being marketed the 'Smart Buy' from Wine Spectator or 'Best Buy' from Wine & Spirits but true wine aficionado's want access to great vino that is off the beat & path.  That said just like all consumer products, particularly perishable ones like Wine, manufacturers (or farmers in the case of Wine) are more attuned to meet the public's demand to ensure they can make a living.  Hence the decline in Merlot grapes and increase in Pinot. 

I wonder if there is an easy way to determine or network online to discovery the 'Tail' vintages of great wine.  That's what I love and keeps me on the road tasting every weekend I can get away. 

Any ideas or suggestions on things to try?

Comments

[lora]

Great tutorial.

[Helga]

Very good site! I like it! Thanks!o

[brus]

Great tutorial.S

[Beavercat]

Thanks, I appreciate it.