Rick’s Grape Skinny
March 2012
“Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.” Benjamin Franklin

American Grand Cru Society
What a Grand Idea!

Every now and again, we all stumble upon something in the wonderful world of wine that not only piques our interest…but makes us say, “Wow…what a great idea. Wish I’d thought of that!” Well, the American Grand Cru Society is just such an idea – and though it’s not my idea, I I am no less excited to have become a member during its formative stages…and I look forward to helping the AGCS achieve its noble goals.

Founded by long time wine aficionado and professional wine consultant, Greg Poirier, the not-for-profit AGCS was principally conceived from the depths of Greg’s wine-related passion and his drive to better serve all who might buy or produce wine in America. Having become a Certified Sommelier in 1995 (through the renowned Court of Master Sommeliers), Greg also owns and operates a travel and wine education business, Wine Guy Tours, that offers tailored, instructional travel and training experiences to the world’s major wine regions. http://www.wineguytours.com/ Greg also earned an MBA from the acclaimed School of Business in Bordeaux, France this past year! And oh by the way, when Greg isn’t engaged in his wine related passions, he also holds a full time job!

At the risk of putting words in Founder Greg’s mouth, it’s at least my sensing that the AGCS was born in large part from the universal knowledge that the best wines are made in the vineyards…and that through identifying America’s best vineyards…we might also derive an evolving list of America’s best wines and wine producers. To be sure, the concept of identifying and classifying the best vineyards and the best terroir for growing grapes is not new, and indeed the “Grand Cru” terminology is taken from the highly regulated French system of categorizing and classifying their wines.

There’s certainly no reason to try and replicate the complex French approach, but as US wine consumption grows and marketing techniques and approaches become more clever and aggressive, it is important, I think, to do all we can to protect consumers through achieving and ensuring common usage and understanding of key wine terms…especially those that are used to market and promote wine consumption. Among those terms are Grand Cru and American Grand Cru – especially when referring to and inferring something about American vineyards.

With that thought in mind, Greg registered the terminology American Grand Cru® with the US Patent and Trade Office. As a result, only the AGCS now has the legal basis and authority to designate Grand Cru and American Grand Cru Vineyards — and to authorize the use of that terminology on labels and marketing materials. To date, only two vineyards have earned American Grand Cru status — Napa Valley’s famed Robert Mondavi Kalon Vineyard and the equally regarded Pisoni Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Isn’t it also about time we recognized those who grow the grapes and who farm and provide stewardship of some of our nation’s best and most precious terroir!?

This is an endeavour whose time has come and whose merits will benefit consumers, growers, winemakers, producers, and the entire industry of wine professionals in and outside of America. Now in its infancy, I hope you will consider joining the AGCS and become a part of helping it grow, prosper and bear fruit. Prosit!
http://www.americangrandcrusociety.com/

Toast of the Month
“May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, and may the word of God direct us.” St. Patrick

The Monthly Cluster!
Red
Carménère (Chile’s Signature Grape)
Viña Maquis 2009 Deep, Dark and Delicious!
(Colchagua Valley, Chile)/$12-$14 – For nearly 60 years, the Hurtado family grew some of Chile’s best grapes and sold them to some of Chile’s finest wineries. Twelve years ago however, under the visionary leadership of Ricardo Hurtado, the family decided to make its own wines…an endeavor that took years of dedicated hard work. So in 2002, with a new state-of-the-art winery, the help of Xavier Choné overseeing the vineyards and the magic of Chief Winemaker, Juan Jofré, this 100% Carmenere brilliantly showcases the Hurtados’ extraordinary success. Key to making this classically expressive wine was aging only half of the wine in second and third use French oak barristas for a year…an approach that yields a fruit-forward and mouth watering wine! http://www.vinamaquis.com/

Red Blend
Toro de Piedra 2009 Carménère – Cabernet
Rich, Succulent and Smooth as Silk!
(Maule Valley, Chile)/$11-$13 – From the prestigious Viña Requingua family and their Puerto Viejo portfolio of wines, this scrumptious blend of 60% Carménère and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing short of superb. Aged for a full year in an unspecified apportionment of new French and American oak, the result is a highly aromatic wine whose delight lasts and lingers for several lip-smacking minutes. Reminiscent of Left Bank Bordeaux blends of a hundred or so years ago, one can only imagine and wonder how this splendid blend might stack up against its more ancient French ancestors. For what it’s worth, I’d stand this up against many contemporary Bordeaux blends! And lest there be doubt, this wine is a great value! http://www.requingua.cl/english/index.php

Domaine Houchart 2007 Cotes de Provence
(Provence, France)/$11-13 – From one of France’s most venerable and prolific wine producers, the Quiot family, this exceptional red blend is indeed a taste of the South of France! La Famille Quiot has been making wine since 1748…and for all those years, they have uniquely specialized in making wines from the Rhone and Provence Regions. All to say that they know what they’re doing…and each of us has the good fortune of being able to benefit from their exceptional winemaking prowess. The 2007 Rouge is comprised of mostly Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon and it was aged-to-taste — in new oak for 10 to 12 months. The finished product is a splendid medium-bodied quaff that is soft and fruit-forward. It’s also among the most versatile wines you’ll ever find.
http://www.famillequiot.com/

White
Cortese
SANT’ EVASIO 2010 Gavi di Gavi
(Gavi DOCG — Piemonte, Italy)/$15-$17
Cantina Sant’ Evasio was born from the ruins of World War II. With nothing much more than a destroyed chapel and fallowed vines to be found, Carlo and Anna Lacqua bought the land 50 years ago and began making wine for their friends. Over the span of many years, Carlo’s winemaking knowledge, skill and passion grew and today…aided by son Pier and daughter Andrea…the Lacqua family is not only making astonishingly excellent and notable wines…but wines that leave warm fuzzies and indelible memories! Off-dry, floral and impactful, this sinfully delicious Gavi di Gavi expression is one of the best I’ve tasted…and all for a price point that’s a rare find indeed.
http://www.santevasiovini.com/

Heritage is an award winning development in Wake Forest, NC. This Master planned community it boasts the Heritage Golf & Country Club a Golf Digest 4 Star Bob Moore design. Homes from the 150’s to over
1 Million. Top notch school assignments, swimming, tennis, dining and shopping. For a personalized tour or further information. Please visit my website or contact me at (919)793-4730 or e-mail jeff@jeffdicks.com

If You Can Pass This Quiz, You’ll Get A Fast, Top Dollar
Home Sale. If You Can’t, You’re In Trouble, and
Free Money-Saving Advice Is Here…

• Do you have a bona fide buyer under contract right now for your home?
• Has your buyer given you written loan approval (not just “qualified”) so they don’t tie you up and cost you thousands of dollars?
• Have you hired a lawyer or real estate agent to handle the purchase contract so you don’t end up getting ripped-off because you used one of those “office supply store ” home contracts?
• Did you register everyone visiting your home (with address and phone number) so you don’t become a victim of crime?
• Do you have at least 25 qualified visitors to your home every week?
• Do you know national statistics prove your chances of selling your home using classified ads and open houses is slim to none?
• Did you have a home inspection performed by a licensed inspector before putting it on the market?
• Did you know that 89% of For Sale By Owner homeowners end up losing much more money than if they had hired a real estate professional?

If you answered YES to all the questions above, congratulations. Your home should sell quickly, and hassle-free.

But What If You Answered “NO”?

If you answered NO to any of the questions above, it’s probable 1) You could take a long, long time to sell your home, 2) Lose more money than you ever imagined – in ways you never expected, 3) Potentially become a victim of crime, 3) Get abused by an unscrupulous buyer who will “nickel-and-dime” you until he gets his price – at YOUR expense, 4) “Net” much less from your home than if you had used “the right” real estate professional in the first place.

Is There Hope?

Chances are you answered “NO” to at least one or more of the above questions. Don’t worry, I have a helpful solution for you. It’s my special consumer report titled, “44 Money-Making Tips for Preparing Your Home to Sell.” My report is absolutely FREE, and there’s no obligation to work with me or any other agent. You’ll discover…

• Why homes that sell the fastest also sell for the most money…
• Why some real estate agents will cost you thousands and waste your time…
• Why understanding what the total market is doing is essential to your success. This strategy eludes most real estate agents…
• 6 “Problem Area” that can instantly turn-off serious buyers…
• 13 “First Impression” areas you must address before selling your home…
• 18 Ways to appeal to the “emotions” of any buyer who visits your home…
• How to inexpensively dress your home to look like a model home – and command more money…
• How to negotiate with buyers to get you the best deal…
• And a whole lot more!

Why Would A Real Estate Agent Help
You Sell Your Home For Free?

No, I’m not a charity. I specialize in Raleigh and
Wake Forest, and I will help anyone in the area who wants to sell their home. Why? Because by knowing you I’ll have an inside track to help buyers who might be interested in your home.

Plus, in the event you DO need help if your home doesn’t sell, you’ll already know me and the quality of my services.

Finally, I build my business on the referrals and positive comments from people like you. By knowing you and giving you valuable help, you’ll think of me when friends, family, or neighbors need a caring and competent professional.

That’s all there is to it. So before you put this letter aside, and forget about it, give me a call for your free report. I promise 2 things to you:

1. Reading my 12-page report will be the most profitable 20 minutes you spend on learning how to sell your home fast and for top dollar, and…
2. You will NEVER feel any pressure or obligation to work with me or any other real estate agent. I’m here to help.

Call or E-mail me today for your FREE Report!

Jeff Dicks
Keller Williams Realty
Direct :919-793-4730
E-Mail- jeff@jeffdicks.com

P.S. When you call, remind me to share with you my “Maximum Value Home Audit” – designed specifically to “position” your home to sell for maximum dollar value in minimum time. It’s also Free and without obligation whatsoever.

www.JeffDicks.com

Pretty much whenever I go for a coffee, I have a conversation with folks and inevitably we talk about Real Estate.  “How’s the market?” to which I always reply “It depends” Fortunately Raleigh, Cary and the Triangle area have not sufffered as dearly as other parts of the country. With a large number of properties on the market it will feel like a lifetime before things improve.

As the old saying goes “One man poison is another one’s punch” To that end short sales, foreclosures have helped some get into the market where at another time they have not had the luxury.

The good news is we are seeing a positive change in the Raleigh, Wake Forest and Rolesville market. One could opine that it is the historically low interest rates, the first time home-buyer credit for $8000 or perhaps sellers are finally lowering prices. Buyers are coming into the market we are moving inventory.

In the end the meeting of the minds, or a reasonable Buyer and Seller negotiation with a great agent will get the job done.

On many occasions as a Realtor you find yourself in interesting conversations about the current economy, the pitfalls, doom and gloom and yes “Is it a good time to buy” ? Now I’ll be completely honest with you, I don’t know if home prices in general will continue to fall or rise but I am certain we are seeing some stability.

The great news is we are seeing sentiment improving.  I say sentiment because every individual, couple and families have a different set of circumstances. We all share the national story of a slowing economy a housing correction, and for the past 12 months or more we have been inundated with doom and gloom.

Yes sentiment is changing for the better in Raleigh, Cary, and Wake Forest. I’m witnessing it first hand as people have expressed to me more recently that they are changing their own perspectives and searching for the positive in their circumstances. Some of these folks have been laid off, looking for employment and face many uncertainties.

I don’t want to generalize, however it’s hard not too.  Input effects output plain and simple. Hats off to all of the folks across this great country who recognise the sun will rise and set …………….for the rest change the channel

Cheers

Jeff

P.s Sneak a peek              http://www.cpgtours.com/3914

At long last the long awaited Rex Healthcare Wakefield Campus has opened in North Raleigh, near Capital Blvd at the intersection of South Main and Wakefield Drive.  

The new facility provides cancer treatment, outpatient surgery, urgent care, wellness services , a sleep lab and doctor’s offices. 

The overall trend of large hospitals opening satellite operations should boost the already popular residential developments of Heritage Wake Forest, Wakefield and the more northern Wake, Franklin and Granville counties.

Heritage Wake Forest sits on over 2000 + acres. There is an incredible mix of homes and businesses, everyday conveniences are minutes away. Heritage has a convenient blend of both commercial and residences with schools, churches, a business and professional park and senior living apartments. For the family The Factory has a YMCA, ice skating, baseball go carts, grocery store………..phew. Simply said the neighborhood is fully amenetized.

The award winning semi private golf course was awarded 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest Magazine and voted Best new course in North Carolina in 2002. The neighborhood also features two swimming pools for members. In addition the stocked Fishing Pond is slated to open in June 2009.  With the ever expand walking/running/biking trails it’s not hard to see why so many call Heritage home.

The neighborhood has townhomes from the 150’s to  over 1million for a single family custom home. Although the national market has experienced declines in home prices. Heritage actually experienced increases of 5% from 2007-2008.

Please Visit my website www.JeffDicks.com if you would like further information on this wonderful community or you can contact me at 919-789-5002.

P.s My family loves the neighborhood so much ……..we live here

Jeff