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Thu, 22 Jan 2004
- Retsina - Wine of
the Greek Gods
Some people say that Retsina, the resinated wine produced in Greece since ancient
times, is an acquired taste. I'll agree - I acquired it immediately. Not everyone
agrees - the Epicurious Dictionary describes the flavor as "sappy and turpentinelike".
Nor is Rick Steves a fan. But cooking expert Sheila Lukins breaks ranks and calls
it the "quintessential Mediterranean wine", applauding it as an accompaniment
for all types of Mediterranean cuisine.
UK: Wine Writer
Launches Website
Wine writer Carolyn Hammond today launched a website at www.wine-tribune.com. The
website is an independent source for clear information on the quality of wines from
around the world. It posts tasting notes and tips to minimize the risk of disappointment
when buying wine.
Cork not always taint culprit, scientists
find
Scientists in Bordeaux have discovered a new cause for corked flavours in wines which
reveals that in many cases cork is not the culprit, research published last week
shows.
ITALY: Sicilian wine fraud exposed
A white wine fraud has been uncovered in Italy. Police have blown an operation in
which Sicilian white wine was sold to dealers in northern Italy who bottled it as
their own wines from Veneto, Emilia Romagna and Lombardy, according to local press
reports.
US:
Organic farming relies on establishing diversity in the vineyard
Mass marketing of wines based on numerical ratings and intractable snobbery sometimes
obscures the grape's humble roots as an agricultural product. Every great wine starts
with high-quality fruit made possible only through a grape grower's relentless and
often backbreaking labor in the vineyard. Mother Nature has a big say, too.
US: N.Y. plan to
OK wine shipping a big boost for industry
In what is seen a major victory for the wine industry, New York Gov. George Pataki
has included allowing direct shipping of wine to New York in his budget proposal.
GEORGIA: Vintners
struggle to make comeback as `Cradle of Wine'
They call this troubled sweep of earth "The Cradle of Wine." Tucked into
the volatile southern Caucasus, it's where viticulture supposedly was born. It's
where Georgians still stomp grapes with their bare feet after thousands of years
and every other home proudly ferments its own juice.
Boxed wine not square
anymore
Ben Dollard's company wants to change the way Americans drink wine. Dollard is the
senior vice president for marketing for Pacific Wine Partners, which has introduced
a product most Americans have never seen before -- quality wine in a box.
US:
UAB receives $7.6M to study how wine may benefit heart
A study at the University of Alabama in Birmingham has folks wondering where they
sign up to sip wine for science. The UAB School of Medicine has received a $7.6 million,
five-year grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to further examine
the heart-protective benefits of moderate wine consumption
Wed, 21 Jan 2004
- US:
Grapes get greener
If Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, existed these days he very well might spend his
days stirring organic compost instead of basking in fountains of merlot.
INDIA:
Following Bacchus
Oenophiles can now look forward to a guided trip around a vineyard of their favourite
Indian wine. In an effort to promote wine tourism and to increase awareness of domestic,
Tulleeho Portals Ltd plans to organise a series of wine trails in the country.
A Dish With Manners, Not Elbowing the
Wine Off the Table
Wines from the Languedoc have long been labeled as coarse, cheap and mass-produced.
But now, in a world populated largely by hyperambitious wines, there's something
lovable about their lack of pretense. You can buy a bottle and know there is a pretty
good chance it will be acceptable. The winemakers know how to make wine, and they
know how to make cheap wine.
US:
Record cold could hurt grape harvest
Last week's frigid temperatures could take a bite out of next fall's grape harvest.
When temperatures plummet into the negative teens, some of the buds that blossom
into the next harvest can be frozen to death ó something growers call
"bud kill."
Tough
Times for French Wine Industry
A series of recent reports have underlined the difficulties sectors of the French
wine industry are currently facing. The Commission des comptes de l'agriculture de
la Nation (The French Agricultural Budget Commission) announced in mid-December that,
although French agricultural revenue is estimated to increase slightly in 2003, the
revenue for appellation contrôlée wine producers will fall overall
by 32 percent. This is due to the small 2003 harvest with Champagne facing the most
severe drop in production of around 37 percent because the region was badly hit by
April frosts.
US:
Wine Import Measures extended to 2005
There has been no agreement in international negotiations underway between the EU
and United States on wine products, according to Confagrucultura which announced
its disappointment with the lack of agreement between the parties and the fact that
cause for greatest concern is the issue of the protected geographic origin of wines.
To avoid "affecting trade" between the EU and US, an extention has been
approved both for the labeling and the certification of wines imported from the United
States until December 31, 2005
US:
New York Governor Proposes An Expansion of Wine Shipping
As part of his $99.8 billion budget proposal for 2004-2005, New York Gov. George
Pataki has supported allowing out-of-state wineries to ship wine directly to New
York residents. Until now, the state has allowed direct-to-consumer shipments only
from New York wineries.
Tue, 20 Jan 2004
- UK: £1.8m
of Bordeaux disappears
1.8m worth of 2000 Bordeaux has gone missing leaving the director of a UK fine wine
broking company with massive debts. Nigel O'Mara, who is now a director of brokers
In Vino Veritas, ordered and paid for the 2000s, including a substantial amount of
first growths, from two French companies. These were LCDV, based in Troyes and run
by Jean-Marc Grybowsky, and La Companie des Chateaux based in St Tropez and run by
Jean-Marie Bellew.
SA:
Two-Way wine technology exchange between South Africa and Japan Progresses to the
next level
Yesterday, six key members of the Katsunuma Wineries Club (KWC) touched down on South
African soil, with the hope to further strengthen the ties between the South African
and Japanese wine industries. The KWC is comprised of nine wine making companies
in Katsunuma town in Yamanashi prefecture which is famous for producing their original
'Koushu wine' brand in Japan. -- www.wine.co.za
World Ag Expo covers
industry's hot issues
The 37th World Ag Expo is Feb. 10-12 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare,
alongside Highway 99 just south of Fresno. The event includes seminars, displays
of tractors and equipment, vendors providing a variety of services and products,
and demonstrations.
SA:
Observations with a kiwi twist
While most South African producers view Australia as their major export competitor,
the New Zealand wine industry shouldn't be overlooked for its success in exporting
predominantly boutique wines, at high prices. The New Zealand Grape and Wine Industry's
smart Statistical Annual for 2003 presents survey data collected from New Zealand
Winegrowers and combines them with official industry stats. The report makes current
and future production assessments about varieties until 2006. -- www.wine.co.za
US: State Wine Industry
has Eye on Hispanics
The California wine industry is taking a belated look at a target population within
the nation's borders: Hispanics. It is an idea that is overdue, say some industry
analysts, given the burgeoning growth in the number of Hispanics and some of their
buying habits when it comes to wine.
Mon, 19 Jan 2004
- Global
Wine Values for $9 or Less
There is more good wine being made at wallet-friendly prices than ever before. From
the Columbia River to the Cape of Good Hope to the shores of the Southern Ocean and
beyond, great values are worldwide in scope.
Clues in a bottle
In the game of winemanship, where a peek at the label is worth a thousand sips, tasters
invariably give the bottle itself a once-over before sipping and venturing a guess
as to the identity of what's inside.
US:
Syrah's Lessons to Be Learned
There's no disputing that Syrah is poised to be the next red wine star from California,
and who knows, someday it may rival the current king, Cabernet Sauvignon. Times change
and so do tastes.
AUS: Region tops
for wine and dine
For many it might have seemed obvious but a year-long study has confirmed Ruth-erglen
as one of Australias top wine tourism destinations. The study, conducted by the University
of Adelaide, involved surveys at Rutherglen wineries cellar doors in summer and winter
last year.
FICTION:
Northwest wine-red story still needs aging
As Robert Parker or the Wine Spectator might say: Overwrought. Curiously thin. Too
much plot, too little character. Earthy but elusive. A weak and contrived finish.
US: DC Wine Expo
The DC Wine Expo is only in its second year, but by the throngs of people in attendance
it will be here for years to come. This year it arrived on March 3-4th, starting
with gorgeous summer-like weather and ending in an approaching blizzard. Despite
the weather, every room was full and every table occupied.
AUS:
Vineyards on a high
What could have been a disastrous year for district vineyards has turned around and
the future of this year's vintage looks promising. Best's Great Western Vineyard
was hit with one major frost and two subsidiary frosts early in the season, in November.
AUS: Border a hot
spot
The Albury-Wodonga region attracted almost 400,000 tourists in the 12 months to September
and 11,000 of them were from overseas, newly highlighted data has revealed.
The
2003 Vintage Report
What to expect from key wine regions around the world.
Sun, 18 Jan 2004
- Reaching Two Million
Wine Lovers
Founded in 1976 as a tabloid newspaper, with an initial circulation of under 5,000,
Wine Spectator magazine now reaches 2.22 million readers, according to a new report
released by Mediamark Research Inc. (MRI), the leading U.S. supplier of audience
research for the media.
US:
Grape testing suit dismissed
A Riverside County judge on Monday dismissed a suit brought by five farmworkers who
said they were told to test the ripeness of grapes by eating hundreds every day.
Workers claimed the practice made them ill, and were seeking up to $1 million in
back pay and penalties for work breaks they said they were not permitted to take.
AUS:
Worries for wineries
Forced vineyard sales, a rationalisation of wine companies and a difficult year generally
have been predicted for the wine industry. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural
and Resource Economics said yesterday that wine grape production would jump by 28
per cent this year to a record 1.81 million tonnes.
Australian
wine grape production jumps after drought
Australian wine grape production is expected to jump 28 percent in the year to July
as vineyards recover from the effects of severe drought, the government's commodities
forecaster said.
FRANCE: Oeneo results
in line with expectations
Last year was a tough one for French closures and barrels group Oeneo, formerly known
as Sabate Diosos. But the company ended the year with results in line with expectations
as restructuring efforts at both the closures and barrels arms began to slowly bear
fruit.
A glass of red wine in a pill
Scientists in Italy are developing a pill that will have all of the health benefits
of a glass of red wine.
US:
UC Davis Wine Executive Program Blends Business and Science of Winemaking
Topics ranging from global competition and the explosion of discount wines to environmental
practices in modern vineyards will be examined at a UC Davis executive education
program on the business and science of wine-making March 7 to 11 in Sacramento, Calif.
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