June, 18, 2013 US: Sonoma County grape value jumps 41% in year

(PressDemocrat) - A strong grape harvest and growing demand for young vines boosted Sonoma County agriculture above $821 million in value in 2012, a 41 percent increase over 2011, according to a new report from the county agricultural commissioner. The jump was driven largely by a record year fo...

June, 17, 2013 China Thirsts for More European Wine

(WSJ) -  Chinese wine distributors are scrambling to secure bottles from Europe, fearing that a trade spat between the European Union and China—the world's fifth-largest wine market—might lead to significantly higher tariffs on imported European wine. "Every import company is t...

June, 17, 2013 Mums-to-be 'CAN have a glass of wine a day without harming their child's development'

(DailyMail) - Having a glass of wine a day during pregnancy may not harm the child’s development, claim researchers. A large new study says the children of mothers who drank ‘moderately’ in pregnancy actually grew up to have better balance than those who abstained. Britis...

June, 17, 2013 France: 1855 classification seeks UNESCO World Heritage status

(Decanter) -  Bordeaux's oldest wine ranking, the Grands Cru Classés en 1855, is applying for the same UNESCO World Heritage status as the climats of Burgundy, and the cellars of Champagn. Philippe Castéja, president of the  Conseil des Grands Crus Classés en 1855...

June, 17, 2013 FRANCE: VOUVRAY CROPS DAMAGED BY HAIL STORM

(TheDrinksBusiness) - Various news sources and Twitter have reported that the huge storms, which have hit many regions in France, have caused serious damage to grape crops in the Vouvray region. Two hail storms hit the town of Tours on Monday morning, with reports that some of the hail ston...

June, 17, 2013 The world's priciest wine lists

(Stuff) - While perusing the 1,800-selection wine list at New York's Aureole restaurant, my wife nudged me at about number 785 and said, "Pssst. I'm still here." I apologised for being so distracted, but I was completely awed by the breadth of offerings, such as 18 vintages of Domaine Leflaive a...

June, 17, 2013 US: Explore the Pacific Coast Wine Trail

(Wines&Vines) - Seven tiny wineries clinging to the scenic Pacific Coast north of Morro Bay, Calif., have taken wheel in hand to steer visitors in their direction. Accessed by California’s historic Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway), they’re staking claim to a larger share of the ha...

June, 17, 2013 Why the snobbery over corks?

(BBC) - A new wine cork that screws into the bottle is being unveiled. But why is there still so much snobbery in the battle between traditional cork and screw-top? The sound is unmistakeable. A scientist might talk about the explosive pop of a wine cork in terms of pressure or elasticity. ...