October, 02, 2012 What makes a cru in the land of vin de pays?

(TheDrinksBusiness) - As the Languedoc-Roussillon unravels a new quality hierarchy for its regions, we take a look at those in its top tier – and one that desperately wants to be. The Languedoc-Roussillon, although best known for its vast volumes of Vin de Pay’s d’Oc (or Pay’s d’Oc IGP)...

October, 01, 2012 Wine prices to rise after dry weather in Spain and Italy

(Telegraph) - The cost of table wine is set to rise due to a devastating grape harvest in Spain and Italy caused by a drought. Rising prices will add to the overall cost of a weekly shop for hard-pressed shoppers who are already suffering from higher food bills. Dry weather and drought has caused h...

October, 01, 2012 Garagiste Winemakers Gear Up for Fest

(Wines&Vines) - Producers and fans of handcrafted Central Coast wines will gather Nov. 8-11 for the second annual Garagiste Festival. Winemakers from 48 tiny wineries (producing up to 1,200 cases per year) will pour at several events; seminars Nov. 10 and 11 will address issues including microclimat...

October, 01, 2012 Practical Advice On Managing Wine Alcohol Levels

(NewWorldWinemakerBlog) - All of my own efforts to manage alcohol levels in our wines are mentioned here. In the vineyard every year we reduce canopy leaf area to balance crop load, and I have found that irrigating to 85% of evapotranspiration demand right up to harvest prevents runaway sugar accumu...

October, 01, 2012 This bag is truly vintage! Meet the new wine-filled handbag

(DailyMail) - Forget Mulberry and Burberry. This season’s It Bag is not berry-based, but grape-based — so say hello to Vernissage, the new wine-filled handbag. Its checkerboad design (pictured above) features a cunningly concealed easy-pour tap from which to squeeze a cheeky glass of plonk...

October, 01, 2012 Wine: How good is it for your health, really?

(NYDailyNews) - Before you crack open that bottle and toast your good health, here is what you need to know. From protecting your heart health and lowering breast cancer risk to fighting off colds and gum disease, red wine is touted as a medicinal superfood. But before you crack open that bottle and...

October, 01, 2012 UK: Rathfinny Estate to be 'greenest in the world'

(Decanter) - Building work has begun at a winery on England's South Downs which aims to set a 'new global standard' for sustainable wine production. The winery at Rathfinny Estate in East Sussex will be the largest and most environmentally friendly in England, according to owner Mark Driver, who gav...

October, 01, 2012 Diageo in talks with Beckmanns again

(TheDrinksBusiness) - Diageo is reportedly once again in talks with the Beckmann family about greater ownership of the Tequila brand José Cuervo. Advisers from both parties are supposed to have recommenced talks in the past two weeks. Diageo currently distributes the spirit but recently has b...