September, 08, 2012 Seeking value - and character - in California wine

(SFGate) - When it comes to descriptions of California wine, it is rare to see the words "character" and "value" in the same sentence. Character, after all, is usually something you pay a premium for, an amalgam of site selection, varietal expression and sensitive winemaking, resulting in a state o...

September, 07, 2012 US: Mendocino WineGrowers Move Ahead

(Wines&Vines) - With name approved, articles of incorporation filed, tax ID approved and bylaws nearly complete, Mendocino WineGrowers Inc. is forging ahead. In the wake of a state-mandated election that forced closure of the Mendocino Winegrape & Wine Commission in June, growers and vintners sprang...

September, 07, 2012 France: Only three chateau dropped in new St Emilion classification

(Decanter) - All the demoted chateaux from 2006 have made it through the St Emilion classification this time, except Chateau La Tour du Pin Figeac. Chateau Magdeleine – a Premier Grand Cru Classé which has caused some confusion by its non-appearance on the list – has been merged into its siste...

September, 07, 2012 Medium sized but high quality crop for Germany

(TheDrinksBusiness) - German winemakers expect an excellent harvest this year – as long as the weather holds. Speaking to the drinks business at the Rheingau Riesling Review, Dr Franz Werner Michel of Domdechant Werner’sches Weingut, said: “It’s on time, the weather is not too hot or cold...

September, 07, 2012 Italy’s wine industry hit by drought

(RUVR) - This summer’s drought is expected to reduce Italy’s annual wine output by 5% to about 40.5mln hectoliters. At the same time, a high content of sugar in this year’s grapes holds a promise of excellent fortified wines and liquor. The Italian farming authorities estimate the damage f...

September, 07, 2012 Famed Napa winemaker recognized by Smithsonian

(KGO) - The man who first helped put Napa Valley wines on the map is getting new recognition from the Smithsonian. Mike Grgich stunned the wine world in the 1970s, when his Napa Valley chardonnay beat French wines in a blind tasting. It was the blessing of the grapes Thursday as the harvest begin...

September, 07, 2012 China's biggest online wine platfrom gets capital injection

(MorningWhistle) - China's biggest direct purchase platform of wines, WineNice.com confirmed on Thursday it’s close to the completion of a second-round of financing which scales to 1 billion yuan($160million). But the online platform did not disclose the specific investor information. “The do...

September, 07, 2012 Wine Investing: 3 Blue Chip Bordeaux Bargains

(Forbes) - Forbes doesn’t often write about the merits of investing in vintage wine but I recently connected with John Kapon, president and owner of one of the world’s oldest and most active wine auctioneers, New York‘s Acker, Merrall & Condit. John was talking up the virtues of buying certain...