March, 22, 2012 World wine consumption increases in 2011

(AFP) - World consumption of wine increased slightly in 2011 thanks to added consumers in the United States and China, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine said on Thursday. The organisation, an intergovernmental industry group, said 242 million hectolitres (mhl) of wine were drunk last ...

March, 22, 2012 Keg wine by the glass takes off

(STUFF) - An Auckland wine broker tired of paying $14 for a glass of wine in city bars and restaurants is bringing back cheaper wine on tap. The trend, which is spreading in Australia, Canada and the US, will see good quality Kiwi wine served from high-grade stainless steel kegs in Auckland resta...

March, 22, 2012 US: Lake County Growers' Efforts Proceed

(Wines&Vines) - Two winegrowing districts are headed toward recognition as American Viticultural Areas in California’s Lake County, where an innovative program for vineyard workers has taken shape. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) recently informed the Lake County Winegrape Commi...

March, 22, 2012 US: BevMo! to Open Two Stores in Washington State

(BUSINESS WIRE) - BevMo! (Beverages & More!), the ultimate specialty beverage retailer, today announced it will open two retail locations this summer in Washington state, in the cities of Tacoma and Silverdale. For the first time, the Washington community will experience BevMo!’s unique “one-sto...

March, 22, 2012 US: Booming home-brewing industry faces trouble from Prohibition-era laws

(MercuryNews) - About the only thing Kevin Flynn enjoys more than drinking his home-brewed beer is sharing it with fellow beer club members at festivals and tasting competitions. So Flynn and his buddies were shocked to discover that Wisconsin law prohibits sharing homemade suds anywhere outside the...

March, 22, 2012 Spain's Vinoble cancelled

Vinoble, the bi-annual Spanish fortified and sweet wine fair, has been cancelled due to a funding shortfall.The 2012 edition of the Jerez fair and conference was originally scheduled for 3-5 June. Discussions about the future continue though no clear date for another Vinoble has been set. The cit...

March, 22, 2012 Are Wine Tasting Notes Really That Effective?

(Eater) - As the debate around whether the 100-point scale should be applied to wine rages on, the utility of the wine tasting note — with all of its flowery adjectives and laundry lists of fruits — has also come into question. American wine writers (mostly notably Robert Parker) popularized the...

March, 22, 2012 Impact’s “Hot Brands” List Salutes 79 Standouts From The Wine, Spirits and Beer Business

(ShankenNewsDaily) - Shanken’s Impact Newsletter has revealed its annual list of “Hot Brands,” recognizing the U.S. drinks market’s fastest-growing brands. A total of 79 honorees from across the beverage alcohol sector met the criteria this year, including 22 from the spirits category, 21 an...