March, 21, 2012 US: 'Incredible drunkenness' as young crowd takes over Sonoma wine weekends

(MercuryNews) - The annual Wine Road Barrel Tasting may be uncorking a little too much rowdiness for the town in the center of it all. Some Healdsburg merchants are complaining that younger imbibers are getting carried away, transforming the event into a "frat party," a "beer blaster." On back...

March, 20, 2012 Wine experts more likely to be supertasters

(TheGlobeandMail) - This doesn’t come easy, but I’ll say it anyway: For much of the population, professional wine recommendations are irrelevant. Yes, there will be ungracious attacks from online readers who sense they knew as much already, but at least now the wisecrack brigade can cite scie...

March, 20, 2012 France: Wine Lovers on Horseback Canter, Slurp on Bordeaux Excursion

(Businessweek) - First, we drank a glass of sweet fermented bernache, pink and bubbly, with our lunch appetizer of warmed chestnuts. Then a local Cotes de Bourg, to accompany the chicken, salad and pate. As we moved onto the cheese course, another Cotes de Bourg appeared, this one from the Bordeaux ...

March, 20, 2012 US: Wisconsin Ledge AVA designation approved by federal regulators

(WTAQ) - Northeast Wisconsin's growing wine industry is getting some long-awaited federal recognition. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved the establishment of the "Wisconsin Ledge" as an American Viticultural Area. Officials say the Wisconsin Ledge AVA designation will be publis...

March, 20, 2012 US: NAPA VALLEY’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WINES

(Thedrinksbusiness) - We pick out the most unusual wines at the Premier Napa Valley event, from a recently disgorged vintage Californian sparkling to a “A PhenomeNon-Vintage” red blend.While the drinks business has already reported on the record-breaking fundraiser event, Premiere Napa Valley 20...

March, 20, 2012 Wine Enthusiast Magazine Launches Mandarin Edition in China

(GlobeNewswire) - Wine Enthusiast has announced its launch of an entirely Mandarin edition of the magazine. Through a strategic partnership with YesMyWine.com, Wine Enthusiast Magazine will reach millions of untapped VIP Chinese wine buyers and key trade decision makers. The release of their premier...

March, 20, 2012 Does Fracking Threaten California Vineyards?

(Wines&Vines) - Among many issues of concern to California’s vast and valuable wine industry, water ranks in the top tier. With annual precipitation fluctuating wildly from flood (2011) to famine (potentially 2012), confusing use regulations and constant, costly squabbles among users, one potentia...

March, 20, 2012 First Costa Rica winery launched

(Decanter) - Napa Valley wine consultant Kerry Damskey has pioneered Costa Rica's first commercial winery. Damskey (pictured) told Decanter.com he planted 4ha of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Grenache in December 2011. The winery and vineyards are located above the small city of Copey in...