October, 11, 2011 US: New law streamlines storage-pond process for California wineries

(PressDemocrat) - Winegrape growers and environmental groups are both applauding the approval of what supporters are calling a streamlined application process that would allow vineyard and orchard operators to establish off-stream water storage ponds without waiting years for state approval. Curr...

October, 11, 2011 US: Wine Country Internet Provider Takes On Justice Department

(NYTimes) - The Obama administration has found an unlikely adversary in wine country. Taking advantage of a 25-year-old law that governs digital privacy, the Justice Department asked a small Northern California-based Internet service provider to cough up information about one of its customers, a ...

October, 11, 2011 France: Loire producer faces jail for protest labels

(Decanter) - A small Loire producer of natural wines faces two years in jail or a hefty fine for labelling his wines wrongly. Olivier Cousin, who farms 10ha biodynamically at Domaine Cousin-Leduc in the Layon Valley, stopped labelling his wines as AOC in 2005 and opted instead for vin de table. H...

October, 11, 2011 New Zealand scientists to create Cabbage tree tequila

(DBR) - Food science students of Auckland University of Technology (AUT) have been brewing a way to create New Zealand's first national alcohol, Cabbage tree tequila. AUT associate professor Owen Young said New Zealand gets tequila from Mexico, Scotch whiskey from Scotland and champagne from Fran...

October, 10, 2011 Archeological Find Proves Rakiya Is Bulgarian Invention

(Novinite) - The oldest so far inscription, related to the traditional Bulgarian brandy, rakiya, has been found during archeological excavations on the Trapezitsa Hill in the Old Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo in central Bulgaria. According to the Director of the National History Museum, NIM, a...

October, 10, 2011 Australian winemakers tempt Chinese palates to secure future

(Reuters) - Australian winemakers are setting up replica cellar doors in China and running wine clubs and tastings as they intensify efforts to win Chinese buyers in a bid to offset shrinking demand in their traditional British and U.S. markets. The wealthy Chinese consumer, with a growing appeti...

October, 10, 2011 US: Vintners' ghost stories mix wines and spirits

(AP) - As the crisp bite of fall turns vineyards into a kaleidoscope of russet and orange, the Napa Valley's spooky side comes out to play with tales of mysterious noises and ghostly sightings. Not a believer? Not a problem. Skeptics can enjoy the valley's real-life "ghost wineries," relics of th...

October, 10, 2011 US: Rain in Napa as harvest kicks off

(Decanter) - Napa winemakers are hoping for a 'Bordeaux-like' vintage, as the harvest gets into its stride with rain and its hazards a constant presence. Some 3.8cm has fallen between 3 and 6 October, with all the attendant problems of rot, mildew and dilution. While some are playing down the wor...