September, 01, 2011 CDC Finds Moderate Wine Consumption Is Healthy

A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that moderate alcohol consumption—two drinks a day for men and one for women—is part of a healthy lifestyle. Specifically, the study says moderate alcohol is one of four low-risk lifestyle behaviors that together c...

September, 01, 2011 Aussie producers promise great wines from 2011

Despite record rains, Australia’s premium producers promise great results from the 2011 vintage.Speaking at a vertical tasting of Langi Shiraz in London yesterday, made from a 6 hectare “Old Block” single vineyard in the cool climate Victoria region, Mount Langi Ghiran’s chief winemaker Dan ...

September, 01, 2011 US: Hurricane Hurt Eastern Vineyards

Lancaster, Penn.—As with other aspects of real estate, in vineyards and hurricanes, location is everything. The impact of a hurricane on the wine industry depends on many variables: Wind speed and rainfall total are critical, but timing matters too. A vineyard that is ready to be harvested will su...

August, 31, 2011 Harvest 101: The Basics of Crush Season

Learn what goes on in the vineyard and winery during each stage of the annual harvest for wine grapes.Sports teams have playoffs. Students have finals. And for winegrowers, the big sink-or-swim moment—the event the whole year's efforts have led up to—is harvest. The period culminating in grap...

August, 31, 2011 Hailstorms decimate Mosel

Devastating hailstorms have hit the Mosel Valley, destroying cars, buildings and up to 50% of the grape crop in some areas. The most damaging storm, in which hailstones the size of tennis balls crashed through roofs and windows, lasted about 15 minutes around 3.15pm last Friday. It was sufficient...

August, 31, 2011 Burgundy 2011: 'Good but not great', say vignerons as harvest begins

A few properties in Burgundy began harvesting on Monday, but most will begin tomorrow, as vignerons predict a 'good but not great' year. With three times as much rain as normal – 130mm – falling in July and August, there have been problems with rot and some vignerons are predicting a 20% drop in...

August, 31, 2011 English wine producers fear 'British' confusion

Sales of British wine have surged over the last year, causing a headache for English and Welsh wine producers. Figures released by analyst Nielsen show that value sales of British wine – as distinct from English and Welsh wine - have risen by 45% over the last year to £26m, with a 30% rise by vol...

August, 31, 2011 Adult Scots buy 23% more alcohol than other UK adults

Adults in Scotland are consuming 23% more alcohol than adults in England and Wales, official figures have revealed. The NHS Health Scotland report said that percentage represented the biggest difference recorded during the 17 years of measuring the gap. Wine accounted for the largest rise in c...