March, 09, 2011 US: Pennsylvania Considers Selling State Liquor Stores To Raise Cash

As governors of recession-hit states weigh options from outsourcing prison cooking to leasing toll roads to balance their budgets, Gov. Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania is targeting a Depression-era holdover: state-owned liquor stores. Pennsylvania is one of two states to control both the distribution...

March, 09, 2011 US: Sonoma wine grape growers looking for a more normal season

Sonoma County wine grape growers with larger acreages finished mechanical pre-pruning activities earlier last month, says Nicky Frey, president of the Sonoma County Wine Grape Commission at Santa Rosa, Calif. Pre-pruning is done to reduce Eutypa dieback — caused when spores of the fungus infect...

March, 09, 2011 US: Napa Winegrowers Aim 'Ahead of the Curve'

Napa Valley, Calif.—Napa Valley’s wine industry has for decades set the pace for New World winegrowing regions, but the well-organized grapegrowers and winemakers there never rest on their laurels. Each year, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers holds its “Ahead of the Curve” seminar to address the ...

March, 08, 2011 US: Napa firm shows the art of making wine barrels

Fire crackles between the seasoned oak staves, fastened with steel hoops. As the sparks settle, the aromas float through the air -- clove, cedar and vanilla. All the nonfruit characteristics you've ever identified in wine are coming to life here, in the warehouse of Seguin Moreau, a cooperage, or ba...

March, 08, 2011 Let no grape go to waste: Chefs get creative in using up leftover wine

OAKLAND, Calif. — You've heard of turning water into wine. But what can you turn wine into once the bottle is past its prime? Plenty say a trio of thrifty chefs who've been turning dregs into delicious vinegars, marinades, even sorbets. "Any good kitchen — waste not, want not," points out ...

March, 08, 2011 US: Clarksburg Vineyards Expand Promotion

Walnut Grove, Calif.—Ramping up efforts to build consumer awareness of the Clarksburg American Viticultural Area, the Clarksburg Wine Growers & Vintners Association (CWGVA) will hold its first consumer wine tasting event in April. The association is encouraging more members to produce Clarksburg a...

March, 08, 2011 FRANCE: Pernod Ricard comfortable with wine business

Pernod Ricard has said that it is comfortable with the disparity in profits between its wine and spirits divisions, amid wine asset sales at some of the firm's major competitors. Pernod Ricard's CEO, Pierre Pringuet, told just-drinks that the group is "comfortable" with its premium wine business,...

March, 08, 2011 US: ON WINE: Budget cuts could be fatal toTexas wine

Texas — Texas's effort to balance its budget without exploring revenue options or touching rainy day funds creates casualties, from education to health care to the least of our brethren. For the Texas wine industry, pain may not be tough but terminal. The Legislative Budget Board recommends ...