November, 12, 2010 Scotland rejects minimum pricing plans

The Scottish Parliament has finally rejected plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol in Scotland despite the backing of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP).The move was rejected by 76 votes to 49 during the third and final reading of the Alcohol Bill introduced by the SNP, after oppositi...

November, 12, 2010 Head of RA Winemakers’ Union: Armenians bringing back traditional wine

Over the past 5 years, stable decrease of vodka production and increase of wine production has been observed, according to the head of Armenian Winemakers’ Union Avag Harutyunyan. During the November 12 news conference, he indicated 30% and 20% increase in wine and Armenian brandy production in...

November, 11, 2010 Defining wine terms: Some proposals

What does "old vine" mean to you? 25 years? 75 years? As I posted Tuesday, the federal government is considering defining the word "estate" on wine labels, which could force brands like Beringer Founders Estate to be renamed. The same notice in the Federal Register listed 15 other terms the TTB is...

November, 11, 2010 Wine jobs at risk as production decreases

Wine industry jobs around the world may be at risk as wine production continued its downward trend.With the exception of Argentina and Chile, the world area under vines has decreased steadily.The International Organisation of Wine and Vine (OIV) confirmed that the global area under vines has decreas...

November, 11, 2010 TTB Proposes New Regulations on Wine

Last week, TTB announced several proposals with respect to wines in the United States. These proposals include the Yamhill-Carlton Viticultural Area; Use of Various Winemaking Terms on Wine Labels and Advertisements; Labeling Imported Wine with Multistate Appellations; and Disclosure of Cochineal Ex...

November, 10, 2010 New Canadian Wine Marries East and West

Mississauga, Ontario -- A new series of wines is breaking ground in Canada, marrying fruit from the country’s two major viticultural regions in a single bottle.Vincor Canada, a subsidiary of Fairport, N.Y.-based Constellation Brands, launched its East West series under the Inniskillin banner in Se...

November, 10, 2010 Grape Acres Are Continuing to Grow in Iowa

From 13 wineries and just two vineyards a decade ago, to more than 85 state-licensed wineries and more than 413 vineyards covering more than 1,200 acres this year, the Iowa wine industry is growing quickly, due, in part, to the help of Iowa State University. There are vineyards in 95 counties and wi...

November, 10, 2010 Expert: Bulgarian Wine as Good as French, Needs Better PR

Bulgaria's wine exports could be increased by boosting the respective image-making efforts, according to Plamen Mollov, a former MP and honorary head of the Bulgarian Food and Drinks Industry Association. "Bulgaria must boost the image of its wine and decide how to position itself on the world wi...