September, 11, 2010 The plastic barrel

In these times we are all becoming more aware of our impact on the environment and the scarcity of natural resources, and going green is the only way to go. Only 20% of the weight of the barrel is used to improve wine quality while the other 80% is used for structural integrity, so maybe it is time ...

September, 11, 2010 Alcoholic Origins

Since the beginnings of civilization, people have created alcoholic beverages from the fermentation of food found nearby. While some of these beverages have familiar origins, such as grapes for wine and grains for beer, others are more unusual, but all reflect how people constantly make use of their...

September, 10, 2010 San Diego Wine Tasting Law Challenged

San Diego, Calif. -- When the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance permitting winegrowers in unincorporated, agriculture-zoned areas to open tasting rooms, members of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association thought they’d finally triumphed in a years’ long batt...

September, 10, 2010 What's in a wine label?

These days many enjoy buying wine with labels that feature animals: kangaroos, penguins, fish, lizards, and loons. These "critter labels" don't just happen by accident -- research shows that American wine consumers are 40 percent more likely to buy a wine with a cute animal on the label when compare...

September, 10, 2010 One third of Italian vines should be grubbed up: Antinori

One third of Italy’s vines should be replanted or pulled out because they are making unmarketable wines, Marchese Piero Antinori says. Despite Italy’s success in global markets, the leading producer and former Decanter Man of the Year reckons 30% of vines are making wines unacceptable to todayâ€...

September, 10, 2010 Rain finally falls on Bordeaux

Much-needed rain arrived in Bordeaux this week, although winemakers played down its importance to the 2010 harvest.Around 25mm fell across much of the Medoc, and between 15mm and 35mm fell in Saint Emilion and Pomerol. In Margaux, 6mm fell on Monday night, 8mm on Tuesday and 23mm on Wednesday, Bern...

September, 10, 2010 EU approves talks with China on protecting food and wine names

Brussels - European Union trade ministers on Friday agreed to launch negotiations with China on protecting the names of local foods and wines such as champagne and Parma ham, officials confirmed. The EU lists hundreds of foods and drinks which can only be sold under the prestige name if they com...

September, 09, 2010 Norway, Bulgaria to Swap Fish for Wine

Norway's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Tove Skarstein, told the Bulgarian Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, that her country would like to boost the commodity circulation with Bulgaria "We will sell fish to you, you will sell wine to us," Skarstein and Naydenov agreed. At their meeting on Thu...