August, 24, 2010 Will Washington Legalize Virtual Wineries?

Washington state’s wine industry is facing major change, and not just in the form of potential bids to privatize the state’s liquor retailing framework (see winesandvines.com Headline, July 19, “Washington Wineries Oppose Ballot Measure”). Rather, the Washington State Liquor Control Board an...

August, 24, 2010 The Story Behind Trader Joe's 'Two-Buck Chuck' Wine

Ever wonder how Trader Joe's stores can sell Charles Shaw wines -- more commonly known as Two-Buck Chuck -- for such low prices? CNN.com just posted this interview with Fred Franzia, the man behind the discount drinks.It helps that the Charles Shaw brand is owned by Franzia's Bronco Wines, the fourt...

August, 24, 2010 Languedoc clarifies new 'simplified' pyramid system

France's Languedoc region claims a new grand cru and grand vin system will 'simplify' life for its consumers. The base appellation AOC Languedoc will sit at the bottom of a three tiered pyramid. Superior appellations including Minervois and St Chinian will be labelled Grands Vins du Languedoc.The b...

August, 24, 2010 Sour grapes for Aussie wine makers

Australian wineries are the latest industry to feel the sting of Chinese counterfeiting. Some of Australia's best known brands including Penfolds, the makers of Grange, are being knocked off by Chinese entrepreneurs and promoted as the real deal in shops and trade fairs all over China, the Age repor...

August, 23, 2010 One daily glass of wine 'can double risk of breast cancer'

Middle-aged women who drink just one glass of wine a day could double their risk of a common type of breast cancer, scientists warn.According to the U.S. research, even those who drink just seven units a week - half the recommended safe level - have a much greater chance of developing lobular cancer...

August, 23, 2010 Foster's Group Posts $1.1 Billion Second-Half Loss on Wine Unit Writedown

Foster’s Group Ltd., Australia’s biggest beer and wine maker, posted a loss after a A$1.2 billion ($1.1 billion) writedown on its wine division.The Melbourne-based company had a net loss of A$820.1 million in the six months ended June, compared with net income of A$27 million a year earlier. Sec...

August, 23, 2010 Grants Fertilize Ohio Vineyards

Ohio -- Like other central states, Ohio has experienced a boom in its wine industry, averaging two new wineries per month for the past two years, but its vineyard acreage has not kept pace, and many new and established wineries are forced to source grapes from outside their regions. The state govern...

August, 23, 2010 New approach for concrete wine tank - Sonoma Cast Stone designs lighter and more flexible ‘egg’

PETALUMA — From what was once the egg capital of the U.S., Sonoma Cast Stone is trying to crack into a developing market for egg-shaped concrete wine fermentation tanks by producing a larger, lighter-weight alternative to the dominant French version.Wine has been found to be made in concrete vesse...