August, 12, 2016 Berkeley Wine Shop Owner Sold Fake ‘Rare’ Vintages, Bilked Customers $45 Million To Pay For Lavish Lifestyle

(CBSSF) — The owner of a bankrupt Berkeley wine shop admitted during a guilty plea in federal court in San Francisco today to carrying out a two-decades-long scheme that defrauded customers of at least $45 million. John Fox, 66, owner of the now-closed Premier Cru retailer of rare and expe...

August, 12, 2016 Fires Still a Concern in Carmel Valley, Other Regions Spared

(Wines&Vines) -  Since destroying one vineyard in Monterey County, the Soberanes Fire has continued to blaze uncontrolled since late July. The fire has scorched nearly 70,000 acres, and Cal Fire reports it is only 50% contained. The fire is in an especially rugged part of Monterey Cou...

August, 12, 2016 Do we really need a wine app?

(Decanter) - Do we really need a wine app? I used to have over 10 different wine apps on my smart phone, until my phone broke last year. I reset the phone’s system, and after three months I was shocked to realise that I had survived without re-installing any wine-related apps. ...

August, 12, 2016 Grapes Of War: Sneaking Fine Wine Across The Syrian Border

(Worldcrunch) - It’s a typical wine tasting at the Château Marsyas in the beautiful Bekaa region of Lebanon. We are trying a French Cabernet after tasting a Merlot and Shiraz. Bottles and glasses are scattered on a wooden table in the heart of the winery, which houses a dozen stai...

August, 12, 2016 California vineyards for sale

(Decanter) -  August has already witnessed a slew of significant vineyard purchases in California wine country.  Yesterday, Williams Selyem announced the acquisition of the 33-acre Saitone Vineyard in  Sonoma County , an historic site first planted in 1895 that is home to ...

August, 11, 2016 Kosta Browne ventures outside Sonoma County with Anderson Valley vineyard purchase

(NBBJ) - Kosta Browne Winery has expanded its reach into premium California coastal pinot noir and chardonnay regions with its first vineyard purchase outside Sonoma County. The Sebastopol-based vintner purchased the Cerise vineyards in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley from Peter and Hei...

August, 11, 2016 AMERICA’S 10 BEST BEERS ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

(TDB) - When you want to know what the world’s best beers are, you ask the experts – the people who drink them, and we’ve put together America’s top 10 choices. In a list that was put together in honour of International Beer Day earlier this month, we’re looking at ...

August, 11, 2016 Madeira and Portugal hit by wildfires

(Decanter) - Wildfires have spread across the island of Madeira and the north of Portugal, but vineyards are reported to be safe in both so far. Portugal fire A state of emergency has been declared in the Porto region since Sunday night (7 August). Five hundred firefighters have been dep...