April, 17, 2016 Biodynamic vs organic – ask Decanter

(Decanter) - Biodynamic or organic wines? What's the difference and is one way better than the other? Lance Pigoot answers that question... M Raynor, Tumbridge Wells, asks : Is there an official certification for biodynamic wines? Are they much better than organic wines?  Lan...

April, 17, 2016 Prominent St. Helena winemaker dies in crash

(NVR) - A car crash in Yountville has claimed the life of Upvalley winemaker Denis Malbec, relatives and friends have confirmed. The 46-year-old Malbec, who with his wife, May-Britt, founded the Notre Vin winery in St. Helena, was at the wheel of a 2016 Mercedes-Benz shortly after midnight Satur...

April, 15, 2016 ‘April in Carneros’ wine celebration April 16 and 17

(SonomaNews) - This weekend’s April in Carneros event takes place at 15 wineries across the Carneros region on the outskirts of Sonoma. Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17, wineries will offer wine, food and music. This year’s participating wineries include B...

April, 15, 2016 Should we be worried about sulphites in wine?

(IrishTimes) -  Medical science argues that SO2 does not cause most people any problems, but a small number will have a severe allergic reaction Look at the back label on any bottle of wine and you may be reassured by the lack of any added ingredients. Yet in a fascinating talk at last yea...

April, 14, 2016 Snake Wine and Other Wild Souvenirs to Avoid

(NationalGeographic) - You might not know that these items are illegal or inhumane. Taking a vacation this summer? As a traveler, you have the power to contribute to conservation. Maybe you’re considering staying in a low-energy ecolodge or buying carbon offsets for your flight. Susta...

April, 14, 2016 ‘STANDARD’ DRINK SIZE VARIES WILDLY WORLDWIDE

(TDB) - The definition of the size of a ‘standard drink’ varies wildly across the world, according to new research, giving drinkers a confusing picture of how to drink safely. The World Health Organization defines a standard drink as 10 g. (grams) of pure ethanol, with both men ...

April, 14, 2016 Astringent mouthfeel of wine results from a lubrication failure in the mouth

(Phys) - We are all familiar with that strange feeling in the mouth after a sip of red wine or tea, or a bite of unripe fruit. It has been described as dry, leathery, or even furry. This astringent effect is caused by tannins or polyphenolic compounds that bind to mucins, lubricating proteins in t...

April, 14, 2016 North Coast grape acreage losing ground

(PD) - Vineyard acreage declined slightly across much of the North Coast in 2015 for the second consecutive year, with dips in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties offset by robust growth in Lake County, according to figures released Thursday. Overall, the amount of land devoted to vineyards in t...