December, 30, 2015 Kegged Wines Bubble Up in Canada

(Wines&Vines) - Ringing in the new year with sparkling wine is a time-honored tradition, but in Canada the new year promises to put a twist on that tradition as Vancouver-based Fresh Tap Logistics Inc. partners with Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland to roll out what’s believed to be the co...

December, 30, 2015 Ukraine says Crimea vintage wine sale at Massandra illegal

(BBC) - The Ukrainian government has condemned a Crimean auction of vintage wines as illegal and warned foreign buyers that international sanctions are in force. The Massandra winery near Yalta is Ukrainian government property, but new managers took over after Russia's annexation of Crimea in Ma...

December, 30, 2015 Noble Calling: Scientists Studying Botrytis Rot Discover Link to Winegrape Ripeness

(WineSpectator) - The fungus behind the sweet wines of Sauternes provides clues into how to achieve better flavors and color in the vineyard. Dr. Dario Cantu, an assistant professor at the University of California at Davis, is a longtime devotee of  sweet wines , and it's little wonder...

December, 30, 2015 Why 2016 Could Be a Difficult Year for Sommeliers

(NYEater) - Despite reports of strong sales in 2015, sommeliers are being hit by big challenges that could signal the end to the kind of influence that they wield in the market today. In the way that once powerful restaurant maitre d’s have now largely been replaced by hosts whose jobs are t...

December, 30, 2015 Napa County: Growth of wine industry scrutinized in 2015

(NVR) - Growth debates, Napa County-style, came to a head in 2015 and look to continue into 2016. Many communities have growth debates about open space being swallowed by sprawling subdivisions. In Napa, the focus is on the world-famous wine country that keeps sprawling subdivisions at bay. S...

December, 30, 2015 Sore head? Wine contains more alcohol than manufacturers claim

(Telegraph) - If you are struggling with a hangover this morning, it might not be entirely your own fault. Wine has more alcohol in than manufacturers claim, putting drinkers’ health at risk and raising the chance of being over the drink-driving limit. Academics at the University of...

December, 30, 2015 Australia: Riverland winery loses 1.2m litres of wine after tanks deliberately drained

(RadioAustralia) - More than a million litres of wine is drained from tanks at a winery in South Australia, sparking a plea for help from the public. More than a million litres of wine was drained from tanks at a Riverland winery earlier this week, sparking a plea for help from the public. Police...

December, 30, 2015 Sparkling Marquette Wine Released

(Wines&Vines) - Just in time for the holidays, a new sparkling wine from a new grape variety was released in Minnesota. Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery unveiled its DewDrop Sparkling Marquette, Minnesota’s first sparkling wine made from Marquette. This variety is one of a number of cold-...