December, 16, 2014 World of Wine: Fortified wines a favorite during colder months

(Inforum) - Last week I addressed the wonders of Champagne in celebrating the upcoming holiday season. If that sparkling elixir is what you want to continue using to celebrate this season, so be it. But let it be known that there are other sources of wine, both bubbly and still, that can bring ple...

December, 16, 2014 US: Betz Purchases 40 Acres of SeVein Vineyards

(Wines&Vines) - One small deal in the Walla Walla Valley AVA marks a major milestone for North Slope Management LLC, owners of Sevein Vineyards, and Betz Family Winery of Redmond, Wash. North Slope announced the sale this week of 40 acres of land at its SeVein Vineyard site, on the south side ...

December, 16, 2014 Treasury to offload ‘non-priority’ brands

(TDB) - Treasury Wine Estates could “retire” up to 25 “non-priority” brands in order to focus on its high-end ranges, the company’s chief executive has told shareholders. Addressing shareholders at the company’s AGM in Melbourne chief executive Michael Clarke...

December, 16, 2014 Champagne UNESCO hopes 'looking good', says official

(Decanter) - Champagne is believed to have enhanced its chances of joining the UNESCO World Heritage list following a cellar tour by members of the voting committee. France’s ambassador to UNESCO, Franck Lalliot, used the 15th Habits de Lumiere festival in Epernay in the heart of Champagne c...

December, 16, 2014 Alcohol removal on the up in US

(TDB) - One in four bottles of Californian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have been through the industrial alcohol removal process supplied by ConeTech in the past year. Speaking to the drinks business at last month’s World Bulk Wine Exhibition in Amsterdam, ConeTech’s vice-president of ope...

December, 16, 2014 Wine: Got palate fatigue? Try these palate cleansers

(MN) - Palate fatigue is real -- and you don't need to be a professional wine judge to experience it. Remember that time you were on a zinfandel roll in Lodi and the winemaker at your second stop decided to uncork rare vintages of his old vine zinfandel dating back to, ahem, the vines' adolescence?...

December, 15, 2014 Beers Americans No Longer Drink

(24/7WallSt) - American beer sales have been trending downwards in recent years. After peaking at nearly 219 million barrels in 2008, total U.S. shipments have declined since, reaching just 211.7 million barrels in 2013. The recent drops in beer sales have been especially pronounced at many of the...

December, 15, 2014 The Growing Diversity of Premium Port

(Wine-Searcher) - The 2011 vintage has heightened interest in fine Ports, but along with vintage there are fine old Tawnies, Colheitas and White Ports to discover. Ask producers about 2011 Vintage Port and their faces will instantly light up. Johnny Graham of Churchill's Port, a veteran of 42 vin...