February, 21, 2014 Report: Minn. grapes help cold-climate wine industry pump over $400 million into US economy

(StarTribune) - As the Minnesota Grape Growers Association gathers in St. Paul this weekend, a new report shows how far northern winemakers have come. The University of Minnesota-Extension report says cold-hardy grapes developed by the school and private breeders have generated a vibrant farm wine...

February, 21, 2014 Climate change is making English wine better

(Marketplace) -  Britain has suffered its worst winter rainfall since records began – 250 years ago, and scientists say climate change is to blame. But the effects are not  all bad.  The UK is seeing much warmer summers,  and that’s reversed the fortunes of a once ...

February, 21, 2014 Getting On Top of Wine's Altitude Problem

(WSJ) -  WE ALL DREAM of flying first class. Admit it, when the plane pushes back from the gate and begins its taxi to the runway, those of us not quite as close to the cockpit as we had hoped begin to entertain envious thoughts about those up front, sipping vintage Champagne and nibbling thei...

February, 21, 2014 Rogue Valley Growers Seek Extension Funding

(Wines&Vines) - A study of wine industry clusters around the world notes the role extension organizations have in facilitating the transfer of knowledge between government, researchers, and industry. But funding for that vital work has been under increasing pressure. Despite the wealth of tax...

February, 21, 2014 Treasury Wine takes a hit in China

(BusinessSpectator) - Winemaker Treasury Wine Estates will shift some its luxury wines out of China and into other Asian markets after a drop in consumer demand in the world's second largest economy. The company behind brands including Penfolds and Wolf Blass said austerity measures implemented by...

February, 20, 2014 Treasury Wine Estates names Michael Clarke as new chief executive

(TheAustralian) - TREASURY Wine Estates has appointed former Kraft and Coca-Cola executive Michael Clarke as its new chief executive replacing board member Warwick Every-Burns. The London-based, South African-born, Mr Clarke has worked with Coke in Australia and will move to Melbourne for the job....

February, 20, 2014 Rioja sees record-breaking sales in 2013

(TDB) - Sales of Rioja reached 277 million litres in 2013, surpassing its previous record set before the global economic downturn. The total volume of wine sold by the DOCa Rioja in 2013 was over 277 million litres— up 3.98% from the previous year. Of this, red wine made up 90% of Rioja&rsq...

February, 20, 2014 Deal marks first Margaux chateau sale to Chinese firm

(Decanter) - A state-owned energy firm has become the first Chinese company to acquire control of an estate in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation, after Luc Thienpont sold his majority stake in Clos des Quatres Vents. Alongside Thienpont’s seven hectares of vines in Margaux, Chinese energy fir...