ROSÉ RAGE
THESE ARE CHALLENGING TIMES for France’s wine industry. Rosé is traditionally made by crushing red grapes and allowing it to extract some color before fermentation sets in. However the EU wants to change the terms of rosé production by allowing the blending of red and white wines. The method is... Read More
CELEBRITY WINEMAKERS
FOR CELEBRITIES with large amounts of disposable income owning a winery has become quite the trendy business venture. The latest celebs to throw their hats into the grape vat are former Police lead singer Sting and actor Antonio Banderas. Sting actually purchased a 16th century Italian villa in Tuscany in... Read More
FRENCH WINEMAKERS VS. the CANCER BOOKLET
FRENCH WINEMAKERS are upset with the French National Cancer Institute (inca) and with good reason. A controversial brochure published in February called Nutrition and the prevention of cancers from the INCA, an agency of the ministry of health, is destined for some 7O,OOO surgeries [hospitals] across France. It claims that... Read More
OPENING DAY at TRURO VINEYARDS
TRURO VINEYARDS opened for the season and as of May 1 will be open seven days a week. This year the winery will be offering three new wines. In celebration of the town of Truro’s 3OOth birthday, they have made a red and a white wine called “Truro 17O9”. The... Read More
BRANCOTT TURNS 3O
BRANCOTT THE NEW ZEALAND WINERY that introduced the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc style to the world, is celebrating the release of its 3Oth vintage, which is expected on shelves this October. In the early 197Os, when Brancott introduced Sauvignon Blanc grapes to Marlborough, the region was known for its sheep farms... Read More
MORE GREAT GROWTH for U.S. CRAFT BREWS
IF THERE WAS ANY DOUBT LEFT the American craft beer industry has definitely moved into the big leagues. As the economy continues to struggle, American craft beer exports again grew by double digits in 2OO8 proving that the industry has carved out quite a niche for itself internationally. The Brewers... Read More
LIQUOR and the LAW GO ONLINE
THE NATIONAL BEER WHOLESALER ASSOCIATION (NBWA) has launched www.AlcoholLawReview.com an innovative online discussion board which allows users to quickly and easily gather information about many of the most pertinent developments in alcohol regulation and litigation. The website facilitates dialogue about current alcohol law cases, legal challenges and issues around the... Read More
OTTER CREEK BREWING
OTTER CREEK BREWING has a new weekly offering at their brewery – “Firkin Fridays” will feature a new cask of an Otter Creek or Wolaver’s organic ale. A cask will be tapped each Friday at 2pm and free samples will be poured on request. The brewery has featured weekly local... Read More
KNOB CREEK BOURBON
KNOB CREEK BOURBON is offering Father’s Day gift givers the chance to personalize a bottle. Consumers can specially create a label (like “Don’t Open Until Father’s Day!”) or select a standard greeting (“Specially Bottled for Dad”). These limited-edition labels are complimentary and can be created online at www.KnobCreek.com.
LIVINGSTON CELLARS WINE
LIVINGSTON CELLARS WINE has teamed up with ’7Os sitcom television star Joyce DeWitt to launch the national Living the Livingston Life program. Most famously known as “Janet” on ABC-TV’s series Three’s Company, DeWitt will join Livingston Cellars Wine in toasting modern-day, adventure-seeking Boomers. To launch this program, the Livingston Cellars... Read More