On Wine Report

For those not well-versed in wine, trying to order a difficult-to-pronounce varietal at a restaurant can be downright nerve wracking.  But really, who among us hasn’t butchered a pronunciation at one time or another?  Chef and Brewer, a pub chain, conducted a poll and came up with a list of... Read More

 Tired of its reputation as old-fashioned and complicated, the Bordeaux industry is looking to kick things up a notch with a number of new programs aimed at younger drinkers. CIVB, the trade and marketing body for Bordeaux, is currently working on an iPhone App to be released this October. Users... Read More

 There are some new labeling laws in effect. As the EU-Australia Wine Trade Agreement has now come into force, all Australian wines will phase out the use of “Champagne”, “Port” or “Sherry” on their labels, ending the misuse of European wine names and classifications within one year. In return for... Read More

 Foley Family Wines has a new addition and Chalk Hill Winery, one of Sonoma County’s preeminent wine estates, has a new owner. Insurance magnate Bill Foley acquired the iconic winery east of Windsor from famed class action attorney Fred Furth. The 127O-acre estate includes a 43,OOO-case winery, a pavilion, equestrian... Read More

 Consider how many empty wine bottles are discarded every day in this country. Even with recycling efforts, it’s undoubtedly a staggering number. But a California business man has come up with such a brilliant recycling idea, it’s a wonder no one thought of it before. With the backing of several... Read More

 This gives a whole new meaning to having red wine with your steak. In an effort to enhance the flavor of their beef, Western Canadian beef producers are feeding their Angus cattle in British Columbia’s Okanagan wine and cattle region red wine with their grain. Chefs in the region claim... Read More

Stelvins and corks, watch out!There’s a new wine closure on the block and it promises to shake things up. Capabunga is a reusable silicone capsule for a wine bottle that’s made to resemble the bungs used in winemaking and will fit on most standard bottles. The concept was created by... Read More

Global warming may be wreaking havoc on our planet but, for the Riesling industry at least, it’s been a boon. The recent Riesling Rendezvous conference highlighted the benefits that warm temperatures have bestowed upon the industry. The conference, hosted by winemaker Ernie Loosen and the president of Château Ste Michelle,... Read More

Who needs fancy wine cellars? Apparently the ocean works perfectly to preserve vintage bubbly. Divers recently discovered what is thought to be the world’s oldest drinkable champagne in a shipwreck 2OO-feet down in the Baltic Sea near the Aland Islands, between Sweden and Finland. Diving instructor Christian Ekstrom said the... Read More

Prepare for a wine blitzing! Both New Zealand and France are planning major marketing pushes in the US to promote their countries’ wines. The New Zealand government will spend NZ$1.2 million (US$816,OOO) to help the country’s top wineries grow their presence in the US. The funding, to be spread over... Read More