Wine News

Wine News features articles and press releases that feature new ideas/trends in wine and interesting concepts.

Sweet White Bordeaux Wine Gaining Attention From Younger Consumers And Gourmets

Young wine consumers toasting with Sweet White Bordeaux Wines. Photo Credit: Fotolia: 118526264 When most people think of Bordeaux, a big hearty red wine comes to mind. Yet semi-sweet and sweet white wines have been made in Bordeaux since the 16th century. Long considered to be only a beverage to sip after dinner, such as a sweet Sauternes or Barsac, there is another section of Bordeaux that is beginning to gain more attention for their sweet wines – especially from young consumers and gourmets. Created in 2009 by the Union des Grands Vins de Bordeaux Sweet, the 8 appellations that [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-03-07T16:09:26-08:00December 30, 2021|

Coravin Ramps Up Innovation During Covid With Increased Sales And 4 New Products

Now that we are 18 months into the Covid crisis, with new variants no doubt extending its length, it is helpful to recognize some of the positive innovation that has occurred. As John F. Kennedy said, “In a crisis, be aware of the danger – but recognize the opportunity.” Coravin - To Safely Taste Wine While Preserving the Cork. Photo Credit: Getty One wine company that has made astounding progress in sales and innovation during Covid is Coravin. With a mission to change the way the world experiences wine, Coravin technology allows wine lovers to extract a glass of wine [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2022-02-18T14:39:29-08:00December 6, 2021|

The Marselan Wine Grape Gaining Popularity In Bordeaux, China And Napa Valley

Global warming has forced wine regions around the world to consider new grape varietals that can better withstand the forecasted rise in temperatures. One such wine grape, Marselan, appears to be gaining more traction in Bordeaux, China and Napa Valley. A Selection of Global Wines Made from the Marselan Grape L. THACH “We set up a test plot of Marselan in 2016,” reported Laurent Rousseau, owner of Vignobles Rousseau in Bordeaux. “It gives a powerful wine, very colorful but fleshy and elegant…. We will produce this (as Bordeaux) AOC in 2021.” Indeed, the Marselan grape is one of four red [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2022-02-18T14:40:33-08:00November 15, 2021|

How Napa And Sonoma Vineyards Are Going Beyond Sustainability To Embrace Climate-Positive Goals

Climate positive (carbon negative) goals in Napa and Sonoma vineyards. PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY California wineries have long been leaders in environmentally friendly practices, because they recognized early on that wine grapes are one of the most susceptible crops to global warming. Indeed by 2019, 99% of Sonoma County vineyards were certified sustainable and 94% of Napa vineyards and wineries achieved certification under the Napa Green program. However, now both counties have established even more aggressive goals to reduce their carbon footprint and become climate positive – which is beyond carbon neutral, with negative emission reductions. The sustainability certifications the vineyards achieved [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-10-18T17:50:21-07:00October 18, 2021|

The Greening Of Bordeaux: The Two-Pronged Approach Wineries Are Taking To Address Climate Change

With the UN Report on Climate Change 2021 calling for a 'code red for humanity', the timing for the Bordeaux wine region to ramp up its environmental efforts couldn’t come any sooner. This is because wine grapes have long been considered “the canary in the coal mine,” in terms of notifying vineyard owners around the world that climate change is here and real. Indeed, in a 2005 scientific report entitled Climate Change and Global Wine Quality, Dr. Greg Jones and his colleagues warned that the 2∘C warming environment would make some wine regions, such as Bordeaux, “exceed a climatic threshold [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-09-14T15:55:07-07:00September 14, 2021|

How a Football Player Saved a Nearly Extinct Portuguese Wine Grape

Just as a bird or animal species can come close to the brink of extinction, so too can wine grapes. Currently there are over 1300 vine varieties in the world, but most people are only familiar with the commonly produced ones, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon. However, there are a few countries in the world, such as the Republic of Georgia, Greece, Italy and Portugal where very rare indigenous wine grapes are found. In fact, Portugal, with a surface area six times smaller than France, has over 250 varieties. This gives Portugal the highest density of indigenous [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-08-11T11:15:07-07:00August 11, 2021|

Constellation’s Wine Premiumization Strategy Is Starting To Pay Off

Originally published in Forbes. Constellation’s sell-off of its lower-priced wine brands to E&J Gallo seems to be paying off in terms of promoting their “premiumization” strategy in the wine arena. In an April 2021 earnings call with investors, President and CEO Bill Newlands reported, "Our retained wine and spirits portfolio, excluding divested brands, delivered net sales growth of 5% for the year, driven by double digit volume growth for Meiomi, Kim Crawford and the Prisoner Brand Family." Bottles of Constellation Brands Inc. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc © 2018 BLOOMBERG FINANCE LP Newlands also admitted that these three “wine power brands” [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-04-14T13:31:43-07:00April 14, 2021|

Overview of 2020 US Wine Market Stats and 10 Hot Wine Trends for 2021

Though the US wine market endured a very bumpy ride in 2020, with many dire predictions of loss and doom due to the pandemic and wildfires, now that the numbers are in, the results are not that dismal. Yes, of course, on-premise wine sales plummeted, but off-premise and online sales came to the rescue. This caused the year to end with a surprising increase of 4.98% in still wine volume at 372 million 9-liter cases in 2020, compared to 357 million cases in 2019, according to BW166. Of this total, 84.7 million cases of still wine were imported in 2020. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-26T08:53:29-08:00February 11, 2021|

A Silver Lining for Chianti Classico

Needless to say, 2020 has been challenging for most of us. Fortunately, some vintners in Italy are trying to make the most of the situation despite an overall decline in wine sales. Chianti Classico Consortium, one of the oldest Italian wine consortiums with 515 Chianti producer members, remarks how vineyards have “never looked so good” as a result of winemakers having extraordinary time to dedicate greater care on the 2020 vintage. Beautiful vineyard slopes of Chianti. New opportunities for Chianti wineries To provide extra support for Chianti producers and boost local economy, the organization launched several initiatives, such as financing [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T17:31:58-08:00September 27, 2020|

Josh Hart, NBA Player and Wine Fan, Announces New Scholarship with Wine Access

For centuries, wine has been a cultural experience that brings people of all backgrounds together. With this in mind, Wine Access, the online wine retailer curating the world’s highest quality wines and immersive tasting experiences, partnered with Josh Hart, NBA player and wine enthusiast, to create a Diversity In Wine Scholarship Program. Josh Hart Announcing Wine Diversity Scholarship This scholarship aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in the wine industry and increase representation of the BIPOC community. As a company made up of wine experts with different backgrounds and experiences, Wine Access strives to provide more opportunities for minority groups [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-30T17:32:25-08:00September 22, 2020|

Intercept Wine, Created by Black NFL Player Charles Woodson, Now Available Across the US

Charles Woodson is the only defensive player ever to win a Heisman Trophy, and now he has achieved another triumph. After launching Intercept Wine in partnership with O’Neill Vintners & Distillers in 2019, Woodson was confronted by an issue which many producers in the wine industry face – trying to get wine distributed in more than just a few states. In the beginning Intercept Wine was only available in 15 states, but now it has achieved full national distribution through its partnership with O’Neill Vintners & Distillers. Charles Woodson with his wine brand, Intercept This makes Super Bowl champion, Charles [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-30T17:33:10-08:00September 17, 2020|

Breathless Winery Wins “Rising Wine Star Winery of the Year” Award

In less than 10 years since it opened, Breathless Wines has already won multiple awards, including the San Francisco Wine Competition, American Fine Wine Competition, Wine Enthusiast, among others. This time, it is awarded by LuxeSF, a luxury marketing organization, as their “Rising Wine Star Winery of The Year”, after a tough competition with 74 other nominations across 5 award categories, selected by a 14-person panel of respected industry veterans. Have you tried Breathless Wines yet? They are currently offering a special duo Blanc De Noir and Brut Rose pack at $60 including shipping this week until September 18. Better [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T17:33:57-08:00September 14, 2020|

Ferrari Cars Celebrate With Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines

Two iconic Italian brands come together in Florence on September 12 and 13th to celebrate the 1000th Grand Prix. The famous Ferrari car company partners with the historic Ferrari Trento sparkling wine company for this special occasion. Photo Credit: Ferrari Scuderia and Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wine For the first time in its history, the Mugello Circuit will host a FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ class race, and its coinciding with the important milestone of Scuderia Ferrari –the only team present in all of the 70 editions raced till now – has created the perfect occasion for celebrating in style in Florence with a Gala [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-06T21:03:25-08:00September 12, 2020|

Outlawed – Watch Outlaw Country Musician Elizabeth Cook Perform Live at Home With a Glass of Paso Robles Wine

This summer is time for delicious wine and safely distanced live music! The exciting Robert Hall At Home Sessions we announced earlier continues with an incredible line-up of talented independent musicians for you and your community to watch from home, and enjoy authentic Paso Robles wine for the occasion. Next Wednesday September 2, the fourth virtual concert will feature contemporary Outlaw singer songwriter Elizabeth Cook, known for her appearances on David Letterman, “hip hard-country delivery, comedic gifts and magnetic personality”. Elizabeth Cook. Credit: Robert Hall Winery Watch From Home You can watch the performance live, and get an exclusive behind-the-curtains [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T21:09:56-08:00August 27, 2020|

Not Just Another Wine Auction: Portland Trailblazer Star turned Winemaker CJ McCollum and Wine for Social Good

With its natural terroir ideal for growing Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley is also Oregon’s largest wine growing region with over 70 varietals. Willamette Valley Winery Association is their wine industry association, which organizes an annual Pinot Noir auction that just ended on August 13. This year, 74 wine lots from the 2018 vintage made exclusively for the auction were sold, with proceeds this year not only supporting the Association’s education and marketing initiatives, but an additional $100,000 dedicated to the James Beard Foundation’s Open For Good Campaign – Food & Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans. From the [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T21:11:07-08:00August 20, 2020|

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