Wine News

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

New Relief Fund to Pay Restaurants to Cook for Those in Need – Jordan Winery Donates $150,000

Sonoma Family Meal, a disaster-focused non-profit providing chef-made meals to those in need, announces the creation of the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund—a new initiative to help restaurants remain open for disaster-relief cooking by providing healthy, chef-made meals to those in desperate need of food. John Jordan, the owner of Jordan Winery, and the John Jordan Foundation have made a $150,000 investment in the fund, and the non-profits are teaming up for a match drive to raise an additional $150,000. “With many businesses shuttered, demand for prepared meals is at an all-time high due to the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Heather Irwin, founder of Sonoma [...]

By |2021-02-01T19:49:39-08:00April 4, 2020|

Which Type of Wine Label is Most Attractive to US Consumers?

(Contributed by Shane LaChance) Think about when you last purchased a bottle of wine. Maybe it was for a dinner party, a get-together with friends, or a night-in with the spouse. Let’s say you walked into the store with somewhat of a game plan; in search for a domestically grown red wine in the price range of $12-15. Now, what happens next? Shopping for Wine Survey Shows 80% of Consumers Select Wine Based on Label What guides us to pick up the 2 or 3 bottles that catch our eye. Better yet, what are the deciding factors that [...]

By |2021-02-01T19:50:52-08:00November 7, 2019|

Trend of Adding Ice to Champagne, Cremant, and Provence Rose Growing in France

On my recent trip to France, I discovered that the trend of adding ice to wine is spreading throughout the country. Introduced several years ago by Moët & Chandon, other Champagne and Cremant houses have followed suit, as well as some Provence Rose producers. However, interestingly, they have created separate blends and new products for their wines that are designed for ice additions. New Sparkling Wine from Cattin Winery in Alsace - -just add ICE! The reason for this was all explained to me by Anais Cattin, during my recent visit to Cattin Winery in Alsace. Anais explained [...]

By |2021-02-01T19:51:46-08:00April 9, 2018|

Ten Great Reasons to Love California’s Wineries and Vineyards

(Contributed by Gregg McPherson) Californian’s have much to be thankful for - great weather, fabulous beaches, soaring mountains, and a thriving economy. Many people focus on Silicon Valley and the amazing technology that is produced there when they think of what drives California’s growth. Not as many people realize how important the wine and grape growing industry is to the people of the state. These are mostly small to medium family businesses that provide quality jobs and a product that is loved across the US and around the world. California’s wines generate roughly $32 billion in retail sales. That is [...]

By |2021-02-01T19:53:25-08:00June 25, 2017|

Which Top American Wine Was Preferred by Chinese Master Class?

(May 19, 2017) Last evening I taught a Master class in Shanghai, China entitled “Top Wines of America.” It was scheduled from 7 to 9pm at the Hyatt Regency, and all 34 seats in the class were filled with young Chinese wine professionals. Most were working in the industry as wine retailers, marketers, or educators. There were also a few importers and winemakers in the class. Master Class on Top American Wines in Shanghai China The hosts of the Wine100 Competition organized the master class and arranged for the wines to be available for the event. They requested [...]

By |2021-02-01T19:54:02-08:00May 20, 2017|

What Are Wine Preferences of Different American Generations?

(Based on excerpt from Vineyard & Winery Management article entitled Wine Generations.) American Generations from WMC Study There is an old adage that as people age, they drink more wine. In many cases, research has validated this concept. Yet in the early 2000’s, members of the Millennial generation turned 21 and began adopting wine in large percentages. This has continued over the past 15 year, until in 2016, the Wine Market Council reported that US Millennials consume more wine (36%) than Baby Boomers (34%). At the same time, Gen Xers, now in their 40’s, have still not adopted wine [...]

By |2021-02-01T20:06:05-08:00March 25, 2016|

Which Foods Are Most Challenging to Match with Wine?

The right wine with the right dish can be heaven, but there are a few foods that are challenging to match with wine.  What are they?  According to a new infographic chart prepared by CorrChilled, the answers are: Artichokes Asparagus Brussel Sprouts Green Beans However if you have the right seasonings, sauces, or cheese, even these more bitter tasting vegetables can pair well with wine. CorrChilled's Infographic on Food & Wine Pairing Check out the infographic below, which illustrates a simple way to pair your favorite wine style with food.  For example, if you have a dry white wine, the [...]

By |2021-02-01T21:55:35-08:00June 2, 2015|

Do You Know Where to Buy WineGrape Vines to Start Your Vineyard?

Inside Novavine Nursery (Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust) - The SSU Winesense club knows where to buy wine grape vines because they recently took a field trip to Novavine in Sonoma County.  Novavine is a nursery near Santa Rosa, California that is dedicated to helping people plant successful vineyards including grapes and olives. The tour was led Ernie and Ophelia, both employees of Novavine. They explained the complete process of grafting, growing, and packaging winegrape vines, as well as installing of vineyards. Novavine was started in 1996 by Ellen and Milton Heath because they wanted to create a knowledgeable and [...]

By |2021-02-01T21:55:55-08:00May 26, 2015|

Learning How to Build Wine Barrels with Yann, Master Cooper with Barrel Builders

(Contributed by  Erica Schreckenghaust) In the second installment of our field trip series, we had the honor of going to Barrel Builders, a barrel cooperage, in St. Helena. About Barrel Builders Barrel Builders was created in 1972, by a handful of French coopers who were sent over to assist Robert Mondavi’s people in the assembly, finish and care of the barrels. At the time Mondavi was one of the few people to begin using French oak barrels and soon after, their popularity spiraled. Barrel Builders were the pioneers within the industry as they were the only cooperage represented in the [...]

By |2021-02-01T21:56:22-08:00April 19, 2015|

A Great Wine Cocktail for Valentine’s Day – The Torrontes Tango

Torrontes Tango Wine Cocktail Here is a fun wine cocktail that is perfect for Valentine's Day.  Enjoy it with that romantic someone or with a group of friends. I learned about this drink when I visited Argentina last March.  It is made with watermelon and white wine - preferably Torrontes.  In Argentina it is primarily served during their summer months when watermelon is ripe (November – February in the Southern Hemisphere). Fortunately we can find watermelon in many US supermarkets at this time of the year as well. I've modified the recipe with a few new ingredients, and [...]

By |2021-02-01T22:00:48-08:00February 11, 2015|

Three Perfect Places to Have a Wine Tasting Party

Contributed by Nicole Nowlen Wine tasting has been a favored activity of those who love this elegant beverage since time immemorial, and can be a great reason to get friends together and impress them with your knowledge of fine wines. No matter where you hold such an event wine-tasting will bring an air of sophistication to the proceedings, and serves as a wonderful excuse to share your favorite vintages or to introduce new wines to your repertoire. Where you hold your wine-tasting can be just as important as what types of wine you bring, and the two can serve to [...]

By |2021-02-01T22:28:21-08:00August 21, 2014|

Wine: As Wonderful for your Kidneys as for Your Heart?

Contributed by Jenni Phelps: The fact that wine promotes cardiovascular health has long been espoused by scientists, but exciting news suggests that wine may also be linked to healthier kidneys.  A study carried out by Dr. Tapan Mehta and his team at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Centre, in Aurora, has shown that those with healthy kidneys who consumed a moderate amount of wine per day (in the region of 4 ounces) had a 37 per cent lower likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease. Additionally, those who already had kidney disease who drank the same amount per day had a 29 [...]

By |2021-02-01T22:28:43-08:00May 19, 2014|

Three Fun Facts to Pair Dessert and Wine

Wine Pairing Guide Contributed by Bryan Vu - Pairing wine with dessert isn’t always easy, and often the task can seem daunting. However Shari's Berries has put together a handy little guide to make pairing desserts with wines a little bit easier. The task of choosing a matching wine for dessert can be daunting for a person if they don't really know where to start. The chart helps to demystify the process:  http://www.berries.com/blog/dessert-alcohol-pairing-guide 3 Important Fact When Pairing Dessert and Wine How did these pairings come about? The key to a great pairing is not necessarily how similar [...]

By |2021-02-01T22:29:26-08:00April 29, 2014|

The Joys of Dessert Wine – 3 Great Choices for Under $20

Contributed by Nicole Nowlen - There is a scene that appears frequently in movies, books, or even just the homes of wine connoisseurs we know and love. You can picture it, the imbiber curled up in a chair with a blanket and a pleasant book, perhaps even the ubiquitous cat purring on their lap. Upon their nose is perched a pair of reading glasses, brought out only for these moments of quiet consumption of literature. Perched on the table next to them is a somewhat diminutive wine-glass filled with a rich, almost viscous liquid.   At moments spaced by the beat [...]

By |2021-02-01T22:29:55-08:00April 22, 2014|

Positive News on the Health Benefits of Wine

Sparkling Wine & Salad Contributed by Jenna Phelps - Although Millennials rarely drink wine for its health benefits, it’s reassuring to know that drinking wine in moderation promotes physical and mental wellness. Indeed, an article recently published in the scientific journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings highlights that a daily drink of alcohol for men and women, ideally red wine, reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is good news, as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the US. However, the researchers point out that this moderate dosage is the key to good health, as excessive intakes of alcohol [...]

By |2021-02-01T22:30:14-08:00April 14, 2014|
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