Wine News

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

Famous Tuscan Winery Releases New Vintage with Focus on Sustainability

In April, world-renowned Ornellaia Winery in Tuscany, Italy, released its Grand Vin, Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore 2017. The name “Solare”, “radiant” in English, was chosen to define this vintage – unusual frost, heat and drought extremes, which nonetheless resulted in an elegant wine of bold personality. Ornellaia Solare 2017. Credit: Ornellaia How Does Ornellaia Solare Taste? Estate Director Axel Heinz remarked about the surprisingly harmonious wine crafted by winemakers’ gentle handling of slightly younger grapes. Solare has characteristic notes of liquorice and blackberries with velvety tannins, yet rich acidity and roundness with “Mediterranean sumptuousness”. From an Unpredictable, Extreme Climate A stark contrast [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T21:49:55-08:00May 21, 2020|

Innovative Winery Launches Nature Hikes and Wine-Tasting Picnics with Social Distancing

American wineries have shown much innovation in reaching out to wine consumers via virtual tastings, tours, and other online methods due to the closing of tasting rooms with COVID19. However, one winery has found a very unusual means of connecting with consumers again by scheduling educational nature hikes in Sonoma County. Hiking at Jordan Winery, Sonoma County, California This weekend, Jordan Winery is set to become the first winery to reopen in Napa and Sonoma, using the Sonoma County park/trail reopening health order (effective on May 13) as its path. These educational nature hike packages for two include [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-30T21:51:37-08:00May 19, 2020|

Prosecco Production Keeps Up With Growth Projections Amid Covid-19 Concerns

According to the Prosecco DOC Consortium, data from end of March showed that Prosecco DOC production quantities continue to meet expected demand to meet growth projections at least until the next harvest, despite current supply chain impacts of Covid-19. Available quantities ending April 1 amounted to at least 2,217,000 hectoliters, with an extra 550,000 hl in reserves from the 2019 vintage if demand increases. Vineyard in Prosecco Region Ongoing Challenges However, multiple challenges remain which the Consortium is closely monitoring. According to Stefano Zanette, President of Prosecco DOC Consortium, the 2020 harvest is expected to have lower than average fertility. Additionally, producers [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T21:54:16-08:00May 15, 2020|

South African Wines Now Shipping Again After COVID Halt

During the middle of harvest season for South African vintners in March, business activity was ordered to stop by their Government to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Alcohol production, national sales and tasting rooms were prohibited, followed by an export ban on April 16th, grinding the entire industry (except sanitizing alcohol) to a halt. Vineyard in South Africa Wines of South Africa Wines of South Africa, the organization representing all exporting South African wine producers, has been actively lobbying to lift restrictions. Their efforts were successful when Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma announced permission of packaged and bulk [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:47:20-08:00May 7, 2020|

Learn About Champagne from the Experts – Free!

What do you think of when you hear “Champagne”? While the name is sometimes used generically for sparkling wine especially in the United States, Champagne only comes from Champagne, France. The name is actually protected by French statutes since 1887, with over 120 national jurisdictions today restricting the use of the name to sparkling wines exclusively produced from grapes in the French region and using the traditional method (méthode champenoise, also is a protected designation). Sparkling Glasses of Champagne. Photo Credit: Comité Champagne The Official Comité Champagne Behind its exclusivity and luxurious connotations, Champagne – both the wine and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:48:18-08:00April 23, 2020|

Bored? Here are 7 High-Quality Wine Education Videos to Watch for Free!

Are you looking for something that’s both educational and fun while you are “Sheltering in Place?” Well, let’s talk wine and television! Here is a great new online wine show with Vince Anter, a certified sommelier, takes viewers on a journey around the world in the hit wine TV show, V is for Vino. Each episode of V is for Vino explores a wine region and its history. There are 7 free shows that can be accessed HERE. Vince Anter, Star of V is for Vino Spreading Grape Knowledge Vince is passionate about spreading the knowledge about where the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:49:09-08:00April 6, 2020|

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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|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 Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T21:56:22-08:00April 19, 2015|

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