Wine News

Bucko’s Wine Reports: 100 new wines
White wines and ros s from around the world will refresh you during the dog days of summer, but you’ll still need some big reds to go with that grilled steak. Randy “Bucko” Buckner reports this month on 100 new wines in a variety of categories.

Wine of the Week: Smoking Loon Syrah 2005 (CA) $9
The 2005 Smoking Loon Syrah is a dynamite deal for just $9 a pop. The ripe blackberry and dark cherry explode on the palate and mingle elegantly with herby…

English writer claims Champagne was invented in Somerset not France

London, September 27 : A new book on the history of cider entitled ‘Ciderland’ suggests that Champagne was invented in Somerset, England, not France.

Harvest caps challenging year for Calif. wines

California wine makers are bringing in the grape harvest this month after a challenging year that saw sharp frosts and smoky summer wildfires.

Billboard.com — Plant/Krauss, Iron & Wine Star At ACL Festival (Billboard.com)
As temperatures soared well into the 90s, American roots music reigned supreme on the second day of Austin City Limits festival (Sept. 27), with Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Iron & Wine, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Conor Oberst leading the charge.

Wines and Medals - What’s the Significance
We’ve all seen the bottles of wine with a gold, silver or bronze medal sticker attached to the label. But what does that really signify? Does it mean…

Drink wine, help breast cancer patients (KJCT 8 Grand Junction)
October is just around the corner and a local winery is hoping you’ll raise a glass for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Two Rivers Winery hopes you’ll buy some wine to help raise money for breast cancer prevention.

Briefs: CASA of Will County hosts wine-tasting benefit (The Herald News)
Wine tasting benefit

French You Can Afford and Enjoy

Of course, everything is more expensive today, especially wine. I mentioned in a recent post that I was going to focus on wine values. I’m beginning what may turn into a series with a column in Wednesday’s newspaper about great wines from France that fall into the sweet spot of $10 to $20.

Napa wine center lays off workers, cuts hours (The Sacramento Bee)
Copia: The American Center For Wine, Food and the Arts slashed its workforce and operating hours at its Napa wine shrine for the next eight months. But Copia chief executive Garry McGuire announced plans to launch a separate 40,000 to 50,000 square foot for-profit Copia satellite in San Francisco.