Winexpression

Looks like Wine Spectator has awarded California with almost straight A’s this year (Paso Robles received a “B”) in reference to the quality of wine expected from the 2005 vintage.
“Wine Spectator’s editors have provided a snapshot of the conditions and expectations in key regions and given each of them a preliminary grade.”

Other scores of [...]

Mike Steinberger, one of my favorite Wine Columnists, explores Champagne and it’s American counterpart, sparkling white wine, in his latest column on Slate.
Mike recommends sticking with the USA for bargain bubble and going for the French product if you budget allows it. One of my favorites from France is Champagne Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut for [...]

The story I wrote earlier this week received quite a few comments, interestingly they were emailed to me instead of posted on the site. One of the emails was from John Gillespie of Wine Opinions, the originator of this study, and I thought it merited a repost on the blog. Thanks John and Christian Miller [...]

This fun 12 Question test was thrown together by the ubiquitous Dr.Vino to test your knowledge of wine news over the past year. Hopefully, I’ve kept you up to date on wine related news, so now is the time to dig into the archives and win a prize. Someone will randomly be chosen from the [...]

A study released by the British Medical Journal found that people tend to pour 20-30% more alcohol into short, wide 350ml glasses than into tall, narrow 350ml glasses. The researchers go on to state that alcohol consumption studies should also include the shape of the glass.
The reason for the difference, Wansink speculates, is the [...]

First, it was Nazi Raccoons, now it’s Native American Bears in the spotlight over the destruction of vineyards. In the Pope Valley, just 18 miles east of the Silverado Trail on the east side of Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, vineyard owners have fought back and had the Bears shot and killed by local authorities.
Aetna [...]

That’s what it looks like, as the new Wine Opinions study that claims Parker’s influence is weakening with American consumers seems to have primarily interviewed readers from Wine Spectator! If the study was to be unbiased, it would seem only fair that an equal number of Robert Parker and Wine Spectator subscribers would have been [...]

It’s back! I know Wine Spectator will get wind of it soon and fix it, but for now, access to Wine Spectators paid content is available.
Click here
Now Click Here
The power of Google’s cache strikes again!
This time instead of using Google News, we use Google’s Cache through search. Here’s how it works.

Go to Wine Spectator’s site.
Click [...]

The French government has awarded the Berkeley Wine Merchant the insignia of Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur to be presented at a private ceremony early next year, the Chronicle reports. Other recipients include Robert Parker, Robert Mondavi, Julia Child, Leonard Bernstein, Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, Gregory Peck and Ronald Reagan.
Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, [...]

Sometimes a simple link to the top stories is all I have time for. Here’s what’s been happening this week:

8th Washington AVA to be added in January 2006
Germany Sour Over US-EU Wine Deal
UK Drink distributor Unwins to close
Madonna featured on new limited edition Wines
Michigan Wine fight may cost state $1.3M