Bella Carrara Vino

Composition vs. Performance | Drinking Out Loud

PASO ROBLES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Newly established Zoller Wine Styling, in the heart of the burgeoning Paso Robles Wine Region on California’s Central Coast, offers wine enthusiasts the opportunity to go beyond wine appreciation to winemaking. The process perfectly blends hands on experience with award-winning winemaking expertise. The end result is an entirely customized wine complete with custom label, bottle, closure and taste as unique as the winemaker.

After 25 years in the winemaking industry, Head Winemaker Signe Zoller created Zoller Wine Styling to fill a previously unaddressed niche in the wine industry. “No one else in our area is catering directly to individual consumers and small lot producers. We help them create custom styled wines and provide a cooperative, hands-on learning experience.”

The duration of that experience can vary. While some clients prefer to be involved from start to finish, a process that can take up to two years for a red and from six months to a year for some whites, others just want a specialized bottle and label commemorating their special event, which can be completed in as little as three to four weeks. Zoller has an inventory of premium artisan creations in barrels available for these instances.

“We are able to experiment with processes that are prohibited by logistics in larger facilities so the end result is something quite unique and sometimes unexpected,” added Zoller. “Our services are very versatile; from creating a wine for your daughter’s wedding to corporate team building to blending a wine to pair with a signature dish at your restaurant. The possibilities are endless.”

The 5,000 square foot state-of-the-art, eco-friendly facility is as intriguing as the wines produced. Located in downtown Paso Robles it functions as an ‘urban winery’ bringing fruit from premium vineyards across the central coast to be processed in the bustling city center.

Sold by the barrel, the cost of creating one of these customized bottles of wine ranges from $15-$40 per bottle and gets you about 23 cases of wine.

UC San Diego Researchers Pose Major Shift in Thinking

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine are challenging conventional thinking with a study showing that modest wine consumption, defined as one glass a day, may not only be safe for the liver, but may actually decrease the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

The study, which appears in the June 2008 issue of the journal Hepatology, showed that for individuals who reported drinking up to one glass of wine per day, as compared to no alcohol consumption, the risk of liver disease due to NAFLD was cut in half. In contrast, compared with wine drinkers, individuals who reported modest consumption of beer or liquor had over four (4) times the odds of having suspected NAFLD.

NAFLD is the most common liver disease in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults. Previous research has shown that as many as five percent of adults with NAFLD will develop cirrhosis. The major risk factors for NAFLD are similar to many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease—obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that modest alcohol consumption may reduce the risk for heart disease. However, recommendations for modest alcohol consumption in individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease have overlooked that these same people are also at an increased risk for NAFLD. Thus, there exists a dilemma as to whether modest alcohol consumption for the heart is safe in regards to the liver. The UC San Diego investigators sought to clarify this important question.

“The results of this study present a paradigm shift, suggesting that modest wine consumption may not only be safe for the liver but may actually decrease the prevalence of NAFLD. The odds of having suspected NAFLD based upon abnormal liver blood tests was reduced by 50 percent in individuals who drank one glass of wine a day,” said Jeffrey Schwimmer, M.D., associate professor of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego School of Medicine and Director, Fatty Liver Clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. The result remained constant, even after adjusting for age, sex, race, education, income, diet, physical activity, body mass index, and other markers of health status.

Research did not provide any support for drinking larger amounts. “We want to emphasize that people at risk for alcohol abuse should not consider consuming wine or any other alcoholic beverage,” said Schwimmer, who also pointed out that, although this is the first study to address this important dilemma, the findings do not address those who already have liver disease and should not be drinking alcohol at all.

“Because this effect was only seen with wine, not in beer or liquor, further studies will be needed to determine whether the benefits seen were due to the alcohol or non-alcohol components of wine,” added Schwimmer.

The cross-sectional, population-based study of nearly 12,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) included 7,211 nondrinkers and 4,543 modest alcohol drinkers. Modest alcohol consumption was defined as up to an average of one drink per day of either four ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or one ounce of liquor. NHANES is a large epidemiological survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The alcohol history was obtained by a trained interviewer, in a private room, to ensure confidentiality.

The study was funded in part with grants from the National Institutes of Health National Research Service Award (NIH NRSA) and from the National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health for the General Clinical Research Center at UC San Diego.

The research team included Schwimmer, Winston Dunn, M.D., division of gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego and Ronghui Xu, Ph.D., Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and Department of Mathematics, UC San Diego.

While wine consumption is increasing in the U.S. -- spurred on in part by the wine adoption habits of American Millennials (young adults aged 21 to 31) -- the opposite is happening in France. Since 1980 French wine consumption has decreased by more than 50% from 120 liters per capita to today's rate of 55 liters per capita.

Though in some ways this is positive, it is also rather alarming. Especially since a large portion of the population that is not drinking wine are France's Millennials or young adults in their 20's. Indeed they have moved away from wine to embrace other beverages -- primarily beer and spirits in the alcohol category, and bottled water, sodas, and juices.

Further reason for alarm is the ongoing crisis for some French wine producers who can't find a market for their grapes. Grubbing-up schemes are still in progress, the appellation system is being re-organized, and global wine competition is becoming even fiercer with new wine countries coming on board each year. Though France does have commendable wine export records with solid marketing abroad, within France very few wine marketing efforts are occurring and most are discouraged by government regulations.

So why are France's Millennials not drinking wine -- especially in a country that is considered by many to be the wine Mecca of the world? In an attempt to answer this question, a qualitative research project was jointly organized by Sonoma State University's Wine Business Program and Montpellier's Supagro (University of Agronomics). A series of in-depth interviews with French millennials were conducted. These resulted in several themes to explain the decrease, as well as suggestions for French wine marketers to approach this new generation.

Reasons French Millennials Don't Drink Wine

The study exposed five major reasons that young French adults in their 20's do not drink wine. These reasons are validated by findings from other studies:
1) Wine is Traditional/Old -- most young adults agreed that wine was part of France's culture and tradition, but said it was a drink for older people. As young adults, they prefer to drink other beverages, but will still have a glass of wine with their family over a meal 1 to 3 times per month.
2) Strong Anti-Alcohol Sentiments -- several of the interviewees referenced the strong anti-alcohol movement that has been in effect in France since 1991. The campaign has been very successful at decreasing drunk-driving, and includes commercials against drinking, as well as stiff fines, warning labels on bottles, and prohibitions on alcohol advertising via television or radio. This effort is to be lauded as very successful, and one which other countries may want to model. The impact on wine consumption though has been particularly strong -- as wine is the primary alcoholic beverage of France. Now many of the young adults say they prefer beer or cocktails to drink in a nightclub or bar. One person commented, "Beer has lower alcohol than wine, so I usually buy beer in a nightclub."
3) Don't Like the Taste of Wine -- more than half of the interviewees admitted that they didn't enjoy the taste of wine. In fact, when they did drink it, most said they preferred sweet white wines such as muscat, moelleux, or Sauternes. In the past, children in France used to be introduced to wine by their parents at the dinner table, with a small amount being added to water. In this way they became accustomed to the taste. With this new Millennial generation this practice has stopped, so many do not taste wine until older. With sweeter beverages such as sodas and juices being the primary benchmark, the often drier, tannic, and more acidic red and white wines are not desirable.
4) Good Wine is Too Expensive -- "France has a lot of cheap wine," said one interviewee. "The good wine is just too expensive -- especially in restaurants. In nightclubs and bars, you often don't see wine -- just beer and cocktails. If they do have wine, it is cheap and bad." Other French Millennials echoed this sentiment, and said that beer was cheaper to purchase than wine.
5) Wine is Confusing -- surprisingly many of the young French adults -- with the exception of those studying wine -- found the product to be confusing. "I don't know which one to pick when I go in a store," said one person. "There are so many names and regions, and I don't know what they will taste like." Another commented, "It is very frustrating buying wine in France. If I find a wine I like from a certain region, and I go to buy from that region again, it often doesn't taste the same. It would be nice to have clear brands with a more consistent taste."

On the Positive Side

There were some positive comments about wine, with the most common sentiment being that wine is good with food. Most said they never drink wine without food. A common word used to describe wine was "natural" and creating a "convivial" atmosphere with family and friends. Another encouraging aspect was that most young French adults did not view wine as a beverage to party with in order to get rowdy. They described it as a drink for relaxation with friends and family.

Next Steps

The French Millennials interviewed were asked their opinion on what the French wine industry could do to sell more wine in a responsible and safe manner to their generation. The data is still being analyzed, but a few recommendations included starting a "Buy Local Wine Campaign" to promote local producers and protect terrior driven wine; launching a national French wine brand at a premium price point that promoted all major regions; and enhancing wine education and culture in schools and universities. Recommendations on packaging were also provided, with almost all French Millennials suggesting offerings of smaller wine bottles of quality wine in restaurants, nightclubs and bars. Clearer and more colorful labels were also recommended.

In conclusion, it appears that France has done an admirable job at decreasing destructive and dangerous drinking levels. Indeed other countries can learn from their efforts. Now it may be time to move onto the next phase of educating and socializing people to responsible wine consumption. In this way, the long and proud culture of wine production in France can be sustained in the future.

About the Authors

Dr. Liz Thach is a Professor of Management and Wine Business at Sonoma State University in California, USA. She is currently on sabbatical in France and can reached at lizthach@aol.com.

Dr. Francois d'Hauteville is Professor of Marketing at Montpellier Supagro. He can be reached at hautevil@supagro.inra.fr.

Labels: France, millennials, study, survey, wine

The peaches squirt, the tomatoes drip, and don't get me started on the chew of the frisky, wild-yeasted bread. I love eating in California. Whenever I return from the Golden State to my New York City five-floor walk-up, I am laden down with the state's riches. So why is it that for the last 10 years I can't drink the wines?

Back in the late '70s, California whupped the French at wine competitions with offerings that were classily expressive and mostly low-tech. But, by the year 2000, California lost its way, something I attribute, in part, to the desperate desire for 95-plus-point ratings, that ultimate affirmation from top wine critics. Forget "Eureka," the new state motto can well be: "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing." Today's California wines are overblown, over-alcoholed, over-oaked, overpriced and over-manipulated.

When I first stopped drinking the Left Coast, it was because I was offended by the overuse of wood, boring flavors and lack of structure. The wines, many of which had plenty of edge and personality, seemed neutered to me. I soon learned that the other part of the story was that an arsenal of technology was deployed to make them that way: yeast, enzymes, tannin, oak and acid, as well as over-extracting techniques, micro-oxygenation, dialysis and reverse osmosis.

Even when winemakers shun these technologies and attempt a naturalish wine, their grapes are often picked so ripe -- all the rage since famed winemaker Helen Turley was anointed a grape goddess by famed critic Robert M. Parker Jr. back in the mid-1990s -- that all chance for complexity and interest is stripped away. There are so many strikes against the local wines -- not the least the taste and the cost -- that when I evaluate them, I think not in terms of whether I like them but whether I can tolerate them.

But take heart, Golden State, you're not alone in making what I consider to be undrinkable wine. About 90% of the rest of mondo del vino has been similarly corrupted. Mercifully, there are still a few beauties made, mostly in France, by vignerons who could care less what the critics think or even what the public thinks it likes. Instead, they make wines of authenticity. Try, for example, the cot (malbec) from the Loire's Clos Roche Blanche (under $20), which makes me conjure up violets floating through a chalk straw. Or Pierre Gonon's St. Joseph (under $40), which illustrates what syrah should taste like -- and it's not cherry vanilla.

Sure, France makes oceans of crappy stuff, but there is also an ever-expanding band of winemakers fiercely committed to working with, not against, nature. Their philosophy is spreading to Italy and slowly to the rest of Europe, while California has been slow on the uptake. And what's more, even with the beastly exchange rate, they are bargains compared with the pricey bottles from Napa or Santa Barbara counties.

This spring, I wondered if while I was otherwise occupied, California vintners had found the road to sanity. I took advantage of the flowering of spring distributor events in New York City. I went tasting and found too many wines still based on over-ripe fruit. Alcohol levels still flirted with those as high as port. Even wine from prized makers such as Heidi Barrett or the highly touted ones from Sea Smoke and Brewer-Clifton were disasters.

At one tasting, I stopped by a relative newcomer, Stewart Cellars. Michael Stewart, a Texan, told me he discarded the 2005 vintage because it tasted "too French." When asked what that meant, he replied "more earth than fruit." Then he added, "I want to make a California wine, not a French wine."

Dull, fruit-driven, alcoholic wines have become the incontrovertible wine identity of California. Or is there hope?

Two tables down, Napa winemaker Cathy Corison stood flanked by decanters and bottles. Her '03 Kronos was shockingly elegant. Her 1996 cabernet wore its gorgeous herbs unapologetically, with vibrancy. The wines weighed in at a miraculous 13.6% alcohol, compared with a more typical 14.9% and beyond. I asked her how she managed this remarkable feat, and she answered: "I don't make wine from prunes. I don't make Las Vegas showgirls."

Forever the cynic, I asked if she had perhaps reduced the alcohol with reverse osmosis. Her response was something along the line of: On a cold day in hell, I would. She has never followed the fashion; she has stayed true to her mission. There aren't many like her around.

Around the aisle from her stood a grinning Mike Dashe. I heard he recently made a wine so un-Californian he was at risk of deportation. It was made in a manner worthy of the French natural wine movement: organic, no added yeasts or trickery, no wood influence. It was a zinfandel with structure and earth and lightness. It also had a color that a famous wine critic might call "feeble."

"I can't show this to critics," Dashe said. "They'd be offended." It was delicious.

Maybe these two represent a fledgling natural wine revolution. If so, I'll certainly wave that flag. But until the overthrow is complete and more California vintners give making real wine a go, I'll always have France.

Alice Feiring is a journalist, food critic and the author of the forthcoming book, "The Battle for Wine and Love -- Or How I Saved the World from Parkerization."

Labels: alcohol, california, France, industry, new world wine, old world wine

Review by John Mariani

May 5 (Bloomberg) -- You know a wine has an image problem when it needs its own advocacy group. Which is why there is the California-based PS I Love You Inc. The PS stands for petite sirah, a grape whose principal problem is that wine lovers too often confuse it with syrah, now increasingly called shiraz.

If you ask most wine lovers what their favorite petite sirah is, I suspect you'll get either a blank stare or the name of a shiraz from Australia or a syrah from France's Rhone Valley. The few petite sirahs I recall from the 1970s were an inky purple with a surprisingly cherry-like bouquet and robust flavor. It didn't help that wine writers often used descriptions like ``easy to drink'' and ``versatile,'' which are catch phrases for second- rate picnic wines.

According to PS I Love You, the grape was first produced in France in 1880 by a Dr. Francois Durif from an old varietal called peloursin that had absorbed pollen from syrah. The new grape, named durif, had very concentrated clusters and made a deep, dark red wine. Yet it never made much headway in Europe.

In California, though, durif flourished as early as 1884 and was called petite sirah. After Prohibition, the varietal was widely planted, making up 60 percent of the total crop in Napa Valley. By the 1970s, as an unbridled preference for cabernet sauvignon developed in California, petite sirah faded. It dropped from 14,000 acres planted in 1976 to 1,738 acres in 1996.

Tannins, Alcohol

Recently I had a chance to try more than two dozen petite sirahs at a Wine Media Guild tasting in New York. I learned a lot: first, that petite sirah has come a long way from the days when styles differed from producer to producer. Most had a clearly identifiable varietal character beneath the formidable tannins and, in some cases, an alcohol content that almost put them into the fortified-wine category. (Gelfand Vineyards' 2006 SFR Paso Robles Estates ($30) is 16 percent alcohol!)

These are not ``easy drinking'' or ``versatile'' wines. They are big, serious reds, fit for grilled or roasted red meats such as venison or bison. Later in the tasting my palate got used to the tannins and began to appreciate those lush cherry-blackberry flavors that make petite sirah a real pleasure.

Prager Winery & Port Works 2004 ($38) from Calistoga would be a good introduction, and at a reasonable 14 percent alcohol a briary, rich red wine. A bit lighter in body was 2005 Big House ``The Prodigal Son'' Paso Robles ($15).

I also enjoyed Cecchetti Wine Co.'s 2006 Line 39 Lake County for its lovely nose, ripe fruit and delightful price of $15. The 2004 Ehrhardt Estates Winery Clarksburg ($26) hit that sweet spot of price versus value, with good minty, peppery, mineral notes and complexity throughout.

Jammy Style

A few bottles, like 2004 Stags' Leap Ne Cede Malis Estate (a whopping $75), were so dark you couldn't see through them. If you like a jammy style of wine, I'd recommend the 2005 Charles Cimicky ($49). It's not actually from California but from Australia's Barossa Valley, made the way the Aussies like their red wines to taste.

Given their sturdy tannins, it's difficult to say how these wines will age. Many were ready to enjoy right now. And, frankly, it's difficult to imagine most wine lovers outside the most avid petite sirah fans laying these bottles down for the next decade to find out if they'll mellow out.

So is petite sirah the new hot varietal? Not yet, but there are plenty of wineries clamoring to get on the bandwagon as it starts to roll.

``I've gotten requests from Australia and Israel to join our group,'' says Jo Diaz, co-founder and executive director of PS I Love You. ``But we're proudly a California group of winemakers who have pushed for petite sirah through thick and thin. I told them all no.''

(John Mariani writes on wine for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

To contact the writer on this story: John Mariani at john@johnmariani.com.

Last Updated: May 5, 2008 00:01 EDT

Labels: association, petit sirah, wine

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BottleWise™, maker of smart travel solutions for the culinary traveler, today announced results of a poll conducted to determine the effects of airline carry-on restrictions on wine drinkers’ buying and travel practices. The results show that a significant portion of travelers have changed their buying habits since the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began limiting the amount of liquid people can carry onto planes.

Conducted by BottleWise last month at the Washington DC International Food & Wine Expo, the poll asked attendees what impact, if any, TSA restrictions have had on their wine buying habits when flying home from wine country or other destinations. Nearly one-fourth, 24.4%, said they no longer buy bottles of wine when traveling by air; 41.2% wrap bottles in clothing or bubble wrap and place it in their checked luggage; and 18.1% ask the winery to ship the wine directly to them. Only 10.4% reported no impact because they never travel with wine.

“It seemed everyone we spoke with had a story about how difficult it has become to travel with wine or other liquid treasures,” said Amy Dias, president of BottleWise. “We found an awful lot of people wrapping bottles in socks and t-shirts, sometimes to unfortunate consequences. Others don’t want to take the chance, and go home empty-handed.”

BottleWise meets these challenges head-on with BottleWise Duo™, an airline-friendly travel solution that lets travelers safely transport wine inside their checked luggage. Made in the USA, the bag’s patent-pending design features:

• Two removable padded liquid-tight pouches
• Adjustable shoulder strap and carrying shell
• High-quality materials and craftsmanship
• The BottleWise unconditional guarantee

About BottleWise

BottleWise was founded in 2007 by James and Amy Dias in response to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) travel restrictions that make it difficult for air travelers to bring home a couple bottles of wine, olive oil or other culinary indulgence. BottleWise eliminates these issues with the BottleWise Duo, an airline-friendly bag that keeps bottles safe inside checked luggage. Visit www.BottleWise.com.

Labels: travel, wine

By Patricia M Roth

California vintners and growers have made great strides in implementing sustainable wine growing practices during the past decade, serving as a model for other wine communities and agricultural industries. To promote the success of these practices, four representatives from long-time California farming families personalized what it meant to be sustainable during an event held March 24 at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards in Windsor, California.

Bill Cooper of Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards in Saratoga, Bruce Fry of Mohr-Fry Ranches in Lodi, Michael Honig of Honig Vineyard & Winery in Rutherford and Steve Schafer of Schafer Ranch, Madera and Chumeia Vineyard shifted early on to environmentally friendly practices as a way to ensure longevity of their family's operations. This, they agreed, has improved the land, made good economic sense, enhanced wine quality and made them better neighbors.

Speaking at a "Red, White & Green" tasting and panel discussion sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and Wine Institute in honor of Earth Day, they gave 10 reasons why California wines are an eco-friendly choice (the event's theme). These ranged from subscribing to California's Sustainable Winegrowing Program and embracing alternative energy sources to adopting water conservations practices and using creatures and beneficial insects to cultivate vineyards and manage pests.

"It's been a long row that we've hoed," said Cooper, chair of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance board.

Introduced in 2002, the Sustainable Winegrowing Program is a best practices program for growers and vintners. Its Code of Sustainable Winegrowing workbook covers hundreds of sustainable vineyard and winery practices from the ground to the glass. According to the Wine Institute, more than 1,300 participants have evaluated their vineyards and wineries at over 210 workshops to date. This response represents 53 percent of California wine production and 522,000 winegrape acres.

Cooper stated that the underlying principle behind the program was "to help everybody improve" their practices. And further: "It's all about protecting where we grow our grapes." Cooper's family has been growing winegrapes and making wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains since the 1970s.

Honig agreed, stating, "If we destroy our environment, we'll have nothing left." He pointed out that "as farmers and generational businesses, you look at the long-term when making decisions--what's going to happen in five, 50 and 100 years." An early proponent of sustainable farming methods, Honig chaired the first California initiative to develop a Code of Sustainable Winegrowing practices. He is a director of the Wine Institute and serves on the boards of several organizations including the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).

Schafer, a fourth generation grape grower in Madera County, is a board member of CSWA and former president of CAWG. He said he has watched animals return to the fields since they changed farming practices. "Partly because of chemical use, they disappeared. Now through IPM and sustainability, all the game animals are coming back, the coyotes are coming back." He said "getting out of the pickup and into the field" point of view has led them to make key changes in their management philosophy. "Increased management is a primary tenant of sustainability," he explained.

Fry was born and raised on his father's farm in Lodi. A fifth generation farmer and third generation winegrape grower, he serves as vice chair of CAWG and president of the Winegrape Growers of America. Fry talked about the role of cover crops in sustainable framing plus the success of the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing program, the only program in California that is certified. The program, which started prior to the statewide effort, enables vineyards to become certified as producing sustainably grown grapes--and publicize it; look for the TTB-approved "Certified Lodi Rules" sticker on wine bottles.

Fry was proud to point out such a sticker on a bottle of St. Amant, a 2006 Old Vine Zinfandel from one of the first "Lodi Rules" certified vineyards located on the Mohr-Fry Ranch. "The consumers are looking for that so we're putting it out in the marketplace," he said. It was one of 19 sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines served at the event.

Using wine tasting to promote the breadth and depth of California's eco-friendly practices, the speakers emphasized how the Sustainable Winegrowing Program has given their peers options to help them improve their practices. "Everything that touches your practice is in that book," said Schafer, adding, "The most compelling accomplishment of the sustainability program is the dissemination of information to growers."

Karen Ross, president of CAWG, said the next "benchmark report" would be issued in 2009. It will be based on voluntary self-assessments.

And though certification is expected to occur in the future, Wine Institute Communications Manager Gladys Horiuchi pointed out that "peer to peer influence is the best way to encourage people to adopt sustainable winegrowing practices. The industry has demonstrated that it can self-govern."

Janice Fuhrman

Organisers of the first American wine competition judged solely by women have announced the first contest open only to organic or biodynamic wines.

Founders of the first annual Green Wine Competition to be held May 5 in Sonoma, California, say the competition is meant to be a roadmap for consumers looking to drink green.

'This is an exploding category,' said Lea Pierce, competition director. 'There is tremendous interest in green products. But it's hard for wine lovers to find these wines, to know what they're getting, and to know which ones are great.'

The competition has 100 entries so far, and organisers say they expect between 200 and 1,000 entries. First-year wine competitions typically garner 200-400 entries.

Producers need not be fully organic or biodynamic but can comply with a range of US sustainable certification programs such as Lodi Rules, Oregon LIVE and Certified Salmon Safe.

'We feel this will help people keep moving to full-tilt organic and biodynamic,' Pierce said.

The competition is organised by the same group as the National Women's Wine Competition, judged by women in the wine industry. Now in its second year, it had 1900 entries last year.

Pierce, a wine marketing consultant, created the women's competition based on the knowledge that women buy 60-70% of the wine sold in the US. She said results would help professional wine buyers and consumers identify wines that women enjoy.

Judges for the Green Wine Competition include Robert Parker biographer Elin McCoy, Jean-Charles Boisset of Boisset Family Wines and Peter Marks MW, wine curator at Napa's Copia wine centre.

Launch in Bordeaux of New System Assuring the Provenance of Fine Wine: Authenticity, Traceability and Knowledge of Storage Temperatures
Contact:

eProvenance
Louise Domenitz, +1-617-484-2515
louise.domenitz@eprovenance.com
or
Jana Kravitz, + 33 (0)6 72 98 91 54
jana.kravitz@eprovenance.com

Labels: transportation, wine

Famous Names Boosting Wine and Spirits Sales at the Grocery Store

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Celebrity-driven alcohol beverage products - - those branded with the name of, or directly associated with a famous individual - - are gaining popularity in the U.S. and wine is emerging as the star of the show, according to The Nielsen Company.

Gaining marketing leverage from celebrities as diverse as film director Francis Ford Coppola, former NFL coach Mike Ditka, professional golfer Greg Norman and recent releases from Martha Stewart and Paul Newman, celebrity wines are on the rise. Celebrity wines are up nearly 19 percent in grocery store sales since last year and represent 0.9 percent ($41.8 million) of total wine sales. Celebrity spirits sales show the same growth rate (19 percent) in grocery stores and represent 0.3 percent ($7.5 million) of the total spirits category. In liquor stores, celebrity spirits are growing at an even faster rate, showing a nearly 21 percent increase since last year, compared to celebrity wines’ liquor store growth rate of 8 percent.

“Celebrities are increasingly lending their names to wine and spirits, for a variety of reasons,” said Richard Hurst, senior vice president, Beverage Alcohol, The Nielsen Company. “While some celebrities have had a long-standing personal affinity for these product categories, others view these products as extensions of their established ‘lifestyle brands’ and have connected with willing supplier partners to produce and market them. Some suppliers, particularly wine suppliers, do not have the resources to launch big advertising and promotional campaigns and a celebrity can lend a brand instant recognition. Ideally, the celebrity’s reputation also helps reinforce the company’s image in the marketplace.”

Backstage: Behind the Growth Trend

Since 2000, celebrity wines have shown steady growth in dollar sales and category share.

“Several factors are fueling the growth of celebrity wines,” said Hurst. “First, existing brands are expanding and gaining new distribution through new line extensions. Second, more celebrities have launched their own brands in the past year or have had suppliers launch products under their names. As these brands have proven themselves, they’ve gained distribution in other retail outlets, which has further stimulated growth. And third, savvy marketers leverage the ‘celebrity’ benefit into expanded marketing programs via in-store vehicles, outdoor events and traditional and online media.”

Consumers Willing to Pay More

Nielsen’s research shows that while promotions, such as in-store advertising are driving incremental sales, celebrity wines do not necessarily receive much more “retail paparazzi” support. Fifty percent of celebrity wine volume is sold on promotion - - about the same as the table wine category as a whole. When it comes to pricing, however, consumers are paying an average of $8.50 per 750ml bottle of celebrity wine, versus $5.75 per bottle of table wine. Most celebrity wines are priced between $12 and $15.

Celebrity Wines Shine on the West Coast

Geographically, celebrity wine sales tend to mirror table wine sales. Some markets however, particularly those on the west coast, are more receptive to celebrity brands. Nielsen’s analysis of grocery store sales in 52 U.S. markets shows that consumers in Phoenix purchase 68 percent more celebrity wine compared to table wine, relative to their national share, with Los Angeles and San Francisco, Dallas and San Diego also showing above average sales.

Above Average U.S. Markets for Celebrity Wine Purchases vs. Table Wine Purchases
Market		Index(1)
Total U.S. Supermarkets		100
Phoenix		168
Los Angeles		128
San Francisco		122
Dallas		122
San Diego		117
Source: The Nielsen Company, U.S. Supermarkets with $2 million and over in sales.
(1)Percent category sales in market divided by percent grocery ACV sales in market, times 100.

“While a celebrity on the label is not a sure-fire recipe for success marketers appear to be honing in on the kinds of celebrity products and positioning that make brands stick,” said Hurst.

About The Nielsen Company

The Nielsen Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions in marketing information (ACNielsen), media information (Nielsen Media Research), online intelligence (NetRatings and BuzzMetrics), mobile measurement, trade shows and business publications (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek). The privately held company is active in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and New York, USA. For more information, please visit, www.nielsen.com.

Labels: competition, sales

KENWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kunde Estate has announced its “Eco-Green Tours” and expanded “Sustainable Winegrowing Hike” schedules for 2008. Added to the schedule is the May 10^th dog-friendly date, providing a rare wine country experience for dog lovers while raising funds for Canine Companions and the Sonoma County Humane Society, both non-profit organizations that provide vital services to people and animals in the region. The balance of the “Sustainable Winegrowing Hikes” will also raise funds for the Sonoma Ecology Center. Altogether, 50% of the proceeds from the May 10^th hike and the “Sustainable Winegrowing Hikes” will go to their respective charities.

Fourth Generation Winegrower Jeff Kunde personally leads the “Eco-Green Tours,” offering wine and environmental enthusiasts an insider’s exploration of the family’s commitment to environmental sustainability throughout Kunde Estate’s winegrowing, land management and winery operations.

“Advancing our sustainability programs is an ongoing process and a constant dialogue here,” said Jeff Kunde. “Our goal for the future is to incorporate native plant growth throughout the valley, and to educate the community as a whole on how sustainability works. I love getting out on the trails and sharing these messages with our visitors. I walk away inspired, and I believe they do, too.”

The Eco-Green Tours were first created in 2006 to enhance wine enthusiasts’ knowledge of sustainable winegrowing. The hikes climb from the Sonoma Valley floor up 1400’ through the vineyards and into the Mayacamas Mountains and conclude with a wine tasting and gourmet lunch. Lasting approximately four hours, Eco-Green Tours are $60.00 per person and pre-registration is required. 2008 dates are April 26, June 14, August 23, and October 18. The May 10^th dog-friendly walk is $20 per person and dog pair (walk only). Sonoma Valley docent Bill Myers will start his monthly Sustainable Winegrowing Hikes early this year, with dates scheduled for March 8, April 12, June 21, August 16, September 13, November 15 and December 20. These hikes are $15 and guests are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. For more information or to sign–up for a tour, visit www.Kunde.com.

The Kunde family is committed to the creation of 100% estate grown wines that are unique to their land in the Sonoma Valley, and farmed with an ethical and sustainable pedigree. In December 2005, Kunde Estate achieved Second Level Green Business Certification from the San Francisco Bay Area Green Business Program — one of only 12 Sonoma County wineries out of more than 225 to be awarded this certification.

To learn more about Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards, visit www.kunde.com.

Labels: charity, hiking, Kunde, marketing

By Caleb Cluff

Tuesday, 04/03/2008

While wine grape prices are expected to increase and total sales of Australian wine are predicted to grow, future drought conditions and a lack of available water will be the major challenge facing the industry in the period to 2013. Managing and supplying water security will not only be the job of producers but also governments, and removing restrictions on water trade may provide benefits, according to ABARE

Wine grape production should begin to recover by about 15 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes in 2007-08, short of the 1.9 million tonnes of 04-05. Red wine grapes should dominate over white as cool climate regions experience a return to favourable conditions, and wine stocks should return to 2005-06 levels by 2010-11.

Exports of Australian wine should achieve a record value of $3.12 billion in 2007-08, but volumes of exports will be reduced to 784 million litres because of a lack of domestic supply. The UK will remain the top market for Australian wines, with the US second at 27 per cent of volume and 32 per cent of total value. Higher prices will be subject to changes in market dynamics within Australia, subject to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission rulings on growers forming negotiating groups.

Australian wine exports are likely to face competition from 'new world' producers such as Chile, and an increased area of planting in China may lead to growth in that country's production in the future.

Labels: Australia, competition, drought, international, water

By Henry Samuel at Château Bel Air, Perponcher, near Bordeaux

The winemakers of Bordeaux are making radical changes to their centuries-old traditions to ensure that they survive the growing threat posed by global warming.

Defying doomsday predictions that climate change spells the end for the great châteaux, their owners are introducing grapes capable of withstanding higher temperatures and mastering the genetic structure of different varieties to see if they can be adapted to cope with hot, dry conditions.

They have also launched a scheme to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions.

Grape harvests in Bordeaux have come increasingly early this decade as the planet has warmed.

Richard Smart, an Australian viticulture specialist, told a recent summit that wine-growing areas such as Bordeaux will become too hot to be viable, leading to cooler climes being planted.

At the 17th century Château Bel Air in Perponcher in the Entre-deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, his catastrophic predictions seem hard to believe. Immaculate rows of sauvignon blanc and muscadelle grapes bask in the warm February sun.

No one in the Despagne family, which owns another four châteaux and 300 hectares of vineyards, disagrees that global warming is a reality. Pointing to a steep, south-facing slope, Thibault Despagne, 34, who runs the vineyard with his brother and sister, said: "Here, we used to plant white wine grapes. But the strength of the sun means they would mature too quickly, which is not good for creating complex aromas."

Instead, Mr Despagne planted cabernet sauvignon, a red grape variety that thrives in hot, dry conditions.

The Despagnes have been at the forefront of efforts to boost the grape's natural defence mechanisms, by mapping out the vines and nurturing each one according to its individual needs.

They have also begun trying to reduce their emissions by planting 15 hectares of sunflowers and using the oil as biofuel for their tractors.

They persuaded British Airways, a major customer, to carry green recycled bottles rather than transparent glass on planes. The hotter temperatures of the past decade have actually contributed to a golden age in Bordeaux vintages.

But the trouble will start if temperatures keep rising, according to Bernard Seguin, the head of climate studies at France's INRA agricultural research institute.

"If the temperature rises two or three degrees [centigrade], we could manage to see Bordeaux remain as Bordeaux, Rioja as Rioja and Burgundy as Burgundy," he said.

"But if it goes up five or six degrees, we must face up to huge problems, and the changes will be hard."

The Bordeaux Wine Board is now spending almost £1 million a year in research to help the region adapt. Shading vines with a denser leaf canopy is important, as is battling invasions from new insect species. But more radical protection could come from mastering the grape's genetics.

"Last year, the pinot noir gene sequence was cracked. That means in the future, we could include genes that reduce the need for water or increase its ability to withstand heat," said Murielle Barthe, the board's technical director.

"Bordeaux has been making wine for 2,000 years because it has adapted to change. I'm confident it can continue to do so."

Publishers wishing to reproduce photographs on this page should phone 44 (0) 207 931 2921 or email syndication@telegraph.co.uk

Labels: climate change, France, grape plantings

Feb 25, 2008 10:21 AM, By Harry Cline
Farm Press Editorial Staff

Christopher Columbus introduced Spain’s old world wine to the new world in the 15th century.

Spain is planning a second wine discovery tour in the 21st century, retooling grape growing and winemaking traditions that date back 3,000 years to create new world wines for the largest wine market on the globe, the new world Columbus discovered in 1492.

Spain is not the only country coveting a piece of the upstart new world wine market.

Every wine producing country in the world wants a chunk of the U.S. wine market, now the largest in the world with sales of $30 billion annually. The dollars are attractive, but what really whets the palate of European, South American and South African wine grape growers and vintners is that Americans consume just 2.5 gallons of wine per year. For Europeans it is 10 to almost 20 gallons per year. If Americans even approached European wine consumption levels, oil super tankers would have to be diverted from the Middle East to haul wine to the U.S. instead of oil.

Wine imports started with Columbus and never stopped. The new world’s premier wine growing region, California, has always had to compete with primarily European imports almost from the day Columbus showed up.

However, since the early 1970s, import sales have been steadily climbing. Sales skyrocketed after the famous 1991 French Paradox 20/20 broadcast when Americans learned wine was good for their health. Wine shipments have climbed by 142 million cases since that broadcast, an increase of 83 percent in just 16 years.

Last year almost 100 million cases of wine were imported into the U.S. representing about 30 percent of the total U.S. wine market.

Just as Columbus discovered the world was not flat, California wine grape growers and wineries are discovering wine is now a global commodity.

It has been a painful lesson of late with the importing of very cheap surplus bulk wine, primarily from Australia, Argentina and Chile by California wineries, for blending with California wine. It is marketed to unsuspecting consumers under an American Appellation — same wine label on the box or bottle. However, the fine print now says America where it once said California because by law wineries can blend 25 percent foreign wine with U.S. wine and call it American wine.

It is a legal loophole that has California wine grape growers worried, as they come out of one of the deepest economic downturns in decades.

Prices are strengthening for 2008 grapes with vines still in dormancy. It has been a long time since wineries were talking price before bud break. Last year when growers were anticipating stronger prices at harvest time, many wineries refused to pay improved price and instead imported cheap bulk wine. Growers are fearful vintners will go looking in the global market for the cheapest product available rather than pay higher prices for California wine grapes.

And it has not been all cheap bulk imports. Bottled wine from around the world is heavily promoted and marketed in the U.S.

Therefore, at the annual Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, the breakdown of the world’s bulk wine supply and prices was of major interest to grape growers who are struggling to come out of a deep economic depression that could be derailed by continued growth of bulk and bottled imports.

Growers have come to realize major California wineries will buy cheaper bulk wine in the world market rather than pay California grape prices they consider too high.

Glenn Proctor, partner in Ciatti Company, one of the world’s leading bulk wine brokers, provided his company’s overview of the current bulk supply situation at Unified, starting here at home where California bulk wine supplies are short of demand or balanced with demand, said Proctor. This should foster the higher wine grape prices for growers’ 2008 crop.

In the California bulk market, Proctor said the Central Valley market is “showing signs of recovery” with Chardonnay supplies balanced to short. The recovery has come on the backs of at least 125,000 acres of vines that have been plowed out since 1998 by growers to plant other crops due to low returns for grapes.

The Chardonnay bulk supply on the Central Coast is the same short position as in the valley. Pinot Noir continues to be in short supply. Buyers are returning to the coast but the volume is in older/inferior wine lots, said Proctor.

For Napa/Sonoma, the 2006-2007 wine inventories are quickly tightening with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir supplies short to balanced. The only varietal in oversupply is Merlot and that is a statewide situation as well.

Australia was a major source for the American appellation wines over the past couple of years, but production there has dropped dramatically from 2.1 million tons in 2006 to 1.6 million tons last year and a projected crop of just 900,000 tons in 2008. All this was due to frost and drought. This has strengthened Australian grape prices, and those seeking cheap bulk are now looking toward Chile and Argentina.

Proctor said Argentina had a record 3.3-million-ton crop in 2007 and is expected to top that in 2008 with 3.5 million tons, about the same size as the U.S. wine grape crush.

Demand is high for Argentine wine. China, Australia, Russia and North America are the big buyers. The South American country is now considered the international value supplier.

Argentina is also after the U.S. concentrate business, exporting a record 40 million gallons last year, up 48 percent in two years. Sixty percent of that was to the U.S. in direct competition with U.S. concentrate producers.

The situation is similar in Chile where the harvest was 1.3 million tons last year, only slightly smaller than the record crop of 2006. The 2008 crop is predicted to set another record. Inventories of Chilean bulk wine are low as demand increases due to the lack of surplus wine from Australia, said Proctor.

South Africa’s 2008 crop is up 4 percent from 2007 to 1.5 million tons. Quality is good and that is creating good movement in both the bulk and bottled export market.

Wine consumption in Europe has dropped dramatically since the 1970s. The French government has grown weary of buying surplus wine, and the government there is now subsidizing vine removals.

However, the demand for French Pinot Noir and Italian Pinot Grigio in the U.S. market and elsewhere is easing the downturn in French consumption.

Crop sizes have fallen significantly in France, Italy, Spain and Germany with lowering consumption levels, and that has strengthened bulk prices there.

Old world style wines have lost favor internationally, said Proctor. The European governments are subsidizing efforts to increase quality to market wines internationally. Winemaking laws also are being liberalized to compete with New World wines.

A country all too familiar to producers of other U.S. commodities is now appearing on the wine radar screen. It’s China, which now produces about 4 percent of the world’s wine from an estimated 1 million acres of vineyards.

Proctor calls China “the country to watch.”

Like many have found with other commodities, it is difficult to get a firm handle on what is planted and produced in China. However, Proctor believes China has the potential to plant as many as 1.5 million acres of vines.

“It will not all be wine. There are obviously table grapes in the picture,” he said.

Proctor called China now a “major player” in the world wine market as a buyer. He expects China to become a major exporter of wine just like it has become with garlic, apples and other agricultural products.

“We all know China can be the low cost producer of just about anything,” he said, adding that it will take some time for China to gain that reputation for wine grape production because it is still a highly fragmented industry with growers typically farming only two or three acres of grapes.

Australian and European winemakers and viticulturists are in China working with the industry to improve it.

“I think it will be five years or more before China becomes a major world wine seller,” Proctor predicted. He added Ciatti has already sent some of its people into China to assess the market.

One of the things many expected to slow down or curtail wine imports into the U.S. is the weak U.S. dollar value. However, Proctor and others say it has not. Imports continue to take a bigger share of the U.S. market, even with the weak dollar making imports more costly.

His advice to California wine grape growers: “Don’t get complacent; focus on competing in the global market.”

He also heralded the cry of many others when he advocated expanding California wine exporting opportunities and building consumer demand for California wines.

“Focus on quality and value,” he suggested.

And he added his final caveat for the current outlook for the world wine market could turn the other way with a big 2008 crop in California or elsewhere in the world.

email: hcline@farmpress.com

Labels: bulk wine, imports, new world wine, old world wine, wine, wine pricing