This Week's Wine News

Here's what's happening this week in the world of wine -- with a California focus. There's a lot going on!

Late January in Alexander Valley (photos)

Alexander Valley is in NE Sonoma County

The Alexander Valley in Sonoma County is well known for Cabernet Sauvignon though you'll find everything from Chardonnay to Zinfandel. There are over 40 wineries that call Alexander Valley home. Some of the better known ones are Alexander Valley Vineyards, Clos du Bois, Francis Ford Coppola, Hanna, Jordan, Rodney Strong, Seghesio, Simi, and White Oak.

Santa Rosa, CA. An Underrated Destination

More local accolades! Pretty soon everybody's gonna want to move to Sonoma County. Or at least spend some time visiting (we hope). Condé Nast Traveler recently published a list of "Eight Dark Horse Destinations." Along with places like Ghent, Belgium and Victoria, British Columbia is Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California.

What Does Climate Change Mean to the Wine Consumer?

 Maybe you've heard the concerns about some areas getting too hot to continue to grow grapes by the end of the century. The vast majority of wine drinkers are removed from the actual production of wine and just want to drink it. So what's climate change actually mean to you as a consumer?

 This is a follow-up to an earlier post on climate change and wine.

2015 Wine Prices Forecast

Yes, the economy is picking up, gas prices are down, unemployment is down. What about wine prices? Well, you  knew it wouldn't be all good news.

Wine: The Canary in the Coal Mine for Climate Change

 Discussions of the effects of a warming planet are in the news. Rising sea levels, less salinity in the ocean waters because of melting glaciers, stormy weather, hotter summers, etc. Like all farmers the wine grape growers are worried. Maybe you've heard the concerns about some areas getting too hot to continue to grow grapes by the end of the century. Though hardly as important as your home town being below sea level or having an adequate food supply what happens to wine might foretell the future of agriculture.
 

Why do Millennials go to wine bars?

Wine bars seem to be very popular especially with the Millennials. This is the group of mostly 20-somethings we're supposed to trust with defining American culture and buying habits. Probably the biggest reason they like wine bars is because they are safe compared to beer bars and the local watering hole. For some reason patrons of wine bars are clean cut, at least middle-class, and usually unarmed.

January in northern Dry Creek Valley (photos)

Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
January 14, 2015

Click on photos to enlarge

Is Beer Healthier than Wine?

Red wine is supposed to be heart healthy. A number of experts have said a couple drinks a day is actually better than none at all. The right amount seems to be one-two drinks for women and two-three for men. No, I don't know why women got short-changed here--not sure if it's weight or metabolism or sexism (j/k on that last one). 

Wacky Wine Holders

A search of the Internet finds a few useless, but fun, contraptions for wine bottle storage. Gotta love the creativity.

Best Wineries in America

Everyone likes to publish lists for "the best of" or sometimes "the worst of." Often the ones found on the Internet seem to be just excuses to get you to scroll through pages and pages of their advertisers. Also, how do you define "best?" Awhile ago Forbes published a list of "Best Places to Retire" that included Fargo, ND and Pittsburgh, PA. Huh?

"The 101 Best Wineries in America" from a website called The Daily Meal caught my eye. They claim their best of list is based on quality, consistency, and value. Sounds perfect! Of course, it's also based on opinion. Plus the sampling size is huge--there are over 8,000 wineries to choose from. Not quite as easy as picking the ten best cars, for example.

You Don't Drink Because it's Healthier?

Think again.

A recent study suggests moderate drinking later if life will help you live longer compared to those who don't imbibe. In fact, even heavy drinkers live longer, on average, than those who don't drink at all.

Sonoma County Loses a Wine Pioneer

John Pedroncelli passed away at 89 years old. The Dry Creek Valley property that was to become Pedroncelli Winery was purchased by his family during Prohibition. The land had been planted to Zinfandel at the turn of the 20th century. John took over winemaking after WWII.

Mother Clone Zinfandel

Article on John's passing from the Press Democrat

Timeline of Pedroncelli Winery from their website

Pick up a bottle of their Mother Clone Zinfandel. You'll have a bit of Sonoma County history in your glass.

Dry Creek Valley in January (photos)

Photos on January 2, 2015 in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Click on a photo to enlarge

Some Wines You Might Want to Try in 2015

Forget the New Year's resolutions to lose weight, find a better job, or get your snotty teenager to like you again ....

Let's have some goals you can really get behind. Here are some wines you may not be too familiar with that may surprise you if you give them a chance.