Wine Business

Today's Top Story for Friday, November 20, 2009

An old wine industry adage says that during good times, people drink. During bad times, they drink more. Whoever came up with this saying didn't come from Napa Valley.

Today's Featured News

Prices plummet in UK Champagne price war
As the Champagne price war hots up, Tesco has asked suppliers to find it 300,000 bottles it can sell for £10 each, and Bollinger can be had for a song.

Zin group establishes $500,000 scholarship endowment for SSU wine program
Rough & Ready-based Zinfandel Advocates & Producers in Nevada County has established a $500,000 scholarship endowment for the Sonoma State University Wine Business Institute's MBA program to honor the zinfandel organization founder Donn Reisen.

Bidding High in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has become an auction hub that rivals London and New York. Five major houses now hold regular sales, and they're pulling in record prices for the hottest labels.

U.K. Study: DialAFlight Survey Shows High Levels of Drinking on Flights
A recent survey conducted by DialAFLight suggests that frequent travellers are heavily reliant on alcohol to get them through flights. The research shows that 53% of people have drunk more than two units while waiting to board a plane, whilst a third have been drunk on a plane.

Does Ag Diversity Hinder Monterey Wine?
Three-dozen media representatives from across the continent received an intensive education about the grapes, wines and produce grown in vast and varied Monterey County during the 13th annual Great Wine Escape hosted by the nonprofit Monterey County Vintner and Growers Association (montereywines.org).

Today's Featured Blogs

Artisan Family of Wines

What's Wrong with Chardonnay? Nothing Nov 20 I read with interest Steve Heimoff’s recent blog post: “The problem(s) with Chardonnay” ...I have two reactions to Steve Heimoff’s article: 1. I agree with everything he has to say. 2. I disagree with everything he has to say.

Palate Press

Trust is the New Black: Your Local Retailer as Wine Confidante Nov 20 By now, the effect of “expert” opinion on runaway consumer spending has washed away in the flood waters of billion dollar Ponzi schemes and predatory lending.

The Cellarist

One Barrel: What's wrong with "natural wine" Nov 20 Which commment from which defender of modern winemaking advances did it? Somewhere in the past couple weeks I had to accept: Natural wine is toast.

More News for Today, Nov 20, 2009

Winemaker Releases Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd Varietals

NYCWine.com offers free listings on Wine-Searcher.com to NYC wine stores

French wine industry sets up €2m lobby to stop 'vilification' of wine

French wine TV on the cards

UK: A further 1,908 jobs are going at Threshers owner

Getty Heir, S.F. Mayor Test Waterless Urinals at Napa Winery

Luxury Stores Trim Inventory and Discounts

Housing Recovery in U.S. Set Back to 2010 as Market Wanes

Julie Prince reflects on three decades at Robert Mondavi Winery

South Australian winegrape crush report released

Prince Charles Falls for Niagara