Wine News: What I’m Reading the Week of 3/17/19


Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren’t Flipboard inclined, here’s everything I’ve strained out of the wine-related muck for the week.

Sommeliers Map the Wine World
Interview with Jordan and Raj.

This Winemaker Blew Off Retirement to Create 3 Secret California Wine Projects. Get a First Look Here.
Sarah Schneider looks at the end of the road for Donald Patz

2016 – Year of the Vino Nobile
Tough vintage means lots of declassification.

To Save Wine in the Future, Scientists Are Simulating Climate Change Now
Good idea.

China expert Jim Boyce looks at some Chinese wines available in the wider world.
Jim knows of what he writes.

Grapes don’t come much prettier than Japan’s pink native, but the wines have been underwhelming – until now.
Getting better!

The world’s oldest planting of Cinsault is in … Lodi
And it is beautiful.

The uniquely ethereal Cinsaults of Lodi’s Bechthold Vineyard
Esther Mobley does a new one: tasting notes.

I Can’t Believe I’m Saying This, But I Use a Wine App and It’s Great
Delectable gets a plug.

Top Israeli Wine Misconceptions Debunked
Not all of them are kosher.

The Surprising Resurgence of American Wine
From other states, that is.

The Right Red Wine Temperature Is Cooler Than You Think
Yes it is.

Where Can You Buy Older Premium Wines? The Winery that Put Napa on the Map
Chateau Montelena has a deep library.

Turning the Tables on Virginie Boone
Another sports writer turned to wine.

How sustainable is your wine?
Rupert Joy investigates.

Like the label? You’ll probably like the wine, says UBC researcher
Why buying by the label works (spoiler: psychology).

A Test Of Greatness: 2009 Bordeaux Ten Years On
Neal Martin looks back a decade.

The current status of Prohibition in the USA
David Morrison, as usual, gets detailed.

Diamond Creek ’78 and Riesling’s ‘Benjamin Button Act’: Secrets of Aging
Secrets and guesswork.

Is There Really a Benefit to Crop Thinning?
The article doesn’t really answer the question.

Invasion of the Vineyard Robots
Bring ’em on. There’s plenty for the workers to do besides.

Aglianico in Its Own Right
I like it, but don’t love it. Never met one that blew me away.

Could ‘New’ Italian Grape Help Franciacorta Fight Global Warming?
Yes, but what does it taste like?

The Effects of Mandatory Wine Label Nutritional and Ingredient Information on Purchase Behavior
An actual study. Totally fascinating.

What are US importers looking for?
Unicorns, like everyone else.

British Columbia’s wine industry unveils a 10-year strategic plan
Bigger, better, more well known.

Scores aren’t everything – or are they?
Felicity Carter interviews Lisa Perotti-Brown

Vintners behaving badly: Huneeus charged in college admissions bribery case
A prominent Napa vintner makes some serious mistakes.

Global Rosé Market Q&A
An excellent primer.

Sensory tests suggest ‘liking’ wines made with native grapes a learned response
If you didn’t grow up with Labrusca, you don’t like it.

Harlan, Stag’s Leap and Moose Stroganoff: An OTBN with So Many Surprises
Dottie and John do OTBN in Napa.

Bordeaux 2018 yields – a devilish year
Gavin Quinny reports.

Grignolino and its Indomitable Illuminance on Individuality
The “I”s have it.

Six New World Female Winemakers You Should Know
Lauren Mowery creates a great rogues gallery.

Can This Millionaire Wine Mogul Turn a San Francisco Island Into a Hipster Napa Alternative?
All it takes is $$ and Phinney’s got lots.

Gamay vs. Valdiguié: The Smackdown
Katherine Cole does battle royale.

A Counterfeit Expert’s Solution for Eliminating Fake Wines
It’s called the blockchain.

The Marlborough man: an interview with Michael Seresin
Guy Woodward interviews the cinematographer.

This One Thing Makes Buying Wine WAY Less Overwhelming
Sound advice.

Bittersweet dreams
Vermouth is back in fashion.

The Bastard Children of Wine Are Ready for Your Glass
And she’s not talking about Bastardo.

Interview: Daniel Johnnes
The sommelier’s favorite mentor.

Dunne on Wine: Randy Caparoso gets to the root of what distinguishes Lodi
Mike Dunne interviews the region’s champion.

The root of all Shiraz
The oldest vines in Australia. 

You have to work to find them, but Swiss wines are well worth the chase
Jason Wilson says the hills are alive.

La Tablée New York
A rhone celebration comes to NY.

Why Your Red Wine Tastes Green
It’s your pie……rah…..zeeeeeen! (jazz hands).

Interview: Jancis Robinson
Adam Lechmere interviews.

Napa Valley Premiere and the 2017 vintage
Elaine Brown tastes Premiere

Corporate Raid or Love Story? This Treasured Sonoma Winery Just Sold to a Champagne House
Sara Schneider on Merry Edwards.

TTB Slated Over Wine Labeling
Now that’s an obscure verb.

How to Talk About the Way Wine Tastes Without Sounding Like a Jerk
Tasting notes 101.

The Maddening Business of Marketing to Millennials
Wineries have problems marketing, period.