Every Wednesday I post my recommendations of the best of last week’s postings concerning wine, whether blogs or news. I list them in the order I read them, so you shouldn’t infer anything about the order in which I list these posts.

Pale-Necks, Rednecks and Wine Quality

Tom Wark’s Fermentation

http://fermentation.typepad.com/fermentation/2010/09/pale-necks-rednecks-and-wine-quality.html

An interesting discussion of what criteria makes for an objectively good wine, and the recognition that those very criteria are inherently subjective.

One-two punch for grape harvest

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100828/ARTICLES/100829453?tc=ar

The combination of a bad economy and trying growing season is leaving Sonoma grape growers in the lurch. Not all grapes will be sold, and the prices for the grapes have plummeted.

Why Do Heavy Drinkers Outlive Nondrinkers?

JOHN CLOUD

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2014332,00.html

Surprising study showing that even heavy drinkers outlive abstainers, though moderate drinkers live the longest.

For keeping up to date with what’s going on the in wine world, the best all around source is http://winebusiness.com.

by Jeff Miller of Artisan Family of Wines (Seven Artisans, Sly Dog Cellars, Red Côte)

Every Wednesday I post my recommendations of the best of last week’s postings concerning wine, whether blogs or news. I list them in the order I read them, so you shouldn’t infer anything about the order in which I list these posts.

One daily glass of wine ‘can double risk of breast cancer’

SOPHIE BORLAND

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1305576/One-glass-wine-day-double-risk-cancer.html

Even moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of one type of breast cancer in this study.

Wine, alcohol, and tax – in Wine & Spirits magazine

Dr. Vino

http://www.drvino.com/2010/08/24/wine-alcohol-tax-wine-spirits-magazine/#more-7473

An interesting summary of findings concerning the accuracy of the stated alcohol content on wine labels.

Structure, or lack thereof: California’s bogeyman

Steve Heimoff

http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2010/08/24/structure-or-lack-thereof-californias-bogeyman/

I’m in total agreement with Heimoff’s view that California wines need more structure (i.e., tannin).

Is The Recession Ending In the Wine Industry?

Wark’s Fermentation

http://fermentation.typepad.com/fermentation/2010/08/is-the-recession-ending-in-the-wine-industry.html

Wark’s view that things are getting better in the wine industry, based largely on increased job listings. Not sure if he’s right, but we can all hope.

For keeping up to date with what’s going on the in wine world, the best all around source is http://winebusiness.com.

Every Wednesday I post my recommendations of the best of last week’s postings concerning wine, whether blogs or news. I list them in the order I read them, so you shouldn’t infer anything about the order in which I list these posts.

“Killer” California Chardonnays

Bob Ecker

Here’s Bob Ecker’s Killer Chardonnay article, that I referred to recently in my article on Chardonnays at http://artisanfamilyofwines.com/blog/?p=1267 . Most of the recommended wines are balanced with good acidity, the antithesis of the traditional buttery, overoaked version of this grape.

When wine goes bad: a critic’s take on low scores

Steve Heimoff

http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2010/08/17/when-wine-goes-bad-a-critics-take-on-low-scores/

Heimoff’s discussion of the plethora of lower quality wines he’s been reviewing lately.

Ravenscroft Glasses, are they players?

Wine Blog

http://www.wine-blog.org/index.php/2010/08/17/11810/

This post highlights the importance of the glass in tasting wine.

Pairing whites with the thermometer – summer edition

Dr. Vino

http://www.drvino.com/2010/08/19/drinking-white-wines-temperature-summer/

We commonly think of wine pairings with food. This post focuses on the importance of pairing with the weather, an obvious but largely ignored subject.

A Tasting Primer: Easy Tips to Learn About & Enjoy Wine

Michael Tennant

http://palatepress.com/2010/08/a-tasting-primer-easy-tips-to-learn-about-enjoy-wine/

An excellent primer on wine tasting.

Cool summer means more precautions and a little prayer for wine grape growers

Jessica Yadegaran

http://www.mercurynews.com/food-wine/ci_15830922?nclick_check=1

Opinions are all over the place concerning how our cool growing season will affect the ultimate harvest.

Napa Dramatically Reduces Grapevine Pest

Jane Firstenfeld

http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=77583&htitle=Napa%20Dramatically%20Reduces%20Grapevine%20Pest

A summary of where we stand in the battle against the European Grapevine Moth. Much progress, but still a long ways to go.

For keeping up to date with what’s going on the in wine world, the best all around source is http://winebusiness.com.

Every Wednesday I post my recommendations of the best of last week’s postings concerning wine, whether blogs or news. I list them in the order I read them, so you shouldn’t infer anything about the order in which I list these posts.

Grape growers cool with mercury-shy summer

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_b772c54a-a5cb-11df-b425-001cc4c03286.html

The reactions of various grape growers to the cool growing season. Not exactly panic yet, but concern and uncertainty about what the balance of the season will bring.

STEINER: “PEOPLE WITH CANCER SHOULD BE FORBIDDEN TO EAT TOMATOES”

Biodynamics is a Hoax

http://biodynamicshoax.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/steiner-people-with-cancer-should-be-forbidden-to-eat-tomatoes/

This post is most interesting for its nutty quotes from Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Biodynamics.

For keeping up to date with what’s going on the in wine world, the best all around source is http://winebusiness.com.

Every Wednesday I post my recommendations of the best of last week’s postings concerning wine, whether blogs or news. I list them in the order I read them, so you shouldn’t infer anything about the order in which I list these posts.

Eighth Annual Petite Sirah Noble Symposium

Ken Payton

http://palatepress.com/2010/08/eighth-annual-petite-sirah-noble-symposium-wine/

Palate Press’s report on the Petite Sirah symposium, which highlights the explosive growth of this almost mainstream varietal.

American drinking at 25-year high: Gallup

Steve Heimoff

http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2010/08/03/american-drinking-at-25-year-high-gallup/

Heimoff’s report and comment on the recent Gallup poll showing Americans are drinking more wine, particularly the younger segments of the population.

Plastic corks are going to be the death of me

Wine Blog

http://www.wine-blog.org/index.php/2010/08/05/plastic-corks-are-going-to-be-the-death-of-me/

I wrote about the benefits and detriments of various closures, including plastic closures, at http://artisanfamilyofwines.com/blog/?p=1176 . Jo Diaz adds another detriment of plastic, namely, the difficulty of removing the cork from the corkscrew.

For keeping up to date with what’s going on the in wine world, the best all around source is http://winebusiness.com.