Wine News

Wine output in Italy fell to the lowest levels in more than 60 years this year, hit by an extremely hot and dry September.  Nonetheless, the new vintage quality is promising, confirmed by several of the Piedmont and Tuscany vintners we visited recently.

Wine output in Tuscany, famous for its Chianti red, Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano, fell 15 percent from 2010, the report said. The region of Piedmont, known for its full-body red Barolo, has seen a 10 percent fall in output this year. Output in Sicily, one of Italy’s biggest wine producing regions, plunged 25 percent, hit by vine-digging. Output in Veneto, Italy’s largest wine making region, fell 5 percent.

While 2010 was hyped to rival the “vintage of the century” 2009, after a superb 2005, 2000 and 2003 just one step removed, merchants are drawing a sign of relief that the futures campaign was not as weak as earlier feared.

At the same time, many are frustrated that pricing of so many coveted wines was not released until later than usual as well as the prices themselves in a rather fragile economy.  While many loyal futures customers have been reported to desert the 2010 “in droves,” it was still the second most successful campaign in history behind the 2009, with the 2005, third.

The Australia drinks industry-funded watchdog, DrinkWise, has issued a series of labels that encourage consumers to learn more about the risks of alcohol consumption.  Australia has one of the highest rate of alcohol abuse in the world.  Some labels will carry the messages such as “kids and alcohol don’t mix, is your drinking harming yourself or others and is it safe to drink while pregnant?” 

While the label warnings are not mandated, DrinkWise, which represents 80% of the Australia’s drink brands such as Diageo, Bacardi, Absolut, Johnnie Walker and Jack Daniels, amongst others, has published a list of member companies that have signed up for the initiative.

Many white Burgundy vintages from the 1990’s are alleged to be suffering from oxidation, a process that robs wine of its freshness, often leaving a dull wine.  No obvious cause has been discovered to date, although bleach and hydrogen dioxide treatment of corks, is one of theories put forth. 

Another theory questions the lowered sulfur levels used during the 1990’s.  Interestingly enough, sulfur levels are more reduced today.  It has been reported that prominent white Burgundy collectors have been offering testimony of the effects of oxidation of these wines.  While producers are doing everything possible to stem the problem, there is still no assurance that it’s resolved.

A new system for evaluating wines, based upon its “healthy” properties, has been launched by a Santa Rosa, California company.

Vinoptic analyzes and scores wine based upon its content of anti-oxidants such as polyphenols as well as negative elements such as sulfites, alcohol content and sugar.  While scientific studies, both in the lab and in animals, have suggested that polyphenols can slow or protect against various disease states, such conclusions have been elusive to prove in humans.  It’s hoped that the new rating scale, when integrated with the Vinoptic tasting score, will assist consumers in making more informed wine choices.

A recent study has concluded that French wine consumption has decreased by 3 billions bottles to 4 billion or the equivalent of one bottle per person per week over the last two generations.  Just 16.5 per cent of the French population are now regular wine drinkers.

While the over 65 population most associate wine consumption with French heritage, middle aged groups are much more occasional consumers with the under 30 group demonstrating still less interest.

As expected, the 2011 has begun and unusually early, due to less than normal rainfall since January and above normal temperatures during the spring and summer.  In fact, temperatures are set to exceed 35°C this week, advancing ripening further still and potentially increasing the alcohol level. Sweet wine specialist Yquem told decanter.com it had picked the Sauvignon Blanc for its dry white 'Y' while de Sours is harvesting Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for its sparkling rosé.

Martin Krajewski, owner of Chateau de Sours says that this is the earliest they have harvested in the last eight years, this year’s harvest running at least 18 days ahead of “normal.”  They expect to have completed the reds by mid September.

The 2008 vintage of Henschke Hill of Grance , arguably Australia’s finest single-vineyard wine, priced $500, will be sealed with a new closure system called Vino-Lok when it’s released next year.

Vino-Lok, known as Vino-Seal in the US, is a glass stopper that has an inner elastic ring that forms a seal with the bottle. The glass device opens with a “click.”  After five years of testing and evaluating bottle age, Henschke has decided to install the first Vino-Lok bottling line in Australia at his winery.  He will convert half of the 2008 production of Hill of Grace to Vino-Lok.

Pioneer, Michele Chapoutier, is actively searching for vineyard land in, of all places, England.  While he has kept mum about specific locations, he feels that there is potential.  The potential of the Swiss variety, Chasselas, intrigues the veteran Rhone producer, a grape which he believes is well suited to the English terroir.

The Rhone veteran is convinced that English wine has a future and he is actively looking for land – but not in the more orthodox vineyard areas of Kent or Sussex where the majority of English wine is made.