Monthly Archives: July 2007

More for the Great Closure Debate

Posted on July 28, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

It seems like every time you turn around someone else is adding more to the Great Closure Debate. Most of the information is not very helpful, but once in a while, I read something that is informative and interesting. Today … Continue reading →

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Water Reduction in Sonoma, Screwcaps Bad for the Enviornment and French Non-Quality Wine Yields Increase

Posted on July 27, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

15% reduction in water in Sonoma County. According to the article, Agriculture accounts for 30 percent of the water taken from the Russian River, but the largest component, vineyards, have remained constant at 60,000 acres since 2004. Vines use the … Continue reading →

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EU wine reform

Posted on July 21, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

It’s been a quiet news week. The only real news of interest, EU wine reform wants to help regain lost market share. Discussions involve ending distillation and enrichment, with higher grants for chaptalisation. Increased money for more promotion and making … Continue reading →

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The New France, a review

Posted on July 19, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

Even before I started in the wine industry, I would pick up various wine books of interest. Since I’m not currently studying for an exam, I am using this opportunity to read these interesting books. I’ve owned Andrew Jefford’s The … Continue reading →

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Searching for news

Posted on July 19, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

In an effort to increase news from rest of the wine world I’m trying to hunt down good wine news sources. If you have any favorite sites, please share!

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2007 French Vintage Disaster?

Posted on July 14, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

After posting this weeks news roundup, I got several very distressing news alerts that deserve special attention. Bordeaux loses 90% of crop due to rain and rot. They have had a lot of rain in May, June and July. Additional … Continue reading →

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More French Name Changes, Some Now Illegal, Early German Blossoming, Rose Rising, Wine Saves the Day

Posted on July 13, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

Starting with the 2007 vintage, Bordeaux will have 3 less appellations. Most of the Côtes will become one. Premieres Côtes de Blaye, Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Franc and Côtes de Castillon, will be Côtes de Bordeaux. These are … Continue reading →

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Wine Names for Cats

Posted on July 12, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

We own two very cute Siamese cats. Oddly enough (and this was not planned) they came from a breeder whose cattery is called Evinea Cattery. For each litter, each kitten is given a wine name based off of a letter … Continue reading →

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EU Bans White Zin

Posted on July 9, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

No, really, it’s true. The EU will be banning White Zinfandel and White Grenache. It comes down to the fact that there is no varietal (grape) called White Zinfandel or White Grenache. Passed in 2002, the ruling comes into effect … Continue reading →

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Says You! Plays with Wine

Posted on July 8, 2007 by Liz Pirnat

Says You! is a NPR show that plays with words and definitions. This Sunday they had interesting and dangerously punny wine riddles. Here are a few highlights: Your parents favorite sister: Chianti (Key Aunty) Where Candian splunkers go: Cabernet (Cavern, … Continue reading →

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