Saturday, May 18, 2002

Red wine 'protects from colds'

"Another health benefit has been attributed to red wine - fighting off the common cold. According to scientists in Spain, drinking wine, especially red, stops people from developing colds."

On Wine News



First white 'Cabernet Sauvignon' released

"It's white, fruit-driven, with soft acids, full aromas and a creamy mouthfeel , and it comes from the Cabernet Sauvignon vine."

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Some Valley vintners claim Italian 'zinfandel' mislabeled

"The debate is growing over zinfandel, once thought to be the only major winegrape unique to America, and primitivo, an undistinguished Italian variety that genetic tests now show to be a clone of zinfandel."

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Wine makers squeak through bad season

"Wine makers have an expression that conveys the emotional release felt after vintages such as 2002. It's called ''getting out of jail"."

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Valuing vineyard wind machines

"There are many risks to growing grapes in Napa County, including the danger of frost damaging new growth that would otherwise mature to produce the valuable crop."

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English wine sales rocketing

"English wine may taste of rain, but sales are rocketing. Sales are forecast to reach nearly £14m by the end of this year."

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South African Wines Ready For The US

"Frank Prial, highly respected wine writer for the New York Times reckons the time has come for the South African wine industry to take its place in the world. His view is shared by Bruce Schoenfeld, contributor to a range of wine, lifestyle and sporting magazines, including Wine Spectator, Gourmet and GQ."

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The "King" of White Grapes

"There can be no argument that Chardonnay occupies a special niche in the wine world. This noble grape has been nurtured for hundreds of years in Europe, and is now finding fertile fields in the New World, especially California and Australia. It is the grape that gives us some of the great French wines, including Chablis, white Burgundy, and Pouilly-Fuisse. It is an essential component of Champagne and the only grape found in Blanc des Blancs Champagne."

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Zinfandel's appeal is still unexplained

"At first it was thought that Agoston Haraszthy, Hungarian emigre, rascal and ersatz father of California wines, brought the Zinfandel grape to the Golden State from Hungary in the mid-19th century but, alas, he was eaten by alligators in Nicaragua before he could debunk the theory."

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Shanghai's culture-conscious welcome Western wines

"Following an unsteady introduction Sam Featherston is now the Shanghai manager of the largest wine distribution company in China."

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Swiss champagne faces extinction under EU accords

"Forty-three winegrowers from the village of Champagne (population 660) in canton Vaud will no longer be able to use the label, 'vin de champagne', from June 1, when a series of bilateral accords between the European Union and Switzerland come into effect."

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'Tot system' haunts wine exporters to US

"US News & World Report, one of the three top American news magazines, reports in an illustrated cover story this week, on South Africa's "cycle of shame" - the fact that the country has the highest incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome worldwide."

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Chile launch new wine in honour of Maradona

"A Chilean wine-producer will launch a new wine before the kick-off of the World Cup on May 31 to honour former Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, it was reported on Tuesday."

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Liquid Assets: Pinot grigio

"The wine business is so traditional that it tends to change rather slowly. When a major shift in popular taste occurs, surprising wineries and marketing staffs, it tends to leave the old hats in the business stroking their beards for a few years."

On Wine News



More benefits from red wine consumption

"Much has been said about the health benefits of red wine consumption, including the positive effect it can have on heart health. Now new research from Spain has shown that red wine can also help fight that most common of ailments, the cold."

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New Zealand: Vineyard set to diversify

"Queenstown: An exclusive wedding and conference centre that includes an area for wine tasting and devonshire teas is planned for the Chapel Estate Vineyard at Lakes Hayes."

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Monday, May 13, 2002

South African Wines Ready For The US
"Frank Prial, highly respected wine writer for the New York Times reckons the time has come for the South African wine industry to take its place in the world. His view is shared by Bruce Schoenfeld, contributor to a range of wine, lifestyle and sporting magazines, including Wine Spectator, Gourmet and GQ."
On Wine News via News Is Free

Taittinger supplying free booze for Beckham bash
"Champagne Taittinger are supplying the entire wine list free for the showbiz bash of the year ? the Beckhams' Charity World Cup Party."
On Wine News via News Is Free

Montana Wines are flying high
"Five Montana wines have made it through Air New Zealand's rigorous biannual selection process to be accepted onto their international business and economy flights for the year."
On Wine News via News Is Free

One bottle of 1966 World Cup Champagne for sale
"A bottle of Champagne produced for England's 1966 World Cup team comes under the hammer at Sotheby's London on 17 May."
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Former FBI supervisor says he took wine and cash bribes
"A former FBI supervisor testified Thursday he took bribes of wine and cash that retired agent John J. Connolly delivered to him from top-ranking mob informers."
On Wine News via News Is Free

Colic: White Grape Juice versus Apple Juice
"Young babies with a history of colic are more likely to re-experience some of the symptoms of colic after drinking apple juice than after drinking white grape juice, according to research published in the May 2002 issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics."
On Wine News via News Is Free

Flying First with Mills Reef
"From this month First Class passengers on Air New Zealand flights will be offered Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 2000, and from August 2002 Mills Reef Elspeth Merlot 2000."
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Corkscrews, corkscrew postcards, corkscrew tradecards etc
"To view a list of 78 corkscrew lots and related items on ebay for sale click the above link. The auctions will close between 19:14 and 20:55 Pacific Standard Time on Friday, May 17, 2002."
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Central Otago 2002 Celebration Pinot Noir Auction
"At a Queenstown auction in February, bidders from the United States, Australia and New Zealand each paid an average of NZ$175 for a yet-to-be bottled Central Otago 2002 Celebration Pinot Noir. Planning is now underway for for The Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration 2003."
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Pop the corks, it's screw time
"Johannesburg - Wine snobs will have to think again it they think cork is the only decent stopper for a bottle of wine. Researchers reveal that a screw top is far superior."
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Wine Drinkers Less Likely to Get Common Cold: Study
"Many studies have found that a small to moderate amount of alcohol can reduce the risk of heart problems. Now, Spanish researchers report that wine drinkers are less likely than teetotalers to come down with the common cold."
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Oregon Winery the First to Use Twist Tops in the Northwest
"In a bold and risk-taking move, Oregons' Argyle Winery is capping its premium Cabernet Franc and Merlot with twist tops - the first winery in the Northwest to use screw caps for red wine."
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Surplus wine helps fuel American cars
"Have you ever wondered who drinks all the wine produced in those pretty, terraced vineyards that litter the European Mediterranean?"
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Rosemount donates US$100,000 to breast cancer centre
"Rosemount Estate has raised $100,000 dollars with its "Raise a Glass to a Cure" promotion that began in October 2001."
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Seghesio family has been making wine for 100 years
"Teddy Roosevelt was in the White House. Edward VII was on the throne of England. The Wright Brothers wouldn't make aviation history for another year. The year was 1902 -- exactly a century ago. An Italian immigrant named Edoardo Seghesio was about to go out on his own and start up his own winery in Sonoma County."
On Wine News via News Is Free

Clearing up wine myths can enhance enjoyment
"As a wine educator, I constantly strive to debunk these ideas that have become so set in the minds of wine drinkers. Let's go about clarifying a few myths:"
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10 nutritional superstars that can stave off serious illness
"The old saying that you are what you eat may be truer than you think. Scientists now say that the food you eat has a direct bearing on your health."
On Wine News via News Is Free