Do I Detect a Hint of Ash?
By April Ingram Knowing if You Have Smoke Taint Sooner In many prominent grape growing regions around the globe, a new season, fire season, seems to be arriving on an increasingly regular basis. Drought conditions, high temperature, and wicked winds are turning small grassfires or a discarded cigarette into raging, ...
Viticulture & Enology Education? Consider Looking Northward
By April Ingram Viticulture is dynamic, scientific and, with innovation advancing and our environment continually evolving, it can be a challenge to keep on top of it all. Even the most seasoned winemakers and grape growers could benefit from updating or fine-tuning their knowledge. Ensuring the entire vineyard team possesses ...
A Step Inside the Wine Library
By April Ingram The Wine Library and Vinotheque at the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus in Vancouver, Canada are probably unlike any library you’ve ever ventured. There isn’t a stern librarian asking you to “shhh” while glaring over her glasses at you – although, there are few glasses on ...
South African Wine Industry Overcoming and Adapting to Day Zero Declaration
By April Ingram The Western Cape of South Africa and its historic vineyards, nestled in the mountains to the east of Cape Town, are a major draw for tourists, with tens of thousands of overseas visitors enjoying tours and tastings every year. The worst drought in living memory hit vineyards ...
Coexisting With Wildlife in the Canadian Vineyard
By April Ingram British Columbia touts the tag-line ‘Super, Natural British Columbia’ in their tourism branding and advertising, drawing visitors from all over the world to come and see Canadian wildlife in all its natural glory. Wilderness tourism is a primary driver of all tourism in BC, which in total ...
Architectural & Construction Trends Of Successful Wineries
By Gerald Dlubala From coast to coast, the winery business is booming. With the latest statistics showing upwards of 8,300 wineries in North America, the competition is stronger than ever, making it critical for winemakers to build brand loyalty early, ideally within the first visit or tasting experience. Although the ...
Seeking Wine Education? WSET levels are the way to go
By Jessica Spengler Wine education is a constant throughout the wine industry. From continuing education to specialized training for Sommeliers and wine professionals, quality wine education is essential. Even wine journalists, seeking to understand the industry and increase their wine appreciation continue their education through classes offered by organizations like ...
Designer Yeasts
By Nan McCreary The primary role of yeast in winemaking is to convert the sugars in grape-must into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Selecting a yeast is one of the most critical decisions in the winemaking process. The yeast strain you choose will affect how quickly fermentation begins and how rapidly ...
Tariffs and the Industry: Impacts of the Trade War on Wine, Beer & Spirits
By Jessica Spengler Throughout 2018, the Trump administration’s implementation of tariffs on several foreign goods, and the retaliatory tariffs that followed suit have confused markets and worried many businesses. The alcohol industry—wine, beer, spirits and those who support them—have all been affected in some way by these tariffs, or expect ...
“Wine is Sunlight, Held Together By Water”
By Tracey L. Kelley Galileo said, “Wine is sunlight, held together by water.” A wine enthusiast may have this quote in calligraphy on a decorative wall hanging, but winemakers and vineyard managers know the truth behind it. Vineyard irrigation isn’t often a romantic craft topic, but its constant evolution requires ...
