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- 🍷 Cheers to Innovation!
🍷 Cheers to Innovation!
In this week’s DECORKED digest, explore grape washing’s impact, wine in paper bottles, dogs detecting vine diseases, and Châteauneuf’s battle with Dry January. Plus, Vivino reviews gain respect, and Gus Zhu dives into the art of tasting. Keep reading!
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Happy Monday! We hope you have a wonderful week ahead. In this week’s DECORKED digest, explore grape washing’s impact, wine in paper bottles, dogs detecting vine diseases, and Châteauneuf’s battle with Dry January. Plus, Vivino reviews gain respect, and Gus Zhu dives into the art of tasting. Keep reading!
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Read the most important and interesting news this week.
💸 Golden Globes goody bag offered A-listers the world’s most expensive wine READ HERE
📲 Wine industry study finds growing use of SMS, online chat & age gates READ HERE
🇮🇪 Irish wine on the up – but ‘nobody will retire rich’ READ HERE
🥂 Becoming Burgundy's first Black winemaker READ HERE
🔍 Five wine industry trends to watch in 2025 READ HERE
🌟 Wine just got fun-sized! READ HERE
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We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.
WASHING GRAPES REDUCES COPPER BUT DOES NOT AFFECT AROMAS IN THE WINE
A study by the French Vine & Wine Institute (IFV) for the 2022-2023 Rhone Valley vintages tested the impact of washing grapes (Rolle, Sauvignon, and Colombard) using a gas-stirred water immersion method. The process reduced copper content significantly, with Colombard grapes showing a 42% reduction after pressing and an additional 45% after settling. Wines made from washed grapes had higher levels of free thiols, enhancing aromas of grapefruit and tropical fruits. However, no changes were observed in total thiols or other aromatic compounds. Tasting tests revealed only slight differences in fruit intensity, with copper concentration changes undetectable by the panelists.
A CALL FOR INNOVATION IN WINE
The wine industry faces challenges from declining global consumption, high prices, and climate impacts. To stay relevant, it must promote affordable experimentation through subsidized events and invest in sustainable practices like disease-resistant grape varieties and improved vineyard management. Supporting young winemakers and embracing innovation will help ensure wine remains culturally significant.
SPECIALLY-TRAINED DOGS CAN SNIFF OUT VINE DISEASE
Research suggests that trained dogs can play a significant role in combating vineyard pests and diseases. In a study by Cornell University, dogs outperformed humans in detecting spotted lanternfly egg masses in forested areas near vineyards, a critical discovery since infestations can devastate vines. Additionally, dogs have been shown to detect powdery mildew and other threats like leafroll 3 virus and vine mealybugs with high accuracy, as demonstrated in studies and trials in the US. These findings highlight dogs’ potential to provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for identifying agricultural threats and enhancing vineyard sustainability.
GET READY FOR WINE IN PAPER BOTTLES
The wine industry is shifting to recyclable paper bottles to reduce environmental impact and costs. These lightweight bottles, made from 94% recycled paper with a recyclable liner, cut transportation emissions and lower the carbon footprint compared to glass. Widely adopted by wineries and supermarkets, they preserve wine quality and are expected to dominate packaging by 2030.
CHÂTEAUNEUF DECLARES WAR ON DRY JANUARY
The French wine industry faces cultural and market challenges, from debates on relaxing alcohol promotion laws and resistance to Dry January to disputes over bulk wine shipments and imported Muscat bottling. Tensions also rise over Brittany’s push for IGP status, with conflicts between traditional Pays Nantais growers and newer producers, highlighting struggles over identity and market adaptation.
A FRIENDLY VIEW OF THE SCIENCE OF WINE TASTING
Gus Zhu’s Behind the Glass explores the science of wine tasting through the concepts of chemical and sensory terroirs. The book offers accessible explanations of wine’s aromas, flavors, and sensory experiences, covering sight, palate, and smell. Zhu combines scientific insight with practical guidance, making it a valuable resource for wine enthusiasts seeking to understand what they taste and why.
Copyright @ Vivino
VIVINO’S CROWD REVIEWS GAIN CREDIBILITY IN CAMBRIDGE STUDY
A study published in the Journal of Wine Economics validates crowdsourced Vivino ratings as a reliable tool for casual wine consumers, showing a notable 40% correlation with professional critics’ scores. While professionals still align more strongly among themselves (63%), Vivino ratings effectively capture wines meant for immediate enjoyment. The research also highlights the weakening relationship between higher temperatures and wine quality in Bordeaux, with rising September temperatures already impacting grape quality
Learn something new every week.
Copyright @ Africa Adventure Vacations
WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: GREAT RIFT VALLEY, KENYA
Kenya's Great Rift Valley, particularly the Naivasha region, is an emerging wine-producing area in Africa. Wineries like Leleshwa Wines cultivate grapes at high altitudes, benefiting from the equatorial climate to produce varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. This burgeoning industry showcases Kenya's potential in viticulture, offering unique flavors that reflect the region's distinctive terroir.
Copyright @ The Italian Wine Girl
GRAPE OF THE WEEK: SCHIOPPETTINO
Schioppettino, also known as Ribolla Nera, is a red grape variety native to Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Its name, meaning "little crack" or "gunshot," reflects the grape's historical association with slightly sparkling wines. Schioppettino produces aromatic, medium-bodied reds characterized by deep color and notes of violets, raspberries, and black pepper.
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