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- 🔍 How We Drink Now
🔍 How We Drink Now
In this week’s DECORKED digest, we’re chilling red wine, decoding ancient drinking habits, and asking why Gen Z men are stepping back from booze. We also look at clean vine strategies in Napa, the French art of sipping.
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Happy Monday! We hope you have a great week ahead. In this week’s DECORKED digest, we’re chilling red wine, decoding ancient drinking habits, and asking why Gen Z men are stepping back from booze. We also look at clean vine strategies in Napa, the French art of sipping, EU trade tensions, and the timeless charm of orange wine Keep reading!
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Read the most important and interesting news this week.
🍾 Growth of English and Welsh still wine sales outpaces sparkling READ HERE
🍇 Sonoma wineries react to controversial wine tax proposal READ HERE
🥂 Louis Roederer looks back to face future in Champagne READ HERE
📉 Italian wine braces for €317mn loss despite tariff deal READ HERE
📰 Vagabond to open ‘cathedral to wine’ READ HERE
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We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.
COOL REDS FOR HOT DAYS
As summer heats up, so does the appeal of chilled red wines. While traditional advice suggests serving reds at room temperature, wine expert Elaine Schoch argues that light-bodied, high-acid reds like Pinot Noir, Gamay, Frappato, and Cinsault shine when served cooler(around 50–55°F). These refreshing, food-friendly wines are perfect for warm evenings, outdoor meals, and casual sipping. Affordable and approachable, they offer a vibrant alternative to whites and rosés, proving that red wine doesn’t have to be heavy to be satisfying in the summer sun.
EU WINE AND SPIRITS LEFT WAITING IN TRADE TALKS
European wine and spirits producers are on edge after being left out of the latest U.S.-EU trade agreement, which introduced new tariffs on select goods but offered no clarity for the alcohol sector. With the threat of 15% tariffs looming, industry leaders are calling for a last-minute exemption, warning that added costs could drive up prices and push some brands out of the U.S. market. As talks continue, the sector is caught between rising pressure and hopeful anticipation.
CLEAN VINES = STRONGER VINTAGES
Planting a vineyard is a long-term commitment, and Napa Valley growers are doubling down on starting right. This comprehensive guide from the Napa Valley Grapegrowers highlights why sourcing certified, disease-free vines is more critical than ever. From viral threats like Red Blotch and Leafroll to costly replanting and lost productivity, the risks of using untested material are steep. With detailed best practices for selecting clean stock, vetting nurseries, and safeguarding against pests, the article calls for a region-wide commitment to clean plant sourcing as a foundation for sustainable, resilient viticulture.
OUR TASTE FOR WINE MAY GO WAY BACK
A new study suggests that our enjoyment of alcohol might be deeply rooted in evolution. Literally. Researchers looking at chimpanzees and gorillas found that these apes regularly eat fermented fruit off the ground, a habit now called “scrumping.” This early exposure to natural alcohol may have helped our ancestors develop the ability to digest it efficiently, long before humans ever brewed the first drink. Scientists believe this connection could also explain why drinking often plays such a strong social role in human life today.
HOW TO DRINK WINE LIKE THE FRENCH
In France, wine isn’t just a beverage, it’s a rhythm of daily life. From light reds on Bastille Day to the rising popularity of pét-nats and biodynamic bottles, the French approach blends tradition with curiosity. Wine is almost always enjoyed with food, whether at lunch, dinner, or during apéro, the pre-dinner ritual of drinks and small bites. It’s a culture of balance, not excess; where the focus is less on what’s in the glass, and more on how, when, and why it’s shared.
YOUNG MEN ARE DRINKING LESS, AND HERE’S WHY IT MATTERS
Gen Z men are drinking less, and differently. Fitness, finances, and digital distractions are crowding out alcohol, while those who do drink are opting for mindful, low-key experiences over party culture. For the wine industry, it’s a wake-up call to rethink how it connects with this next generation.
ORANGE WINE IS ANCIENT & FUNKY
Orange wine might seem trendy, but it actually dates back thousands of years. Made like red wine but from white grapes, it’s bold, complex, and gaining many fans worldwide. From zesty to earthy, a growing list of bottles (and perfect food pairings) makes it easy to explore this vibrant style.
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WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: RACHA-LECHKHUMI, GEORGIA
Racha-Lechkhumi is a small but vital Georgian wine region known for its high-altitude vineyards, rich precipitation, and sweet, aromatic wines made from native grapes like Alexandrouli, Mujuretuli, and Tsolikouri. Its standout microregion, Khvanchkara, produces semi-sweet reds that have gained international acclaim for their distinct raspberry notes and long heritage.
Copyright @ Advantour
Tsolikouri is a versatile white grape from western Georgia, prized for its naturally high sugar content and thick skins that resist disease in humid climates. Traditionally used in sweet and semi-sweet blends, it's now also being crafted into dry, full-bodied wines to meet growing international demand.
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