🦓Zebra Striping in Drinking

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Happy Monday! We hope you have a great week. In this week’s DECORKED digest, you will read all about zebra striping, collecting and selling wines, new methods for smoke-tainted wines, how wine names change throughout the years, volcanic wines, and much more. Keep reading!

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INTERESTING THIS WEEK

🗞 What does California’s grape oversupply mean for the trade? READ HERE

📉 France to produce one of smallest vintages in a century READ HERE

📝 Future flavours: how the wines we drink are changing READ HERE 

🔍 The 8 best volcanic wines, according to experts READ HERE

💰 Thieves strike Rhône winery READ HERE 

🍾 Too good to be Prosecco READ HERE

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IS TASTING 3,000 WINES A YEAR HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH?

A profession centered around tasting 3,000 wines a year raises significant health concerns following a restaurant critic's resignation due to obesity, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Despite spitting during tastings, alcohol absorption still occurs, while the sedentary nature of the job contributes to weight gain and inactivity. The acidity of wine also poses risks to dental health. Medical advice emphasizes the need for increased exercise, reduced alcohol consumption, and improved dental care. Confronted with these hidden health impacts, lifestyle changes are adopted to prioritize well-being while continuing to pursue the passion for wine.

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NEW METHOD MAY HELP WINES TAINTED BY WILDFIRE SMOKE

Researchers have tested a new method to remove unpleasant smoke taint from wine, a growing issue as climate change intensifies wildfires. Volatile compounds absorbed from wildfire smoke can give the wine an undesirable smoky or ashy taste. Current removal methods often strip away desirable flavors and aromas, but a new approach using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) selectively binds and removes smoke-tainted compounds. Testing showed this method improved smoke-tainted wines, with minimal impact on other aromas and color. MIPs were also reusable, enhancing their efficiency after rinsing. The study, partly funded by the Australian government, comes amid increasing global wildfires.

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CAN YOU ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY COLLECTING WINE?

Wine collecting can be profitable, but it's complex and not guaranteed. Experts highlight that success depends on factors like selecting rare wines, proper storage, and market trends. High-demand wines, such as rare Burgundy or top Napa Cabernets, can increase in value over time, while commercial wines generally don't. However, wine has increasingly become a lifestyle product, with demand outpacing supply and prices inflating. Platforms like VinoVest now facilitate wine investments, but profit margins can be small, and collectors face costs for storage, insurance, and fees. Ultimately, wine's value is both financial and personal, offering a win-win for those who enjoy the experience of collecting and consuming it.

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WHAT IS ZEBRA STRIPING IN DRINKING?

The practice of "zebra striping," where individuals alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during social events, is becoming increasingly popular among drinkers, with 28% of UK adults adopting this method to moderate alcohol consumption. This approach, driven by health, wellness, and financial concerns, offers a significant opportunity for alcohol-free brands to engage consumers who wish to enjoy social occasions without excessive drinking. Brands are encouraged to offer high-quality, recognizable non-alcoholic options in various settings, ensuring visibility and availability to tap into this growing trend.

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HOW CALIFORNIA WINEMAKERS CHANGED HOW WINES ARE NAMED

In the past, American wines used generic European names like "Champagne" or "Burgundy," but vintners like Robert Mondavi led a shift towards labeling wines by grape variety, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay, to establish a distinct identity. This approach, embraced in the 1960s, helped California wines gain global recognition, especially after the Judgment of Paris in 1976. Mondavi's efforts not only changed American wine marketing but also influenced European regions to adopt varietal labeling, which had previously been restricted. Today, this practice is standard worldwide, marking a significant shift in how wines are named and sold. The legacy of varietal labeling has transformed consumer expectations and broadened the appeal of American wines, making them a respected choice in both domestic and international markets.

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FROST HITS SOUTH AUSTRALIA WINE REGIONS

Australia's iconic wine regions, including the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, and Riverland, are facing severe frost damage as spring arrives, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -4°C in the Barossa and just above freezing in the Riverland. Frost warnings were issued across South Australia and New South Wales, coinciding with record low temperatures at -6.9°C. Grape growers in the Riverland report crop losses of up to 20%, exacerbated by a significant rainfall deficit—only 50mm received in the last three months compared to the usual 250-300mm. This situation has forced some growers to consider alternative crops due to the impacts of climate change and financial pressures, as wineries offer rates as low as AU$120 a tonne, well below production costs. Protests have erupted among growers, who are increasingly concerned about the future of the wine industry in the region.

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FROM SHELVES TO SHADOWS: THE FATE OF HELLO KITTY WINES

Torti Wine's Hello Kitty line, popular in UK retailers since 2009, will soon be pulled from shelves following a ruling by The Portman Group. The decision, prompted by a consumer complaint, concluded that the branding could appeal to those under 18. Despite Torti Wine's claim that Hello Kitty also attracts adults, the regulator emphasized its primary appeal to children through related media. Consequently, Torti Wine agreed to cease sales of the Hello Kitty wines in the UK, insisting the products are intended for adults.

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WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: HAWKE'S BAY, NEW ZEALAND

Hawke's Bay, located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, is renowned for its high-quality Bordeaux-style reds, full-bodied Chardonnays, and promising Syrah with strong black-pepper flavors. As New Zealand's second-largest wine region, it encompasses the cities of Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North, deriving its name from the adjacent Hawke Bay. The climate is warm and dry, benefiting from coastal moderation and protection from harsh weather by nearby mountains, making it distinct from other wine regions like Gisborne and Martinborough.

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GRAPE OF THE WEEK: MAUZAC

Mauzac (or Mauzac Blanc) is a traditional white grape variety found throughout South West France. While fashionable Chardonnay has largely supplanted it, it is used to make still and sparkling wines in the Limoux and Gaillac appellations. Wines made from Mauzac grapes tend to have honey, and green apple characters, and the variety appears on its own or as part of a blend.

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