Worries about turning water into wine, tax relief, making wine more accessible, and more. [level-members]
US Champagne Consumption Up
Shanken News Daily tells us that Champagne consumption is on the rise in the US, with major players ramping up for continued growth.There had been a tick down in 2012, but the past two years reversed that trend that included growth of 4.5% in 2014. Impact Databank also reports that the value-per-case is up about 10% overall from 2010 to 2014. The two big names, of course, are Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon.
The California wine industry isn’t immune to the state’s water woes. Controversy has come to the Central Coast, where the wine industry is growing rapidly bringing with it an increased need for water.
Central Coast Water Woes
Reuters reports that not everyone is happy with the impact on the aquifer and suggests that changes will soon be imposed. Read the full article here.
Tax and Regulatory Relief Proposed
Tax relief may be on the horizon for alcoholic beverages if Ron Wyden, the Oregon Senator, can find support for his bill to reform both taxes and regulation on alcohol. Most directly affected would be independent brewers, cider makers, vintners and distillers. Excise taxes would, in some cases, be cut in half. Read the full article here.
Making Wine Less Pretentious
Finally, despite their poor copy editing, KFVS in Missouri has an interesting article on trends in the wine world moving the industry to “last” pretentious ground. We think they meant “less” pretentious, but then, some view a healthy respect for grammar and copyediting as pretentious itself …)
I’m not sure about the idea of pairing wine with songs, though I do love both wine and music. The idea of screw caps making wine more accessible – both literally and figuratively – has more merit. The full article is here.
[/level-members]