A guide to selecting, serving, and enjoying wine
Wine plays an important role in the religious life of both Jews and Christians. Just as Canon Law governs the use of altar or sacramental wine in the Roman Catholic Church, the rules of “halacha” govern the production of Kosher wine. Guest author Shay P explains process of creating a Kosher wine.
The world has gone topsy-turvy and wine and beer lovers are meeting in the middle.
Cornell University offers an advanced course titled “Understanding Wine and Beer.” Topics covered range from the history of viticulture to the microbiology of fermentation to the neurobiology of taste, along with the expected lectures on chemistry, color and tasting methods. Clearly, the two most popular alcoholic drinks have arrived.
Long considered a producer of inferior wines, British Columbia is now being recognized as a wine making powerhouse.
Most of Canada’s wine making is associated with British Columbia, and justly so. In the last 20 years the wines of British Columbia have become world-class competitors. But wine is almost made in all of Canada’s provinces, often under much more difficult conditions. And many of these small family businesses are beginning to produce award winning vintages.
Wine is produced in almost every state in the USA. According to the American Vintners Association:
In the US, California is justly famous for its wines. So famous, in fact, that it comes as a surprise to some to find out that New York has long been a serious competitor in terms of quality.
North American Wine Regions: Oregon
Among the AVA (American Viticultural Areas) in Oregon we count the Willamette Valley, Umpqua, Rogue and Illinois Valleys and parts of Walla Walla and the Columbia Gorge shared with Washington.
The 1960s saw the flowering of a new wine making region in a very unexpected locale: Washington State, USA. Though near latitudes (46-47 degrees) that encompass two of the great French wine regions, Bordeaux (44.5 degrees) and Burgundy (47 degrees), Washington’s vineyards also experience cold and sometimes rainy falls and winters. Less than ideal conditions for grapes at the end of their ripening season.
In a state that produces 90% of all US wine, the vineyards of Sonoma and Napa in Northern California are justly famous. But they have no monopoly on quality, the wines from the newer Southern California wineries are an equal match for any of their northern sisters.
Jim Bruce offers a glimpse of a little-know American wine region.
Enjoy Colorado Wines
