Global warming

and wine

Stories are making the rounds on the Internet involving global warming and the possibility that current wine regions won't be able to continue producing fine wines, and that premium grapes will be found in locations farther north.

Two wine economists have indicated that global warming will more than double the value of vineyards in the Mosel Valley in Germany if temperatures increase 3 degrees Celsius (about 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit), and if the temperature goes up only 1 degree Celsius, values will increase by 20 percent.

It's been proved that hot summers in Europe produce better wines (temperatures in Europe fluctuate far more than in the U.S.), and global warming will be a boon to winemaking in northerly regions, according to an item on forbes.com. The study measures the effect of solar radiation that comes with a hotter climate, the site said, rather than measuring the mean temperature, which is less accurate.

(A while back we talked about the growth of vineyards in Iowa. Maybe we all should take another look at that idea.)

White wine is good

for health, too

A recent story in the Register indicated that red wine was responsible for aiding in prevention of or helping to cure numerous ailments because of the resveratrol found in the red grape skins. But Beveragedaily.com recently posted an article that comes to the defense of white wines.

A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry examined the flesh of grapes and said that "the flesh of grapes is equally cardioprotective as skin, and the antioxidant potential of skin and grapes are comparable with each other despite the fact that flesh does not possess any anthocyanin activities."

In addition to their regular diets, rats received water only (which was the control group), grape skin extract or grape flesh extract. Their hearts then were subjected to various processes that would affect blood flow and heart attack. The results showed that rats given either the grape flesh or grape skin extract had "significantly reduced heart attack size," and there was no difference between the flesh and skin extracts.

The study "indicates that several organic acids and polyphenols possessing potent antioxiodant activities present in the flesh of grapes are also found in white wines."

(Even if you don't understand all of that, your heart will say it's OK to drink a glass of chardonnay or sauvignon blanc tonight.)

Red or white pills?

On the subject of wine and health, we noted a recent ad which touted grape seed "with whole grape" in pill form, which said it's "specially formulated to provide powerful antioxidant activity. It is rich in polyphenols and proanthocyanidins from the entire grape."

(Maybe I can take a pill and wash it down with a glass of wine and get double protection.)

Everybody uses

wine descriptors

While scanning a column by James Taranto, who writes for Opinionjournal.com, we came across this:

"Amazon.com started as a bookseller, but these days it sells just about everything, including groceries. The New York Times reports that Amazon users have been posting 'hundreds of reviews ... for a $3.99 gallon of Tuscan-brand whole milk.'

"Browsing the reviews, we're not sure all of them are on the level. This one, from Philip Tone (apparently his real name), seems like a satire of wine reviews:

"'One should not be intimidated by Tuscan Whole Milk. Nor should one prejudge, despite the fact that Tuscan is non-vintage and comes in such large containers. Do not be fooled: this is not a jug milk.

"'I always find it important to taste milk using high-quality stemware -- this is milk deserving of something better than a Flintstones plastic tumbler. One should pour just a small dollop and swirl it in the glass -- note the coating and look for clots or discoloration. And the color -- it should be opaque, and very, very white.

"'Now, immerse your nose in the glass and take a whiff. Tuscan transports you instantly to scenic hill towns in central Italy (is that Montepulciano I detect?) -- there is the loamy clay, the green grass of summer days, the towering cypress. And those gentle hints of Italian flowers -- wild orchids, sunflowers, poppies. Then, one takes in the thin liquid and lets it roll across and under the tongue -- what is that? Perhaps a hint of a nutty Edam cheese? ...

"'Tuscan is best drunk young -- no, no, don't cellar this gem -- I guarantee you'll be sorry if you do. I recommend pairing with freshly baked macadamia nut scones. Milk Expectorator gives this one a 92.'"

(I'll take a case.)

Poor Pluto

I think that the decision to drop Pluto as a planet is a Goofy idea. Maybe someone can bring honor back to Pluto by naming a wine after it.

Brief notes

Michael Mondavi has joined the board of directors of Delicato Family Vineyards.

Gregg Lamer, a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, has joined Domaine Carneros as director of hospitality.

Bourassa Vineyards is holding a customer appreciation party on Sept. 9. Call (800) 499-2366 for details.

Robledo Family Winery in the Sonoma side of Carneros celebrates Mexican Independence Day with a party on Sept. 16. Call 935-6203 for details.

Jack Heeger can be reached at jheeger@napanews.com.