Wine Industry Resources
2.27.2009
Personal Refillable Wine Bottles
A winery in Sandpoint, ID has begun a program designed to help reduce their customers' consumption of glass bottles. Born out of frustration with the local recycling program, Steve and Julie Meyer of Pend d'Oreille Winery have begun offering their customers 1.5L magnums that can be refilled. Similar in concept to how brewery patrons can purchase glass "growlers" which can be refilled at the brewery as often as desired, these magnums allow wine lovers an opportunity to purchase wine at a discount while doing something nice for the environment. Each magnum comes filled for $25, and refills are a mere $16. They have silkscreened labels with a space for the owner to write his or her name. After each use, all you have to do is wash with a small amount of detergent, rinse well, and bring it back for a refill. Now that's a great idea!
Permanent link to Personal Refillable Wine Bottles.
Italian Sparklers
2008 saw sales of Italian sparkling wines rise dramatically, especially in the export market. Compared to 2007, the volume of Italian sparkling wine sold was up 11%, driven by heightened international demand. Exports sales figures were up 29%, outpacing domestic sales for the first time ever. European destinations accounted for almost ¾ of all exports; in fact, exports to the UK alone were up 98%! Sales in the emerging markets of Russia and Spain were also up markedly. The Forum Spumanti & Bollicine, Italy's trade organization for sparkling wines, believes that the ratio of quality to price of Italian sparkling wines is more favorable than that of Champagne and other competing wines, and that is the factor most responsible for growth. Italy makes a variety of sparkling wines, with the most popular export being Asti Spumante.
Permanent link to Italian Sparklers.
Can Music Affect a Wine's Taste?
A recent study conducted by Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland has found that certain styles of wine are perceived to taste better depending upon the style of music played in the background. Four different types of music were played ("powerful & heavy", "subtle & refined", "zingy & refreshing", and "mellow & soft") to 250 students who were given red and white wines to judge. The researchers found that Chardonnay was rated 26% more "mellow & soft" when accompanied by that style of music, and 40% more "zingy & refreshing" when paired with that type of music. Cabernet Sauvignon was affected 25% by "mellow & soft" music and 60% by music considered "heavy & powerful". It is believed that these findings are due to what is known in psychology as "cognitive priming theory", in which the brain becomes predisposed to interpret the wine in a certain way due to the music setting the stage. Perhaps we'll be seeing suggested musical accompaniments joining cuisine recommendations on wine labels in the future!
Permanent link to Can Music Affect a Wine's Taste?.
