Team C&J
Wine Business – W.H.O. Calls For Cancer Warnings Labels on Alcohol
Well, on Valentine’s Day, the World Health Organization/Europe has called for mandatory cancer warning labels on alcohol. From the story by Felicity Carter:
“Prominent health warning labels on alcoholic beverages are essential for raising awareness that consuming alcohol can lead to cancer.”
In a report released today, “Alcohol health warning labels: a public health perspective for Europe,” the W.H.O. calls for mandatory labeling, prominent labels, cancer warnings, and on-pack labels.
Yet according to the recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), moderate drinkers have lower all-cause mortality than non-drinkers —’all-cause mortality’ means the total number of deaths in a population from any cause.
When it comes to cancer, the NASEM report concluded with “moderate certainty” that consuming a moderate amount of alcohol is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.
Decanter – The failure of the Surgeon General: Eliza Dumais on the irrelevance of warning labels
My cigarette principles are as follows: I only smoke after midnight or in France – where packs of Marlboro Gold come plastered with close-up shots of blackened lungs or chains of rotting teeth. And while yes, I belong to the absolute lowest common denominator of smoker (neither debaucherous enough to lean in, nor righteous enough to properly abstain) my point is that such warning labels, even at their most graphic, have done little to scare me off (even sans the chemical draw of addiction).
– Bordeaux to head for, or avoid
Jancis and a group of 20 of us wine professionals got together and blind-tasted through 157 wines from 2021 Bordeaux Vintage. They were not impressed:
At last month’s tasting of 2021s, the lesser wines of appellations St-Émilion and the Médoc absolutely demonstrated why the wine drinkers of the world have fallen out of love with Bordeaux. The wines lacked fruit and tasted bone dry and charmless.
Even the finest 2021s, such as those listed below, are clearly inferior to their counterparts produced in the 2019, 2020, and 2022 vintages (which are three of Bordeaux’s finest this century).
VinePair – An Illustrated Timeline of Napa’s Most Famous Cabs
This article should be titled a brief history of Napa’s most well-known wineries. Either way, this is a nice read for those just learning or needing a quick refresher. From Heitz in 1966 to MacDonald in 2010. All the big names are here. From the article:
While this list doesn’t include every important Napa winery, it features many of the region’s most famed and sought-after bottles. Read on to discover the Napa Cabs that made it the region it is today, in chronological order of their release.
WineBusiness Monthly – by Cyril Penn – Outlook & Trends: Beyond the Negative Headlines
This is by far and way the most comprehensive look at the problems facing the US wine industry today. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Well worth the time to read this, and it is a long read. The Big Takeways:
Foxen Vineyard & Winery in Santa Maria, CA
Nestled in the serene beauty of Santa Barbara County, Foxen Vineyard & Winery has become a beloved destination for wine enthusiasts seeking a genuine taste of the Santa Maria Valley. Our visit, which was part of our Sideways 20th Anniversary tour with Rex Pickett, centered on the Foxen 7200 Tasting Room, affectionately referred to as “The Shack,” which was the one that Rex often visited before writing his novel and which is also featured in the movie.
2020 Foxen Cabernet Franc – $54
At this point, we would call this a developing wine, marked by concentrated flavors and a bold profile, but unfortunately, bitterness and tartness overwhelm the wine. This 100% Cabernet Franc is a robust, assertive wine that diverges from the often refined or restrained expressions one might expect from this grape variety in cooler regions. And not in a particularly good way.
Momoyama in Fountain Valley, CA
Finding a phenomenal sushi spot in Orange County isn’t exactly difficult, but finding one that consistently delivers an authentic, intimate, and high-end omakase experience? That’s where Momoyama comes in.
This elegant, no-signage, strip mall sushi establishment in Fountain Valley is a haven for true sushi aficionados. It may not scream for attention, but those who know know—this is where you come for the real deal.
Led by Head Chef Edy, with the expert hands of Sushi Chef Yoshi and an attentive front-of-house team including servers Daniele and Ryan, Momoyama serves up a meticulously curated dining experience that highlights the purity and precision of Japanese cuisine.
The restaurant’s omakase menu is the star of the show, showcasing the freshest seafood, expertly sliced and seasoned to perfection. It’s not for the faint of wallet—it will set you back about $200 per person—but trust us, the experience is absolutely worth it.
Corkage Fee is $35 Per Bottle / Max 2 / Can’t be on the Winelist
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