Team C&J
Here’s what happened in the last week in wine. In recent developments, concerns arise among Sherry-Lehmann wine storage customers as it’s revealed that valuable bottles may have been stored in an office building and resold on the market, posing a threat to their prized vintages. Massachusetts General Hospital’s study sheds light on the potential benefits of light to moderate alcohol consumption for heart health, indicating reduced brain stress signals and lower cardiovascular risks. Napa Valley’s small wineries face challenges due to fire safety regulations and road improvements, impacting their progress despite the introduction of micro-wineries. The shifting grape growing season in Napa Valley, attributed to rising temperatures, prompts winemakers to adapt to new conditions. North Coast wine grape growers oppose proposed water pollution regulations, fearing their impact on vineyards, while Roederer innovates its winemaking techniques to combat climate change’s effects on Champagne production. NASA’s collaboration with Cornell University employs remote sensing to detect grapevine disease early, offering a potential year’s warning for intervention. Additionally, Gnarly Head Wines collaborates once again with the Grateful Dead, producing limited-edition wines with iconic designs that glow in the dark and celebrate the fusion of music and wine culture.
Sherri-Lehmann’s wine storage customers fear pricey vintages are ruined, stolen – nypost
The Sherry-Lehmann saga continues with customers now fearing that some of their most valuable bottles were stored in an office building rather than a specialty wine storage container with specialized temperature controls and resold on the public market to unwitting buyers. This case is ongoing.
How Can Moderate Drinking Promote Heart Health? Perhaps By Helping Your Brain | Wine Spectator
A recent study from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced brain stress signals, particularly in the amygdala, which could explain the observed improvement in cardiovascular health linked to moderate drinking. The research suggests that by decreasing stress-associated neural activity, alcohol consumption is correlated with a 21.4 percent lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the study doesn’t establish causality and doesn’t differentiate between types of alcohol. While light to moderate alcohol consumption might have potential heart health benefits, the researchers caution against starting alcohol consumption and suggest exploring alternative stress-reducing interventions due to alcohol’s associated risks and potential detrimental effects.
Napa County introduced micro-wineries in 2022 to facilitate small-scale wine production and tasting ventures. However, challenges, including stringent fire safety regulations and road improvements, have hindered progress. Advocates, such as Elise Nerlove and Kevin Morrison, have faced obstacles in obtaining micro-winery permits. Despite hurdles, the micro-winery process remains more feasible than obtaining standard winery permits. The county is receptive to improvements but must balance different interests and state regulations. Save the Family Farms is creating a list of verified micro-producers to support small-scale operations.
Warming is Shifting Napa’s Grape Growing Season
Rising temperatures are causing Napa Valley’s wine grape growing season to start nearly a month earlier than in the 1950s, according to a study led by UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography researcher Dan Cayan. The research, based on local temperature records from 1958 to 2016, identifies the impacts of both natural climate variations and human-caused climate change on the region’s viticulture. Since 2006, Cayan has collaborated with the Napa Valley Vintners Association to analyze the effects of climate variation on grapevines. The study suggests a significant warming trend affecting the growing season, grape maturation, and quality. However, it stresses that while correlations with climate change are apparent, causality requires further investigation. The findings highlight the challenges faced by winemakers in adapting to these shifts.
North Coast wine grape growers have expressed opposition to proposed water pollution regulations aimed at meeting clean water mandates. The new waste discharge rules could impact around 65,000 vineyard acres in the Navarro and Russian River watersheds. The regulations would require self-assessments, pollution source remediation, water monitoring, and pesticide reporting. While no decision has been reached on the proposal, the vice-chairman of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board suggested postponing the decision to ensure accuracy. Critics of the proposal cite concerns about the monitoring and reporting mandates, lack of pollution source data, and implementation costs. Many suggest a tiered approach and utilizing existing sustainable wine-growing programs. The deadline for comments on the proposal is August 30th.
Roederer Rings the Climate Changes | Wine-Searcher News & Features
Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, chef de cave of Roederer, discusses the impact of climate change on Champagne production and the innovative approaches Roederer is taking to adapt. With the changing nature of fruit due to climate shifts, Roederer is revisiting historical practices, such as producing wines similar to those made in the 1800s. Roederer is focusing on the Chardonnay grape for its Collection of wine, with a shift away from non-vintage blends. Lecaillon emphasizes the importance of blending, flexibility, and using various tools, including oak fermentation and reserve wines, to combat the challenges posed by climate change. The evolution of Roederer’s winemaking approach showcases their commitment to producing high-quality Champagne under changing conditions.
NASA helps spot wine grape disease from skies above California
Researchers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Cornell University have successfully used an airborne science instrument called the Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS-NG) to detect signs of a grape disease called GLRaV-3 (grapevine leafroll-associated virus complex 3) in vineyards. This viral disease, which causes significant crop damage, is primarily spread by insects and costs the U.S. wine and grape industry billions of dollars annually. The researchers employed machine learning and AVIRIS-NG to accurately identify the disease’s signs before they became visible to the human eye. This early detection could provide growers with up to a year’s warning to intervene and prevent crop losses. The study highlights the potential of remote sensing techniques to support ground-based pathogen surveillance efforts for agriculture.
Gnarly Head Wines & the Grateful Dead Announce Year Two Collaboration With Special Labels
Gnarly Head wines have teamed up with the Grateful Dead for a second year to release two limited edition wines that celebrate the band’s iconic imagery. The 2021 Gnarly Head x Grateful Dead Old Vine Zinfandel features the dancing bears from the band’s 1973 album cover, while the Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the “Steal Your Face” design. These label designs glow in the dark when exposed to sunlight during the day or LED blue light. Last year’s collaboration drove significant sales growth for Gnarly Head. The wines, priced at $12, draw from California’s Lodi region and offer a unique blend of music and wine culture.
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