This Week Uncorked

This week’s round-up spans a major new project from Master Sommelier Ian Cauble, fresh debates over “minerality,” a data-driven look at whether old vines truly matter, and a federal bribery case shaking California’s retail shelves. Alongside the news, we spotlight a Cretan winery rooted in tradition, a standout Gewürztraminer from

A proposed “Wine Country pool club” in Sonoma collapsed after planners ruled that pools aren’t permitted at wineries, despite millions in committed funding. The setback highlights the region’s ongoing tension between tourism-driven growth and residents pushing back against turning Wine Country into a theme park.

Wine tourism now makes up roughly 25% of global winery revenue, driven by tastings, tours, and on-site experiences across 47 countries. Wineries overwhelmingly expect this growth to continue, citing tourism as a stabilizing force that boosts rural economies and community resilience.

Wine capsules may be increasingly out of favor with some drinkers, but a new neuromarketing study covered in The Drinks Business shows that nine out of ten consumers still perceive capsule-topped bottles as higher quality. Meanwhile, Nikkei Asia, The Drinks Business, and VinePair highlight a global shift, from Japan’s rising

Japan’s century-old brewing laws have frozen innovation at home and unexpectedly ignited a U.S. sake renaissance, with nearly 30 American breweries now crafting experimental rice ferments that Japan’s own rules forbid. Meanwhile, Andrew Jefford’s twin essays in Decanter urge calm amid health alarmism and climate-driven alcohol creep, reminding readers that

Kermit Lynch reflects on a lifetime spent championing soulful, terroir-driven wines in Wine Spectator’s two-part feature, railing against enological conformity while celebrating harmony, individuality, and the enduring joy of the table. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Chronicle spotlights Kenny Likitprakong’s under-$25 California gems, Wine Business follows Charles Smith’s “REAL Wine” transparency

Mexico’s wine map is shifting as Puebla and Hidalgo rise to challenge Valle de Guadalupe, producing wines from volcanic soils just outside the “wine belt.” Elsewhere, Argentina dominates Wine-Searcher’s Top 10 Malbecs, Europe faces a succession crisis, and Canada sees a tariff-sparked wine boom.

Ordering premium wine by the glass is shedding its stigma as preservation tech and consumer curiosity expand high-end BTG programs—from £50 Champagne pours to curated lists across London, Sydney, Milan, and California. Meanwhile, English sparkling hits a milestone with Nyetimber’s 2016 BdB Magnum crowned IWC Champion, Churchill’s Prohibition “doctor’s note”

Tariffs still bite; winery-hotels surge as travelers seek immersive stays. Plus GIII lineage, Afterwords’ 97-point debut, and our picks—Château Mont-Thabor 2021 CdP and Terrae – Truffe & Vin.

Wild chimps get naturally tipsy, Sonoma debates a 1% wine tax, and Lodi’s once-odd vineyard now has a waiting list. Plus, Robb Report names the 50 greatest California Chardonnays—and our picks of the week span Panizzi, San Felice, and Azumi Houston.

Angelina Mondavi breaks family precedent as the first woman to lead winemaking at Charles Krug, while Europe’s wine culture faces WHO scrutiny, Costco recalls shattering Prosecco, and Chianti Classico earns new respect with its subzones.

Three states—Mississippi, Delaware, and Arkansas—have overhauled their direct-to-consumer shipping laws, signaling a notable loosening of long-standing restrictions in the U.S. DtC wine market. Meanwhile, Alma Rosa’s Samra Morris has been named a finalist for Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 Winemaker of the Year, Napa bottle prices push national averages upward, and blind