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The Salt
The French Learned To Make Wine From Italians 2,400 Years Ago
June 4, 2013 These days, French vintners are globally renowned for their fine wines. And now, thanks to some nifty molecular archaeology, we know they picked up those winemaking skills from some helpful ancient Italians as early as 425 B.C.
The Salt
France Sells Presidential Wines To Update Palace Wine Cellar
June 1, 2013 Some of the finest wines from the cellar of the Elysee presidential palace in France were auctioned off Thursday and Friday. Proceeds from the auction will be used to reinvest in more modest wines from up-and-coming young wine growers.
The Salt
From Vine To Pen: When Your Drink Is In The Ink
April 18, 2013 Alcohol has bolstered many writing sessions throughout history — not just as a drink but as an ink. For most of the last millennia, writers, artists and kings alike relied on an ink that commonly included wine. Now some people are trying to bring this tradition back.
The Salt
Arsenic In Beer May Come From Widely Used Filtering Process
April 9, 2013 Arsenic in beer doesn't sound like a good idea, even if it's due to a centuries-old filtering process. A new study says filtering beer with diatomaceous earth could boost levels of arsenic. But it's not clear whether this poses a health risk.
The Salt
Wine Revolution: As Drinkers And Growers, U.S. Declares Independence
March 16, 2013 Americans aren't just the world's top wine market. Increasingly, they're also producers. The number of U.S. wineries has climbed from 400 to 7,000 since the 1970s. And some of those local wines are "stunning," says wine expert Jancis Robinson.
The Salt
When It Comes To Boxed Wine, The Cooler, The Better
December 7, 2012 From swill of the wine world to hipster fame, boxed wine is growing in popularity. But research suggests that its major impediment is temperature. When stored in the heat, the box ages faster than the bottle, scientists say.
The Salt
Beer, Wine And Spirits: When Counting Our Liquid Calories, Are We Honest?
November 16, 2012 Despite the perception that Americans are a bunch of boozers, a new study shows men in their 20s and 30s take in about 175 calories a day in alcohol; for women, it's about 60 calories. Still, the government warns, it's a little more than we should be imbibing on a daily basis.
The Salt
Urban Parisian Vines Produce Wine With A Drop Of History
October 16, 2012 Winemaking isn't just for the countryside — at least not in France. There's an urban vineyard located in the heart of the French capital. In the 1920s, local artists planted grapevines to prevent a developer from wiping out the block.
The Salt
How Oregon's Prized Pinot Noir Grapes Will Take The Heat Of Climate Change
September 11, 2012 Warming temperatures are forcing Oregon winemakers to rethink Pinot Noir, a picky but popular grape. But there is another problem with climate change — what if it gets colder instead of warmer?
The Salt
No More Shame: Boxed Wine Now Comes In A High-End Fashion Purse
September 3, 2012 Boxed wine suffers a reputation for being cheap and generally lousy. Plus, a box can't really compete visually with a sleek glass bottle. So a Swedish company has reshaped the box into a purse, for easy transport and improved lines.
The Salt
Thank The Simple Wasp For That Complex Glass Of Wine
August 2, 2012 Don't swat away that buzzing wasp. It may help spread the yeast that starts the fermentation process in grapes while they're still on the vine. The yeast carried by the wasp give wine its complexity, scientists say.
The Salt
Nightly Glass Of Wine May Protect Boomer Women's Bones
July 12, 2012 A small study in the journal Menopause says moderate drinking slows bone loss in baby boomer women. Researchers saw fewer signs of bone breakdown in the blood of women in their early 50s and 60s who consumed up to 1 1/2 drinks a day.
The Salt
Fancy Names Can Fool Wine Geeks Into Paying More For A Bottle
June 26, 2012 WSHUWine research suggests that people who think they know about wine are excited about hard to pronounce names — so excited, in fact, that they're willing to pay more. Plus, they think it tastes better, too.
The Salt
Don't Call It A Malbec: Europe Sours On British Winery's Plan
April 23, 2012 A British winemaker has finally been given official approval to release a limited-edition wine made in collaboration with Malbec grape growers in Argentina. But it's on the condition that it doesn't sell the wine, label it a Malbec, or call it wine at all.
The Salt
Most Of Us Just Can't Taste The Nuances In High-Priced Wines
March 6, 2012 Do you buy that $100 Malbec, or will the $15 bottle fit the bill just as nicely? New research suggests your biology may help determine whether you can really taste a difference.
