This week we have a little something for every food and wine lover! Let’s start with the “real” juice:

Just a few days ago Wine.com launched a new version of its old self, wineshopper.com. Who does this new site benefit? Those looking for more rare, esoteric or otherwise small production, lesser available/known stuff. The site also features special deals of the day by way of email blasts. Do you think you’ll investigate this new wine buying opportunity?
We also learned this week about a specialty vinegar on the market, which apparently has chef’s jumping out of their skin. Minus 8 is an Ontario-based outfit that harvests grapes  at precisely that temperature – sort of like ice wine, but for food lovers! Check it out.

Last but not least, our friends at Divas Uncorked are gearing up for their annual food and wine fest out out the Vineyard. The event is a weekend affair August 12 – 15 and features various festivities all about the island. You can choose to attend certain events “a la carte” or buy the all-access pass. More information is available here.

With Earth Day just barely behind us, a flurry of writing in the wine world as it pertains to issues like global warming and the use of natural cork hit the web-waves. We’ve narrowed the reading field to just two articles since they are a bit lengthy (and you likely have to get some work done today, too!).

But before we get into all that, check out this link to get more info about a wine and food festival fundraiser for the York Education Foundation up in Maine this Saturday, May 8th.

Ok, now it’s time to settle in to the “meaty” stuff….

Here Slate presents a piece on global warming and the world and the world of wine. Something to bear in mind as you read it: there is NO replacement for a place’s unique terroir. I’ll say it again, European nations (and specifically their respective wine areas) in particular offer a distinct terroir that is unquestionably irreplicable.

Next, go here to take in this Wall Street Journal article on cork closures. It’s a well written piece that captures BOTH sides of the cork debate. Which side do you land on? Are you pro-cork or pro-synthetic?

We’ve got the full spectrum of wine fodder this Friday! Of course, the beginning of wine is really the making of wine….

Turns out the UK is experimenting with a new version of city wine-making. Rather than purchasing fruit from here there and everywhere and then inviting you to come crush and blend et.al.,  a London-based company called The Urban Wine Company uses local grapes to make uber-local wine – and you are involved in the whole process. Here I am trying to keep from killing my house plant, but it sounds like these guys might even be able to help turn my brown thumb green – while giving me the chance to make my own wine. I’m terroir believer when it comes to making great wine – and am certain great grapes can make great wine, while bad grapes have no chance of doing so. But the project sounds like a great opportunity to understand first-hand how all this works, more or less. Too bad I’m Boston-bound! Would you be interested in such a project if given the opportunity?

On the trade side of life, this week we’ve been on “the trade circuit” tasting quite a bit of vino at various Spring Tastings being hosted by our suppliers to get us excited about new vintages and new wines in their portfolios. I had the pleasure of running into Mike Helman of Shawsheen Liquors. Turns out he’s gearing up for the annual “Hair of the Dog” wine/beer tasting event, supporting the MSPCA. This event features a wine and beer tasting, art show and the White Street Band. Raffle prizes will abound, too. Tickets are $30 at the door or $25 in advance. Pop over to Shawsheen Liquors to find out more! The event is scheduled for next Friday, April 30th, 6 – 9pm.

Last but not least, we have wines that are made with a bit more… oomph. There is definitely a conversation in the wineosphere about The Hot Factor… Are wines over 14% alcohol bad? Not necessarily, I believe, so long as the wine is in balance. But that’s a bigger story for another day. In the meantime, check out this Wall Street Journal article on “Wines That Pack“. What’s your opinion about alcohol content in wine?

I’m not sure I will ever fully understand why some known wines get a make-over largely in name only. A few years ago it was Moet doing away with their White Star Champagne bottling and replacing it with a slightly different iteration (in terms of the style of wine itself) and calling it Moet Imperial Brut. White Star was a really recognized name in the marketplace and today it is still a point of confusion for many looking for the White Star, and being handed the Imperial Brut. Is the wine different? Yes, a bit. But why not roll with the old name? Now it looks like La Mission Haut Brion is making a similar name shift. Check out this brief Decanter article on why the change.  Then tell us, as a consumer, does the reasoning make sense to you? Do you care?

Next up we have an article that three different friends sent to me (from two different sources), to ensure I didn’t miss it: the latest in wine health news reports suggests that women who drink have a better chance of avoiding obseity. Egad, will these studies ever cease? An entertaining read if you, like me, don’t mind another guilt-free reason to keep pouring your nightly glass of wine.

Last but not least, we have a fun Old World vs. New World showdown on The Tasting Docit! On Friday March 19 you and other foodie nerds at WGBH can enjoy the fun for a mere $25. And there will be music to further enrich your tasting experience. Check it out!

It’s probably no surprise that all news on the Pour Favor blog this Friday – one week after the Chilean earthquake – is dedicated exclusively to Chilean wine. Ironically, I had the pleasure of meeting winemaker Jean-Pascal Lacaze just last Thursday in the early evening, just before he headed back to New York to catch his flight home – and resume business as usual (harvesting) after the weekend, the unofficial end to summer. I haven’t heard if he’s made it home yet or what impact the quake had on his lot. No doubt agriculture and wine are an important part of the Chilean economy and will play a role as the country gets it’s bearings again. Check out these few articles to learn more, then pop back this Monday for some great wines to seek out as we unleash March’s Wicked Wines, Chilean style….

Prior to the quake, the skinny on Chilean wine exports via the LA Times.

A more humanized view of how things looked last Friday, Feb. 28th via my old fav, Dr. Vino.

And an updated, trade-oriented snapshot of where we are a week later via Decanter.

Generally speaking, do you think the buzz around the  magnitude of this quake will generate new or even greater interest in Chilean wines?