This Friday I bring to you something new, in my world of wine news and “events”. I took myself to the Southern Cote du Rhone last week and had a blast! There is no better way to fully appreciate a region’s special magic than seeing it, the land, the climate – the Mighty Mistral! – at work  for yourself; meeting the local winemakers who make your heart sing back in the states; and enjoying the local culture, cuisine and hospitality.

I posted my web album et. al. over on Ball Square Fine Wines’ blog earlier this week. Pop over to check it out!

Where are your wine travels taking you this year? Have you also been to the Southern Rhone?

How many articles have you read where the bone being picked is over who gets the wine list in a restaurant, the man or the woman? This week I stumbled on another, which parlayed a bit off of the recent Brigham study about women, wine and their weight. Take a look at this one and report below what is your experience on the topic. I can’t help but wonder if this is a regional/cultural thing, because I can’t remember the last time someone didn’t hand me the wine list. I have no real beef on this one – at least here in Boston. You?

Next up, if you don’t yet know what are some great options for pairing wine with fish – or are looking for at least one new idea – check out this piece.

Last but not least, if you enjoy a good laugh with your wine, go here for Dr. Vino’s recent “sipped or spit” piece. For me this occasional Vino post theme is a lovely, not so guilty, pleasure!

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?

It’s April! The sun is shining, the birds are chirpping and we’re all excited about and gearing up for even warmer days to come, namely…. summer vacation. But before I quite get ahead of myself, it is still April and Earth Day comes around the corner way before the last school bell rings.

Today we kick off our wine news and events with info about wine and ecology. Check out what Cathy Huyghe pulled together by way of some “fun facts” in this regard!

Next up, here’s a list of wine book suggestions as you start perusing the shelves of your local bookstore for some great get-a-way wine reads!

Last but not least, over at my other place of work, Ball Square Fine Wines, we’re unleashing a special cheese seminar next Wednesday night, April 14. Wines won’t be poured in addition to the seminar, but a good roster of suggestions will be available should you like to make a full evening of it. There’s nothing quite like bringing home new knowledge, fresh cheese and a little something else to transform your evening into a magical one!

Which wine books have caught your fancy of late?