SAN FRANCISCO - Fueled by strong gains in premium California wine volume, California wines sales to the U.S. continued to increase in 2007 to a record high . . .

Sonoma County is comprised of a diverse range of topography. It includes numerous small valleys with distinct microclimates, the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean. A moderate climate with a cooling maritime influence, Sonoma County embodies ideal and diverse grape growing weather: from valley to hillside, moist ocean coast to dry inland, and cool southern regions that complement the warmer, more northern areas.

Sacramento, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared September 2007 California Wine Month in a proclamation praising California’s wine community for its contributions to the state’s economy, lifestyle, tourism and environment. This is the third consecutive year that the governor has honored the California wine industry.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.,/PRNewswire/ -- Building on California's allure as America's "Capital of Culinary Travel," the California Wine Institute and the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) have entered into an historic partnership to promote the state's wine and cuisine offerings to the fast-growing travel segment of culinary connoisseurs -- and those who aspire to be.

By Marianne Lucchesi Hamilton

Monsieur Weber outdoes himself the following day. After breakfast on our balcony, we jump on the bikes and head off. It’s worth noting that on this somewhat overcast, sultry day, I have chosen European Female biking attire: skirt, camisole, strappy sandals, and chignon. As we pedal off, I envision myself as “Burgundy Biker Babe.” Only an American on holiday can be so insufferably stupid.

By Marianne Lucchesi Hamilton

And then … as we arrived at our destination in Burgundy, it was apparent that serendipity wasn’t quite finished with us. Our surroundings at the Chateau de Challanges were almost too perfect to process: Butterflies from hydrangea, to lily, to primrose. A chorus of birds with seemingly inexhaustible lung-capacity chirped and trilled, and the perfume of 100-foot trees laden with snowy blossoms hung heavy in the air. Somewhere behind the scenes...

By Randy Dunn

It is time for the average wine consumers, as opposed to tasters, to speak up. The current fad of higher and higher alcohol wines should stop. Most wine drinkers do not really appreciate wines that are 15 -16. +% alcohol. They are, in fact, hot and very difficult to enjoy with a meal. About the only dish that seems to put them in their place is a good hot, spicy dish....

The world of wine doesn’t lack for competitions. In the United States there are many. If a winery enters often enough, even its most pedestrian effort will receive an accolade from somebody.

But there are competitions and then there are competitions.

Last week Allen Gibbons, Executive Director of the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), flew from London to acknowledge...

The world of wine doesn’t lack for competitions. In the United States there are many. If a winery enters often enough, even its most pedestrian effort will receive an accolade from somebody.

But there are competitions and then there are competitions.

Last week Allen Gibbons, Executive Director of the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), flew from London to acknowledge...

As a category, Vinho Verde wines are light in alcohol, taste great with food and offer incredible value. What could be wrong with that?

Well, not a thing, actually.

A few years ago....