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Percentage tariffs levied on Australian wine recently by the Chinese commerce ministry. You think the 25% US tariffs on European wines are bad? China has accused Australia of using subsidies to dump inferior bulk wine on the Chinese market. Several container ships en route to China had to turn back, according to Australian officials, who have vigorously denied the dumping charges. China is the top destination for Australian wine and accounts for 39% of its total exports.

What wine region boasts the oldest cabernet sauvignon vines in the world?

A. The Graves region of Bordeaux

B. The Ribera del Duero region of central Spain

C. The Barossa Valley of South Australia

D. The Livermore Valley, east of San Francisco

Cabernet vines planted in 1888 in the Barossa Valley of Australia are thought to be the oldest in the world. The vines are part of Penfold’s famous 10-acre “Block 42” parcel within the Kalimna Vineyard. Grenache and shiraz (syrah) vines that are more than 100 years old are also commonly found in Australia. Amazingly many of these oldsters are on their own roots (not grafted onto American rootstock), since Australia was not crippled by phylloxera, the root-eating insect that between 1860 and 2000 destroyed vineyards in most other parts of the world.

Acetaldehyde

Produced naturally during fermentation, acetaldehyde is a colorless volatile compound with a pungent nutty aroma. It is an asset in some wines such as Sherry, but a detectable amount in table wine is considered a… Continue reading

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