This Week Uncorked

This week we're covering Walla Walla Community College's new wine sales and management certificate, New York's push to modernize century-old liquor laws, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to leave state alcohol shipping laws intact, and Mexico leading the effort to block new international health warning labels for wine and beer.   We also feature Opolo Vineyards in Paso Robles, review the Cordant...

This week we're covering France's plan to remove 28,000 hectares of vineyards, Italy's push into Canada with the first Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening as U.S. wines disappear from shelves, the staggering impact of Canada's booze bans on the American wine industry, and Australia's backlash after the government slashes funding for its Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant program.    We also review M...

This week on This Week Uncorked, we explore the highly anticipated reopening of Robert Mondavi Winery after its massive three-year transformation, examine Constellation Brands' warning that premium wine growth remains sluggish, look at Changyu's worst financial performance in more than 20 years, and discuss why the next generation of wine drinkers may actually be emerging in China rather than disa...

This week we examine growing pressure on Napa Valley as industry insiders call for major restructuring, a California appeals court pauses Hoopes Vineyard's $4 million penalty, all four of Napa's leading agriculture and wine organizations unite behind permitting reform and long-term land-use protections, and Norah Jones launches a new wine label following her Grammy-winning music career.   Plus, we...

In today's episode, we discuss Colorado launching its first statewide wine app, LVMH exits Indian wine production, a major new Sunnyslope winery brings serious scale to Idaho wine country, and Southern Utah's Wine Trail is putting wineries near Zion National Park on the map. This week also features R. Stuart Winery Tasting Room in McMinnville, the Adelsheim Chardonnay 2020, and Marché Moderne in N...

In today's episode, we discuss the collapse of Monarch Tractor's high-profile ag tech gamble, a shocking Cal Poly study showing Napa growers facing up to $1,700 per acre in regulatory costs, and the Global Old Vine Registry surpassing 10,000 vineyards worldwide.    Featured this week are J Dusi Wines & Tasting Room in Paso Robles, the My Favorite Neighbor Chardonnay 2021, Houston's Restaurant in I...

In today's episode, we discuss a record-breaking $812,500 bottle of 1945 DRC headlines this week's wine news as Ted Hall explores Napa's growing "luxury squeeze," while new consumer research and Eric Asimov's latest New York Times piece reveal why more wine drinkers are hunting for value bottles under $20 in today's softer wine market.    This episode also features Enkidu Winery, the Gundlach Bund...

In today's episode, we discuss how restaurant wine prices may be pushing diners away from wine altogether, Catena Zapata has once again been named the world's most admired wine brand, Germany's new wine classification laws are officially rolling out, and the legendary Judgment of Paris has been recreated in New York.   This week we also feature Calcareous Vineyard, the 2017 Venteux Vineyards Petit...

In today's episode, we discuss how the Global wine warning label battle heats up as Prohibitionists push new regulations, China's crackdown hits the wine trade, EU tariff removal reshapes competition for Australian wine, and Southwest Airlines rolls out new wine travel perks. This week we feature Sheehan Winery in Albuquerque, the 2022 Bodegas de Santo Tomás Sauvignon Blanc, and dining at Marriott...

In today's episode, we discuss new research that suggests wine may be the "best" alcohol choice, Napa's legendary master blender has passed away, and the 2024 Napa vintage is shaping up strong while Netflix heads to wine country with a new drama.  This week we feature McClain Cellars in Laguna Beach, the 2016 Laguna Canyon Winery Chaparral Cuvée from Fountaingrove, and Nick's in Laguna Beach with...

In today's episode, we are discussing how AI is stepping into the sommelier role, Bordeaux vineyards are now being monitored from space with hyperspectral satellites, and new data shows tariffs aren't clearly pushing Americans toward domestic wine.    This week we feature Knights Bridge Winery in Calistoga, their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Trevor's at the Tracks in San Juan Capistrano with a $30...

In today's episode, we discuss how Portugal's 250 native grapes raise a big question about whether diversity alone can sell wine, while the future of American wine may come down to smart, subtle changes, and Dom Pérignon makes headlines with its smallest blend ever at just 15% of a normal harvest.  This week we feature El Gaucho Winery in Spicewood, TX, the ANECDOTE Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, and CR...

In today's episode, we discuss how a major Supreme Court case could reshape direct-to-consumer wine shipping, Coravin celebrates selling its two millionth system, Italian police seize 2.5 million liters of fraudulent wine, and a bizarre human composting controversy stirs debate in California wine country.   This week also features Holus Bolus in Los Olivos, the Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabe...

In today's episode, we discuss California winery closures are accelerating as layoffs spread across Napa, wine tariffs remain uncertain amid ongoing legal battles, and new research explores whether a simple spray could protect grapes from wildfire smoke. This week's features include Toccata Tasting Room in Solvang, the "La Lama Terzo Movimento" Chianti Classico Riserva 2018, and Vaca Restaurant in...

In today's episode, we discuss how Paso wineries team up to share tasting rooms, Napa pulls back on sky-high tasting fees, and winemaking expands into Scandinavia as Stag's Leap celebrates 50 years since the Judgment of Paris.   We feature Stolpman Vineyards in Los Olivos, the Sleeper Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021, and Cielo Morongo in Cabazon with $35 per person corkage and no limit.   Get...

In this week episode, we discuss how Francesca Giuggioli takes the reins at San Felice, Spanish producers double down on winning over U.S. buyers despite tariffs, and a Tenerife winery turns wildfire devastation into an unexpected best-seller.  This week features Crown Point Vineyards in Santa Ynez, the 2021 Trefethen Dry Riesling, and Bavette's Steakhouse & Bar in Las Vegas with a $50 corkage (1...

In today's episode, we discuss how wineries are piling up for sale with few buyers stepping in, U.S. direct-to-consumer wine shipments suffer their worst decline on record, and a growing number of solo drinkers say the traditional 750ml bottle simply no longer fits modern drinking habits.  We also feature Cordon of Santa Barbara in Solvang, the 2022 Bouches-du-Rhône Blanc "Baume Noire," and Bar Le...

In today's episode,  we discuss a growing rift in the regenerative viticulture movement sparks debate over organic certification, Champagne and Bordeaux leaders remain bullish despite global headwinds, and Argentina's wine industry sinks into its deepest crisis in two decades.    We also spotlight Dragonette Cellars in Los Olivos, taste the 2020 Vigorello Rosso Toscana IGT, and head to 21 Oceanfro...

California growers are ripping out thousands of vineyard acres as the wine glut deepens, Napa and Sonoma pivot hard toward millennial drinkers, and Monarch Tractor's high-profile electric autonomy collapse leaves wineries and dealers scrambling.  This week we feature the Allegretto Winery Experience in Paso Robles, sip the 2013 Curly St. James "Ostentatious Parlay" Napa Valley red blend, dine at T...

This week we break down whether the wine slump is finally nearing bottom according to new industry forecasts, why 2025 is shaping up as a global wine market reset for producers and investors, and the surprising consumer insight that 30 percent of Americans simply don't like the taste of wine.   We also feature Carter Estate Winery and Resort in Temecula, spotlight the 2022 Carter Estate Les Nobles...

This week we examine UC Davis experts unpacking whether wine is truly healthy, a major Alaska court ruling expanding tasting room freedoms, California lawmakers moving to close the "American" wine labeling loophole, and a surprising report that the state could face a grape shortage despite years of oversupply.   We also feature Robert Mondavi Winery at Arch & Tower in Napa, spotlight the Taken Fro...

This week we break down how wine quietly dodged strict alcohol limits in the new U.S. dietary guidelines, why Idaho's Snake River Valley is gaining serious momentum as an emerging wine region, examine devastating wildfires ripping through Victoria's wine country, and revisit a master-level rethink of whether wine scores actually mean what we think they do. We also feature Sparacia Witherell Family...

This week we unpack the Clarke County DRC wine theft and the suspect who vanished overseas, why 2025 wasn't as bleak for California wine as the headlines suggested, and a look back at Wine-Searcher's most-read stories of the year that defined the industry's biggest themes. Our features include Galante Vineyards, the Hatzidakis Skitali Assyrtiko 2019, and dining at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant with...

This week we cover Canada's rush to buy boycotted U.S. liquor stockpiles, a new American Heart Association report linking moderate drinking to heart health, and how Costco has become an unlikely destination for serious wine buyers—plus a look at Saudi Arabia quietly lifting its decades-long booze ban. Our features include Rombi Wines, the 2021 Viognier from Happy Canyon's Jack McGinley Vineyard in...

This week, we cover the quiet dumping of Washington's flagship winery, how Gen Z is reshaping wine buying habits, and the biggest fine wine auctions of 2025—plus a look at Napa County's new pilot program allowing vineyard tastings without on-site wineries. Our features include Bellante Family Winery, the Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina 2021, and dining at Born 8 and Prime 88 wi...