This Week Uncorked

California's oldest family-run winery, Gundlach Bundschu, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Napa Valley's Signorello Estate faces foreclosure as experts warn more California winery bankruptcies could be coming, and Napa Valley Vintners launches a bold new marketing initiative, "Tonight, It's Napa," to revive consumer interest amid the wine industry downturn.    Plus, we visit Water Canyon Winery in...

Champagne is reaching record alcohol levels of up to 15% as its market shows signs of recovery after years of decline, UK authorities arrest a man over a suspected £500,000 counterfeit wine sale, and an Arizona winery introduces a unique promotion tying wine case prices to desert temperatures.  Plus, we visit Björnson Vineyard in Salem, OR, review the Björnson Vineyard "Viola" Auxerrois 2024, expl...

Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills celebrates two new 100-point wines from Jeb Dunnuck, France's historic Arbois wine appellation turns 90 amid growing tensions over strict regulations, and Michelin's controversial new winery ratings spark debate across the wine world.  Plus, we visit Devona Winery in Walla Walla, Washington, taste Pine Ridge Vineyards Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, dine at H...

California producers are giving away premium Pinot Noir as the bulk wine market struggles, Oregon's Rogue Valley has been named USA TODAY's #1 Best Wine Region, Sicily's Catarratto is finally getting its moment in the spotlight, and Chinese wine critic Alexandre Ma is working to change the language we use to describe wine.    Plus, we visit Troon Vineyard in McMinnville, Oregon, taste The Hess Col...

The U.S. wine market is projected to slip 3.5% in 2026, AI is already transforming how wine is made and authenticated, counterfeiters are fooling everyone from everyday drinkers to the world's top collectors, and Wales is bidding to create the world's first natural wine appellation.    Plus, we visit Telaya Wine Co. in Garden City, Idaho, taste their 2023 "250th Anniversary Liberty Red," stop by M...

New IWSR research challenges the Gen Z moderation myth, traditional wine clubs face questions about their future, Russia opens a massive "Wine Disneyland" to boost enotourism, and Portugal's Sines emerges as a global pioneer in underwater wine tourism.  We also visit SCORIA Tasting Room in Boise, taste the 2023 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis, dine at King's Landing Bistro in Springdale with $30-per...

This week, we cover Napa's expanding water lawsuit and its challenge to winery planning, the deepening succession battle inside French wine giant Castel, the theft of 3,000 bottles of Alta Langa from a Strevi winery, and historic Vivac Winery hitting the market.  Plus, we visit Old Town Cellars in Park City and taste the 2021 Robert Mondavi "The Reserve Red Blend," dine at Pine Cone Ridge with its...

The MICHELIN Guide launches its first-ever wine selection in Burgundy, Virginia wines shine in a landmark Paris tasting, We The Wine People premieres in Washington, D.C., and six new Master Sommeliers join the elite ranks of the wine world.  Plus, we visit Alpha Omega Collective Napa and taste the 2022 Alpha Omega Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, dine at Chandlers Prime Steaks & Fine Seafoo...

This week, we cover whether Canada could face consequences for its U.S. alcohol ban, how tariffs have reinvented Franzia in China, how South Africa's wine industry is adapting to changing climate conditions, and the rebound of Champagne sales in the U.S.  We also visit Reynvaan Family Vineyards in Walla Walla and taste its 2022 "Queen's Road White" White Blend, dine at ōkta Farm and Kitchen in McM...

This week, we explore robots and drones auditioning for grape growers at the Hopland Center, Saga Robotics bringing its UV-C "Farming with Light" technology to Silver Oak in Napa Valley, why AI search results suggest wine may be safer than alcohol, and a new data-driven platform designed to solve the "Walla Walla Paradox" of overwhelming wine tourism choices.  We also visit Abeja Winery in Walla W...

Napa winery shipments continue to decline as more than 1,000 vineyard owners face calls to pull their vines, while Australia confronts a major wine-industry collapse and Italy launches a new crisis fund to protect winemakers in Trentino.  Plus, we visit Oak Mountain Winery in Temecula, taste the 2016 Château Lilian Ladouys Red Blend from Bordeaux, dine at Strip House in Las Vegas with $50-per-bott...

Champagne races toward its earliest harvest ever as a French heatwave threatens yields, California begins an unusually early and light 2026 harvest, and new climate research suggests the future map of California wine country could shift away from regions like Napa and Sonoma toward Mendocino and Monterey.    We also visit Wrath Wines in Soledad, taste the 2020 Otu Estate Pinot Noir from New Zealan...

This week we're covering the Pope's first vineyard vintage, an ancient grape discovery that could rewrite modern wine history, Texas' record-breaking performance at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, and a major new study finding no link between moderate drinking and cancer mortality.    We also feature Jacob Williams Winery Tasting Room in McMinnville, OR, review the 2017 Silver Oak Cabernet Sa...

This week we're discussing whether Cabernet Franc is becoming New York's new signature grape, why even locals in Bordeaux are turning away from Bordeaux wines, Australia's debate over labeling Shiraz versus Syrah, and the remarkable discovery of the world's oldest liquid wine preserved inside a 2,000-year-old Roman funeral urn.   Our featured picks include Bingham Family Vineyards in Grapevine, Te...

This week we're covering the best grocery stores for buying wine according to a sommelier and chef, Canada's push to expand direct-to-consumer alcohol sales across provinces, how wine importers are navigating tariffs and currency volatility, and New York City's controversial "BuzzKill" campaign linking alcohol to cancer risk.   Our featured picks include Casa Rondeña Winery in Los Ranchos De Albuq...

This week we cover California vineyard values hitting rock bottom, how sports betting, cannabis, and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are reshaping the wine business, spirits surpassing wine in global consumption, and why China could become the next great fine wine success story.    Plus, we feature Portree Cellars in Johnson City, Texas, review the Tenute del Cabreo "Il Borgo" Super Tuscan Blend 2018, vis...

In this episode of This Week Uncorked, we cover Opus One's stunning estate redesign, France drinking more beer than wine for the first time in history, Napa Costco's grapevine pest scare, and the search for answers as the U.S. wine industry faces declining sales and changing consumer habits.    We also feature Ron Yates Wines in Hye, Texas, review the Les Grandes Serres GSM 2017, visit Eddie V's i...

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...