01/19/09 - Wine Writer
A Restaurateurs 30 Interesting Wine Facts
As owner of a winery and also a restaurant, I often get asked a lot of questions about wine and also about the wine industry in general. So here are some great wine facts for you to savour.
1. There are 20 million acres are planted to grapes worldwide.
2. Among the world's fruit crops, wine grapes rank number one in the amount of acres planted.
3 164 countries import California wines.
4. Prunes were the primary fruit crop in Napa Valley during the 1940's.
5. 30 million gallons of wine were lost in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
6. On August 19, 1873, phylloxera was first discovered in California.
7. 10,450 acres of Napa County vineyards have been replanted in the last 15 years because of phylloxera.
8. 4,450 more acres of Napa County vineyards will need replacement.
9. It takes 4 to 5 years to harvest a commercial crop from newly replanted grape vines?
10. 10,000 varieties of wine grapes exist worldwide.
11. It costs around $1 per bottle to age wine in a French oak barrel.
12. It costs around $3 per bottle to age wine in only new French oak barrels.
13. When was the first known reference to a specific wine vintage? Answer: Roman Historian Pliny the Elder rated 121 B.C. as a vintage ?of the highest excellence.?
14. How old was the wine being ?reviewed?? Answer: 200 years old! Pliny the Elder wrote the history of the Roman Empire around 70 A.D.
15. A bottle of opened wine stored in the refrigerator lasts about 6 to 16 times longer than it would if stored at room temp.
16. There are 400 oak species.
17. 20 of them are used in making oak barrels.
18. 5% percent of an oak tree is suitable for making high grade wine barrels.
19. The 1996 grape crop in Napa Valley was down 20% - 25% from normal.
20. California, New York and Florida are the top three U.S. states in terms of wine consumption.
21. 58% percentage of legal-aged Americans contacted in a Nielson phone survey drink wine.
22. 55 percentage of restaurant wine sales are red wines.
23. $2.64 is the average cost of the grapes used to produce a $20 bottle of wine?
24. Dom Perignon (1638-1715), the Benedictine Abbey (at Hautvillers) cellar master who is generally credited with ?inventing? the Champagne making process, was blind.
25. Thomas Jefferson helped stock the wine cellars of the first five U.S. presidents and was very partial to fine Bordeaux and Madeira.
26. To prevent a sparkling wine from foaming out of the glass, pour an ounce, which will settle quickly. Pouring the remainder of the serving into this starter will not foam as much.
27. Old wine almost never turns to vinegar. It spoils by oxidation.
28. In King Tut?s Egypt (around 1300 BC), the commoners drank beer and the upper class drank wine.
29. It is the VERY slow interaction of oxygen and wine that produces the changes noticed in aging wine. It is believed that wine ages more slowly in larger bottles, since there is less oxygen per volume of wine in larger bottles. Rapid oxidation, as with a leaky cork, spoils wine.
30. Before harvest, the canopy of leaves at the top of the vine is often cut away to increase exposure to the sun and speed ripening.
We hope you enjoyed these facts.
Ian Macdonald as founder and owner of Macdonalds Gourmet Burgers combines his passion and knowledge of food, wine and nutrition with savvy business tactics. He is also the MD of a corporate consulting firm that advises on strategic negotiation, dispute resolution and workplace change. Clients are mainly from top 100 corporations. For lots of free resources from their extensive website go to:
|
Thoughts about Wine Writer
A Restaurateurs 30 Interesting Wine Facts
As owner of a winery and also a restaurant, I often get asked a lot of questions about wine and also about the wine industry in general. So here are s...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Featured Wine Writer Items
Wine Decanter Glass Stopper - Small
You'll find these brilliant spheres of glass only at The Wine Enthusiast. While their true purpose is to top off decanters and provide an airtight seal for wines and spirits we see them also as spectacular paperweights and objects d'arts. Available in small and large sizes each with a subtly flattened base to prevent rolling.
Price: 14.95 USD
Wine Writer in the news
Gift Baskets for Any Occasion
Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:58:53 -0800
Baskets Beautiful offers a wide range of gift baskets. From flowers and cakes, to wine and spa products, Baskets Beautiful has it all. They have holiday and special occasion themes as well. Baskets Beautiful offers a basket for any occasion and in any price range. Custom made baskets for all occasions and holidays. Visit the website today!
Burgundy Hair Color, Hair Care Products Wholesale
Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:16:01 -0800
Often called wine red, or simply wine, the Burgundy color is similar to other shades of dark red like maroon. The quality of Burgundy hair color offered by our company is a popular color in the fashion of both men and women. This shade can be used to give the hair a burgundy color and may be applied for partial or gross effects.
Mudgee, Australia: Outdoor Movies on an Inflatable Screen
Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:19:57 -0800
Frog Rock Wines, in conjunction with Mojo Events and Promotions and BE Productions, have announced the inaugural ‘Flix in the Stix’ outdoor movies to be staged on the lawns of Frog Rock Wines until mid-February. A giant, 10m x 6.5m, inflatable movie screen will be erected on the lawn for six open air cinema screenings.
www.SavorySecret.Biz Sav
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:07:25 -0800
Red Pepper, Pine Nuts & Feta This Greek inspired appetizer-cheesecake presents the perfect combination of sweet roasted red peppers, tangy feta cheese and the richness of pine nuts. Bring this one out when family and friends drop by unexpectedly. http://www.savorysecret.biz/products.htmlRecommended wine pairing: Shiraz, Cabernet
Cooking Tip of the Day
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:28:59 -0800
Great cooking tips and recipes... tips and info on foods, herbs and spices, wines and cheeses, menu and party planning, kitchen accessories, product reviews and much much more.... something for everyone...from the beginner to the experienced cook.
Festival of Agros
Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:32:24 -0800
The Agros Village festival is celebrated in the village of Cyprus i.e. Agros Village. This Festival is unique festival of Cyprus. In this Festival the villagers are offering the local food, wine and live music, and rose derived products that made by villagers. This festival is celebrating annually in the summer of Cyprus.
Wine
Wine Drink
Labels: Fresno Wine
