Wine Understanding the New Sugar Addition Regulations for French Wine: What You Need to Know Chris Lehoux, March 20, 2026 French winemakers are facing a significant change as regulators have approved the addition of sugar to wines during the post-fermentation process. This shift allows producers in the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) regions to add up to 9 grams of grape-derived sugar per liter to their wines, a practice that was… Continue Reading
Cabernet Sauvignon Exploring the 2024 Vintage in Napa: Insights from Premiere Napa Valley Chris Lehoux, March 20, 2026 Longtime readers may recall my passion for sampling barrel wines to gauge the potential of recent vintages in Napa Valley. Typically, I participate in the annual Premiere Napa Valley auction organized by the Napa Valley Vintners Association, a highlight for wine enthusiasts. In recent years, event scheduling clashed with family… Continue Reading
Wine Common Sense Reform: New York State Approves Limited Retail-to-Retail Wine and Liquor Transactions Chris Lehoux, March 19, 2026 Common Sense Reform Eases Burden on Small Businesses & Supports Neighborhood Retailers Across New York State The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) has introduced a significant reform allowing bars and restaurants to purchase limited quantities of wine and liquor directly from retailers. Previously, these establishments relied solely on wholesalers… Continue Reading
Wine Get Ready for a Bubbly Experience at the Lodi Wine Festival! Chris Lehoux, March 19, 2026 The Lodi Wine Festival is set to kick off its 2026 season on March 28, celebrating its growing popularity with a new feature aimed at enhancing attendee experience. This year, festival organizers have introduced a "Bubble Lounge," where nearly a dozen local wineries will showcase their sparkling wines. Mark Armstrong,… Continue Reading
Wine Boxed vs. Bottled Wine: Are You Making the Right Choice? Insights from Experts Chris Lehoux, March 19, 2026 Boxed wine has undergone a transformation, shedding its stigma as a low-quality option. Experts argue that boxed wine can be a viable alternative to traditional bottled wine, especially for everyday consumption. Beverage professionals, including Cody and Camille Goldstein, Adam Lapierre, and Luis Rojas, emphasize that the evolution of boxed wine… Continue Reading
Wine Gina Gallo-Boisset and Jean-Charles Boisset Present the Flora Springs Wine Lounge in Napa’s Iconic Gordon Building Chris Lehoux, March 18, 2026 Flora Springs Wine Lounge Opens in Napa Flora Springs has announced the debut of the Flora Springs Wine Lounge, a sophisticated new venue located in the historic Gordon Building on First Street, downtown Napa. This new establishment, envisioned by proprietors Gina Gallo-Boisset and Jean-Charles Boisset, blends wine, design, and hospitality,… Continue Reading
Wine Argea Becomes the First Italian Private Wine Company to Join Stronger Together Initiative with Scandinavian Monopolies Chris Lehoux, March 18, 2026 Argea Joins Stronger Together: A Commitment to Sustainability in the Italian Wine Industry March 17, 2026 (Milan, Italy) — Argea has made a significant move by joining the Stronger Together Italia programme, becoming the first private wine company in Italy to support this initiative. The programme is developed by the… Continue Reading
Wine Get Ready for an Epic Culinary Experience: The 2026 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen Unveils a Stellar Lineup! Chris Lehoux, March 18, 2026 The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is set to return from June 19 to 21, 2026, boasting over 80 events and featuring more than 60 renowned chefs and beverage experts, including notable figures like Bobby Flay and Maneet Chauhan. This three-day event promises to be a culinary extravaganza, featuring… Continue Reading
Happenings This Week in Wine: Highlights and Updates for March 15, 2026 Chris Lehoux, March 17, 2026 Hello and welcome to my weekly roundup of interesting wine-related stories from around the web. Each week, I sift through countless articles to share the highlights that I think deserve your attention. Key Stories This Week Supreme Court Takes On The Future Of DTC Wine ShippingAs hopes linger, the fate… Continue Reading
Wine ‘It Changed Everything’: How North Coast Wine Challenge Winners Attribute Success to Past Recognition Chris Lehoux, March 17, 2026 For Gary and Ellen Luchtel, the owners of Fortunati Vineyards, winning a prestigious award at the North Coast Wine Challenge was nothing short of transformative. Their 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon triumphed over more than 1,100 entries to clinch the title of "Best of the Best." Located in Napa Valley, Fortunati Vineyard… Continue Reading