Scientists Map Genetic Code Of Grapevine Pest, A Breakthrough For Winemakers
After a decade, scientists have identified the genome of phylloxera, an insect that can wipe out vineyards and winemaker profits. The research team’s findings, published in BMC Biology, identified almost 3,000 genes that allow phylloxera, a type of lice, to colonize and live off grape vines. Paul Nabity, assistant professor of plant-insect ecology at the University of California Riverside, explains that “In effect, phylloxera creates its own refrigerator on the plant that it can feed from whenever it wants.” The structures it creates also protect the insect from attacks by other parasites. Known as galls, these bumpy structures ruin a grapevine’s ability to feed itself, wound the roots, and increase the vine’s vulnerability to pathogens and fungi. Eventually, it stunts the growth of grapevines and can even kill them. Phylloxera was accidentally brought to Europe from the New World in the 1860s and almost ended French viticulture. Native North American grapevines co-evolved with phylloxera, making them resistant to its harmful effects. However, most of grapes grown for food and drink are European varieties. To sell the most marketable wines, North America growers must graft North American roots onto European grapevines to build the vines’ tolerance to phylloxera. The new genome map may simplify things, helping growers prevent phylloxera infestations and reduce pesticide use in both North American and European vineyards.
12,000 Bottles Of Templeton Rye Spill Onto Missouri Highway
Templeton Rye has developed a reputation as a smooth mixing whiskey, employed by bartenders around the world in countless cocktails. Alas, a truck carrying 12,000 bottles of Templeton 4-Year Rye rolled over last week, causing an estimated loss of $325,000 worth of whiskey. Kevin Boersma, Templeton Rye’s processing manager, says the truckload of whiskey belonged to a distributor and was bound for Fort Smith, Arkansas. But it never made it. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the accident. “It’s definitely the strangest thing I’ve ever had happen with a truckload or shipment,” Boersma said. “You could see on the (news) video that maybe some cases might have made it, but I haven’t heard anything official.” As of now, the truck, trailer, and cargo are considered a total loss. Get the full storyhere at USA Today or here at VinePair.
Why American Craft Brewers Hunt For Salted Nut Rolls
Craft brewers find flavor inspiration everywhere, and one of the latest is the old-fashioned candy, Pearson’s Salted Nut Rolls. But why would different craft brewers around the country draw inspiration from the same obscure candy? If you know, you know. It all started at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver with Jagged Mountain Brewing and its milk stout brewed with lactose, peanut butter, and salt to conjure the classic flavors of this treat. And now it’s the biggest inside joke among brewers, whose supplier, Brewers Supply Group, would often throw the candy into shipments of barley, rye, and wheat as a bit of a scavenger hunt to break up the monotony of unpacking of bag after bag of these essential brewing ingredients.
“We definitely fight over the Nut Rolls in the shipments,” says Andy Bobst, the Operations and Marketing Manager for Tin Whiskers Brewing in St. Paul Minnesota. “Sometimes you’ll see shorter brewers’ feet sticking out of the top of a pallet, because they dove in head first looking for the candy.” The Brewers Supply Group has dedicated a social media account to the candy, and breweries like Tin Whiskers, Oklahoma’s Prairie Artisan Ales, San Diego’s AleSmith Brewing Company, and Crafty Bastard Brewery in Knoxville have all recently created beers inspired by the candy.
Johnnie Walker Releases 200th Birthday Bottlings
Johnnie Walker, the world’s bestselling brand of Scotch, began when its namesake John Walker started selling whisky out of his family’s grocery store 200 years ago. This year, Johnnie Walker will release four different spirits in honor of the brand’s 200th anniversary. “Each of these exclusive releases bring a fresh perspective to our 200th anniversary story and are the perfect way to celebrate this huge moment for Johnnie Walker,” says Master Blender Jim Beveridge. “It feels very apt to be announcing them this week to coincide with John Walker’s birthday.”
The new bottlings are named Johnnie Walker Blue Label 200th Anniversary Limited Edition Design; Johnnie Walker Blue Label Legendary Eight; John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend; and John Walker & Sons Bicentenary Blend. The limited edition bottles will go on sale in October.
Coming In Early 2021: Johnnie Walker Scotch In Paper Bottles
According to alcoholic beverage company Diageo, its Johnnie Walker scotch whisky will be sold in paper bottles early next year. The initiative aims to eliminate plastic waste and comes after years of scrutiny against companies that use plastic packaging. Beverage makers Diaego, PepsiCo, and Unilever have all set goals to reduce plastic use and enhance recycling by 2025 as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals program. The new Johnnie Walker scotch whisky bottle, made in a partnership with venture management company Pilot Lite, will consist of wood pulp and will be fully recyclable, according to Diaego.
Sudan Allows Alcohol Consumption After 30 Year Prohibition
After 30 years of alcohol prohibition under Islamist rule, Sudan is now allowing non-Muslims to drink alcohol. Muslims are still prohibited from drinking, and if caught drinking with non-Muslims, which make up around 3% of the population, both parties could be liable, according to Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari. The country has also abolished other laws and practices such as an anti-apostasy law (banning the renunciation of one’s religion), public flogging, female genital mutilation, and the requirement that women secure a male relative’s permission to travel with their children. The laws being abolished were enacted more than three decades ago when Omar Hassan al-Bashir was in power. Mr. al-Bashir was deposed last year.
Aluminum Cans In Short Supply As Canned Drink Demand Accelerates
While restaurants and sports stadiums remained closed, U.S. beer and soda companies have shifted production from kegs to cans, creating a surge in demand for cans. The resulting supply chain bottlenecks have caused some beverage makers to limit sales of niche products like Cherry Coke Zero and Pibb. “The can industry is working 24/7 on meeting the unprecedented demand,” said Robert Budway, president of the Can Manufacturers Institute, the industry’s trade association. To help fulfill beverage company orders, some of the country’s top can manufacturers are building three new factories within the next 18 months. According to the Aluminum Association, demand for cans had already been increasing prior to the pandemic, as consumers moved away from plastic beverage containers toward those sold in aluminum. Rising sales of newer products like canned wines and hard seltzers have also intensified the need for can manufacturers to step up production.
British Royal Family Now Sells Gin With The Queen’s Garden Botanicals
The Royal Collection Trust, founded by Queen Elizabeth II, has begun selling premium London dry gin made with botanicals from the queen’s Buckingham Palace garden. The regal gin is made from 12 botanicals, including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries, bay leaves, and mulberry leaves collected from the garden. “For the perfect thirst-quencher,” said the trust in a statement, “the recommended serving method is to pour a measure of the gin into an ice-filled short tumbler before topping up with tonic and garnishing with a slice of lemon.” The Buckingham Palace gin will be served at official palace events, and 23-ounce bottles currently retail for about $50 online. Get the full story at Fox Newshere, at VinePair here, and at Reuters here.
Eonophiles Pick 5 Easygoing, Affordable Summer Wines
“An easygoing wine should be a little bit light and a little bit fruity, and it should taste equally good with or without food,” says wine expert Lettie Teague. “And it should be reasonably priced.” After consulting with other eonophiles (wine lovers), Teague found 5 wines that fit the bill. Her most affordable pick is the 2019 Vinho Verde from Aveleda Fonte for just $7. “It’s for drinking just about anywhere, anytime,” says Teague. Then there’s the 2019 Pino Grigio from renowned Italian winemaker Erste + Neue. At $13, this fresh and somewhat minerally white from the Alto Adige region is a bargain. If you like a bit more acidity in a pale pink wine, Teague recommends the 2019 Mas de Cadenet Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoirie for $17. Or, if prefer melon aromas in a softer white, try the classic Albariño, 2018’s Burgáns Albariño Rias Baixas for just $12. Among reds, Beaujolais is probably the most agreeable summer wine, and the 2018 Pierre-Marie Chermette Poncié Fleurie, at only $24, provides a bit more edge along with the refreshing fruit.
Japanese Women Revitalize Sake Industry
Miho Imada of the Imada Shuzo Honten sake company in Hiroshima is the 3<sup>rd</sup> generation toji (brewmaster) and now the 5<sup>th</sup> generation owner to manage the 152-year old company. Before assuming her position as toji, the brewery always outsourced the position, usually to men. Imada initially sidestepped the sake industry, despite being raised in the family-owned brewery, but when she saw domestic sake production declining drastically, she came home from Tokyo at age 33 to study sake-making under the toji in 1994. She succeeded the toji in 2000, then she became managing director at the brewery when her father stepped down in 2018. Imada’s sake has since gained her numerous accolades, including nods at the 2016 Annual Japan Sake Awards, the UK’s 2017 International Wine Challenge, and the 2017 Kura Master in France.
Imada says that 30 years ago most guests at sake tasting events were male, but now there is a greater female presence. Monica Samuels imports Imada’s sake as director of Sake and Spirits at Vine Connections, and adds, “Sometimes I get the feeling that Miho wishes people were interested in more than just her being a woman in the business when they talk to her, but I think she doesn’t realize how much of a role model she is to women who are trying to chase after their career without feeling like they have to live up to society’s expectations.“
