Niche Wine Blog

Pierce's Disease Genetic Code Cracked!

Fighting vine threat

NEW DISCOVERIES: Researchers crack genetic code of bacterium that causes Pierce's disease

By KEVIN McCALLUM
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Published: Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.

KENT PORTER / The Press Democrat

Grape grower Richard Rued, checking vines Wednesday, says Pierce's disease is a persistent problem in his Dry Creek vineyards. The tell-tale sign of the infection is stunted vine growth when compared with others, at left, which are growing normally.

Keeling Schaefer Vineyards: 2006 Two Reds Grenache

Keeling Schaefer Vineyards is in Cochise County, in Southern Arizona.  It sits at roughly 5,000 feet above sea level.  When people think of Arizona, they most often do not think about growing grapes and making wine.  However, with the Southern AZ growing regions being anywhere from 4,000-5,000 feet in altitude, the climate is quite temperate. 

2007 Bergevin Lane Vineyards Columbia Valley Rose

Bergevin Lane Vineyards is located in Walla Walla, WA.  It is, in part, the creation of two women who wanted to leave the chaotic life of 9-5 behind and do something they loved.  One of their father's has many years of industry experience and he has helped them tremendously.  The winery officially opened in 2003 and in the last five years they've had to prove themselves to the wine market, they have done a superb job. 

2008 Wine Blogger's Conference

Changing World of Wine Journalism Focus of 2008 Wine Bloggers Conference

Wine Bloggers From Across America to Converge in Wine Country October 24-26

SONOMA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--America’s new wine media will gather in Sonoma County, California on October 24-26 for the first annual Wine Bloggers Conference. As the number and influence of wine bloggers grows, the Sonoma gathering will bring together hundreds of online wine scribes to discuss their impact, how to better impart information to wine lovers across the globe, and how to stake their claim as the next generation of wine media.

Great Wines Worth Seeking Out

Wednesday was a big tasting day at 58 Degrees & Holding, the fine wine shop I work at in Tucson.  Below is the list of wines I tried, my opinion of quality on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best, critic ratings if applicable, and a link to find out more information on each.