Alcohol and Happiness

Researchers in the UK have discovered that alcohol makes you happy. Well duh! Tell us something we don’t already know. Most folks feel elated or more relaxed after a drink or two and depending on the person, some more than others. It really enhances social get-togethers with friends and loved ones and can escalate romance. In other words it makes pleasurable activities even more pleasurable. However, this research discovered that alcohol had an even bigger impact on an individual’s happiness when consumed along with what most folks would consider unenjoyable activities like waiting, commuting, doing paperwork or the tediousness of travel, therefore making them much easier to cope with.

Millennials and Wine

There’s no question that today Millennials (20- and 30-somethings), more than any other age group, are influencing the wine industry big time. From the styles and varietals they drink, when and how much they consume, and even how they buy it, their impact is huge. They’re much more willing to try new offerings and varietals and their love of rosé is putting this style through a renaissance. Not surprisingly, young women are at the forefront of this revolution. And unlike older generations who would enjoy a glass of wine only with dinner, millennials will sip numerous glasses anytime, even while watching TV. Winemakers are certainly noticing that Millennials are the leading group of wine consumers today.

Oak for Wine

Many wines are aged or fermented in oak to add aroma and texture. Why oak instead of other woods? It’s because of its grains and the tannins and vanilla that it passes on to wine resting within. Oak for wine comes from two major sources: Europe and North America. Most European oak, especially western Europe (more expensive), has tighter pores or grains infusing delicate oaky notes into wine. North American oak, especially from the U.S. (less expensive), has looser pores or wider grains providing more aggressive flavours. The newer the oak, the smaller the barrel and the longer wine spends in it, the stronger the oak character. Barrels can be toasted on the inside (light, medium, high) as well to affect the wine’s flavour.

Synthetic Polymer Corks

If you drink wine then I’m sure you’ve come across these plastic replacements to natural wooden corks. They look like the real thing, come in a vast array of day-glow colours, require a corkscrew to extract, and perhaps most importantly, are free of “cork taint” (TCA). However, I have reservations about them. First of all, they’re difficult to pull out, and if you don’t finish the wine, next to impossible to put back in. That however is not my biggest concern. They are made of an oil-based product and from what I know about wine, and particularly alcohol, it leaches elements out of things it comes in contact with. So would not the alcohol in wine leach chemicals out of these closures? Something to think about!

Who Drinks the Most Wine?

Italy and France may battle it out every year for who produces the most wine, but neither is at the top of the list for who drinks the most. Last year (2015), that wine soaked title was held by the United States. This country consumed a whopping 31 million hectolitres. That’s a lot of vino. France followed with 27.2 million hectolitres, and Italy and  Germany tied for number three with 20.5. Not surprisingly, China weighed in at number four with 16 million hectolitres. Then the U.K. (12.9), Argentina (10.3), Spain (10), Russia (8.9) and Australia (5.4). Shockingly, these few countries in total accounted for approximately 2/3 of worldwide wine consumption last year according to OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine).