Vodka made from grain-fine. Vodka made from potatoes-great. But vodka made from grapes? That’s one Argentina-based winery is distilling: a “wine vodka” made from Malbec grapes, the most popular and recognizable varietal grown in the region. (Source: Wine Enthusiast)

French Agriculture Minister, Michel Barnier, concluded a meeting of European wine industry professionals saying, “We must ensure that wine holds on to its rightful role, that is a recognised beverage that is part of a way of eating and drinking specific to our societies. Obviously, we must not weaken in our fight against alcoholism, but in the face of growing arguments that are often exaggerated and border on a kind of witch hunt, we must develop messages that are educational and responsible”. (Source: VSB)

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific offers a new event associated with the University this year - the Certificate Programme, accessible with the University Pass.

The Programme consists of presentations on specially selected themes that have been organised by Vinexpo Asia-Pacific with widely recognised speakers.

So, buy a University Pass, attend at least three out of the seven presentations in the Programme and obtain a Vinexpo Asia-Pacific University Certificate! (Source: Vinexpo)

According to a recent report, sparkling wine sales are up 44 % by volume since 2002, compared to a 24% increase posted by Champagne over the same period. But while, UK consumers bought twice as much sparkling wine in the last two years as they did Champagne, they were still willing to spend two and a half times more on Champagne. (Source: Decanter.com)

Wines from Chile have taken off in the US. Since the beginning of 2007, exports of these wines to the American market, which is especially enthusiastic about red blended wines but also sauvignon blanc, showed a significant rise. The success of these wines abroad has also led to better recognition of the Carmenère grape, which today is a typically Chilean grape but which is originally from Bordeaux. (Source: EuroWine)

An agreement signed in February 2008 between the regional government of Rioja, the Spanish Council of Scientific Investigation (CSIC) and Rioja University has enabled work to start on the future Vine and Wine Sciences Institute.  Due to open in 2010, the Institute is designed to become an internationally reputed leader in wine-growing research with state-of-the-art technology and the best research scientists in the field. (Source: ADIT / Foreign Affairs Ministry)