Good Morning, and Happy Saturday. It's December 20, 2025.

How Gen Z Is Quietly Rewriting the Rules of Wine

Data shows Gen Z’s rising engagement with wine is driven by lighter styles, values-focused buying habits, and tasting rooms that emphasize connection and transparency over traditional cues. (Food & Wine)

Why America’s Vineyards Are In Crisis—And How Growers Are Responding

Across the U.S., thousands of acres of wine grapes have gone unsold due to declining wine sales and overflowing wine inventories. But some growers are fighting back with proactive and longterm solutions. (Forbes/Dr Liz Thach, MW)

Ohio vineyard owner relied on toxic weed killer. Now facing Parkinson’s, he wants it banned

“I’m trying to keep people from doing what I did,” said Dave Jilbert, now 66. “I don’t want people to be damaged like me.” (mlive.com)

Cabernet Sauvignon’s Long Memory Revealed

UC Davis Study Finds Wine Grape Still Carries a Molecular Memory of Its Ancestry After 400 Years (UCDavis)

Why a revered California winemaker is risking everything for his final project

Marty Mathis, owner of Kathryn Kennedy Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, sees the current situation idfferently from most in the wine business: he has nothing to lose. In the twilight of a career spent making California’s most famous wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, he’s going all in on wines that have little commercial appeal — what he calls “quiet” or “frivolous” whites. 

Analyzing the Ste. Michelle sale Part I: Who benefits?

Three reasons why the sale should be good for Ste. Michelle, why the sale makes sense for Sycamore Partners, the sellers, and the Wycoff Family, the buyers. (Sean P. Sullivan/Northwest Wine Report).

Analyzing the Ste. Michelle sale Part II: Questions

The big questions: Will the Wykoff family succeed at selling at retail, and will they be able to successfully run a large company? (San P. Sullivan/Northwest Wine Report)

Stupid Pennies Are Gone - Finally!

It's about time. The U.S. Mint made its last penny Thursday, March 13. Too bad that 328 billion of them were minted before that. They are a nuisance and not worth the energy (and pollution) necessary to mine, mint, and distribute them. Here are my two cents. (American Council on Science & Health)

How Long Can You Keep an Open Bottle of Wine?

An open wine can only last for a short while, but you can do a few things to extend its life. (CNET)

Fruit-forward and aromatic wines win over modern drinkers

Consumers are increasingly choosing wines that are expressive, approachable and flavour-led rather than classic heavyweight styles. From Sauvignon Blanc to RTD wine cocktails, data shows fun and aromatic profiles are reshaping the market. (Drinks Business)

How US Wine Laws Allow Blatant Misrepresentation

This Wine, found at Costco, is named after Texas but contains no Texas grapes. (The Chalk Report)

Regenerative Farming at Burnt Hill Farm

"Burnt Hill is a complex system of interacting forces — soil, plants, animals, fungi, and people — all working together in delicate balance".   In addition to the grapevines, they raise longwool sheep, woodland hogs, honey bees, log-grown mushrooms, heritage grains, and a small orchard — "always with reverence for the relationships between the land and all things who call it home." (Wine Compass)

So, Your House Is Stinky. Here’s How to Fix It.

Cleaning doesn't have to be a time-consuming chore. With the right supplies, tools, and accessories, cleaning can be easier and more efficient. From dish soap to laundry detergent and everything in between, we've researched and tested hundreds of items to help you clean your home.  (Wirecutter/New York Times)