Global Warming Will Affect Your Beer

Growing Barle. Photo by Lucash on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

How Global Warming Will Affect Your Beer -- Popular Science

A pilot study examines how drought affects the quality of starch in barley.

There are many things that will change as Earth's climate warms.

Doctoral student Peter Gous is worried about the price and quality of beer.

The aspiring plant bioengineer worked with a team of scientists to test how not getting enough water altered the quality of barley grains.

In a small pilot study, the scientists found that the starches inside barley grains grown with too little water are different from starches found inside nicely-watered barley grains.

The dryness-stressed barley had longer-chain starch grains and more protein than normally grown barley.

From there, Gous made an interesting conjecture about the future—one we've never thought of.

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My Comment:The beer will be fine.beer

The 2012 And 2013 Vintages Are Probably The 'Two Best Vintages In The History Of Napa Valley'

2012 And 2013 ‘Best In Napa's History’ -- The Drinks Business 

The 2012 and 2013 vintages were “the best two vintages in the history of the Napa Valley”, according to Garen Staglin of Staglin Family Vineyard.

Speaking to the drinks business during a lunch in London last week to celebrate the estate’s new partnership with Pol Roger in the UK, Staglin said: “The elements were perfectly aligned in 2012 and 2013 in the Napa Valley.

“I’d have to go very far back in order to compare them to another vintage. I’d call them ’98-100 point’ vintages in terms of quality and quantity.

“It was like the 2009 vintage in Burgundy – the wines had such great expression, if you bought anything from anyone in those years then you’d be happy.”

While the Rutherford-based estate sells 70% of its wines directly to consumers via its mailing list, Staglin has recently partnered with Pol Roger to distribute its range in the UK.

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My Comment: I am looking forward to drinking these vintages.

A Guide To Tennessee Whiskey

Amanda Macias/Business Insider 

  An Expert's Guide To Tennessee Whiskey -- Richard Carleton Hacker, Business Insider/Robb Report 

Too often when a bartender is asked which bourbons his or her bar carries, the list invariably includes Jack Daniel’s sour-mash Tennessee whiskey.

But as most residents of the Volunteer State know, Tennessee whiskey is an entirely different libation from bourbon, even though they share many traits.

Bourbon must be made in the United States, but contrary to popular belief, it can be made anywhere in the country.

It is by a unique combination of history and geography that 95 percent of all bourbon is now made in Kentucky—the Civil War, the realignment of state boundaries, and the proximity of waterways are among the reasons.

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My Comment: A rather brief summary of Tennessee Whiskey .... but still worth the read.

The Art of Blending (Cognac)

From YouTube: Cognac has long held a reputation for being a drink consumed by old men sitting by the fireplace, perhaps with a cigar in hand. Working with the BNIC, Flow Films looked at this historic drink through a modern lens -- injecting renewed spirit into the iconic beverage. The film follows mixologists Marcos Tello and Kyle Branche who blend Cognac into cocktails, Michelin-starred chef David Féau who pairs Cognac with food, and passionate Cognac producers who are utilizing new techniques to produce the best possible product.

By giving attention to some of the smallest (Cognac Paul Giraud) and largest (Martell, Hennessy, Remy Martin) craftsmen in the region, Flow Films was able to capture an accurate portrait of Cognac production. Equally entertaining and educational, the film also takes the viewer through the entire Cognac-making process - from the vineyard, to distillation, barrel-making, aging, and, finally, to blending. Unfortunately, tasting is something you'll have to do on your own...

A Look At The Wine From Crimea

Crimean Winery Hopes to Benefit From Russian Annexation -- Voice of America 

WASHINGTON — Many Crimeans voted to join the Russian Federation in the hope of improving their well-being.

Ukraine's crumbling economy has hurt businesses throughout the country, while Russia has accumulated considerable wealth through its energy sales.

One Crimean winery's management hopes it will benefit from the region's annexation by Russia.

The Crimean peninsula may be best known for its Black Sea coast with beautiful beaches and naval ports, but the region's main industry is food production, including a centuries-old tradition of wine making.

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My Comment: Russian/Crimean wine is unique .... but if given the support it should succeed.