Wine, Technology, and Harvest Challenges

Wine, Technology, and Harvest Challenges

Ten developments expected to guide the future of fine wine were recently outlined in an August 2017 article. The information is derived from topics discussed at a Fine Minds 4 Fine Wines conference in France that took place in June. Technology in Wine Stores and Disruptive Technologies were included in the conversation.

Technology for the Wine Industry

There are numerous groups that get together for the purpose of ensuring a future for the wine industry. Keeping up with modern technology is important. For instance, customer movement can be tracked with beacons, providing helpful information to be used for marketing purposes.

Blockchain technology is digital and operates like a distributed ledger that keeps a continuous, constant list of records. Transactions are validated and added to a chain. The chain of transactions is stored on multiple servers, creating a record that is permanent and irrevocable. Blockchain is expected to be a world-changing technology.

Using 3D printing to customize customer packaging is also considered an advanced approach to providing service in the wine industry.

Current Challenges

It’s important to strategize and plan for the future of the wine industry, especially considering that some wine regions in the U.S. are struggling. A recent problem appears to be that the legalization of marijuana in California, Oregon, and Washington, creates labor shortages for vintners in those states.

In July, during off-the-record discussions with a reporter, concerns were expressed that no one will be available to pick grapes once the harvests are ready. The majority of the help needed for harvest time comes from part-time workers who work during the season for hourly wages. Vintners are concerned that even if they raise the amount of wages paid for harvesting grapes, not enough laborers will be available.

Wine Will Never Go Out of Style

Although the industry faces struggles and should keep up with modern technology, winemaking isn’t going anywhere. Upcoming generations just need to be introduced to the joys of wine. In addition, professionals in the industry should remain diligent to ensure that winemakers are keeping up with modern technology. Whether or not there will truly be a dilemma at harvest time remains to be seen, though there is evidence that a labor shortage could hurt the U.S. industry. Whatever happens, one thing is for sure: wine will always be in season

 

 

 

A List Of Reasonably-Priced Wines That You Should Try

There are literally thousands of types of wines on the market these days and they feature various aromas and tastes. These wines are also excellent in certain circumstances and their flavor can be enriched by combining them with different types of foods. However, you are not always ready to spend a fortune on a bottle of wine to celebrate a personal event. Ideally, you might want to find affordable wines which still taste good and are readily available in your locality. Here are some of the most delightful wines you should try:

La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

This is a rich wine with a caramel flavor produced by the winemaker Melissa Stackhouse. It is one of the most popular and appreciated wine from this winemaker and it costs fewer than 20 dollars. In some cases, it can also feature a vanilla flavor which enriches your wine tasting experience.

Columbia Valley Merlot

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Chateau Ste. Michelle produces the amazing Columbia Valley Merlot wine which features a unique aroma and rich taste. This winemaker is highly regarded in the Washington State, producing more than 1 million cases of wine every year. Just like La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, a bottle of Columbia Valley Merlot costs less than $20 and it is widely available across the country.

Sonoma County Pinot Noir

Produced by Clos Du Bois, this wine type can be bought for just $20 and it is one of the best Pinots you can find for this price tag. Sonoma County Pinot Noir is a succulent wine squeezed from rich red grapes that will make every dinner in family seem like a special occasion.

Oregon Pinot Gris

King Estate is one of the most productive winemakers in Oregon and the creator of Oregon Pinot Gris, a fantastic white wine which features multiple types of flavors. Available for less than $20 at most wine stores, Oregon Pinot Gris is a perfect choice whether you serve it with your family members or friends.

California Merlot

Priced at under $10, this wine type doesn’t seem like much until you taste it. The California Merlot is produced by Pepperwood Grove and it features delicious tastes of chocolate and plums. It is one of the best and most affordable wines available on the market today and it is produced from grapes plucked from the entire state of California.

Sonoma County Chardonnay

Rodney Strong produces the amazing Sonoma County Chardonnay, a delicious wine available on the market for around $15. This type of wine features rich and strong notes of stone-fruits and it can go well with a wide variety of meals. Some consider that the Sonoma County Chardonnay is one of the best wines which can be served at barbecues.

Reserva Malbec

From Argentina you can enjoy the magnificent Reserva Malbec, a tasty and spicy wine featuring black-fruits aromas. Argentina is one of the most popular wine producers in the world and they create some of the most appreciated types of wines, so you won’t go feel sorry if you pick the Reserva Malbec available from Bodega Norton for around $15.

Sauvignon Blanc

In a similar fashion, the famous Sauvignon Blanc created by the Casa Lapostolle winemaker is one of the most appreciated wines in Chile. It features a crisp and zesty taste and for just $10, it is one of the best and most reasonably-priced wine bottles you can procure today.

Casillero del Diablo Carmenère

This is another tasty Chilean wine you might want to try and it is produced by the famous Concha y Toro winemaker. This vineyard produces no less than 15 million of wine cases every year, making it the largest wine producers in the country. Casillero del Diablo Carmenère features a blackberry-rich aroma and a spicy taste which will make your day.

Gentil

Produced by Hugel et Fils in France, this wine called simply “Gentil” is much appreciated all over the world. It is available for under $15 and it features strong floral aromas as well as a delicious taste. It was produced back in 1992 by Hugel and it can be savored with light meat such as fish or chicken.

Primitivo

Created by A-Mano, a famous winemaker in Italy, Primitivo is priced around $12 and it features a cherry flavor that will impress you. The Italians are recognized as some of the best winemakers worldwide and with Primitivo, they create a delicious, light, aromatic wine type which can be served anytime, anywhere.

Santa Cristina

In Italy, Antinori is one of the most prestigious winemakers and they create wide variety of wines, including the famous Santa Cristina. Priced around $15, this wine type features a spicy taste and it can be combined with most types of meals.

If some of these wines are already in your large collection of wine bottles then you might want to keep them safe to be enjoyed at the right time. In this case, our wine cabinets might be very useful to you and they also come at reasonable prices. Check our website for more details about our excellent wine products and accessories!

Tech Tuesday … the Koolspace KoolR Wine Cooling Unit ~ November 15, 2011

Tech Tuesday . . . where wine & tech meet

Koolspace KoolR Compact Wine Cooling Unit

A compact system, the Koolspace™ wine cooling unit is designed to sit in a hole in your wall, roughly equal to the size of the unit itself. They are extremely quiet and very energy efficient.

Koolspace KoolR Wine Cooling Unit

 

The Koolr compact wine cooling unit / wine refrigeration system features:

  • Cooling Capacity: up to 300 cubic feet
  • Dimensions:  15″d x 15 1/2″w x 9 1/8″h
  • Wall Cutout: 15 5/8″w x 9 3/8″h
  • Outside Louver:  18 1/2″w x 10 1/2″h
  • Maximum wall thickness: 6 1/2″
  • BTU’s: 1500

Get it from Rosehill Wine Cellars. prices starting at $420.00 USD.

Tech Tuesday … WhisperKool Slimline series ~ September 13, 2011

Tech Tuesday . . . where wine & tech meet

SLIMLINE – WhisperKOOL’s quietest self-contained unit; designed for interior venting.

This unit fits into the often-unused space between the cellar door and ceiling, giving the collector max. storage capacity. Collectors often need more storage space and with the area above the door often not used for wine storage it is ideal for a cooling unit installation.

Whispercool Slimline

 

Key Features:

  • Quiet and efficient operation – 53 decibels condenser
  • Advanced electronic control system
  • Liquid bottle probe
  • Humidity control
  • Energy saving mode
  • Can be mounted above the door
  • 30°F temperature differential

Get it from Rosehill Wine Cellars. prices starting at $1325.00.

 

Tech Tuesday … Ravi Instant Wine Chiller ~ August 23, 2011

Tech Tuesday . . . where wine & tech meet

Ravi Instant Wine Chiller ~ $39.95

Ravi Instant Wine Chiller

 

features:

  • An instant and efficient portable wine cooler, the Ravi does away w/ the need for ice buckets / refrigeration
  • Insert into bottle neck & pour; wine is chilled instantly as it passes through the inner frozen tube
  • The tube is made from the same stainless steel that’s used for wine fermentation tanks; maintains wine’s characteristics & does not alters taste
  • Since not all wines are enjoyed at same temp, a valve controls the rate of flow of wine to help regulate the temperature
  • Simply store in your freezer when not in use; unit stays efficient for 90 minutes out of freezer; requires only hand washing for care

Get it from Rosehill Wine Cellars for only $39.95.

 

Tech Tuesday … “take Natalie with you to the wine store…” ~ August 9, 2011

Tech Tuesday . . . where wine & tech meet

Natalie MacLean Wine Picks & Pairings ~ free mobile app

Natalie MacLean iPhone appfeatures:

  • snap a picture of a bottle bar code with your smartphone
  • get professional tasting notes, scores, pairings and recipes
  • search 150,000 wines available in liquor stores across the country
  • click to see how many bottles are in stock in nearby stores
  • add wines to your virtual cellar with just a few clicks
  • share your wines and pairings on Twitter and Facebook

Get it – you’ll never visit the LCBO without this app again.