Regardless of what you believe is the cause, global warming and climate change is occurring. Depending upon where one looks around the globe, climate change affects specific areas of the world differently. Specifically, in regards to wine and viticulture in…
Moderate Alcohol Consumption Lowers Risk of Oral Cancer in Postmenopausal Women
It has been well documented that alcohol consumption is a strong risk factor for oral cancer, as well as other upper alimentary tract cancers, especially if it is combined with smoking. Alcoholic beverages are chronic irritants to the throat, specifically…
Influence of Geographical Location on Volatile Composition of Spanish Oak
The use of oak in wine making, be it with oak barrels or oak chips, has a significant effect on the flavor, aroma, texture, and color of the finished wine. Traditionally, three different species of oak have been used for…
Who’s Your Daddy?: Petite Sirah
For today’s “Who’s Your Daddy” post, we will be exploring the origins of Petite Sirah. http://wine.appellationamerica.com/images/ competitions/Petite-Sirah-Gnarly-Vine.jpg Petite Sirah, also known as Durif or Petite Syrah, was originally developed in the late 1800s in France, though is probably most known…
Inhibition of Cholesterol Oxidation by Wine: It’s Not All About Resveratrol
We’ve all heard over and over that red wine is good for your heart. Studies have shown that wine consumption reduces blood platelet aggregation, which ultimately helps prevent many cardiovascular diseases. The polyphenolic compounds in wine are primarily responsible for…
Cellulose Polymers Shown to Reduce “Brett” Character in Wines
Ethylphenols are compounds that are known to be present in wines and other alcoholic beverages, and often produce “off” flavors such as pharmaceutical or animal-like (e.g. “horse sweat” or leather tones), and are considered to be responsible for “Brett character”…
April Round-Up
Life is busy busy these days for The Academic Wino! In lieu of a review post today, I’m happy to prepare a summary of some fascinating articles already covered within the past few months on this blog. Feel free to…
Organic Viticulture Methods Alter Microbial Population Structure Towards Natural Biocontrol
As a result of conventional farming practices, many natural habitats have been destroyed, and the plant protection methods employed have not only been thought to cause human health problems, but also contribute to about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. One…
Examining the Anthocyanin Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Port Wines
Port wines are created from the Duoro Demarcated Region in northern Portugal, and use several varieties of grapes, including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, and Tinta Amarela. One important characteristic of Port wines and Port-style…