Looking at the world of wine, it’s interesting to see that more and more regions and countries are becoming involved with growing grapes and producing wine. Fifty years ago, if one were talking about quality wine one could pretty much know that the conversation would be about French wine.

Much has changed over the past 50 years. Of course, there was the Judgment of Paris in 1976 that made the world sit up and take notice of California wines and its potential. Today the United States has several wine regions that are producing quality wines.

Worldwide more wines from other countries can be proud of the wines they are producing. Research in creating better wines and vineyards continues. Winemakers from different countries are frequently sharing their knowledge as in the case of Canadian winemakers helping China.

In his book Oz Clarke’s ‘Let Me Tell You About Wine’ he writes about several renowned countries that produce wine. Clarke also mentions a few lesser-known wine producing countries including Lebanon, Cyprus, Israel, Turkey, India, China, Japan and Thailand. It will be interesting to see where these countries are in wine production in a few years.

France is also interested in the US not only as wine competition but also in terms of oak barrels.  According to a recent article in The Press Democrat, “French Company Buys Winemakers Cooperage in Cloverdale” by Nathan Halverson, recently a large French wine-barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, purchased Winemakers Cooperage in Cloverdale, CA. Kudos to Groupe Charlois, which plans to increase production and is retaining the Cooperage employees.

Cheers, Kathy