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The Wine Spectator and regional wine

Brian Kirby at The Other 46 blog has some interesting facts and figures, including that of the magazine's 17,500 wine reviews in 2009, 84 were from states that weren't California, Oregon, Washington and New York -- .48 percent.

regional wine

West Virgina gets grape research money

West Virginia University researchers will study 14 grape varieties not grown in the state and study whether greenhouse protection for long season and less hardy grape varieties is feasible.

West Virginia wine

2009 vintages in Missouri, Illinois

Missouri and Illinois winemakers hope that last year's wet and cool weather translates to a decent vintage. Rainy weather delayed harvests, while some wineries are working with fewer grapes because of lower yields and there are questions about grape quality.

Missouri wine, Illinois wine

Oklahoma may get wine board

The 14-member Oklahoma Viticulture and Enology Industry Development Board would approve the spending earmarked for the wine and grape industry and develop strategies and technologies for grape and wine production in the state.

Oklahoma wine

Missouri wine christens sub

From the great Joe Pollack in the on-line wine magazine Palate Press: "When a bottle of Stone Hill 2001 Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine was broken across the bow of the U.S.S. Missouri recently, it was not only a tribute to the winemaker, the winery and the state of Missouri, but also a nod to history."

Missouri wine

Canadian wine may be more Canadian

Or, as the Wine Spectator notes: Winery executives and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario has proposed eliminating the "Cellared in Canada" term from bottles, which implies that wines are made mostly from Canadian grapes when they may have as little as one-third. The replacement? "Blended from International and Canadian Wines" on the front of bottles.

Canadian wine

Direct shipping in Iowa

Direct shipping law in Iowa may change, partly thanks to a lawsuit filed on behalf of a Missouri winery. And Iowa's wineries aren't happy about it.

Iowa wine

New York wine budget cuts

New York state, facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, wants to completely eliminate state support for the New York State Wine & Grape Foundation. Last year's budget cut the group's funding from $2.8 million to just under $1 million. The foundation, run by the widely-respected Jim Trezise, is one of the best known advoctes for regional wine in the U.S.

New York wine

Michigan ice wines

The thrill is the chill, says Absolute Michigan.

Michigan wine

Piedmont Wine Trail

From Charmed Magazine: "The Piedmont Wine Trail allows visitors to not only taste award winning Maryland Wine, but to experience this genuine commitment to excellence by the artisans and entrepreneurs in Baltimore and Harford counties."

Maryland wine