[wine] Survey Says

Check out Bill Ward's column in today's strib. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/126708638.html Liquid Assets: 'Survey says ... ' and we respond Article by: , Star Tribune Updated: August 3, 2011 - 2:47 PM Item: Millennials are more likely to consume wine while socializing, especially at friends' homes, than are their predecessors. Reaction: The Wine Business Institute study cites that generation's values of collaboration and work/life balance. Good on 'em. I'd also like to think that they're smarter about the whole adult-beverage thing: At least for this segment, it's something you sip rather than pound, and a lower-alcohol option than booze. Item: According to a study of high- frequency wine drinkers by Wine Opinions, only 40 percent of wine is consumed during meals: 27 percent with no food around, 19 percent with appetizers or snacks and 14 percent while preparing a meal. Reaction: A lot of forces at work here. The proliferation of both wine bars and "cocktail wines" that aren't particularly suited for food-pairing. Glossy magazine ads showing "beautiful people" sipping wine sans food, marketing it as something that sophisticated people do (a la cocktails a generation or two ago; a social thing but not imbedded into the culture as in Europe). And it's nice to see recognition of what my wife and I call "cooking wines," what we consume while chopping and sauténg. Item: Oregon's commercial wine industry nearly doubled its contribution to the state's economy in four years, from $1.4 billion in 2006 to $2.7 billion last year. Reaction: With more tourism, lots of new wineries and America's continued love affair with pinot noir, Oregon has upturned during the downturn. The surprising part: Most Oregon wines are priced in the recession's d ead zone, $20 to $50 a bottle. But they tend to deliver quality and value, and are hard enough to find that merchants often say "Well, I only get a case of that." Ka-ching. Item: Moscato and malbec have shown "explosive" growth nationally in the past two years, according to Nielsen, which cited H ispanics as a major factor. Moscato sales have grown by 95 percent this year, and malbec by 49 percent. Advertisement Reaction: This is not the first time we will see Hispanics driving a trend; their ties to South America's most popular wine shouldn't surprise. But will the moscato embracers who are new to wine stick with it the way so many white-zin lovers have, or will they "move on"? My guess is that moscato is here to stay. Meanwhile, it's good to see a trend in which Minnesota was ahead of the rest of the nation, as it was with malbec. Item: Barefoot remained No. 1 in sales at major food and drug stores for the 52 weeks ending June 13, and even expanded its lead. With $255 million in sales, Barefoot grew 27 percent. Reaction: Well, to my palate at least, the moscato is Barefoot's best wine. Bill Ward . bill.ward(a)startribune.com WINE OF THE WEEK MALVIRÀLaNGHE FAVORITA 2008 The experience: Sniffing and drinking this white delight is almost like being plopped down into a lemon grove. It's light and bright with some salty minerality and a really zingy finish. All of Malvirà wines are well worth checking out, and this ess expensive white is a very good introduction. The setting: Bring on the calamari, or most any other light seafood dish. This brisk white also plays well with tough-to-match vinaigrettes and fresh cheeses. The back story: The brand is a made-up word rather than a family name: "Mal" means wrong and "viràis Italian for situated. The grape name is one of many Italian variations of vermentino. The tab: $19, available at Bacchus, Lakeside, Sorella, Cafe Latte, Domacin Wine Bar and Kinsen restaurant. BILL WARD -- ------------------------------ * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * mobile : 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 * * james(a)brewingnews.com James.Ellingson(a)StThomas.edu *