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Happy New Year!
From all of us in the Maryland Wine Industry, we wish you a happy, safe, healthy and prosperous new year. We're excited to see another year of growth in the industry.
We look forward to some exciting developments in 2009:
New wineries. We are expecting five new wineries to open in 2009 throughout the state. This will raise the number of licensed wineries to 40—continuing Maryland's growth.
Wine trails. After the huge success of the Frederick Wine Trail, we look forward to two new wine trails debuting in 2009, covering the wineries of Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore.
Winning Photo = $500! Enter your shots by Jan. 15
Maryland Wine Photo Contest entries are due January 15—the winner will be announced in February and will receive a $500 award plus an opportunity to exhibit their photos at wineries.
Get
the rules and entry info online.
MD Wine to Attend the Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival
Maryland wine will be promoted at the 10th Annual Washington D.C. International Food & Wine Festival being held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on February 14-15. Join our wineries at this premier event to taste some of the hundreds of wines from around the world that will be presented. Read more.
Maryland Legislative Session begins January 14
The Maryland General Assembly's 2009 legislative session begins on January 14. Each year, the two committees that hear alcohol bills are asked by industry groups and citizens to revise Maryland's antiquated alcohol laws. We'll keep you updated on the issues that affect the Maryland wine industry and how you can help support Maryland's growing vineyards and wineries.
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Ripe Merlot grapes just before harvest.
GrapeView: Merlot
Merlot is a thin-skinned grape that most often produces a dry, flavorful, red wine. It makes admirable wines on its own, but can also be blended with other grape varieties to create softer red wines. Merlot is most often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, two of its cohorts from the Bordeaux region.
The first recorded mention of Merlot was when a 1784 vintage wine, made from the grape, was named one of the Libournais region’s best. The name “merlot” is French and translates to “young blackbird,” which is used because of the grape’s dark-blue color or perhaps because of the blackbird’s love for grapes.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis believe that Merlot is an offspring of Cabernet Franc France, Italy, and California are the primary producers of Merlot. Read more.
Wine News
Economy's Drink. Despite the economic downturn, Americans are buying more—but cheaper—wines than before the economy began its slide.
Budgets. Maryland wine/grape industry suffered a blow in late 2008 when funds in the Wine & Grape Promotion Fund were eliminated due to State budget cuts. The funds were to be granted to farmers to plant vineyards throughout the state.
New York Loses Support. Government funding for the New York wine industry has been dropped for the first time in twenty-four years.
Bubbles for Obama. Korbel, of Sonoma County, California, has poured its Inaugural Cuvees in the past six Presidential Inaugurations.
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Laws & Regulations
Did you know Maryland's wine laws are some of the most antiquated
in the country? Read
about some of the restrictions.
Festivals
& Events
Our wineries offer a variety of special events—from
barrel tastings to concerts, wineries host events each weekend.
See the full
list of upcoming events.
The
2009 festival dates have been posted.
Mark your calendar!
Learn More
There's so much more to learn about wine on our site!
• Food & wine pairings
• Guide to MD
grapes
• Know your limits
• History
of MD wine
• Wine industry statistics
• Read or submit FAQs
• MD wines winning
awards
There's
so much more information available on www.MarylandWine.com.
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January 2009 