Weekly Wine News Around the Web

Ink and Drink: People with tattoos are more likely to imbibe than those without ink on their bodies, according to this article found in the Huffington Post. A study done in France consisted of administering breathalyzer tests for nearly 3000 people leaving bars. Of those who agreed to participate, researchers found that those with tattoos consumed more alcohol than those without.

Higher prices for Wine: According to some experts, U.S. wine consumers should brace themselves for higher wine prices in 2012, as reported by Reuters. The rise in price is due to a decline in grape supply and will first be seen in wine from California, followed by Oregon and Washington states.

Chinese Wine Tastes Diversify: New research suggests the Chinese wine consumer will increasingly delve into more white wines and softer, fruitier red wines, according to this report. The Chinese market has long been synonymous with high-end wines for special occasions, such as Bordeaux, but the Wine Intelligence research suggests the Chinese consumer is poised the make wine a greater part of their weekly habits.

Pondering the Wine Industry’s Future: As some CORKZILLA readers may have noted, we are frequent readers of Mike Veseth’s often exceptional Wine Economist blog – It’s a great read and this recent post is particularly thought-provoking and promises more of the same in the coming weeks. In the column, he focuses on the impact of tighter supplies, the impact of growing middle classes, and the movement toward a more democratic approach to wine. Check it out.

“Miracle Harvest” in Oregon: Despite late rains, Oregon experienced a record grape harvest in 2011, according to this report. Oregon harvested 41,500 tons of grapes for the year, a modest increase over the prior record in 2009, with a late stretch of ideal weather conditions factoring in to the grape bounty in 2011.