What is the origin of the word, booze? The word “booze,” once spelled “bouse,” comes from the medieval Dutch word büsen, meaning “to drink to excess.” Bouse dates back a thousand years to medieval English but was commonly used in the 16th century by unsavory characters—mostly thieves—before becoming part of general slang. Aren’t you glad you asked?
More good news from Winespeed: Twenty four million of bottles of Champagne anew producer—Terroirs et Vignerons de Champagne— will be able to make each year, according to the Drinks Business. The new company is a just-completed merger of two of Champagne’s largest and most successful cooperatives—Nicolas Feuillate and Castelnau. The company will source grapes from more than 6,000 growers in the Champagne region, representing nearly 9% of the entire Champagne appellation, which totals 84,000 acres.
Do you believe this? According to the 2022 State of the U.S. Wine Industry Report, published by Silicon Valley Bank earlier this week, the share of off-premise wines (sold at liquor stores, supermarkets and other retailers) priced under $8.99 has been in steady decline for years, while premium wineries experienced 21% growth last year, the highest rate since 2007.
What is sercial? Sercial is the driest style of Madeira. The grapes (also named Sercial) are grown in the coolest vineyards, making tart base wines which are turned into hauntingly dry, tangy, elegant Madeiras with a bracing, almost salty twang. Amontillado and Manzanilla are not Madieras—they are styles of Sherry from Spain, and Tawny is a style of Portuguese Port. I think I will try one soon.
Can you believe a 17% increase in 2021 sales over 2020 of “luxury Chardonnay” (priced from $50 to $100) from Sonoma and Napa according to a report by Wines Vines Analytics. Demand for all high-end Chardonnay has grown— bottles priced at $25 and above also rose by 6% during the same time. Chardonnay has been the best-selling varietal in the U.S for years, but total sales (which includes low-priced examples) have begun to decline. I have preferred white wines other than chardonnays lately. I have been drinking some Sauvignon blancs, Rieslings, and even Chenin blancs. And I was not crazy about the Rhine wines I tried recently in Germany.
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