Joseph Phelps Blog

The earliest historical evidence of wine is from present-day China and Iran and dates to 6000-7000 BC. Over the centuries, wine has evolved into one of the most-consumed beverages in the world. Whether for religious rituals or romantic celebrations, wine is a part of the lives of billions of people worldwide. Wine is an alcoholic beverage made when grapes are fermented without adding water, sugars, acids or other nutrients. Worldwide commercial wine production now totals over thirty million tons and, unless future crops are affected by unforeseen influences—e.g., global warming, plagues, government regulations—this number will only continue to grow. Consumers have become very selective when purchasing wine. With blogs, articles and scoring guides available on smartphones everywhere, people can quickly access a trove of information to assist with buying decisions. Consumers—from connoisseurs to a casual drinker—are now more knowledgeable than ever about the different types of win

Although anthropological research indicates that people have been drinking wine since at least 6000 BC, its popularity has dramatically increased in the past twenty years. With retail sales up between 30-50 since 2010, it seems everyone loves sipping a glass of fine wine with lunch or dinner, with friends, at a party or just to relax alone. Northern California’s Napa Valley has become one of the premier wine regions in the world. Originally inspired by France’s famed Bordeaux region, pioneering Napa Valley winemakers envisioned the production of extraordinary red wines that would rival the finest French wines. Napa Valley wines were initially considered inferior to their European counterparts, but everything changed during the 1976 Judgment of Paris, an exclusive international tasting event. For the first time, a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon beat out French mainstays—including Château Montrose and Château Mouton Rothschild—in a blind tasting by French experts.  A decade later,

Changing seasons usher an opportunity for wine-lovers everywhere to test new and exciting selections. After enjoying splendid whites and rosés over the summer months, it is finally time to move on to red wine. There may be no better way to get into the spirit of autumn and winter than by relaxing by the fireplace on a chilly December evening with a glass of smooth, red wine. With the convenience of red wine delivery directly to any doorstep in the US, everyone can embrace full-bodied options like Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and other blends to find the perfect combination of bitter, sweet and spicy. The two best-selling red wines in America are:   Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon was named after a special variety of red grape, characterized by its thick and black skin and natural resistance to insects and rotting. The variety was inadvertently developed by 17th-century French winemakers when Cabernet Franc (black) and Sauvignon blanc (white) grapes were c

Wine is an alcoholic beverage traditionally produced from fermented grapes (and less commonly from rice, apples, cherries, plums and other fruits) and enjoyed by billions across the globe. Scientific research confirms that wine has been around for over 6,000 years, the earliest traces discovered in ancient China, Iran and Georgia. While varieties, availability, consumption levels and overall quality have increased exponentially—particularly in the past several decades—something that has not dramatically changed is the fundamental process of wine production.  Simply put, the winemaking process includes picking and crushing grapes, fermenting the grapes into wine and finally aging and bottling it. This process may seem quite straightforward but, because the production is a multi billion-dollar industry with each maker angling for a distinct advantage over competitors, it is actually anything but simple. Thorough research and detailed planning must take place before any ste