10 stories that our readers couldn’t resist

We round up the week’s most irresistible articles on the drinks business including 10 grape myths and a fortunate feline saved from certain death by a bottle of vodka.

Click through to view this week’s top 10 articles. 

Ten grape myths and legends

db‘s Rupert Millar, armed with one of his most-thumbed wine tomes, Wine Grapes by Dr. José Vouillamoz, Jancis Robinson MW and Julia Harding MW, explores the history behind ten grape myths and legends to help set the facts straight. To read the full article, please click here. 

Fake fine wine trader is jailed after £100k scam

Lasse Hartmann has been sentenced to four years in prison for masterminding a £100,000 scam in which he pretended to be a multi-millionaire businessman trading in fine wine and Champagne. Hartmann tricked friends, business partners and the woman he supposedly intended to marry into investing money in his scheme. To read the full article, please click here. 

Marlborough Sauvignon is moving past one-dimensional style 

The perception that Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is “one dimensional” is rapidly diminishing, says the chief winemaker of Brancott Estate, Patrick Materman, as winemakers up their efforts to highlight sub regional difference and explore the effect of different winemaking techniques. To read the full article, please click here. 

MCC ‘reminds’ members of  booze limits

Lord’s cricket ground.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has issued a gentle reminder concerning the regulations on bringing alcohol to Lord’s after a “regrettable incident” during a one-day international match at the grounds, but insists there is no plan to stop members and spectators bringing their own wine and beer. To read the full article, please click here.

White gold: Chardonnay in Champagne

db‘s Lucy Shaw examines why Champagnes made entirely from Chardonnay are becoming increasingly popular and whether a possible shortage will hinder the growth of the expressions. To read the full article, please click here. 

Tipsy the cat saved by vodka

A cat that was poisoned by antifreeze, later renamed ‘Tipsy’ after its ordeal, certainly used up one of its nine lives when it was saved by Australian vets who just so happened to have a bottle of vodka lying around. To read the full article, please click here. 

50 Cent is not cutting ties with Effen vodka

Beam Suntory denied claims that US rapper 50 Cent had cut ties with its Effen Vodka, after the rapper appeared to suggest he had sold his stake in the company for US$60 million. In an Instagram post, the rapper said: “I got the bag, EFFEN Vodka Can you say 60M’s since they like counting my money DO THE MATH. Lol.” To read the full article, please click here. 

Cava’s 12 ‘grand crus’ revealed 

Xavier Gramona

Cava has added the first twelve sites to its new single vineyard classification ‘Cava de Paraje’, which was first proposed by the Cava Regulatory Board in May 2015. To read the full article and learn the names of all 12 estates, please click here. 

Is VJ Mallya buying Swansea City FC?

In an unexpected turn of events, Indian media are running a rumour that VJ Mallya, the former chairman of United Spirits wanted for sentencing by courts in India, may be buying a Premier League football team, specifically Swansea City, for about £110m. To read the full article, please click here. 

Archaeologist finds proof of biblical vineyard

An archaeologist believes she may have found proof of Naboth’s biblical vineyard at an excavation site in Israel’s Zezreel Valley. Dr Norma Franklin, one of the heads of the expedition, and her team have already established that the valley was a major wine producing region during biblical times. To read the full article, please click here.