US Briefs

l Kenwood Winery of Sonoma County in California is using Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night on the label of its 2003 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon . Each vintage of the wine since 1975 has featured a famous artist to showcase what Kenwood believes is the best expression of Cabernet Sauvignon.

l The latest artisan spirit coming out of northern California is Crispin's Rose liqueur from Greenway Distillers in Mendocino County. The base is mead, which is fermented with apple juice and infused with petals of heirloom roses before distilling. The liqueur, initially available only in California, sells for US$85 in 37.5 cl bottles.

l Wine Institute of California has received a US$50,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture to conduct a study of the wine market in India. The report will survey the regulations governing the import into and the distribution of wines throughout India, and focus on key market opportunities for imported wines. In 2006, US wine exports to India, more than 90 per cent from California, increased 111 per cent from the previous year to US$792,000 and nearly 32,000 cases.

l Aimed at "modern Christian consumers" in the US is a new wine, imported by Haroz Vintners, called The Grapes of Galilee. Made in Israel the wine cites the Biblical miracle of Jesus Christ turning water into wine.