Petite Sirah aka Durif. (Wikimedia)

In the New York Times, Eric Asimov delves into why Mountain Tides is embracing the Petite Sirah, a grape that’s often an afterthought for other winemakers. “If you go deep on one grape, petite sirah is an unlikely choice…Petite sirah has its advocates, but it’s never been all that popular or respected as a varietal wine.”

In Club Oenologique, David Kermode implores you to seek out other varieties during International Merlot Month. “I have nothing against Merlot, but I struggle to see why we should devote space in our diaries to it – especially when there is so much else out there to discover beyond the unwitting star of Sideways.”

In the Drop, Petrina Darrah looks at how New Zealand grape growers are utilizing sheep to help with sustainable wine-growing efforts.

In Wine Industry Advisor, Kathleen Willcox reports on how winegrowers are embracing worms.

And in the Drinks Business, Jessica Mason on how some California vineyards are using owls to protect vines.

Sonoma’s wines might be world famous in the US, but it’s a different story overseas, finds Wine-Searcher.

In VinePair, Tim McKirdy profiles sommelier Yannick Benjamin.