Evolution is true. Global warming is real. And red wine may help us live longer. I’ll take on one of these debates today.

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Perhaps I’m just a little out of touch. I hope it’s not proof that deep down I didn’t have enough respect for the profession. But I was quite surprised to learn just how much money winemakers earn.

Winemakers will earn average salary of $95,263 this year, according to a salary survey of the wine industry conducted by Winebusiness.Com. More senior winemakers (who supervised other winemakers) will earn an average of $121,774.

That’s a damn good living, considering that the median income in this country is around $49,000. It’s also certainly more than a lot of executive chefs earn (they average about $67,875 according to Salary.Com).

It’s also a lot more, I might add, than what a lot of engineers and scientists with advanced degrees earn a few years after graduating.

Of course, I’m comparing averages to medians, which isn’t a good idea — it would be interesting to find out the median income for winemakers (as well as what the sample size and geographic reach is for this survey).

The salaries for VP of sales and tasting room staff aren’t surprising, as they’re relatively in line with comparable positions in other industries.

In any case, I’m glad to know that it’s reasonably possible to make a decent living as a winemaker (it’s certainly less true for a lot of other kinds of artisans these days). Heaven knows it’s pretty hard work, especially around this time of year.

Read the full story.

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This week it’s my delight to report another affordable Pinot Noir sighting, a $12 wine that’s delicious and a very good value.

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What if Hitler was a California Cult Winery Owner?

The use of a particular sequence from the 2004 movie Der Untergang for comic effect by switching out the subtitles has a long history on the internet. I first saw it several years ago in (what is still my favorite) brilliant version about Burning Man. But it’s been used for everything under the sun.

It was only a matter of time before Hitler took a trip to Napa Valley (warning, adult language included):

Can’t remember what tweet I saw first about this, but obviously, I’m not the first to discover it, and owe my discovery to someone else. Thanks, whoever you were!

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Burgundy is one of the world’s most important wine producing regions, and also one of its most enigmatic. Here are Richard Fadeley’s reports on a stash.

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Here’s why the producers of Champagne get all up in arms when other wine makers slap “Champagne” labels on their bubbly.

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Like the ancient city whose name it bears, Orvieto goes back a long way, all the way to the pre-Roman Etruscans.

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Domaine Carneros: The best American competitor toChampagne is organic, writes guest columnist Trish Riley.

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