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The recession has had a brutal effect on the many different types of businesses that make up the California wine industry.

Luxury brand giant Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey has announced wine and spirit losses of ?1bn in the first half of 2009.

With a title like that I'm sure to get a huge increase in visitors; bet many don't stay around long mind... but it's true, chef Jamie Oliver has teamed up with Naked Wines. Jamies website has been graced with a dedicated wine section - wines from Naked Wines, obviously, with recipes now offering a wine suggestion. Over on Naked Wines there is a Jamie Oliver section with his recommendations; You can join 'Jamie's Gang' (one of Naked Wines social groups) but I was expecting wines on Naked Wines to be direct linked to recipe suggestions... There are about 50 recipe/wine links in total on the Jamie site including such delights as Paella (recommended with Mar de Vinas Albarino), a Risotto flavoured with asparagus, mint and lemon (with Michael Brown's Angle Share Sauvignon Blanc) and a Melanzane alla Parmigiana Aubergine (with the Domaine Cristia Grenache). The Press Release: Popular chef Jamie Oliver has recently launched his latest venture; a new partnership with UK wine retailer Nake

Stockman's Ridge Wines, one of the newest winemakers in the central highlands, has recently released its Stockman's Ridge 'Rider' range of cool climate wines.

I've been tasting a lot of $7 wines recently looking for good bang-for-buck sitting-on-the-porch wines. I've found another. The Palazzone Dubini Bianco shows a very fruit forward array of grannysmith apple, lime and watermelon, and is quite crisp and refreshing. Rating: 3.35 / 5.00

Features a haunting nose of deep forest, wild mushrooms and damp cedar shavings. On the palate, black cherry and hints of pomegranate combine with the forest aromas to create a thoroughly expressive wine. Drink up though, because the mouthfeel is starting to slip just a bit. But all in all this is an outstanding wine - one that is a great display of the depth of a true Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Rating: 4.25 / 5.00

Navarra's Bodega Otazu has been awarded DO Pago status, equivalent to France's Grand Cru.

This Oregon rose reminded my of some of the best roses from the South of France - specifically of those from Domaines Ott in Provence. The wine was a gentle pink in hue, featured notes of strawberry and white peach, and every single sip was elegant. Pair with light nibbles and an ocean sunset. Rating: 4.00 / 5.00

Pan seared Alaskan King salmon is served with local squash, olives and feta at the Grapeseed American Bistro & Wine Bar in Bethesda.

Tucked into a strip mall near USF's main campus, along with a sports bar and tanning salon, you'll find Peter Taylor's passion project: Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar.A From the rich orange and gold colors of the floor to the wood burning oven visible from every seat in the house, everything in the place was assembled by Taylor's own hands.