* Wine and politics: A small, organic winery in Chile finds itself caught between U.S. Dems and GOPs because it makes a wine called Palin Syrah. Republicans are proudly buying bottles; Dems are buying them, crossing out her name and writing in the name of Obama.
* Wine and the White House: That Chilean wine won't be served in the White House. It pours only U.S. wines, says Daniel Shanks, whose official title is "usher of food and beverage" there.
* Wine and the environment: Chile's Vina Errazuriz is unveiling a wine bottle that's 12 percent lighter than regular bottles. Doesn't say if it breaks more easily.
* Wine and food flavors: The usual list of perceived tastes -- sweet, salty, tart and so on -- is far too narrow, a top European chef says. He would add such new "flavors" as fat and CO2 to the list. Imagine what he can do for wine.
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