WineAmerica (www.wineamerica.org) is a Washington D.C. based group that keeps a keen eye on laws, policies and procedures that affect the US wine industry. Jim Trezise is president. I've known him for 20 years when he was transforming the New York Wine industry by successfully bringing together growers, workers, consumers and politicians. Its weekly e-newsletter is important information for anyone who cares about wine. Winemaking is farming and chemistry. When US trade policies change that means wineries take a hit too. California is most threatened but a number of Indiana wineries export their product overseas. Information in last week's newsletter is worth knowing.

"It's official: Since last week, in response to U.S. tariffs imposed on certain Chinese products, China has turned its threat into a reality with retaliatory tariffs on 128 American products, including a 15% hike on wine. On top of the already imposed 14% tariff, that now adds up to 29%-compared with Australia and Chile which pay 0% due to their own trade agreements with China. We can't compete with that. Then this week the President threatened to hold hostage the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico until the latter provided more border security for the U.S. This is serious stuff. Canada is #1, China #4, and Mexico #6 in terms of countries importing American wines, totaling about $545 million in revenues to American wineries in 2017. In terms of volume, they total 111 million liters or about 12 million cases. Lots of time, effort and money are required to build an export market but a trade war can make it collapse overnight. California is clearly affected most directly and severely making up 90% of total US wine production and 97% of American wine exports. But the potential ripple effect of lost sales will extend across the country. All that surplus wine can't be sold in California."

That surplus could mean short term good news for consumers as producers drop prices to sell off wine meant for export. But wineries will have to make up for that financial loss, and guess who will pay for that? Finding your favorite US wine on the store shelf could become trickier too as distributors fight for space to keep their product in the public eye.

The Prophecy label offers wines made from both domestic and imported wine grapes. The Red Blend comes from Washington and California. It's a rustic, brooding, blend with lingering flavors of dark cherry and plum. The 2015 could be decanted it's that intense. Prophecy wines are already widely available and a good value. Enjoy them with an open mind.