Lots of interesting stuff for your consideration today, so let’s get to it:

Trouble in Tuscany: Irate Italians plagued by wine counterfeit scandals. [USA Today]

And now for our weekly update in the wild world of Balcones: Ousted master distiller Chip Tate is now filing a defamation lawsuit against the distillery manager’s wife. And we thought this was turning into a season of Dallas before this lawsuit…. [Waco Tribune]

The Beer Bloggers conference has assembled its second annual 20 Most Influential Beer Websites list. [Beer Bloggers Conference]

Buffalo Trace delivers another ominous message: We may never catch up to meet demand. [The Spirits Business]

With a newly published study, science confirms what we already know: Binge drinking hurts your immune system. [Science Times]

With a newly published study, science finds out why women who drink white wine get depressed or upset. [Tribune]

Shanken reports that analysts believe sparkling wine will help drive industry growth in 2015. [Shanken News Daily]

CNBC investigates Taiwanese whiskey, which won the Malt Maniacs Awards in a big way this year. [CNBC]

Insider Monkey lists out the most expensive rum brands in the world. Saving you a click to the end: J. Wray & Nephew’s $54,000 bottling tops the list. [Insider Monkey]

Gizmodo takes a look behind the scenes at the science and art behind barrel making. Informative for those who are unfamiliar with the process. [Gizmodo]