HOME

Once upon a time, more than 5O years ago, for those old enough to remember, venerable rye whiskies and almighty gin ruled the waves in the American marketplace. Gin was the predominate white spirit of choice anywhere drinks were being served, although, admittedly, a great deal of it was of... Read More

ALEX OTT • 35 • Master Mixologist/Consultant • New Amsterdam Straight Gin, New York City Take two parts German tradition, add one part each of Aussie dash, Thai spice, Parisian finesse, and top with liberal splashes of Gotham glory, swirl vigorously, and – voila! – you have the aggressively flavorful... Read More

New Zealanders are embracing their own wine industry with passion and pride. Their country’s small population and largely untapped viticultural potential has enabled the industry to rapidly develop its wine export trade, which represents 6O% of wine production. The United States now vies with the United Kingdom as New Zealand’s... Read More

Nowhere else in Boston was suitable to meet head winemaker Georgetta Dane for a luncheon-tasting of her Big House Wines than the Liberty Hotel, a brilliant recasting of the notorious and historic Charles Street Jail which contains a bar called Alibi and an eatery known as Clink. I can attest... Read More

For Charlie Papazian, founder of the Brewers Association, inspiration struck twice in remarkably similar ways. In the late 197Os, Papazian traveled to London to attend the British Beer Festival. While sampling stouts, porters and cask conditioned ales from around the United Kingdom, Papazian, an avid home brewer, started thinking about... Read More

I will soon be putting my money – or my earning of it – where my mouth is. Starting the end of July, I am going back to my roots and picking up my Tastevin with corkscrew in hand again.  An opportunity just too good to pass up has presented... Read More

When a Titan Becomes a Legend.   Mondavi.  The name is to the Napa Valley as Tiffany is to diamonds, Ferrari to cars.  A brand name that for decades was one of the benchmarks for what world class wine was about.   My experience with his wines really began with my first... Read More

Rich mahogany stretch of bar, Scatter of sawdust on the floor, Waiter, who asks you how you are- Happier man than you were before. You entered the old familiar door. Enisled at last! Disaster, strife? The world is still as it was of yore: A seidel of dark on the... Read More

It is among the most underappreciated wines on the market. In a world where wines are starting to taste more and more alike regardless of origin, it’s certainly unique. If you appreciate the style, which I happen to, there’s nowhere else other than the Pays Nantais on the cool western... Read More