Tasting Vin Santo
Every year, in the first week of June, Tuscany’s Carmignano Consorzio presents its newly released vintages to journalists. By far the most interest is lavished on the prestigious local red wines, the Carmignano and Carmignano Riserva DOCGs, but Carmignano for its size (some 2O producers working some 5OO acres of... Read More
Cordials
Cordials and liqueurs may not pack much of a punch with their alcohol content but there’s no denying their powerful impact on the industry over the last few years. Long considered minor players in the cocktail arena, cordials have today become forceful contenders and are presently vying with rum for... Read More
India
The arrival of Sula’s wines in Massachusetts may raise some eyebrows, as it heralds yet another incoming market of world wines, and presage extensive plantings of name-varietal vineyards throughout the globe’s tropical regions. An Indian Wine website is listing lots and lots of wines being made in India, but this... Read More
My Geek is Showing
As a wine professional there is a part of myself that only comes out every once in awhile, and only with certain colleagues. It’s a little similar to Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde. My Mr. Hyde is the wine geek. This past mid-July I had the pleasure of attending the... Read More
Happy Holliday
SCOTT HOLLIDAY • 43 • Wine Buyer/Bar Manager • Chez Henri • Cambridge, MA The holiday Monday (eve of The Fourth) is a day Scott Holliday suggests to drop by for a chat at the bar at Chez Henri, because he predicts it will be a ‘slow night’. Not really!... Read More
The Beer Guys!!
In the first part of this interview, I sat down with Sam Calagione, president of the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, and Tomme Arthur, head brewer for the Port Brewing Company, to discuss the business of beer and what it takes to be the face of their brands. In this second... Read More
Today’s Bourbon Drinkers
Behold the Classic Bourbon Drinker (homo redlikkerus). He is white, middle-aged, Southern, and firmly clutches his large glass of bourbon and branch. He is simple and unadorned, much like his drink. His drink is whatever is on sale that month, pricelined to a razor-thin margin to move cases and beat... Read More
Mining Minerals!
The sommelier proclaimed, “Minerals!” I scratched my head. Minerality is the OM of wine tasting. But what do minerals smell like? In elementary school, I grew some minerals in science class. They didn’t smell of anything. But wine professionals frequently use the terms “mineral” and “minerality” to describe something about... Read More
Muy Caliente!
Spanish wines are on fire, and the hottest new restaurant in town is also Spanish. It’s true that wines from all over Spain are better than ever, but that reflects a gradual process. They are, subject to Euro-inflation, no longer so cheap as to engender guilt in the purchasing consumer.... Read More
Add Art
Wine (sometimes beer, both with or without cheese, or even spirits) often create a perfect counterpoint to certain arts events. The synergy that comes in appealing to people’s good tastes on multiple fronts makes for memorable events and can effect positive branding for both sponsoring arts group and consulting supplier.... Read More