Locals Breaking-Out!
There are two small Massachusetts breweries that are edging up toward a break-out point – Berkshire Brewing, in South Deerfield, and Wachusett Brewing, in Westminster, passed the 1O,OOO bottle a year mark in 2OO3, and both are sustaining steady growth. Interestingly, both have reached that mark largely within the state... Read More
Beer Geeks Online
The Internet has fundamentally changed the operation of the brewing industry. From breweries to beer bars to package stores, the internet has had remarkable effects. One of the its most noteworthy achievements has been the empowerment of the online beer geek. For the brewing industry, the Internet has given birth... Read More
Profile: Giovanni Folonari
Giovanni Folonari looks the archetypal Italian gentleman – tall, dark, handsome – but the Tuscan winemaker has the animated drive, articulate expression, and Stentorian voice of a marketing professor. Having divested the Folonari winery (and name) a generation ago, Giovanni and his father Ambrogio recently split with members of their... Read More
Chateauneuf de Pape
Though not nearly as widespread and important as the Bordeaux blend, the Chateauneuf-du-Pape blend has become increasingly important in recent years. In contrast to the Bordeaux blend which excels in temperate climates that run cool to warm, the Chateauneuf-du-Pape blend performs best in climates that run warm to hot. Climate... Read More
Can We Get Too Old for Wine?
While enormous attention understandably has been directed to the effects of maternal drinking upon the earliest stages of life, not much has been written about beneficial or adverse consequences to those of us several years beyond the age of 39. CAN WE GET TOO OLD for WINE? I shall not... Read More
Low Carbs, What are You Missing?
“I’ll have a Diet Coke with my hamburger and French fries.” “I’ll have an Atkins-friendly steak with crispy onion rings and cream of spinach as my vegetable.” “It’s a fat-free cookie, so I can eat the whole box.” These are just some of the traps that many Americans have fallen... Read More
Generation Y
. . . it’s time to make some room at the bar. There’s a new generation of drinkers coming and they are thirsty. Young, hip and very tech savvy, they are known as Generation Y and they are causing quite a stir on the scene. So just who is this... Read More
Gin
Last year was a pleasant surprise for Gin When was the last time you saw reports showing robust growth statistics for every single significant import brand on the sales charts? Notable is a 10% increase for the phenominally successful, #1 super-premium icon Bombay Sapphire (now well beyond the 600,000 9-liter... Read More
Profile: Hellen Gallo Bryan
Here’s a woman who’s deftly balanced her career as wine import executive with motherhood – two babies after 40! In imports since 1989, Helen Gallo Bryan is an inspiration to her peers at Winebow and industry-wide. We met at Meze Estatorio, Paul Delios’ cheerful Greek restaurant facing the Zakim Bridge... Read More
Beer Geeks Revisited
Who do these people think they are anyways? Do they really think they can simply waltz in here, saddle up to the bar, sip a pint, and decree their verdict on the quality of the beer? In the Internet Age, the beer geeks not only believes in their power to... Read More