The indispensable tool for the Massachusetts adult beverage trade.
Day

October 29, 2009

Sicilian Stars

‘Twas not so long ago that the wines of Sicily, always a generous producer, were almost entirely sold anonymously in bulk, the reds tired, the whites oxidized. No longer. Although much is still passed along to who-knows-where in bulk, even that has become largely acceptable, and the bottled wines of...
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Insanity

European regulators are shooting themselves in the foot, yet again. To begin with, France’s INAO (Institut National des Appellations d’Origine) is reportedly set to ban mention of grape variety from Alsace labels. When I mentioned this to a seasoned and wise international wine merchant, an éminence grise, he exclaimed, “Insane!”,...
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Monterey County

Although Franciscan missionaries in the 17OOs found what is known today as Monterey County to be ideal for viticulture, it was only in the 196Os that the US wine industry seriously entered the area. Urban sprawl increasingly forced wine producers to look further and further south of San Francisco for...
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2009 Gift Guide

The season of perpetual celebrations is finally upon us, which means chances are high that you’ll be seeing more and more unfamiliar faces appearing in your store.  Whether they’re hosting a party or attending a friend’s, you’ll soon have lots of opportunities to interact with clients as they are soliciting...
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The Blends

“In the top tier of blended Scotch, it’s all price driven,”said Ryan Maloney of Julio’s Liquors in Westborough.“In the second tier, customers are switching to cost-friendly brands.” Maloney echoed the statements of retailers across the state. “The same brands are selling the same as always,”said Phil LeBlanc of Table &...
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Single Malt Whisky

While one brand of blended Scotch sells more than all single malt brands put together, and the category is dwarfed by vodka sales, single malts have led the way on ‘premiumization’, the marketing realization that consumers will pay more for a product with a better flavor, a better package, a...
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A BOTTLE AND SOMETHING EXTRA – HOLIDAY VAPS

ABSOLUT is offering its glittery MirrorBall shell packaging in a variety of colors for the holidays: blue for original Absolut, orange for Mango, gold for Citron, and red for Raspberri.  JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY is once again offering its 75Oml with two Jameson rocks glasses gift pack.  THE GLENLIVET’s special pack...
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SAMUEL ADAMS WINTER CLASSIC

This year’s Winter Classics release includes the original Samuel Adams Boston Lager; Winter Lager, Coastal Wheat, Old Fezziwig Ale, Cranberry Lambic and Holiday Porter.  The Winter Lager is brewed with spices that include orange zest, cinnamon, and fresh ginger.  The Coastal Wheat is a twist on the Hefeweizen style, complimented...
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DOS LUNAS GRAND RESERVE TEQUILA

This extra-Añejo 1OO% blue agave tequila is aged for ten years in Spanish sherry oak casks, making it the oldest commercially available tequila on the market.  It is completely all-natural, free from all chemicals, enzymes or additives.  The spirit’s amber color is slightly darker than other extra-Añejo tequilas because it...
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VERMONT SPIRITS LIMITED RELEASE VODKA

This Limited Release Vodka is produced entirely from the early run sap of maple trees.  Each spring in New England, freezing nights and warm sunny days allow the mature maple trees to pump the converted starch they have been storing during the winter season into sugar.  The trees release this...
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