Endangered Cocktail of the Month: SEELBACH
“I drink champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad.Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory.I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.” -Lily Bollinger She’s a... Read More
Boston Wine Expo at 21
If the Boston Wine Expo were a person, it would be old enough to buy a drink at its forthcoming edition – its 21st. Let me take you back to the beginning and behind the scenes, and then peek ahead, to appreciate this greatest of America’s trade and consumer wine... Read More
HUNTINGTON WINE & SPIRITS AT 75
In his office above Huntington Wine & Spirits, Steve Rubin has vintage Coca Cola bottles displayed on a high shelf. The walls are festooned with old rock and roll concert posters: Pink Floyd, Woodstock, Aerosmith. Judging from these collectibles, you might say Rubin is a nostalgic type. You wouldn’t be... Read More
Champagne
2O11 has been a challenging one for many Champagne purveyors on the local Massachusetts scene, reflecting larger issues nationally, but there remain areas of vibrancy, particularly in nightclubs, hotels and other luxury venues. Specialty Champagnes appear to be growing in popularity, as consumers begin to experience the diversity of Champagne... Read More
A TRUE OXYMORON: NON-ALCOHOLIC WHISKY
They’re not happy about this in Scotland. ArKay, said to be the world’s first alcohol-free “Halal certified” whisky, is going on sale worldwide in time for the holidays. It is said to look and taste just like traditional whisky. With its certification, Arkay opens up the markets in Muslim countries... Read More
HOW ABOUT A SHOT OF CABBAGE TREE TEQUILA?
With the exception of its wines, New Zealand has little to offer in the way of indigenous beers and spirits. To counter that, food science students of Auckland University of Technology (AUT) have been researching how to create the country’s first national alcohol: cabbage tree tequila. AUT Associate Professor Owen... Read More
CAN BEER AND WINE SAVE THE US POSTAL SERVICE?
For several years the US Postal Service has been facing an ever-growing financial crisis. So dire is it that there has been talk of eliminating Saturday delivery service. US senators think the agency can solve some of its problems by turning to alcohol. In an effort to boost revenue, lawmakers... Read More
WILL HAPPY HOUR MAKE BARS HAPPY?
It’s been a quarter of a century since Massachusetts last had happy hours at its bars but that could soon be coming to an end. In October, the Massachusetts State Senate passed an amendment to the controversial casino bill that would allow state bars and restaurants to feature happy hour... Read More
CAN ALCOHOL HELP HEAL THE FEMALE HEART?
No, not a broken heart but a damaged heart. A daily drink has been much touted for its potential long-term health benefits. In general, however, those benefits are preventative in nature. But new findings show that alcohol could potentially help women who have suffered a heart attack, both before and... Read More
CAN ALCOHOL RAISE THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER?
Over the years countless studies have shown that moderate consumption of alcohol has myriad potential health benefits. Of course, this is often countered by studies indicating the detrimental effects of drinking. The recent results of a long-term study would seem to support an associated risk between breast cancer and alcohol... Read More