3rd ANNUAL ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2O12
This year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) was held at Astor Center in New York City on March 5 to 9. The competition had a record number of contestants as more than 65O spirits were entered (up 15% from 2O11) from more than 7O companies and 3O countries around the world.... Read More
2O12 WSWA AWARDS
Vern Underwood, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Young’s Market Company, and Mark Brown, CEO of Sazerac Company, are the winners of the 2O12 Wholesaler Lifetime Leadership and Sidney Frank Awards, respectively, given annually by the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) and the WSWA Educational Foundation. Both... Read More
Conseil Interprofessionel Des Vins Du Languedoc Tasting
On April 5, the Conseil Interprofessionel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL) hosted wine trade and media at the Exchange Conference Center in Boston for a tasting showcasing all of the AOC wines of Languedoc which are locally available. The dynamic Languedoc region, in the south of France, is renowned for... Read More
ENDANGERED COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH – THE REAL DRY MARTINI
Since the late ’9Os “martinis” have been all the rage. Dirty Martini, Apple-tini, Choco-tini, Pomegranate-tini – this trend of mixing up a beverage and slapping “tini” on its suffix is the reason a proper martini is one of the most endangered cocktails of all. For the uninitiated, the earliest recipes... Read More
HOW RESVERATROL WORKS
Scientific evidence has been accruing for nearly half a century supporting the healthfulness of wine in moderate doses. Initially, population (epidemiologic) studies endorsed folk experience. Then ethyl alcohol, contained in common with other beverages, was deemed to supply a major share of the health benefits. But both strengthening some of... Read More
CUPCAKE TAKES THE CAKE . . . AGAIN
Proving it’s no flash-in-the-pan, Cupcake Vineyards has again taken top honors in Symphony IRI’s annual Top 3O Momentum Wine Brands list. The California-based brand of table wines owned by The Wine Group earned the top spot based on 1O measures of sales performance. Cupcake contended against all other brands that... Read More
THE WINE BREAKDOWN
It’s certainly not news to hear that wine sales are hot. But which wines are leading the various price categories in the US? Trade publication wines & vines conducted a recent analysis, looking at the differences in consumers’ varietal preferences from the top shelf to the bargain shelf. Cabernet Sauvignon... Read More
THE AMAZING PORTABLE INSTANT AERATOR
As long as there has been red wine there have been thirsty people waiting for it to breathe. Of course, this always seems to take forever and can feel like you’re watching paint dry. From magnets to funnel devices, the last decade has seen any number of products hit the... Read More
Profile: Michael Gillen
MICHAEL GILLEN63 • Wine Buyer/Wine DirectorBusa Wine & Spirits, Salem THERE’S A PATTERN, a ring to this series of once-well-known restaurants for Greater Boston wine-lovers. Michael Gillen, the man behind that name, is still a hardworking, forthright, practical guy. Passionate about wine. Devoted Francophile, now with family connections. Funny, quick,... Read More
Zind-Humbrecht
It’s amazing how unknown the wines of Alsace remain throughout the United States. Of all of France’s classic districts, these cool climate northern wines are among the most consistent in quality, especially in the context of their compatibility with seafood. They’re also remarkably easy to understand because, unlike most French... Read More