THE BUZZ ON COFFEE BEERS
by Lew Bryson ONE OF THE FIRST COFFEE BEERS I ever had was Berkshire Brewing’s COFFEEHOUSE PORTER, made with organic coffee from Dean’s Beans, in Orange, Massachusetts. The idea of a porter with coffee in it was irresistible, and the beer delivered on every bit of that. Coffeehouse is still... Read More
THE ULTIMATE WINE HOARDER
THIS TAKES WINE collecting to a whole new level. A cache of over 22OO bottles of wine was recently discovered in the garage of an Aer Lingus pilot in England after he passed away. Sometime in the 197Os the unnamed man began collecting wine, picking up a case from duty-free... Read More
BRITISH BUBBLY BESTS FRANCE
CALL IT THE JUDGMENT of Paris . . . British style. In April, France’s top wine judges rated English sparkling higher than Champagne in a blind tasting. A selection of English sparkling wines, divided into three categories and tasted blind with comparable Champagnes, resulted in the English coming out on... Read More
THE WORLD’S BEST SOMMELIER IS . . .
SWEDEN can take bragging rights for being home to the world’s best sommelier! Swedish native Arvid Rosengren took the title this year as the Best Sommelier in the World after a grueling four day Concours du Meilleur Sommelier du Monde competition in Mendoza, Argentina, where 61 sommeliers competed for the... Read More
SAINT CROIX RUM FIX
PINK LADY’S ENDANGERED COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH SAINT CROIX RUM FIX by Pink Lady AS THE DAYS GROW LONGER and warmer our thoughts turn to porch drinks – the type of cocktails you want to sip on a veranda as you watch the sun go down. Or, if you live... Read More
ISRAELI WINE
by Sandy Block, MW 1 Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine,... Read More
TRULY SPIKED & SPARKLING
There are three flavors in this new line of alcoholic waters: Colima Lime, Grapefruit & Pomelo and Pomegranate. Each has 1OO calories, no artificial additives and 2 grams of carbs per serving. Suggested retail for a 6-pack is $9.99 to $1O.99. 5% ABV. AVAILABLE FROM Burke Distributing Commercial Distributing Merrimack... Read More
NARRAGANSETT DEL’S LEMONADE SHANDY
This limited-edition Shandy is now available. Suggested retail is $8.99 to $9.99 for a 6-pack of 16-ounce Tallboys and $13.99 to $15.99 for a 12-packs of 12-ounce cans. AVAILABLE FROM Atlas Distributing Burke Distributing Colonial Wholesale Beverage Commercial Distributing Merrimack Valley Distributing
AVIARY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2O13
This Cabernet has aromas of dried plums, blackberry jam, cassis and cherry cola with undertones of almonds and smoke on the nose. The palate features flavors of dried plum, blueberry pie, dark chocolate and tea leaf. Suggested retail is $29.99. AVAILABLE FROM Baystate Wine & Spirits
ANTICO FUOCO ROSSO IGT 2O14
A blend of 6O% Negroamaro, 25% Merlot and 15% Primitivo, this Rosso has characteristic notes of plums and raisins. Slight oak aging gives notes of chocolate and spices that make this wine balanced and mature. Suggested retail is $14.99. AVAILABLE FROM Baystate Wine & Spirits