SANGIOVESE DI ROMAGNA
by HARVEY FINKEL Although Sangiovese is the signature wine of central Italy, and in its highest iterations almost thereto confined, it also makes its mark to the northeast in Emilia-Romagna: same grape variety, different clones, some similar wines. (Sangiovese also appears in respectable roles in the Marche and in Umbria.)... Read More
ENDANGERED COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH – THE SLOE GIN FIZZ
by PINK LADY Drinks like the Sloe Gin Fizz are why I got into this “endangered cocktail” game. If you’re looking for a great “did you know . . .” story to bore the vodka-soda crowd at the Fourth of July block party this month, this drink is for you.... Read More
ENDANGERED COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH: THE SORRENTO SPRITZ
by PINK LADY Prior to the pandemic, in the “before times”, I had the lucky privilege of escorting groups of Americans to Sorrento once a year. We stayed for a week in a former convent that is now a guest house carved into the cliffs above the Gulf of Naples.... Read More
MODERATE DRINKING DOES NOT CAUSE CANCER
by HARVEY FINKLE, MD A recent issue of the NEW YORK TIMES wasted a valuable half page (“The connection between cancer and having a drink,” by Anahad O’Connor, March 9, page D6) echoing ill-based alarms claiming that no quantity of alcohol can be safe to drink under any circumstance. Close... Read More
WELCOME TO SPRITZ LIFE
by KIRSTEN AMANN Today, the spritz is one of Italy’s greatest exports, an iconic drink in its homeland and one of the ten most ordered drinks in the United States. How did we get here, and more importantly, what can it do for us in Massachusetts? WATER INTO WINE In... Read More
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE GIN RTDS
Bombay Sapphire Gin has released Gin & Tonic and Gin & Tonic Light RTD cocktails (both 5.9% ABV). Suggested retail for a four-pack of 25Oml cans is $13. AVAILABLE FROM Horizon Beverage Company.
VOLLEY TEQUILA SELTZER
The first hard seltzer of its kind, Volley is made with just three clean ingredients: 1OO% blue agave tequila, sparkling water, and 1OO% organic juice. Available in four flavors: Zesty Lime, Spicy Ginger, Sharp Grapefruit and Tropical Mango. Suggested retail is $14.99 for a four can variety-pack or single flavor four-pack, or individually... Read More
HARPOON BIG LEAGUE HAZY IPA
Harpoon Brewery’s newest year-round offering is a full-flavored version of the lighter, session-style Rec. League. Based on the same recipe but multiplied by two, Big League is brewed with a blend of Cascade, Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic hops for a refreshing, tropical fruit-filled taste. In addition, it contains chia seeds... Read More
TEQUILA ZARPADO
Latitude Beverage, in partnership with distillery Cavas de Don Max and Master Blender Dan Becherano has released this hand-crafted Blanco tequila. Double-distilled in small batches, it is rich and flavorful with an earthy sweetness, warming spices, and full-bodied agave flavor. Suggested retail is $24.99. AVAILABLE FROM Hub Wine Corporation.
KRANEBET BOTANIC JUNIPER LIQUOR
This Italian liquor is made primarily from Juniper berries with other botanicals including gentian roots, roman absinthe, coriander and quassia bark. A copper pot still with a bain-marie system is used to maximize the all-natural aromatics and flavors of the botanicals. Suggested retail is $25.99. AVAILABLE FROM Abacus Distributing.