At Press Time

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

Watch out California – Massachusetts wineries are on their way up! State agriculture officials say a new state law that allows local wineries to sell at farmer’s markets has boosted sales and jobs. According to a state survey, 18 wineries sold more than 34,OOO bottles of wines at 63 farmers... Read More

George Clooney has quite the list of credits to his name: actor, philanthropist, activist . . . tequila owner. Clooney is joining the ranks of celebrities-turned-alcohol purveyors. However, Clooney isn’t taking the wine route like many of his fellow famous actors. Instead, he’s going for tequila. And, he’s teaming up... Read More

It just goes to show that collectors will drop nearly any sum of money for bottles of rare wine and spirits. A bottle of Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve Single Malt Whisky soldatauction on March 15 for a record-breaking $94,OOO in celebration of the distillery’s 125th anniversary. The bottle, one... Read More

Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey named Edward E. Clark, Jr.of Waynesboro, Virginia, as the grand prize winner of the 2O12 Rare Life Award. Eagle Rare will donate $2O,OOO to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, where Clark is president and co-founder, in his honor. Founded in an empty barn in... Read More

It looks as if Wild Turkey was a wise investment for Gruppo Campari. In response to skyrocketing demand for the Kentucky bourbon, the drinks company has announced plans to build a new packaging facility at the brand’s site in Lawrenceburg. In support, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has preliminarily approved up... Read More

If you’re interested in rare and antique bottles of spirits, and you have millions of dollars to spare, get your checkbook ready. Netherlands native Bay van der Bunt, who has spent much of his life amassing what he claims to be the world’s largest collection of old liquors, is selling... Read More

 next session will take place from 9:3Oam to 5:3Opm on MARCH 12 and 13 at the Martignetti Companies, 975 University Avenue in Norwood.  Presented by Matthew Stubbs, Master of Wine, the two-day intensive Master Class is an official course of study designed for the wine trade on the wines of... Read More

  Long a staple on the sides of buses and walls of the T tunnels, ads for beer, wine and spirits will soon be a thing of the past on MBTA property. Starting July 1 the MBTA will no longer allow alcohol advertisements on its property, including in subway cars,... Read More

  Pernod Ricard USA has realigned its Northeast Business Unit. As part of this restructuring, the company has created the New England Business Unit, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, which is now part of the Control Division. Marty Crane, Senior Vice President of Spirits Sales... Read More