The Original Martini
Once, if one were asked to name a fine Californian winery, Louis M. Martini would be on most lips. Venerable and respected, it stood at the peak, along with Beaulieu, Inglenook and Charles Krug. But then, for reasons both clear and obscure, it fell below the radar. “Martini” would more... Read More
Portugal Worth The Visit
Spurred by joining the European Economic Community in 1986, wineries are investing in new technology and emphasizing quality over quantity. Fortunately, they are largely staying with the indigenous grape varieties that make Portuguese wine unique, while planting some international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay. According to Rui Abecassis,... Read More
Try A Little Cachaca
The caipirinha actually represents the second wave of zippy, fruity, sexy drinks like the mojito. There are a hundred variations – lemon caipirinha, grapefruit, blood orange, pomelo, any fruit that will give you juice and zesty oil from the skin – since it uses the same classic South American technique... Read More
That’s Not Very Lady-like
Ladybugs, now becoming a threat to our wine supply, were commonplace when I was a small boy in Brooklyn, even in that urban setting. We naively called them “potato bugs”. I don’t know why. They congregated on the large leaves of the small trees we called, with perfect logic, “potato-bug... Read More
Heading Off To Uruguay
The story goes that when Portuguese explorers, desperate for the site of land, first spied the diminutive hill that overlooks present day Montevideo harbor and city, they cried out, “Monte vide eu”. This means, “I see a mountain”. Today, thriving Buenos Aires across the River Plate makes Montevideo seem like... Read More
Those Triple Digit Bar Tabs
According to the results of a 2OO5 study conducted by two wealth management companies, nearly one in 2O Boston-area households is occupied by millionaires and wealth is only surging. Add that to the fact that new super-premium products are unveiled each year – limited edition scotches, anniversary cognacs, boutique aged... Read More
On St. Emilion
It’s a shame that the St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe Classification was suspended this past April. It was challenged, as I understand it, because of a problem with the people administrating it, not the classification itself. And not so surprising, it was the Chateaux that were demoted that were responsible... Read More
No Beating The Busch
The new face of Anheuser-Busch. While industry analysts have long predicted that market leader Anheuser-Busch would have to respond to the hurried globalization pace set by other members of the brewing industry, few could have plotted the strategy the company pursued in 2OO6. In the lead up to the retirement... Read More
SF Worlds Spirits Competion Winners Profile: Darryl Settles
DARRYL SETTLES • 46 • Owner/Manager, Bob’s Southern Bistro • Partner, Beehive • Boston Buzz, buzz . . . Beehive, the new cafe/club in The Calderwood Theater complex in the South End’s brick roundhouse Cyclorama, is a-throb with sophisticated music, hip drinks, good food, smart people. Très hot! Co-owner Darryl... Read More
Baltimore Original
Starting with his eponymously named pub in Baltimore, he has actively worked in the business since 198O. In the mid-nineteen eighties, Sisson decided he wanted to add a brewpub to his restaurant. After determining that Maryland law did not allow for on-premise brewing, Sisson and others petitioned the state legislature... Read More