Featured Articles

By Sandy Block, MW Spanish red wine is not an easy sell. The grape varieties and the denominations of origin remain mostly unfamiliar, but in a market where retailers and restaurateurs are looking to differentiate themselves, they are an obvious choice to feature because of the price value rapport and... Read More

by HARVEY FINKEL The keystone of Long Meadow Ranch’s overarching complex began with a land grant by President U.S. Grant in the Mayacamas foothills near Rutherford in the Napa Valley. Productive of a variety of crops, especially grapes, it fell into disuse during Prohibition, until purchased by the Hall family... Read More

by PINK LADY Counting down the days until a new decade begins has us thinking about how far the cocktail has come in the 21st century. A great, balanced libation made with fresh ingredients can be found on menus from world class fine dining restaurants to your local neighborhood pub.... Read More

by ANDY CROUCH The seasonal nature of beer has long been one of its great selling points. In the world of craft beer, it has been of singular value, allowing brewers to distinguish themselves from the standardized widgets of American macro beer producers. Recent years have seen differentiation and diversification... Read More

by HARVEY FINKEL, MD To find cancer and good news in the same sentence is a surprise to most, and to add alcohol to the mix is surely disconcerting, even enraging, to those busily engaged in warning of the falling sky whenever a dram is downed. Let’s see what medical... Read More

by PINK LADY We LUPEC gals enjoy gathering around the punch bowl at literally any time of the year, but there is something extra special about a punch party at the holidays. Any cocktail can be made into punch if you build it big enough, so live your life. However,... Read More

by KIRSTEN AMANN The holiday shopping season is upon us, a time for celebrating and relaxing with friends and loved ones . . . or is it? For many of your customers, this is a harried and hectic time of year that will be over before they know it. Why... Read More

by SANDY BLOCK, MW Any attempt to delineate California “First Growths” is by nature subjective, but there are a finite number of Cabernet-based wines that by reputation, track record, and the price they command should be in the discussion. Trying to narrow it down is a pointless exercise. Each of... Read More

by HARVEY FINKEL What’s on offer today? How about big, juicy, multifaceted, ageable reds that you may never have heard of, that are less costly than their neighbors, that are bidding to imminently materialize in the American market? Montecucco, in the northeastern corner of Tuscany’s Maremma, immediately south of more... Read More

by PINK LADY As New Englanders don sweaters and light coats suiting up for crisp fall temperatures, many drinkers among us will pivot away from the gin & tonics and White Claw that captured our fancy as summer porch pounders, back towards brown spirits. Welcome back, whiskey! Ease your way... Read More