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by SANDY BLOCK, MW Before the wines even finished fermenting 2O13 was widely hailed as a legendary almost picture perfect vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon in California. In this, yet another in a succession of drought years, the Cabernet vines produced ultra-concentrated grapes that balanced richness with structure. It was a... Read More

by HARVEY FINKEL The answer to the query posed by the title of this piece is a clear “no,” despite Oregon’s most important grape variety being Pinot Noir. The wines are not the same, even if both regions, the Willamette Valley of Oregon and the Côte d’Or of Burgundy, share... Read More

By Pink Lady Sherry and vermouth are two delightful types of fortified wine that became woefully misunderstood during the cocktail’s Dark Ages in the 197Os and ‘8Os. When we first stepped behind the bar sherry was understood as something sweet and cloying, associated with little old ladies and British people.... Read More

By Andy Crouch Saison is one of those underrated styles that has the ability to impress everyone who drinks it without leaving a lasting impression on most consumers. It is an enigma wrapped in a sketchy back story with dashes of style confusion mixed in. At its core, saison should... Read More

By Pink Lady In this, the second Golden Age of Cocktails, it seems there’s a great drink to be found on every corner – what a time to be alive! Many of us began bartending before fresh juice was even available in most bars, and can trace the evolution of... Read More

By Harvey Finkel, MD A recently published scientific report on the influence of drinking upon weight stimulated a review of relevant medical literature and discussions by fellow members of the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research. I came away little the wiser. It is generally believed, including among physicians, that... Read More

by PINK LADY LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALL – what a time to be alive in New England!  While locavore dining might be relegated to root veggies for six months of the year here, the bounty of August through October offers a bit for everyone to enjoy.  One of our favorite ways... Read More

. . . Burgundy in all its sunset glow. -Lord Byron by HARVEY FINKEL HEARING AUSPICIOUS Delphian whispers for more than two years about the 2O15 vintage in Burgundy whetted desire to at last confront the wines, for selecting Burgundies is a contact sport. We had read such words as... Read More

by SANDY BLOCK, MW Sancerre is on a roll.  Restaurateurs and retailers alike report that it is currently one of their hottest categories.  One of its advantages is that, unlike many other worthy French wines, it has a name that’s easy for Americans to pronounce.  And as Sauvignon Blanc has... Read More

by ANDY CROUCH HAZE IS THE LATEST CRAZE to conquer the world of flavorful beer. From dank, juicy pale ales to milkshake hued India pale ales to double India pale ales that resemble glasses of concentrated orange juice, clarity is out of favor with many beer drinkers today. A cloudy... Read More