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PROFILE: CYNTHIA HURLEY FRENCH WINES BOB 65 + MARGOT 29 HURLEYCo-ownersCynthia Hurley French Wines • MA and NJ Independent boutique importers have been few in Massachusetts, but their ranks are gradually growing.  One such established team is the Hurley family running Cynthia Hurley French Wines since 1984.  Cynthia and Bob... Read More

KNEŽEVI VINOGRADI, Croatia I try never to waste an opportunity to experience unfamiliar wine, especially in a municipality called “prince’s vineyard”.  I found there’s more to drinking in southeastern Europe than Slivovitz, plum’s leap to immortality. Croatia (Republika Hrvatska to the 4.5 million inhabitants), an area about twice that of... Read More

Weighing quality, global distribution, economic impact, and prestige, there can be no argument but that cabernet sauvignon is the world’s most important red-wine grape.  Its wines age gracefully and develop elegance and complexity, while expressing their terroir and vintage conditions and the hand of the winemaker.  Many issues, however, remain... Read More

Despite its relative late start compared to other great brewing nations, America has quickly, over the course of thirty years, become one of the world’s pre-eminent brewing nations.  Mixing a healthy respect for traditional practices with a New World curiosity for experimentation, bundled together with passion for their craft, brewers... Read More

IT’S NOVEMBER. The trees are beginning to shed the last of their leaves and, as the month wears on, it will be more and more challenging to shake the chill from your bones without a good, stiff drink.  We’ll save the Hot Toddies for January and February and discuss a... Read More

Since our founding fathers gathered around a punch bowl to sketch plans for the Revolution, this city has shown a fondness for beverage alcohol.  This fall, Bostonians can raise a glass to our unique and special beverage scene at Thirst Boston, a two-day celebration of all the things Bostonians drink... Read More

The annual holiday pilgrimage to the hearths and homes of loved ones approches – to mix and mingle with the smorgasbord of personalities that comprise family, friends, coworkers, and perhaps a dark stranger or two – make sure your customers are prepared for every gift-giving scenario by stocking gifts for... Read More

MORGAN FIRST and TYLER BALLIET of SECOND GLASS are REINVENTING WINE  EDUCATION ONE RIOT at a TIME FOR THE NOVICE DRINKER, learning about wine can be nothing if not intimidating.  And for many young people, it has an air of the unattainable.  It’s not that there aren’t countless approachable wines... Read More

SCOTCH AFICIONADOS can be quite particular about how they sip their single malts.  “Just one rock” please, or a splash of water.  Mention mixing with soda water, lemon juice or – GASP! – simple syrup and you’re sure to receive a suspicious glance.  We know, we know – scotch is... Read More

ONCE a fashionable name on the us market, Pouilly-Fuisse has not been a “go to” wine for decades, but remains nonetheless an advantageously situated Burgundy appellation nestled among hills and jagged outcroppings at the southernmost end of the Macon district.  The Chardonnays produced on its rocky vineyard amphitheaters vary considerably... Read More