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And with Austrian wines today…

Austrians, however, have totally renovated and moved forward their wine industry, from the low-cost-driven sweet wine industry that prevailed in the 197Os and early 198Os to the dry, mid-priced wines that characterize today’s industry. The pivot point for this change was 1985 when unethical producers adulterated wine with di-ethylene glycol....
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Shafer.

When I first became acquainted with the wines of Shafer Vineyards and met John Shafer – it must have been more than 25 years ago – two impressions engraved themselves on my mind: all the wines tasted so good right from the first; the charm and intelligence of John Shafer....
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Full Sails Brewing: Jamie Emmerson

Based in the heart of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, the Full Sail Brewing Company of Hood River, Oregon, is one of America’s oldest craft breweries.  The brewery is an interesting melange of personalities and attitudes, ranging from assertive American-style ale lovers to hard core Germanophiles.  Backed by its powerful...
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Hot Stuff!

Despite the efforts of industry experts, market analysts and advertising executives, the formula for successfully establishing a trend remains a conundrum.  The market moves like a plastic bag in the wind and the taste of the masses is far from quantifiable.  In the liquor industry, when a seemingly good idea...
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The Rest of the Gin Story.

DEAR SUBSCRIBERS Due to a production error, a very important ingredient was omitted from last month’s Gin article, unfortunately altering the ultimate flavor of its final presentation.  With my apologies to you, our readership, Old Raj importer Henry Preiss, owner of Preiss Imports, and Robert Bradford, here is, in full,...
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Breaking the Rules with Tania Oseguera.

The private dining room at Casa Romero was small. The undertaking was not.Tania Oseguera, brand ambassador for Corzo and Cazadores tequilas, set the tone for the night when she notified the small group that tonight was “an opportunity to break the rules”. Breaking is one thing, but she didn’t warn...
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Look Who’s Talkin’ Green

The notion of organic products is not a particularly new trend, nor is the idea of “going green” to reduce the all-important carbon imprint on a global level. But we’ve all noticed that efforts towards both endeavors have been significantly ramped up, especially in the last two years. This is...
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Profile: Max Toste

MAX TOSTE • 32 • Co-owner & Bar Manager • Deep Ellum, Allston, MA This destination bar has come a long way since opening after New Year’s 2OO7.  These keen guys and gals, apprentice masters of good taste, could be top deejays.  I spoke with candid, dedicated co-owner Max Toste...
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Value from the vine.

It’s no surprise perhaps that with all of the economic upheavals we’ve experienced, the first half of 2OO8 has seen some dramatic shifts in long term wine consumption trends. Whether or not we are in a recession or heading into one, it’s indisputable that the dollar is at one of...
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