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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
A Rodney Strong Showing.
Rick Sayre, the eloquent director of winemaking at Rodney Strong Vineyards of Sonoma, presided recently at one of the dinners of the Boston Harbor Hotel’s Boston Wine Festival, giving me a chance to catch up on the wines and on the estimable Daniel Bruce’s kitchen handiwork. Rodney Strong, the eponymous... Read More
Bill Nesto’s 2OO8 Annual Book & DVD Harvest.
Dear Readers, On the following pages is my harvest of the past year’s six best books/DVDs on wine. There are plenty of new books out there, but the problem for me as a wine educator is that many put their emphasis on telling, not on informing nor on teaching.An example... Read More
Gin 2008
Once upon a time, more than 5O years ago, for those old enough to remember, venerable rye whiskies and almighty gin ruled the waves in the American marketplace. Gin was the predominate white spirit of choice anywhere drinks were being served, although, admittedly, a great deal of it was of... Read More
Profile: Alex Ott
ALEX OTT • 35 • Master Mixologist/Consultant • New Amsterdam Straight Gin, New York City Take two parts German tradition, add one part each of Aussie dash, Thai spice, Parisian finesse, and top with liberal splashes of Gotham glory, swirl vigorously, and – voila! – you have the aggressively flavorful... Read More
New Zealand Wines.
New Zealanders are embracing their own wine industry with passion and pride. Their country’s small population and largely untapped viticultural potential has enabled the industry to rapidly develop its wine export trade, which represents 6O% of wine production. The United States now vies with the United Kingdom as New Zealand’s... Read More
Big House Wines
Nowhere else in Boston was suitable to meet head winemaker Georgetta Dane for a luncheon-tasting of her Big House Wines than the Liberty Hotel, a brilliant recasting of the notorious and historic Charles Street Jail which contains a bar called Alibi and an eatery known as Clink. I can attest... Read More
Blueberry Beer
I was at a summertime beer festival, about ten years ago, and I dropped by the back of the booth of a brewer I knew and asked him how things were going. His straight-faced answer: “Well, the lesbians are really liking the blueberry ale.†I must have given him a... Read More