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Beer’s Future

THE HOP CRISIS The celebrations of craft beer producers have a darkening cloud hanging over them. The talk among brewers and distributors in recent months has turned from their recent successes to the possibility of a severe shortage of raw materials for use in the brewing process. While craft brewers...
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IT’S BEER by a BUBBLE

AFTER A RATHER DISCOURAGING couple of years, beer has something to cheer about. The annual Gallup Poll recently reported that beer edged out wine as the adult beverage of choice in the US. The percentage of Americans who drink any type of alcohol is stable, though the poll shows that...
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Wine 2005

Americans not only consumed greater quantities of wine during the year (about 3 to 4% more, as has been the case for several years), they drank more red wine and on average they drank more expensive wine. Blush wine, primarily White Zinfandel, continued to decline as a percentage of the...
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Understanding Montepulciano

Montepulciano is, in some ways, the “Sangiovese” of central Italy east of the Apennines. Though the growing habit of Montepulciano and its resulting wine differ greatly from the growing habit and wines of Sangiovese, it is in the same league as Sangiovese as far as its dominance in the areas...
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Great Beer!

Well, I’ve got some choices for you. There’s a rich smooth porter, a crisp and spicy witbier, an all-organic pale ale, a brisk and bitter IPA, a pumpkin-and-spice ale that’s perfect for fall drinking, and a big 8% bruiser that was aged on a bed of roasted cocoa beans. What...
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Brunello di Montalcino

Italy remains, by far, our number one source of imported wine in the United States. However, because consumers at the luxury end of the market remain largely unfamiliar with its multiplicity of names, regions and grape varieties, Italian wine is rarely a first choice at business gatherings or celebrations unless...
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Proseccos, Cavas and Cremant deBourgogne

December is certainly the time for festive drinking and Champagne is usually the first pick as a celebratory wine during the holidays. But for some of our clients, Champagne isn’t necessarily an option because of the price tag, and sometimes it just doesn’t work economically for what we as wine...
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Riesling Revisisted

As I was packing to leave on a summer tour of the vineyards and wineries of the Rhine in Germany, I struggled with the weighty issues we all struggle with. Am I bringing too many clothes? What kind of shoes? Sandals? No, not sandals, not to efficient, practical Germany; pack...
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Roger Ormon

ROGER ORMON • 63 • Sales Manager • Brookline Liquor Mart • Allston, MA After 35 years at Brookline Liquor Mart, most of it as sales manager, Roger Ormon has acquired the long view of wine and wine sales. Having accrued plenty of wine (and people) wisdom, especially with tasting...
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