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Terroir

I studied for the Master of Wine exam during the early 199Os. At that time, the concept of terroir seemed to be a flash point for all sorts of discussions. As a fledgling blind taster, I desperately wanted to know more about the connection between a wine’s organoleptic profile and...
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Reviving Greece

Jupiter created the Earth and, in an afterthought, He threw the leftover handful of pebbles over His shoulder into the sea – thus forming Greece and its 15OO-island archipelagos. ‘Was last least?’ some Greeks grumbled. It’s been a rocky ride historically for the Greek people – devastation, subjugation, holocaust, rapacious...
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The Great Dane

How did that happen? Carlsberg is currently the fifth-largest brewing group in the world, and Carlsberg beer is sold in 154 countries. They are the brewers that put brewing on a true scientific basis, and who continue to contribute to brewing science on a high level. The rest of the...
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What’s In Store?

A voter initiative proposed for November’s ballot could radically change how wine is sold in Massachusetts by expanding the number of wine retail outlets by as many as 2OOO – about double the number of outlets now licensed to sell wine. The proposal, sponsored by the Massachusetts Food Association, would...
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Muy Caliente!

Spanish wines are on fire, and the hottest new restaurant in town is also Spanish. It’s true that wines from all over Spain are better than ever, but that reflects a gradual process. They are, subject to Euro-inflation, no longer so cheap as to engender guilt in the purchasing consumer....
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Doug French

Doug French • 51 • Mezcalero, Scorpion Mezcal & Marketer, Caballeros Inc. • Oaxaca, Mexico  PROFILE Born in Bronxville, NY, mezcalero Doug French grew up in Beaumont, TX, Guadalajara, Mexico, and Europe. His double major in business administration/Latin-American studies from U. Pacific helped him import hand-woven textiles and run his...
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Bourbon

One thing’s for sure: this ain’t your daddy’s bourbon. But some of it is Pappy’s bourbon – Pappy Van Winkle, that is. And the bourbon that still bears his name is a good example of what’s going on in the bourbon business today. Pappy’s grandson, Julian Van Winkle III, has...
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Profile: Slick Willie

WILLIE TAIT • 59 • Master Distiller and Single Malt Ambassador • Isle of Jura, Scotland Och, aye! The isles of Scotland are rich in history and religion. Iona is recognized as the cradle of Christianity from which St. Columba preached and roamed in the VI-century, CE. Jura, one of...
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Whiskey

A native son of Islay, the small island with such a remarkable concentration of legendary single malt distilleries that’s located off the west coast of Scotland in the Hebrides. 57-year-old McEwan’s life has centered on this single malt island culture going back to the days he started out as a...
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