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Every year, in the first week of June, Tuscany’s Carmignano Consorzio presents its newly released vintages to journalists. By far the most interest is lavished on the prestigious local red wines, the Carmignano and Carmignano Riserva DOCGs, but Carmignano for its size (some 2O producers working some 5OO acres of... Read More

Thirty-five years ago, wine was in the same market position as beer is today – a commodity. Largely, it was bought by the jug, it was bought on price, and it was not bought with any consideration to “pairing” with food, except that maybe you got an Italian wine when... Read More

MARISA IOCCA and RITA d’ANGELO • 4Os • EXECUTIVE CHEF and GENERAL MANAGER of BRICCO and UMBRIA • BOSTON PROFILE Marisa Iocca and Rita d’Angelo get a gleam in their eyes when they talk food and wine, which is almost constantly – they get possessed, conspirational, gleeful. These two Adriatic... Read More

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... Read More

First, let us revisit what is known of increased cancer risk associated with drinking. Alcohol (and its first breakdown product, acetaldehyde) is the only component of wine that may be inculpated, then almost exclusively when chronically abused. Spirits and beer appear to be associated with more risk than wine. It... Read More

In the current film Sideways, the personality of the principle character, Miles, is identified with that of his favorite varietal wine, Pinot Noir. Many say, though it is arguable, that Pinot Noir is enhanced by the presence of low-level wine faults. Because Miles gets roaring drunk whenever he gets angry,... Read More

As a recent vertical tasting at the inappropriately named California Wine Experience in Chicago clearly established, the Chateau has over the past twenty odd years produced a series of impeccably structured, absolutely delicious wines which rank among the most thrilling in the world. Expectations at this level, at the pinnacle... Read More

Imade a prediction that celebrity brewers would become a major attraction to beer aficionados, and named two local examples, Dann Paquette and Todd Mott. It seemed right to follow up with an interview with one of them, and I knew where to find Dann – The Tap, in Haverhill, MA.... Read More

After working his way through the ranks under the tutelage of famed British brewer Peter Austin, Pugsley traveled the world setting up brewing systems in China, Nigeria, Belgium, and Russia, among others. In the last twenty years, Pugsley has helped design and install dozens of breweries in America, including Geary’s,... Read More