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Alcopops, malternatives, “FMBs’, hard drinks: whatever you call them – and what you do call them probably identifies your slot in the alcohol beverage business – these sweet, beer-strength drinks have had an amazing and fast-moving career. From odd and abortive beginnings in the ‘6Os and ‘7Os – StingRay, Hop’n’Gator,... Read More

Kim Crawford, founded in 1996, owns 11O acres of planted vineyard in Marlborough, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, of which 15 are in full production. Grapes are purchased in addition to bring total production to 13O,OOO cases, the majority exported to the US. The eponymous Kim Crawford made wine in South... Read More

Malbec is a fine grape that is gradually attaining widespread popularity even though it’s never particularly been hyped. The Argentine’s are doing wonders with it and forging a new category based on three of the hottest trends in wine: it’s red, flavorful and moderately priced. You know, the kind 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

There are new mergers to get used to, new beers from large and small brewers both foreign and domestic, new regulations from the government, new attacks from the anti-alcohol folks, and new growth in wine and spirits. But it looks like the only new growth you might see is in... Read More

As restaurateurs and retail proprietors, one of the many questions we are frequently asked by our clients is about food and wine pairings. Many times the questions are about easy pairings that follow the old rules of red wine with meat and white with fish. When this rule was coined,... Read More

As any even casual reader of the Bible or student of ancient history knows, wine has been produced and consumed in the Land of Israel for thousands of years. It has also been exported for many centuries, constituting a favored drink among the Roman legions and among the pharaoh’s court... Read More

Traditional kosher wine in the United States has been most often based upon Concord grapes grown in New York State, sweetened after fermentation (now often with less expensive corn syrup most of the year, but with cane sugar for Passover wines, because grains are not considered kosher for Passover by... Read More

It’s a little like being in your car, stopped at one of those railroad crossings when the gates go down, and here comes a freight train, moving fast, but seemingly without an end.The engine is large and powerful and pulling a multitude of box cars of different shapes and heights,... Read More