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Being knowledgeable about wine is more than just knowing the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio or who the latest hot cult producer is. Wine, like the rest of the table, is primarily a sensory experience and understanding it begins with the nose. As wine professionals – whether in... Read More

The ruling concerns only wine, not beer and spirits, and throws out as unconstitutional New York and Michigan’s restrictions on direct wine shipments from out-of-state if in-state vintners can ship their wines within and beyond state borders. It will not open the floodgates and let wineries immediately start shipping their... Read More

Readers can pull off such a tasting themselves, though the dimensions of it all can get out of hand. Participants (mostly consumers, a few trade folks) bought into this event by pledging a small fee and contributing one or two bottles. The tasting took place in a naturally lit room,... 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

During the 197Os, the California wine trade touted Zinfandel as its very own grape variety while it was quietly aware that its origin lay somewhere else. In the last few years, researchers have discovered that not only has this variety had a longer commercial history in Italy where it is... Read More

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... Read More

Several of these breweries only recently entered the Massachusetts marketplace and each is striving to get its story out there. FOR THIS Six-pack of Local Breweries, I visit one-man operations, contract breweries, and some small craft breweries. Each of the breweries profiled here is distinctive, either for focusing on a... Read More

TOM SCHEISSER • Chief Wine Buyer • Marty’s Liquors • Newton & Allston, MA Tom Schmeisser is a front-running candidate for best-known and best-liked wine professional in Massachusetts. Tom has been the chief wine buyer at Marty’s (Newton and Allston) for 35 years, and has been a strong factor in... Read More