HOME

THE IMPORTS Jagemeister’s brownish red pulls in major green. The number one import, again, Jagermeister grew almost 28% in 2OO5. Amanda Lechner, Marketing Brand Manager of Jagermeister for The Sidney Frank Company, chalks the success of Jagermeister up to several things. “Perseverance over the years as well as innovation and... Read More

It should surprise nobody in the trade that Cambridge be the quietly self-designated hotbed of a pop in the still small niche explosion of biodynamic wines. Where but in that socio-political cauldron of Cantabrigia could such extremism grip sommeliers’ and diners’ imaginations? Violette Imports’ eclectic and discerning portfolio has played... Read More

As tastes profiles of tequila, single malts and every other spirit have grown more complex, and prices have soared, consumers have grown more sophisticated and picky about what they drink and buy, regardless of category. Where five years ago an $8O to $1OO bottle of tequila or scotch may have... Read More

One fine April evening my wife shares some great news: her sister is getting married. Wonderful! Then comes the bad news: the wedding is in six weeks, on Memorial Day. For many of us in the hospitality or retail industry, getting that weekend off is difficult enough; with that short... Read More

Dean Martin was a star in his own right, a well-paid singer and actor. But when Frank Sinatra was in the room, Martin was eclipsed, and he knew it. It Was a Very Good Year So it is with the Titan from Tennessee. Jack Daniel’s is the best-selling whiskey in... Read More

A few years ago, large, clear infusion jars started appearing on every self-respecting restaurant bar, filled with bright-colored fruits. Fruits that gradually faded over time – maybe that’s why they disappeared from view. Coffee, chocolate and other flavors seemed to take their place in cocktails. But in this new era... Read More

TIFFANY TAYLOR • 35 • Wine Director & Restaurant Manager • Rialto Restaurant, Charles Hotel, Cambridge, MA Even the elegant places suffer stressful moments; Rialto, the Charles Hotel’s flagship destination dining room – since its 1994 opening the bailiwick of award-winning Chef Jody Adams – has weathered wintry changes. Restaurateuse... Read More

It’s growing slowly, but organic spirits success seems to be well on track. By year’s end, the Massachusetts market will probably have nearly a dozen organically made spirits. “Organic’s all the rage right now. I know the category is growing by the interest from distributors that are looking at it.... Read More

Trends come and go. A new infusion will likely replace the last hot infusion. Tequila drinkers are rapidly upgrading to anejos. The Mojito craze wilts annually with the season and the Negroni is the new Dark ‘n Stormy, say some trend trackers. Maybe Pulitzer Prize winning poet Robert Frost put... Read More