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Ah, summertime. Hot weather. Baseball games. Trips to the beach. Backyard barbecues. And thirst. What better way to quench that thirst than with an ice-cold beer? Maybe one served in a well-frosted mug. Then again, maybe not. There’s no need to pigeonhole certain beers as being just for summer. “The... Read More

COCKTALE A staple of brunch menus across America, the Bloody Mary may seem anything but endangered.  But we’ll bet you a round that the question of how this morning tipple got its eerie name has crossed your mind at least once. Barman Fernand “Pete” Petiot is credited with inventing this... Read More

MARILISA ALLEGRINIInternational PR DirectorAllegrini Azienda AgricolaLEONARDO LoCASCIOPresident & CEOWinebow Imports, New Jersey Pair a remarkably successful importerwith an expert from a distinguished6th-generation Verona wine family and you find this dynamic couple.  Allegrini is world ambassador for her Tre Bicchieri-champion family winery.  LoCascio was awarded Importer of the Year for 2OO9... Read More

Massachusetts is not generally thought of as an eastern Napa Valley, but we do produce wine here. In an unscientific poll I asked Massachusetts people not in the drinks trade to name three places producing wine. The responses, in rank order, included California, France, Italy. There was a single mention... Read More

Earlier this year, at Vino 2O1O in New York City, I moderated a seminar that launched the American debut of Cruasé. Cruasé is a Pinot Noir Rosé sparkling wine made in Lombardy, Italy’s Oltrepò Pavese appellation. Though the Cruasé category could eventually be integrated into Oltrepò’s DOCG for Metodo Classico... Read More

Having been invited as a member of the panel in the seminar discussing “The 2OO9 Harvest in Italy: The World Outlook for Italian Wine” at the opulent and well-attended VINO 2O1O, I prepared by stealthily surveying a nonscientifically selected sample of savants selling Italian wines in the US at every... Read More

Beer tourism is on the rise. As someone who covers the industry, I have spent a lot of time over the past three years traveling to various up and coming beer spots around the world. A decade ago, beer tourists endeavored to travel to Belgium, Germany and Britain to try... Read More

Go for the SilverTequila, Lime and the Margarita  COCKTALE A well-made Margarita is a perfect balance of sweet, sour and earthy – a winning, but endangered, cocktail – and we’re calling on you to help keep its flame burning.  A quality silver tequila, a premium triple sec and, most importantly,... Read More

We’re going to be hearing a lot about tequila this year.  Not only does 2O1O mark the 2OOth anniversary of Mexican independence, but the past few years of growth have set the category up for healthy progress, even in the face of the Great Recession.  With more and more brands... Read More