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Curiosity is up, more Scotch brands have deployed brand ambassadors to host events, and mainstream and high-end publications seem to be covering rare releases more than ever. But the dollar is down on the global market, and people are skittish about spending, to say the least. Plus some are worried... Read More

George Saintsbury, an English literary critic, journalist and avid wine connoisseur, championed drinking for health long before any red wine study was released. Just after the turn of the twentieth century, he wrote,“All alcoholic drinks, rightly used, are good for body and soul alike, but as a restorative of both... Read More

Much in the news media lately have been dire warnings about childhood obesity and high cholesterol, both significant risk factors for cardiovascular and other diseases that lead to early disability and death. We have known since the studies of soldiers during the Korean War that atherosclerosis, the disease process that... Read More

ERIC BROEGE • 44 • Owner, Buyer • Vintages, West Concord and Belmont Still a painter and musician, Eric Broege is today a discerning buyer for his two small shops, one in formerly dry Belmont Center.  Eric defends his passion for individualistic wines of distinctive terroirs (mainly in Italy, Spain,... Read More

Burgundy is the hardest wine. The effort to understand it, however, can be more than worthwhile, for it can be the most ethereal of wines. The effort requires concentration and firsthand application. As I previous quoted in these pages, in February 2OO7, “buying Burgundy is not a spectator sport, but... Read More

It was the best of deals.It was the worst of deals. Call it what you may. But whether you like the idea or not, the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by Brazilian/Belgian brewer InBev is the kind of grand combination that changes how markets proceed and do business. It is the kind... Read More

For many brandy “heroes” Cognac is the ultimate brandy.  It’s a drink that has been favored and loved over the centuries by kings, emperors (Napoleon, for one) and European aristocrats.  The image in some parts of the culture is the good life, including hip-hopping around the urban jungle at night,... Read More

I get packages shipped by FedExI get letters and documents carried by DHLI got the computer I’m writing this on delivered by UPS They have imaginative ads, great services, and snappy graphics on their trucks and cargo jets. High-end service, very profitable, a specialist market. But most of the stuff... Read More