Spirits
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Uncovering the Truth Behind Vodka: Does Where it Comes From Really Matter?
We’re accustomed to vodka producers touting the base ingredients used to make the spirit (single-vintage potatoes! upcycled whey!). They even boast the elaborate distillation and/or filtration methods used in pursuit of pristine quality. And increasingly, vodka-makers are emphasizing the water source used to make, dilute and “finish” their product. But, do these water sources make…
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Enjoy an Unexpected Twist to Your Bar Cart with Fernet
At the far side of a dimly lit bar, two bartenders share shots of an unknown brown liquid. They’re drinking fernet—most likely Fernet-Branca—and taking part in a well-known industry ritual often referred to as “the bartenders’ handshake.”This bitter Italian herbal spirit can be found on the shelf of almost any rickety watering hole or high-end…
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Give Back to Rivers: How Vineyards are Taking Action Now
What do Bordeaux, Loire, Mosel, Rhine, Rhône, Douro, Napa, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Tokaj and the Wachau all have in common? If you said they are all major wine regions split by rivers or laced with tributaries, pour yourself a glass of wine.It may seem obvious, but wine wouldn’t exist without water. And rivers deliver…
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Unlock These Secret Ingredients For an Unforgettable National Margarita Day 2023…
Ah, Margarita Day – the one day of the year when everyone is encouraged to celebrate their favorite tequila-based cocktail. That’s right folks, February 22nd 2023 is National Margarita Day and it’s time to whip out your shakers and get ready for a good time! National Margarita Day celebrates this classic cocktail that first…
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Unbelievable: This New Winemaking Technique is Taking Oregon by Storm
As far as the history of winemaking goes, drip irrigation is a pretty new development—going back only to the late 1960s—and one a growing chorus of winemakers and viticulturalists say is better left behind. Oregon’s deep roots coalition (drc) has been beating the dry farming drum in earnest for nearly two decades. Led by a…
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Uncover the Secrets to Sipping on the Best Sake in Town
You may have come across sake on the menu of your local Japanese restaurant or seen bottles start to pop up in your neighborhood spirit shop. If you’re unfamiliar with this fermented rice beverage, consider this your sign to get to know it better. “Sake is both a drink and a window onto Japanese society,”…
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Uncover the Profound Differences Between Pot and Column Distilling
From commercial vodka to cult bourbon, all spirits are distilled. It’s a scientific and often creative process that transforms harsh ethanol into something safely potable and, if you’re lucky, downright delicious.But when it comes to distilling, methods vary. The two most common types of distillation are named after the machinery involved: pot and column stills.…
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You Won’t Believe What Happens When You Try This Vermont Sugaring Season Beverage
An invisible magic clings to Vermont in late winter. Weeks before spring arrives, when snow drifts can still swallow your shins as the days grow milder, maple trees begin to stir by running sap through their veins.Once the sap starts flowing, usually in late February, clouds of steam billow from sugar houses that dot the…
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Treat Yourself To A Memorable Dining Experience At El Dorado Kitchen
Welcome to El Dorado Kitchen: A Delicious Dining Experience in Sonoma Nestled in the picturesque town of Sonoma, California lies a restaurant that’s known for its stunning interior design, delicious food, and friendly service – El Dorado Kitchen. As soon as you walk through the door, you are greeted by an elegant and warm atmosphere…
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Experience the Phenomenal Flavor of Italy’s 2019 Barolo Vintage – Locals Can’t Stop Raving About It
One of the many reasons I love wine is the difference between vintages. I had the fortune early in my career to hear the dynamic and philosophical grower Nicolas Joly, of the famed La Coulée de Serrant vineyard in the Savennières region of the Loire, describe wine as time capsules. He described it as the…