Spirits
-
10 Cocktails Inspired by Y2K Fashion Trends
Instead of saying “Bye Bye Bye” to low-rise jeans and matching velour tracksuits, someone is bringing Y2K fashion back—and it isn’t Justin Timberlake.Shorthand for “the year 2000,” Y2K originally referred to a computer bug that created widespread panic for the new millennium. Today, the term also refers to the modern embrace of the culture of…
-
The New Wave of Weird, Wild American Brandy
Once a year, Baltimore Spirits takes an attention-grabbing approach to dispatching an abundance of Maryland apples into apple brandy. Inspired by the harvest celebration of Mexico’s pechuga mezcal, raw apples are swept with smoke, then distilled with foraged pawpaw, persimmon and black walnut. For the final distillation, a 30-pound Maryland country ham is suspended in…
-
Stemless vs. Stemmed Wine Glasses: Which is Better?
When it comes to holding a wine glass properly, conventional wisdom is as follows: Always at the stem, don’t touch the bowl. That’s because stemware has a purpose: It allows for intentional tasting and graceful swirling, and when used correctly, can preserve the wine’s optimal temperature. In other words, your wine glass matters. “Wine is…
-
Grieving in Wine Country: How Wine Brought One Man Back from the Dead
Two hours north of Los Angeles, or however long it takes you to crawl 120 miles along LA freeways, just past the Santa Barbara beaches there is a 90-degree dogleg-right in the 101 freeway. As you veer around the bend, a tunnel materializes suddenly before you, which burrows through a jagged peak of sandstone. It…
-
Your Pocket Guide to Barolo, Plus Which Bottles to Buy
Not many bottles get to claim to be “the king of wines,” but Barolo has snagged that prestigious title in the hearts of many. Made in Northwestern Italy, this bold red wine has been enjoyed for centuries. But whether Barolo is a staple in your collection or you’ve never tried a bottle yourself, there’s a…
-
These Are The Leading Spirit Stores in America, as Voted by Industry Professionals
From got-it-all, big-box retailers to tiny shops with laser-focused collections, these retailers are ready to help shoppers get in the spirit.We’re using “spirits shops” as a catch-all term for the broad range of venues that sell distilled spirits, including generic liquor stores, wine shops with carefully-curated spirit selections, sprawling chains and other purveyors large and…
-
New Year’s Eve Champagne Guide: Elevate Your Celebration with These Top Picks
There’s a lot of pressure (pun intended) that comes with choosing the right bottle of bubbly to kick off the new year. From nonvintage Champagne for every budget to splurge-worthy Champagnes to add to your cellar, there is a ton of variety out there. Need help navigating it all? Our wine tasting experts break down…
-
“From Decay to Splendor: The Renovation of a 600-Year-Old French Chateau”
Jean-Baptiste and Erin were a newly-engaged couple, and they were looking at various options for them to relocate to his native France. Needless to say, they encountered some obstacles along the way. However, they didn’t give up, and they actually hit upon an idea that seemed to fly in the face of all logic. Although…
-
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of THIS, Global Wine Icon
Third-generation South Australian winemaker Francis d’Arenberg Osborn—widely known as d’Arry—passed away on December 16th at the age of 95. Credited as one of the founding fathers of the modern McLaren Vale wine industry, d’Arry grew his family winery, d’Arenberg, from bulk producer to one of the world’s best known Australian labels over the course…
-
The Most Sought-After Cocktails of 2022
It’s the most reflective time of year, and we can’t help but marvel at the cocktail creations that stole the show in 2022. We ran the numbers, and our most popular drinks recipes spanned both classic cocktails and unexpected newcomers. Some drinks, like hot buttered rum, offered a timeless appeal, while others, like the emerald-hued…