Spirits
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In Southernmost South America, Cool-Climate White Wines Reach New Heights
The southernmost regions of Chile and Argentina have low temperatures, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and frost. And yet, in these extreme regions situated along the hemisphere’s 38–45th parallels, winemakers are crafting vibrant, flavorful Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. Some producers use these difficult conditions to their advantage. “They are challenges, but they are also positive things,”…
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Moldova Wineries Provide Ukrainian Aid: ‘It’s a Human Thing to Help’
On a warm weekday in June at Château Purcari, the oldest winery in Moldova, a few guests mingle at outdoor tables, sipping wine against a bucolic backdrop. Swans and fuzzy cygnets glide around a pint-sized pond. Two paddle boats float near a footbridge, awaiting their next captains. Farther afield, rows of grapevines flutter in the…
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How a Fire Forever Changed Irish Whiskey
On June 18, 1875, a fire broke out on Chamber Street in the Liberties neighborhood of Dublin. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but it resulted in a 30-foot-high column of flames shooting through the roof of Malone’s Malt and Storehouse. There, around 5,000 barrels of whiskey were held with minimal safety precautions. Eventually,…
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What Is St-Germain and What Do You Mix With It?
St-Germain gives the appearance of a centuries-old concoction with a colorful origin story similar to other French liqueurs like Chartreuse or Cointreau. But despite its Art Deco-styled bottle and vintage-inspired branding, St-Germain is just 15 years old. The elderflower liqueur was created in 2007 by third-generation distiller Robert J. Cooper. A Paris neighborhood inspires its…
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Grab Your Pen & Paper, Cause Here Are 10 American Sparkling Wines We Love
While some of the best-known examples of sparkling wine hail from France, you don’t need to search overseas for an exceptional bubbly. All across the United States, you’ll find bottles made with an array of grapes that may rival some of the best offerings abroad. Here are some of our favorite American sparkling wines. Photo…
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How the Fall of the Soviet Union Changed Wine Forever
One of the 20th century’s most seminal moments occurred in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed, and communist rule ended across much of the Eastern Bloc. With the fall of communism, agricultural land seized and operated by the state was returned to its original owners. It was among the most significant seismic shifts in the…
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Have You Ever Wondered What ‘Chewy’ Means When Describing Wine?
At first glance, it may seem odd to apply the same textural assessment to wine as one would to a chocolate chip cookie. But if wine can be crunchy, it can be chewy too. “A chewy wine would be overtly structured or concentrated,” says Chris Fladwood, winemaker at Soter Vineyards in Carlton, Oregon. “I’m thinking…
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Joy Spence Sits Down And Answers 5 Questions : ‘I Had to Work Twice as Hard’
Joy Spence is one of those rare people who has worked not only in the same industry but also at the same company for 40 years. She joined Appleton Estate as chief chemist in 1982 and has been the master blender since 1997. During her career, chronicled at the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience,…
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No, Corkscrew? Here’s How to Open a Wine Bottle Without One
Maybe you rented a vacation house that isn’t fully stocked. Perhaps you’re camping or in the middle of moving and can’t find a single cardboard box labeled “kitchen.” No matter the reason, learning how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew is guaranteed to come in handy at some point. Many corkscrews function similarly: You…
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California’s Surfing Winemakers Tell Us Their Secret & It’s All About Balance
Whether concerned about our warming climate or a desire to produce fresher wines, California vintners are fascinated by growing grapes as close to the Pacific Ocean as possible for all kinds of reasons. With most vineyards located less than six miles from the shore, the recently approved San Luis Obispo Coast appellation emphasizes this quest.…