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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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…
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True story: We’re super impressed by and supportive of folks who’ve decided to reassess their relationship with alcohol. Whether that means deciding to drink less, exploring the world of non-alcoholic spirits and non-alcoholic wines or quitting cold turkey, these folks have our admiration. But of all the people in the world to attempt Dry January—the…
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Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape behind some of the most famous wines from Bordeaux, Stellenbosch, Napa Valley and more. In fact, it is quite possibly one of the most famous red grapes in the world. Boasting outstanding flavors of black fruits, spice and herbs, with good acidity and noticeable tannins, this grape is one to…
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From the precedent-setting Whiskey Rebellion to the early days of American wine production, the United States’ history is very much intertwined with alcohol.So, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that many presidents were quite fond of enjoying a glass of wine (or several). Here’s a look at how wine played a big role in…
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Whether you live in a sprawling house or a tiny apartment, getting the perfect at-home bar is totally doable. Just like renovating and decorating any other part of the home, many options exist when it comes to upgrading your bar space, from DIY options to luxury splurges.But it doesn’t mean you have to choose between…
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When it comes to Chardonnay, people either seem to be die-hard fans or staunch supporters of the Anything-But-Chardonnay movement. But no matter which side you fall on, you can’t deny this grape’s popularity. After all, it’s one of the most widely-planted varieties in the world. But Chardonnay haters are missing out. This grape can produce…
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For those of you who have already basked in your epiphany wine experience, allow me to congratulate you. And if you are not sure if you have had it or not, then it most definitely has not happened, as it is unmistakably crystal clear when it does occur. The beauty of the epiphany wine moment…
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The schooner Apollonia has become a part of business-as-usual for Nika Carlson, owner of Greenpoint Cidery, who makes farmhouse-style cider at her Hudson, New York facility. The bottles are loaded aboard the sailboat—about two weeks later, they arrive at the dock in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where locals can pick up a “boat box.” Not two…
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“Liquor is worth fightin’ for, but water is worth dyin’ for.” Such is an old adage Ken Wright, owner and winemaker of Ken Wright Cellars in Carlton, Oregon, remembers from when he first came to the West Coast in the 1970s. “Water was already an issue,” he says. “When the population of an area cannot…
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