It’s been a spicy topic for a California wine industry approaching economic panic: the “Wine Improvement District” — or “WID” for those actively at odds in the debate. The idea sounds sensible enough: a small regional levy on direct-to-consumer sales, with the goal of raising funds for collective regional marketing. God knows wine needs every advantage it can muster given the current hand-wringing environment, but the seemingly reasonable proposition has set off heated exchanges. ...| VinePair
Recently, a listener of the podcast took a trip to Napa Valley and visited a combination of legacy and new wineries. While there, they found that the newer brands were more innovative in both their tastings and winemaking techniques — and their hospitality delivered. The legacy brands, on the other hand, were said to be the opposite, and the experience did not stand out as anything special. And given the lofty price tag attached to the experience, it was a bit of a letdown. What is there to...| VinePair
Rye is bourbon’s feisty cousin. Unlike bourbon, which must be made from at least 51 percent corn, American rye whiskey requires a minimum of 51 percent of its namesake tall, spiky grain in its mash bill. Its dominance imparts the liquid with a distinctive spicy punch, making it the ideal counterpoint to bourbon’s sweetness. It took a while for rye’s star to rise during the country’s 21st century spirits boom, especially compared to bourbon. Yet the category’s enjoying a spike in gro...| VinePair
”My dad gave me advice 60 years ago: The day that you think you’re any better than the lowest man on the job is the day you start going backwards.” Bill Coleman represents the fifth of seven generations of the Coleman hop-growing family in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Health concerns may have ”retired” him from leadership in Coleman Agriculture, but he’s still active on the farm. Max Coleman, seventh-generation director of farm operations, jokes that Bill is now ”the old fart w...| VinePair
For white wine drinkers, Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular varieties. But while fans of the grape typically gravitate toward only one or two areas (cough cough, Marlborough and Sancerre), there’s a broad spectrum of Sauvignon Blancs to explore from great wine regions across the globe. Sauvignon Blanc is an extremely versatile grape, ranging from crisp, mineral-driven bottles with delicate fruit character to ripe expressions brimming with notes of pineapple, passion fruit, grapefrui...| VinePair
We’ve all been there. You’re out to dinner, you’ve enjoyed a cocktail or two, and you’ve moved on to a bottle of wine. Only the meal is winding down and you’re not sure that you’ll be able to finish the bottle by the time you leave the restaurant. Are you allowed to take the leftover wine home or will you be forced to leave it at the table? The good news is that taking an unfinished bottle of wine home with you after dining in at a restaurant is almost universally legal. The artic...| VinePair
Netflix’s “House of Guinness” finally launched on Sept. 25. From the writer of “Peaky Blinders,” the show is set in the 19th century and focuses on the Guinness family dynasty following the death of patriarch Benjamin Guinness. While the Guinness brand had nothing to do with the creation of the show, the series undeniably helps solidify the beer as a piece of cultural heritage. Moreover, it serves as an introduction for younger consumers — who are perhaps only eager to split the G...| VinePair
Being a bartender can be a tough gig. It’s long hours on your feet, late nights, and near-constant interaction with other people — intoxicated people, at that. Luckily though, no one knows this better than fellow bartenders, most of whom have established a secret set of rules to guide behavior at not just their own bar, but every bar they visit in their free time as well. The article 8 ‘Unwritten Rules’ of Being a Bartender, According to Reddit appeared first on VinePair.| VinePair
The other day, I filed an analysis for VinePair on the latest developments in the court-ordered receivership of Uncle Nearest, Inc., the high-flying Tennessee liquor firm that’s been laid low by the pesky matter of $108 million in defaulted debts. Firms are incentivized to settle or stem litigation in order to keep themselves out of court and outside the public eye, I wrote, so the fact that that situation is playing out on the record in federal court is a rare privilege. The article A Fire...| VinePair
In 2025, tipping seems more ubiquitous — and contentious— than ever. Rather than an unimposing jar of singles with a punny label sitting on a counter, mobile payment services like Toast and Square bring the tipping options front and center. Though tapping a screen does make adding an extra dollar to your coffee purchase easier, the suggestion to add at least 25 percent to almost any transaction has led some Americans to believe that tipping has spiraled out of control. Not to mention that...| VinePair
While every state in America produces wine, much of the U.S. wine conversation is still centered around its most famous region, California’s Napa Valley. And while Napa produces some exceptional wines, it often takes attention away from other regions making equally incredible wines. So we talked to wine professionals from across the country to learn more about their opinions on some of the most overlooked American wine regions. The article We Asked 13 Wine Pros: What’s the Most Underrated...| VinePair
The story of Harlan Estate begins with H. William Harlan, Bill for short. Bill was born in Southern California in 1940 and as a teenager, he had three dreams: Sail around the world, have a family, and own a vineyard. As Bill grew older, his love for wine developed further as he witnessed the work going on in California to revive an industry that was almost entirely decimated by Prohibition. After graduating from college, Bill sailed around the world, achieving one of his dreams, before return...| VinePair
Wine has had special prominence in the cultural conversation for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the Classification of 1855, where the top Bordeaux producers were designated in advance of a global expo, to the many efforts to rank and codify the top vineyards in regions around the world, discussing which wines are best, or most important, is central to the conversation around wine. While finding a definitive answer is a fool’s errand, that doesn’t mean that we can’t try — wit...| VinePair
After what has seemed like an endless string of smashing successes, the bourbon industry is facing its first real roadblocks in decades, and reports of turmoil and decline have been growing more frequent and agitated over the past year. IWSR Drinks Market Analysis showed a 2 percent downturn in domestic bourbon sales volume from 2023 to 2024, while globally, sales volume was flat from 2023 to 2024. The article Why Buffalo Trace Is Beating Bourbon’s Downturn appeared first on VinePair.| VinePair
Today on the “VinePair Podcast,” Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a trio of stories. First up, there’s the news that Michelob Ultra has surpassed Modelo as the best-selling beer (by volume) in the United States. Is this just because of tariffs and ICE raids, or has AB-InBev hit on a winning message? Then, they explore whether a recent Harris Poll about beverage preferences at restaurants says anything new about generational shifts in attitudes toward alcohol. Finally, the trio ponder the...| VinePair
A bad bar doesn’t always reveal its subpar nature right away. It instead provides subtle hints that point to poor quality, and these clues usually can’t be spotted until guests settle into their barstools. When they are identified, however, they can become red flags so big and bright, they radically alter the guest experience. Instead of the bar becoming the conduit for a fun hangout session over a couple of cocktails, it downgrades into a spot where quickly drinking a bottled beer while ...| VinePair
Classic bourbon cocktails — the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan, the Whiskey Sour — have undoubtedly earned their keep as mainstays on any reputable bar list. While these drinks have stood the test of time, some experts like Liam Weitz, head bartender at a cocktail bar in Brooklyn, believe it’s time for both seasoned mixologists and curious at-home imbibers to start thinking beyond what’s expected from the American spirit. For Weitz, bourbon’s versatility goes far deeper than the swe...| VinePair
Most Tuesday mornings, Utepils Brewing president Daniel Justesen runs a rather carnivorous errand at Kramarczuk’s, a venerable Ukrainian deli and butcher shop in Minneapolis. He buys bacon, assorted sausages, and smoked pork chops, then brings them to his Twin Cities brewery. Kielbasa isn’t a weekly employee perk. Instead, the Kramarczuk’s bounty is reserved for that evening’s customers who fill the spacious taproom for pilsners, hefeweizens, and free tickets for the weekly meat raffl...| VinePair
A traditional spirit of Mexico, mezcal is known for its centuries of rich history and distinct set of artisanal techniques that have been passed down for generations. But recently, the once-local spirit has seen an astronomic boom in popularity in the U.S., going from a niche pursuit to a widely used cocktail ingredient. The spirit even found its way into beloved modern classics like the Naked and Famous, Division Bell, and Oaxaca Old Fashioned. Though mezcal’s newfound fame is great for fa...| VinePair
Here on the “VinePair Podcast,” we talk a lot about the wine industry. Wine isn’t doing great right now — that’s not a secret, and it’s also not negative to point it out. The status quo isn’t working, and being blunt about it from a business perspective isn’t a cynical thing. If anything, it’s coming from a place of advocacy. This podcast is hosted by three individuals who are staunchly pro-wine, but they’re not cheerleaders, and championing everything in a category simply...| VinePair
If the rise of the Negroni put its leading liqueur, Campari, in the spotlight over the past decade or so, the same might be said of its feature vermouth. But how much do people really know about sweet vermouth, beyond its supporting role in the equal-parts cocktail? Unlike its dry and blanco counterparts, sweet vermouth, or red vermouth, stands out for its vibrant ruby coloring that comes from the caramelized sugar used to produce the wine product. The article 13 of the Best Cocktails to Make...| VinePair
There’s an episode of “Seinfeld” I think about a lot. Well, there are a lot of episodes of “Seinfeld” I think about a lot, actually. I’m a 37-year-old white guy, after all. But one of the subplots in this particular episode of “Seinfeld” — Season 5, Episode 22, “The Opposite,” for the real heads reading this — turns on the realization that the show’s cosmic scales are balanced on its titular lead, with the rest of the characters’ fortunes rising and falling in dire...| VinePair
Darling is a new Chinese-inspired cocktail bar from Brian Callahan and Zimu Chen that recently opened in Cambridge, Mass.’s Central Square. The bar takes inspiration from a number of sources, including the space’s previous tenant, Mary Chung’s, a beloved Chinese restaurant that served Sichuan dishes for 40 years. When researching design for the space, Callahan also looked to the cha chaan tengs of Hong Kong — cafes known for their eclectic menus that combine Eastern and Western comfor...| VinePair
Classic well drinks like the Rum and Coke or Vodka Soda might seem like the easiest cocktails to master, but there are still some nuances to consider while building these simple, two-part drinks. It might be your first instinct to spend the most time and consideration on choosing the right base spirit. But while the brand of whiskey or tequila you use is definitely a big factor, the soda component typically makes up the majority of the drink, so it’s just as important, if not more so, to co...| VinePair
If you’re in the wine world, when you hear Screaming Eagle, you think cult Cab. The wine — which is one of the most expensive American-made wines in existence — has been associated with the cult Cabernet class of wines practically since it made its debut in the early ‘90s. But despite its popularity and elite status, the history of the brand is shrouded in mystery. Today on the “Wine 101” podcast, Keith dives into the history of Screaming Eagle, one of Napa’s most coveted wine l...| VinePair
When it comes to red wines, few are as revered as Cabernet Sauvignon. As the most planted red wine grape variety in the world, Cabernet is abundant and extremely versatile, but it can often be expensive. Regions like Bordeaux and Napa Valley have harnessed the power of the grape and leveraged its quality — bumping up the prices of Cabernet Sauvignon around the world. That doesn’t mean that all Cabernets exist in these exclusive price brackets, though. The article We Asked 10 Sommeliers: W...| VinePair
First came mlíko, which gave us “milk tubes,” “mlíko bombs,” and other variations on the all-foam beer serve. With bars and taprooms looking for new ways to attract customers, will the two-beer mix known as řezané pivo be the next Czech pour to win over the craft beer world? It certainly feels like the time for it. Roughly translated as “cut beer,” řezané pivo includes both dark lager and pale lager, often (though not always) poured in two separate layers, giving each glass ...| VinePair
In case you’ve missed it, Chili’s is having a bit of a moment right now. And that moment doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. Founded by Larry Lavine in Dallas in 1975, Chili’s Grill & Bar slowly expanded across six states until it was purchased by restaurateur Norman Brinker in 1983. Under Brinker’s ownership, Chili’s Inc. went public as a company, started franchising, and opened 1,000 locations by 2004. In the early 2010s, though, Chili’s — like most sit-down chain rest...| VinePair
On Oct. 5 and 6, Chicago is set to host the second edition of Vinitaly.USA, an exhibition bringing together hundreds of Italian wine producers and thousands of buyers across North America. Vinitaly.USA showcases the dynamic nature of Italian wines and offers over 30 masterclasses and other events for attendees to network, learn, and taste. And here to tell us more about it are Molly Matelski and Serafin Alvarado. The article The VinePair Podcast: Exploring the Intersection of Italian Wine, Sp...| VinePair
Over the past few years, the global wine industry news has been a playlist of emo angst peppered by Hans Zimmer-esque impending doom. Wine consumption is declining and, yes, there’s a glut of grapes. Unsurprisingly, economic anxiety is the track of the day. While the wine lake in Europe has prompted major headlines regarding full-on policy intervention, the U.S. hasn’t escaped its share of the gloom. California in particular — representing well over three-quarters of total domestic prod...| VinePair
Last week, news broke that GALLO acquired Whiny Baby, a California-based wine brand founded in 2020 that specifically markets to Gen Z drinkers of legal age. This is the first GALLO wine acquisition since the conglomerate purchased Rombauer and Massican in 2022. The news comes at a time when headlines dominate about wine’s struggle to gain the attention of younger consumers, and perhaps that’s the driving force behind the purchase. Whiny Baby has already established itself in their target...| VinePair
This Episode of “Wine 101” is sponsored by Rioja. Tempranillo. Spain’s signature variety and the anchor for the wines of Rioja. Along with the support of Manzeulo, Graciano, and Viura, these wines show depth, complexity, ageability, and refreshment. These varieties produce not only delicious wine but also symbolize a legacy of quality that has been central to the region for over 100 years. This is a very special episode of “Wine 101” — it’s the first recording ever done live. An...| VinePair
As the tequila market continues to boom, so does its reputation as a sophisticated spirit. This is perhaps best marked by the proliferation of luxury, expensive bottles on the market. For people getting into the category and long-time aficionados, seeing a tequila retailing for three digits and protected by a glass case may look intriguing, especially if it’s not packaged in some overly fancy, decorative bottle. Personal budget constraints may keep these bottles out of reach. You don’t ha...| VinePair
In the late aughts, I did my weekly beer shopping at a Whole Foods on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Craft beer was exploding so much at that time that when the supermarket opened in 2007 it had an entire separate store just for beer. For a few years, it was arguably the best beer store in the entire city. The Bowery Beer Room, as it was known, had cooler after cooler of the hottest IPAs of the moment, six fresh taps for growler fills, grain stations for homebrewers, and a large selection of ...| VinePair
Known as the original “Super Tuscan” and kick-starting the Bordeaux-variety revolution in Italy in the 1970s, Sassicaia continues to be one of the most highly sought-after wines in its category. Sassicaia comes from Bolgheri, a small area on Italy’s Etruscan Coast that was often overlooked when compared to nearby powerhouses like Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. Unlike these other areas, which are known for crafting wines from the local Sangiovese grape, Bolgheri was planted...| VinePair
When one pictures punch, they probably think of a big bowl of fruity drink languishing at a party. Maybe even cocktails like the Planter’s Punch or the Ti’Punch come to mind. But it’s highly unlikely that one pictures a semi-frozen, meringue-topped concoction when thinking of punch. And yet, that’s exactly what the Punch à la Romaine is — and once upon a time, it was one of the most popular dinner service cocktails in the world. Part cocktail, part sorbet, the Punch à la Romaine i...| VinePair
Today on the “VinePair Podcast,” Adam, Joanna, and Zach interrogate an oft-repeated and deeply held industry belief that “alcohol is recession-proof.” While it may have been true in the past that consumers continued to drink at similar levels regardless of the economic situation around them, that doesn’t mean that recessions don’t cause massive changes and create massive challenges. Plus, what if all the ugly sales data of the last couple of years is connected to the average Ameri...| VinePair
When it comes to wine, certain regions are undeniably more famous than others, and they tend to be the ones that carry the most prestige (think places like Champagne, Burgundy, and Napa Valley). While there are certainly a number of phenomenal bottlings coming from these regions — their reputation didn’t come from nowhere — not every wine is knockout. Though one would think so given their esteem. With that in mind, we asked six wine professionals from across the country to share their t...| VinePair
Late last month, I received a comment from a reader about my column on the American brewing industry’s collective overcapacity problem. Well, more of a request, really. “Dave can you put out a piece that’s happy?” they asked. “Love your journalism, I believe their [sic] are winners out there though. You do ask the tough questions which I appreciate.” I saw it as a teachable moment. “Generally speaking, I don’t consider it a columnist’s role to produce coverage designed to ev...| VinePair
Will craft beer lovers still host “bottle shares” if bottles themselves cease to exist? That may sound like a modern-day Zen koan, but it’s not exactly beyond contemplation. This summer, cans made up about 76 percent of craft beer’s slipping retail sales, according to the Brewers Association, with glass dropping to just 24 percent, a major shift from where things were less than a generation ago. The article Cans Changed Craft Beer Forever. What Comes Next? appeared first on VinePair.| VinePair
The Prisoner is one of the most successful red blends on the market in the United States. Originally released in 2000 by winemaker Dave Phinney, the wine consists of a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono — and American consumers can’t get enough. The wine almost immediately won over fans of full-bodied reds with its plush palate and intriguing name. And while the wine may have started as a small project, The Prisoner Wine Company is now a part of Cons...| VinePair
The Martini’s growing popularity shows no signs of stopping, with more bar and restaurant menus dedicating entire sections to the classic. But the rise of interest in the Martini — and the simultaneous rise of on-premise cocktail prices —- also means that more people might be looking to indulge in the drink at home. One of the easiest ways to enjoy a consistent, ice-cold Martini at home without having to start from scratch each time is to whip up a stock of freezer Martinis. The article...| VinePair
Hops provide a masterclass in the art of deception. The green, conical flowers of the female hops plant may all look the same to the untrained eye. Yet more than 250 varieties have been scientifically categorized, each strain carrying its own level of alpha acid, beta acid, and essential oil. During brewing, these deliver distinctive bitterness and balance. Skilled brewers yield these differences to their advantage, using certain strains to craft beers with distinctive structure and flavor. G...| VinePair
It’s no secret that 2024 was a tough year for the craft brewing industry. But even in the face of tremendous challenges, craft brewers carry on. The Brewers Association (BA) recently released its annual production report recounting the state of the craft brewing industry in the United States. Last year, the number of craft breweries that closed outpaced the total number of brewery openings nationwide for the first time since 2005. Over the course of 2024, 529 breweries closed their doors, w...| VinePair
Anyone who’s attended a college football or NFL game knows that the real party starts outside the stadium. Hours before kickoff, fans flood parking lots armed with coolers, portable grills, and bluetooth speakers to bask in the crisp autumnal weather, fill their bellies with burgers and beer, and mingle with fellow tailgaters. Some attendees might not even go to the game. They go for the food, drinks, and, above all, the camaraderie. But while the practice is inextricably tied to American f...| VinePair
Bud Light was the undisputed best-selling beer in the country. Twisted Tea was just hitting its long-simmering breakout run. Reyes Beverage Group was still called Reyes Beer Division. It was a different beer industry when I first took the helm here at Hop Take in September 2022. Which, duh: Time is linear, and change is constant, etc., etc. Still, my tenure here each week has coincided with some of the most tectonic shifts the American brewing business has known since… I mean… certainly t...| VinePair
It seems like every generation to come of drinking age has their high octane, pre-packaged beverage. You know the kind — the brands that these younger drinkers can’t seem to get enough of, often to the amazement of their older counterparts. For Gen X, it was Boone’s Farm and MD 20/20. For millennials, it was pre-reformulation Four Loko. And for Gen Z, it’s BuzzBallz. First launched in 2010 by Texas-based high school teacher Merrilee Kick, BuzzBallz was practically an instant hit.| VinePair
If you wander into your local watering hole and ask the barkeep for a pour of whiskey — without adding any specifics — you’re almost guaranteed to get something that was brought to bottle in either Scotland, the U.S., Ireland, or Canada. These are the top-producing nations of the spirit, in order. And for centuries, they have accounted for the overwhelming majority of whiskey consumed across the planet. But in recent years, that stronghold has shown signs of slippage. Beginning in earne...| VinePair
This episode of the “VinePair Podcast” is sponsored by Tequila El Mexicano. Founded by one of Tequila’s most storied families, this traditionally made, additive-free tequila is an expression not just of the Bañuelos family’s collective knowledge, but of the Jaliscan highlands themselves. Try the Blanco, Blanco 90, or Reposado to discover their life’s work. You can visit ElMexicanoUS.com to find Tequila El Mexicano near you or order online to experience three generations of tequila ...| VinePair
Vodka has long been the spirit of choice in the U.S. More recently, though, trending categories like tequila and bourbon have been on its tail, drawing attention from the neutral spirit. But despite challenges in the U.S., many brands have retained global success. The Spirits Business recently published its annual Brand Champions Report, revealing a ranking of the best-selling vodka brands in the world. The data revealed that vodka’s overall volume sales from 2023 to 2024 were relatively fl...| VinePair
For the past decade, tequila has been on an absolute tear in the United States. In 2017, there were just six brands selling over 1 million cases per year in the U.S. Last year, there were over a dozen. But according to new data from The Spirits Business (TSB), agave spirits sales could be slowing down. While tequila is still growing in the U.S. — it was one of only two spirits categories to improve in the U.S. in 2024 — its margin of growth last year was much smaller than in years past.| VinePair
Brewers often find new ways to repackage old ideas, especially in regard to lagers. But none are as successful as Coors Banquet — here's why.| VinePair
