When The Rivers Ran Red examines the impact of Prohibition on California’s wine country, particularly the famed Sonoma County. Vivienne Sosnowski spent many hours researching this little discussed topic, including hours of oral interviews with the few survivors of Prohibition, who were in their 90′s by the time Ms. Sosnowsky interviewed them. I have to admit that this book made me see red when reading it. Living in San Francisco, we are in close proximity to the wine country, and I particularly love Sonoma Valley. I could only imagine the impact that Prohibition had on so many hard working Americans in the wine industry. …Read More

As more and more distilleries open around the world, many are embracing the use of sustainable methods.  The week’s drink come to us from Pisco Portón, a Peruvian mosto verde pisco, committed to sustainability. It is made at the oldest working distillery in the Americas, Hacienda la Caravedo, a distillery that combines age-old Pisco making traditions with eco-friendly modern technology, including:

A roof garden that naturally converts carbon dioxide emitted by fermentation into oxygen, reducing

… Read more

On a recent trip to Stockholm, I dropped in to the Absolute Icebar Stockholm. It was cool, very cool! I had always wanted to stay at an ice hotel (and had read up on the one that is built in Quebec each year), but I didn’t really know what to expect. It was far more than I expected, and honestly, much colder than expected. …Read More

Plymouth Gin is the gin of the officers of the British Navy. While the enlisted men drank rum, the officers drank Plymouth Gin. Since 1793, Plymouth Gin has been produced in the town of Plymouth, England, a city located on the south-west coast of England. In fact, the pilgrims on the Mayflower took shelter from a storm there as they set sail for the new world. Maybe this is why they named their town Plymouth. Unfortunately form them, the Pilgrims didn’t shelter any Plymouth Gin on their voyage as the famous gin wasn’t distilled there until over 150 years later. …Read More

Italy has a long tradition of making spirits and liqueurs. However, you might not know it as Italy isn’t famed for their spirits or liqueurs. In fact, when you think of Italy and spirits, you probably think of Grappa. But, there is definitely more to Italian spirits than Grappa. One of them is called noisette, which are liqueurs that are made by soaking nuts in alcohol and then distilling part of the infusion again. Similar liqueurs are also made with rose, fruits and other florals. …Read More

From the author of Bright Lights, Big City comes Bacchus & Me, Jay McInerney’s exploration of the world of wine. A successful author and a connoisseur of fine wine, McInerney was approached to be the wine writer for Conde Nast’s House & Garden. Today, McInerney is the wine columnist for the Wall Street Journal. Bacchus & Me is compilation of stories that he wrote while at House & Garden. …Read More

Nestled among posh restaurants and shops lies one of Healdsburg’s greatest gems, the Bear Republic Brewing Company. The Bear is a microbrewery that produces exciting and rich house ales, all of which have been awarded prestigious honors from beer competitions from around the country. The brewery also produces limit sale seasonal brews that are always
awaited with great anticipation. …Read More

What was once a minor blending grape in Bordeaux France has emerged as the national grape of Argentina. What maybe this grape you ask? Why, it’s Malbec. To celebrate this magnificent grape, April 17th has been designated Malbec Day! …Read More

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of that unsinkable ship – the Titanic. Prior to it’s sinking, it was certainly a good time with lots of food and plenty of booze consumed. The menus from the first and second class dining rooms are nothing but impressive. I can only imagine what drinks accompanied them. Folks back then knew how to throw them back. Poking around on the internet, I found that the ship carried cases upon cases of Champagne, wine and spirits. I would imagine that a good time was had by all until the ship went down. …Read More

One of the most dreaded days of the year is rapidly approaching – April 15, otherwise known as Tax Day. Since April 15 falls on a Sunday this year, we get a day of reprieve with April 16 being Tax Day. I can think of no other day that is as hated, reviled or feared as Tax Day. Just writing this article about it makes me cringe. …Read More