When asked to think about the world’s most popular spirit, American minds will likely drift to liquors like vodka or whiskey, maybe even rum if they’re being ambitious. So most would likely be shocked to learn that the spirit claiming the No. 1 spot is baijiu, a sorghum-based Chinese spirit dating all the way back to the Yuan Dynasty that lives in relative obscurity outside the country’s borders. But change may be on the horizon. In recent years, a slew of Asian-owned restaurants and cocktail bars have opened in New York City, the Bay Area, and beyond, and have rapidly cemented themselves as ..read more

When faced with a giant wall of wine at your local shop or an inch-thick wine list at a restaurant, selecting just one bottle can be overwhelming. But learning about just a few of the most popular varieties can prove massively helpful when it comes to wading through the wide world of red wine. Though many red wines are made as blends, there are a lot of wines that present a singular expression of a grape. Each variety has its own intrinsic characteristics, and getting a feel for each grape’s personality can help you figure out which you gravitate towards the most. This list is by no means exh ..read more

No one really knows where the Martini came from. Some say it was invented by vermouth brand Martini & Rossi, and others claim it was an early 20th century riff on Jerry Thomas’s Martinez. Regardless of origin, if there were an official cocktail hall of fame, there would be an entire wing dedicated to the Martini. Its old-school build of gin, dry vermouth, some bitters, and simple garnish has stood the test of time as a monument in itself, but it’s also spawned an entire category of avant-garde riffs that couldn’t be further from the original — think the Espresso, Pornstar, and Breakfast v ..read more

One marriage no one can object to is that of wine and cheese. The pairing is timeless for a few reasons: the two are made in tandem all over the globe, make for gorgeous presentations at a party, and offer near-endless combinations for both novices and pros alike to explore. Be it tannic, light, sweet, or dry, you can bet there’s a wine out there for every cheese. But which of them pair best? In general, cheeses that have high fat content and more mild, nutty flavors will typically pair best with tannic wines, while stinkier cheeses beg for a sweeter wine to counterbalance the pungent aromas ..read more

A recent study published in the Journal of Food Science found that an “electronic tongue” outperformed a panel of human tasters in detecting faults in white wine. This research is part of ongoing studies on the e-tongue technology, which was previously mostly tested on red wines. In the experiment, conducted at the School of Food Science at Washington University, researchers added microbes associated with spoilage to Riesling wines to be compared with control samples that have no faults. The tasting panel went through a brief training before the test began, learning how to spot different arom ..read more

While we typically recommend supporting local wine shops, wine can sometimes end up being a necessary, last-minute addition to your grocery list. Even though there are some states that don’t allow the sale of wine in grocery stores or Costcos — we’re looking at you, New York — shoppers can reliably find a few friendly faces at most supermarkets across the country. But when scanning aisles full of endless options, it can be difficult to decide which bottle to throw in your cart, especially while shopping on a budget. That’s why we made this list of the best supermarket wines for under $20. So ..read more

The article The Morning Glory Fizz appeared first on VinePair ..read more

“Cocktail College” is brought to you today by Tanqueray. I don’t know about you, listener, but I’m one of those people who needs a mobile app to track my budget. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I actually have a line item on mine marked “Tanqueray.” It’s true! Because I’m a gin Martini drinker, and Tanqueray is my Martini gin. I’m not ashamed to admit it — I have a Tanqueray monthly budget. But it’s not just for Martinis. No, I turn to Tanqueray for any of the gin classics because it always delivers on that classic London dry profile. You know, Tanqueray is not like a good fri ..read more

This episode of the “VinePair Podcast” is riddled with speculation as the team ponders what the drink of summer 2024 will be. Could it finally be cider’s time to shine? It’s not out of the question, especially since higher-ABV imperial ciders are growing in popularity on the West Coast — a “Voodoo Ranger effect,” so to speak. On the other hand, the upcoming season could usher in another round of spritz mania with an expansion far beyond the championed Aperol Spritz. Time will certainly tell. Today, Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to listener questions about the potential for craft cider to gra ..read more

If 2019 was the summer of White Claw, then 2024 is shaping up to be the summer of Modelo Especial. Hard seltzer is struggling, craft beer is flat, Bud Light is listing. Mexican imports, on the other hand, are absolutely rolling, and Constellation Brands, Modelo’s parent company in the United States, is sitting pretty. Call it a runaway train, a rocket ship, a ridiculous heater — whatever you call it, Modelo et al. is on one. Constellation just posted its full-year results for 2023, and its beer division — of which Modelo is the undisputed vanguard, standing on the shoulders of groundbreaking ..read more