Booze News

• What? Mass without wine? Phoenix Diocese WineLess Mass Criticized

The Phoenix Diocese decision to restrict wine in Communion rituals received criticism nationwide on Friday. Most who commented said they could not understand the reasoning behind Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted’s decision. And some believed the reasons had to do with unsanitary conditions or profane actions surrounding the wine, which Catholics believe to be the blood [...]

• Ready to revive National Premium beer brand?

Easton man owns brand name and formula, hopes to join beer revival. For decades, National Premium has been a hazy, distant memory. Stored-away memorabilia and faded beer ads were all that remained of its once-storied legacy. But Tim Miller, an Easton real estate agent, has acquired the trademark and plans to bring the beer back [...]

• California bars rejoice as infused alcohol ban lifted

In this city famous for food and drink experimentation, so-called “craft” bartenders have fought for three years to overturn a Prohibition-era state law that banned bars from infusing flavors into alcohol. Bartenders, worry no longer. On Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law repealing the ban on imbuing alcohol in bars and restaurants with fresh [...]

• Alka-Seltzer solves wine industry problem

Alka-Seltzer protocol takes less than half an hour to perform, requires equipment that costs about $50, uses consumables that cost only about $5 per analysis and could save growers thousands of dollars. Alka-Seltzer has been soothing human indigestion and heartburn for years. Now, it’s helping out the wine industry. Elemental sulfur is wine’s “frenemy” — [...]

• One Thing Red Wine Can’t Do

Study: It Doesn’t Lower Blood Pressure, but Does It Still Help the Heart? Red wine (in moderation) is as good for your health as it is to your palate. At least that’s what we’re consistently told. Red wine and heart health have long been linked, with studies suggesting a glass or two a day lowers [...]

• Bottle of whisky sells for $200,000

SINGAPORE: A Chinese businessman has paid what is believed to be a record amount for a bottle of whisky at a duty-free shop at Changi Airport two weeks ago. He put down a deposit for a 62-year-old bottle of Dalmore single malt – one of only 12 ever produced. The bottle is worth S$250,000 (US$200,000). [...]

• Fat white wines for colder days

The time for crisp, refreshing summer whites and rosés is over for another year (don’t all cry at once), but that doesn’t mean you have to give up white wine altogether. Most wine promotions at this time of year tend to focus on autumn reds, but after months of talking about crisp, refreshing whites and [...]

• The World’s Best Food Wines

With their bright acidity and tantalizing bitter edge, Italian wines are magnifico with meals. The wine world is rife with clichés (wines are “made in the vineyard” or “express a terroir”), but the most persistent cliché is that Italian wines go well with food—perhaps better than any other wines in the world. Is it possible [...]

• Napa wineries target adventure seeking wine lovers

Napa wineries target adventure seeking wine lovers with new off-roading, castle tours. It seems it takes more than great wine to attract tourists to Napa.  In order to be a step ahead of their competition, some wineries have come up with “gimmicks” to attract wine-lovers to their area. At Castello di Amorosa, one of the Napa Valley’s spectacular castles, [...]

• Spectrum Wine Auctions Now Has iPad & iPhone Bidding App

Spectrum Wine Auctions, a California-based auction house of fine and rare wine, is bringing the power of mobile bidding into the palms of collectors’ hands with the launch of its new iPad and iPhone bidding app. The app, titled “Spectrum Wine,” launches today and is available to download for free via the iTunes and the [...]

• Red wine for ‘joy and strength’ in China

International wine manufacturers should look to cultural preferences for niche and premium red wines to be successful in China, according to an industry analyst.

• Foster’s accepts SABMiller takeover bid

Australian brewer Foster’s has accepted a takeover bid from SABMiller. Foster’s said the bid valued the company at AU$12.3 billion, with chairman David Crawford describing the proposal as “compelling”. SABMiller chief executive Graham Mackay said: “We are pleased that we have reached agreement on a recommended transaction to be put to Foster’s shareholders. “Foster’s will [...]

• New look for Tullamore Dew

Irish whiskey Tullamore Dew is to benefit from multi-million dollar global investment from owners William Grant & Sons. The money will go towards new-look packaging and the launch of a global advertising campaign under the banner “Irish True”. Rolled out globally this month, the ad campaign, shot by filmmaker Jake Scott (son of Ridley), features [...]

• It’s time to raise a glass to Cleveland Beer Week

The night of Oct. 14 sets up a week to remember — or perhaps, forget. The third annual Cleveland Beer Week kicks off on that Friday and proceeds with a week of craft beer tastings, dinners, demonstrations, educational programs and specials at bars, restaurants and grocers throughout Cuyahoga County. The nonprofit collaboration that aims to [...]

Interesting concept – London bar highlights only one spirit…

A new bar concept opens in London next month promising a stripped-back spirit offering of just one product per category, representing “the best of the best”. LTD@The Social is a three month collaboration between bar consultant Dre Masso and Eric Yu, managing director of The Breakfast Group. The pair decided that London cocktail drinkers needed [...]