Now in its tenth year, Slow Wine is the only guide that visits all the cellars it reviews (this year 366 in Italy, 176 in California and 69 in Oregon) to describe the lives, the vineyards and the wines of the very best Italian and American producers. 25,000 wines were tasted by more than 250 contributors in Italy and the USA.

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California has no shortage of sun- kissed vineyards and praiseworthy wine. Images of Napa and Sonoma instinctively come to mind, yet the Golden State is actually a treasure chest of esteemed vineyards rooted in less obvious areas. Among these underdog regions are the Sierra Foothills, Lodi and Contra Costa.

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The dichotomy of ‘New World versus Old World’ has long been a point of contention within the wine industry. These five words invoke a divisive perception of what wines do - and should - represent. New World wines are expected to be ripe, high in alcohol, full of vanilla and coconut-esque oak characteristics, as well as maintain their consistency each year. Meanwhile, their Old-World counterparts are often regarded as having higher acidity, lighter body structure, dynamic profiles, and being more vintage specific. But what led everyone to assume this?

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Normandy is certainly famous for a few things. There’s the gruesome battle scenes, stinky cheese - that’s delicious AF - and, of course, the nicest French people EVER. But for those who appreciate a fine spirit, the lush green hills of Normandy are synonymous with its production of the ever-so-lovable Calvados.

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Northern California’s wine industry continues to recover after the record-breaking wildfires of 2017.

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It’s 9:34 on a sunny September morning in Lodi, California. Indian summer radiates over the landscape as a subtle breeze curbs the air’s warmth to a comfortable level. Mokelumne Glen Vineyards manager Brett Koth dips his arm into the bin filled with this morning’s pick.

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What truly sets Paso Robles apart from other California regions is calcareous soil with high pH levels comparable to the Rhône Valley. The rolling hills of the east contain granular forms of calcareous soil as loam layers over the watershed areas.

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If you haven’t visited LA in a while, you might notice a few changes. Startups have sprouted across the city grid and there are finally less herds of yoga pant-wearing gal groups. Most importantly, this longtime mecca for flashy nightclubs festering with NBA stars and C-list celebs flaunting their bottle service of Vodka cranberry is now one of America’s most exciting cocktail destinations.

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Each year, many take on Dry January — or “Dryuary” — and give up alcohol for the entire month. In 2018, about 4 million people participated in the challenge, launched in 2012 by Alcohol Change U.K. So for many, February marks the new year’s return to their wine-loving ways. But getting back on the imbibing wagon after a month of self-proclaimed abstinence might prove daunting — where to start?

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Reviving the pure essence of field-to-bottle spirits, Scotland’s Arbikie Distillery has rocked the spirits world yet again with the recent release of its Highland Rye Scotch Whisky. Joining a line up of farm grown expressions that includes awarding-winning vodkas and gins, the rye addition bestows the brand with even more street cred as it is the first mature Scotch whisky made with rye in over a century.

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The Davis family bought this Calistoga property in 2011, which included the original barn, built in 1916. Mike Davis has a knack for restoring old things, including the antique tractors in the barn.

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During the city’s red-lit Barbary Coast years of the 19th century, San Francisco’s drink culture bedazzled enthusiasts far and wide. With the onslaught of gold-hungry mining hopefuls creating a Whole Foods-level parking situation of ships in the bay, the streets came alive with saloons, dance halls, and brothels as patrons imbibed along San Francisco’s famed “Cocktail Route."

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While retail wine buyers create and utilize their own strategic methods, there are some key components that buyers are to consider if they want to be successful.

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Working from home is like a living, breathing psychological experiment. Each day is spent treading in furry slippers along a thin line between the brink of brilliance and the constant threat of failure. And with no one else around, that daily battle is a lonely one. But as a wise man once said to me, “That, my dear, is the price of liberty.

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Resilient summer rays highlighted the craggy peaks surrounding Tajikistan’s capital city. I’d just enjoyed a lovely, and pleasantly forcible, massage by a middle-aged woman with a bashful smile at the Dushanbe Serena Hotel.

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Eau-de-vie—the words roll so beautifully off the tongue, making it sound both sophisticated and slightly complicated. It refers to a category of brandy that’s unaged and distilled from any raw material other than grapes.

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pring is on its way, and an exciting new season of wine trade expositions is about to commence. With the launch of Vinexpo New York on March 5, followed by ProWein, Vinitaly, and others throughout the year, these events will offer extraordinary opportunities to taste and learn about many of the world’s finest wines. But with back-to-back scheduling over just a few days and as many as several thousand exhibitors, these events can be overwhelming.

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In some parts of the drinks business, there’s a logical progression: sales reps become district managers, somms become beverage directors. But for plenty of other positions, there’s no clear growth trajectory—and that can be a good thing.

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On your average day, you're likely to find winemaker Virginie Bigonneau tending to her typical tasks, tasks that are far from "typical" for the rest of us. Her daily responsibilities range from making wine to collaborating with other local producers and, of course, running an AOC.

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David Laird, The Balvenie Ambassador USA, hosted the unveiling ceremony and led a blind tasting contest, including bottlings of The Balvenie and Glenfiddich. The winner was offered an exclusive tasting of The Balvenie 50 (which has an estimated bottle value of $30,000).

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Bringing Japanese ethos to San Francisco nightlife is the ultra- chic downstairs bar of the illustrious Roka Akor. Like walking up into a starry night, Roka Bar offers city dwellers an elegant and unique experience all seven days of the week.

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