Category: Pairings

With Adam back from his European adventures, he, Joanna, and Zach discuss the general dismissal of hotel bars in the U.S. on the “VinePair Podcast.” Why do Americans see these spaces as nothing more than mediocre drinks? If Londoners can continue to view hotel bars as legitimate spots for top cocktail bars, why can’t Americans? Zach is drinking: Ashes & Diamonds “Saffron Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon Joanna is drinking: Gin Martini

On Monday, Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the release of Elmer T. Lee 40th Anniversary Edition, the first uncut and unfiltered expression of the esteemed single barrel bourbon. The bottle’s rollout comes alongside the launch of the distillery’s new bottle drawing system, which was developed to make limited-edition releases accessible to more visitors. Interested customers can register for the inaugural Buffalo Trace Bottle Draw from Sept. 15 through Sept. 17, and

With roughly 2 million barrels aging in Kentucky, Heaven Hill is one of the Bluegrass State’s biggest whiskey producers. And after 90-plus years of operations, the company has started — or acquired — more than a handful of famous American brands. Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Henry McKenna, Old Fitzgerald, Bernheim, Widow Jane, Mellow Corn, Larceny, Rittenhouse, Pikesville… the list goes on and on. Yet when it comes to pushing the

Listening to orders while crowding around a busy bar can make it feel like the bar world has its own language. Though there are out-there terms like “make it skate,” even common words like “dry,” “neat,” and “on the rocks,” often carry a different meaning in a cocktail-slinging setting than in everyday life. Some might recognize this lingo from movies, while seasoned drinkers might know each call by just hanging

On Thursday, alcohol distributor Southern Glazer’s announced that it reached a resolution with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade Bureau (TTB) in a longstanding investigation related to improper payments and bribery. In the deal, Southern agreed to pay $12.5 million. With this resolution the DOJ has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the distributor, and the TTB agreed to take no further action

This is VinePair’s Booze News Weekly Roundup, where we gather the hottest headlines and product releases every Friday for a snapshot of what’s happening in the beverage alcohol industry. This week, we have updates on harvest forecasts in France, Sapporo crossing the U.S.-Canada border, the latest product releases, and more. News to know: France braces for a record low harvest: After a growing season tempered by droughts and wildfires, producers

In 2026, it’s hard to think of a food that hasn’t been Dirty Martini-ified. The rise of the savory drinks trend over the past few years brought variations spiked with pickle brine, sungold tomatoes, and MSG, and flavors inspired by sour cream and onion chips, Greek salad, and brioche. At Titán, the new bar and restaurant in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood, the tart, acidic flavors of escabeche are given the Martini

Today on the “VinePair Podcast,” Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the Campari Group’s latest foray into the U.S. spritz market: Sarti Rosa. Can this new aperitivo further expand their hold on the spritz category? Why do they think this mixture of flavors (blood orange, mango, and passionfruit) and color (pink) are right for the U.S. market? Is launching a spritz in September kind of weird? Zach is reading: As Climate

Is it possible that 2026 could eventually be looked back on as the make-or-break year for Scotch whisky? In July, the U.S. finally lifted its 15 month tariff on Scotch, one that had contributed to a 15 percent decline in exports to this country, one of Scotland’s biggest international markets. Meanwhile, a new ​​U.K.–India free trade agreement introduced that same month could likewise prove transformational in opening up the world’s

Like any new hobby, getting into bourbon can be fun and exciting. The category presents a wide swath of delicious expressions for novices to try, and discovering a bottle that particularly grooves with your palate’s sensibilities can often inspire further exploration. Of course, it costs money to begin your bourbon journey. Fortunately, there are plenty of terrific bourbons on the market that can excite your palate without requiring a full-on