For the first few decades after screwcap (or Stelvin) closures were invented in 1964, they met with considerable resistance from the public. Screwcaps were mostly associated with cheap, low grade wines such as Thunderbird or MD 20/20, the type of beverage consumed by drunks in convenience store parking lots. That perception has gradually changed, as […] The post Quench! – Screwcap vs. Corks appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

For the first few decades after screwcap (or Stelvin) closures were invented in 1964, they met with considerable resistance from the public. Screwcaps were mostly associated with cheap, low grade wines such as Thunderbird or MD 20/20, the type of beverage consumed by drunks in convenience store parking lots. That perception has gradually changed, as consumers have come to realize that the benefits of screwcaps go way beyond the absence of cork taint: They deliver the wine in the same...

Most consumers agree that draft beer tastes better than the bottled version, but what are the advantages of wine on tap? For one thing, the product is fresher and free of the danger of cork taint. For another, bars and restaurants get a price break on kegs (whether this discount is passed on to customers […] The post Quench! – Kegged Wine appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Most consumers agree that draft beer tastes better than the bottled version, but what are the advantages of wine on tap? For one thing, the product is fresher and free of the danger of cork taint. For another, bars and restaurants get a price break on kegs (whether this discount is passed on to customers is an open question). Mark speaks with Jordan Kivelstadt, CEO of Free Flow Wines, a company that has been instrumental in distributing kegged wine across the U.S. On Bizarre Beverage News,...

The Great Quench! Giveaway Offer: For a limited time, Mark is giving away a free copy of his ebook, The Affordable Wine Guide to California and the Pacific Northwest, as a gesture of appreciation to Quench! listeners. The ebook is the definitive guide to the best domestic wines under $15: 42 wineries profiled, and over […] The post Quench! – Cocktail Trends appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

The Great Quench! Giveaway Offer: For a limited time, Mark is giving away a free copy of his ebook, The Affordable Wine Guide to California and the Pacific Northwest, as a gesture of appreciation to Quench! listeners. The ebook is the definitive guide to the best domestic wines under $15: 42 wineries profiled, and over 300 wines rated and reviewed. It will be sent to you in PDF format, and may be downloaded to your smart phone or mobile device. This offer is available exclusively to...

The Great Quench! Giveaway Offer: For a limited time, Mark is giving away a free copy of his ebook, The Affordable Wine Guide to California and the Pacific Northwest, as a gesture of appreciation to Quench!listeners. The ebook is the definitive guide to the best domestic wines under $15: 42 wineries profiled, and over 300 […] The post Quench! – Red Wine, Olive Oil and Rock Music appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

The Great Quench! Giveaway Offer: For a limited time, Mark is giving away a free copy of his ebook, The Affordable Wine Guide to California and the Pacific Northwest, as a gesture of appreciation to Quench!listeners. The ebook is the definitive guide to the best domestic wines under $15: 42 wineries profiled, and over 300 wines rated and reviewed. It will be sent to you in PDF format, and may be downloaded to your smart phone or mobile device. This offer is available exclusively to...

The past five years have been rough for small, family-operated wineries in California: dozens of them have been absorbed by large beverage conglomerates that proceeded to increase production and destroy the individuality of the product. Steve Reynolds is a former dentist who purchased property on Napa’s Silverado Trail about 20 years ago and built a […] The post Quench! – Reynolds Family Winery appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

The past five years have been rough for small, family-operated wineries in California: dozens of them have been absorbed by large beverage conglomerates that proceeded to increase production and destroy the individuality of the product. Steve Reynolds is a former dentist who purchased property on Napa’s Silverado Trail about 20 years ago and built a devoted following; he talks with Mark about some of the obstacles he faced, and the future of small-production wineries in Napa. On Bizarre...

Dust off those horned helmets: mead is coming back. Mead is the oldest alcoholic beverage on the planet, and has a tendency to become trendy every thousand years or so; it’s made in a variety of styles, from still and sparkling to sweet and dry. Mark talks with David Myers, Chairman of the Mead at […] The post Quench! – Mead appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Dust off those horned helmets: mead is coming back. Mead is the oldest alcoholic beverage on the planet, and has a tendency to become trendy every thousand years or so; it’s made in a variety of styles, from still and sparkling to sweet and dry. Mark talks with David Myers, Chairman of the Mead at the Redstone Meadery in Colorado, about what he does and why he does it. On Bizarre Beverage News, Mark investigates the decline of the Chinese wine market, ponders whether wine tastes differently...

Thirty years ago, only four states allowed direct shipments from wineries to consumers; today, the total is 41. It took many years of lobbying to change the situation (not to mention a Supreme Court decision). Has the newfound freedom among wine consumers affected the industry? Mark examines the issue from a number of different viewpoints, […] The post Quench! – Direct Shipping appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Thirty years ago, only four states allowed direct shipments from wineries to consumers; today, the total is 41. It took many years of lobbying to change the situation (not to mention a Supreme Court decision). Has the newfound freedom among wine consumers affected the industry? Mark examines the issue from a number of different viewpoints, and offers some startling insights. On Bizarre Beverage News, Mark discovers a winery in Mexico constructed entirely from discarded boats, revisits the...

He started out in finance, and worked as a master gardener and full-time painter before opening his own winery in California’s Santa Rita Hills. She was a professional musician, had her own biscotti business and trained Arabian horses. Mark traces the remarkable journeys of John Hilliard and Christine Bruce in a conversation with John, and […] The post Quench! – Hilliard Bruce appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

He started out in finance, and worked as a master gardener and full-time painter before opening his own winery in California’s Santa Rita Hills. She was a professional musician, had her own biscotti business and trained Arabian horses. Mark traces the remarkable journeys of John Hilliard and Christine Bruce in a conversation with John, and explores the impact their personal lives may have had on their wine. On Bizarre Beverage News, Mark examines two developments in the world of craft beer,...

Wine trends are generally consumer-led, but spirits marketing tends to flow from the top: Brands are conceived and executed with a precise plan in mind. What exactly is the process of creating a new spirits brand? Mark talks with Peter Governale, a partner in the BH Group, who discusses the inspiration, blending, packaging and marketing of Passion XO. On Bizarre Beverage News, Mark explores a new home delivery service for alcohol, reveals the latest use of Italian red wine in the fashion...

Canadian whisky has had a rough time in the U.S. over the past three or four decades: derided by many as “brown vodka,” it was shunned by mixologists in favor of spirits that had more dramatic flavors, such as bourbon and Scotch. The trend is now reversing, although progress is slow. Mark speaks with Davin de Kergommeaux, the world’s leading expert on Canadian whisky, who offers both insights and recommendations. On Bizarre Beverage News, Mark examines the growing feud between Brown-Forman...

Australian wine has traditionally been popular with Americans, but in recent years a trifecta of problems has created a perfect storm for the category: the global recession of 2007-8, an unprecedented glut, and the growing strength of the Australian dollar, which has made the wines more expensive on U.S. retail shelves. Mark talks with Lisa Klinck-Shea, brand ambassador for Hardys, about how the Australian wine industry is weathering and surmounting these problems. On Bizarre Beverage News,...

In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a solemn occasion, both a cultural and religious holiday; here in the U.S., it tends to be a celebration of unbridled drunkenness. What does it look like to bartenders? Mark speaks with Charles Steadman, managing partner of Jack’s Grumpy Grouper in Lantana, Florida, to get an insider’s view of the day’s festivities. On Bizarre Beverage News, Mark looks at the possible application of military technology to the aging of wine, examines the surge in California...

No one knows exactly when bartenders morphed into mixologists, but one thing is certain: The cocktail culture has exploded across America over the past decade, and now plays a major role in our social life. Mark speaks with Brian Van Flandern, former head mixologist at Per Se in Manhattan and currently a consultant specializing in cocktail menus, bar setup and staff training; they touch on a variety of issues from the importance of fresh fruit juices to the proper way to make a margarita. On...

About 20 years ago stories began circulating about corporate executives who had cashed out and opted for the simpler life of a winemaker, usually in the Napa Valley. Charles Massoud had most of them beat by a decade. In 1983, while still working at IBM, he purchased an abandoned potato farm on Long Island’s North Fork and started planting grapevines. He left IBM when the wine came into production, and today Paumanok Vineyards is one of the leading boutique properties on Long Island. Mark...

Cachaça is the national spirit of Brazil, distilled from sugar cane and sometimes referred to as Brazilian rum. They make a staggering 1.5 billion liters of it, 90% of which is consumed at home. Despite the fact that cachaça is the world’s third-largest spirit by volume, many Americans haven’t heard of it---if they have, it’s probably due to the caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail. Mark talks with Steve Luttman, CEO of Leblon Cachaça, one of the leading U.S. brands, to get an insight into...

On a global level, Bordeaux wine is still the benchmark against which all other wines are measured. There’s no doubt, however, that the category has disappeared from the cellars and dinner tables of Americans over the past two decades. Mark looks at some of the many reasons for this reversal of fortune, including price, style, and the inability of many consumers to figure out what grape varieties the wines are made from. On Bizarre Beverage News, Mark reviews the world’s strangest wine laws,...

Pisco is the signature spirit of both Peru and Chile: a brandy distilled from wine, unoaked and clear, clean and refreshing. It’s currently experiencing explosive growth in the U.S., expanding by as much as 80% annually. In a belated celebration of National Pisco Sour Day, Mark speaks with mixologist Duggan McDonnell, a partner in a brand called Encanto Pisco---“Pisco for bartenders, created by bartenders.” In Bizarre Beverage News, Mark explores the story of a winemaker who was kidnapped and...