Feb 27, 2012
A bill under consideration in Utah would require that two of the five members of its Alcohol Beverage Control Commission must be "drinkers". This is pretty funny on its face as no other state in the Union would ever have need for such a law. However, if passed this law won't be the piece of Utah liquor legislation that makes me laugh the most. In Utah it is against the law to mix a drink in view of the patron…
Nov 7, 2011
I don't think much about, nor measure, my expectation very often until they are exceeded. I wonder if that is the case with most folks. Yet expectations, well considered or otherwise, seem absolutely critical to our perception of an aesthetic experience. Wine is a perfect example. We are far more likely to have our expectations exceeded by low priced wine. We have been, and not for unfounded reason, trained to believe a $7 wine will give us a mediocre (or…
Aug 1, 2011
We find ourselves smack in the middle of summer here in the northern hemisphere. That can only mean one thing. It is time for the annual Pastis Pitch. I still can't understand why the various folks who make that delicious, delusion-inducing, summertime delight known as pastis still have not hired me to help widen the embrace of their milky-yellow drink? Is there a greater advocate for its use and enjoyment than I? With that pitch for new business out of…
Jan 21, 2011
For those with a penchant for doubting the appeal of precious and pretentious marketing, I refer you to today's edition of Frank Bruni's "Tipsy Diaries" column in the New York Times. Today, writing under the headline, "Celestial Come-ons and Other Booze-Selling Ploys", Bruni examines the trend in the spirits business try to differentiate new products by turning them into cartoon characters masquerading as super premium, must-have sauces. If any one knows pretension when they see it, it's Bruni, who served…
Jan 19, 2011
In SAN FRANCISCO…my right drink is an OLD FASHIONED In NEW ORLEANS…my drink is the SAZERAC VEGAS…its all about CHAMPAGNE PARIS…has always called to me with PASTIS But NEW YORK…the Center of the Universe…it's all about the greatest cocktail there is: THE MANHATTAN. I'm looking forward to moderating a panel on Millennials and Social Media at Vino 2011 in New York next week and seeing friends there and trying to understand the complex glory of Italian wines. But in all…