Pécharmant – The Best Alternative to Bordeaux Wine
With a rich history spanning centuries, the Pécharmant region is renowned for producing some of the most distinctive wines in France. Nestled in the Dordogne Valley, Pécharmant’s unique terroir gives birth to robust red wines that are as enigmatic as the region itself. But amidst this wine-rich land, one name stands out – Château Beauportail. […]
Alleged Beer Cartel: How Many Years of Profits Could the Surcharges Erase?
On October 7, Japan’s Fair Trade Commission conducted compulsory investigations into Asahi, Kirin, Suntory, and Sapporo over suspected coordination of beer price increases. No violation has been confirmed, and the investigation is ongoing. But if a cartel is established, the companies could face substantial surcharges.
Potential size of the surcharges
Surcharges are generally calculated at 10% of the sales covered by a violation. Using an estimated domestic beer market of ¥1.6 trillion a year, the total penalty would be about ¥160 billion for one year of activity, ¥480 billion for three years, or ¥800 billion for five years—assuming the entire market was affected.
For a rough three-year estimate, the calculation assigns market shares of 35% each to Asahi and Kirin, and 15% each to Suntory and Sapporo. On that basis, Asahi and Kirin would each face about ¥168 billion, while Suntory and Sapporo would each face about ¥72 billion.
Could several years of profits be erased?
Compared with the companies’ profits in business segments that include beer, the estimated penalties would represent around 0.7 years of profit for Suntory and approximately 2.8 years for Sapporo. A surcharge on this scale could wipe out years of earnings from their alcoholic-beverage businesses.
The potential financial impact
At the end of June 2026, the companies’ consolidated equity ratios were 50.8% for Asahi, 40.0% for Kirin, 47.3% for Suntory, and 58.9% for Sapporo.
If the estimated three-year surcharges were deducted directly from equity, the reduction would amount to 5.3% for Asahi, 12.3% for Kirin, 2.2% for Suntory, and 14.0% for Sapporo. The impact would be especially significant for Kirin and Sapporo.
Sapporo’s position also illustrates how its finances have changed. Its equity was about ¥218.9 billion at the end of 2025, so a ¥72 billion surcharge would have equalled roughly one-third of that amount. Following progress on the sale of its real estate business, equity had risen to about ¥512.9 billion by the end of June 2026, and its equity ratio had increased from 33.5% to 58.9%. Before the sale, the financial blow would have been considerably greater.
Possible consequences for business plans
Even for Asahi and Suntory, which have substantial overseas operations and strong financial foundations, a large surcharge could affect investment and shareholder returns. Kirin may also need to reconsider how it allocates capital across its alcoholic-beverage, pharmaceutical, and health-science businesses.
Sapporo’s plans warrant particular attention. The company has aimed to separate its real estate business and focus growth investment and shareholder returns on beer. In July 2026, the former Sapporo Holdings changed its trade name to Sapporo Breweries. The investigation could influence those plans.
The allegations’ scope and any eventual surcharges remain unknown. But the estimates show that a penalty could erase several years of profit and undermine years of management efforts—an important reminder of the cost of failing to comply with competition law.
How Much Should You Spend on a Good Bottle of Vodka in 2026?
Vodka prices don’t necessarily predict quality. Blind tastings have found that expensive bottles don’t always taste better, and several highly rated options cost less than $30.
At the 2025 USA Spirits Ratings, ALB Vodka scored 98 out of 100 and costs about $20 for a 750-milliliter bottle. Smirnoff No. 21 and Wildrye Premium Vodka each scored 92; they cost around $10 and $29 per liter, respectively. In Tastings’ 2026 rankings, Elit and Tigerfire took the top spots at roughly $39 and $40, while Absolut placed third with 94 points and costs about $18.
Other rankings point to similar value. Reyka, which costs around $23 per 750-milliliter bottle, topped Tasting Table’s list of the best vodka brands. Cîroc came in fourth at about $32. Some bottles cost much more: Crystal Head is nearly $60, and St. Johnsbury Vermont Vodka—made from local maple syrup—costs about $100.
What to look for in a bottle
The ingredients and production details can help you judge whether a vodka’s price makes sense. Vodka can be made from a range of fermentable ingredients, not just potatoes. Grain-based vodkas are common, while potato vodkas—traditionally associated with Eastern Europe—may have a more earthy flavor.
Labels may also say how many times the vodka was distilled and how it was filtered. Multiple distillations or extensive filtering can be signs of care, though neither guarantees that you’ll prefer the taste. More detail about the process gives you a better basis for evaluating the price.
Ultimately, paying more doesn’t ensure a better bottle. Consider the ingredients, production information, and your own taste—and be skeptical of a premium price the label doesn’t explain.
Prices are approximate and may vary by region.
4 Ways to Use Up Whiskey You Don’t Want to Drink
An open bottle of whiskey you don’t enjoy sipping doesn’t have to go down the drain. You can still put it to good use in the kitchen, in cocktails, or by sharing it with someone who might appreciate it.
Cook with it
Whiskey can add flavor to glazes, sauces, cakes, and even ice cream. Cooking changes its taste, so a whiskey you don’t like on its own may work well as an ingredient. Try it in a bourbon-glazed ham or a whiskey cola cake.
Mix it into cocktails
Other ingredients can balance whiskey’s flavor and make it more enjoyable. Options range from classics like an Old-Fashioned or Mint Julep to richer drinks such as an espresso martini.
Make an infinity bottle
Pour the remaining whiskey into a shared bottle along with leftovers from other bottles. The blend may produce a new combination you like. This works best when you have smaller amounts rather than a large quantity to use up.
Share it with friends
Bring the bottle to a gathering or bourbon night and let others try it. Someone else may enjoy a whiskey that wasn’t to your taste.
There’s no need to force yourself to finish a bottle you don’t like. Cooking with it, mixing it into drinks, or passing it along are all better alternatives to pouring it away.
Oregon Restaurant Celebrates Anniversary with Specials and Whiskey Cocktails
Ritter’s House Made Foods is marking its 10th anniversary with tastings and special dinners at its downtown Salem location. The restaurant opened in September 2016 in the former Gayle’s Italian Market space.
Anniversary events run from 6 to 8 p.m. through Oct. 10. Tastings are free for guests 21 and older, available on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not require a purchase. The restaurant remains open for regular dining and its usual menu.
The celebrations have included whiskey and wine tastings, cheese pairings, and fried fish tacos. On Oct. 8, Mi Casa Tequila will offer specialty tequilas alongside fish tacos. Durant Vineyards will host a wine tasting with an optional cheese pairing on Oct. 9.
The anniversary concludes Oct. 10 with a four-course dinner in the Reserve Room. Dinner with a guided Woodford Reserve whiskey flight costs $120, including a $20 gratuity. A four-course dinner without the flight is available for $80.
The menu begins with Italian sausage and sage-and-parmesan-stuffed mushrooms, followed by roasted beet and blue cheese salad. Guests can choose Angus prime rib roast or roasted salmon for the main course. Dessert is an apple and English Cheddar crostata.
Tickets are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another guest with advance notice. A branded whiskey snifter is also available for $12. For details, visit Ritter’s website.
RUM Stock Jumps Premarket as Analyst Sees 200% Upside from Undervalued AI Shift
Rumble Group (RUM) shares rose nearly 4% in Wednesday premarket trading after gaining 3% the previous day. The move followed Lake Street’s initiation of coverage with a Buy rating and a $25 price target, which implies 226% upside from Tuesday’s close.
Lake Street argues that investors may not yet have accounted for the company’s shift from a video platform toward AI infrastructure and cloud services. The analyst pointed to contracted demand, expanding power capacity and Rumble’s entry into the neocloud market as factors that could reshape how the company is valued.
Rumble entered the AI infrastructure business in June through its roughly $767 million, all-stock acquisition of German cloud company Northern Data. It now operates the Rumble media platform alongside Quake AI, its infrastructure unit.
The acquisition also gave Rumble access to 250 megawatts of power, which Lake Street views as an important resource for building out data centers as demand for AI computing grows. The company has also signed a six-year Anthropic agreement valued at $13.7 billion. The deal provides long-term revenue visibility and supports the view that Rumble is developing into a contracted AI infrastructure provider.
Despite the analyst’s optimistic outlook, retail sentiment on Stocktwits was described as bearish. Some users highlighted the scale of the Anthropic agreement and speculated about potential future cloud contracts, while others questioned why the shares remained near $7 despite higher analyst price targets.
RUM shares were up 21% year to date.
8 Cocktails to Toast Cooler Temperatures and Changing Leaves
As autumn arrives, cooler weather and changing leaves offer a reason to gather over seasonal drinks. Jenny Megill, bar manager at Hudson Valley hotel and event venue Cedar Lakes Estate, shared four cocktail and mocktail recipes on TODAY, including a blood orange-pomegranate margarita.
The Reasons Behind Ongoing Trade Wars Impacting Your Whiskey Supply
Whiskey has found itself at the center of trade tensions between the United States and Canada, drawing unexpected scrutiny amid ongoing trade disputes. While the total goods traded across the border exceeds $870 billion annually, whiskey represents less than a third of one percent of that volume. Nevertheless, it has become emblematic of escalating trade conflicts, particularly since the Trump administration’s tariffs spurred retaliatory actions from Canada.
In early 2025, eight Canadian provinces instituted bans on American whiskey, prompting the U.S. to respond with a hefty 50% tariff on Canadian whiskey. Recently, the Trump administration escalated the situation further by issuing a complete ban on Canadian whiskey imports, effective soon. However, the ban carries a significant loophole: Canadian whiskey imported in bulk and bottled in the U.S. is exempt, ensuring brands like Crown Royal remain untouched for consumers.
This peculiar focus on whiskey raises questions about its role in trade negotiations. While steel and aluminum may be critical for the economy, whiskey serves a symbolic function. Price changes in whiskey are more perceptible to consumers compared to broader economic metrics, making it an effective tool for political messaging.
Americans are clearly attuned to the implications of these tariffs. Bar owners report that their customers are very invested in discussions surrounding the availability and pricing of Canadian spirits. This stakes a claim on national identity, as whiskey production is bound to geographical restrictions—only bourbon can carry the name if made in the U.S., while Canadian whiskey must be produced in Canada.
As the trade dispute unfolds, it affects not only American consumers but also the Canadian liquor industry. The American bans have reportedly slashed U.S. exports to Canada by nearly 70%, translating into significant financial losses for distilleries on both sides. Canadian importers and distributors have also faced challenges, with anticipated increases in domestic sales failing to materialize.
Experts have noted that major distilling companies might circumvent the ban by moving bottling operations closer to the U.S. market, enabling them to continue selling without disruption. This presents a complex picture of trade where political proclamations can often mask underlying economic realities.
As the situation progresses, both governments continue to navigate a landscape where tariffs on whiskey not only influence commerce but also serve broader political narratives aimed at a domestic audience.
Are You a Wine Glass ‘Stem Snob’? Insights from Top Restaurateurs on the Perfect Glass Choice
Wine snobbery often generates lively debate, especially in discussions about the ideal wine glass shape and style. Recently, I consulted leading restaurateurs with extensive wine backgrounds to understand what really matters when it comes to selecting the perfect glass for enjoying your favorite red, white, or rosé.
While many upscale dining spots favor thin-stemmed glasses, the consensus among the experts is that personal preference and the setting play crucial roles in this choice.
Understanding Wine Glass Selection
Shape Matters
The shape of a wine glass can profoundly affect the taste of the wine. Various experts emphasize that the size and curvature of the bowl are crucial. A well-designed wine glass should enhance the tasting experience without being a distraction.
Michael Mackenzie from Poon’s at Somerset House explains, “Balance in the design and proportions is essential not only for visual pleasure but also for tasting.” He notes that achieving the right blend of comfort in handling a glass and its visual appeal is key.
Personal Taste
Anna Patrowicz, sommelier at Akub, expresses a personal preference for thin-stemmed glasses, noting that they convey elegance and sophistication. However, she emphasizes that the choice should align with the restaurant’s decor and atmosphere. For her restaurant, slightly thicker glasses work better with their organic table surfaces.
Anna also highlights the significance of the rim’s thinness for a better drinking experience. A glass should ideally feel almost non-existent when sipping wine. “The size and shape should allow for sufficient aeration, accommodating a standard pour while enhancing the aromas,” she says.
Versatile Recommendations
Restaurateur Abe Drewery recommends the Richard Brendon x Jancis Robinson Universal Glass as a prime choice due to its versatility, suggesting it’s suited for all types of wines. Other favorites discussed include the Zalto Universal Wine Glass and the Schott Zwiesel Vina Burgundy Glass, both known for their refined shapes and suitable sizes.
Conclusion: Your Personal Choice
Ultimately, your selection of wine glasses should be a reflection of your personal taste and the ambiance of your dining experience. Whether you prefer slender stems or contemporary shapes with thicker bases, the choice is subjective. Experts agree that the right wine glass makes a significant difference in your overall enjoyment, emphasizing the importance of finding a glass that feels beautiful in your hand and highlights the delightful qualities of your wine.
Additional Reading
I Am Gruit: Rediscovering the Little-Known Botanical Beer of the Middle Ages
Beer has been a staple of civilization for millennia, with some researchers suggesting its role in the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities around 12,000 BCE. However, the beer we know today, defined by the four primary ingredients of malt, hops, water, and yeast, was not always the norm.
Historically, beer was flavored with a variety of herbs and plants, leading to the creation of what are known as gruit ales. Originating in the late 10th to early 11th centuries in regions such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of western Germany, these ales lacked hops but drew upon local flora for their unique flavors. Communities often relied on proprietary herb mixtures, which were controlled by churches or local rulers, making the production of gruit ales a significant part of medieval life and culture.
While grains like barley or wheat, water, and yeast formed the basis of these ancient brews, hops were sporadically introduced into brewing around 736 CE in Germany but did not become widespread until the 12th and 13th centuries. Hopped beers, which provided a longer shelf life and a distinct bitter flavor, eventually took precedence over the sweeter, unhopped varieties.
In modern times, the gruit concept is experiencing a resurgence among craft brewers, who experiment with a mixture of herbs, spices, and plants to enhance their beers without using hops. These contemporary gruits can feature a multitude of ingredients, such as bog myrtle, wild rosemary, ginger, or elderberries, creating a wide range of flavors that change with the seasons.
However, finding a fresh gruit can be challenging as these beverages often have limited production runs. Some breweries in the Bay Area, like Alameda Brewing and Mad Fritz Brewing, produce gruits periodically, making it worthwhile for enthusiasts to seek them out for a unique taste of history.
Boo-tiful Brews: Elevate Your Halloween Cocktails with Black Vodka
When it comes to Halloween cocktails, many mixologists opt for bright spirits and colorful liqueurs like Midori or grenadine to craft their spooky drinks. However, there’s a way to incorporate an enigmatic touch and sophistication into your Halloween beverages: homemade black vodka.
Creating black vodka may seem daunting, but it’s quite straightforward. Start with a high-quality, clear vodka as your base. The secret ingredient for achieving that stunning black color is likely lurking in your pantry: liquid food coloring. By blending red, blue, and green drops, you can transform your clear vodka into a deep, dark elixir.
To make your black vodka, add 10 drops of blue food coloring for every bottle you’re preparing. Follow that with 10 drops of red food coloring and eight drops of green. Shake the bottle vigorously to ensure the colors mix well. Once mixed, your black vodka is ready to elevate your cocktails all night long without any special storage needs.
With your homemade black vodka prepared, it’s time to dive into creative cocktail concoctions. You can use this versatile spirit in any vodka-based recipe, but consider a few festive options to match the Halloween theme.
-
Midnight Martini: Combine your black vodka with a dash of dry vermouth and garnish with an orange peel twist to add a splash of contrasting color.
-
Blackberry Potion: Muddle fresh blackberries with lime juice and simple syrup. Shake together with your black vodka and strain over ice for a deliciously eerie drink.
-
Witch’s Brew Fizz: Mix black vodka with elderflower liqueur and a squeeze of lemon juice. Shake over ice, strain into a glass, and top with sparkling water for a refreshing fizz.
For an added layer of visual appeal, try using edible glitter in your cocktails. Adding a sprinkle will mesmerize your guests, turning your drinks into dazzling potions suitable for any Halloween gathering.
Homemade black vodka is an intriguing ingredient that can transform your cocktails from mundane to magical. Whether conjuring up a spooky martini or a sparkling blackberry potion, these drinks are sure to enchant all who partake.