Pécharmant – The Best Alternative to Bordeaux Wine

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.

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.

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.

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Chattanoogans have the opportunity to take a two-hour guided tour at the Chattanooga Whiskey distillery, an establishment that has gained significant recognition for its distinctive bourbons. The tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the distillation process, showcasing how the distillery has built a reputation for its complex, toasty flavors.

With the recent opening of a new 4,000-gallon barrel, visitors can expect a thorough understanding of the craftsmanship involved in producing their beloved whiskey. The full-proof tours not only highlight the intricacies of whiskey-making but also celebrate the local craftsmanship that has put Chattanooga on the whiskey map.

For those interested in experiencing this unique production process firsthand, more information about the tours can be found here.