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. […]
Hera the Dog Vodka Should Have Been Named Hera the Cat
Hera the Dog Vodka began with years of animal-rescue work—and a misunderstanding over a cat’s name.
After trying different ways to raise money for animal organizations, including selling T-shirts at heavy-metal concerts, Julia Pennington began exploring a spirits business with her nephew, who owns a distillery. The idea took shape in 2016, and after two years of development, the vodka was ready to launch in 2018.
The name came about while Pennington was feeding a cat colony in California. A friend suggested “Hair of the Dog,” but Pennington misheard the phrase and thought her friend was talking about Hera, her cat. The confusion inspired the brand’s name.
The vodka is made from organic, non-GMO Italian red winter wheat. It is distilled seven times, filtered through coconut charcoal, and produced in small batches at an independent distillery in downtown Los Angeles. Each bottle is 40% alcohol by volume and sells for about $28.99.
Pennington’s husband, Jeff Blyseth, and his team at Axis Studios designed the dog illustration on the bottle. Pennington says the image shows a dog watching over Los Angeles as a protector of animals—a tribute to a local park where she spent considerable time rescuing abandoned animals.
The vodka has received several industry honors, including a double-gold award at the 2024 SIP Awards. But Pennington says its impact on animal welfare matters most. The company donates 6% of each bottle’s proceeds to animal-rescue groups and spay-and-neuter programs in the area where the bottle is purchased. By October 2026, it had contributed $72,000 to grassroots organizations.
The support is intended for animals of all kinds, not just dogs. At home, Pennington and Blyseth care for 13 cats and three dogs. Two cats and all three dogs are foster animals waiting for homes. They have also rehabilitated and released three opossums, which still visit nightly.
A cocktail Pennington recommends is a dirty martini made with 2 ounces of Hera The Dog Vodka, ½ ounce of extra-dry vermouth, and ½ ounce of olive juice. Chill with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with olives.
King Charles Tries a Shot of Rum—Watch His Reaction
King Charles was caught off guard after tasting a limited-edition rum created in his honour during his visit to Guyana.
The King was offered a glass of “Royal Welcome” rum on Thursday, the first day of his two-day trip to the South American country. The spirit was produced by Banks DIH to mark his state visit.
Before trying it, Charles asked nearby guests whether they drank rum and joked about “endless rum punches at the end of the day”. He smelled the drink, took a sip, raised his eyebrows and pulled a surprised face before saying: “Very good”.
President Mohamed Irfaan Ali encouraged him to finish it, but Charles seemed wary of drinking too much while on duty. “It won’t last long,” he said, taking another sip, before turning to an aide and appearing to say, “I can’t drink it.”
He then thanked his hosts and joked that somebody else would have to finish the glass. The King added that it was “a great pick-me-up”, recalling a saying attributed to his grandmother, the Queen Mother.
Banks DIH rum plant executive Gregory Garraway said the rum was more than 20 years old and had been made especially for the occasion. He described it as smooth, rich and flavourful.
Charles arrived in Guyana from the Bahamas as part of a nine-day Caribbean tour, which is due to end in Antigua and Barbuda, where he will reunite with Queen Camilla. The visit celebrates Guyana’s culture and people as the country marks 60 years of independence from Britain. It also comes amid calls from Caribbean nations for an apology and reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.
New Research Makes the Case for Rethinking How We Judge Red Wine
A wine’s deep red color may create high expectations, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll enjoy the taste more. A Cornell-led study found that appearance influenced what people expected from a wine far more than how much they liked it after tasting.
Published in the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, the study asked 82 regular red-wine drinkers to assess eight unidentified wines: three Pinot Noirs and five made from hybrid grape varieties. Participants first rated each wine’s color and how much they expected to enjoy it, then tasted the wines and rated their actual enjoyment.
Some hybrid wines looked as appealing to participants as Pinot Noirs from Burgundy, Oregon, and New York’s Finger Lakes. Lighter wines, including some with yellow or brown tones, generally received lower appearance ratings and prompted lower expectations. Yet color was only a weak indicator of how much participants ultimately liked a wine.
The results may reassure growers making wines from interspecific hybrid grapes—crosses between species in the Vitis genus. Varieties such as Marquette and Maréchal Foch can produce lighter-colored wines, which some producers worry consumers will reject based on appearance alone.
Hybrid grapes may also help vineyards respond to climate change. Depending on the variety, they can offer greater cold hardiness, resistance to certain fungal diseases, or tolerance for heat and drought—useful traits as growing conditions become more difficult for traditional varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Wine director Nicole Sullivan says lighter-colored reds can surprise restaurant guests. She finds that explaining a wine’s producer and style often helps guests move past their initial expectations. A little context, the study suggests, may be enough to encourage drinkers to judge a red by its taste rather than its shade.
Are You Using the Wrong Wine Glass? 5 Simple Tips to Make Wine Taste Better
Wine glasses can influence how a wine smells and tastes. A well-chosen glass gives aromas room to gather, lets the wine meet your palate properly, and can help preserve its temperature. The goal isn’t to buy the most expensive set—it’s to choose a shape and material that suit the occasion.
Five wine-glass mistakes to avoid
1. Choosing a glass that’s too small
Wine needs room to breathe and release its aromas. Pour about 4 to 5 ounces, leaving the wine roughly one-third of the way up the bowl. That leaves space to swirl without spilling and allows aromas to collect.
2. Using stemless glasses for every occasion
Stemmed glasses help keep wine at its intended temperature by keeping your hand away from the bowl. Stemless glasses still work well for casual gatherings, outdoor events, and situations where sturdiness or storage space matters. They can also help warm wine that has been chilled too much.
3. Serving sparkling wine only in a flute
Flutes show off bubbles, but their narrow shape can mute sparkling wine’s aromas and complexity. For a more expressive pour, try a tulip-shaped sparkling-wine glass, a white-wine glass, or a coupe. Flutes remain a good choice for celebratory toasts.
4. Buying a large, specialized set
Most people don’t need a different glass for every kind of wine. A medium-sized, stemmed glass is a practical all-purpose choice. If you want to add more options, consider a larger bowl for full-bodied reds and a tulip-shaped glass for aromatic whites and sparkling wines.
5. Overlooking the glass’s material and thickness
A thin rim generally allows wine to flow more smoothly. Crystal offers clarity and elegance, though it can be delicate and may need hand washing. Regular glass is usually more affordable and durable, while plastic or acrylic is best reserved for casual outdoor occasions.
Ultimately, the right glass can help a wine show more of its character—without requiring you to spend more on the bottle.
The Beloved American Beer Brand That Went National After 150 Years
Leinenkugel’s Original has a devoted following in Wisconsin and across the upper Midwest, where the beer is often affectionately called “Leinie’s.” First brewed in 1867, the classic pilsner became available nationwide in 2017, 150 years after the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company was founded.
To mark the anniversary, the brewery released a Fall Explorer pack featuring a Vienna-style lager and two German Märzen beers. The collection reflected the brand’s Bavarian roots and was made at the Chippewa Falls brewery, where founder Jacob Leinenkugel once sent beer to nearby saloons by horse-drawn wagon. Molson Coors later turned the historic site into a pilot brewery in 2025, while Leinenkugel’s Original remained on sale nationwide.
The brand’s expansion beyond the Midwest began earlier, with the success of Summer Shandy. Inspired by German radlers—beer mixed with lemonade or lemon-lime soda—the seasonal beer went national in 2010.
What Leinenkugel’s Original tastes like
The lager is a straightforward, easy-drinking beer, with mild malt sweetness, toasted-grain notes, and a clean finish. One reviewer described it as a dependable, unpretentious beer that goes down easily.
Leinenkugel’s recommends pairing it with bratwurst and sauerkraut, cheese curds, or cherry pie. Its crispness also works well with fried, salty foods, making it a natural choice for a casual meal or cookout. It can even be used in a Michelada, where its light malt flavor complements lime and hot sauce.
Sacramento Kings Partner with Aspen Vodka to Serve a Custom Game-Day Cocktail
Sacramento Kings fans can order a custom espresso martini from Aspen Vodka-branded carts at Golden 1 Center during games.
Aspen Vodka became the official spirits partner of the Kings and Golden 1 Center through a multi-year partnership announced earlier this year. The companies cited their shared focus on environmental stewardship: both the vodka’s production facility and the arena are LEED Platinum-certified.
Aspen Vodka is available through the brand’s website and at local Total Wine & More stores, where it is listed for $21.99.
Fans can also make the drink at home:
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aspen Vodka
- ½ oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz freshly brewed espresso
- ¼ oz simple syrup
- Optional: coffee beans or cinnamon, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until well chilled, then strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with coffee beans or cinnamon, if desired.
King Charles Gets His Own Special Rum in Guyana
King Charles III sampled a special Guyanese rum during a reception at State House in Georgetown, where President Mohamed Irfaan Ali welcomed him on the opening evening of the King’s two-day state visit.
The rum, Royal Welcome, is a limited-edition 2026 blend produced by Banks DIH in honor of the visit. After smelling and tasting it, Charles described the spirit as “very good.” The president encouraged him to take another sip.
Banks DIH rum plant executive Gregory Garraway said the blend was more than 20 years old, offering the King an example of Guyana’s rum-making craft. The bottling also drew attention to the company’s XM range: its five-, 12- and 15-year-old expressions received Gold Quality Awards at the 2026 Monde Selection competition, according to Banks DIH.
Guyana has a distinctive place in Caribbean rum culture, with a tradition closely associated with Demerara. The country’s rum heritage includes El Dorado 15, known for notes of brown sugar, coffee, oak and dried apricot, as well as El Dorado Single Barrel ICBU. El Dorado is made by Demerara Distillers and is separate from Banks DIH’s XM brand.
The visit came as Guyana marked 60 years of independence. After his stay in The Bahamas, the King was due to continue to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. In Georgetown, the aged, specially blended rum offered a memorable introduction to the country’s spirits and craftsmanship.
North Jersey Meets Big Sky in a New American Whiskey
Nate Woodruff’s path to launching his own whiskey brand began with a yearlong road trip. Six years ago, the Boonton native left his job, sold his belongings and traveled across the country in a Chevy van with his dog, pursuing hiking, photography and fine whiskey.
Now known in the spirits world as Whiskey Nate, Woodruff is preparing to launch Wilder Heart, a brand inspired by his life outdoors. After working as a brand ambassador for whiskey producers including WhistlePig, he gained experience with the industry’s blending and production processes.
Woodruff describes Wilder Heart as “strictly whiskey.” The blend draws on American-made whiskeys—including bourbon, rye, wheat, corn and single malt—and contains no added flavorings. He sees the approach as a chance to create distinctive blends in a category he believes has room to grow.
The initial release includes two bottles: Wilder Heart Whiskey at 94 proof and Wilder Heart Cask Strength at 117.5 proof. Preorders are being accepted for delivery beginning in mid-November to more than 40 states, including New Jersey. The first retail sales are planned for Colorado, Missouri and Wyoming. Preorders are available online.
Woodruff’s connection to whiskey grew alongside his outdoor photography. During his road trip, he shared images of bottles set against landscapes he explored, attracting whiskey producers interested in featuring their brands in those settings. Wilder Heart also shares its name with a podcast series he launched earlier this year.
The brand is being produced in partnership with VCL North America, part of UK-based spirits company VCL Vintners. For Woodruff, the wilderness is central to the brand’s identity—and to the moments he hopes the whiskey will accompany, such as gathering around a fire after a long day outside.
He now lives in Wyoming’s Wind River Mountain region, where the nearest traffic is about 77 miles away in Jackson Hole. Though he misses friends and a favorite Boonton deli sandwich, Woodruff says the quiet, open country suits him: “I’ve just never been happier.”
Central Washington Wines Named Among Wine Enthusiast’s Top Picks to Age in 2026
Wine Enthusiast’s 2026 Top 100 Cellar Selections highlights several wines from the Columbia Valley, the vast Washington wine region that includes Yakima, Prosser, Red Mountain and Walla Walla. The list is designed for wines to buy now and enjoy years later.
DeLille 2023 Harrison Hill Bordeaux-Style Red Blend
Drink: 2027–2042 | 94 points | No. 85
Wine Enthusiast describes DeLille Cellars’ blend as elegant and nimble, with notes of sweet-tart cherry, balsamic and cedar. A 750-milliliter bottle is listed for $110 on DeLille’s website.
Passing Time 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
Drink: Now–2040 | 97 points | No. 49
The Cabernet Sauvignon offers flavors and aromas of ripe Rainier cherries, orange peel and tobacco. Passing Time is owned by former Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Damon Huard, who is from Yakima, and Dan Marino. Bottles are listed for $110 on Passing Time’s website.
Dossier 2022 Halo Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Drink: 2040 or later | 98 points | No. 13
Wine Enthusiast reviewer Michael Alberty describes this fuller-bodied wine as lemony and velvety, praising its elegant texture. Dossier Wine Collective is owned by former Seattle Seahawks player Sidney Rice and Yakima developer Tim Lenihan. A 750-milliliter bottle is listed for $225 on Dossier’s website.
Cimento 2022 Cimentare Malbec
Drink: 2045 | 98 points | No. 4
Although it comes from Milton-Freewater, Oregon, rather than Washington, this Malbec is close enough to the Tri-Cities to merit a mention. Alberty notes aromas of blueberry jam on baked bread, accented by coriander and violets. Only 831 bottles were produced, and purchases are limited to people who can log in through the wine’s online listing.
D’YAVOL Spirits Brings Award-Winning Single Estate Vodka and Inception Blended Malt Scotch to the U.S.
D’YAVOL Spirits has launched in the United States with two products: Single Estate Vodka and Inception Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. The move follows the brand’s recent UK debut and is part of its effort to expand internationally.
The vodka is made in Poland from 100% winter wheat using a grain-to-glass process, then filtered through black pearls. The company describes it as crisp, with raisin notes, subtle sweetness and a smooth mouthfeel.
Inception brings together eight single malts from four Scottish regions. Aged for up to 12 years in first-fill tawny port and Madeira casks, the whisky is non-chill filtered and features fruity sweetness, gentle smoke and peat, with notes of pear, cherry, toffee and raisin.
Since its first product launched in 2023, D’YAVOL says its vodka, Inception and Vortex blended Scotch have received 53 international awards, including “Scotch of the Year” and “Vodka of the Year” titles, as well as Gold and Double Gold medals.
Both new releases are imported and distributed in the US by SG Worldwide and are available at select stores nationwide. The company plans to expand availability in the coming months. Its portfolio also includes Vortex, and it says luxury tequilas are planned for the future.