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. […]
Unshackled Wines: Approachable Picks for Holiday Gatherings
The Prisoner Wine Company’s Unshackled range is designed to offer accessible choices for both new wine drinkers and longtime enthusiasts, with bottles suited to everyday meals and holiday gatherings.
The collection features three California Central Coast wines: Chardonnay for $17.99, Pinot Noir for $22.99, and Cabernet Sauvignon for $19.99. The prices are below those of the company’s traditional Prisoner wines, which generally cost $35.99 to $40.
The Unshackled packaging also uses less material: the bottles have no foil and are made with thinner glass, choices intended to reduce their environmental footprint.
A versatile wine for Thanksgiving
Jake Sanders, a WSET Level 2 wine professional and trade development manager at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, recommends the lighter-bodied Pinot Noir for Thanksgiving. Its versatility makes it a match for dishes such as turkey, duck, chicken, gravy-based foods, and spiced holiday meals.
Chardonnay with a blend
The Unshackled Chardonnay isn’t made entirely from Chardonnay grapes; it includes a touch of Viognier, which contributes aromatic character and a fuller, buttery mouthfeel. The wine has pear aromas and green apple notes, and its acidity works well with creamy dishes such as fettuccine Alfredo.
Winemaker Todd Ricard developed the Unshackled range to make wine more approachable to a wider audience. Sanders advises beginners to focus on the styles and regions they enjoy rather than choosing by price, using those preferences to guide future purchases and restaurant orders.
Siren’s Tale Vodka to Exhibit at SoCal Cocktail & Spirits Fest
Siren’s Tale Vodka will showcase its products at the SoCal Cocktail and Spirits Fest on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Gillette House in Irvine, California. Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Inc. (FMCG) and Keg n Bottle are sponsoring the event.
The festival brings together consumers and beverage-industry professionals for tastings, live entertainment, interactive activities, and networking. Visitors can meet Siren’s Tale representatives and learn about the brand’s premium vodka.
FMCG said its sponsorship reflects its work supporting emerging and established spirits brands through product development, manufacturing, sales, distribution, and brand-building services.
The festival will take place at 17475 Gillette Ave., Suite 100, Irvine. Ticket and event information.
The Most Recommended Beer Brand of 2026 Comes from an Iconic American Brewery
Samuel Adams has been named the most recommended beer brand of 2026, according to YouGov’s annual report. Its recommendation score was 88.7%, based on customer recommendations over the previous 12 months.
Guinness and Stella Artois followed in second and third place. Other familiar brands on the list included Blue Moon and Heineken.
The brand’s American roots are reflected in its name and brewing location. Samuel Adams was named for the Founding Father, who had ties to the beer trade, and the company brews in Boston.
The story of its flagship Boston Lager began with a family recipe. In 1984, entrepreneur Jim Koch found instructions for Louis Koch Lager in the attic of his family home in Ohio. He brought the recipe to Boston and adapted it into the lager that helped launch the Boston Beer Company. The business grew, and a Samuel Adams brewery later opened in Boston.
Today, the independently owned brewery makes Boston Lager as well as year-round beers including an American Light lager, Cherry Wheat ale, New England Juicy IPA, and East Coast IPA.
Online beer drinkers have praised Boston Lager as an approachable, balanced example of a classic beer. One Reddit user recalled that it sparked their interest in trying different brews, while another described it as a straightforward, neither-too-bitter-nor-too-sweet beer.
13 Best Sodas to Pair With Rum Beyond Cola
Rum is flavorful and versatile, so a simple soda mixer can make a refreshing drink without the effort of a complicated cocktail. Beyond the familiar rum and cola, plenty of sodas pair well with the spirit. The best choice depends on whether you want a bright, tart highball or a sweeter, richer drink.
1. Pineapple soda
Pineapple soda brings sweet, slightly tart tropical flavor and plenty of fizz. Its fruitiness works with white, dark, spiced, and aged rums, whose vanilla, caramel, and warming spice notes complement the pineapple. For a creamier twist, add a splash of coconut cream or use coconut rum.
2. Guava soda
Guava’s sweet-tart taste and subtle floral notes make it a natural match for rum. The spirit balances the fruit’s acidity while bringing out its sweeter, aromatic qualities. Guava soda can be harder to find, but brands such as Jarritos offer an option worth seeking out.
3. Ginger beer or ginger ale
Ginger beer’s bold ginger, spice, and sweetness make a lively rum highball. Dark rum, ginger beer, and lime form the classic Dark ’n’ Stormy, but rum and ginger beer work well even without lime. If ginger beer is too intense, ginger ale offers a milder combination of ginger and sweetness that suits different rum styles.
4. Cream soda
Cream soda’s sweet vanilla flavor echoes the vanilla notes often found in rum. It works with most varieties, though spiced rum is especially appealing, adding cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. The result is quite sweet, making it a good choice for those who prefer a softer, less spirit-forward drink.
5. Citrus soda
Grapefruit, lemon-lime, and orange or mandarin sodas each bring something different. Grapefruit soda’s tartness offsets rum’s sweetness while allowing the spirit’s flavor to come through; a squeeze of lime adds extra brightness. Lemon-lime soda is a crisp option, particularly with white rum, while orange and mandarin sodas create a sweeter, fruitier mix.
6. Dr Pepper
With its mix of cherry, vanilla, sweetness, and warm spice, Dr Pepper shares many of rum’s flavor notes. It pairs with white, dark, aged, and spiced rum, though an unflavored rum is generally the best place to start. Spiced rum makes a particularly bold, warming combination.
7. Strawberry soda
Strawberry soda tends to taste more like candy than fresh fruit, but its sweetness pairs well with white rum and can soften the harsher edges of an inexpensive bottle. Spiced rum can add warmth, too. A squeeze of lime helps balance the sweetness and brighten the drink.
8. Mango soda
Mango’s juicy, tropical sweetness makes a natural partner for rum. Mango soda lifts the sweeter notes in white and spiced rum, creating a bright, fizzy drink that feels refreshing rather than overly candy-like. It can be less common than other soda flavors, but brands such as Jarritos and Jumex make versions to look for.
9. Passion fruit soda
Passion fruit soda is sweet, tangy, aromatic, and bubbly. It pairs especially well with white rum, highlighting its vanilla notes while leaving a tart finish. Dark rum can work, too, although the drink’s appearance may be less appealing. Passion fruit soda can be difficult to find, so check specialty brands and shops.
10. Watermelon soda
Watermelon soda’s juicy sweetness complements rum’s vanilla and caramel notes. White rum is a particularly good fit, though a lighter spiced rum can also work. The combination makes an easy, summery drink; Jarritos and Crush are among the brands that offer watermelon soda.
11. Tamarind soda
Tamarind has a sweet-and-sour flavor that gives a rum highball extra complexity. Its sweetness complements the spirit, while the tangy edge keeps the drink balanced. White, dark, aged, and spiced rums can all work, with the latter styles adding further warmth. Goya and Jarritos are two brands to look for.
12. Grape soda
Grape soda is intensely sweet and nostalgic, making it a good match for rum’s caramel and vanilla notes. It can also mask the harsher taste of less refined rum. Because its sweetness and flavor are prominent, it suits people who prefer their drinks less booze-forward. Spiced rum is best avoided, as its warming notes may clash with the soda.
13. Root beer
Root beer’s vanilla, caramel, and earthy spice notes overlap with flavors found in many rums. It pairs with white, dark, aged, and spiced varieties, producing a smooth, sweet drink. The mix can go down easily, so keep its alcohol content in mind.
These soda pairings make it easy to put together a straightforward rum drink. Choose a mixer that suits your preferred balance of sweetness, acidity, and spice—and enjoy responsibly.
Italian Trade Agency and Vinitaly Bring U.S. Wine Industry Leaders Together in NYC to Discuss Tariffs, Trends and Trade
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and Veronafiere will bring wine industry professionals together in New York for the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum on October 26–27, 2026. Held at Pier 36 alongside Vinitaly.USA, the forum is designed to connect Italian wineries with North American importers, distributors, retailers, buyers and hospitality professionals.
The two-day program will feature seminars, masterclasses, business-to-business meetings and networking, with a focus on market trends and the challenges facing Italian wine in the United States. ITA says the sessions will help producers build relationships with American industry professionals and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Three masterclasses will examine key questions for the sector:
- The future of Italian wine in America: Italian institutions and U.S. wine leaders will discuss trade and investment, brand development, restaurants and changing consumer preferences, with the aim of identifying shared priorities and practical ways to strengthen the relationship.
- What U.S. sommeliers look for: Italian producers and Master Sommeliers will discuss what influences whether a wine is tasted, listed or served by the glass—including price, margins, appellation, availability and distributor support.
- Selling Italian wine tourism: Representatives from travel and hospitality will explore how wineries and wine regions can become bookable, marketable parts of travel itineraries. Topics include service standards, accessibility, logistics, accommodation capacity and partnerships.
The forum is organized by Veronafiere in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency. The preliminary program and event details are available on the official wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum website.
Headframe Spirits Pauses American Single Malt Whiskey Production at Kelly Mineyard Facility
Headframe Spirits is pausing contracted production of American single malt whiskey at its Kelly Mineyard facility in Butte for the foreseeable future. The decision affects one contract client and does not impact the company’s own brands, including Orphan Girl Bourbon Cream Liqueur, or its Butte tasting room.
The facility holds about 15,000 barrels of whiskey made from Montana grain. Headframe owner John McKee said the client asked to pause production because current manufacturing costs exceed what it believes the whiskey can sell for. The client still hopes to release the product if market conditions improve.
McKee cited a broader downturn in the spirits industry, recessionary pressures and rising local compliance costs as factors behind the decision. The contract supports about 40% of Headframe’s full-time workforce. Affected employees will continue working through the end of the year and will be offered severance packages.
Headframe is also looking ahead to an expansion into upstate New York, new whiskey flavors planned for 2027 and an employee-owned trust intended to keep the company locally rooted.
4 Best Red Wines to Sip This Fall, According to a Wine Expert
As the weather cools, many wine drinkers shift from crisp whites and light rosés to fuller-bodied reds. Wine consultant Leslie Sbrocco recommends looking for bottles with dark fruit, earthy aromas, and enough warmth to pair with fall favorites such as soups, stews, pasta, lentils, beans, and grilled mushrooms.
Here are four styles she suggests exploring this season:
Argentinian Malbec
Though Malbec originated in France, Argentina is now its leading producer, particularly around Mendoza near the Andes. These full-bodied wines often offer blackberry, plum, and cherry flavors. Sunny days and cool nights help grapes retain freshness alongside their rich fruit character.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grown around the world, Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile grape used in many celebrated wines. In Bordeaux, it contributes structure and complexity, often alongside Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Napa Valley Cabernets, meanwhile, are known for concentrated fruit, firm tannins, and a plush texture. If you haven’t enjoyed Cabernet from one region, trying a different region or producer may change your mind.
Grenache
Grenache thrives in warm, dry regions including southern France, Spain—where it’s called Garnacha—and Australia. It tends to be softer and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, but still has plenty of body, earthiness, and spice. Its approachable, food-friendly character works well with roasted meats and root vegetables.
Old-vine Zinfandel
California old-vine Zinfandel can be found in areas such as the Sierra Foothills, Sonoma, and Paso Robles. Some vines are more than a century old, producing full-bodied wines with ripe fruit, earthy notes, and spice. Its bold, warming profile makes it a fitting choice for the first truly cold days of the season.
Each category includes a wide range of bottles and prices, so choosing a wine that suits your budget—and asking a shop for tasting notes—can help you find the right fit.
Boston Beer (SAM) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Boston Beer reported a difficult third quarter, with depletions and shipments both down about 5% as consumers faced higher gas prices, inflation and pressure on discretionary spending. The company expects full-year volumes to decline by a mid-single-digit percentage, at the low end of its previous outlook.
Performance varied across the portfolio. Sun Cruiser grew about 60% in tracked channels during the quarter, while Angry Orchard recorded its sixth consecutive quarter of growth. Those gains were offset by declines in beer and hard seltzer. Twisted Tea remains the leading malt-based hard tea, but its sales have been affected by weaker demand for multipacks and retailers’ focus on displays for ready-to-drink spirits.
Boston Beer is reassessing Truly’s strategy, including its product, positioning and packaging, as the hard seltzer brand continues to struggle. Management said it aims to stabilize or grow the brand rather than abandon it. Advertising has been redirected from campaigns that did not appear to lift sales toward brands where the company sees a stronger response.
The company highlighted several growth initiatives. Sun Cruiser is expanding its distribution and marketing, while new products Rally Dog, a vodka-based ready-to-drink beverage, and LYTT, a high-alcohol malt-based drink, are being rolled out. Rally Dog is expected to reach more states, with a national expansion planned for 2027. LYTT has expanded beyond its initial markets and is also expected to become available nationally next year. Management cautioned that these launches are unlikely to materially affect 2026 results.
Despite weaker volumes and higher freight costs, gross margin rose 90 basis points year over year to 51.7%, its highest quarterly level since 2017. Improved brewery efficiency, product mix, procurement savings and pricing helped offset higher commodity and tariff costs. Boston Beer raised the lower end of its full-year gross-margin and earnings guidance, now forecasting gross margin of 49% to 50% and adjusted earnings per share of $9 to $10.50.
The company also reported continued progress on productivity efforts and said domestic production at its own breweries accounted for 98% of volume in the quarter, compared with 89% a year earlier. It has repurchased $80 million of shares year to date through Oct. 16.
Management expects the broader beer and beyond-beer market to remain under pressure through the end of 2026. It pointed to weak consumer purchasing power as a key headwind, while noting that shoppers are shifting toward smaller, lower-priced packs. Executives said the emerging vodka-based beverage category is growing quickly but remains highly competitive, and that the number of successful brands may narrow over time.
Create the Extraordinary with New Empress 1908 Vodka
Empress 1908 has introduced a vodka in British Columbia and Alberta, marking the brand’s move beyond gin. The new spirit was developed by Victoria Distillers, a long-established artisan distillery based in Victoria, B.C.
Bottled at 42.5% alcohol by volume, Empress 1908 Vodka is distilled four times using Canadian-grown corn and Canadian water. The company describes it as smooth, crisp and clean, with a light sweetness. It is intended for cocktails such as Vodka Martinis, Espresso Martinis and Dirty Vodka Martinis.
Victoria Distillers’ master distiller said the launch reflects the distillery’s history of making a range of spirits, including vodka. The company’s president and CEO said the new release extends the Empress 1908 portfolio, which includes several gins and a non-alcoholic spirit.
The 750 ml bottles are now available in British Columbia and Alberta, with a suggested retail price of C$48.99.
More details are available on the Empress 1908 Vodka product page.
Rumble (RUM) Stock Gets a Modest Fair Value Boost as Analysts Support Its AI Strategy
Analysts have raised Rumble Group’s fair value estimate from US$22 to US$23.50, citing the company’s growing focus on AI infrastructure and services. Their updated outlook also reflects a major AI services agreement that provides a potential foundation for future revenue.
Lake Street and Texas Capital have both initiated coverage with Buy ratings. Lake Street set a price target of US$25, while Texas Capital’s target is US$15.
Why analysts are optimistic
Both firms point to Rumble’s evolution beyond its video platform as an important factor in their assessments. Lake Street highlighted Rumble’s acquisition of 250 megawatts of power from Northern Data and a six-year, US$13.7 billion AI contract, reportedly with Anthropic. It views these developments as evidence of the company’s emergence as a contracted AI data-center operator and “neocloud.”
Texas Capital also cited the six-year agreement, saying it supports Quake AI’s services and could make future revenue more predictable.
Risks and valuation changes
The analyst outlook remains limited, with the available research based on early coverage from just the two firms. Investors therefore have relatively few independent assessments of the execution challenges involved in Rumble’s AI expansion and its ability to meet contract commitments.
Alongside the fair value increase, the updated assumptions include:
- Revenue growth rising from about 100% to about 150%
- Net profit margin increasing from roughly 1.3% to around 9.1%
- Future price-to-earnings multiple falling from 896.4x to about 89.0x
- Discount rate rising from 8.60% to approximately 9.13%
Investors will also be watching how Rumble’s partnerships, international payments and creator-monetization efforts develop, as well as the costs and risks associated with its AI and cloud investments.