October 2026 93
Fall into Flavor: 2 Refreshing White Wines to Savor This Season
I’m not one to adhere strictly to seasonal wine trends. As fall approaches, there’s no obligation to swap out my refreshing white wines for heavier reds, especially when the weather still feels summery. The beauty of wine is that it should be enjoyed whenever you like, regardless of what others say is "in season."
Despite the calendar indicating fall, I’ve decided to keep white wine on hand for those warm days. Two standout options from the Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Diamond Collection are perfect for this transition period.
First, let me introduce the Diamond Collection Vibrance Sauvignon Blanc. Priced around $14, this wine is delightfully light at 80 calories per five-ounce pour. It offers refreshing floral and citrus notes, making it an ideal companion for weeknight meals such as grilled shrimp or fish tacos.
The second option is the Coppola Diamond Shimmer Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Grigio, available at Total Wine & More for $12.99. This versatile wine combines the best of both worlds for those who enjoy the characteristics of both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.
Perfect Serving Temperature
For optimal enjoyment, light whites like these should be served chilled between 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Since standard refrigerators typically cool to around 35-40 degrees, it’s best to let the wine sit for 10 to 20 minutes after removing it from the fridge to allow its full flavor to develop.
With these selections, you can confidently enjoy white wines well into the fall, proving that seasonal trends need not dictate your preferences.
Svedka Vodka Debuts in the UK with a Dazzling Svedbot Parade Through London Landmarks
The popular American spirit brand, SVEDKA Vodka, has officially launched in the UK with an extravagant event featuring a procession of vibrant “Fembots” through London. This eye-catching celebration kicked off in Soho and concluded at Borough Yards, passing notable landmarks including Trafalgar Square and Waterloo Bridge.
The Fembots carried signs inviting Londoners to partake in free martinis and introduced the brand’s charismatic robot mascot, who advocates for in-person gatherings over messaging. The event culminated at an impressive four-meter-high illuminated martini tower at Borough Yards, designed as a meeting point for friends to enjoy a drink together.
Visitors aged 18 and over can indulge in complimentary SVEDKA Vodka martinis, with options including:
- The Timeless: A classic SVEDKA Vodka martini
- The Glitch: A variant inspired by the Dirty Martini
- The Reboot: SVEDKA Vodka mixed with passionfruit, presenting a fruity twist
The martini tower is available from September 30 to October 1, from 5 PM to 9 PM, with the first 200 guests eligible for a free beverage each day (subject to age verification).
SVEDKA Vodka will be readily available for purchase starting September 28 at select Tesco Supermarkets and online at Tesco.com, priced at £25 for a one-liter bottle.
For more details, visit the official SVEDKA Vodka website.
Behind the Brew: How This Alberta Brewery Crafted the World’s Best Lambic-Style Beer
Blind Enthusiasm Brewing in Edmonton has made waves in the craft beer community by winning two prestigious awards at the 2026 World Beer Awards. While they are inspired by the lambic style, which originates from Belgium’s Zenne Valley and is protected by the EU, they do not claim to produce authentic lambic. Their unique process and modern facility, known as The Monolith, allow them to create spontaneously-fermented beers that have gained international recognition.
Doug Checknita, the head brewer, highlighted that the design of their brewery facilitates exposure to naturally-occurring microbes, which are used in the fermentation process. The beer is aged in barrels that house a variety of microbes, creating complex flavors through a cooperative fermentation process.
Blind Enthusiasm’s Grand Manifesto was named the World’s Best Gueuze. This beer is a blend of two, three, and four-year-old spontaneously-fermented beers. Checknita emphasized that this particular blend is among their finest work. The brewery has also been recognized for its Fruitful Pursuits: Cherry, which was awarded the title of World’s Best Kriek for the second consecutive year. Initially hesitant to create a kriek, Checknita changed his mind after tasting incredible cherries from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, recognizing the potential for a truly exceptional beer.
Blind Enthusiasm’s beers are available for purchase in Canada and internationally, including markets in the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan. The brewery’s blend of historical methods and contemporary techniques has positioned them as a significant player in the craft beer scene, and they continue to attract attention from beer enthusiasts and industry experts alike.