Discover the Ideal Snow Day Cocktail: An Easy Rum Drink Recipe
While a big winter storm is hitting the northeast, you don’t have to be experiencing a snow day to enjoy this storm cloud of a cocktail. A Dark ’n Stormy is an easy drink to make (and worth putting your winter boots on to go get the ingredients if you don’t already have them).
Get a tropical vibe even if you’re snowed in with a Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail.
The Dark ’n Stormy was born in Bermuda and features Goslings dark rum floating on top of spicy ginger beer. Visually, it looks like a looming storm cloud, and it’s similar to a Moscow Mule, except with rum instead of vodka. The addition of lime gives it a bit of tartness and cuts the sugar of the ginger beer.
Fun fact: the Dark ’n Stormy is actually a trademarked cocktail by Goslings and must contain Goslings Black Seal Rum in order to be called one. According to Goslings, their flagship Black Seal Rum has become synonymous with Bermuda. You can find it in Bermuda fish chowder, in a Bermuda Rum Swizzle and of course as an essential ingredient in the Dark ’n Stormy.
If you can find it, Goslings Black Seal Rum Artist Edition is a beautiful bottle featuring a colorful collage. Created in collaboration with Bermuda artists Nhuri Bashir and Domico Watson it features icons pulled directly from vintage Goslings ads and bottle labels. (Very cool!)
Goslings Black Seal Rum Artist Edition
Ready to make a Dark ’n Stormy? Here’s what you need:
Have you tried making a Dark ’n Stormy? Let me know how it came out in the comments!
Michael Bublé Opens Up About Whiskey, Music, Mushrooms and His Love for ‘Spicy Margarita’
By
Canadian superstar singer Michael Bublé thinks he has a global smash on his hands with “Spicy Margarita,” his collaboration with Jason Derulo. The pair performed the Latin-flavoured banger together last week on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and recently shared their mutual respect by getting tattoos of the other — Derulo got a Bublé face on his neck and Bublé the word “DARULO” across his forehead. “You spelled it wrong!” a mock-disappointed Derulo declares in the comedic clip as their single plays in the background.
The song samples Bublé’s cover of “Sway,” made famous by Dean Martin, which the crooner covered on his 2001 debut jazz album, “BaBalu,” and appears on appears on Derulo’s guest-packed collab album, “Nu King,” out Feb. 16.
Continuing the alcohol theme, Bublé teamed with Master distiller and blender Paul Cirka to create his own brand of hard liquor, Fraser and Thompson Whiskey, named after the two rivers in his native British Columbia where he spent time as a kid with his beloved grandfather, the man he credits for introducing him to jazz and swing standards. The spirit is a blend of 8% Kentucky bourbon and 92% Canadian whisky [believe it or not, the spelling of whisky or whiskey depends on where the whisky or whiskey in question was made — ed.].
No ragrets. Drink responsibly. #spicymargarita pic.twitter.com/OwgqQumsZK
But Bublé was also involved in an accidental incident involving a different substance, mushrooms. Earlier this month, while in Toronto for the NHL All Star Game weekend — co-captaining Team Hughes with Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes — he found himself a global headline after a joke he made to a roomful of sports reporters was taken seriously.
“My buddy told me, ‘This is just a microdose of mushrooms’ and he was lying,” he quipped, sitting next to fellow celebrity captain, actor Will Arnett. “So, I’ll be honest, I thought I was in ‘Blades of Glory’ for most of the time that I was out there, until it sort of settled down. And then I realized, ‘Holy shit. I am at the NHL All-Star Game!’”
As he soon found out, the joke went over many people’s heads.
The singer and owner of his own junior hockey team, the Vancouver Giants, spoke with Variety discussing topics including going viral, creating a hit song with Derulo, his endeavor to create a female-centric whiskey brand, his enthusiasm for the Professional Women’s Hockey League, and what the future holds.
Am I addressing the viral sensation, Michael Bublé? You created quite a buzz with your comment about mushrooms. Yes, I did cause some stir! In my view, I am genuinely living my best life.
We may need to donate your brain to science. I’m carefree and just living in the moment, and having an amazing time. I guess the sports media wasn’t ready for that. They were probably expecting generic responses, like “I’ll do my best to show up and give 99%.”
Let’s discuss another topic: Your whiskey brand. I don’t usually drink whiskey, but I think I’d try an alcoholic beverage from your Bubly brand. Are you abstaining completely from alcohol, or just whiskey?
I need a wimpy whiskey.
Can I tell you something? Honestly, you need to be prepared to start liking whiskey because I made a whiskey for you — I’m not kidding. When we designed this, it was [intended] for people who don’t really love whiskey. It’s really smooth and it has a nice sweetness at the end. And the truth is, my wife would tell me the same thing: “Mike, I don’t like it. It’s too strong. It’s harsh.” And then I made her first Old Fashioned for her and she went nuts. By the way, I made it with Bubly. I put a bunch of orange Bubly, a little bit of brown sugar, a little bit of bitters and I smash a little orange peel and mixed it up. It is so yummy. You might like that.
It sounds like I would, actually. I’m reading the description of it: “Offers delicate aromas with hints of fig, blood orange and vanilla. The palate is smooth and creamy with rich, complex flavours of caramel, sweet vanilla, light oak and a hint of spice.” You can smell all those things? Fig? Blood orange?
We literally spent three years reverse engineering a whiskey for people that don’t like whiskey — that was the thing. Listen, we understand what the whiskey connoisseurs want and I get what a $2,000 Pappy Van Winkle tastes like, but that’s not what we were doing. We wanted to make a really approachable whiskey at an affordable price [$29.99 U.S.]. I kept asking my partners, “What is the goal?,” and they kept saying, “We want something that tastes amazing, that gives people value for flavor.” I’m telling you, this is gonna work for me because I stayed out of their way enough — I did not mess with them [laughs] as we were actually making this. And, one of our real honest [goals] was hoping to make something that women liked.
You’re cheating on your whiskey with the margarita. How did Jason Derulo end up contacting you and what was your idea was for “Spicy Margarita”?
It was really organic, to be honest. I’ve known Jason for 13, 14 years. I always liked what he did — I think I had a bigger impact on him, probably, because I’m a little older. I think he actually thought about becoming a jazz singer as a younger guy. And I’ve always wanted to take the love and reverence I have for the great American songbook to jazz. I knew this was the root of modern music; I knew that this is where rap, R&B, pop, hip-hop all comes from. So I know that if you take care of it, you can mash these things up and they can work — not just work, but it can slap.
And so, when he called me and said, “Let’s do something,” he had a completely different idea in mind. I just said to him, “Jay, you’re the king of your thing, man, and I’ve got my lane; why are we not finding a way to bring this together to unite this music?” I might have been a little harsh in what I said to him — and I was harsh because I know he’s smart — but he came back to me two days later and he was so excited. It was very sweet. He was like, “Dude, I listened to what you said and you’re right. It works. I have something.”
Was the sample of “Sway” from your first album your idea?
We looked at the songbook, at all these great jazz songs that I [cover], and we just started looking at samples that we thought would be great. And, by the way, it turns out that that song, for me personally, is one of the biggest streaming songs every single year. So it was a no-brainer. I did the reinterpretation of my part; he came up with his writers with his part, and then we met in the middle, basically.
Actually, I should go further [in telling the story]. I sent him the recording. I did all the orchestration with my partner Nicholas Jacobson-Larson, he went in with an orchestra, and we sent that to them and just let them use all those parts. When I got through with it, I was excited, but Jason said that it could be better. I was like, “What do you mean?” He said, “Mike, you’re singing like a pop singer” — because, you know, I have two sort of styles — and he was right. He was like, “I don’t want Michael Bublé in Jason’s Derulo’s world, and I don’t wanna be in your world either. Be Michael Bublé.” So I went back in, rerecorded it and that’s what you have now. And that’s why I think we’re about to have a big global hit.
You were recently an NHL celebrity captain, involved with the draft pick, etc. Is it fun to step into a different world?
Yeah, but [hockey] is my world. It really is. I’ve owned a junior hockey team for many years now. A lot of my life is spent behind the scenes of this sport. Everyone knows I’m a [Vancouver] Canucks fan, but really, I’m a hockey fan and my goal and my love of this sport is to help to continue to grow it.
Have you seen a Professional Women’s Hockey League game yet?
Yeah. I went and was hacky-sacking with the ladies backstage before the game.
Every PWHL game is selling out instantly. It’s amazing.
It’s such an entertaining [game]. They’re such great players. I mean, I’ve got two daughters and it gives me so much hope. It was fun last night, there was a guy named Brian Troche, that you might not know, but one of the greatest who ever played. And I was so excited to meet him and he gave me a hug and he said, “You know what I like about you? Your music’s OK, but number one, I like that you’re a girl dad, and I know you’re a good girl dad.” So that meant a lot to me. And I just love this whole thing of getting hockey in the community and really getting our kids out.
Are you writing new music with anyone now or going in the studio?
I’ve got a lot of stuff on my plate that might not have as much to do with music, but music is my love — and I have a big idea, but that idea is gonna take time. What I wanna do is more of an event. And I wanna make sure that when I do that, that I give everyone the time to be ready for it.
Very intriguing. Well, lay off the mushrooms. Stick to the whiskey.
[laughs]. Thank you. And do me a favor, try that whiskey with a little bit of what I said. And believe it or not, I even hired the coolest mixologist in the world, and he taught me how to make a spicy margarita with Fraser & Thompson. So I have left no stone unturned.
Linda Robson’s Struggle with Security Over a Rum Bottle in M&S Unveiled
She was forced to take a two-year break from ITV due to her condition. Fortunately, she was able to turn her life around and recently marked four years of sobriety.
During an interview with OK!, she opened up about her tumultuous relationship with alcohol and its impact on her mental health. She reminisced about her time in the facility stating, “This lovely nurse took me for a walk and I went into M&S at Marylebone station.”
Finding herself without any possessions, she found herself unable to make payments. She shared, “I had no money, but I asked for a bottle of rum, downed it on the spot, and the security guard had to wrestle it away from me.”
She added that she was struggling mentally, and confessed, “I was in a bad place. I was on suicide watch.”
READ MORE: Coronation Street star shares emotional health update after 3 year cancer battle
The star went on to recognise that her mental health affected her family – including her daughters and grandchildren.
She said: “I felt so bad for what I’d done to everyone who loved me.”
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They have all reunited and even celebrated her success earlier this month having a family meal.
Despite her dark days she has made it to the other side and is now a regular on the popular female chat show.
Linda confessed Stacey Solomon would sweetly ring her up and check in as well as the likes of Jane Moore and Nadia Sawalha.
In her new book Truth Be Told: Tales From A Baggy Mouth, she shares intriguing narratives regarding her personal life and professional journey.
She has candidly discussed both her highs and lows, including the end of her marriage.
Looking back at those moments while writing her book occasionally became overwhelming. She admitted: “The process was especially difficult while recording the audiobook – I found myself unable to stop the tears.”
Discovering Montecucco Sangiovese Wines: An Affordable Alternative to High-End Wines
Some wines feature the name of the grape on the label.
Others list the place where the wine was made.
Then there’s Montecucco Sangiovese.
The name of these outstanding Italian red wines packs in a lot of information.
They describe exactly where these wines come from – Montecucco.
They list the name of the grape used primarily to make them – sangiovese.
But that’s just the start.
In order for a wine to be called a Montecucco Sangiovese, they need to meet several other strict requirements.
We’ll get to those rules in a second.
All you need to remember for now is these wines taste great. And best of all, they cost far less (often in the $15 to 35 per bottle range) than many other red wines from other nearby Italian wine regions.
So this week, it’s all about Montecucco Sangiovese wines – where they come from, how they’re made, as well as tasting notes for four Montecucco Sangiovese wines.
Hope you enjoy.
Where do Montecucco Sangiovese wines come from?
Montecucco is the name of the wine region where these wines come from in Italy. Specifically, Montecucco is located near the west coast of central Italy in the southern part of Tuscany about 100 miles north of Rome. This subregion of Tuscany produces many different types of wines, including a wide range of reds, whites and roses. Many of these wines from Montecucco also have one thing in common – most of them cost far less than many other wines from Tuscany, which makes this wine region a great one worth keeping an eye out for in wine stores and restaurants.
What grapes are Montecucco Sangiovese wines made with?
As you may have already guessed, the primary grape used to make Montecucco Sangiovese wines is sangiovese. Specifically, Montecucco Sangiovese wines must contain at least 90 percent sangiovese grapes. As for the other 10 percent, merlot or cabernet sauvignon are often blended with sangiovese to make these memorable wines.
Other winemaking requirements
Along with coming from a particular place and being made with specific types of grapes, several other regulations apply to Montecucco Sangiovese wines. All of these wines must be aged for at least 17 months, including at least 12 months in a wine barrel. And in order to be called a Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva wine, they must be aged for at least 34 months, including two years in a wine barrel and six months in a wine bottle. In addition, these wines must have at least 13 percent alcohol. But enough about the rules. Let’s get to how these wines taste.
2016 Podere Montale Montecucco Sangiovese ($27 Suggested Retail Price)
This intense, dark-colored red wine has a wide range of bold, earthy, vibrant fruit flavors, including hints of roasted blackberry and cherry along with dashes of fresh-cut cedar and dark chocolate. Full-throttled fun in a bottle.
2018 Poggio Stenti Tribulo Montecucco Sangiovese ($29 SRP)
Made entirely with sangiovese grapes, this lively, energetic wine has a wonderful array of vivacious flavors, including toasted almonds fresh-picked cherries, blueberries and other ripe berry flavors. Graceful and charming.
2016 Pian Di Staffa Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva ($25 SRP)
Another Montecucco Sangiovese made entirely with sangiovese wines, this complex, red wine has a lot of character and personality. Flavors range from dark chocolate and roasted cherries to layers of roasted red pepper, blackberries and toasted almonds. Delicious and delightful.
2016 Tenuta L’Impostino Viandante Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva ($35 SRP)
Made entirely with sangiovese grapes aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, this wine is bright and lively, tasting like autumn in a glass. With hints of blackcurrant, cherry, tobacco, and dark chocolate, it is another beautiful, elegant example of an aged sangiovese wine.
Free Italian Wine Tasting – Provisions in Northampton is hosting a free wine tasting focused on Italian wines. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 16 from 4 pm to 7 pm, located at 30 Crafts Avenue. More event details can be found on Provision’s website.
High Score, Low Price – Table & Vine is hosting a wine tasting class featuring highly-rated wines that are less than $20 a bottle. The tasting will occur on Thursday, Feb., 22 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at 1119 Riverdale Street, West Springfield. Tickets are $20 and can be bought on Table & Vine’s website.
Boston Wine Expo – The Boston Wine Expo will be held March 2 and 3 at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 50 Park Plaza, Boston. Wine tastings will be held each day, along with specialized wine tasting seminars at different times throughout the weekend. For tickets and more information, visit the Boston Wine Expo’s website.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
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Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl After-Party: Vodka Cranberries and Chicken Fingers Until Dawn
While Taylor Swift was notably chugging beers at the Super Bowl, she later switched to her customary vodka cranberry to celebrate her boyfriend’s victory at an expensive nightclub post-game.
After the Kansas City Chiefs overcame the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, tight end Travis Kelce was seen reveling in the team’s third Super Bowl triumph with his pop star girlfriend at Resorts World Las Vegas and Zouk Nightclub, the location of the official post-game party.
As reported by The Sun, the pair continued to party into the wee hours and later visited XS Nightclub nearby. Taylor Swift certainly holds the musical talent in the relationship, but Kelce was seen on stage with famous DJ Marshmello too. They even danced to Swift’s track “Love Story” earlier in the evening.
The party allegedly didn’t end until past 5 a.m., and the couple indulged in some late-night chicken fingers, as reported by a source from the nightclub.
If you can’t find joy in a video of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce dancing to Love Story that then pans to Jason Kelce on stage with Marshmello while wearing a wrestling mask then you need to reevaluate some things. pic.twitter.com/By7qpeBgbF
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) February 12, 2024
Before the official after party, Swift and Kelce celebrated on the field with a sweet kiss.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe that. I can’t believe it. How did you do that?” Taylor reportedly told her tight end BF. “I’m so proud of you?”
According to Entertainment Tonight, Travis reportedly asked, “Was it electric?”
Who would’ve thought that in 2024 we will see videos of Taylor dancing at club to Love Story and You Belong With Me with her footballer boyfriend!!! pic.twitter.com/kPALmqViBi
— Taylor Throwbacks (@ThrowbackTaylor) February 12, 2024
“Unbelievable,” Taylor replied. “It was unbelievable. That was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.” During the game, Swift cheered on Kelce alongside pals Blake Lively and Ice Spice, as well as her parents, and Travis’ whole family. She was seated in one of the $2.5 million Allegiant Stadium suites, which Kelce hinted at paying for during a recent “New Heights” podcast episode.
“I’m not really doing much different other than just counting how much money I’m spending on this damn Super Bowl for family and friends to come,” Kelce said.
The luxe suites had an equally high-end menu, which included a shrimp cocktail tower, king crab fried rice, lobster and steak quesadillas, and a wagyu loaded hot dog that was topped with crispy onions, banana peppers, and wagyu brisket burnt ends. Taylor was *clearly* eating well.
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Beer Nut: Exploring My Top Six Favorite Beer Glasses
Columnist George Lenker shares his favorite beer glasses. George Lenker
As I’ve mentioned over the years, I’m not overly fussy about my glassware for beer.
Don’t get me wrong: The choice of the right glassware can certainly enhance certain types of beer. And whenever I can, I try to use the glassware that is made for a specific style. I just refuse to be priggish about it. In the end, a good beer isn’t going to be ruined by the wrong type of glassware.
But after receiving a gift of a proper Guinness imperial pint glass from one of my favorite pubs (Tig Coili) in Galway, Ireland, I had occasion to reshuffle my four shelves of beer glassware, and I was appreciating some of them quite a bit. (The glass I received was the old-school Guinness pint glass, a style which has been largely phased out in the U.S. and can usually only be procured by pubs in Ireland.)
This reshuffling activity inspired me to write this column, which is about my six favorite beer glasses. I own more but wanted to feature the ones I find most useful. (Even though it is clearly beloved, my new Guinness glass was not included here.)
In no particular order, here are my six go-to beer glasses.
Mug – I don’t use this one often, but with its thick glass walls and easy-to -grip handle, my mug (an old-timer from Young’s & Co.) I’ve maybe had this longer than most of my current collection due to occasional breakage during my many moves in my adult life. It’s great for most conventional ales and lagers, but has also seen a stout or Scottish ale at various points of its lengthy career. It keeps cold beer colder by keeping your hands off the glass itself. It also makes one feel like a pirate or Viking while quaffing from it.
Snifter – I have several of these, but my favorite is one I got from the Northampton Brewery during its 25th anniversary celebration years ago. It has a little bit of a tulip rim to it, which I like, but the overall upward and inward taper of the glass’ shape still channels the brew’s aromatic volatiles right to your nose. This glass is perfect for IPAs with a lot of aromatic hops and many types of Belgian beers. I call it a “wine lover’s glass” because you can swirl your beer around in it like wine and cognac aficionados are prone to doing.
Pilsner – This piece of glassware was part of my collection for the Northampton Brewery’s 25th anniversary. The pilsner glass, with its tall and sleek design, is best for displaying the bubbles in highly carbonated drinks. These glasses are specifically designed for lighter, more revitalizing beers, a fact that their shape only emphasizes. Although they can be utilized for hefeweizens, I refrain from doing so as I prefer using a different glassware…
Weizen Glass – My feelings towards wheat beers are mixed, but occasion calls for a good Weizenbock or hefeweizen and they deserve their own special vessels. Unlike the slim and narrow pilsner glasses that expand evenly towards the mouth of the glass, Weizen glasses have curves similar to a 1940s pin-up starlet. These glasses can hold more liquid and are perfect to maintain the frothy heads typical of weizens. My favourite version of this glass style is from the much-loved but sadly missed Sierra Grille.
Tulip – I recently added this type of glass to my collection. I own a few snifters and typically use those for beers like Belgian ales, double IPAs and other aromatic brews, which the tulip glasses are designed for. But I was drawn to the elegance of this tulip glass during a visit to Couch Dog Brewing in Salem, so I purchased one. The tulip leads in some aspects, particularly its stem that keeps your hand’s warmth away from the bowl if needed. Plus, I adore its beautiful design which includes an etched dog on the glass.
Nonic Pint Glass – Last, but definitely not least, the Nonic pint glass is the one I use the most. Like many beer enthusiasts, I have a number of standard American pint glasses adorned with brewery logos. However, the nonic glass, with its little bump near the top makes me feel like I am in an old British pub. I have quite a few of these, but my favorite is from the legendary British brewery, Fuller’s.
What are your favorite pieces of glassware that you own? Reach me at geolenker@yahoo.com
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The Impact of Haiti’s Gang Crisis on the Rum Industry: Torched Sugarcane Fields
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.
Haiti’s renowned rum has become the newest victim of violent gangs vying to control a growing number of businesses and territory in the troubled Caribbean nation.
At least 19.8 acres of sugarcane fields were torched in recent days as rival gangs fought near the Rhum Barbancourt distillery in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, the company said in a statement Sunday.
Rum is derived from sugarcane. The number of acres burned would cover more than four soccer fields, but Barbancourt officials stressed the lost fields would not affect production.
HAITIAN PM HENRY URGES CALM AS PROTESTERS, RIOTERS INSIST THAT HE RESIGNS
The company’s foundation, however, said it would temporarily stop distributing free potable water, providing medical care, and offering the use of football fields and basketball courts in order to protect the safety of its employees.
Haiti’s rum is considered one of the country’s most popular exports.
The Haitian flag is hoisted against a clear sky at the site of the presidential palace, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 19, 2011.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has signaled that in excess of 800 victims were either massacred, wounded or abducted across Haiti in January, a figure that is over triple when contrasted with the same month in 2023. An additional approximated count of 300 gang affiliates were also reported dead or hurt in the previous month, he disclosed.
He referred to the escalated intensity of gang skirmishes, some of which persist for numerous hours, as a possible sign that certain gangs have recently procured new supplies of ammunition.
Haiti is also in the process of recuperating from a recent surge in aggressive demonstrations demanding the stepping down of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Türk stated that a minimum of 16 individuals lost their lives and close to 30 others were wounded during these protests, predominantly in clashes with law enforcement.
In the meantime, gang violence progresses with no cessation in sight.
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“Every day that goes by, new victims are reported,” Türk said late last week as he urged the swift deployment of a U.N-backed Kenyan police force that has been stalled in court.
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Guideline to Purchasing the Limited Edition Whiskey Bottles through Lottery: Almost 2,000 Rare Bottles Up for Grabs!
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is making 1,896 bottles of rare whiskeys from the Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collections available to purchase through a lottery.
Whiskey lovers have their chance to land some rare bottles this week.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is making 1,896 bottles of rare whiskeys from the Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collections available to purchase through a lottery. For a chance to win the chance to purchase a bottle, Pennsylvania residents and licensees must enter the lottery by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
There will be two lotteries for each of the whiskeys available. Participants have the chance to enter one or both.
The first lottery held will be for 513 bottles from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2023. Winning entries are limited to one bottle — which costs $124.99 — per participant.
The bottles available are:
The second lottery will be for 1,383 bottles of Pappy Van Winkle. Winning entries are limited to one bottle per participant.
The bottles include:
To be eligible to enter, consumers and licensees must have an active account with Fine Wine and Good Spirts with current billing information on file.
Upon winning, residents are prohibited to resell any bottles of whiskey purchased.
The lotteries are open to Pennsylvania residents and licensees 21 years old or older who provide both a verifiable Pennsylvania billing address and a Fine Wine and Good Spirits store address at registration.
You can find more information on the Fine Wine & Good Spirits site.
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Innovating in Charlottesville: A New Wine Shop Offering Affordable Wines
Week in Review
The once bustling Benny Deluca’s pizzeria, known widely as the “home of the Virginia slice”, has given way to the shiny new Grape & Grain Exchange, a store specializing in wines and beers, on Charlottesville’s West Main Street.
Grape & Grain Exchange threw open its doors to customers on February 1, operating from the 913 W. Main St. location. Living up to its name, it has an impressive range of wines, beers, seltzers, and energy drinks. The shop particularly focuses on catering to the University of Virginia students and hospital workers passing by.
Let’s rewind a bit to remember that Benny Deluca’s had been a landmark at the West Main spot from as far back as 2014. However, they shut down in the July of 2023. We still await news about whether they plan to spring back somewhere else in the city. Furthermore, they’ve scrubbed Charlottesville off their list of Virginia locations on the chain’s website.
There is indeed no shortage of wine shops in Charlottesville. A mere third of a mile from Grape & Grain sits Bottle House; Feast at Main Street Market, boasting an impressive selection of wines, is just a few hundred feet away; and further down the road, one can find Crush Pad Wines, Market Street Wines and Tastings of Charlottesville right by or just off the Downtown Mall.
Picture a pedestrian strolling past Grape & Grain Exchange, a shop on West Main Street focused on providing a wide variety of wine and beer, on the crowdless evening of Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.
However, Dru Patel, the owner of Grape & Grain, and his brother and business associate, Nick, affirm that their shop offers something fresh to the scenario.
The Patel brothers were moved by a tour of Europe during which they got a chance to explore an array of wine shops across different countries. Filled with inspiration, they returned to the United States resolved to introduce Charlottesville to the unique concept of small, affordable wine shops.
With the Benny Deluca’s space on the market, the brothers seized the opportunity to convert the 1,400-square-foot area into their dream concept.
Observing the location, it bears similarity to any other wine shop in town. The distinguishing factor of Grape & Grain Exchange is affordability.
Wines on display are clearly seen at the Grape & Grain Exchange, a shop specializing in wine and beer located on West Main Street in Charlottesville, documented on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.
“We’re challenging the common perception that high-quality wine must be expensive,” Dru Patel disclosed to The Daily Progress. “Every wine in here is priced below $20, yet these are brands that consumers will readily identify.”
The Patel brothers have identified the business opportunities available on West Main in Charlottesville, thanks to its close proximity to the downtown area, Grounds, the Corner and UVa Medical Center. Their family is no stranger to the potential of this area, as their father, Vasu Patel, runs the Mini Mart convenience store a few steps away from Grape & Grain.
Ever since Vasu Patel and his family left Kenya over two decades ago, he’s been involved in the retail industry, says Dru Patel. The family’s retail ventures in Charlottesville include the Mini Mart, Grape & Grain, and the 9th Street Market. The latter is a convenient store located behind the Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant downtown, which the Patel brothers launched about half a year ago.
Shortly after the opening of Grape & Grain, the Patel brothers began discussing additional expansion plans.
Dru Patel, who owns the Grape & Grain Exchange, was photographed at the Charlottesville wine and beer shop on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
“We are focused on seeing how this goes, but it’s also our stepping stone,” said Dru Patel, referring to the wine shop. “We are looking to branch out by the end of the year with hopefully another location with more space.”
Grape & Grain is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. To keep up to date on new arrivals, events and promotions, customers can visit the Grape & Grain Instagram: cvillegrapeandgrain.
The interior of Grape & Grain Exchange, a wine and beer shop on West Main Street in Charlottesville, is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.
Emily Hemphill (540) 855-0362
@EmilyHemphill06 on Twitter
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