Ancient History of Wine

Wine Labels: Art, Marketing, or Misdirection?

Wine Labels: Art, Marketing, or Misdirection?

Wine labels are the first thing you notice—before the pour, before the first sip. They’re the silent ambassadors of a bottle’s story, promising everything from terroir to taste, all in a few seconds. Yet, as the industry grapples with identity and appeal, the question lingers: do these tiny canvases hold more weight than the wine inside? For producers, labels are both a necessity and a gamble. Legacy estates rely on names like Château Margaux to command respect, but newer vintners without such pedigree must craft something more. “Labels are storytelling tools, but they shouldn’t overshadow the wine’s quality,” says Holly…
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DWWA 2026 Opens: A Benchmark for Global Wine Excellence

DWWA 2026 Opens: A Benchmark for Global Wine Excellence

This might just change your routine: The Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 are open for entries, offering a rare chance to elevate your wine’s global profile. For over two decades, DWWA has set the gold standard for quality, with 18,000+ wines annually judged by 250+ experts—Masters of Wine, sommeliers, and industry leaders. A medal isn’t just accolade; it’s a passport to credibility, unlocking new markets, media exposure, and trade partnerships. Even non-winners get detailed tasting notes to refine future vintages. As Co-Chair Beth Willard puts it, “A DWWA medal is a catalyst for opportunity.” The 2026 edition builds on this…
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Reviving Fair Trade: A Coffee Entrepreneur’s Quest to Redefine the Supply Chain

Reviving Fair Trade: A Coffee Entrepreneur’s Quest to Redefine the Supply Chain

This is worth savoring: A month in Africa’s coffee heartlands revealed a stark truth—small farmers are getting less than 10% of the retail price. The same inequity echoes in South and Central America, where language, culture, and geography make operations more feasible but ethics remain unaddressed. My mission? To build a processing plant and export brand that pays farmers a living wage. I’m not the first to dream this, but I’m determined to turn the tide. The coffee world is built on a broken pyramid. Farmers, who bear the labor and risk, often earn less than a day’s wage for…
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Mastering Coffee Craftsmanship: Luiz Eduardo Lahutte Motta’s Journey at SO Coffee Roasters, Porto

Mastering Coffee Craftsmanship: Luiz Eduardo Lahutte Motta’s Journey at SO Coffee Roasters, Porto

Coffee enthusiasts, meet Luiz Eduardo Lahutte Motta - a barista, consultant, and event guru who weaves magic behind the scenes at SO Coffee Roasters in Porto. His passion for coffee began with his grandmother's morning brew and has since evolved into a lifelong dedication to hospitality, connection, and excellence. In 2024, Luiz made history by winning the Portuguese Brewers Cup title, showcasing his skills on the world stage. Luiz's coffee journey started "by accident" in 2011, when he was recruited to work as a barista due to a kitchen injury. But it quickly became clear that this was no coincidence;…
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Rising Star of Turkish Coffee: Hüseyin Rahimler at Fabriek Roasting Co., Bursa

Rising Star of Turkish Coffee: Hüseyin Rahimler at Fabriek Roasting Co., Bursa

At just 25, Hüseyin Rahimler has already made waves in Turkey’s specialty coffee scene. Based in Bursa, he's a barista and instructor at Fabriek Roasting Co., where he balances daily service with education and events. His passion for growing his skills and sharing knowledge makes him one of the most engaging young professionals in Turkish coffee today. In 2024, Hüseyin became the Turkish Latte Art Champion, a title that opened the door to the world stage and reshaped how he sees the craft. His preparation was months of focused training and passion – a routine that reflects his athletic background…
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Differentiate Your Specialty Coffee Brand with Purpose and Impact

Differentiate Your Specialty Coffee Brand with Purpose and Impact

In a fiercely competitive specialty coffee market, it's no longer enough to offer top-notch quality. To stand out, you need a unique brand identity that resonates with consumers on an emotional level. We spoke with Danu Pedreschi from Making Bulla and Ratibor Hartman, a Panamanian producer at Mi Finquita project, to learn the secrets of building a coffee brand that leaves a lasting impression. The market for specialty coffee is growing rapidly, both in established and emerging markets. According to the National Coffee Association's latest NCDT report, 59% of cups consumed are now specialty coffee, up by 18% over five…
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The Physics of a Perfect Pour-Over Coffee: A Groundbreaking Study Revealed

The Physics of a Perfect Pour-Over Coffee: A Groundbreaking Study Revealed

A group of physicists and fluid mechanics experts at the University of Pennsylvania have published a groundbreaking study on pour-over coffee, revealing how to extract the maximum amount of flavor from the fewest beans. A year ago, staff at Arnold Mathijssen's lab, including the main coffee enthusiast Ernest Park, began pondering the ideal pour-over technique while hanging out at their lab's coffee table. This casual conversation led to a 10-page paper in the journal Physics of Fluids, published this week. The team used equipment like an espresso machine, French press, and pour-over setup, but it was the pour-over method that…
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Two Connecticut Coffee Shops Named among the World’s Best: A Boost for Local Culture and Beyond

Two Connecticut Coffee Shops Named among the World’s Best: A Boost for Local Culture and Beyond

Two Connecticut coffee shops, Story and Soil Coffee in Hartford and Silk City Coffee in Manchester, have made it to the list of The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops. This prestigious recognition not only elevates these local gems but also positions Connecticut as a growing hub for specialty coffee culture. The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops is an esteemed annual ranking that considers innovation, ambiance, sustainability practices, and quality of coffee, with public votes and expert evaluations accounting for 70% and 30%, respectively. This year, Silk City Coffee ranked at No. 67, while Story and Soil Coffee secured the No.…
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Infusing Wine into Holiday Cookies with Cranberry-Wine Swirl Cookies

Infusing Wine into Holiday Cookies with Cranberry-Wine Swirl Cookies

If you're a wine and cookie lover, this recipe is right up your alley. Hailing from Northern California, these Cranberry-Wine Swirl Cookies offer an exquisite twist to traditional holiday treats. They combine the charm of a classic sugar dough with a tangy cranberry jam infused with red wine, resulting in a delectable symphony of flavors. In this unique recipe, the cranberries' acidity harmonizes beautifully with the tannins found in the wine, creating an extraordinary taste profile that complements your favorite wine varieties perfectly. The pectin in the cranberries solidifies the jam, ensuring it doesn't ooze out during baking. Although we…
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Unlocking the Versatility of NT’s Seikan-no-Shiro Matcha in Your Daily Routine

Unlocking the Versatility of NT’s Seikan-no-Shiro Matcha in Your Daily Routine

If you're a matcha enthusiast seeking a reliable, affordable blend that delivers on both usucha and latte fronts, look no further than NT's Seikan-no-Shiro. This versatile offering boasts a harmonious balance of mild umami and subtle sweetness that keeps bitterness at bay—perfect for crafting a smooth, creamy foam in your latte. Seikan-no-Shiro has carved out a niche among matcha aficionados for its consistent quality and versatile taste profile. In usucha (traditional whisked matcha), it offers a delicate balance of flavors that appeals to both purists and those who prefer a touch of sweetness. When transformed into a latte, the blend…
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