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Silverbird Roasting Unveils Its First Cafe in Minneapolis: A Blend of Aviation and Coffee Culture

Silverbird Roasting Unveils Its First Cafe in Minneapolis: A Blend of Aviation and Coffee Culture

This is worth savoring: Silverbird Roasting has landed in Minneapolis, bringing its aviation-themed coffee culture to life in the Kingfield neighborhood. The first brick-and-mortar cafe, Silverbird Coffee & More, is a love letter to the sky, blending retro rock vibes, space-age design, and a relentless focus on quality. Inside, a condiment counter built from airline beverage carts nods to the brand’s jet-setting roots, while preserved 100-year-old wood floors and exposed ceiling beams whisper tales of the building’s past. The space is a masterclass in balancing style and substance—think brass fixtures, a matte black Synesso MVP Hydra espresso machine with a…
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Diedrich DR-280: The New Benchmark for Industrial Roasting

Diedrich DR-280: The New Benchmark for Industrial Roasting

This is worth savoring: Diedrich Roasters has just upped the ante in industrial roasting with the DR-280, a machine that redefines what a four-bag roaster can do. For years, the company has been a go-to for commercial operations needing scale, but the DR-280 isn’t just bigger—it’s smarter. With a capacity of 280 kilograms per batch and throughput hitting 2,156 pounds per hour, it’s built for roasteries that outgrew 35- or 70-kilo machines but haven’t yet reached commodity-scale volumes. The upgrade isn’t just about numbers; it’s about precision. At the heart of the DR-280 is a redesigned drum and airflow system…
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Fiorenzato’s Ada and RSG Ring Nut: Smarter Grinders for the Modern Barista

Fiorenzato’s Ada and RSG Ring Nut: Smarter Grinders for the Modern Barista

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: Fiorenzato is redefining espresso grinder intelligence with two game-changing updates. The Italian brand’s new Ada platform and RSG Ring Nut aren’t just incremental tweaks—they’re a seismic shift in how baristas interact with their equipment. At HostMilano 2025, the company unveiled these features as part of a broader push to merge analog craftsmanship with digital precision, turning grinders into adaptive tools that learn, adjust, and elevate every shot. Ada is the brain behind the operation. This connected platform syncs with compatible espresso machines via wired communication, pulling real-time data from flow meters while monitoring ambient…
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Vinho Verde: The Affordable, Versatile Wine You’re Missing Out On

Vinho Verde: The Affordable, Versatile Wine You’re Missing Out On

Let’s talk about the wine that’s as misunderstood as it is refreshing. Vinho Verde isn’t just a fizzy white wine—it’s a region, a culture, and a revelation for anyone who’s ever wanted something light, crisp, and undeniably Portuguese. If you’ve ever grabbed a green-topped bottle at your local shop, you’ve probably wondered why it’s so cheap, why it’s always bubbly, and why it’s never the star of a wine list. The truth? Vinho Verde is a gateway to a world of flavor, history, and value. The region itself is a marvel. Nestled in northern Portugal, the Douro Valley’s nine sub-regions…
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Sparkle Without the Ceremony: How La Marca Prosecco Transforms Cocktails

Sparkle Without the Ceremony: How La Marca Prosecco Transforms Cocktails

Pour yourself a cup for this one: La Marca Prosecco isn’t just a sparkling wine—it’s a blank canvas for reinvention. Born in the sun-drenched hills of Treviso, this Italian treasure has spent half a century balancing tradition and innovation. Its crisp, fruit-forward profile—green apple, peach, lemon—makes it a secret weapon for mixologists. Whether you’re crafting a Spritz or a modern twist on a Martini, La Marca’s effervescence elevates every sip. The magic begins with Glera grapes, harvested in the Prosecco DOC region where warm days and cool nights coax out their vibrant character. La Marca’s Martinotti Method—a second fermentation in…
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How to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew (No Mess, No Drama)

How to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew (No Mess, No Drama)

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: What if your corkscrew is missing and you’re mid-wine night? You’re not alone. From mountain peaks to city apartments, emergencies happen. The good news? There’s a toolkit of hacks to save your pour—and your dignity. Push the cork in with a screwdriver, wooden spoon, or butter knife. This method forces the cork deeper, making it easier to manage. Once pushed, use a straw or chopstick to keep it out of the way while pouring. Or pour directly into a decanter to avoid the glugging of the cork getting stuck. It’s a workaround, but it…
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Jackson Family Wines’ Washington Gambit: A Strategic Shift in Cabernet

Jackson Family Wines’ Washington Gambit: A Strategic Shift in Cabernet

Here’s what you need to know: Jackson Family Wines didn’t just stumble into Washington. For three decades, the Napa-based label has built its reputation on calculated moves—starting with Oregon’s Pinot Noir boom, then pivoting to Cabernet Sauvignon. When climate change and wildfires forced a rethink, the family’s answer wasn’t panic but precision. Their 2022 acquisition of Skysill Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley wasn’t a gamble; it was a masterstroke. The decision wasn’t born of hype. “We didn’t make any wine in 2020,” explains Chris Carpenter, JFW’s Napa Cabernet lead. “That’s when we started seriously considering alternatives.” The Blue Mountains’ cooling…
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Skip the Sample Pour: Why You Can (And Should) Ask for a Straight Pour

Skip the Sample Pour: Why You Can (And Should) Ask for a Straight Pour

Let’s talk about the awkward moment when your server holds up a wine bottle, waits for you to sniff, swirl, and nod, then pours. It’s a ritual that feels forced, especially if you’re not a wine expert. The truth? You don’t have to taste the sample. In fact, you’re allowed—and maybe even encouraged—to skip the whole thing. The process is meant to verify the wine’s integrity, not to test your palate. But if it’s making you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. The sample pour serves three purposes: confirming the bottle matches your order, checking for flaws like TCA (cork taint), VA…
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Garrigue: The Herb-Heavy Secret Behind Provence Wines (And Why It’s Not Just for France)

Garrigue: The Herb-Heavy Secret Behind Provence Wines (And Why It’s Not Just for France)

Get ready to sip on this: The term “garrigue” has become a wine world buzzword, but its roots are deeper than you think. It’s not just a Provence-only thing, and that’s why you’re seeing it on labels from places as far away as Greece and California. Garrigue is the wild, aromatic vegetation that thrives in the sun-scorched hills of the Mediterranean—think lavender, thyme, rosemary, and sage. These plants release their oils in summer, creating a sensory explosion that lingers in the air. The magic? Those same oils can cling to grape skins, infusing wines with a complex, earthy character. But…
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Seattle’s 10 Best Restaurants for Wine Enthusiasts

Seattle’s 10 Best Restaurants for Wine Enthusiasts

Seattle’s wine scene is thriving, blending Pacific Northwest terroir with global influences. Here are 10 spots where the city’s culinary and viticultural excellence collide. Canlis, a Grand Award winner since 1950, remains a benchmark for fine dining. Its prix fixe menu, overseen by chef James Huffman, pairs Pacific Northwest ingredients with verticals of Burgundy and Rhône classics. The Canlis Salad, prepared tableside, is a must-try. Wine director Ally Lanoue’s 2,600-label list includes rare vintages from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Salon, proving the city’s depth. Across town, Metropolitan Grill elevates steakhouse classics with rare cuts like Japanese snow beef and…
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