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Texas Wine’s Rise: The 2026 Forecast

Texas Wine’s Rise: The 2026 Forecast

The verdict is in: Texas wine isn’t just growing—it’s redefining the industry. From the dusty plains of Lubbock to the rolling hills of the Hill Country, Texas has transformed from a footnote in viticulture to a force to be reckoned with. With a $22.4 billion industry now thriving, the state’s wines are claiming Double Golds and Best of Show titles on the global stage. But the real story isn’t just about trophies—it’s about resilience, innovation, and a climate that’s finally bending to the will of vintners. The Texas wine renaissance began 50 years ago, born from the ashes of Prohibition.…
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Columbia Valley’s Hidden Gem: How Avallé is Rewriting the Rules of Wine

Columbia Valley’s Hidden Gem: How Avallé is Rewriting the Rules of Wine

Time to spill: The Columbia Valley isn’t just a wine region—it’s a story in the making. Bryan Otis, founder of Avallé, isn’t just selling bottles; he’s curating an experience that ties soil, sun, and spirit into something unforgettable. For Otis, the region’s “Golden Era” isn’t a marketing buzzword—it’s a reality shaped by decades of patience, precision, and passion. “We’re not just making wine,” he says. “We’re inviting people into a living, breathing ecosystem.” Otis’s journey began behind the bar, where he honed his craft as a sommelier and volunteer pourer. But it was walking vineyards and sorting fruit that revealed…
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Budapest: The Secret Natural Wine Capital You’ve Been Missing

Budapest: The Secret Natural Wine Capital You’ve Been Missing

This is worth savoring: Budapest isn’t just a city of thermal baths and grand architecture—it’s also a hidden gem for natural wine lovers. While Napa and Bordeaux dominate the global wine map, Hungary’s capital is quietly becoming a pilgrimage site for those chasing unfiltered, terroir-driven vintages. Natural wines, made with minimal intervention and reverence for tradition, are thriving here. Budapest’s cafés and wine bars now serve curated selections of local and international natural wines, blending Hungary’s ancient winemaking roots with modern curiosity. Hungary’s natural wine movement isn’t accidental—it’s a reclamation of history. The country’s winemaking dates back to Roman times,…
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Time to spill: Armenia’s Wine History Museum isn’t just a museum—it’s a time machine

Time to spill: Armenia’s Wine History Museum isn’t just a museum—it’s a time machine

Time to spill: Armenia’s Wine History Museum isn’t just a museum—it’s a time machine. Nestled in Sasunik, 30 kilometers from Yerevan, this immersive space transforms visitors into participants, threading millennia of viticulture through hands-on exhibits and jaw-dropping relics. Here, wine isn’t just a drink; it’s a narrative etched into stone, bone, and barrel. Ancient coins from the region depict kings entwined with grapevines, a visual testament to Armenia’s millennia-old bond with viticulture. Yet the real magic lies in the museum’s ability to make history feel alive. Director Hayk Gyulamiryan, an archaeologist by trade, has turned this space into a living…
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Keuka Spring Vineyards Unveils Sophisticated New Tasting Room in Saratoga’s Spring Street

Keuka Spring Vineyards Unveils Sophisticated New Tasting Room in Saratoga’s Spring Street

If you haven’t tasted Keuka Spring Vineyards’ new tasting room yet, you’re missing a rare blend of ambition and artistry. Nestled on Spring Street in downtown Saratoga, the winery’s expanded space isn’t just a upgrade—it’s a statement. Once confined to a cramped 300-square-foot pop-up in the Saratoga Marketplace, Keuka’s latest iteration is a curated haven for wine lovers, blending rustic charm with modern flair. The transformation is palpable: think reclaimed wood bar tops, a curated cheese cooler, and a back room that feels less like a shop and more like a wine library. The shift from plastic cups to glassware…
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France’s Coffee Scene Is Undergoing a Quiet Revolution

France’s Coffee Scene Is Undergoing a Quiet Revolution

France’s coffee scene is undergoing a quiet revolution. For centuries, cafés have been the heartbeat of French life—places where conversations linger, newspapers are read, and the ritual of coffee is as important as the drink itself. But today, a new wave of specialty coffee is creeping into this tradition, redefining what it means to sip a cup in Paris or Lyon. While classic bistros still dominate, the rise of minimalist cafés, Nordic-inspired brews, and a growing appetite for quality are reshaping the landscape. This shift isn’t just about better beans—it’s about reimagining how coffee fits into French culture. The transformation…
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The 2025 Coffee Roasting Revolution: Tech That’s Heating Up the Industry

The 2025 Coffee Roasting Revolution: Tech That’s Heating Up the Industry

Here’s what you need to know: 2025 wasn’t just another year in coffee—it was a turning point. As roasters grappled with tariffs, supply chain chaos, and the relentless march of AI, the industry found itself at a crossroads. Yet, amid the turbulence, innovation surged. From AI-driven roasting systems to modular machines that redefine efficiency, the year delivered tools that are as disruptive as they are precise. The spotlight belonged to the Mago Maga P3000, a fluid-bed roaster priced at €32,900 and limited to 100 units. Its five automated profiles, adjustable for batches of 150–300 grams, signaled a shift toward precision.…
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Idyll Coffee Roasters: Reviving North Avenue’s Empty Space with Coffee and Community

Idyll Coffee Roasters: Reviving North Avenue’s Empty Space with Coffee and Community

Pour yourself a cup for this one: Two years ago, a vacant city-owned building on Wauwatosa’s North Avenue was a relic of neglect. Now, it’s a hub of clinking mugs, buzzing espresso machines, and a community that’s finally found its rhythm. Idyll Coffee Roasters, the brainchild of Amy and Dave Tamburrino, Karen Kurgan, and Peter Sohnle, has transformed the space into a sanctuary for specialty coffee, sustainability, and local connection. The co-owners didn’t just chase a dream—they built one. Kurgan’s decades of experience in Milwaukee’s coffee scene, including leadership at 68th Street Colectivo, laid the groundwork for a project that…
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Lirac’s Quiet Revolution: The Southern Rhône’s Best-Kept Secret

Lirac’s Quiet Revolution: The Southern Rhône’s Best-Kept Secret

Lirac is the Southern Rhône’s best-kept secret—and it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. Nestled just across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this appellation shares the same terroir, grape varieties, and mistral winds, yet it’s carving out its own identity with wines that are fresher, lighter, and more approachable. Over the past decade, a wave of new producers has crossed the river to plant roots here, turning Lirac into a hotbed of innovation. The results? Reds that echo Châteauneuf’s boldness but with a signature brightness, thanks to cooler microclimates and unique soil compositions. The magic of Lirac lies in its…
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Bend’s Hidden Gems: Where Artisan Coffee Meets Soul

Bend’s Hidden Gems: Where Artisan Coffee Meets Soul

The verdict is in: Bend’s coffee scene is less about beans and more about the people who grow, roast, and serve them. For years, the city boasted the highest number of coffee roasters per capita in the U.S.—a title now held by Portland—but its legacy of craftsmanship remains unmatched. Here, coffee isn’t just brewed; it’s curated. Third-wave roasters spend years building relationships with farmers, swapping stories over coffee rather than just transactions. At Bellatazza, owner Stewart Fritchman describes his work as “hours with plantation owners in Guatemala, discussing Uncle Juan’s surgery.” This intimacy isn’t just about beans—it’s about connection. These…
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