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2024 Côtes du Rhône: The Best Wines to Savor Now

2024 Côtes du Rhône: The Best Wines to Savor Now

This might just change your routine: 2024 Côtes du Rhône wines are delivering a rare blend of freshness and depth. While the appellation is often dismissed as a “starter” for wine drinkers, the 2024 vintage proves otherwise. This year’s conditions—warmer than average but with timely rain—created wines that balance ripe fruit with vibrant acidity. Unlike higher-tier crus, where terroir dominates, the 2024 vintage’s impact is magnified here, making it a masterclass in how climate shapes character. The 2024 vintage’s warmth and rain delivered a paradox: wines that feel both lush and lifted. In the northern Rhône, growers like Domaine Xavier…
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IWCA and Cup of Excellence Team Up to Elevate Women in Coffee

IWCA and Cup of Excellence Team Up to Elevate Women in Coffee

Coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts, tea devotees—here’s a move set to redefine the industry. The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) has struck new partnerships with Cup of Excellence (CoE) and the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE), aiming to amplify women’s roles in coffee’s most prestigious platforms. These memoranda of understanding (MOUs) are more than paperwork—they’re a blueprint for equity, designed to open doors for women producers, jurors, and buyers in a male-dominated field. CoE’s green coffee competitions and auctions have long been a gold standard, lifting microlots to record prices and global acclaim. Yet women remain underrepresented in these high-stakes arenas.…
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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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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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Two Hidden Coffee Gems That Define L.A.’s Cool Scene

Two Hidden Coffee Gems That Define L.A.’s Cool Scene

L.A.’s coffee scene isn’t just about the usual suspects. Beyond the chain cafes and trendy spots, two under-the-radar destinations are redefining what coffee can be—and where it can be found. These aren’t just places to grab a cup; they’re immersive experiences that blend culture, creativity, and a dash of rebellion. Kissaten Corazon, tucked into a warehouse just outside the Arts District, feels like a time capsule. The space is a love letter to both Japanese coffee traditions and L.A.’s underground vibe. Imagine velvet curtains, a piano, and dim lighting—plus a menu that pairs matcha with cantaloupe and wine from a…
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The US Rockies, Plains, and Southwest Have a New Coffee Renaissance

The US Rockies, Plains, and Southwest Have a New Coffee Renaissance

There’s something brewing in the American West this year—a quiet but determined renaissance of coffee culture, rooted in resilience and reinvention. From the rugged Rockies to the sun-scorched Plains and the vibrant Southwest, 2025 saw a wave of new coffee shops emerge, each one a testament to the power of craft, community, and a deep connection to place. These aren’t just cafes; they’re hubs of innovation, where sustainability meets sophistication, and every cup tells a story. Compact Coffee in Salida, Colorado, is a standout example. This service company turned brick-and-mortar shop blends wrenches and portafilters into a space that’s as…
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2025 Coffee Grinder Revolution: Precision, Tech, and the Future of Brewing

2025 Coffee Grinder Revolution: Precision, Tech, and the Future of Brewing

The coffee industry in 2025 didn’t just evolve—it redefined itself. At the heart of this shift? The grinder. No longer a silent workhorse, these machines became the centerpiece of innovation, blending cutting-edge connectivity, precision engineering, and user-centric design. From algorithm-driven adjustments to grind-by-weight tech, the year was a masterclass in how coffee gear can elevate both craft and efficiency. Connectivity transformed grinders from standalone tools into smart systems. Brands like Quamar and Fiorenzato embedded sensor-tracked extraction data, letting grinders automatically adjust based on espresso machine feedback. The Quamar Alpha’s 4.3-inch touchscreen and optional cooling system exemplified this trend, while Fiorenzato’s…
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8 Southern Italy Red Wines That’ll Surprise You

8 Southern Italy Red Wines That’ll Surprise You

Coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts, tea devotees—here’s your secret weapon. Southern Italy’s red wines are rarely spotlighted, yet they’re packed with depth, character, and a wildness that defies expectation. From volcanic soils to ancient vines, this region’s hidden gems offer a thrilling contrast to the usual Tuscan or Barolo crowd. These wines are the underdogs of the Italian wine world, and once you taste them, you’ll wonder why they’re not more celebrated. Aglianico is the king of Southern Italy’s dark horse roster. Found in Campania and Basilicata, it’s a grape that thrives in volcanic earth, delivering earthy, smoky notes with a…
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Lobster’s Wine Matchmaker: Why White Reigns, Reds Dare, and Sparkling Shines

Lobster’s Wine Matchmaker: Why White Reigns, Reds Dare, and Sparkling Shines

Lobster is a finicky guest at the dinner table—its delicate sweetness and buttery richness demand a partner that complements, not competes. Serve it with the wrong wine, and you risk drowning out its natural elegance. The solution? A white wine that balances the dish’s opulence with precision. White wines dominate the pairing landscape for lobster, and for good reason. Chardonnays, with their creamy textures or zesty acidity, are a safe bet. A California Chardonnay’s buttery finish mirrors the lobster’s sauce, while a steely Chablis or unoaked Pinot Gris cuts through the richness like a lemon zest. For grilled lobster or…
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Why Your K Ultra Burrs Might Look Different—and What That Means for Your Brew

Why Your K Ultra Burrs Might Look Different—and What That Means for Your Brew

Here’s what you need to know: The K Ultra burrs in your 1zpresso grinder might not be identical—and that’s normal. If you’ve noticed subtle differences in their geometry, you’re not alone. These variations can stem from manufacturing tolerances, generational updates, or even the way the burrs are assembled. The key isn’t to panic but to understand how these differences might impact your grind. The burr on the right, with its longer cutting teeth at the bottom, likely offers a finer grind at lower settings. This could translate to more extraction in your shot, but it risks over-extraction if not dialed…
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