We’ve been hearing a lot about women in the spirits industry (Leslie Gracie, Peggy Noe Stevens, Dr. Rachel Barrie), so this month I wanted to highlight one of the biggest names in the wine industry – Jancis Robinson. A prolific wine writer, journalist, and cellar advisor to Queen Elizabeth the 2nd, Ms. Robinson became theContinue reading “Jancis Robinson”
Author Archives: juliamenn
Uisga Beathe
Uisga Beatha (pronounced Oosh-kah Bae [Scottish] or Ish–kah Baha [Irish]) is Gaelic for ‘The Water of Life’ and used to describe that liquid golden nectar: Whisky. Why is Uisga Beathe synonymous with Whisky? Well, take your pick; from claims that it cured the common cold, smallpox, and other various ailments, not to mention warming theContinue reading “Uisga Beathe”
A New Wave of Whiskey
We’ve explored the terrain of pressure aging whiskey, so let’s take a dive into river aged whiskey. What does that even MEAN? Let me elucidate. With a 150+ year family history linking wood and water, maybe building a floating rickhouse isn’t so out of the ordinary for Ingram Whiskey and Brown Water Spirits, LLC Proprietor,Continue reading “A New Wave of Whiskey”
The Nespresso Machine for Whiskey
This article first appeared in the Oct 9th issue of Whiskey Network‘s weekly newsletter, Barrel Report. You may have heard of pressure aging whiskey – a process that condenses the years long aging process down to only a few weeks. But what if one could make an award winning whiskey in as little as threeContinue reading “The Nespresso Machine for Whiskey”
Coonawarra, Australia
Located in the Limestone Coast zone of Southern Australia, Coonawarra is Australia’s premier red wine growing region. While Australia may be typically seen as a hot country, the Coonawarra region is only 60 miles from the coast and has a climate similar to Bordeaux. It has been producing wines since the 1800s (originally focusing onContinue reading “Coonawarra, Australia”
A Day In The Vines
When I came across a Facebook event for a volunteer harvest day at a local Connecticut vineyard, I leapt at the chance to get outside and in the vines, meet like-minded people, and just enjoy myself. Paradise Hills Vineyard and Winery is family owned and operated. The Ruggiero’s started growing grapes in 1997 and soldContinue reading “A Day In The Vines”
5th State Distillery
Located in Bridgeport, CT, 5th State Distillery (formerly known as Asylum and recently having gone through a re-branding, aptly taking their name from CT being the 5th state to join the Union) is a small producer distilling a range of products using locally grown, non-gmo corn. They have about a dozen labels, ranging from ginContinue reading “5th State Distillery”
First Lady of Scotch
Dr. Rachel Barrie has worked in the whisky industry for nearly 30 years, is one of only a few women master blenders in the world, has been inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame, and is the Keeper of the Quaich. In 1991, Dr. Barrie started as a research scientist at The Scotch Whisky ResearchContinue reading “First Lady of Scotch”
Peggy Noe Stevens: World’s First Female Master Bourbon Taster
Peggy Noe Stevens is a trailblazer for women in the whiskey world. Having worked in the bourbon industry since the ‘80s, she is the world’s first female Master Bourbon Taster, founded The Bourbon Women Association in 2011, created her own company, has been inducted into several Halls of Fame, and even taught Julia Child aContinue reading “Peggy Noe Stevens: World’s First Female Master Bourbon Taster”
Mosel, Germany
Mosel is one of 13 wine regions in Germany, and it has received worldwide acclaim for the high quality Rieslings produced there. The Mosel region is located on the western border of Germany, above France and next to Luxembourg, and runs along the Mosel River for about 145 miles. Its wine-growing history dates back toContinue reading “Mosel, Germany”
The Wee Tipple, LLC 