Drinking Is Culture - Learn About Wine, Beer & Spirits | VinePair

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After Going Mainstream, Has Pumpkin Beer Become a Regional Specialty Again?

Joshua M. Bernstein

Why We Still Ask for a ‘Fifth’ at Liquor Shops, and the 1980 Law That Shrank U.S. Booze Bottles

We Asked

We Asked 14 Bartenders: What Bottle Is a ‘Green Flag’ When You See It at a Bar? (2026)

We Asked

We Asked 8 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Overrated White Wine? (2026)

PARTNER

Where to Find Espresso Martinis with Luxardo Espresso Liqueur in New York City

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The 2026 Next Wave Awards

The 2026 Next Wave Awards

VinePair Podcast Network

The VinePair Podcast

The VinePair Podcast

The VinePair Podcast: Can Drinks Brands Tap Into Halloween’s Ascendence?

The Buildout

The Buildout

The Buildout Podcast: Rick Bayless

Wine 101

Wine 101

Wine 101: American Wine Stories: MJ Towler and the Grenache Festival

Booze News

Booze News Weekly Roundup: Judge Approves RNDC Chapter 11, Class Suit Brews Against Celsius, and More · Booze News Weekly Roundup: Supreme Court to Hear Home Distilling Case, Fawn Weaver Motions to Block Uncle Nearest Sale, and More · Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Against Costco Over 100% Agave Claims · Booze News Weekly Roundup: Uncle Nearest Nears Sale, a $5M Wine Heist in Italy, and More

Coors Distributing Co. Is Fighting for Its Life — and the Future of the Middle Tier

Dave Infante

Coors Distributing Co. Is Fighting for Its Life — and the Future of the Middle Tier

illustration: Srishti Bhawal

Booze News Weekly Roundup: Judge Approves RNDC Chapter 11, Class Suit Brews Against Celsius, and More

Booze News Weekly Roundup: Judge Approves RNDC Chapter 11, Class Suit Brews Against Celsius, and More

Booze News Weekly Roundup: Supreme Court to Hear Home Distilling Case, Fawn Weaver Motions to Block Uncle Nearest Sale, and More

Booze News Weekly Roundup: Supreme Court to Hear Home Distilling Case, Fawn Weaver Motions to Block Uncle Nearest Sale, and More

Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Against Costco Over 100% Agave Claims

Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Against Costco Over 100% Agave Claims

Videos

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As chef of the No. 1 restaurant on the NY Times 100 Best Restaurants List, Paul Carmichael has no business being this fun. Needless to say, we are inspired and ready at any moment to spend a night with this Barbados-born icon. Be sure to stop by and say hello at Kabawa, order the Kabawa Martini (our 2026 Martini Madness Winner), and dive into some of the best Pan-Caribbean food in New York, if not the world. Cheers!

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At the newly opened Bar CC (@barccnyc), a Dirty Martini doesn’t just have one brine, it has three. Follow along to see how bar director Harrison Ginsberg (@harrison.ginsberg) brings together mignonette, gordal olive, and piparra pepper brines into a complex, and deeply savory Dirty Martini riff.Of course, you should swing by Bar CC for the real deal, but if you’re looking to make this Martini at home, Harrison offered us a helpful tip: stir your Martini for longer than you think. The perfect dilution and temperature requires patience and a lot more ice than most would expect. If you’re really going for it, top your mixing glass with fresh ice before pouring so that the liquid’s last moments before hitting your glass are as cold and crisp as possible. Cheers!📸: @jacobkleaf

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We are back in London to catch up with Bertie Morris from Brutes of Mayfair. He’s got many recommendations, but you should definitely stop by and enjoy a Martini at this special Mayfair spot. Cheers!

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The Kombu Celery at Bar Goto (@bargoto_nyc) has long been considered one of New York’s best and most beloved bar snacks. We stopped by the famed Lower East Side bar for a behind-the-scenes look at how Kenta Goto (@kenta_san) and his team make it.(We know the recipe is incomplete — Kenta may have written a comprehensive bartending book, but he still wants to keep this iconic dish a secret.)

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For our first-ever chef edition of Hidden Gems, we’re handing the reins to Ed Szymanski of Dame, Lord’s, Crevette, and the soon-to-open Chippy’s fish & chips stand and Friars wine bar.Here are some of the spots around NYC this wine-loving London-born chef goes to when he’s not in the kitchen.

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Every month we host a different bartender at VinePair headquarters, and this time, we polled the crowd: what bourbon cocktails are customers calling for and what builds are they missing out on?Huge thank you to Jen Murphy (@jenmnyc) and her incredible team at Banshee (@banshee_nyc) for making this a night we won’t soon forget. Also a big thanks to Four Roses (@fourrosesbourbon) for sponsoring this month’s party. Cheers!

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Going out in Paris? Be sure to save this stellar list from Hyacinthe Lescoët (@hyacinthelescoet) from The Cambridge Public House (@thecambridge_paris) in the heart of the Marais. And if you aren’t going out in Paris, it’s time to convince your friends to take a vacation.

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Sipping a dark beer with a briny oyster might seem unusual, but the combo actually has a rich history. We stopped by Dean’s (@Deans.newyork) and Banshee (@banshee_nyc) to find out more from two of New York’s best bartenders.Fun fact: at Dean’s, the oyster options change regularly with the season, but always stay focused on East Coast oysters. When we were there, they were serving Mere Point and Peconic Gold oysters. And at Banshee, Jen Murphy receives a daily delivery of fresh oysters from her purveyor — served dressed with house made hot sauce or chive oil to amplify the flavor pairing.Huge thanks to head bartender of Dean’s, Laurel Delany, and owner of Banshee, Jen Murphy, for having us. Be sure to visit them soon, while oyster season is in full swing. 🦪

Buying Guides

The 30 Best Zinfandels for 2026

The 30 Best Zinfandels for 2026

7 Chardonnays You Should Try if You Like Big, Oaky Wines

7 Chardonnays You Should Try if You Like Big, Oaky Wines

The 30 Best Rye Whiskeys to Drink in 2026

The 30 Best Rye Whiskeys to Drink in 2026

Where to Drink in NYC

October 2026

Spirits

A Wine Cellar Was Left Untouched Since 1939. Here’s What Was Found

A Wine Cellar Was Left Untouched Since 1939. Here’s What Was Found

Ask a Bartender: Is There a ‘Right’ Way to Split the Check?

Ask a Bartender: Is There a ‘Right’ Way to Split the Check?

10 Bars and Restaurants That Defined the Modern Martini

10 Bars and Restaurants That Defined the Modern Martini

The VinePair Podcast: Drinks Marketing Needs to Target Where People Actually Consume

The VinePair Podcast: Drinks Marketing Needs to Target Where People Actually Consume

The Buildout Podcast: Corima

The VinePair Podcast: Celebrating Those Moving the Industry Forward

The Omakase Fad Took Over Restaurants. Now, It’s Coming for Bars

The VinePair Podcast: Can Brands Still Go From Regional to National?

Wine

7 of the Best Chardonnays From Germany

Good Wines

7 of the Best Chardonnays From Germany

Wine 101: Quiet Reflection on a Personal Visit to Wine Country

Wine 101: Quiet Reflection on a Personal Visit to Wine Country

Art and Wine Have a Long History. But Does Art Sell Wine?

Art and Wine Have a Long History. But Does Art Sell Wine?

We Asked 10 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Underrated Sauvignon Blanc? (2026)

We Asked

We Asked 10 Sommeliers: What’s the Most Underrated Sauvignon Blanc? (2026)

8 Producers You Should Know To Get Into Bordeaux

Next Wave

Next Wave Awards Nonprofit of the Year: AAPI Food & Wine

Next Wave

Next Wave Awards Industry Icon of the Year: Kimball House

Next Wave

Next Wave Awards Retailer of the Year: Vesper Books and Wine

Beer

The Highest-Rated IPA in Every State (2026) [MAP]

The Highest-Rated IPA in Every State (2026) [MAP]

The Highest-Rated Beer in Every State (2026) [MAP]

The Highest-Rated Beer in Every State (2026) [MAP]

Next Wave Awards Brewery of the Year: Eckhart Beer Co.

Next Wave

Next Wave Awards Brewery of the Year: Eckhart Beer Co.

Next Wave Awards Brewer of the Year: Eamoni Collier

Next Wave

Next Wave Awards Brewer of the Year: Eamoni Collier

Next Wave

Next Wave Awards Restaurant of the Year: Creepies

Next Wave

Next Wave Awards Bar of the Year: Vandell

From the Blacksmith to the Gonster, Here Are 8 Popular Guinness Cocktails to Try

Beverage Programs Are Under Pressure. These Pros Are Finding Ways to Adapt.