Get ready for an adventure to discover a dizzying array of carnival drinks drunk around the world. First stop: Venice. Venice and the Spritz For Italians (and many others), Venice is the carnival. Every year, for a week, the city is transformed into an extravagant masked ball. Venice carnival officially began in 1296, when an edict declared the day before the beginning of Lent a public holiday. The inspiration? The…
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February 16th is International Syrah Day! The perfect opportunity to take a closer look at this world-famous grape variety. The origins of Syrah The origins of this grape variety, emblematic of the Rhône Valley, have long remained a mystery. But after exploring numerous hypotheses about its origin, such as Sicily, Syria, the city of Shiraz in Iran or a Greek island called Syros, a recent study has finally revealed the…
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Today is International Scotch Whisky Day, and we didn’t want to let the day pass without mentioning the link between Jerez (Andalusia) and Scotch whiskies. So keep reading to discover more about this special Spanish-Scottish connection and sherry cask ageing. The origin of a tradition Before we move on, let’s travel back in time for a moment. Let’s find out where the tradition of using sherry casks for ageing whiskies…
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Don’t leave your Valentine’s Day plans to the last minute. Whether you’re thinking of organising a romantic dinner at home, treating yourself, or want gift ideas for Valentine’s Day, Drinks&Co are here to help. Make the most of this romantic day and take the opportunity to surprise your partner. To that end, we’ve compiled these Valentine’s Day drinks ideas guaranteed to make anyone swoon. Valentine’s Day Gift Guide This 14th…
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The waves crash violently against the wood, making it squeak. We sway from side to side. Constant jolts knock us over as we traverse the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean in a 17th-century galleon. A suffocating heat and Anglo-Saxon screams fill the ship’s hold. It’s here that we find its most precious cargo: port wine. This is Portugal’s most famous fortified wine and one which is increasingly recognised internationally.…
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It’s official. NoLo (no or low alcohol) drinks are becoming increasingly popular. Consultancy IWSR forecasts global growth of 34% in the NoLo category by 2024. The Drinks Business, a publication specialising in the beverages sector, also provides data on this upward trend. At the end of 2021, it revealed that sales of non-alcoholic spirits in the UK increased by 91-106% in supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s that year –…
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Every January, the prestigious drinks magazine Drinks International publishes its Annual Brands Report, a comprehensive report on the best-selling drinks of the previous year. The list is compiled from detailed questionnaires based on purchasing habits and consumer behaviour sent to 100 bars around the world. On this occasion, bar owners, bartenders and managers from 36 countries were questioned, of which 40% were in Europe, mainly in France, Italy, the UK…
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Did you know that the 17th of January* is World Pizza Day? To celebrate, we asked our sommelier Matteo Cipollone (@enocracy) to recommend some fantastic wine pairings that will make a match made in heaven with your favourite pizzas: margheritas, marinara, veggie pizza, spicy pizza and much more. Let’s begin with some general rules of thumb when pairing pizza and wine. General rules for pairing pizza and wine Pairing wine…
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Looking for a drink that will lift your spirits and warm you up on a cold winter’s day? Then say hello to the hot toddy. Used for centuries as a medicinal aid, this winter warmer has stood the test of time around the world. But what is a hot toddy? Where does it come from? Can you make it with vodka or gin? Read on to find out and discover…
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What do Winston Churchill and Pol Roger champagne have in common? Why are roses grown in vineyards? Why can Riesling smell like petrol? Find out all this and more in Drinks&Co‘s compilation of interesting wine trivia to impress your friends and help you win that next pub quiz. Cabernet: The Superstar of Grapes Our first piece of wine trivia is about the world’s best-known grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon. Originally from…