wine

Born in the sunny vineyards of New Zealand, there's no better choice than Whitehaven's Sauvignon Blanc to match the sweltering heat only the Fourth of July can bring. The bright and infectious vibrancy of just one bottle will remind you of what summer is all about.

This holiday season, rise above the noise of excess and gift with purpose by selecting presents that champion your values. Consider purchases that restore ecology, improve livelihood, and ensure animal welfare for farming communities. To support a sustainable and regenerative future, give clean and nourishing food and beverages.

Prosecco might evoke warm summer evenings while prosciutto conjures scenes of generous platters at a casual weekend lunch. But would “sparkling wine” or “thinly sliced ham” have the same impact? Australian producers would argue they wouldn’t. They are fighting a push by the European Union to stop them from using these and other terms that indicate the geographical origin of numerous cheeses, wines and other foodstuffs now widely produced in Australia.

The most popular certification that many notice is the USDA Organic Seal, which indicates that 95% or more of the ingredients are certified organic with no GMOs. However, there is a new certification, Regenerative Organic Certified. This distinction goes beyond the traditional organic standards by emphasizing the regeneration of soil health, animal welfare and social fairness.

This desire for quality products from accountable businesses cuts across industries, with brands from the fashion and food sectors to those in technology and transportation showing it is possible to do things differently. More than ever, brand communications are revealing the authenticity, transparency and integrity that are essential ingredients to today's conscious consumers. One way to verify that a brand operates responsibly is through a trusted third-party certification, like the nonprofit B Lab’s B Corp Certification.

One reason for the inconsistencies in the literature could stem from the fact that much of the previous research has traditionally treated alcohol as a single entity rather than separately measuring the effects of beer, cider, red wine, white wine, Champagne and spirits. Yet, even when broken down in this way, the research yields mixed messages. For example, one study has suggested that drinking more beer contributes to a higher waist-to-hip ratio.

Rich and undeniably decadent, dark chocolate is the ideal final pairing to offer guests. The flavors of coffee and dark chocolate are often fused together as they mingle together.  A bold, rich beer or heavy ale matches dark chocolate well. A tawny port that isn’t too fruity can be a nice complement to coffee flavors while bringing out the dark chocolate elements. Finally, a sweeter bourbon with a smoky finish pairs nicely with the dark chocolate, which in turn brings out the barrel notes of the spirit.

It's all about location. Pinot Gris is from France, while Pinot Grigio is from Italy. Same wine variety, different names based on where it is produced. In the U.S., you'll see both names used interchangeably. The flavor varies widely depending on where the grapes are grown. All Pinot Grigios are not created equal. There are three main flavor profiles: mineral and dry, fruit forward and dry, and fruity and sweet.