Baby, it’s cold outside! To counter the chill, there is nothing like wrapping your fingers around a warm cup of tea, an earthy richness rising and prepping your senses for that first sip.
The complexities of tea are boundless. The leaves, the liquor, the aroma and the flavor create an experience that can range from bright to floral to malty to vegetal. Fragrance, or the nose, introduces the tea. Its taste lends astringency, and body offers weight and substance in the mouth. Is the tea lively and refreshing like orange pekoe; flowery or malty sweet like Assam; reminiscent of grapes like Darjeeling; or grassy green? It may be round, lush, full or clean, and signature attributes will correspond strongly with its origin, whether country or type. These impressions remain on the tongue, providing a lasting finish.
The spring season brings diverse weather, so it is ideal to have a wide variety of wines on hand. John Vankat tasted more than 100 wines from various grapes for this column, and narrowed down his favorites across a broad range of prices. Read morePine Wine: Wines for spring
Masters of Brewtality reviews a haunted grocery store, a board game haven, gourmet sandwiches, delicious street dogs and a classic sports bar. A night of fun awaits! Read moreMasters of Brewtality's boozy venue voyage
John Vankat's curated list of fine wines across various price ranges, with detailed descriptions and recommendations for Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Read morePine Wine: Wines for sharing and celebrating
Summer is the peak time for outdoor grilling, and the wines recommended here are excellent choices for now and into the fall. Read morePine Wine: Wines for Summer
John Vankat highlights a range of exceptional wines for every budget, providing detailed tasting notes and recommendations. Read morePine Wine: Wines for Spring
Romantic wines express captivating aromas and flavors ideal for celebrating love and are exceptionally pleasing throughout the year. Below are my recommendations across a broad range of grapes… Read moreBy the bottle: Wines for the big day and beyond
Happy holidays, boils and ghouls, this month, the festive freaks and gluttonous geeks down here in the Masters of Brewtality crypt are bringing you the definitive guide to drinking up December… Read moreMasters of Brewtality drinks up December