Jake Abrams

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — It’s no secret that the spirits industry is in a state of turmoil, as people drink less and purchase less alcohol. So why are celebrities still jumping into the space? And what does it take for their brands to actually be successful? I spoke with Ed Mundy, who heads up beverages research at investment bank and financial services firm Jefferies, to find out.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — I’ve always wanted to predict the future. Sadly, as of yet, I haven’t been able to. Since I don’t see that changing anytime soon, I thought I’d enlist the help of someone who can: Wine Enthusiast spirit reviewer and writer-at-large, Kara Newman. Every winter, Kara takes a look back at the year in cocktails and predicts where the industry will shift heading into the new year. She joined the podcast for this episode to volunteer as our 2026 crystal ball: Is it yet again, the year of the Dirty Martini? Will drink-flation reach a tipping point? Do zero-proof cocktails go mainstream? On this episode of the Wine Enthusiast Podcast, we get into all of it.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Whether your plans involve turkey or ham, pumpkin or sweet potato, or any combination of fall ingredients, the below list of favorite Thanksgiving recipes is sure to keep guests and hosts alike happy and thankful.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Thursday, September 11th marked the latest Italian iteration of Wine Enthusiast’s Sip event series at NYC’s City Winery. Set alongside the Hudson River in one of Manhattan’s most picturesque outposts, the event featured both trade and consumer portions where guests could sip through nearly 300 different Italian wines.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — For many Americans, purchasing a bottle of wine doesn’t happen at a boutique shop or winery tasting room. Instead, value-minded drinkers place low-cost bottles into their grocery store shopping carts next to dish soap, tofu, or popcorn. Yet these supermarket-brand bottles, which studies have shown can account for over 50% of off-premise wine purchases in the U.S., often play second (or third) fiddle to those from legacy estates in typical wine industry coverage. Why is that? In this episode of the Wine Enthusiast Podcast, we sit down with WE Writer-at-Large Emily Saladino, who reviews wines from Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, and Lebanon, to discuss her recent deep-dive into Trader Joe’s wines. From effervescent Vinho Verde to crowd-pleasing Bandol rosé, we explore the hidden gems of value that lie along TJ’s shelves and discuss what the success of grocery store wines tells us about how people really drink.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — No region is more synonymous with Spanish wine than Rioja. Sprawling along the Ebro river in North Central Spain, Rioja has built its reputation on red wines that balance elegance and power.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — When The Bear first premiered, it was widely hailed for capturing the high-intensity chaos of restaurant life. With each new season, the show has dived deeper into the emotional complexities that come with working in the industry for characters who have made it their life’s work. But, for certain viewers, it felt like the show was missing a crucial component—wine—especially when talking about a restaurant that is aiming for a Michelin star.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — At first, the Dirty Spritz seemed like another cursed TikTok cocktail, destined for thousands of shock-value views but with ultimately no staying power. Mixology is, of course, a field where creativity is key, and blending elements of the martini and the spritz seems like a forgone conclusion, but… combining sparkling wine and olive brine?

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Striking a perfect balance of sweet and savory, the Dirty Spritz is the newest cocktail to arise from the TikTok canon. While it’s currently trending, variations of the drink have been served at top cocktail bars for years, to overwhelmingly positive reception. Much like the Negroni Sbagliato, the bubbly drink has staying power far beyond its viral moment.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — No ingredient captures summer quite like watermelon. Refreshing, perfectly sweet and endlessly nostalgic, it sits atop the podium of the season’s best offerings.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Sometimes less really is more—especially behind the bar. And there’s a long list of two-ingredient cocktails that prove you don’t need a huge selection of liqueurs or syrups to embrace your inner mixologist. Need proof? Take a look at the cocktails we’ve rounded up below.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Bright, crisp and zesty, there are few better summer wines than Sauvignon Blanc. (Though these Chardonnays are looking pretty delicious and refreshing right now, too!) Hailing from France, this white grape is now planted all over the world, with popular bottlings from its homeland as well as New Zealand, Italy, the United States and beyond. We admit the word “best” is fairly subjective, as Sauv Blanc preferences can vary greatly from person to person. For this list, however, we selected the best Sauvignon Blancs we are currently drinking. After all, our favorites will always change depending on what’s available and what’s singing at a given moment.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Many drinkers have long held the opinion that a “good” bottle of wine must hail from a lauded region and come with a lofty price tag. But, over the past couple of decades, supermarkets and other big box retailers have been rewriting that script with affordable, well-scoring private label selections. Aldi, the German discount supermarket chain with a huge cult following, is a prime example.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Tannat is most often associated with the full-bodied, brambly wines of the Madiran appellation of Southwest France and the remarkably refined versions from Uruguay. However, single-varietal bottlings of the powerhouse grape have been gaining traction across the globe, in regions like Oregon’s Applegate Valley and California’s Central Coast. With their intense flavor, robust tannins and ability to shine alongside hearty, flavorful dishes, these wines are worthy of more attention than they receive.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — Finding a home-run Pinot Noir under $20 is no small feat, but the good news is that it’s far from impossible.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine — It’s the wine on a restaurant list or shop shelf that is a sure bet—at an affordable price. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is one of wine’s greatest success stories. Having shot to popularity in the last decades of the 20th century, it has since been enjoying the kind of success that makes other wine-producing nations watch with envy.

Gin Raiders — November has officially arrived -- the air has turned crisp, the clocks have been set back and the sun now goes down at 5 p.m. We here at Gin Raiders firmly believe that there’s no better excuse than the turning of seasons to have some friends over, lean into the beauty of the great indoors and brew up a big-batch cocktail full of autumn enchantment!

Gin Raiders — Here, we take a close look at a strange-sounding yet utterly delicious gin cocktail from North America's #1 Bar, Double Chicken Please.

Rum Raiders — Year after year, as the dog days of Summer wind down and the sticky heat of New York City attempts to make itself known one last time, tennis fans flock to the U.S. Open. For tennis, of course, but also for the chance to savor the tournament's iconic cocktail: the Honey Deuce.

Gin Raiders — Sam Wilkes-Green, formerly of Manchester's Arcane bar, has been crowned the winner of the first-ever Cygnus cocktail competition run by Sipsmith Gin.

Gin Raiders — Defined by its rainy climate and lush, verdant rows of Eucalyptus trees, Galicia, Spain, is rapidly becoming a basecamp for white-wine enthusiasts. Waters from the neighboring Atlantic Ocean and Rías Baixas (Galician for “Low Rivers”) have helped create soil and ecosystems rich with minerals, leading to the growth of unique grape vines. Wine made from the region’s signature white grape, Albariño, has boomed in popularity in recent years, due in part to its bright, fruity and acidic flavor (and its affordable price point). Whether you’re an Albariño fan already or are just looking for a new drink to shake things up, the grapevines of Galicia have got a treat for you — Gin!

Alt Citizen — Today, LA-based nonbinary artist/producer/multi-instrumentalist Body/Negative (aka Andy Schiaffino) is premiering the music video for "The Big Sleep" off their debut album Fragments. The album, out now via Track Number Records, consists of 7 dreamy, ambient, lo-fi songs that are seemingly minimalist, yet flow with energy and depth.