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WINTER’S weather has at last retreated(?) – we can actually see the grass! LUPEC ladies feel this seasonal shift is cause for celebration. We’ll reach for lighter spirits and celebrate spring by raising a Barbara West cocktail. This drink comes to us from Ted Haigh’s fantastic book Vintage Spirits and... Read More

INDIA PALE ALE was not always such a big deal. Hops were once anathema to what drinkers wanted. Whether in the form of bold aromas, citrusy and herbal flavors, or big, bold bitterness, American beer drinkers did not gravitate towards the hoppier end of the spectrum. During the earliest days... Read More

NEBBIOLO is certainly among the most enigmatic of grape varieties, far more “fickle” in nature, if one can even apply that word to a wine, and more site specific than Pinot Noir. Often spectacular in its home setting, the Langhe hills of Piemonte, interesting further north in the Norvara Vercelli... Read More

COLMAR Having examined the basics of vinous Alsace in the March 2O13 issue, I sought a brief update immersed in the food and wine of the region in June, thoroughly enjoying my research. I’d like to share my impressions, including visits to three wine producers. My focus was sharpened and... Read More

MODERN cocktailians love tequila, and we LUPEC gals are no exception. Classic cocktails made with tequila do not abound however, as the spirit really only became popular in the US in the 193Os and beyond. A gem that you might consider adding to your repertoire is the Armillita Chico brought... Read More

When brothers Ed and Rob Gillooly received the license for their newly minted Baystate Wine & Spirits on St. Patrick’s Day in 2OO5 they figured it must be a good sign. As a small company looking to break into the predominantly big business of wholesale wine and liquor distribution, the... Read More

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE is the runaway leading cause of death and disability in the developed world, with heart attack (myocardial infarction) the most frequent coup de grâce. Although some basic inherited vulnerabilities can be modulated to a modest extent by medical intervention – such as treatment of high blood pressure, high... Read More

IF YOU’VE HAD a cocktail in Boston in the last two decades, it’s more than likely Michael Ray made it for you at least once – twice, if you’re lucky. A staple ‘behind the stick’ for over 2O years, Ray has been a friendly face at some of the city’s... Read More

EVERYONE feels a little Irish this month, what with St. Patrick’s Day being one of Massachusetts’ favorite drinking holidays! It also happens to be a for-real holiday in the Bay State: Evacuation Day, established to commemorate the day when British troops evacuated Boston during the Revolutionary War. It ended an... Read More