Wine, Brews & Spirits

It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend, one's present or future thirst, the excellence of the wine, or any other reason. — Latin proverb

Here we offer information and education about Wine, Brews & Spirits: everything from how to taste, how to buy, and how to pair. And we'll offer new discoveries, profiles about wine makers, brewers, distillers, and great places you can go to explore.

NOTE: All products are independently reviewed and none have paid for recognition. If you produce or sell an item you believe should be included, please email us.

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Anchor Distilling, San Francisco: Crafting a Winner

Anchor beer

Our reviewers dive into what Anchor Distilling has to offer.

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Urban Winetopia: Wine Touring in Portland, Oregon

PDX Urban Winery

Our Beer Editor, Brian Yaeger, takes a bus tour of Portland’s urban wineries.

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Great Tequila: It’s More than Margaritas

Tequila shot

RFT sent writer Elizabeth Fagin to explore the world of great tequilas.

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Olmeca’s Tequilas: Treasures of Mexico

Olmeca Tequila glasses

RFT assembled a tasting panel to sample and review Olmeca’s Altos Plata and Altos Reposada Tequilas.

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Canadian Whisky: beer, back-bacon, plaid shirts, pucks, toques—rye whisky, eh? (Third in a three-part series.)

Wiser's whisky

The last in our three-part series on whiskey, expert Julie Pegg talks about Canadian whisky (no “e”).

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Irish Whiskey: Malted, Unmalted, and Bourbon (Second in a three-part series on whiskey.)

Sausages and mashed potatoes

Our expert, Julie Pegg, reveals the secrets of Irish whiskey.

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Getting the Holiday Spirit(s)

Italian red wine

Our Wine Editor, Julie Pegg, takes the stress and mystery out of choosing the right wines to pair with your holiday meal.

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Scotch Whisky: A Winter Toe-Warmer (First in a three-part series)

Single Batch whiskeys Glenora

Our Canada Wine and Spirits expert, Julie Pegg, begins a three-part series on whiskey (aka whisky), what she calls “a toe-warming elixir.”

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Rose Wines for Summer: (Re) Think Pink:

Blush wine Cremant de Lugny

Our wine expert and Wine Editor Julie Pegg dispels the myths about blush (pink) wines and gives us her pick of summer winners. Think pink!

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Gig Harbor’s First Beer Festival: Beer at its Local Best

7 Seas-tastertray

Gig Harbor, Washington’s first Beer Festival is a huge success and the time is ripe for expanding craft brewing in Washington.

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Wines to Pair with Asian Fusion Cuisine (Wine and Asian Foods Part 2)

bean curd skin with king oyster mushrooms and turffle vinaigrette

Our Vancouver, B.C. Wine Editor, Julie Pegg, talks about the challenges of pairing exotic Asian flavors with wine.

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Tri-Cities, WA: The Best of the Reds and More

Barrel room at Barnard Griffin Winery

Our wine correspondent, Michael Fagin, heads to Washington’s Tri-Cities area to bring you the best wines and some cool adventures.

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