Big Beef with a beer? Wilbraham-based Friendly Ice Cream Corp. has applied for a beer-and-wine license for its location at 529 Memorial Drive in Chicopee. It’s part of an effort by the family-friendly chain to reinvent itself after emerging from...

The Sonoma-based winery has grown over the last 10 years, still producing a red blend but adding many varietals under the original Red Truck label as well as White Truck, Pink Truck and Green Truck, the latter offering wines made from organically grown...

The flavor profile is an oak infused plum with a hint of black currant. The finish is dry and its dusty tannins are nicely prolonged. The panel thought this Zin would pair well with beef bourguignon or Coq au Vin. Enjoy – KWGTP Winemaker Notes: Some of...

Seafood wine? Ayep. (Importer: Vinifera Imports) Viano Private Stock Contra Costa County Zinfandel ($7.50, 13%) What: One of the last honest table Zinfandels. Why: I hesitate to call Viano a great wine, only in that it might exceed this Martinez...

Black pepper appears at the very end. Finish – Very long and very flavorful, with black fruit yielding to red fruit and the wines earthen components of bramble, oak and spice. At the very end, these give way to slate and pepper notes. Conclusion – This...

[2009]: I had mixed feelings about Kuleto from its inception. (I first began reviewing its wines with the 2001 vintage.) I thought it was merely a vanity project from a celebrated restaurateur. Many of the initial wines were overpriced, although a trio...