Winter 2021 Vol . 2 No . 4

EDITOR Melissa Dowling 763-383-4442 mdowling @ epgmediallc . com

MANAGING EDITOR Kyle Swartz 763-383-4447 kswartz @ epgmediallc . com

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Nicole Siewert nsiewert @ epgmediallc . com

SALES AND TRAFFIC COORDINATOR Kurt Eisinger 763-383-4420 keisinger @ epgmediallc . com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Marnie Old

SENIOR REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS Mark Marcon 763-383-4456 mmarcon @ epgmediallc . com

Debbie Rittenberg 763-383-4455 drittenberg @ epgmediallc . com

LIST RENTAL Joanne Juda-Prainito jjuda-prainito @ epgmediallc . com 763-383-4401

REPRINTS Bernadette Wohlman bwohlman @ epgmediallc . com 763-383-4464

Cheers @ Home ® is published by EPG Media & Specialty Information

Editorial offices at 10405 6th Ave N , Suite 210 , Minneapolis , MN 55441 Tel : 763-383-4400 • Fax : 763-383-4499

CEO Marion Minor SR VP / AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Joanne Juda-Prainito OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Bernadette Wohlman BEVERAGE GROUP VICE PRESIDENT Jeremy Nedelka

Cheers @ Home is published four times per year ( Spring , Summer , Fall , Winter ) by EPG Media & Specialty Information , 10405 6th Ave N , Suite 210 , Minneapolis 55441 .

All subscriptions payable in U . S . dollars . Payment must accompany order . To subscribe visit https :// cheersonline . com / cheershome / or call customer service ( 763 ) 383-4492 Contents copyright © 2021 by EPG Media & Specialty Information , 10405 6th Ave N , Suite 210 , Minneapolis 55441

WE ’ VE RECENTLY AMASSED quite a collection of drink recipes for fall , holiday and winter celebrations . One thing that struck us this year was how many of these cocktails used rum , particularly aged rum .

Many people think of rum as more of a warm-weather drink . And it ’ s true that several of the summer or frozen “ vacation ” cocktails such as Pina Coladas , Mojitos and Strawberry Daiquiris use rum — typically white rum .

But premium aged rum — a relatively new category in the U . S .— not only makes wonderful cocktails , it ’ s perfect for sipping on by the fire , much like a fine whiskey , brandy or Cognac .

Several high-end rums have taste profiles that are similar to whiskey , but are more approachable . They share flavor characteristics of caramel , vanilla and spice , as well as color from extended aging in charred oak casks .

Aged rum also tends to be a great value , with price points much lower than whiskey for products of comparable age and quality .

Our cover cocktail — Winter Wine Punch — incorporates an aged rum from Venezuela with red wine , sparkling wine and other seasonal ingredients . You can find that recipe and others starting on page 10 .

Also in this issue , the director of wine for Fleming ’ s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar shares some delightful food pairings for Thanksgiving and other holidays . Another wine expert offers some wine ideas for lamb dishes .

We also look at the history of some of the traditional holiday beverages and France ’ s influence on the modern wine world . If you ’ re looking to enhance your home bar set-up , we provide an overview of the different glasses and what they ’ re best used for .

And if you ’ re shopping for sparkling wines for the holidays , check out our wine reviews of sparklers . Champagne is the , well , Champagne of sparkling wines , but there are many different styles from all over the world .

Whatever you decide to pour in your toasting glass , we at Cheers @ Home want to wish you a most happy holiday and a wonderful winter . Cheers !

Reproduction without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited . EPG Media & Specialty Information , publishes Cheers , Beverage Dynamics , StateWays , Wine & Spirits Industry Marketing , Handbook Advance , Liquor Handbook , Wine Handbook , Beer Handbook and Fact Book .

Melissa Dowling Editor

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ! Email your comments to mdowling @ epgmediallc . com

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