Sweet and Salty News

Marco Alves

Senior Editor, Drinks

A certified sommelier and veteran journalist, Marco Alves began his career as a cellar hand in the Douro Valley before transitioning to writing. He served as the wine columnist for the 'San Francisco Chronicle' for ten years, followed by a tenure as Senior Editor at 'Imbibe' magazine. His reporting on the impact of climate change on heritage vineyards won a citation from the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Marco's approach is rooted in the belief that every bottle tells a story about a specific time, place, and culture.

Expertise

Oenology and ViticultureGlobal Wine RegionsDistillation and Spirits ProductionClassic and Modern MixologySake and Fortified WinesBeverage Program CurationFermentation Science

Coverage Areas

The Cellar & Vine
Behind the Bar
Global Drink Culture

Latest Articles

A steaming pot of colorful ratatouille with fresh vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes on a rustic kitchen counter.
The Test Kitchen

Easy Ratatouille Recipe Update Serves Warm, Cold, or Room Temp

Forget the fancy French reputation: ratatouille, a dish often associated with intricate preparation, can be frozen for up to three months, making it a surprisingly practical staple for busy weeknights

Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse group of Mexican winemakers in a modern vineyard at sunset, examining grapes, symbolizing innovation and tradition in the wine industry.
The Cellar & Vine

Mexican wine pioneers redefine tradition with innovative techniques

In 2023, sparkling wine sales in Queretaro alone topped US$481,000.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

A pint of beer on a bar counter with a $3.20 minimum price tag, illustrating the impact of new alcohol pricing policies on bars and consumers.
Behind the Bar

Minimum alcohol prices boost health but squeeze bars and consumers

In Alberta, a 20 oz. draught beer now costs a minimum of $3.20, a price floor designed to curb consumption that could reshape the province's bar scene and consumer habits. This new pricing structure,

Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read

Golden hour sunlight illuminates a sprawling vineyard in Essex, with rows of grapevines leading to a rustic winery, symbolizing the growth of wine tourism.
The Cellar & Vine

Essex Wine Tourism Booms, Driving Visitor Growth

In Essex, land prices in prime grape-growing areas have surged by 15% annually over the past five years, according to a Savills Rural Property Report.

Jun 18, 2026 · 4 min read

An open bottle of red wine preserved with a vacuum pump, ready for cooking or enjoying later.
The Cellar & Vine

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Party Wine This Year

A simple vacuum pump and your refrigerator can extend the life of an open bottle of wine for weeks, transforming what was once considered waste into a versatile ingredient or another enjoyable glass.

Jun 15, 2026 · 3 min read

A pitcher of fresh tomato michelada base on a kitchen counter with fresh ingredients, ready for effortless entertaining.
The Test Kitchen

Craft a Fresh Tomato Michelada Recipe for Effortless Entertaining

Forget muddling tomatoes for every single drink; a new recipe allows you to prepare a week's worth of fresh michelada base in one go.

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

A stylish home bar with various colorful beer cocktails, garnished with fruit and herbs, ready for guests to enjoy during a casual gathering.
Behind the Bar

Whip Up Easy Beer Cocktails with These Simple Home Recipes

Online searches for "beer cocktails" surged by 150% last quarter, according to Google Trends Data, signaling a quiet revolution in home entertaining.

Jun 12, 2026 · 2 min read

A golden-brown summer fruit pie on a rustic kitchen counter, surrounded by new, specialized baking tools that make pie-making easier.
The Test Kitchen

Mastering summer fruit pies with new baking tools

A simple silicone mat, precisely marked with diameter measurements, now transforms the daunting task of rolling out a perfectly round pie crust into a simple, foolproof step for any home baker.

Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read

A professional chef using a De Buyer blue carbon steel crepe and tortilla pan in a high-end kitchen setting.
The Test Kitchen

De Buyer's French-Made Pan Excels for Professional Chefs

For just $30, a De Buyer Blue Carbon Steel Crepe & Tortilla Pan, crafted in France, offers a gateway to professional-grade cooking that improves with every use, according to debuyer-usa .

Jun 12, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up of an expertly made cocktail in a dimly lit, upscale Seattle bar, with the city's nightlife blurred in the background.
Behind the Bar

Seattle's Best Bars Define the City's Evolving Nightlife

Russell's, a Seattle bar, has just been included on Esquire's coveted list of the best bars in America, a recognition industry insiders here already knew was well-deserved, according to The Seattle Ti

Jun 11, 2026 · 2 min read

A delicious-looking Peach Cobbler Bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, showcasing its frosting and texture, perfect for a summer treat.
The Test Kitchen

Nothing Bundt Cakes Debuts Limited-Time Peach Cobbler Cake

For just two weeks this summer, Nothing Bundt Cakes unveils a new Peach Cobbler flavor, alongside the six-week return of its S'mores cake.

Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read

Elegant hotel bar scene where a bartender prepares a colorful mocktail, highlighting the growing trend of non-alcoholic beverage options.
Behind the Bar

Hotel Bar Guests Embrace Mocktails, Signaling a Major Shift in Social Drinking

At The Ritz-Carlton, New York, a bespoke 'Emerald Elixir' mocktail, priced at $22, now consistently outsells its classic Old Fashioned on weeknights, a surprising shift reflecting evolving preferences

Jun 9, 2026 · 6 min read

A person savoring a glass of Luxardo's new decaf espresso liqueur in a sophisticated evening setting.
Behind the Bar

Luxardo Launches New Decaf Espresso Liqueur for Evening Indulgence

Luxardo, a brand synonymous with potent liqueurs, has just released an espresso liqueur containing a mere 0.

Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read

A delicious bowl of creamy pasta made with store-bought hummus, garnished with fresh herbs and olive oil, presented in a modern kitchen setting.
The Test Kitchen

Whip up easy healthy meals using store-bought hummus

Home cooks can create a creamy, filling pasta sauce in just two minutes, utilizing a tub of store-bought hummus.

Jun 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively and diverse crowd enjoying drinks and atmosphere at one of Chicago's newly acclaimed bars, showcasing the city's evolving nightlife.
The Test Kitchen

Chicago's Top New Bars Redefine Nightlife Scene This Year

For the first time in a decade, six new, often surprisingly casual, establishments have unseated long-standing craft cocktail institutions from Chicago's prestigious 'Top 10 Bars' list.

Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of glistening macerated strawberries in a glass bowl, coated in syrup and garnished with mint, under warm sunlight.
The Test Kitchen

Macerate Strawberries With Sugar for Sweet Summer Desserts

In just five minutes of preparation, a simple two-ingredient technique transforms ordinary strawberries into a glossy, syrupy delight perfect for any dessert.

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up of an expertly prepared craft cocktail on a polished bar counter in a Houston cocktail lounge, with soft ambient lighting.
Behind the Bar

Top 4 Cocktail Bars in Houston You Must Visit

Forget what was once known about Houston: a city once synonymous with oil rigs is now home to Anvil Bar & Refuge, a cocktail bar recognized among the world's elite by theworlds50best .

Jun 5, 2026 · 4 min read

A lively rooftop bar scene at sunset, showcasing diverse summer cocktails and happy patrons enjoying the ambiance.
Behind the Bar

Top 9 Summer Cocktail Bar Trends and Innovations You Need to Know

Echo Lake, a new rum bar in Williamsburg, opened in April offering $12 daily daiquiris, a price point that reflects both the allure of fresh summer cocktails and the rising cost of a night out.

Jun 5, 2026 · 8 min read

A diverse spread of artisanal and innovative snacks, including colorful fruit leathers, gourmet chips, and unique dips, arranged invitingly on a table.
The Cellar & Vine

Bon Appétit editors reveal their top new snacks for 2026

A small, independent Vermont producer of artisanal fruit leather saw its website crash after a single Bon Appétit editor mentioned their product in a June staff meeting.

Jun 4, 2026 · 3 min read

A close-up of an artfully prepared cocktail at a new Atlanta bar, with a sophisticated and intimate atmosphere in the background.
The Test Kitchen

Atlanta's Top New Bars Shine Bright

Tiger Sun demands attention with its $75 omakase-style cocktail experience: four cocktails and a small bite.

Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min read