Sweet and Salty News

Marco Alves

Senior Editor, Drinks

As the Senior Editor, Drinks at Sweet and Salty News, Marco Alves oversees coverage across wine, spirits, and mixology, including beats like The Cellar & Vine and Behind the Bar. He explores everything from oenology and global wine regions to distillation science and beverage program curation. Marco's approach is rooted in the belief that every bottle tells a story about a specific time, place, and culture, offering readers deep insights into what they drink. Through his writing, he aims to demystify complex fermentation techniques and classic cocktail crafting for both enthusiasts and professionals.

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

Juxtaposition of sun-scorched Italian vineyard and frost-covered vines, symbolizing the dual threats of heat and cold to global grape harvests.
The Cellar & Vine

Extreme weather accelerates Franciacorta's 2026 grape harvest to July 30

In Italy's Franciacorta region, the 2026 grape harvest is set to begin on July 30, marking the earliest start on record, according to Winenews It .

Jul 30, 2026 · 3 min read

A vineyard landscape showcasing the interplay of soil, rolling hills, and changing weather, illustrating how these elements influence wine flavor.
The Cellar & Vine

How Do Soil, Climate, and Topography Shape Wine Flavor?

In 2010, some Bordeaux wines reached an unprecedented 16% alcohol, a stark indicator of how quickly climate change is reshaping the very essence of classic wine regions.

Jul 18, 2026 · 5 min read

A sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktail centerpiece on a bar, with blurred patrons enjoying mocktails in the background, highlighting a vibrant social scene.
Behind the Bar

Top 6 Non-Alcoholic Drink Alternatives to Alcohol

Out of 95 non-alcoholic drinks taste-tested, several emerged with complex flavor profiles and satisfying textures that genuinely rival their alcoholic counterparts.

Jul 15, 2026 · 6 min read

An intimate bar scene in the American South, showcasing expertly crafted cocktails and a warm, historic ambiance with patrons enjoying the atmosphere.
Behind the Bar

Top 7 Cocktail Cities & Bars in the American South

At New Orleans' Jewel of the South, patrons sip a Crusta, one of the city's original cocktails, while enjoying rustic dishes like crisp tripe.

Jul 12, 2026 · 5 min read

European vineyard struggling with extreme heat, with a sommelier observing wilting grapevines and considering adaptation strategies.
The Cellar & Vine

EU Funds Help Wineries Adapt to Climate Crisis, But Deeper Changes Are Needed

French vineyards experienced temperatures as high as 44°C during a June heatwave, pushing traditional winemaking to its absolute limits, according to The Drinks Business .

Jul 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Interior view of Bluebird Distilling's Phoenixville location showcasing a modern bar area and a glimpse into the Dough House pizzeria kitchen, highlighting the fusion of spirits and food.
Behind the Bar

Bluebird Distilling Phoenixville adds Dough House pizzeria

Bluebird Distilling has poured $2.

Jul 7, 2026 · 2 min read

A lively bar scene showcasing the booming ready-to-drink cocktail market, with a visual representation of market growth and a decline for a legacy brand.
The Food Trade

RTD Cocktails Surge to Nearly $4 Billion Amid Market Shifts

In 2025, while the ready-to-drink cocktail market surged to nearly $4 billion, Jim Beam's RTD sales plummeted by 6.

Jul 3, 2026 · 3 min read

A parched vineyard with shriveled grapes under intense sun, symbolizing the impact of climate change on wine regions and land use.
The Cellar & Vine

Emerging Wine Regions Face Land Use Crisis Amid Climate Adaptation Challenges

When temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, grapevines face a profound crisis, leading to shriveled berries, degraded color, and drastically reduced yields.

Jun 29, 2026 · 4 min read

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