It continues to be a difficult season for wine crops in Europe. Frost earlier this season damaged many celebrated vineyards and assessments continues to come in. Drinks Business caught up with a producer in Rioja who admitted things are bad, but also offered some good news.

Can words influence your wallet and taste buds? Decanter reports that researchers in Australia found that more creative and vivid wine descriptions on bottle labels, including the back-story to a winery, can encourage people to spend more money and increase their enjoyment after popping the cork.

With so many flavors present in beers these days, and restaurants adding beer cellars to their lists, there’s a fine line between what’s a desired flavor due to age and what’s just old. Patrick Dawson, the man who wrote the book on aging beers offers some assistance.

Take 30 seconds and join Adam Rapoport of Bon Appétit in appreciating the necessity of the silicone ice tray. If these aren’t in your freezer now, they should be by the time you start pouring cocktails this holiday weekend.

It’s wedding season and if you really want to impress the newly weds, spring for these whiskies that will last the test of time.