Albert Trummer’s partner at Apotheke is suing him for ignoring orders to stop using booze to light up the bar for his signature pyrotechnic tricks. [NY Daily News]
A new study in the U.K. claims that alcohol is more harmful a drug than crack. Of course, the study was authored by Dr. David Nutt, who was fired as the country’s chief drugs adviser last year. [BBC]
Single malts are all the rage in China, as they’ve become a status symbol for affluent young men who prefer them over blended Scotches. [Wall Street Journal]
The Japanese wine grape koshu may become the country’s first internationally known white wine varietal. Apparently, its light and crisp wines pair well with Japanese food. [NY Times]
Clover Club has partnered with Mice at Play to host a women-only bartending class on November 11, led by consulting mixologist Charlotte Voisey. [NY Post]
Several new American vodkas are cropping up, including Vermont Gold, made from maple syrup; 4 Orange, made from citrus; and Boyd & Blair, a potato vodka. [Wall Street Journal]
As a nod to its Chinese customers, who love them some high-end Bordeaux, Château Lafite-Rothschild has put the Chinese numeral eight on its 2008 bottles. [Wall Street Journal]
A Portuguese wine family is trying to save 188 of the country’s 258 native wine grape varietals by planting them in an experimental vineyard. [Reuters]
A new study reveals that drinking red wine can help women lose weight as it may prevent the development of fat cells and generally speeds up metabolism. [KPSP Local 2]
Danish beer corporation Carlsberg has recalled 500,000 bottles of its Tuborg brand due to fears that they could contain small pieces of glass. [Sky News]
Bed-Stuy teens are pissed at Spike Lee for his Brooklyn-themed Absolut Vodka billboards, which dominate the still poverty-stricken area. [NY Daily News]
Brooklyn pickler Brooklyn Brine Co. has introduced pickles brined in McKenzie Rye Whiskey from Finger Lakes Distilling. [Ithaca Journal]