Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Proof.
Perfect Frozen Cocktails to Make at Home
The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo's 'Diamonds Is Forever Martini' is the world's most expensive cocktail. They claim this title with the $18,500 cocktail set with a one-carat diamond for a garnish. However, those of us who don't quite have that much spare change may wish for an easier way to get our cocktail fix.
By Paul Martin5 years ago in Proof
I cut out alcohol from my diet and this is what happened.
As a young adolescent teenager or college student, in America, there is something that starts to become constantly encouraged and accepted by the society around you, and that is alcohol. It’s all around you and probably has been since you were growing up. You see it in tv commercials, movies, restaurants, family gathers, and social media. Alcohol is something that culturally we have found a way to integrate into our lives and society has entirely normalized drinking and quite frankly, encourages it.
By Keisha Oleaga5 years ago in Proof
Habushu
Food culture As an aspiring anthropologist, looking at food culture is essential for understanding many deeper cultural elements. Food allows us to see what's available & valued by a culture as well as gives insight into certain customs & delicacies. During my travels around Southeast Asia, some of the most interesting flavors were introduced to my palate. While the United States does have many qualities that make us a cross-cultural entity, our great melting pot cannot fully capture certain aspects of the homelands. Perhaps it's the local ingredients, or a recipe that's been passed down for generations that make certain food taste so unique in the homeland. Food brings us together, allows us to explore, and gives insight into other cultures.
By Jeffrey A. Sapp 5 years ago in Proof
To Kir, or Kir Royale?. Top Story - July 2021.
Despite being the plebeian I am, I have been fortunate enough to have traveled well-beyond where I was born here in the United States of America. In fact, I can't actually remember the state where I was born. I was too young, and we moved when I was six months old due to my father being re-stationed. He was in the military.
By Mimi Sonner5 years ago in Proof
Secret Santa
In April 2021, I was visiting my family and was at my sister’s house. While we were sitting in her living room someone came to her door and dropped something off. We went to check to see what it was, it was a gift basket type thing, but it had some wine and other stuff in it. I asked her what this was, and she told me that she is in a Facebook group that is local to her community. She said that they sign up and participate in gifting wine baskets to other participants. She told me it was fun and that she liked doing it because sometimes she will have a bad day and a gift will come and make her day better.
By Heather Skelton5 years ago in Proof
Confession Corner: The Prom Heist
Forgive me Vocal readers, for I have sinned. Wait! Forgive me again, because there is something I must do in order to be worthy of your forgiveness. Yes, it pains me so, but I must first put my transgression, my crime, my utter shame into writing. I will not omit a single dreadful detail from the egregious episode for fear of damning my eternal, online soul. I have my reputation and the view counts on my subsequent articles to think about! After years of torment, carrying around a burden of guilt like the bloke with the chains around his neck from that Charles Dickens book (the one with The Muppets in it), it shall be a great relief to me to finally open up about this subject. I also hope that this article somehow finds its way to the person my friend and I wronged all those years ago because part of me feels like this magical, storybook scenario would bring a sense of closure and catharsis to everybody involved. The other part of me would probably just be grateful for the extra click on my article to be honest (free money and all that). So, without any further ado (not adieu), I shall relay my outrageous – but unfortunately very true – tale unto you all. This, my friends, is the story of The Prom Heist.
By Marco Cardoni5 years ago in Proof
The Loire Valley: Refining the Art of Wine
The Loire Valley represents some of the most distinguished chateaux in all of France. Among these celebrated estates, you’ll find a wealthy generation of vintners whose low-intervention wines are among the finest natural wines in the world. Subtle flavors that range from sweet to complex to intense or even outright acidic can provide exquisite moments for wine lovers.
By Anthony Dezenzio5 years ago in Proof
It's All About The Grapes
Do you love wine? But are not sure what kind of wine you like? Well, there are so many varieties of wine from sweet to the driest. My preferable taste is on the dry side and red. I know some wine drinkers, may think that wine is only made in the vineyards of California. But there are wine vineyards across the continental USA. When I was about 21 years old, I had my first drink of sweet wine, called Cherry Kijafa. This wine was delightful, and it made my head spin and I got drunk. When I woke up, I had the biggest, sweet wine hangover. That was the end of my sweet wine crusade. As I begin to work in the corporate world, I found out there were many varieties of wine, and I set out to see what wine I really could enjoy. When I ordered wine, waiters or waitresses would tell me about their wine list. I began perusing and pretended I knew wine. I decided I would try drier wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot. (Not all at the same time mind you.) To be on the safe side, I tried Merlot, and this wine was not too sweet or dry, it seemed just right, and I began ordering Merlot when I went out to dinner. I then discovered that Merlot could taste fruity, dry, or between it depending on the brand of the wine. I noticed that I was a wine drinker and started trying a variety of dry wines. I discovered that there were different types of Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and they were the wines I enjoyed. Some of them taste just right not too dry or tart. Other cabernets had similar tastes but it depends upon the individual's taste buds. I wanted to know why some bottles of wine had an indent on the bottom of the bottle. In my research, I found out that this is called a “punt”. The punt allows residue to settle down into a tight space on the bottom of the bottle. This prevents the residue from being released back into the wine. The punt also allows the bottle to stand upright and be more stable and prevents the wine bottle from falling over. The punt also adds more style to the design of the bottle. In my further research, I wanted to know why there are years posted on the bottles of wine. Well, the year represents when the grapes were picked. So, if you find a bottle of wine with 2010, that is the year the grapes were picked, and the label is placed on the wine for that year. There are other variations, but this is the standard way the years are put on the bottle. Ladies and Gents, I wanted to give a little education about the wines you care to drink. In addition, to provide an insight into wine and what you may or may not think overall about wine drinking and tasting. Before I leave you, let me recommend some good-tasting wine for every palate whether sweet, sparkling, or dry. Here are a few you can enjoy, and one that I highly recommend: Cabernet Sauvignon Jacob’s Creek. Sweet Red Berringer, Napa Valley Shiraz, Lambrusco (Red wine), Sutter Home Red and White Moscato, Zinfandel Rose and Blush, Brachetto Red, Sidewood Chardonnay, Sangiovese Red Wine, Cupcake Tawny Port (sweet), 14 Hands Riesling, Bordeaux Reds, and Maury Sauvignon Blanc. Oh, I forgot to add, "drink responsibile".
By Jeanette Cepeda5 years ago in Proof
