wine
It's more than just fermented grape juice: Musings about the history of wine and a deep dive into reds, whites and regions that will make any wine lover drunk with happiness.
Wine’s tough year
Ah, it was a heady wine time while it lasted. Wine enjoyed more than 50 years of vineyard and winery growth, more than 50 years of improving quality, more than 50 years of consistent year-over-year market expansion. Those were the days, my friend. We thought they’d never end. We’d sing and dance forever and a day.
By Gus Clemens9 months ago in Proof
The Rise of Sober Status Symbols in the Food and Beverage World
A new wave is redefining contemporary food and beverage culture. Previously relegated to the sidelines, non-alcoholic drinks now have the spotlight and are increasingly becoming popular. Zero-proof menus are expanding, and mocktails are revered as much as their alcoholic counterparts. Choosing sober drinks is no longer seen as giving something up; it’s a lifestyle choice.
By Julia Nikolaus9 months ago in Proof
Kakheti Wine Tour. Top Story - October 2025.
Any Georgian will proudly tell you that Georgia is the birthplace of wine. Our tour guide told us about the archeological evidence that the ancient way of making wine in a large clay pot capable of holding hundreds and even thousands of liters of wine called qvevri [pronounced kwevri] goes back at least 8,000 years. However, the recently found earliest qvevri are now estimated to be around 11,000 years.
By Lana V Lynx11 months ago in Proof
Controversial wine review terms
Wine writers freely admit that trying to describe how a wine tastes is the classic “like dancing about architecture” folly. But amid the thousands of wine choices, people still want guidance. Even if the guidance has flaws, it still beats the “even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes” method.
By Gus Clemens12 months ago in Proof
"I Made a Copy of a Labubu Doll — It Was Easier Than You Think"
I’ve always loved the charm and quirkiness of designer toys, but one figure in particular had captured my heart: the Labubu doll. With its mischievous grin, oversized ears, and wild hair, Labubu looked like something straight out of a dream—or a nightmare, depending on your perspective. The problem? The real ones were either sold out or insanely expensive on resale sites. We're talking $200 and up for a six-inch toy. At first, I just stared longingly at photos online. Then I had a wild thought: Could I make one myself? I’m not an artist. I’ve never sculpted anything beyond a sad little clay bowl in grade school. But I figured, why not try? Worst case, I waste a weekend. Best case, I end up with my very own DIY Labubu. So, I gathered supplies. I went to a local art store and picked up: Polymer clay (the kind you bake in the oven), A set of small sculpting tools (nothing fancy, just some plastic ones), Acrylic paints and tiny brushes, A wire frame for structure, Some fluffy yarn for hair. It all cost me around $30—way less than the real thing. I set up at my kitchen table with a YouTube tutorial playing on repeat. The artist wasn’t even making Labubu specifically, but their method of building a figure from wire and clay gave me the foundation I needed. I started with a basic skeleton made from aluminum wire. Think of it like a tiny stick figure with thicker limbs. This would hold the shape of the doll while I sculpted around it. Covering it with clay felt like putting muscle on a bone—it began to look like a creature. The hardest part was the face. Labubu’s expression is iconic. It’s sly and weirdly cute at the same time. Mine… looked like he’d just smelled something awful. But I kept going. I realized something quickly: perfection wasn’t the goal. I wasn’t recreating Labubu down to the last detail. I was making my own version of him, and that gave me freedom. By the time I finished the sculpt and baked it in the oven, I was exhausted. The doll stood about six inches tall and looked like a haunted squirrel. But I loved him. Painting was the fun part. I mixed different shades of gray and brown to give him some texture, painted the eyes glossy black, and gave the teeth a cartoonish shine. For the hair, I glued on tufts of yarn and fluffed them out with a comb. It looked surprisingly close to the original. When I stepped back and looked at the finished doll, I laughed. Not because it was bad, but because I’d actually done it. My little DIY Labubu sat proudly on my shelf, slightly crooked ears and all, looking every bit as mischievous as the real ones. I didn’t expect what happened next. I posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: “Made my own Labubu because I couldn’t afford the real deal 😂”. Within an hour, I had comments like: “Wait… you MADE this???” “Can you make me one??” “This is actually better than the original!” That gave me an idea. I started documenting the process more seriously. I took step-by-step photos, shared tips, and even recorded a timelapse of my next attempt. My second DIY Labubu was smoother, more refined. I started giving them personalities—one had a tiny backpack, another wore little goggles. What started as a personal weekend project turned into a full-blown hobby. People began requesting custom versions. I never sold any (out of respect for the original artist, Kasing Lung), but I made a few as gifts for friends who were also fans of Labubu. The best part? I learned something unexpected along the way: creativity doesn’t require permission. You don’t need to be a professional sculptor or have an art degree to make something meaningful. You just need to try. Sure, my first doll was a little lopsided. But it was mine. It had personality, quirks, and most importantly, a story. I also realized how accessible creativity has become. The internet is full of tutorials, communities, and affordable materials. You can learn almost anything with a bit of curiosity and patience. Today, my handmade Labubu army sits on a shelf next to my computer. Every time I glance at them, I’m reminded of that first moment—of choosing to create instead of consume, of making something with my hands instead of just scrolling and wishing. So if there’s a designer toy you love but can’t afford, or a piece of art you admire from afar, I have one piece of advice: try making your own. It doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, the imperfections might be the best part. Because sometimes, the copy has more heart than the original.
By Nizam khanabout a year ago in Proof
"The Day I Met an Alien: A True Story of the Unbelievable"
I’m not the kind of person who sees ghosts in the mirror or believes in every UFO sighting on YouTube. I’ve lived in a small rural town in Colorado my entire life, where the strangest thing you might encounter is a raccoon knocking over a trash can. But something happened on the night of September 13th, 2023, that flipped my world upside down.
By Nizam khanabout a year ago in Proof
