Where can you get some of the world's best wine and iconic cocktails? Italy, of course. Plus:

• The Pappy Van Winkle of tequila: Introducing Fortaleza Winter Blend.
• All the gear our editor-in-chief uses to listen to music.

The Drinking Culture of Italy

Obviously, there is no way this guide could cover absolutely everything — Italy is a big country with 20 regions and thousands of traditions that vary from town to town, household to household. But it will give you a better understanding of what people are drinking in Italy, why they are drinking it and how you can embrace the culture, whether you’re sipping wine in the shadow of Mount Etna or simply want to bring the tradition of aperitivo hour into your life.

An iconic beverage that defines the culture: Beer

Yes, Italians love their beer, and you’ll often see them sipping a pint alongside pizza. Peroni, Birra Moretti and Menabrea are some of the most common, but just like anywhere, Italy has its fair share of craft breweries creating interesting pours. Take Milan’s Birrificio Lambrate, which has been on the scene since 1996, and Roman brewery Jungle Juice, where you can always find cool collaborations and seasonal pours in the works.

One rule for drinking like an Italian: A drink is nothing without a snack

Aperitivo hour is a sacred time in Italian culture because it separates the workday from the evening. While Italians will often drink a bitter cocktail like a Negroni or Americano to open the appetite, it will always be accompanied by a snack — whether it’s as simple as a bowl of nuts or olives or something a little fancier, depending on the establishment.

How Fortaleza Crafts the Pappy Van Winkle of Tequila

Consumers have never been more educated and conscious about what they drink and where that drink comes from. Traditionally crafted, additive-free tequila is now deservedly considered by enthusiasts to be as complex and rich as a fine Cognac or single-malt whisky, and no tequila embodies what enthusiasts are currently looking for more than Fortaleza. The brand was founded by Guillermo Sauza, the great-great-grandson of the pioneering tequila businessman, Don Cenobio Sauza. Built in 1903, the small distillery where Fortaleza is produced is virtually untouched by the industrial processes that now dominate tequila production.

If Fortaleza’s core lineup is like the Blanton’s of the tequila world, their annual Winter Blend limited release is tequila’s Pappy Van Winkle. Every fall, Fortaleza releases a brand new reposado tequila and experiments with different barrel finishes, creating a tequila with a unique twist. Past releases have seen Fortaleza experiment with Hungarian oak, ex-beer barrels and even Charanda (Mexican rum) barrels.

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Everything Our Editor-in-Chief Uses to Listen to Music

For whatever reason, this week had me looking for comfort. And as I often do when this is the case, I turned to music. Or I attempted to, anyway. Nothing was really connecting the way I wanted it to. Whether it’s because my Spotify just keeps recommending the same six records over and over again, or because my account has been overtaken by my daughters’ musical preferences instead of mine — although, real talk, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Juno” might just be the salve our nation so badly needs — or because I’m simply asking for more than even music is able to provide, I’ve been having a difficult time figuring out what to listen to. This, reader, is a topic for another day.

So for now, because it’s easier to talk about electronic gadgets than it is, say, my emotions, I thought I’d focus on some of the gear I use to listen to music, from my various go-to headphones to portable speakers and multiple vinyl setups. I’m generally pleased with the performance of all of it, but I’m also always halfway in the market to upgrade.