March 30--I still don't understand Starbucks Evenings -- the coffee giant's wine-and-beer program available at select locations -- because as an adult who counts drinking among his hobbies, I'd sooner go to a bar. A bar dedicated to serving better wine, and better beer.
Try as I might, my boozing opinions won't stop the big 'Bucks from trying to make "fetch" happen, as in its latest attempt in Japan. The company just celebrated the opening of Japan's first Evening concept (featuring a wine and small plates menu, already available in many U.S. Starbucks), in Tokyo's Marunouchi district, with a drink not available stateside: the Wine Fraggino. The new drink is made from a blueberry wine hailing from the town of Yoichicho, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.
Pretty much everyone in America has been calling it a wine Frappuccino, which it technically isn't -- it's just wine blended with ice; no dairy (or dairy alternative).
In any case, don't get your Starbucks Rewards card in a bunch. A rep for Starbucks says this was a one-time deal and indicated no plans of bringing it stateside.
jbhernandez@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @joeybear85
