People can sometimes get stuck in a liquor rut. I for one, was in an awful vodka rut, picking up the same bottle when I ran out just because I liked it. Well, I like certain wines, but I don't drink them every night. Why should my vodka be any different?
I took a chance on a new vodka on the market, Sobieski from Poland. Cool bottle, slick red label, true Polish vodka distilled from traditional grains.
While doing my research, I was tempted to invent a fancy cocktail for this new vodka. However, the Polish traditionally drink vodka as a chilled shot and decided to follow suit for my first taste test.
Outstanding! Smooth and silky, no jet fuel breath, just clean, crisp and lovely.
Vodka shots don't make for a very long night, so I gave in to my inner mixologist. A splash of cranberry raspberry juice and club soda over ice and a healthy shot of Sobieski and I was a very happy camper.
The vodka mixed perfectly with the simple concoction, blending into the synchronous melody of flavors that was light and refreshing, with no hard edges or aftertaste.
Superb! I highly recommend giving the new kid on the block a chance.
Locally, pick it up at Centennial, Big Daddys or ask for it at your favorite liquor store.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Leblon Cachaca and the Caipirinhas
Yes, it sounds like a band name, but is in fact, my new favorite summertime cocktail.
Leblon Cachaca (ka-SHA-sa) is a sugarcane liquor that can only be produced in Brazil. It differs from rum in that it is not made of molasses, but from fresh cane juice, fermented to produce a liquor similar in texture, alcohol content and taste to vodka, but with very subtle fresh and fruity aromas absent in vodkas.
I have been muddling drinks at home, but the Leblon Cachaca came with a far superior muddler than I had been using and is now a permanent fixture in my bar.
The Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil, made on a base of muddled lime and sugar, a shot of cachaca and whatever other ingredients your heart desires. This is a fun drink, not only because of the creativity involved, but that you can use pretty much whatever you have around to make a new concoction. My favorite is the mint caipirinha.
How to make a Mint Caipirinha:
1. Muddle 4 lime wedges, 2 mint leaves and a teaspoon of sugar in a rocks glass.
2. Fill the glass with ice and pour a shot of Leblon Cachaca over it.
3. Shake in cocktail shaker.
4. Drink up!
So easy! I have fallen in love with the possibilities of variation on this cocktail and will be hosting a make-your-own-caipirinha birthday party next month.
I picked up my bottle of Leblon at Kings Liquors on Berry St. More ideas for recipes can be found here.
They are running a pretty slick advertising campaign right now and although I usually tend to shy away from such things, have been delighted with the product so much, I had to spread the word to you fine people.
Leblon Cachaca (ka-SHA-sa) is a sugarcane liquor that can only be produced in Brazil. It differs from rum in that it is not made of molasses, but from fresh cane juice, fermented to produce a liquor similar in texture, alcohol content and taste to vodka, but with very subtle fresh and fruity aromas absent in vodkas.
I have been muddling drinks at home, but the Leblon Cachaca came with a far superior muddler than I had been using and is now a permanent fixture in my bar.
The Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil, made on a base of muddled lime and sugar, a shot of cachaca and whatever other ingredients your heart desires. This is a fun drink, not only because of the creativity involved, but that you can use pretty much whatever you have around to make a new concoction. My favorite is the mint caipirinha.
How to make a Mint Caipirinha:
1. Muddle 4 lime wedges, 2 mint leaves and a teaspoon of sugar in a rocks glass.
2. Fill the glass with ice and pour a shot of Leblon Cachaca over it.
3. Shake in cocktail shaker.
4. Drink up!
So easy! I have fallen in love with the possibilities of variation on this cocktail and will be hosting a make-your-own-caipirinha birthday party next month.
I picked up my bottle of Leblon at Kings Liquors on Berry St. More ideas for recipes can be found here.
They are running a pretty slick advertising campaign right now and although I usually tend to shy away from such things, have been delighted with the product so much, I had to spread the word to you fine people.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Gravitas Rose and Chartogne Taillet
Come on, say it with me!
It's warming up and my own personal preference leans away from those luxurious heavy reds to a cool, but still hefty wine.
Rose is a natural choice. I have recently discovered the refreshing and elegant Gravitas 2006 Rose of Pinot Noir. Although no technical information can be found on http://www.gravitaswines.co.nz, from my rose research, I believe that the winemaker uses a saignee technique, bleeding off from their award winning Pinot Noir. This rose offers up perfumey aromas of orange blossom and roses, on the palate, ripe red raspberry fruit, a weighty mouthfeel and voluptuous body. A lovely and surprisingly long finish punctuate this exuberant and expressive wine. I paired with grilled yellowfin tuna, tzaitzki sauce and cilantro brown rice. Perfect.
Perfection is also found in the bubbles of Chartogne Taillet NV Cuvee St Anne Brut.
Most champagnes are produced in negociant houses, meaning they purchase fruit for their wines and mass produce them for product consistency. These are wines developed for lifestyle advertising and brand positioning; completely losing all vineyard-specific terroir and there are some very unique soils in Champagne. However, there are several small family run estates still in operation. One of which is Chartogne Taillet, operating on a 12 hectare property in Merfy, this house produces beautiful old-style Champagnes; brioche, almond and toasty biscuit flavors dance over your palate.
Tips for Grower Champagne shopping:
Ask your sommelier or shopkeeper first for grower champagnes. They are an invaluable resource, let them know what you have had in the past, what you enjoyed about it and what you didn't. Their professional opinions will guide you in the right direction.
Look at the label! The French government strictly regulates Champagne labels and all houses are required by law to note whether they are a negociant house, noted as NM (or négociant-manipulants) and followed by a unique number, while Grower Champagnes are noted as RM (or récoltant-manipulants).
Gravitas 2006 Rose of Pinot Noir can be found at Olenjack's in Arlington and Sapristi Bistro and Wine Bar in Fort Worth.
Chartogne Taillet and other Grower Champagnes can be found at Del Frisco's Fort Worth, Big Daddy's #3 in Arlington and Sapristi Bistro and Wine Bar.
Both wines can be special ordered through your local wine retailer.
Salut!
It's warming up and my own personal preference leans away from those luxurious heavy reds to a cool, but still hefty wine.
Rose is a natural choice. I have recently discovered the refreshing and elegant Gravitas 2006 Rose of Pinot Noir. Although no technical information can be found on http://www.gravitaswines.co.nz, from my rose research, I believe that the winemaker uses a saignee technique, bleeding off from their award winning Pinot Noir. This rose offers up perfumey aromas of orange blossom and roses, on the palate, ripe red raspberry fruit, a weighty mouthfeel and voluptuous body. A lovely and surprisingly long finish punctuate this exuberant and expressive wine. I paired with grilled yellowfin tuna, tzaitzki sauce and cilantro brown rice. Perfect.
Perfection is also found in the bubbles of Chartogne Taillet NV Cuvee St Anne Brut.
Most champagnes are produced in negociant houses, meaning they purchase fruit for their wines and mass produce them for product consistency. These are wines developed for lifestyle advertising and brand positioning; completely losing all vineyard-specific terroir and there are some very unique soils in Champagne. However, there are several small family run estates still in operation. One of which is Chartogne Taillet, operating on a 12 hectare property in Merfy, this house produces beautiful old-style Champagnes; brioche, almond and toasty biscuit flavors dance over your palate.
Tips for Grower Champagne shopping:
Ask your sommelier or shopkeeper first for grower champagnes. They are an invaluable resource, let them know what you have had in the past, what you enjoyed about it and what you didn't. Their professional opinions will guide you in the right direction.
Look at the label! The French government strictly regulates Champagne labels and all houses are required by law to note whether they are a negociant house, noted as NM (or négociant-manipulants) and followed by a unique number, while Grower Champagnes are noted as RM (or récoltant-manipulants).
Gravitas 2006 Rose of Pinot Noir can be found at Olenjack's in Arlington and Sapristi Bistro and Wine Bar in Fort Worth.
Chartogne Taillet and other Grower Champagnes can be found at Del Frisco's Fort Worth, Big Daddy's #3 in Arlington and Sapristi Bistro and Wine Bar.
Both wines can be special ordered through your local wine retailer.
Salut!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Hot off the Press! Fort Worth June Wine Dinners
Greetings all and apologies for the extended absence!
June 11th @ Sapristi Bistro and Wine Bar - Copain Wine Cellars Wine Dinner
The staff at Sapristi will be preparing a special menu to compliment the range of wines produced by Wells Guthrie and team at Copain Wine Cellars.
http://www.copainwines.com/
http://www.sapristibistro.com/
June 28th @ Chadra Mezza and Grill - Desert Wind Cellars Wine Dinner
Nehme is planning a special menu for the Desert Wine wines from Columbia Valley, Washington. Don't miss his exotically spiced food, paired perfectly with stunning wines.
http://www.desertwindwinery.com/
http://www.chadramezza.com/
Contact restaurants for reservations and prices.
June 11th @ Sapristi Bistro and Wine Bar - Copain Wine Cellars Wine Dinner
The staff at Sapristi will be preparing a special menu to compliment the range of wines produced by Wells Guthrie and team at Copain Wine Cellars.
http://www.copainwines.com/
http://www.sapristibistro.com/
June 28th @ Chadra Mezza and Grill - Desert Wind Cellars Wine Dinner
Nehme is planning a special menu for the Desert Wine wines from Columbia Valley, Washington. Don't miss his exotically spiced food, paired perfectly with stunning wines.
http://www.desertwindwinery.com/
http://www.chadramezza.com/
Contact restaurants for reservations and prices.
Friday, July 13, 2007
White flowers
White
Outstanding Italian white wine, Pio Cesare Cortese d' Gavi is a native Italian varietal, cortese, produced from limited yields harvested on the hilly vineyards of Gavi. Gavi's terroir produces white wines that are bone dry, but are packed with fresh acidity and bursting with fruit. The grapes are soft pressed and the winery uses temperature controlled fermentation to control the resulting fruitiness of the wine.
The finished product is a fresh, fruity wine, dry but very nicely balanced. I smell and taste white flowers, green apples, fresh lime and honeydew. But try it for yourself!
I picked mine up at Kings on Berry St. for the bargain price of $13.99.
Salut
Outstanding Italian white wine, Pio Cesare Cortese d' Gavi is a native Italian varietal, cortese, produced from limited yields harvested on the hilly vineyards of Gavi. Gavi's terroir produces white wines that are bone dry, but are packed with fresh acidity and bursting with fruit. The grapes are soft pressed and the winery uses temperature controlled fermentation to control the resulting fruitiness of the wine.
The finished product is a fresh, fruity wine, dry but very nicely balanced. I smell and taste white flowers, green apples, fresh lime and honeydew. But try it for yourself!
I picked mine up at Kings on Berry St. for the bargain price of $13.99.
Salut
Saturday, June 2, 2007
A modern spin on the Salty Dog
Distilled
I just love exotically flavored carbonated beverages, this concoction was a simple combination of my Jamaican favorite, Ting, a grapefruit flavored soda and my old stand-by, vodka. For this particular cocktail, I used a rather large highball glass, rimming it with just a touch of kosher salt, splashed a generous amount of vodka over ice and finished it off with a pour of Ting.
The tanginess of the grapefruit conceals the alcohol and the saltiness on the rim is a nice counterpoint to the sweetness of the fruit soda.
I used Tito's vodka, made in Austin, TX. It is five times distilled and the best quality vodka available at that price point. Of course, when I've got a little extra cash to spend, I always prefer Ciroc, Ketel One or Grey Goose.
There have been no outstanding wines lately, but you know that YOU will be the first to know.
Salut
I just love exotically flavored carbonated beverages, this concoction was a simple combination of my Jamaican favorite, Ting, a grapefruit flavored soda and my old stand-by, vodka. For this particular cocktail, I used a rather large highball glass, rimming it with just a touch of kosher salt, splashed a generous amount of vodka over ice and finished it off with a pour of Ting.
The tanginess of the grapefruit conceals the alcohol and the saltiness on the rim is a nice counterpoint to the sweetness of the fruit soda.
I used Tito's vodka, made in Austin, TX. It is five times distilled and the best quality vodka available at that price point. Of course, when I've got a little extra cash to spend, I always prefer Ciroc, Ketel One or Grey Goose.
There have been no outstanding wines lately, but you know that YOU will be the first to know.
Salut
Friday, June 1, 2007
Awesome Trade and Consumer Events in June
Hey folks!
Just wanted to let you know of some incredible wine dinners and tastings going on this month in the area.
Just to wet your palates: Women for Winesense event at the Viking showroom! Susanna Balbo at Lanny's! Argentine wine social at The Woodlands!!
Check out the following links to these spectacular wine events.
www.womenforwinesense.com
www.texacaliwines.com/whowhenwhere.cfm
Don't miss them, they will be invaluable opportunities to speak with the winemakers and taste their wonderful hand crafted art.
Salut
Just wanted to let you know of some incredible wine dinners and tastings going on this month in the area.
Just to wet your palates: Women for Winesense event at the Viking showroom! Susanna Balbo at Lanny's! Argentine wine social at The Woodlands!!
Check out the following links to these spectacular wine events.
www.womenforwinesense.com
www.texacaliwines.com/whowhenwhere.cfm
Don't miss them, they will be invaluable opportunities to speak with the winemakers and taste their wonderful hand crafted art.
Salut
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