Ethereal champagne? Silky pinot noir? Powerful cabs and red blends?
Yes please! Pour me a glass of whatever you're having.
Tips for wine gift shopping:
1. Ask the sales associate or shop owner what they would suggest.
2. Avoid commonly available labels, don't get them something they can find at the convenient store! That's just wrong.
3. Do not use this gift giving holiday as an opportunity to develop your dear Auntie's palate. If she likes riesling, get her a riesling or a moscato, or an icewine, or a malvasia...you get the idea.
4. When shopping for the collector that has it all, go for the accessories. Wine tags for cellars, fancy openers, red wine removal elixirs and my new favorite, Borracha Wine Wipes.
Have a happy holiday season and drink some good wine!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
I love the holidays...because of the all the good booze!
Are you kidding me? The month of December is chock-full of endless parties thrown by hosts eager to show their guests a good time. In my circles, this includes a healthy dose of fine imbibements; craft beer, exotic ale, vintage wine, top shelf liquors and a neverending parade of sinfully delicious hors d'oeuvres.
So now that you're in the right place, at the right party, what do you drink to ensure that you'll be able to stand up all evening and enjoy the company of your fellow revelers? Nothing ruins a party faster than some poor sap passing out on the bathroom floor, locking everyone else out, especially if you're that poor sap.
1. Alternate water with a drink of alcohol. This will not only help you go the distance that night, but will also help avoid a wicked hangover the next morning. Water helps your body process the alcohol consumed, as well, drinking water forces you to pace yourself.
2. If you choose to mix up your choice of beverages, do not mix more than two different concoctions. For example, if you started with a beer, then had a shot of tequila, that glass of red wine WILL hurt you. Also, mixing champagne, white wine and red wine will result in blackouts and tomfoolery, trust me.
3. If you are female, please for the love of Bacchus, DO NOT TRY TO KEEP UP WITH THE BOYS. Men's bodies have 30-40% more water than women's bodies and therefore process alcohol more quickly. If you attempt to go drink for drink with the boys, you will fall off your heels.
4. Eat! Your body needs food to absorb some of the alcohol ingested and energy to party into the wee hours of the morning. Grazing on all those aforementioned yummy hors d'oeuvres should do the trick.
Enjoy your holidays. Eat, drink and be merry!
So now that you're in the right place, at the right party, what do you drink to ensure that you'll be able to stand up all evening and enjoy the company of your fellow revelers? Nothing ruins a party faster than some poor sap passing out on the bathroom floor, locking everyone else out, especially if you're that poor sap.
1. Alternate water with a drink of alcohol. This will not only help you go the distance that night, but will also help avoid a wicked hangover the next morning. Water helps your body process the alcohol consumed, as well, drinking water forces you to pace yourself.
2. If you choose to mix up your choice of beverages, do not mix more than two different concoctions. For example, if you started with a beer, then had a shot of tequila, that glass of red wine WILL hurt you. Also, mixing champagne, white wine and red wine will result in blackouts and tomfoolery, trust me.
3. If you are female, please for the love of Bacchus, DO NOT TRY TO KEEP UP WITH THE BOYS. Men's bodies have 30-40% more water than women's bodies and therefore process alcohol more quickly. If you attempt to go drink for drink with the boys, you will fall off your heels.
4. Eat! Your body needs food to absorb some of the alcohol ingested and energy to party into the wee hours of the morning. Grazing on all those aforementioned yummy hors d'oeuvres should do the trick.
Enjoy your holidays. Eat, drink and be merry!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sobieski Vodka, new kid on the block
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.
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.
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
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