Review: 2007 Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio
Never a huge fan of Pinot Grigio, I’ve found Graffigna’s new release quite compelling as the varietal goes. Here’s a crisp and brisk wine, very citrusy (especially lemon, maybe some lime), with a bracing acidity. There’s Pinot Grigio’s telltale “meat” flavor in the finish, but, and it feels weird to type this, it works well…
Review: Cutty Sark Blended Malt
First, terminology for the newbs: Blended malt Scotch lies between single malt and blended varieties. Single malt is made from malted barley from a single distillery. Blended Scotch is made from malt whiskey plus grain whiskey and can come from just about anywhere. (Blended Scotch is blended with the intent of making it consistent from…
Top 10 Drinks for Guys
AskMen posted this manly cocktail list this week. Definitely can’t go wrong with using 100th anniversary Grand Marnier in a margarita, but the Guinness and champagne cocktail called the Black Velvet will test even the manliest drinkers’ palates, I fear. Check ’em out and you be the judge on the manly factor here.
Original Recipe: Catalina Coffee
Don’t like coffee drinks? Don’t think tequila will work in one? Give this recipe a try (inspired by south-of-the-border spirits) and I absolutely guarantee your satisfaction. Catalina Coffee 1 oz. premium silver (blanco) tequila 1/2 oz. Licor 43 1/4 oz. Damiana liqueur 1 sugar cube Add above ingredients to a coffee mug, fill mostly with…
Review: Hangover Buster
Hangover remedies are legion (and of questionable utility), but the prepackaged variety has become considerably more popular in recent years. My own pre-sleep regimen of two Tylenol and a big glass of water seems to work pretty well, but is there a more “natural” way to do the job? Hangover Buster is an Alka-Seltzer like…
Review: NV Gallo Family Vineyards Twin Valley Chardonnay
The good folks at Gallo Family Vineyards (see prior review here) were kind enough to send along a four-pack of mini-bottles of Twin Valley Chardonnay, a non-vintage white that’s as close to a “picnic wine” as you’re likely to find. Like “summer wine,” the “picnic wine” term comes loaded with baggage. It implies an easy-drinking,…
Tasting Report: Vino in Villa USA Prosecco Event, June 2008
Italian sparkling wine gets little love, and is often hard to find in the U.S., so it was a real treat to get to try a dozen or so Proseccos at a recent event in San Francisco, offering that rare chance to taste numerous producers and varieties side by side. First, a little primer: Prosecco…
Review: Rubi Rey Rum
The red bottle screams gimmick, but the rum inside is legit: Rubi Rey, I’m happy to report, is one of the best white rums on the market, and a good deal, to boot. Finished in white oak and marketed as a “single barrel” rum, Rubi Rey offers a very clean sugary rum flavor and a…
