Tiny bubbles, in the wine...

"Champagne, if you are seeking the truth, is better than a lie detector. It encourages a man to be expansive, even reckless, while lie detectors are only a challenge to tell lies successfully." -- Graham Greene

New Year's Eve is almost upon us and what better way to ring in 2009 than with a bit of bubbly! Try these sparkling delights:

Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvee
This great non-vintage Champagne has all the ripe fruit and toasty notes you would expect from a 94 point wine.

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve
This one is a hit! Fruit and citrus highlight this tasty Champagne. Drinks with class.

Cinzano Asti
I'm not the biggest fan of Spumante, too sweet for my taste, but this one has a muted sweetness and fresh fruit that shine through.

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs
Frothy and mouth watering; drinks with ease!

Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne
This is a fancy Champagne with rich, full flavors and an elegant finish.

Korbel Champagne Brut
Made in the traditional Methode Champonoise, this California brut is here to please; drinks dry yet soft.

Moet & Chandon White Star
Creamy and soft fruit flavors abound in this fine Champagne. Great for French 75!

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige
This gold medal winner is a winner in my book. Drinks fast and easy!

Toques et Clochers Cremant, 1998 (Magnum)
Fantastic Frech sparkling wine comes on with a creamy mouth-feel and fine bubbles.

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label
Round, ripe, and ready to drink with approachable citrus notes.

Zefiro Prosecco
truly a tasy Italian, this Prosecco brings a delicate palate up to speed with fine touches of peach. Try it by itself or with an ounce of peach puree for every three ounces of Prosecco.

May your new year be filled with God's grace, joy, and blessing!

Cheers!
Tony

Hola Tinto!

"Here's to the corkscrew - a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the gate of pleasant folly." -- W.E.P. French

I had the pleasure of visiting my friends Kathy, MC, and Chris last week for some meatball sandwiches and a few laughs. Kathy served up these delectable delights that soothed the heart and palate and we made our sorrows cease with wine from Sicily and Spain. We savored these sorts:

Alabanza Tinto, 2004
What a find! This full flavored yet soft finishing red caught me off gaurd. I thought, hey, why not try a low priced red from Spain since I've had some great ones before (the Panarroz Red, 2006, a classic MGS blend). This one came through with fruit and cheer for only $2!

Planeta La Segreta Rosso, 2007
Sicily is calling out! A wonderful blend of Nero D'Avola, Merlot, and Syrah, this rich, tasty red fills the palate with sumptuous fruit and a satisfying finish. What a perfect pair with our meatball sandwiches!

I picked them both up at my local BevMo. The Planeta La Segreta Rosso was also very nicely priced, only $10. Lot's of smiles for not a lot of coin.

Cheers,
Tony

I celebrated, did you?

Well, if you didn't know, then you may blame me, but consider yourself reminded for next year. What am I talking about you ask? I'm talking about REPEAL DAY baby! Repeal Day, the day that prohibition was repealed and the citizens of the USA were once again allowed to legally enjoy alcoholic beverages. That day was December 5, 1933. A week and a half ago marked the 75th anniversary of Repeal Day which I celebrated with a few cocktails and in the company of good friends! Here's what we imbibed:

Negroni

1 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin (or your favorite)
1 oz Campari
1 oz Cinzano Rosso

Gently shake, or stir if you prefer, with cubed ice then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin slice of orange peel if desired.

Manhattan

3 oz Fighting Cock Bourbon (or your favorite)
1 oz Cinzano Rosso
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Gently stir all ingredients with cubed ice in a cocktail shaker then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

We then had this cocktail that I put together on a whim, which can be enjoyed two ways:

2 1/2 oz DiSaronno Originale
1/2 oz Campari
3 oz tonic water

Pour the DiSaronno and Campari into a ice-filled highball glass, fill with the tonic water and garnish with a slice of orange.

Or this;

2 1/2 oz DiSaronno Originale
1/2 Campari
a dash of Peychaud's Bitters

Gently shake or stir ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin slice of orange peel.

Remember next year to "celebrate the right with the right to celebrate!"

Cheers!
Tony

Big Cabs!

"I think it is a great error to consider a heavy tax on wines as a tax on luxury. On the contrary, it is a tax on the health of our citizens." ~ Thomas Jefferson

Wow, it's been quite some time since I last posted. My apologies, I've been super busy, though haven't we all...?

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of tasting some very big California Cabs. We indulged in Caymus, Star Lane, Rubicon Estate Cask, and Groth, among others. These were my favorites:

2006 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon - Lush and well rounded with low acidity, dark berries, and fine tannins.

2005 Star Lane Cabernet Sauvignon - This wine exhibited a nice balance, ripe fruit, and a memorable finish.

2005 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon - Blended with a bit of Merlot, this wine is on the softer side of "big cabs" but the fruit flavors are ripe and present. Soft tannins make for a really enjoyable wine right now. The wine maker also recommends aging for 10-15 years.

Cheers,
Tony