I recently picked up a copy of George Taber’s book A Toast to Bargain Wines. I couldn’t wait to read the book given that I am a big fan of George Tabor’s Judgment of Paris book, as well as budget wine. This was a book that combined the two of them. And, I appreciated the fact that Mr. Tabor was going to champion “budget wines” or “bargain wines” as he called them. Not surprisingly, I … Read more
This week’s Literary Monday pick is a book filled with fun facts about wine. Most interestingly, the book is authored by Dr. Vine. Sorry, I just couldn’t resist – a book on wine authored by Vine. Dr. Vine has been in the world of wine since 1958 and has many fun stories to share with us. In The Curious World of Wine, we discover the origins of the word “plonk”, along with the origins of … Read more
Stick with it, totally worth it.
Natalie Bovis, known as the Liquid Muse, brings us a cocktail book brimming with goodness from gardens and fruit trees in Edible Cocktails. In her tome on drinking your fruits and veggies, Ms. Bovis explores the use of wine, syrups, jams, purees and vinegar as ingredients in the ever burgeoning repertoire of cocktails recipes. If that weren’t enough, Ms. Bovis teaches you how to use meat, dairy and eggs in your drinks too! And don’t … Read more
It’s hard to believe the New Year has started. All of the fun of November and December have been replaced with the self-loathing and sense of deprivation that January brings. After over-indulging in the Old Year, you want to start the New Year afresh. Does this require a cleanse or abstaining from fat, sugar and booze? Seriously, who wants to give up their booze? Not me. But, if you are like most of the girls … Read more
D’usse Cognac VSOP is the lastest offering from Bacardi’s Chateau de Cognac, the Cognac house that produces Baron Otard. This is not your ordinary bottle of Cognac. It’s producers have gone for a completely different look on the bottle. It’s a bit gothic, a bit midieval with a double cross on a squat bottle with a glass topper. It looks pretty bad-ass for a Cognac. I guess that this is your granddad’s Cognac. Oh, and … Read more
The New Year is upon us! It’s time to celebrate. But, if you are like us, you need to celebrate without breaking the budget! We have solved this problem by spending most New Year’s Eves with our friends and sticking with affordable booze and food that we potluck. We end up with everything we love for the New Year – good friends, good food and good booze. For me, an essential component of the evening … Read more
Trends come and go. Here’s a few I like to see go.
Too much Amaro
Ok we get it. Amaro can add some great flavor and balance to your drink. Ever since the “discovery” of pre-prohibition cocktails, Amaros have been the cat’s meow with bartenders. Stop it. Having Amaro in every drink on your menu does not make a “craft cocktail” bar. Let’s do what the Italians do and sip Amaro after a big meal. … Read more
This has to be one of the most interesting cocktail books that I have seen in awhile. A man that the New York Times has dubbed the “Sorcerer of Shaken and Stirred”, Alex Ott brings us the ying and yang of cocktails. To balance the affect of alcohol, Mr. Ott has paired with it with a variety of tinctures, juices and spices. I guess this isn’t surprising given Mr. Ott’s background as a chemist, alchemist, … Read more
2013 is almost upon us! Seriously, what happened to 2012. It seems like it was here and gone in a blink of an eye. As the new year approaches, I get out my crystal ball and peer into 2013 to see what the top trends in drink will be in 2013. Here are my predictions. And, if I am wrong, I blame it on my crystal ball.
Top Booze Trends for 2013