Review: 2009 Treana Red Paso Robles
The flagship wine of the Hope Family Wines organization, Treana is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) with some Syrah (30%) thrown in for good measure. Hailing from Paso Robles, this blend is primarily a good representation of a Central Coast Cab, with that Syrah adding a touch of curiosity to the mix. Restrained for Cabernet, Treana…
Vinalla Liqueurs Head to Head: Tuaca (2012), Navan, and Licor 43
Did you know: You can put Tuaca in a margarita to give it a sweeter, more dessert-like kick? To celebrate National Margarita Day (February 22, yeah, we’re late…) Tuaca sent us a bottle of this Italian vanilla/citrus spirit, the recipe of which dates back 500 years. But Tuaca isn’t the only vanilla liqueur on the…
Review: Bushmills Irish Honey
Now the Irish are getting into the honey whiskey thing. Bushmills Irish Honey is the first honey-flavored spirit (to my knowledge) from the Emerald Isle, a simple blend of original Bushmills, Irish honey, and Irish water, bottled in the traditionally squared Bushmills-style bottle. The results are solid. As Jack Daniels proved with its Tennessee Honey…
Review: 2010 Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Wine
Banfi’s Rosa Regale is unusual to the point of uniqueness. A deep red sparkling wine, it is made in Acqui in the Piedmont region of Italy from Brachetto grapes. Ferment in the Italian sparkling method (in tanks, not in bottle), it is bottled at all of 7% alcohol. You would swear by the nose and…
Tasting Fladgate Ports with CEO Adrian Bridge, 2012
With 320 years of history and 11 generations under its belt, the Fladgate Partnership is a family business like few you’re likely to deal with. As CEO of the company that makes Croft, Fonseca, and Taylor Fladgate Ports, Adrian Bridge oversees one of the most renowned wine brands in the world. Bridge recently hosted myself…
Tasting Report: Tre Bicchieri Italian Wines 2012
Each year Gambero Rosso tastes some 20,000 Italian wines, and about 375 earn the “tre bicchieri” (three glasses) award from the panel. These wines then hit the road, and we get the chance to taste them in the U.S. Some are classics (Sassicaia), some don’t even have distribution. I found this year’s crop on the…
Recipe: Shamrock Sour
Most St. Patrick’s Day cocktails are nasty concoctions of Midori and other mystery liqueurs. This recipe from Julie Reiner has nothing remotely Irish in it, but it actually sounds good. Shamrock Sour 2 parts Basil Hayden’s Bourbon 1/2 part Green Chartreuse 1/2 part Lemon Juice 1/2 part Grapefruit Juice 1/2 part Agave Syrup (to make,…
Review: Sparkling Moscato Roundup, 2012 Releases
Moscato continues to prove how popular this grape has become when used as a low-alcohol, fruit-forward, and sweet alternative to other sparkling wines. These Moscatos show just how inexpensive and far-flung this wine is, hailing from eastern Europe and Australia, while not exactly proving how great it can be. NV Esti Exclusiv Rose Moscato –…
