Tasting Report: Red Bordeaux and Sauternes, 2008 Vintage
It’s not every day that several dozen Bordeaux purveyors show up in San Francisco, but that’s exactly what happened recently, when the tour of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux made a pit stop in SF to show off the new 2008 vintage. I was excited to taste through the vintage – though I…
Review: El Gran Jubileo Tequila, Complete Lineup
This tequila brand has been available in Mexico and in limited distribution at that. Now it has arrived on U.S. shores, you can try it too. All expressions are 100% agave of course and are 80 proof. El Gran Jubileo Blanco – For those who like a lot of agave, but not so much bite,…
Review: Zaca Organic Hangover Patch
I’ve reviewed all manner of hangover remedy products in the last few years, but Zaca takes the cake for the strangest one of all: It’s a patch that you wear on your body (a la a nicotine patch) while you drink (and on into the next day), designed to combat the effects of alcohol without…
Drinking Habits of the Rich and Fictional
Who knew Ol’ Blue Eyes enjoyed not just a martini but Jack Daniel’s as well? My pal Kayte sends along this link to the favorite cocktails and other drinks of various celebrities and a few fictional characters, too. Lotta martinis on there. Related posts: Review: The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao Book Review: Bar Menu:…
Review: Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion Vodka
Grapefruit is a tricky flavor: It’s so sour that few people eat can each grapefruit with a dollop of sugar on top. Yet, in many a cocktail, grapefruit makes an ideal ingredient… hence its natural status as a vodka infusion. Finlandia’s Grapefruit Fusion offers a nose of lemon, orange, and other unclear citrus character. The…
Review: Galliano L’Autentico and Ristretto
Even if you don’t actually know what Galliano is, you’ve seen the bottle: It’s the usually enormously oversized obelisk from Italy, filled with day-glo yellow liquid that sits untouched at the end of the bar. The only reason the dust gets blown off of it is in the unlikely event a Harvey Wallbanger is ordered.…
Review: ZU Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka
No lie: The provenance of “Zubrowka” is confusing. Several bison grass vodkas are on the market, and they all call themselves Zubrowka, which is the generic Polish term for the spirit. If you go looking for a brand name, you’ll find it, usually buried or hidden behind the Zubrowka label. It’s the equivalent of Jack…
Tasting Report: Wines of Argyle, 2011 Releases
A recent trip to Oregon took us down to the Willamette Valley, where we had the chance to visit, well, one of the few wineries that was open on New Year’s Eve: the celebrated Argyle. Tasting through several sparklers, whites, and Pinots and found that Argyle is still making some classic Oregon wines. Notes follow.…
