Tasting Report: Loire Valley Wines 2010
France’s Loire Valley is rarely the first region that comes to mind when people talk about French wine. Located just west of Paris (and on to the coast), the Loire is a long stretch of land where many varieties of grapes and styles of wines are produced. The area, however, is best known for its…
Tasting Report: Wines of Portugal 2010
Portuguese table wines are always a mixed bag, with rough-hewn whites and a wild variety of reds to contend with. This year’s Portugal grand tasting event was familiar (see 2008’s event report here), with lesser-known Port vendors vying for attention among makers of vinho verde and other wines amongst a crowded group of wine enthusiasts…
Review: Three Olives Rangtang Vodka
Orange and tangerine, that’s what “rangtang” is meant to mean. If you don’t believe me, Google it. Or don’t. You’ll never look at this citrus vodka the same way if you do. (Ad Age explains what I’m talking about here.) Putting aside the unfortunate denotation, Three Olives’ Rangtang vodka — an orange-tinted vodka ostensibly flavored…
Review: 2009 Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Fig Tree Vineyard
Quivira is a perennial fave at Drinkhacker HQ — check our glowing coverage of the 2008 version of this same wine here — and the 2009 sauvignon blancs are now hitting the market. This wine isn’t quite the hit that the 2008 was, but it’s still a success. Sharply acidic, but vibrant with apple flavor,…
Review: 2008 Big House Red and Monthaven Chardonnay
Boxed wine continues to tiptoe toward improvement, with the folks at Octavin offering some decent wines in considerably more handsome packaging. These three-liter boxes fit more easily into your fridge but still promise to store your vino without it breaking down for up to six weeks. 2008 Monthaven Chardonnay is not a big success. Thin…
Review: Amp Energy Juice – Orange and Mixed Berry
You’ve undoubtedly heard the radio commercials by now. AMP is billed as “the spark that ignites and kick-starts the day,” 100 percent juice with added caffeine and other pick-me-ups. Basically a way to drink Red Bull in the morning without the embarassment. Amp comes in two flavors, both featuring 100% juice plus taurine, guarana, caffeine,…
Review: PaQui Silvera Tequila Blanco
Cinco de Mayo is nearly upon us, and that means Drinkhacker HQ is now flooded with tequila, so we’re now getting crackin’ on the stuff. Let’s start with a simple, and pretty good, one, a new tequila brand called PaQui. Fans of smooth tequilas will immediately dig PaQui’s body, at least once they get the…
Review: Bowmore 15 Years Old “Darkest” (2010)
A bit harder to come by than the ubiquitous 12 Year Old Bowmore, this expression of Bowmore’s single malt is 15 years old and is denoted as “Darkest” due to its distinct color, owing to its sherry finishing. This whisky has a wonderful balance of all the elements that make good single malts great. The…
