Review: 2008 Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio
I enjoyed Graffigna’s 2007 Pinot Grigio and, sure enough, its 2008 is nearly as compelling. Grapefruit is the predominant character in this Argentinian Pinot Grigio, with mineral, grass, and herbal notes following close behind. Again, this wine is crisp and easy to drink, and it goes well on its own or with food. And also…
France to (Finally) Raise Drinking Age to 18
Sorry, les enfants! At long last, it looks like France — where you can drink beer and wine as young as 16 years old — is going to raise its drinking age to 18. The good news: As has always been the case, no one is likely to ask for ID. From the AP story:…
Review: Red Stag by Jim Beam Black Cherry Bourbon
I don’t know what deer have to do with cherries, but you try coming up with a name for you black cherry-infused whiskey, OK? Red Stag — which is Jim Beam bourbon “infused with natural flavors” (predominantly black cherry, one would assume) — is as good a name as any for what Beam has come…
Review: Jameson Irish Whiskey
Come Tuesday, many of you will be picking up a bottle of Irish whiskey to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and for most of you, it’ll be either Bushmills or Jameson. Can’t blame you, both are solid Irish brands and you can often find them for about $16, especially this time of year. Some more detailed…
Review: Good Earth Coffee
Been checking out the three offerings from new organic coffee outfit Good Earth. Again, this isn’t a coffee-centric blog, but I drink enough of it to know a good cup from a bad one. The Good Earth brand dates back to 1972, dedicated to healthy and delicious food and drink. Now delving into coffee, the…
Review: Sierra Nevada “ESB” Early Spring Beer
It’ s kinda jokey: Sierra Nevada’s new ESB stands not for Extra Special (or Strong) Bitter, but for Early Spring Beer, released just in time for the Spring Equinox and your thaw-time enjoyment. To be sure, the copper-colored ESB is crafted in a vaguely British, nicely-hopped style, though it’s far less hoppy and bitter than…
Review: 45th Parallel Vodka
Hailing from New Richmond, Wisconsin, 45th Parallel takes its name from the line that passes through the state, halfway from the Equator to the North Pole. Distilled from locally-grown grains (unspecified varieties), 45th Parallel is distilled three times and then charcoal filtered before being bottled at 80 proof. The company takes great pains to note…
Recipes: Irish Whiskey and… Eggs?
Our pals at Bushmills did an interesting experiment, challenging several San Francisco-area bartenders to come up “a twist on the traditional Irish meal of whiskey and eggs, but in cocktail form.” Here’s what they came up with. An Bodhran (The Drum) Jonny Raglin, Absinthe 1 1/4 oz. Bushmills Irish Whiskey 1/2 oz. Port 1 barspoon…