Tasting Report: Family Winemakers of California 2016
It’s been a few years since I’ve attended Family Winemakers of California, and event that once billed itself as the largest wine event in America, with hundreds of wineries showing off their wares. Things have settled down a bit in more recent years, but with 125 wineries showcasing some 500-plus wines, there’s still far more…
Review: Coravin Model One Wine Preservation System
Since I reviewed the first Coravin wine preservation system in 2013 — the first review of the device ever published #humblebrag — the company has been up to a lot of work. The Coravin Model 1000 is now known as the Coravin Model Eight. A luxe edition called the Coravin Model Two has been released,…
Fall Cocktail: Jardesca Fall Harvest Spritz
It’s getting downright cool in parts, so it’s time to break out some seasonally-appropriate ingredients. Check out this offering from Jardesca aperitiva. (Note, you can also use white wine in this recipe if you want a more restrained experience.) Jardesca Fall Harvest Spritz 3 oz. Jardesca eau de vie 3 slices ripe pair bruised basil leaf Add ingredients…
Review: 2015 Boen Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Joe Wagner is not one to shy away from bold and fruit-forward winemaking, and with his latest release, Boen, he is continuing the traditions of Belle Glos and the other wines in the Copper Cane collection. Bold vanilla and fresh raspberry and strawberry notes lead the way into a creamy palate, uncharacteristic for pinot (even…
Review: Mad March Hare Irish Poitin
Mad March Hare is authentic Irish poitin, pot distilled from locally sourced malted barley and bottled without aging — a classic “white” Irish whiskey, albeit one that is festooned with imagery (and a name) drawn from the seminal work of an English writer. Never you mind that contradiction; let’s taste what’s inside. The nose is…
Review: Vineyard Chocolates
Entrepreneur Joe Woerly has an idea: Chocolate bars, flavored with wine. It’s unclear where the flavors come from — actual wine, or just flavors inspired by wine — but the chocolate is from Venezuela and comes in a variety of cocoa levels. In advance of Woerly’s Kickstarter campaign (see link below) to get the word…
Review: Seven Stills of San Francisco Fluxuate Whiskey
Seven Stills of San Francisco‘s next act in its distilled-from-beer whiskey line is Fluxuate, which is distilled from a coffee porter. To pump up the coffee flavor, the finished product is proofed down not just with water but also with a small amount of cold brewed coffee from a company called Flux (hence the name). The…
Review: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon 2016 Edition
The first Limited Edition Small Batch release from Four Roses’ new master distiller Brent Elliott has arrived. This year’s selection is a blend of three whiskies: a 12-year-old Bourbon from Four Roses’ OESO recipe, a 12-year-old OBSV, and a 16-year-old OESK. Per the company, it is the first time in more than seven years that the…
