I know that I have warned you against buying bottles based on how much you like the label, which was something that I did with alarming frequency as a newbie. But, sometimes when I am at a good wine shop where I know and trust the buyer, I will indulge my love of beautiful labels. This bottle falls squarely within that category with it’s abstract label that provided a lovely contrast to the wine bottle … Read more
This liqueur is steeped in history and intrigue, and at times, the two intersect. We like that!
Let’s start with the history of Mandarine Napoleon. It was allegedly developed by Napoleon’s doctor, Antoine-Francois de Fourcroy, who had the idea of steeping the exotic tangerine in liquor and then blend it with Cognac. It’s hard to imagine now but citrus, like tangerines, were once very rare and highly exotic with many people never even able to … Read more
2012 is here! We’d been waiting for it, watching it creep upon us but for some reason it’s still surprising when it actually gets here. Now that the hoopla has died down, we have been thinking about what will be popular on the wine and spirits front in 2012.
Bi-Rite Market is a legend in San Francisco. It helped start a gastronomical revolution and neighborhood renaissance in the Mission District. Bi-Rite was on the cutting edge of the local food movement in the United States, sourcing the majority of its ingredients from local vendors. Unsatisfied with having an amazing grocery, Bi-Rite expanded and started a famed ice creamery shop. It’s salted caramel ice cream is legendary. I find myself driving across the city to … Read more
As you know, I love all wine but I have a soft spot in my heart for Italian wine. While I enjoy the acidity and bright fruit flavors that most Italian wines exhibit, I love the passion that Italians, and particularly Italian winemakers, have for wine. It’s infectious. The Italians vinify varietals that 99.9% of the population has never heard of, including a number that date back to ancient Rome and the Greeks. The Italians … Read more
We are pitting Cabernet Sauvignon from the famed Cabernet Sauvignon stalwart Napa Valley against Sonoma, its upstart, funkier neighbor to the West. Napa and Sonoma are separated by the Mayacamas Mountains. Does the Napa-Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon feud rival the epic feud that has rages between East Coast and West Coast rappers. Probably not. Vintners are usually pretty cooperative. But, we thought that it would be fun to pit Napa against Sonoma for your drinking pleasure. … Read more
This Italian Vodka is a joint venture of the Arrigio Cipriani of the Cipriani family (known for Harry’s Bar in Venice and other high-end Italian restaurants) and Lapo Elkhann of the Fiat family. Clearly, these two are quite the tastemakers with the Cipriani restaurants being the go-to Italian restaurants in Venice and New York and Fiat making some of the most sought after cars in the world. From my research, it also appears that Mr. … Read more
This is a fun and flirty wine offered at an amazing price. While we were sent a sample of this wine, it retails for roughly $20 for a three liter box (4 bottles), which translates into $5 a bottle. It’s tough getting a good wine for $5 and this wine delivers. Plus, we really like the fact that it comes in an eco-conscious box with a spout, which made it the perfect wine for a … Read more
There is a long tradition in Italy of families and the church producing their own special liqueurs through both distillation and infusion. This tradition is alive and well in Italy today but not as widespread as it was 100 or 500 years ago. If you are treated to a limoncello in many restaurants in Italy at the end of your meal, it’s likely that the proprietor devised the secret recipe himself or it had been … Read more
I can hardly believe it’s almost 2012! This awesome end-of-the-year list makes sure that the classics are well-represented with cocktails like the Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea (it is a classic at this point) and the Mai Tai as well as drinks like the Appletini and Flirtini which, contrary to popular belief, aren’t dead. We’re also excited to see that one of our personal favorites, the Sidecar, continues to be a perennial favorite. Plus, this … Read more
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