Drinks Wire

Absolut Icebar Stockholm Review

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On a recent trip to Stockholm, I dropped in to the Absolute Icebar Stockholm. It was cool, very cool! I had always wanted to stay at an ice hotel (and had read up on the one that is built in Quebec each year), but I didn’t really know what to expect. It was far more than I expected, and honestly, much colder than expected.

The Absolut Icebar Stockholm is hosted at the Nordic Sea Hotel … Read more

Plymouth Gin Review

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Plymouth Gin is the gin of the officers of the British Navy.  While the enlisted men drank rum, the officers drank Plymouth Gin.  Since 1793, Plymouth Gin has been produced in the town of Plymouth, England, a city located on the south-west coast of England.  In fact, the pilgrims on the Mayflower took shelter from a storm there as they set sail for the new world.  Maybe this is why they named their town Plymouth.  … Read more

Frangelico Review

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Italy has a long tradition of making spirits and liqueurs.  However, you might not know it as Italy isn’t famed for their spirits or liqueurs.  In fact, when you think of Italy and spirits, you probably think of Grappa.  But, there is definitely more to Italian spirits than Grappa.   One of them is called noisette, which are liqueurs that are made by soaking nuts in alcohol and then distilling part of the infusion again.  Similar … Read more

Bacchus & Me – Literary Monday

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From the author of Bright Lights, Big City comes Bacchus & Me, Jay McInerney’s exploration of the world of wine.  A successful author and a connoisseur of fine wine, McInerney was approached to be the wine writer for Conde Nast’s House & Garden.  Today, McInerney is the wine columnist for the Wall Street Journal.  Bacchus & Me is compilation of stories that he wrote while at House & Garden.

Although the book is 12 years … Read more

XP Pale Ale: Bear Republic Brewing Company

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Nestled among posh restaurants and shops lies one of Healdsburg’s greatest gems, the Bear Republic Brewing Company.  The Bear is a microbrewery that produces exciting and rich house ales, all of which have been awarded prestigious honors from beer competitions from around the country. The brewery also produces limit sale seasonal brews that are always
awaited with great anticipation.

Last week, I had room in my schedule to make a little visit to the brewery. … Read more

Celebrate Malbec Day!

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What was once a minor blending grape in Bordeaux France has emerged as the national grape of Argentina.  What maybe this grape you ask?  Why, it’s Malbec.  To celebrate this magnificent grape, April 17th has been designated Malbec Day!

You may ask yourself, how did such a minor grape emerge as the national grape of Argentina and a current darling on the international wine scene?  Well, the answer is that the Malbec that emerges from … Read more

Titanic – A Night to Remember

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This year marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of that unsinkable ship – the Titanic.  Prior to it’s sinking, it was certainly a good time with lots of food and plenty of booze consumed.  The menus from the first and second class dining rooms are nothing but impressive.  I can only imagine what drinks accompanied them.  Folks back then knew how to throw them back.  Poking around on the internet, I found that the … Read more

Tax Day – A Day Made For Drinking

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One of the most dreaded days of the year is rapidly approaching – April 15, otherwise known as Tax Day.  Since April 15 falls on a Sunday this year, we get a day of reprieve with April 16 being Tax Day.  I can think of no other day that is as hated, reviled or feared as Tax Day.  Just writing this article about it makes me cringe.

But, on the flip side, there is no … Read more

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Review

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I didn’t know much about Four Roses Bourbon other than that my friend Ingrid really, really likes it!  We recently received a bottle of the Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon with the identification of Warehouse DS and Barrel 3-1I.  Apparently, each of the Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon bottles come marked with their barrel identification and warehouse storage location.  I thought that was pretty cool as bottles from different barrels can conceivably taste pretty different.  … Read more

2009 Caretaker Pinot Noir – Wine Wednesday

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Another pick from Trader Joe’s.  This wine was purchased for $9.99, a steal for a Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley, which is near Santa Barbara California.  For those of you who remember, this region was part of the Sideways journey.  I am pretty picky about Pinot and this is one of the growing regions that I think produces some of the best Pinot Noir in California.  My fave is Russian River and the … Read more