Manhattan Cocktail Drink Lab

New Year’s Eve with a few friends may not present the best opportunity to conduct a scientific drink lab but it sure is a fun way to get the party started! The Tiki lounge is set up with three whiskeys, three sweet vermouths, and Angostura regular and orange bitters. The buffet table offers a varietyContinueContinue reading “Manhattan Cocktail Drink Lab”

Gnarled Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

We went to a trade show recently and were very impressed with the wines from Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi, California. Moss Roxx Ancient Vine Zinfandel is especially first-rate and the Oak Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon and Ancient Vine Zinfandel are very good value wines at about $14 retail. At our local wine store, the OakContinueContinue reading “Gnarled Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2012”

Still wine tastes fizzy

We had a curious tasting experience with a bottle of organic Argentinian red wine, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Malbec. The pour had a dark ruby color and lively cherry nose. Blackberry and bittersweet chocolate presented on the palate. So far, so good. Then we noticed a slight fizziness. Why would a still wine beContinueContinue reading “Still wine tastes fizzy”

H3 Horse Heaven Hills Les Chevaux Red Blend 2011

The H3 Red Blend from Columbia Crest Winery can be categorized as a value wine that delivers a lot for the price. The winery is located along the Columbia River in eastern Washington State. This dark ruby blend is comprised of Syrah and Merlot. The nose starts with blueberry jam followed by a layer ofContinueContinue reading “H3 Horse Heaven Hills Les Chevaux Red Blend 2011”

A Night of Frank Sinatra in NYC

We live only a short trip to Manhattan, but for all the City has to offer, we don’t go there nearly enough. Saturday was the exception with a fun-filled itinerary of adult activities organized by my brother-in-law. We arrived a half hour before the meeting time and found a small park to admire the buildingContinueContinue reading “A Night of Frank Sinatra in NYC”

Sidecar Drink Lab

The classic Sidecar is made from brandy, triple sec and lemon. For this drink lab we are using Hennessy VS Cognac, Rose’s lemony Sweet and Sour Drink mix, and testing four different triple sec ingredients. Alternately, E&J Brandy works well instead of cognac. If you prefer fresh natural lemon juice over Rose’s but like someContinueContinue reading “Sidecar Drink Lab”

Bogle Essential Red

In keeping with drinking on a budget, we tend to save our better, and usually pricier wines, for the weekends. Our weekday wines are of the “best bang for the buck” value variety. Bogle Essential Red is the newcomer to our weekday wine collection. This red blend is comprised of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. TheContinueContinue reading “Bogle Essential Red”

Cloudline Pinot Noir 2013

Our takeaway from sampling many different Pinot Noirs is that, in general, no two Pinots taste alike. Buying a bottle of Pinot Noir is a crapshoot, we may love it or hate it. We took a gamble on the 2013 Cloudline Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley. Willamette Valley in Oregon has a cool, moist climate,ContinueContinue reading “Cloudline Pinot Noir 2013”

Oak Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Lodi

We recently shopped at the wine mega-store, Total Wine, and purchased the store’s best-selling Cabernet Sauvignon for about $14. I can see, or should I say taste, why it’s the store favorite. This Cab is a big, lush, fruit-filled delight from Lodi’s oldest operating winery, Oak Ridge. Fresh, ripe fruit on the nose and palate changesContinueContinue reading “Oak Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Lodi”

Mara Valpolicella Ripasso 2012

Mara Valpolicella Ripasso is an Italian blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. Ripasso is the term for the double fermentation technique used to give more body and flavor to the basic wine. The Valpolicella is fermented with the partially dried grape skins that have been left over from fermentation of Amarone. Mara Valpolicella Ripasso is agedContinueContinue reading “Mara Valpolicella Ripasso 2012”