I just stumbled across this app and though the song in the video is grating, it has some good features; you can search for a pairing based on what wine you’d like or what dish you’re having, you can add personalized notes for every wine, dish or pairing and the data is stored locally on your device, so can access it regardless of the status of your internet connection.
Monthly Archives: April 2010
Skoal party
To celebrate the birthdays of Nils and Dave (and as an excuse for skoaling), there was a party this past weekend. If this skoaling business is new for you, click here for full details.
Finger Lakes Distilling sponsored the majority of the booze. Have you ever had a corn juice cocktail?
The aquavit elixer, waiting for its next victims.
The ladies bring in the original skoaling Swede for inspiration.
Shouldn't these three start a band?
Their glasses may be missing, but there's plenty of love.
$8 ice cubes
Hal over at A Muddled Thought recently posted about Gläce Luxury Ice Company. He did a side-by-side comparison with home made ice and the Gläce ice was not only more attractive, but also lasted longer. It ought to at $8 a pop. This is what I use at home:
For the price of 2 Glace balls, you can get a spherical ice tray at the MoMA store.
To their credit, it looks like the Gläce folks threw a pretty fun party at the Playboy Mansion.
Filed under Gadgets
Keep trussing that chicken
Thirsty with a macedoine salad
After working at the FCI since 2006, I finally took my first culinary class this week; Knife Skills, Deboning and Filleting. I can jardinière, macédoine and émincer like nobody’s business, though, the cocotte is another story.
You may be asking what this has to do with a beverage blog. More professional looking drink garnishes and tastier meals to pair with wine are two things that come to mind.
A nicely-shaped and juicy bird to accompany your beverage of choice.
To be perfectly honest, when I heard we were trussing chickens, a certain Fox newscaster came to mind and gave me an excuse (albeit imperfect) to post this video clip on my site.
Old gal
Rye, Aperol and vermouth; happy together
I was a guinea pig for my friend Leo last night at EMP, as he tested some of his spring cocktail ideas. Today, I re-created my favorite; it’s a take on an Old Pal and Leo is thinking of calling it Old Gal.
The original is:
1 oz. whisk(e)y – I’ve seen recipes using bourbon, blended and rye
1 oz. vermouth – Some recipes call for either dry or sweet
1 oz. Campari – one substitution I’ve seen here is grenadine
Leo mentioned that he had used rye, Aperol and equal parts dry and sweet vermouths. Here is what I did today:
1 oz. McKenzie rye
1 oz. Aperol
1/2 oz. Dolin Blanc (slightly sweet)
1/2 oz. Dolin Dry
I combined all ingredients over ice, stirred and strained into a rocks glass. Leo served his with a large ice cube and an orange peel garnish, which I think is the way to go. I could see orange or rhubarb bitters in this drink, to play off the prominent notes in the Aperol. Candied rhubarb could also be a pretty, spring-appropriate garnish.
To see where else I’ve spread the Aperol love, click here, here or here. This drink might also remind you of a Boulevardier. Cheers to warm weather and cold drinks!
Filed under Cocktails
Wine on tap
An article ran last week in SF Gate about several restaurants in California and beyond starting to serve wine on tap.
Gus Vahlkamp, one of the wine directors interviewed, stated, “One of the things that’s always bothered me about wine prices is that you can’t get a decent glass of wine for the price of draft beer…here you can try a glass, and it’ll cost you $4.” Hells, yeah.
I just read today in NY Mag that the new branch of Terroir opening in Tribeca will feature a Finger Lakes Riesling on tap. I hope it’s just the beginning.
Filed under Alcohol in the News, Wine
These cocktail events aren’t foolin’
Tickets for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic went on sale at midnight last night and while a few events have sold out already, there’s plenty of fun left to be had.
A cocktail party that takes up the entire New York Public Library? A double-decker party bus featuring Pisco and Cachaça cocktails? Exploring the terroir of tequila? Yes, please! The best and brightest (not to mention, thirstiest) of the New York cocktail scene will be there May 14-18.
I just got an email with a discount code, thanks to my friends over at Tasting Table. Through April 15, you can get tickets for 3 events as well as the gala for 25% off by entering TTMCC2010 at checkout. Cheers!
A Thirsty Spirit 