https://athirstyspirit.com/2014/10/13/4th-of-july-and-colorado/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-117.jpegry=400-1We finished out the day by lounging at the roof top pool, riding the Denver equivalent of Citibikes, having a delicious dinner at Root Down and drinks at Linger. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry4802.jpegry=480That afternoon, we went to the Denver Botanic Gardens, where a Chihuly exhibit was going on. He's known for his glass work and the installation was seamlessly throughout the gardens.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry40015.jpegry=400The next morning we did a fitness class on Stand Up Paddleboards. This was a first for me. I made it until about the last 2 minutes of class before falling in.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-213.jpegry=400-2One of my friends saying bye as we made our way back down the mountain.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-116.jpegry=400-1The views from the top were mind-blowing. We also checked out the highest observatory in North America. There used to be a restaurant called the Crest House, but it burned down in 1979. We walked around the ruins. I hope they bring it back. What a place for a cup of coffee!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry40014.jpegry=400I was tickled by the Bighorn Sheep. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry4801.jpegry=480https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry480.jpegry=480We made it to the top! We took the trail from the parking lot, and we could see most of the Continental Divide. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-32.jpegry=400-3Our first stop was Summit Lake Park. It's the highest park in the Denver Mountain Park system. The environment mirrors the arctic. Luckily, we had our rain jackets in the car.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-212.jpegry=400-2We dogged some buffalo burgers at Backcountry Brewery in Frisco afterwards.2025-05-04T11:45:30+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2014/10/10/june-highlights/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry4009.jpegry=400Our ride back to the city. This ferry will always be one of our favorites. Super fast, great views and they sell beer.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry4008.jpegry=400Always fun getting these guys off the hook.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-111.jpegry=400-1Another day when we'd be buying our dinner instead of catching it.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-210.jpegry=400-2Eager to keep our boating fresh, we took the ferry to Atlantic Highlands and rented a boat one day.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-110.jpegry=400-1A lovely early summer evening.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry4007.jpegry=400It's always nice to see where you live from the water.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-29.jpegry=400-2In addition to drinks and dinner, we went on a 2.5 hour cruise.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-31.jpegry=400-3The Revolution is a 62' yard patrol boat that was built in 1944. It was used by the Navy to teach seamanship. It has also served as a fire boat and as a ferry boat in Boston.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-4.jpegry=400-4One night we went on a dinner cruise in the East River called the Water Table.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-19.jpegry=400-1We trained on 18-20 ft. center console boats. The docking practice was particularly useful and the high speed maneuvers were quite fun. The 10 year old in the class (pictured here) made me feel like less of a badass.2014-10-10T16:48:09+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2014/10/06/bridesmaid-detail-memorial-day-2014/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-16.jpegry=400-1Things definitely got silly as the night progressed.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-27.jpegry=400-2Don't we clean up nicely? Yes, I am wearing clothes.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry4002.jpegry=400Backdrop for the big day.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-3.jpegry=400-3We got the party started back in our room, with a little Champagne.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-26.jpegry=400-2We got ready in a house right on the lake, with great views.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry4001.jpegry=400We got the full treatment, including air brush make up.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400.jpegry=400Casey and Carroll anxiously watching the speeches at the evening's welcome party. We were next up. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-15.jpegry=400-1After practicing our positions in the processional, we sat down for a meal.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-14.jpegry=400-1We had our own little photo session since the light was so eerie.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ry400-13.jpegry=400-1The action kicked off Friday night with a rehearsal dinner. The weather was fairly ominous during the day, but ended up clearing.2014-10-06T15:41:45+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2014/09/03/divemaster-internship-st-maarten-316-42614/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry400-11.jpegry=400-1The last week I was there, I was joined by Noah and my folks. Here we are on a sunset sail.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry4002.jpegry=400One Saturday night, we had a party. A shot of most of the crew. Brazil, Portugal, Ireland, Canada, England and the US are represented.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry480.jpegry=480When I wasn't at the shop, I would be brushing up on my fish id skills or preparing for my PADI exam.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry400-2.jpegry=400-2As the week progressed, the combinations would become more interesting; i.e. combine whatever's left in the fridge and put a fried egg on it.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry400-1.jpegry=400-1Because I wanted to save time and money (and eat healthy), I would cook enough food on my day off to last the whole week.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry4001.jpegry=400I stayed in a studio efficiency within walking distance of the dive shop. I picked up some decorating tips during my stay.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ry400.jpegry=400In exchange for my PADI certification, I would work at the shop.2014-09-03T13:06:40+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2014/07/16/hittin-the-slopes-feb-5-24-2014/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry400-13.jpegry=400-1Noah enjoying the view and the pow at the Bird.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry400-22.jpegry=400-2We got in a couple good days at Breck and then headed to our favorite spot: Snowbird.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry400-12.jpegry=400-1Shortly after arriving back in Breck, I was joined by Mike and Noah.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry400-21.jpegry=400-2I took advantage of the free bus to the slopes and was amused by the graffiti.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry400-11.jpegry=400-1We worked hard for these apres ski beers.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry400-41.jpegry=400-4We split our week between Vail and Beaver Creek.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry400-31.jpegry=400-3There were fields of pow to be had.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry480-1.jpegry=480-1I'm standing out on Carroll's porch. The snow had been coming down and it did not stop.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry480.jpegry=480Casey took Friday off from work and we headed to Carroll's in Breckenridge. Getting Casey out on the slopes is no small feat.2014-07-16T21:09:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2014/07/01/nitro-circus-january-2014/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ry400.jpegry=400Indoor fireworks at one of NYC's most recognizable venues. Yes, please!2014-07-01T13:13:12+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2014/06/30/other-december-highlights-and-heading-out-west/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry40012.jpegry=400It was also the land of beautiful sunsets. I'm looking forward to returning.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry40011.jpegry=400I came to think of New Mexico as the land of giant breakfast. Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles, breakfast burritos; oh, my!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry40010.jpegry=400I got to pretend to be a cowgirl for a day, too.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-25.jpegry=400-2We played quite a bit of Mexican or Train Dominoes while we were there. No one could explain the name to me. In case it wasn't offensive enough, we added a sombrero to the mix.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-17.jpegry=400-1NYE with Kaye and Nick in downtown Santa Fe. At one point, almost all of Noah's family was out west.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry4009.jpegry=400John took us shooting one day on some public land. We brought some cans to shoot, not knowing there would be other fun targets already there.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-16.jpegry=400-1Selena joined us snowboarding at Taos. She scraped her outfit together with what she found at her parents' house. It looked like we were there with our pre-teen son.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-24.jpegry=400-2This sign cracked me up. There was a surprisingly large number of very bad skiers. I thought it was because of the holidays. Someone on the lift told us it was because of the proximity to Texas. Oh, dip.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/gopr2891.jpgDCIM100GOPROSanta Fe Basin was pretty impressive. Only 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe, its base was at over 10,000 ft. Since the air is so dry, any snow they get stays powdery for a long time.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry4008.jpegry=400Noah showing how the mud baths are done. Pretty neat to be covered in mud in the middle of winter.2014-07-03T17:42:17+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2014/06/26/rescue-diver-training-122-12713/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry4005.jpegry=400Southern Stingrays are also a very common sight on these dives.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-22.jpegry=400-2Go Pro selfie. In order to do the Rescue Course, you need to have your Advanced Open Water and be current with CPR and first aid. I had just finished my EMT course a few months prior, so it worked out well.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-13.jpegry=400-1The hotel was quiet, so I got upgraded to a fancy room. This was the view from my balcony.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry4004.jpegry=400We were first introduced to St. Maarten a few years ago by some friends. Reliable weather, warm water, beautiful dive sites and an easy, direct flight from NYC make it a great place to go.2014-06-26T13:36:55+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2014/06/25/next-2-stops-in-november-2013/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-12.jpegry=400-1We also managed to bring in the world's smallest flounder.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry4003.jpegry=400We also did some fishing off the pier at my folks' place. Here is a skate my Uncle caught.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-31.jpegry=400-3Here he is again, annoyed that I interrupted his shellfish eating session.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-21.jpegry=400-2I saw my first swimming raccoon. Growing up, these things only came out at night, unless they were rabid.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry400-11.jpegry=400-1We did some fishing along the Intracoastal. This is the red fish I caught. We fried it and it was pretty tasty.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ry4002.jpegry=400It's the largest spring along the St. John river. The manatees are there during the winter months.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_3345.jpgIMG_3345Here are her girls being squirrely on the kitchen counter.2014-06-25T13:56:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/about/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/img_3556.jpgIMG_3556Trying to spend a decent amount of time in this outfit, too (Taos, NM, 12/2013)https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/selfie-in-gear.jpgDCIM100GOPROThese days, you'll often find me in this outfit (Quintana Roo, Mexico, 5/2014)https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/p1000535.jpgP1000535https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/p1000531.jpgP1000531https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/alexis-kahn-photo.jpgAlexis Kahn Photo2014-09-21T04:55:09+00:00weekly0.6https://athirstyspirit.com/2014/06/13/kickoff-adventure-girls-weekend-october-17-22-2013/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/upstairs-cabin.jpgupstairs cabinCasey and I slept upstairs. I found the cabin much less charming in the middle of the night when the mice were running around inside the walls above the bed and pooping on us.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/cabin-downstairs.jpgcabin downstairsThis was the downstairs of the cabin. Nice and cozy.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/cabin-exterior.jpgcabin exteriorWe spent the night in this little gem.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/strawberry-springs.jpgstrawberry springsOur next stop was Strawberry Park Hot Springs.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/dancing-80s-band.jpgdancing 80s bandSome fun nightlife to be found in Steamboat. Seek out the 80s cover band if you want to get your dance on. We met up with Chris, another Elmira transplant in Colorado.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/rabbit-ears-motel.jpgrabbit ears motelThis is where we stayed. One of the best motel logos I've ever seen.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/the-aftermath-of-proposal.jpgthe aftermath of proposalThe happy couple. We'd all be together again for the wedding 7 months later. Stay tuned.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/the-proposal.jpgthe proposalWe got her good! The only person who might have been more surprised was the dude in the red sweatshirt.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/just-before-our-big-trick.jpgjust before our big trickWe led Sarah to a bridge in front of a waterfall where we had arranged for Mike to be waiting with a proposal.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/group-shot-hiking.jpggroup shot hikingFish Creek Falls; super close in downtown Steamboat. We got a beautiful day for a hike.2014-06-16T04:46:06+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/10/09/just-like-the-old-days/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img_18571.jpgIMG_1857The end result. I love how the sun streams in the windows at brunch.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img_18561.jpgIMG_1856Painting and sanding benches outside on a warm fall day. A bit less stressful than this time last year. It's good to need more seats!2012-10-24T13:27:10+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/09/20/fall-sangria/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_1812.jpgIMG_1812https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_1811.jpgIMG_1811https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_1782.jpgIMG_1782https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_1751.jpgIMG_1751https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_4790.jpgIMG_4790https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_1744.jpgIMG_1744https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_1699.jpgIMG_1699https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_1434.jpgIMG_1434https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_4820.jpgIMG_4820https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_1320.jpgIMG_13202012-09-24T10:21:25+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/06/20/rose-sangria/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/img_4527.jpgIMG_4527Berry Rose Sangria, now available at ABV for $9 a glass2012-06-20T21:24:38+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/06/13/something-is-stirring-indeed/2012-06-13T14:26:11+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/04/23/big-ups-to-corey/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/img_0915.jpgIMG_09152012-06-05T13:37:36+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/04/04/having-fun-at-abv/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/img_0958.jpgIMG_0958Cheers!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/img_0948.jpgIMG_0948We have no uniforms and several of our staff members have plenty of colorful t-shirts in their wardrobes.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/img_0950.jpgIMG_0950Once we wrote that Yo-Yo Ma was playing and several people came in to ask if it was true. One night, the statement, "a doughnut without a hole is a danish" brought a woman in asking if she could buy some doughnuts.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/img_0939.jpgIMG_0939Each night (and brunch) we put out our sandwich board. I've been chronicling some of my favorites. 2012-04-05T09:54:05+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/03/13/abv-in-am-new-york/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/image.jpgimageOne of our friend Fiona's shots, used in AM New York.2012-04-03T15:23:14+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/03/07/more-mentions-for-abv/2012-03-07T04:39:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/02/24/skip-the-trek-downtown/2012-02-24T17:04:26+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/02/16/single-service-coffee/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/img_0892.jpgIMG_0892The staff was measuring out coffee beans for our pour-over service the other day and I recently noticed one had been vandalized. 2012-02-17T02:18:25+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/01/26/abv-on-fox-business-news/2012-01-29T12:58:48+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/01/25/abv-on-grub-street/2015-08-09T19:46:12+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/01/18/the-final-countdown/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_4189.jpgIMG_4189We had a photo shoot yesterday. Stay tuned to learn what is was for!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1234.jpgIMG_1234Noah adding a metallic gold coat to the front bar. Wait until you see step 2.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1222.jpgIMG_1222We had our textured wallpaper installed and then we painted it.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1217.jpgIMG_1217We hung our menu boards. We're waiting for our last batch of letters to arrive. At one point, we contemplated basing our menus on what letters we had.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_4175.jpgIMG_4175Corey enjoying the aftermath of cocktail training.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_4161.jpgIMG_4161Leo joined us for cocktail training.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1158.jpgIMG_1158Putting the mirrors on the back bar.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1155.jpgIMG_1155We bought a desk for the office at a church rummage sale. Noah walked it the 5 blocks to our bar using a hand truck. Here, Mike and Noah assess the best way to get it down the hatch.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1160.jpgIMG_1160Oh, Philipp's in town? I hear he's good with a sander. Finishing our last table!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1153.jpgIMG_1153All of our friends who come to see us get put to work, especially those who are handy. Here, McCloskey attaches our table bases.2012-01-25T19:39:14+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2012/01/02/happy-new-year-2/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1109.jpgIMG_1109Organizing the basement. Look! It's small wares! I'm particularly pleased with the lockers.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1103.jpgIMG_1103Tables and benches are here. Check out that sconce!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1092.jpgIMG_1092Putting together the office chairs. IT equipment all installed. Carpet arriving tomorrow. Hanging shelves and wine maps today.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1098.jpgIMG_1098Working on the back bar. Mirrored shelves in progress.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1083.jpgIMG_1083Kitchen refrigeration went in. All equipment is installed and working. Corey is in there cooking today. Wait til you see what we're doing with that 4 inch pipe on the counter.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1084.jpgIMG_1084We matched the wall in front of the restroom to the kitchen soffit. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/img_1076.jpgIMG_1076Finishing up the kitchen soffit.2012-02-06T09:26:34+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/12/21/here-comes-wine-fridge/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1071.jpgIMG_1071The beginnings of our second bathroom. Tiling to come.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1073.jpgIMG_1073The basement floor and stairs are now painted. We're continuing our cheery theme down there.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1069.jpgIMG_1069The basement is almost done. When I saw the FRP on the walls and the pot sink installed, it brought a tear to my eye. I'm not kidding.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1063.jpgIMG_1063Adjusting the legs on the fryer. This may be the piece of kitchen equipment and I am most excited about.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1058.jpgIMG_1058Fiddling with the plug on the back bar fridge, under Corey's supervision.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1047.jpgIMG_1047Here comes her big sister down the street. Our landlord was kind enough to let us house all of our equipment in his not-yet-rented commercial space next door during our build out.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1044.jpgIMG_1044Dual-temp, wine slide-out racks. Yeah, baby.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1040.jpgIMG_1040Epoxy on the kitchen and back bar floors was finished last week, which meant we could start bringing our equipment in.2011-12-29T20:07:09+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/12/15/all-i-want-for-christmas/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1032.jpgIMG_1032I could open a restaurant out of my apartment right now. Those glass racks are taller than me. Excited to start moving all of this stuff to the bar this weekend.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0983.jpgIMG_0983I am thrilled about our cocktail program. I'm getting some help from a very talented friend. Mike and I were hard at work taste testing in this photo.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1029.jpgIMG_1029Our freshly painted basement stairs. We're keeping it chipper down there.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1024.jpgIMG_1024I wanted to play Darth Vader, too. My wine room is now "pumpkin spice".https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_10171.jpgIMG_1017Mike working on more of our lighting. With all of our extra time, we're going to start a lamp manufacturing business on the side. All of our lights will be hung by tomorrow.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_10161.jpgIMG_1016Con Ed installed our meter this week. Our landlord was thrilled by the holes in the sidewalk and on Lexington Ave.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1017.jpgIMG_1017Mike working on more of our lighting. Everything should be hung by tomorrow.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_1016.jpgIMG_1016Con Ed installed our meter this week. Our landlord was pretty thrilled by how much they dug up the sidewalk and Lexington Avenue.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0977.jpgIMG_0977We poured the floors behind both bars. They've since been covered with grippy, waterproof epoxy. We'll be starting to move equipment in today!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0974.jpgIMG_0974Our two walk-in boxes have been installed. 2012-02-05T14:57:36+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/12/02/the-pre-turkey-push/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_4017.jpgIMG_4017We also managed to finish one bathroom in time. Here's the happy group at the end of the night. Some folks had already left. At one point, we numbered over 30.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0949.jpgIMG_0949The light fixture making has been a family affair. Here's Corey, cutting more pipe while meeting the neighbors.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0934.jpgIMG_0934We thought some lights would be nice. We're making many of the fixtures ourselves. Here, Noah is cutting some pipe.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0950.jpgIMG_0950The kitchen equipment wasn't going to be ready (which also posed some unique challenges for the holiday), but the Ansul system was.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0944.jpgIMG_0944What Thanksgiving would be complete without duct work? Here, our air conditioning duct is going in.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0931.jpgIMG_0931The varnish we applied to the floor was pretty gnarly, hence Noah's Star Wars get-up.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img_0936.jpgIMG_0936The floor was in, but needed to be spot sanded.2012-02-06T09:16:40+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/11/13/its-starting-to-look-like-a-bar/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0904.jpgIMG_0904We purchased extra wood along with our flooring. Here, I'm staining what will become a bench. Working on the sidewalk is a good way to meet the neighbors.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0900.jpgIMG_0900Sheet rocking began in the basement on Saturday. We had to wait until we had run the phone, security camera and cat5 cables. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0898.jpgIMG_0898Sizing the drink rail for one of the front windows. It will be a great people watching spot.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0876.jpgIMG_0876Even with just the framing for the two bars, it's starting to feel like a real place.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0873.jpgIMG_0873This week we installed the bar framing. This piece needed a little trim to fit properly around the floor drain.2012-01-09T23:19:24+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/11/08/abv-in-tony/2011-11-09T13:09:28+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/11/04/progress-report-v-4/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0276.jpgIMG_0276Our friend Justin came to town to help us install the flooring. They'll wrap up today.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0274.jpgIMG_0274Our hatch, with 2 coats of rustoleum. One of the best looking in town, for sure.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0271.jpgIMG_0271The sub flooring went in over two evenings this week. Saving room for a mat at the front.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0256.jpgIMG_0256Noah assisting Michael with the kitchen bar framing.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0258.jpgIMG_0258We will also be cleaning up the hood area, with a kitchen soffit, framed here.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0257.jpgIMG_0257...which looks like this.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0222.jpgIMG_0222We picked up some extra wood. This is being scrubbed in preparation to become the bar soffit.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0220.jpgIMG_0220The team. Happy that 800+ square feet of reclaimed barn wood is off the truck.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_08521.jpgIMG_0852We had the stools professionally sand blasted. Here, we are scrubbing and staining them.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/img_0217.jpgIMG_0217Mike rented a UHaul to bring our flooring and stools home from Elmira. We unloaded it around 11 pm. It must have been quite a sight.2012-02-05T14:59:34+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/10/28/and-so-it-begins/2011-10-28T15:32:24+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/09/22/wines-of-brazil/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_08421.jpgIMG_0842Churrascaria Tribeca doesn't mess around when it comes to meat. Servers circulated with pork sausage, beef ribs, chicken legs, bacon-wrapped turkey, sirloin, prime rib, all on menacing-looking meat swords.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_08411.jpgIMG_0841Evan doing his thing. What you may not be able to see on screen is a photograph taken in Pernambuco, of vineyards in 4 different season "states". Through irrigation, forced dormant periods, and other methods, growers have been able to trick these vines into 2 harvests per year.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_0842.jpgIMG_0842Churrascaria Tribeca doesn't mess around when it comes to meat. Servers circulated with pork sausage, beef ribs, chicken legs, bacon-wrapped turkey, sirloin, prime rib, all on menacing-looking meat swords.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_0841.jpgIMG_0841Evan doing his thing. What you may not be able to see on screen is a photograph taken in Pernambuco, of vineyards in 4 different season "states". Through irrigation, forced dormant periods, and other methods, growers have been able to trick these vines into 2 harvests per year.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_0840.jpgIMG_0840We sampled 3 sparklers, 2 whites and 11 reds, including some varietals that were new to me.2011-10-19T22:04:42+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/10/19/progress-report-v-3/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/img_0207.jpgIMG_0207I did the trimming while Michael did the rest. Sometimes, it's good to be short.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/img_0206.jpgIMG_0206Today, Michael and I primed the ceiling. Tomorrow, we paint.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/img_3986.jpgIMG_3986We re-sealed the brick where the old duct work was.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/img_3984.jpgIMG_3984The plumber insulated a pipe running through the wine room.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/img_3978.jpgIMG_3978Framing in the basement is pretty much done. On the left, the electrical room, on the right, our office.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/img_3985.jpgIMG_3985We now have stainless steel in our kitchen.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/img_3973.jpgIMG_3973It's thrilling to see so many permits on the front door. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, oh my.2011-10-21T11:25:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/10/07/gonna-build-me-a-wine-room/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/venice.jpgVeniceArrivederci Venezia!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/wine-room.jpgWine roomFraming in the basement has begun!2012-02-06T08:09:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/10/03/because-the-nyt-wasnt-enough/2011-10-04T00:41:08+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/09/29/gqs-new-rules-of-wine/2011-09-29T18:35:41+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/09/27/progress-report-take-2/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/p1010826.jpgP1010826Bar frame, in its new home, waiting patiently to be installed.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/p1010825.jpgP1010825Not something you see everyday.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/p1010824.jpgP1010824Our bar frame has arrived!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/p10108211.jpgP1010821Breaking through the brick to connect the duct work. We'll be filling the old hole in.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/p1010821.jpgP1010821Breaking through the brick to connect the duct work. We'll be filling the old hole in.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/p1010820.jpgP1010820Master Fire is still plugging away on our hood installation.2011-09-29T13:59:10+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/09/23/hood-installation/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3663.jpgIMG_3663The dramatic close-up.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3667.jpgIMG_3667It was a welding party.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3665.jpgIMG_3665Happy I caught the guys in action today.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3658.jpgIMG_3658Sweet, sweet hoods. I can't stop smiling.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3654.jpgIMG_3654The old system, in pieces, in our air shaft.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3671.jpgIMG_3671Today, a hole, where the old system used to be. The air is thick with welding smoke..https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3650.jpgIMG_3650Remnants of the old hood system, when the space used to be a bodega.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3649.jpgIMG_3649The scene two days ago. Up-to-code black iron, waiting patiently to be installed.2011-09-27T12:27:49+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/09/17/new-location-for-vinyl-wine/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/vinyl-cleaning1.jpgvinyl cleaningScrubbing the shelving last night. Donkey & Goat's The Stonecrusher made the job more fun.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/vinyl-cleaning.jpgvinyl cleaningScrubbing the shelving last night. Donkey & Goat's Stone Crusher helped make the job a little more fun.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3645.jpgIMG_3645Wait until you see some of these record covers that adorn the checkout.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3642.jpgIMG_3642In addition to greater shelf space, you'll also find a piano. Ask nicely, and maybe this guy will play for you.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_3641.jpgIMG_3641The thirsty rockers have come along.2011-11-06T16:35:07+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/09/13/progress-report/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dscn1138.jpgDSCN1138Lots of plumbing downstairs. Don't often see a dirt floor in NYC.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dscn1136.jpgDSCN1136A working toilet. Someone has already peed on the seat.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dscn1133.jpgDSCN1133Sheet rocking for first floor. Check.2011-09-14T09:35:13+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/08/31/she-is-a-thing-of-beauty/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dscn1123.jpgDSCN1123Future bathroom. Don't worry, this is the small one.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dscn1122.jpgDSCN1122Future kitchen.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dscn11191.jpgDSCN1119I wanted to frame it, but we had to post it on the front door.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dscn1119.jpgDSCN1119I wanted to frame it, but we had to put it on the door.2011-09-12T23:03:27+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/08/17/searching-for-a-port-in-the-stormy/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/img_36091.jpgIMG_3609Even the color of the Warre's was closer to the original.2011-08-17T23:28:54+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/08/04/now-im-just-bragging/2011-08-12T04:23:58+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/08/03/summer-wines-in-womens-health-magazine/2011-08-03T02:29:23+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/08/02/summer-before-and-after/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/img_3518.jpgIMG_3518The aftermath. The wine outlasted the crabs.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/img_3516.jpgIMG_3516Maryland blue crabs and some boxed love.2011-08-02T13:45:46+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/07/26/beer-tasting-at-cafe-dalsace/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dscn1101.jpgDSCN1101Best name of the day - Beer Geek Breakfast - an oat and coffee stout from Mikkeller in Denmark, 7.5% abv.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dscn1100.jpgDSCN1100Bruery's Saison Rue, a farmhouse style, also at 8.5%.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dscn1099.jpgDSCN1099The Bruery's Mischief was beer #4. A Belgian-style strong golden ale (think Duvel), clocking in at 8.5%. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dscn1098.jpgDSCN1098Nils Oscar Barley Wine, 9.5% abv.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dscn1097.jpgDSCN1097Next was Sinebrychoff's Porter, 7.2% abv.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dscn1096.jpgDSCN1096First up was Thornbridge Brewery's Kipling, a South Pacific Pale Ale clocking in at 5.2%.2011-07-27T03:39:31+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/07/20/australias-most-famous-soil/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_2970.jpgIMG_2970The soil is friable, well-drained, and imparts special characteristics to the reds planted in it. While Shiraz is king in most of Australia, there is 3 times more Cab planted here. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_2965.jpgIMG_2965The thin band of terra rossa sits on limestone. The red color comes from iron impurities in the limestone, which have oxidized, and have turned reddish brown.2011-07-22T23:16:34+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/07/18/summer-chenin-madness/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3474.jpgIMG_3474Monster serving of seared scallops, grilled polenta and scallions, summer truffles and pine honey.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3469.jpgIMG_3469Chris had come across some pine honey. Sweet, with the perfect amount of herbaceousness.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3459.jpgIMG_3459I was on summer truffle detail. Just the right amount of funk for the line-up of wines.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3453.jpgIMG_3453The plan was to grill polenta, along with other goodies. I suggested ring molds, to keep up appearances.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3438.jpgIMG_3438The first course was corn soup with bacon and chives. The sweetness of the corn played nicely with the fruitiness of the wines.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3447.jpgIMG_3447The aromas and flavors of these ranged from celery soda to baked apple, but there was a recognizable line throughout.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3437.jpgIMG_3437From left to right, the '93, '91 and '07 Coulee de Serrant. Liquid gold.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3436.jpgIMG_3436Jacky Blot Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups "Les Dix Arpents" Montlouis Sur Loire. 2009.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3431.jpgIMG_3431Huet Le Haut-Lieu. 2002. 12% abv.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3429.jpgIMG_3429Chamboureau Cuvee d'Avant Savennieres 2004. 14% abv. 2011-07-19T01:04:51+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/07/05/shoots-flaming-balls-and-reports/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/img_3416.jpgIMG_34162011-08-20T13:30:28+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/06/22/earls-in-tony/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/earls-growler.jpgearls growlerGet your growler on. Photo by Paul Wagtouicz.2011-06-22T16:20:42+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/06/21/sampling-speakeasy/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/new-york-sour.jpgnew york sourThen, the New York Sourhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/secret-crush.jpgsecret crushNext up, Secret Crushhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/americano.jpgamericanoFirst up, the Americano2011-06-21T15:31:05+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/06/14/6-tips-for-pairing-wine-with-food/2011-07-18T18:24:37+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/06/09/a-new-wine-wheel/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/label-wheel.jpglabel wheel2011-06-09T19:01:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/06/07/yep-its-good-with-bacon-and-eggs/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/breakfast-with-majella.jpgbreakfast with majellaYes, I was having coffee and wine at the same time. Hey, it was 8:30 am.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/frying-pan-21.jpgfrying pan 2Half the pan was dedicated to scrambled eggs and the other half was dedicated to local bacon, pork and chicken sausages. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/frying-pan-11.jpgfrying pan 1Majella had what has to be the world's largest frying pan set up in the middle of the winery.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/frying-pan-2.jpgfrying pan 2Half the pan was dedicated to scrambled eggs and the other half was dedicated to local bacon, pork and chicken sausages. I had to include another shot, to give you a better idea of the scale of this thing.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/frying-pan-1.jpgfrying pan 1Majella had what has got to be the world's largest frying pan set up in the winery.2011-06-12T10:36:07+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/06/06/coonawarra-in-a-nutshell/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/hat-holder.jpghat holderOur driver had a special holster for his hat. There were no cup holders, though, because when you're driving in Australia, you can just hold your beer in your hand.2015-03-11T03:59:05+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/06/01/our-trip-in-6-minutes/2011-06-01T12:51:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/31/eden-part-3-or-we-go-to-penfolds/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/rules.jpgrulesRule #3 dictates that whistling and singing on the premises is strictly prohibited.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/helen-keller-barrel.jpghelen keller barrelHelen Keller visited the famed estate, and was able to guess, within a few thousand liters, what the barrel in this picture would hold.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/old-grange-labels.jpgold grange labelsGrange was first bottled in the 1950s. Check out the awesome, original labels.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/peter-gago.jpgpeter gagoPeter Gago, Chief Winemaker since 2002, walked us through the tasting. A conversation about closures came up at almost every tasting we attended on the trip. Peter had one of the best answers about corks vs. screwcaps, saying that we have yet to discover the best closure, and that we shouldn't stop with screw tops. It's worth reading about the "re-corking clinics" on the Penfolds website.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/wine-table.jpgwine tablePenfolds was founded by an English doctor, born in 1811 and the youngest of 11 children. In 1844, he and his wife Mary purchased the Magill Estate, "comprising 500 acres of the choicest land". Mary was responsible for the early management and winemaking at the estate. The early wines, made from Grenache, were prescribed as tonic wines for anemic patients.2011-05-31T21:53:29+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/27/eden-take-2/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ak-in-hill-of-grace.jpgak in hill of graceHere I am, enjoying my Hill of Grace in the Hill of Grace. It is a translation from the German ‘Gnadenberg’, a region in Silesia, and the name given to the Lutheran church across the road.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/hill-of-roses-bottle.jpghill of roses bottleDark fruits, herbaceous and spicy. Complex and layered with velvety tannins. Don't tell, but I prefered the 2006 Hill of Roses to the 2006 Hill of Grace.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/old-post-office-at-henschke.jpgold post office at henschkeThe vines for Hill of Roses come from the Post Office block (see namesake in background). These vines are only 19 years old, too young for inclusion in the Hill of Grace bottling. That being said, the wine was deemed tasty enough to have its own bottling.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/grandfathers-block.jpggrandfathers blockThis is Grandfathers block, the oldest in the Hill of Grace vineyard, planted by Nicolaus Stanitzki around the 1860s. The vines are on their own roots from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early settlers. These gnarled Shiraz vines are dry-grown.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/cleaning-feet-before-hill-of-grace.jpgcleaning feet before hill of graceWe all had to step in this bucket, with cleaning solution, prior to entering the Hill of Grace Vineyard, so as to not spread any unwanted pests. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/phylloxera-sticker.jpgphylloxera stickerVine aphid, root louse, insect. Whatever you'd like to call it, it attacks and kills grapevines. It can be transported in soil, grapes, leaves, or on footwear, clothing or vehicles.2011-05-28T10:10:30+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/26/photo-stream-from-barossa-dirt/2011-05-26T14:29:27+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/25/eden-valley-part-1/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/outdoor-lunch.jpgoutdoor lunchThe lunch setting was very fitting for a place named Eden Valley. We didn't really want to leave.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/heggies-dam.jpgheggies damThis was the view from our lunch table. Australians tend to be pretty straightforward when it comes to naming things.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/contour-vineyards.jpgcontour vineyardsSee where The Contours gets its name? This wouldn't be considered efficient planting these days, but Louis loves the quality of the fruit from this vineyard.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/rsl-flight-in-vineyard1.jpgrsl flight in vineyardLouisa walked us through the tasting. My favorites were the 2010 Thorn-Clarke Mt. Crawford Single Vineyard, the 2010 Dandelion Vineyards Wonderland and the 2010 Pewsey Vale Vineyard.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/table-in-contour-vineyard.jpgtable in contour vineyardWe felt like we were walking into an episode of Top Chef, seeing the tasting table set up in the vineyard.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pewsey-vale-apples.jpgpewsey vale applesOur first stop was Pewsey Vale Vineyard.2011-05-25T21:38:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/23/the-barossa-part-3/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/birth-year-barrels.jpgbirth year barrelsCertain to be the best tawny in the lot, at 32 years young.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/doll-house-for-drunks.jpgdoll house for drunksA miniature replica of the Seppeltsfield grounds prompted one of my colleagues to proclaim, "It's like a dollhouse for drunks!"https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/100-year-old-seppeltsfield.jpg100 year old seppeltsfieldYup, that bottle says 1911. In 1878, the stone cellar was completed by Benno Seppelt and to celebrate, he selected a barrel of his finest wine and gave instructions that it was not to be bottled for 100 years. This became a tradition and Seppeltsfield is the only winery still with significant, consecutive stock of over 100 years worth of vintages. This particular wine was released on February 20, 2011, to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the winery. This viscous tawny reminded us of a fine aged balsamic.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/seppetlsfield-line-up.jpgseppetlsfield line upA wide range of styles was presented - from Fino-esque sherry through to XO Tawny. The Para Grand, made from Grenache, Shiraz and Mouvedre, with an average age of 18 years, was an incredible value at $32. Nutty, with caramel apple and orange blossom, it made me hungry for a cheese plate.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/grounds-at-seppeltsfield1.jpggrounds at seppeltsfieldIn addition to the palms, there's a rose garden, the Pine Forest and the Elm Walk, where we're strolling above.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/grounds-at-seppeltsfield.jpggrounds at seppeltsfieldThe grounds have several garden areas. Here we are, strolling along Elm Walk.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/barrels-at-seppeltsfield.jpgbarrels at seppeltsfieldSeppeltsfield, founded in 1851, has the largest solera system outside of Spain. They focus on fortified wine production2011-05-23T20:04:22+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/20/barossa-take-2/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bedford-truck.jpgbedford truckhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/basket-press-3.jpgbasket press 3Look at that electric magenta color! We all tasted a sample and it was like liquid jam.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/basket-press-2.jpgbasket press 2Check out the must oozing out between the staves.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/basket-press-1.jpgbasket press 1Basket press at work, doing a slow crush.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/basket-press-0.jpgbasket press 0Time to press the Mataro (Mourvedre) that had been shoveled out of the open fermenters.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/rusden-meat.jpgrusden meatThe pork and the lamb were delicious on their own as well as with the locally-made horseradish and wines.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/barossa-tasting.jpgbarossa tastingTwo standouts for me were the 2008 Rusden Black Guts; well-balanced, elegant, red and blue fruits, lavender, mineral and the 2006 Elderton Command Single Vineyard; peat, iodine, silky tannins, dark cherries, quite concentrated.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/rusden-cat.jpgrusden catResident cat overseeing the vineyards.2011-05-19T21:15:56+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/19/visiting-the-barossa-part-1/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/e-and-e-black-pepper.jpge and e black pepperBarrel sample of E & E Black Pepper Shiraz on the right and the current release (2006) on the left. It was fun to see how the wine will evolve.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tank-temp-controls1.jpgtank temp controlsStuart admonishing that this system is a babysitter and not a nanny - it should not be used to raise the kids, but rather just to watch the kids so mom and dad can hit the town.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/press-on-tracks1.jpgpress on tracksNote the press that runs along tracks so it can moved under any tank.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tank-temp-controls.jpgtank temp controlsStuart explaining how their tanks can be temperature-controlled remotely, utilizing a computerized system. He admonished that this system is a babysitter and not a nanny - it should not be used to raise the kids, but rather just to watch the kids so mom and dad can hit the town.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/press-on-tracks.jpgpress on tracksBVE was one of the largest facilities I have ever visited. It seems to run like a well-oiled machine. Note the press on tracks that can be wheeled to any of the tanks.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/grapes-from-bve.jpggrapes from bveSouth Australia received an inordinate amount of rain this past vintage, making it challenging for many producers. Stuart was quite pleased with the quality of the fruit that came in for him, though, and is showing it off to us here.2011-05-20T09:02:33+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/18/clare-valley-take-2/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/rsl-master-class.jpgrsl master classhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/spider4.jpgspiderhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/spider3.jpgspiderThis guy liked the old vines. We saw these buggers all over the vineyards and wineries in Australia.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/old-vines-at-sevenhill1.jpgold vines at sevenhillSome of the vines on the property are up to 140 years old.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/spider2.jpgspiderhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/spider1.jpgspiderThis guy liked the old vines, too. We saw these buggers all over the vineyards and wineries in Australia.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/spider.jpgspiderThis guy liked the old vines, too. We saw these buggers all over the vineyards and wineries in Australia.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/old-vines-at-sevenhill.jpgold vines at sevenhillSevenhill has some vines up to 140 years old.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/church-at-sevenhill.jpgchurch at sevenhillSevenhill was founded by Austrian Jesuits who came to South Australia as chaplains to a group of 130 Catholics, who were fleeing from political and religious oppression. The immigrants settled near the township of Clare, impressed by the fertility of the soil, and purchased 100 acres of land in 1851, naming it Sevenhill, after the Seven Hill district of Rome. Pictured here is St. Aloysuis' Church, made from local stone, and completed in 1875. We also toured its crypt, the only one below a parish church in Australia.2011-05-18T16:57:05+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/07/animal-interruption/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2881.jpgIMG_2881Turns out that in the tree next to the caution sign along the highway, we spotted a koala. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2883.jpgIMG_2883On our way to Adelaide, we passed through a high koala traffic area. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2779.jpgIMG_2779Our group, among the gums. I am thankful for such a lovely bunch of folks, as we are spending an ungodly amount of quality time with one another. I wonder how many bottles of wine have been consumed between us so far? I bet someone has been keeping track. I may or may not publish that number.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2772.jpgIMG_2772I also saw them hopping (duh). https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2762.jpgIMG_2762In addition to grazing, I saw them kissing.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2766.jpgIMG_2766Taking a morning stroll through the Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park in Eden, we were able to see our first kangaroos at a photograph-worthy distance.2011-05-19T19:31:21+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/06/clare-valley-part-1/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_25931.jpgIMG_2593While visiting the Paulett winery, we had the opportunity to sample 2 different Riesling clones, grown and processed under the same conditions. Distinct aromatic and flavor differences were evident in the two tank samples we tried, which had been harvested in the same vintage and had been handled similarly.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2593.jpgIMG_2593https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2607.jpgIMG_2607Winemaker from Paulett's with slate in his hands. Friable and plentiful, this soil contributes to the flavor of the Clare Valley Rieslings.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_25851.jpgIMG_2585At this point on the trip, we were 2 for 2 when it came to hilltop oysters. This time the pairing was Riesling instead of Semillon.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2585.jpgIMG_2585We were 2 for 2 with hilltop oysters. This time, we were pairing with Riesling instead of Semillon.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2581.jpgIMG_2581It was lovely to be greeted by the setting sun and top Clare Valley winemakers after a long day of traveling.2011-05-06T17:19:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/05/03/gday-mates/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2578.jpgIMG_2578What you might notice in this picture is a short bus, a Canadian, and a bottle of Champagne. What you may not notice is that the clock in the front of the bus reads just after 7 am. This morning, after a 5:30 am wake-up call, we got on a bus from Hunter, back to Sydney, to take a flight to Adelaide, to take a bus to Claire. Whew. At least we had a little something to toast to the fact that it was happy hour time in NYC the day before.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2566.jpgIMG_2566Brokenwood's motto is "make great wine and have fun". They taught us how to play bung cricket. Those bungs rarely bounce how you expect them to.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2558.jpgIMG_2558The barrel samples of the 2011 Semillon were reminiscent of lemon curds - bright and lively. A good alternative to afternoon espresso.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2553.jpgIMG_2553After lunch and a tasting, we took a stroll through the Brokenwood vineyards. We were advised by the GM of the winery to take a "roadie" with us - yay, Coopers. Here, a local bird enjoys the Graveyard Vineyard.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2533.jpgIMG_2533During our BBQ luncheon at Brokenwood, the winemaker showed up and opened some older vintage Semillons - a 1984 and a 1994. These wines are so special and not made in this style anywhere else in the world - complex, with nutty, anise and melon rind aromas, plenty of acid and a long finish.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2509.jpgIMG_2509Local oysters were paired with the Semillon after our arduous journey to the top.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2508.jpgIMG_2508Our hosts from Brokenwood did not let us go thirsty at the mountaintop - note the iced bucket of assorted Semillon vintages.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2503.jpgIMG_2503The cows share the vineyard land in the Hunter, or more accurately, the cows get the non-good vineyard sites. Apparently, the kangaroos only eat the grapes if they're really hungry (they prefer grass).https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2499.jpgIMG_2499On Monday, we took a truck up a hill to check out the Hunter Valley. In true outback style, we rode in the back.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_2482.jpgIMG_2482On the day of our arrival, we had a lunch at Flying Fish in Sydney, hosted by Robert Oatley wines. First up, was the Sangiovese rose, overlooking the Sydney Harbor.2011-05-03T15:27:22+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/30/royal-wedding-wines/2011-05-02T20:14:44+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/29/drinking-on-the-job/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/french-riot-police-ap-photo-by-laurent-cipriani.jpgFrench-riot-police- AP Photo by Laurent CiprianiFrench riot police. AP photo by Laurent Cipriani. Appeared in The Guardian. Their dark blue armored uniform has led to the nickname RoboCops.2011-04-28T21:34:10+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/28/pinots-a-van-an-anniversary-and-a-kangaroo/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/vanagon.jpgvanagonA new transmission, body work to remove the rust spots, and a winter spent in a garage - she's like new and ready for the 2011 camping season!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/pork-tenderloin.jpgpork tenderloinGrilled pork tenderloin with beluga lentils, bacon and ramps. We thought the dish was a good representation of our spring - a lot of brown with finally some green coming through!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/pn-glasses.jpgpn glassesWe ended up with Pinots from California, Burgundy, Switzerland, Italy and New Zealand. A few folks had the same idea of bringing Pinots from Central Otago because it is the most southerly wine region in the world. Even with a Premier Cru Burgundy in the mix, the group favorite was a 2006 Staete Landt from Marlborough, NZ.2011-04-28T20:00:46+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/19/salon-part-deux/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/course-4.jpgcourse 4La Vie en Rose's partner was Homemade Lemon and Vanilla Sponge Cake with Fresh Berries and Whipped Mascarpone. The dessert brought out the raspberries in the cocktail and was (thankfully) a light way to end the tasting.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/la-vie-en-rose.jpgla vie en roseArguably the prettiest and most surprisingly cocktail of the afternoon was the La Vie en Rose: Nolet's Gin, St. Germain, Raspberry Syrup, Egg White and Cream. All of the acidity was supplied by the raspberry syrup and the combination of egg whites and frothed cream gave the cocktail a silky density. It smelled and tasted like a sweet old lady's perfume (in a good way).https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/course-2.jpgcourse 22nd course: Dave's Sage and Applewood Bacon Mac with Irish Cheddar and Cream. 2nd cocktail: North Garden; Laphroaig Scotch, Laird's Bonded Applejack, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Demerara Syrup and Angostura Bitters. Two things to point out regarding this cocktail: it's pretty much all booze and the Islay Scotch imparts a good deal of peat smoke. After having a bite of one of the richest macaroni and cheese dishes I've ever had, I was happy to have such a strong and smoky cocktail. In fact, the mac made this cocktail taste like apple juice and enabled everyone at my table to lick their ramekins clean. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/course-1.jpgcourse 11st course: Salad of Roasted Beets with Candied Walnuts, Gorgonzola, Watercress and a Roasted Shallot and Brown Sugar Vinaigrette. 1st cocktail: The Drink with No Name; Courvoisier VS, ginger and cinnamon syrup, lemon, Old Fashioned bitters. The fresh ginger component of the cocktail was my favorite - it was spicy enough, without overpowering the other ingredients. The sweetness of the Cognac and cinnamon complemented the candied walnuts and the earthiness of the bitters was a great match to the beets.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dave-and-jason.jpgdave and jason2011-04-19T19:13:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/18/earls-a-pearl/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/earls-ny-mag.jpgEarls NY Magphoto by Danny Kim for NY Mag2011-04-18T14:34:24+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/15/camp-swampy-tini/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/beetle-bailey-2.jpgbeetle bailey 22011-04-20T16:59:03+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/13/pouch-wine/2011-05-02T20:18:44+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/11/scratch-n-sniff/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/marcella-smelling-bottle.jpgMarcella smelling bottleMarcella demonstrating proper technique. Hopefully, she finds this photo as amusing as I do. It really does smell like flinty clay!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/vouvray-label.jpgvouvray labelMy iphone does not take stellar close-ups. Recent deliveries have included orange label stickers, stating, "scratch this label and smell the terroir of Vouvray".2011-04-08T18:06:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/03/30/fun-with-gum/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/gum-syrup-coctkail.jpggum syrup coctkailThe bright flecks of cilantro make this a pretty cocktail. Garnish options: lime, candied ginger, fried cilantro, caramelized pineapple...https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/gum-syrup-bottle.jpggum syrup bottleThe gum syrup is rich, so I wanted to mix it with something spicy and something earthy.2011-04-08T17:45:43+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/08/the-joy-of-the-search-engine/2011-10-09T08:05:25+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/04/craft-american-vodka-tasting-notes/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/craft-vodkas-in-saveur.jpgCraft Vodkas in SaveurPhoto by Anna Stockwell for Saveur.com2011-04-08T07:06:37+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/04/01/pm-picnic/2011-04-01T14:17:43+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/03/24/blogging-scholarship/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/fci-logo.jpgFCI Logo2011-03-24T18:55:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/03/16/diy/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/vin-d-orange-hiroko-masuike.jpgvin d orange hiroko masuikeVin d'orange. Photo by Hiroko Masuike for the NYT.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/horseradish-beer-mustard-hiroko-masuike.jpghorseradish beer mustard hiroko masuikeHorseradish beer mustard. Photo by Hiroko Masuike for the NYT.2011-03-16T17:57:31+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/03/10/distinctive-white-wines-of-alto-adige/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/wines.jpgwinesWe did two flights of 4 wines. Many of the wines were made by cooperatives, which are critical in this area, as the average vineyard holding is 2 1/2 acres. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/panel.jpgpanelThe panel being introduced. Mary Ewing-Mulligan (love her!) was the moderator and the panelists were winery directors, managers and marketing directors with fun names like Klaus and Wolfgang.2011-03-11T12:19:53+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/03/08/so-much-pretty/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/boulevardier.jpgboulevardierCara's favorite cocktail is a Negroni (she hasn't tried this one yet), and if you subbed gin for bourbon, that's what you'd get. I wanted to use a spirit from upstate, since that's where the story takes place. Last, but not least, the drink has a girly color, with a decidedly non-girly flavor, which reminded me of the headstrong characters in her novel.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/so_much_pretty_-210.jpgSo_much_pretty_-2102011-03-10T20:48:43+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/03/02/blending-at-brooklyn-winery/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/noah-measuring.jpgnoah measuringNoah and I were on rival teams. I would've taken more photos, but I was shoo-ed away from his end of the table by his teammates who claimed I was distracting him.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/sucker.jpgsuckerEach team had a "sucker". When you admit to being a biochem major in college, you get the pipette.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/group-measuring1.jpggroup measuringThe group, measuring and blending. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/grape-chart.jpgGrape Charthttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/group-measuring.jpggroup measuringhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/img_2261.jpgIMG_2261The winery is bringing in grapes from the Finger Lakes, the North Fork, various locations in California, and from Chile. The first bottlings (some whites and some rose) will be ready in May. The grapes arrive so fresh, thanks to refrigerated trucks and a blanket of nitrogen, that Conor is able to do some native fermentation.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/brian-and-connor.jpgBrian and ConnorConor, the winemaker, is on the far right and Brian, the CEO is on his left. Conor is from the West Coast and most recently worked at Crushpad. Brian's background is in social media. Jonny Cigar, a member of The Noble Rot, the duo that led our blending experiment is to Brian's left. Before getting down to business, we got a tour of the facility.2011-03-02T17:21:42+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/28/salon-pics/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/guests.jpgguestsHappy guests Tim, Michael, John and Alicehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ethan-and-anne.jpgethan and anneEthan and Anne doing their thing. Anne told us about the 22,000 sq ft cheese-aging caves in VT, how cheddar is made (did you know cheddar is both a noun and a verb) and how those blue-green veins get into the center of the cheese. Ethan compared wine and cheese pairing to the grace that Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire shared, while noting that pairing cheese with whiskey was more like the grace that Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield shared.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/plate.jpgplateI remembered to take a picture before diving in.2011-03-02T11:36:44+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/15/wine-for-oscar-night/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/variety_logo_green_tm.gifVariety_logo_green_tm2014-09-01T10:58:55+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/22/hibiscus-rose-vesper/2011-07-18T22:07:42+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/26/wildberry-fizz/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/wildberry-fizz.jpgwildberry fizzThe egg white, seltzer and shaking-it-like-you-mean-it contribute to the beautiful froth on top.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/adding-sugar.jpgadding sugarSome old fizz recipes call for powdered sugar. We call that superfine today. One barspoon is all you'll need for this recipe.2011-02-17T20:11:26+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/18/sunday-salons/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/salon-preview.jpgSalon PreviewPrep work for our upcoming event. Hope to see you there!2011-02-16T16:12:32+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/17/beer-on-the-rocks/2011-02-21T14:54:43+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/16/big-flats-1901/2011-02-17T11:10:22+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/14/srirazerac/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/srirazerac.jpgsrirazeracThe finished cocktail, garnished with a lemon peel and a few additional drops of Sriracha Bitters. It's not terribly complex, but I really like rye, so I'm not the best judge in this instance. The best part is the finish - it's got this great heat that creeps up on you. These bitters are definitely worth experimenting with. Stay tuned. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/measuring-simple1.jpgmeasuring simpleIn a stirring glass with ice, I added 2 1/2 oz. rye (I used McKenzie). This is 1 teaspoon of simple syrup going in. Next was 2 dashes Peychaud's, followed by 2 dashes Sriracha Bitters. The dropper in the bottle yields less than a dash would, so that, combined with how spicy you'd like your drink, should dictate how much you add.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/measuring-simple.jpgmeasuring simpleIn a stirring glass with ice, I added 2 1/2 oz. rye (I used McKenzie). This is 1 teaspoon of simple syrup going in. Next was 2 dashes Peychaud's, followed by 2 dashes Sriracha Bitters. The dropper in the bottle yields less than a dash would, so that, combined with how spicy you'd like your drink, should dictate how much you add.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/coating-the-glass.jpgcoating the glassI opted for the recipe printed on the back label of the bottle: Srirazerac. Step 1 is to coat a rocks glass with Absinthe.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bitters.jpgbittersSriracha (pronounced SIR-rotch-ah) bitters by Brooklyn Hemispherical Bitters. A bit spendy, at $12.95 for 4 oz., the flavor is great and true to the beloved "rooster sauce".2011-02-14T21:27:23+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/10/trenta-is-not-an-italian-wine/2011-02-14T12:01:21+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/07/italian-love-bite/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/love-bite.jpgLove biteCandy-heart pink with notes of ripe pear and herbs, and a beautiful froth on top. Girly, without being sweet.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/marcella1.jpgMarcellaMarcella working her magic behind the bar. Join us at L'Ecole for a Love Bite starting today.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/marcella.jpgMarcella2011-02-07T16:37:48+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/03/usq-martini-bowl/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/sign_for_usq_martini_bowl_2011_v2.jpgSign_for_USQ_Martini_Bowl_2011_v22011-02-03T20:07:50+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/02/01/wine-grape-vines-havent-been-getting-busy/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/25wine_graphic-popup1.jpg25wine_graphic-popuphttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/25wine_graphic-popup.jpg25wine_graphic-popup2011-02-01T20:39:47+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/01/28/cru-beaujolais/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/color.jpgcolorMost of the wines had this electric magenta color. Some other commonalities we found: high acid, minerality, plenty of evidence of carbon maceration. Most of our bottles were current releases - 2009 - though we had a 2006, a 2008 and a 2002.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/flights-of-4.jpgflights of 4We broke our 12 wines into 3 flights of 4. One of our members was stuck in the country because of the snow, so we had 6 out of the 10 Crus represented.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/corks.jpgcorksWe put all the wine into brown bags and opened bottles we had not brought, removing the cork and foil and taping the top of the brown paper bag. I picked up the brown bags on the way over and the bodega owner gave me 12 for $1, wondering why I didn't buy any Chateau Diana to put in them. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/prepping-bottles.jpgprepping bottlesChris and Tif prepping the bottles. You'll note we have quite a bit more wine this time around. It makes a difference when the average retail price is around $20!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/beaujo-blanc.jpgbeaujo blancTo keep us hydrated during set-up, we had Beaujolais Blanc from Chateau du Chatelard. Round, with apple, pear and toasty notes, some of the Chardonnay vines are over 95 years old. It was killer with the Montasio (aged cow's milk from Northern Italy) I brought.2011-01-29T12:26:16+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/01/26/and-you-thought-they-just-produced-shiraz/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/wines.jpgwinesAfter skiing, the best thing to do on a snowy, wintry day - cuddle up with 25 wines.2011-01-26T21:58:29+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/01/18/frommers-visits-the-finger-lakes/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/frommers.jpgFrommersBrian and Thomas at the distillery. Photo courtesy of Amy Zavatto.2011-01-18T17:09:27+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/01/17/sommelier-journal/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/p1010666.jpgP10106662011-01-17T19:12:37+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/01/13/how-to-get-filthy-rich-part-2/2011-01-14T11:07:12+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/01/11/earls-beer-cheese/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/menu.jpgmenuIt's worth the trip for the food alone. I tried the tomato soup and the grilled cheese with pork belly and kimchi. I heard the pot pie is killer. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/aknsmural.jpgaknsmuralSad to be back from vacation, but happy to see our buddy's young bar so busy. It has a great, neighborhood feel, reminiscent of Marshall Stack.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/bar1.jpgbarTwo deep at the bar, many folks from the neighborhood.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/logo.jpglogoThe logo, also a print hanging just inside the entrance, was designed by our friend, Chad.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/bar.jpgbar2011-01-14T17:09:33+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2011/01/10/happy-new-year/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/bolan-cocktail.jpgbolan cocktailOur last night included a meal at Bo.lan. This was one of their signature cocktails - Thai whiskey, ginger, lemongrass. Tasty stuff. Tried looking for the recipe on their website, but no luck. Inventive tasting menu worth checking out.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/james-bond.jpgjames bondTwo "James Bond Martinis" at the Vertigo Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel. You can see the entire city from 59 floors up.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/heineken-and-pornthip.jpgheineken and pornthipHeineken was everywhere. I especially like the name of the drinking water.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/shark.jpgsharkRed Bull style beverage with a beach-worthy name. Tastes pretty much identical.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/alcohol-impairs-judgment.jpgalcohol impairs judgmentFor New Year's, we headed to Koh Phi Phi Don Island and this was a sign we found on one of the main streets. We got close to plenty of fish on the trip, but we didn't kiss any.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/uncle-tom.jpguncle tomAn unfortunate name for this white spirit, made from grain.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/singapore-sling.jpgsingapore slingWe landed in Bangkok at 8 am on Christmas Day and after checking in to our hotel, we headed straight to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, where they sold everything from electronics, to furniture, to baby squirrels (as pets!). This is our first cockail, a Singapore Sling.2011-01-25T18:18:43+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/12/22/craft-distilleries-featured-in-nyt-today/2010-12-22T22:00:19+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/12/17/m-is-for-marechal-foch/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/foch1.jpgFochHe made the cover of Time magazine in 1925 and had a cultivar named after him.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/marechal_foch_cluster.jpgMarechal_foch_clusterA cluster of Marechal Foch grapes. Note the small berry size.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/foch.jpgFochFrench General Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929) has a cultivar named after him.2013-08-08T04:29:28+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/12/15/im-a-91-on-that/2010-12-17T20:07:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/12/13/put-your-christmas-tree-to-good-use/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/twigs-and-berries.jpgTwigs and BerriesPine-y refreshment under the Christmas tree.2010-12-13T22:40:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/12/08/i-deserve-to-get-drunk/2010-12-08T16:52:56+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/12/01/bitters-to-go/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/travel-pack.pngTravel-Packhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/traveling-bitters.giftraveling bitters2010-12-01T18:15:54+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/29/undersea-wine-cellar/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/undersea-wine-cellar.jpgUndersea wine cellarphoto courtesty of AFP. The article mentioned the wine had aged undersea in clay amphoras, but that looks like a sea-crusted glass bottle to me. 2010-11-29T19:42:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/22/not-a-bad-way-to-start-a-monday/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/vodkas.jpgvodkasSome of the line-up. The base ranged from barley to wheat to rye to potato to maple syrup to corn to milk sugar to grape. One was even filtered through lava.2010-11-23T18:28:51+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/17/greenmarket-mixology-for-holiday-cocktails/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/slowfoodnyc.jpgslowfoodnyc2010-11-17T15:13:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/12/mixing-a-martinez/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/martinez.jpgmartinezSome cocktail porn for your viewing pleasure.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/winning-combo.jpgwinning comboThe winning combination.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mixing-number-2.jpgmixing number 2Measuring old tom gin for round 1.2010-11-27T19:18:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/11/bordeaux-from-the-1980s/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/full-lineup.jpgfull lineupLining up the damage at the end of the night. The Grunhauser was for setting up and the Dead Arm Chris happened to have sitting open in his kitchen, so we tried it. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/madeira.jpgMadeiraYup, you read it right, a Sercial Solera from 1860. Amazingly alive and vibrant. You could almost smell the acidity. Guess they call it the dog strangler for a reason.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/course-4.jpgcourse 4Last, but not least, an apple tart with honey. The Sauternes ended up being the most versatile wine across all of the food courses. The best surprise was still to come.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/course-3.jpgcourse 3Course 3 was a washed rind cheese that Chris added 2 cloves of garlic and some Sauternes to and stuck it in the oven. It came out a fragrant and gooey mess. The side salad was not enough to offset the amount of cheese and foie that we put away.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/course-2.jpgcourse 2Course 2, coq au vin, happily bubbling away on the stove. You'd think that poultry cooked with wine would be incredibly wine-friendly, but most of the reds in our tasting didn't stand up to the dish.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/course-1.jpgcourse 1It would have been a lot of wine to have without any food to wash it down, but Chris, being the ever-gracious host, had prepared a 4 course meal. Here's the first: foie mousse on toasted baguette. Didn't suck with the Sauternes.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wine-6.jpgwine 6Chris threw a Sauternes into the mix because it just seemed wrong not to. The wine was very deeply colored, with an interesting horseradish quality on the nose. The botrytis was very clean and the wine had so much acidity, it barely seemed sweet.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wine-5.jpgwine 5Wine #5, Chateau Bouscaut 1989, was the most tannic of the line-up. It had lots of sweet spice and vanilla, along with an interesting metallic/bloody character.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wine-4.jpgwine 4Wine #4, the Chateau Haut Marbuzet 1989, was mine and I was happy that I didn't embarass myself. Candied fruit, forest floor, sundried tomatoes and dusty tannins. Shout out to Chambers St. Wines for making a same-day delivery and only charging me $10 (nothing like waiting until the last minute).https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wine-3.jpgwine 3Wine #3, the Reserve de la Comtesse 1988, was the group favorite. Chocolate, coffee, cherry, bell pepper, tobacco; great balance and depth of flavor. The most structured of the bunch.2010-11-11T22:15:08+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/08/new-record-holder-for-worlds-most-expensive-beer/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/antarcticnailaleboxed.jpgantarcticnailaleboxedphoto courtesy of www.luxist.com2010-11-08T18:33:48+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/03/tackling-the-dry-martini-cocktail/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2-martinis.jpg2 martinisUnsurprisingly, these are boozy cocktails. The ratio you go with probably depends on how much you like gin.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/martini-ingredients.jpgmartini ingredientsWe decided to test two recipes, using three different gins each.2010-11-05T09:51:05+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/02/l-is-for-ladybird/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ladybird1.jpgLadybirdOf the Coccinellidae family, the particular culprit is the Harmonia axyridis, or Asian Lady Beetle. She also goes by Japanese ladybug, Harlequin ladybird and Halloween ladybird (she might try to settle in your home as the weather chills in October).https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ladybird.jpgLadybirdOf the Coccinellidae family, the particular culprit is the Harmonia axyridis, or Asian Lady Beetle. She also goes by Japanese Ladybug, Harlequin ladybird and Halloween ladybird (she might try to roost in your home as the weather chills in October).2010-11-02T19:26:55+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/11/01/train-tipple/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/train-tipple.jpgtrain tippleDewars and peanut m&ms are an amazing combination. Yes, that is Woodbridge Merlot in the background. No judging, please. We didn't leave enough time to wine shop prior to arriving at the station. It was surprisingly palatable.2010-11-02T19:31:13+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/10/21/corn-tassel-take-5/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/corn-tassel.jpgCorn TasselFrom left to right: Take 1 - following the corn tassel recipe, subbing Velvet Falernum and Angostura: too tart. Take 2 - dialing back on citrus, adding dash of salt and adding a bit more Velvet Falernum: eh. Take 3 - same as take 2, subbing orange juice for lemon juice: getting there. Take 4 - same as take 3, subbing blood orange juice for regular orange juice: almost there. Take 5: same as take 4, dropping blood orange juice to 1 oz. and adding 0.25 oz. lemon juice: bingo. 2010-10-25T19:45:09+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/10/15/study-americans-get-majority-of-exercise-while-drunk/2010-10-19T20:25:56+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/10/06/working-at-red-tail-ridge/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/gina-and-ak-boots.jpgGina and AK bootsHere we are, still smiling, almost 12 hours later. My rain boots came in handy.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/sludge-at-bottom-of-tank.jpgsludge at bottom of tankHere's the sludge that was left at the bottom of the tank, once we had filled our barrels. I got to scrape it out with a dustpan. I was told not to inhale very deeply while my head was inside the tank, as there was quite a bit of CO2 left in the tank. Very glamorous stuff.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/inserting-stave.jpginserting staveIn one out of the 16 barrels, Nancy inserted a stave, which would impart a little more oak qualities (tannin, structure, sweet spice, etc.) to the final blend. The stave itself smelled like bacon and eggs.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/checking-contents-of-tank.jpgchecking contents of tankNancy, the owner, checking the fill level on the tank. Filling the barrels looked a lot like emptying the barrels, just using the pump in the opposite direction. Before I got started, Nancy made sure I had a change of clothes. She doesn't like a lot of head space in her barrels and she anticpated that I might end up with a wine geyser as a first-time barrel filler. Luckily, I didn't embarass myself.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/barrel-washing.jpgbarrel washingAfter the barrels were emptied, they had to be cleaned and this we did with a powerwasher. We had to clean them right away because the next step was to then fill them with 2010 Lemberger that was waiting in another tank.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/close-up-barrel-emptying.jpgclose up barrel emptyingIt was my job to empty 16 barrels of 2009 Lemberger into tank. On the left is the remote control for the pump, where I controlled the speed and direction of the wine flow. I had to pay attention and stop the pump at the right moment, so as to not suck up any excess oxygen. I spent most of this time with a flashlight in one hand peering into the bung hole and the remote control in the other. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/pump3.jpgpumpI spent a lot of quality time with this pump. Gina, a current student in Viticulture and Wine Technology at Finger Lakes Community College, is in the background. She's been interning at RTR since April and was incredibly helpful. I've picked grapes before and I've read about winemaking, but using the equipment was all new to me.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/pump2.jpgpumphttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/nitrogen-for-tank1.jpgnitrogen for tankThe first step was to prepare the tank by filling it with nitrogen. The nitrogen would form a blanket over the wine once it was in the tank, protecting it from exposure to oxygen.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/pump1.jpgpump2010-11-18T01:29:30+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/10/05/moonshiners-tv/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/moonshiners-tv.jpgmoonshiners tvLucie and Jenny watch some moonshiner's tv, aka fermenting mash, which in this case happens to apple cider on its way to becoming brandy.2010-10-05T18:32:14+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/09/29/a-better-wine-machine/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/self-serve-wine-machine.jpgself serve wine machineBring your own bottle and pick your poison - white, red or pink.2010-09-29T19:43:06+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/09/28/k-is-for-kir/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/kir.jpgkirCanon Félix Kir (1876-1968). Photo courtesy of lifeinburgundy.blogspot.com2010-09-29T02:03:52+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/09/17/friday-fun-i-love-scotch/2010-09-17T13:59:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/09/14/fashions-night-out/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/on-the-bus.jpgon the busNo cabs to be found that night. We got a few stares on the bus.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/pouring-rye.jpgpouring ryeAnother thirsty guest.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/jeff-and-brian.jpgjeff and brianJeff, one of our hosts, stopping by to chat with Brian. He really dug the rye, the Glen Thunder and the cassis. Let's hope he writes about it!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/september-issue.jpgSeptember IssueThe very tasty cocktail prepared by team FCI. Between the bar and our table, we went through 21 bottles of rye in 3 hours.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/nils-dave-nastassia-behind-bar.jpgnils dave nastassia behind barNastassia, Nils and Dave doing their thing behind the bar.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/brian-and-gable-at-table.jpgbrian and gable at tableBefore the hoards. From left to right: Gable of Tutillhown, Brian from FLD and Noah (making sure the product is safe to serve).https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/invite1.jpgInvitehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/invite.jpgInvite2012-02-07T09:15:49+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/09/10/semillon-you-say/2010-09-11T09:00:44+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/09/07/alan-richmans-rules-for-ordering-wine/2010-09-07T21:28:14+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/09/02/class-with-karen-macneil/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/karen-macneil.jpgKaren MacNeilKaren nosing a Sauvignon Blanc at the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the CIA in Napa.2010-09-02T21:20:48+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/09/01/how-do-you-like-your-eggs/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ja-fizz.jpgJA FizzThe Johnny-Apple Fizz. Light, refreshing, with spiced, apple notes.2010-09-02T10:53:40+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/08/31/going-greener-in-champagne/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/champagne-bottle.jpgHS2310https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/champagne-bottle1.gifchampagne bottlehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/champagne-bottle.gifchampagne bottle2010-09-03T02:26:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/08/27/grape-sampling-in-napa-valley/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/honig-sb1.jpghonig sbewarding our hard work with last year's wines. My favorite was the Honig Napa Sauvignon Blanc - clean, crisp, lively and full of grapefruit notes, it's also a great bargain at $16. Thanks, Kristin, for a great experience!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/honig-sb.jpghonig sbhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/results.jpgresultsThe older vines were almost a brix ahead of the younger vines. We had noticed their sweetness through snacking in the vineyard. Kristin thought she'd probably harvest at the end of this week, or early next. The final alcohol in the wine can be measured as around 0.6 * the Brix at harvest.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/refractometer.jpgrefractometerPouring a small amount of grape juice onto the refractometer. I hadn't seen this style before and Kristin guessed it was a couple hundred bucks.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/squished-bag.jpgsquished bagBack at the lab, we squished our grapes to relase the juice. Notice how the seeds are starting to ripen, going from green to brown.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/irrigation.jpgirrigationSince at least another day of the heat wave was expected, Kristin had her vineyard manager turn on the water. If you look carefully, you can see the drops beginning to emerge from the drip irrigation system.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sb-grapes.jpgSB GrapesGrape porn. Napa's had a cool summer (jealous, New Yorkers?) and they're about 2 weeks behind of where they usually would be, in terms of ripeness. Of course, our down and dirty day got up to 113. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/aks-bag.jpgAK's bagWe traipsed down a few rows and selected berries from each vine, from the back, alternating between the top, middle and bottom of the cluster. We collected our spoils in baggies.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/following-kristin.jpgfollowing KristinFollowing Kristin through one of Honig's Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. She wanted to test the sugar level, or Brix, in both her newer (approx. 6 yrs. old) and older (15-20 year old) vines in the Gordon Vineyard.2010-08-30T14:39:26+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/08/10/sommelier-smackdown/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/somm_smackdown_banner.jpgsomm_smackdown_banner2010-08-26T16:57:14+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/08/05/are-they-giving-you-wine-back-there-or-are-you-just-listening-to-my-bullshit-speech/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/terry.jpgTerryTerry "I put the heed in hedonism" Thiese. During the seminar he also described himself as a "grey beard" and a "silverback".2010-08-05T21:44:08+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/08/04/styles-of-nv-champagne/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/nv-champagne-lunch.jpgNV Champagne LunchLate for lunch=obstructed view seat.2010-08-04T14:55:29+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/27/free-booze-this-week/2010-07-27T18:01:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/26/this-beer-will-not-touch-my-lips/2010-07-26T14:35:19+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/14/a-high-tech-gin-and-tonic-for-jimmy-fallon/2010-07-23T15:39:08+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/23/j-is-for-jiggle/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/rose-jello-nyt.jpgRose jello NYT2010-07-25T11:11:58+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/22/nice-rack/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bra_wine_rack.jpg*Jul-14 - 00:05*Photo from the NY Daily News. What do you think Camelback would say?2010-07-21T18:37:09+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/21/wine-vending-machines-hit-pa/2010-07-21T15:03:55+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/19/asimov-enjoys-a-mckenzie-rye-manhattan/2010-07-19T15:46:56+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/15/how-lieblich/2010-07-15T17:27:32+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/14/we-got-an-upgrade/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/wine-spectator.jpgWine SpectatorFor an upgrade on this iPhone shot, pick up a copy of the August edition, available now.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bae-logo.gifBAE-logo2010-07-16T10:41:36+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/09/the-best-way-to-take-your-vegetables/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bloody-mary.jpgBloody MaryMultiple Maryshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bloody-mary-nyt.gifBloody Mary NYT2010-07-09T21:03:26+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/07/01/i-is-for-incisa-della-rocchetta/2010-07-01T14:48:17+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/30/local-gin-delivered-to-your-door/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/seneca-drums.jpgSeneca Drums2010-06-29T20:03:08+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/29/is-premium-booze-better-than-the-cheap-stuff/2010-11-24T16:11:12+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/23/breakfast-of-champions/2010-06-25T14:19:41+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/21/weve-made-another-fan/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/david-flaherty.jpgDavid FlahertyDavid Flaherty, author of Grapes & Grains2010-06-21T14:45:13+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/18/vinyl-wine-now-open/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/vinyl-wine-opening.jpgVinyl Wine Opening2010-06-17T13:22:33+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/17/yelp-event-at-traif/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/yelp-cocktail-red-pearl.jpgYelp @ TraifJust when you thought it was going to be too spicy, the kiwi would kick in. This cocktail was a perfect complement to the porky dishes. Photo credit same as above.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/yelp-ak-and-ns.jpgYelp @ TraifNoah and I hijacked a table and brought some additional samples for the Yelpers to try. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Lovosky.2010-06-16T14:43:44+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/16/martha-gets-down-with-fld/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/martha_stewart_living.jpgMartha_Stewart_Living2010-06-16T14:19:36+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/10/intellectual-sounds-stupid-but-you-have-to-pay-attention/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/p1010397.jpgP1010397Rudi Wiest and Laura Williamson presenting "The Top Wines and Grosses Gewachs of 2008" at Rudipalooza this week.2010-06-10T22:37:22+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/09/viagra-threat-to-champagne-sales/2013-02-01T13:11:42+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/04/katie-lees-summer-selections/2010-06-04T21:42:28+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/03/spring-summer-cocktails-in-am-new-york/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/nils-and-dave-am-ny.jpgnils and dave am nyphoto courtesy of am New York2010-06-04T02:49:20+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/02/to-do-in-june/2010-06-02T22:16:40+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/06/01/delta-does-daiquiri/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/marg.jpgmargMargarita, with extra mixer and salted peanuts on my tray table.2010-06-03T11:05:02+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/26/h-is-for-haraszthy-agoston/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/agoston_haraszthy2.jpgAgoston_HaraszthyAgoston Haraszthy 1812-69https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/agoston_haraszthy1.jpgAgoston_HaraszthyAgoston Haraszthy 1812-69https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/agoston_haraszthy.jpgAgoston_Haraszthy2010-05-28T13:01:55+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/24/vinyl-wine-coming-soon/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/mike-in-front-of-store.jpgmike in front of store2010-06-17T16:33:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/21/tasting-at-food-wine-mag/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/blender.jpgblenderOne of the wines had strong reductive orders (think sulfur and canned veggies), so Dave tried to expedite the aeration process using the blender. Oh, a man and his toys.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/office.jpgofficeThe cabinets, counters and racks in "the office" were overflowing. I felt right at home.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/tasting-table.jpgtasting tableAt Ray Isle's tasting table.2010-05-21T21:01:26+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/20/rum-sicle/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/rumsicle.jpgrumsicleAn adult (and dare I say tastier) version of the creamsicle.2010-05-23T05:10:36+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/19/more-love-for-the-white-dog/2010-06-02T21:32:47+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/18/this-is-what-we-do-every-weekend/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ultimat1.jpgultimat2011-08-08T21:53:27+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/13/why-use-a-torchon-when-you-can-use-a-plate/2012-02-05T14:55:43+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/12/berlin-tasting-comes-to-new-york/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/tasting-notes.jpgtasting notesMy notes. We knew there were French, American, Italian and Chilean wines and that they were all from the 2006 vintage. On a separate sheet of paper, we simply noted our top 3 selections. Our first pick was worth 3 points, our second worth 2 points and our third worth 1 point. The results were tallied while we were all there.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/wines.jpgwinesWe were given 10 wines to taste blind, and asked to pick our top 3.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/panel-at-front.jpgpanel at frontThe views from the ballroom at the Mandarin Oriental aren't shabby. The panel sitting at the front includes Eduardo Chadwick, Steven Spurrier, Francisco Baettig (chief winemaker for Errazuriz) and the founder of Vintus, their American importer.2010-05-12T16:59:09+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/11/to-hold-you-over/2010-06-01T19:34:53+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/07/this-pear-is-always-in-season/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/pear-falernum.jpgpear falernumWorking title: Pear Falernumhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/pear-sidecar.jpgPear SidecarPear Sidecar: 2 oz. pear brandy, 1 oz. Cointreau, 1 oz. fresh lemon juice, 1 1/4 oz. simple syrup and a dash of salt.2010-05-07T15:36:31+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/06/thirsty-tastes-for-brixr-com/2010-05-17T18:48:53+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/05/white-dog-has-its-day-in-the-nyt/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/glen-thunder-label.jpgGlen Thunder Label2010-05-05T16:12:32+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/04/outstanding-wine-service-award/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bernard_sun.jpgBernard_Sun2012-05-29T02:30:57+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/05/03/rot-the-root/2010-05-03T21:39:18+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/29/what-does-john-know/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/logo_malt_advocate.giflogo_malt_advocate2010-04-29T20:54:56+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/28/g-is-for-glassy-winged-sharpshooter/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/glassy-winged-sharpshooter.jpgGlassy winged sharpshooter2010-04-30T22:44:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/27/give-them-the-finger-lakes/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/gothamprojectfinger.jpgGothamProjectFinger2012-02-07T08:40:58+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/23/thirsty-hits-the-1-year-mark/2010-04-30T01:27:34+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/22/pass-the-spit-bucket/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_0520.jpgIMG_0520This is not always a glamorous job. Those red spots everywhere are not spilled wine, but spit from folks who either missed the bucket or made its contents splash out.2010-04-22T19:58:20+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/21/brandy-milk-punch/2010-04-21T14:43:35+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/20/get-schooled-on-summer-sippers/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/glass-of-rose.jpg88090466think pink2016-04-02T19:49:47+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/19/let-the-bittering-begin/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/bottled-bitters.jpgbottled bittersWe're experimenting with roots, barks, spices and rums. Specific recipes to follow, pending a taste test in a few weeks.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/spice-bags1.jpgspice bagshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/spice-bags.jpgspice bagsA trip to "Dual Specialty Store" on 1st and 5th yielded half of our ingredients.2010-04-20T17:15:28+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/16/f-is-for-foxy/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/foxy-garth.jpgFoxy GarthDrawing courtesy of robotkatsen's flickr stream. Not what we're talking about here, but still awesome.2010-04-16T21:01:33+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/04/a-is-for-aligote/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/lafarge.jpglafargePierre Morey and Michel Lafarge are two outstanding producers to look for.2010-04-16T20:35:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/23/c-is-for-cap/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/making-red-wine.jpgMaking Red WineFlushing the liquid back over the cap to break it up, using a pump.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/pump.jpgpumpA pump doing its thing at Miner Family in CA.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/cap-with-punch-down-tool.jpgcap with punch down toolThe punch down tool breaking through the cap. Notice the bubbles. Jared told me the cap would support his weight and he's not a little guy (he volunteered that information, too).https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/punch-down-tool.jpgpunch down toolJared showing off his stainless punch down tool.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/cap.jpgcap2015-12-20T03:21:41+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/17/b-is-for-baco-22a/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/grafted-riesling-vine.jpgGrafted Riesling VineGrafted Riesling vine. Grafting is done by cutting a cane (stem of a mature grapevine) of the desired variety in a way that it will fit into a matching cut made in the selected rootstock (think of a puzzle piece).2010-04-16T20:34:25+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/13/d-is-for-durif/2010-04-16T20:33:46+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/25/e-is-for-egg-white/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eggs.jpgeggsFear not, dear readers, this is not a health food post.2010-04-16T20:33:10+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/15/pair-it/2010-04-16T11:06:13+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/14/skoal-party/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/bald-wonders.jpgbald wondersShouldn't these three start a band?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/guys.jpgguysTheir glasses may be missing, but there's plenty of love.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/lwong-and-cwang.jpglwong and cwangThe ladies bring in the original skoaling Swede for inspiration.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/aquavit-on-slush.jpgaquavit on slushThe aquavit elixer, waiting for its next victims.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/cocktail-sign.jpgcocktail signFinger Lakes Distilling sponsored the majority of the booze, including the skoaling elixer.2010-04-16T11:01:01+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/12/8-ice-cubes/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/p1010338.jpgP1010338For the price of 2 Glace balls, you can get a spherical ice tray at the MoMA store.2010-04-12T20:13:28+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/08/keep-trussing-that-chicken/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/trussing.jpgtrussingA nicely-shaped and juicy bird to accompany your beverage of choice.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/macedoine-salad.jpgmacedoine saladThirsty with a macedoine salad2010-05-03T13:07:44+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/07/old-gal/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/old-gal.jpgold galRye, Aperol and vermouth; happy together2010-04-07T16:04:24+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/05/wine-on-tap/2010-04-27T19:49:03+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/04/01/these-cocktail-events-arent-foolin/2010-04-01T15:41:25+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/31/old-school-rose/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/rose-tondonia-98.jpgrose tondonia 982010-08-30T22:20:58+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/29/warming-whiskey/2010-03-29T22:13:09+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/26/they-grow-up-so-fast/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/blogging-students.jpgBlogging studentsRecent graduates of Food Blogging with Steven Shaw.2010-04-05T13:34:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/24/how-much-would-you-pay-for-a-bottle-of-wine/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/lloyd-flatt.jpgLloyd FlattThe bottle once belonged to this guy. The total value of his cellar was over 1 million dollars.2010-04-05T13:33:50+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/23/spring-fling/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/spring-fling.jpgspring fling2010-03-23T16:19:18+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/19/one-week-from-today-again/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/morrell-2.gifmorrell 2https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/morrell-logo.gifmorrell logo2010-03-19T14:34:22+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/18/that-bubbly-is-bitchin/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bitchbubbly.jpgBitchBubblyphoto from zinwines.com2010-03-18T16:38:14+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/17/seventh-heaven/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/seventh-heaven-better.jpgseventh heaven better1 3/4 oz. gin (I used Seneca Drums), 1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur (I used Finger Lakes Distilling Cherry Liqueur), 1/4 oz. grapefruit juice (I used ruby red). Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into chilled glass. Garnish with mint.2010-03-17T15:36:13+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/16/how-to-get-filthy-rich/2010-03-17T15:41:06+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/11/my-kind-of-ice-cream/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bourbon-ice-cream-ingredients.jpgBourbon Ice Cream Ingredientsphoto courtesy of lickin' it2010-03-11T21:50:20+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/10/planters-punch/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/hand-grenade.jpghand grenadeThese "hand grenades" were all over town. The bright green is not from the cup, but rather it's the actual color of the drink. When I inquired about the drink, all the bartender would say was that it's "melon-flavored" and the recipe is a secret (then he proceeded to fill the cup from a soda gun). The best part of this drink was the plastic grenade garnish. https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/absinthe-mojito.jpgabsinthe mojitoI couldn't bring myself to sample one.2014-09-21T15:08:44+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/09/rock-you-like-a-hurricane/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/p1010208.jpgP1010208Between examing the ingredients and sampling a cocktail, I still had to look up the recipe upon my return home.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/p1010207.jpgP1010207O'Brien, with the help of a liquor salesman, came up with the drink to use up an abundance of rum. During WWII, spirits like whisky were in short supply and bar owners and restaurateurs would be forced to buy rum (which was plentiful) in order to get their whisky.2010-06-09T14:45:46+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/08/fool-me-once/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/draft-beer-sign.jpgdraft beer signBeware certain vendors on Bourbon St., New Orleans.2010-03-10T14:36:18+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/04/interview-fci-style/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/img_04633.jpgIMG_04636 wines and 6 cheeses go head to head.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/img_04652.jpgIMG_0465https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/img_04632.jpgIMG_0463https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/img_04651.jpgIMG_0465https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/img_04631.jpgIMG_0463https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/img_0465.jpgIMG_0465https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/img_0463.jpgIMG_04632010-03-04T18:08:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/03/wine-coach/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/wine-necklace2.jpgwine-necklacehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/wine-necklace1.jpgwine-necklaceAnother option could be short shorts and a wine glass instead of a whistle.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/wine-necklace.jpgwine-necklaceAnother option could be short shorts with a wine glass replacing a whistle.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/steve-bruce.jpgSteve Brucehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/wine-coach.pngWine Coach2010-03-05T18:01:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/02/world-water-week/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/unicef-tap-project.gifUnicef Tap Project2010-03-16T02:28:57+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/03/01/blood-into-wine/2010-03-01T16:57:38+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/26/widows-kiss/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/widows-kiss.jpgwidows kiss1-1/2 oz Calvados, 3/4 oz Benedictine, 3/4 oz Yellow Chartreuse, 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Combine all ingredients over ice, shake, strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a cherry.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/widows-kiss-ingredients.jpgwidows kiss ingredientsYellow Chartreuse, Calvados, Benedictine and bitters. Mmm, mmm good.2010-02-26T16:15:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/25/sour-grapes-2/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/green-berries-2.jpgGreen Berries 2Alien berries!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/veraison.jpgveraisonThese are red grapes undergoing veraison. This is the time in the vine cycle when the vine's energies are shifted from growing the berries in size to developing sweetness and ripe fruit flavor. 2010-02-25T20:22:49+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/24/i-want-a-drinkbot/2010-02-24T15:51:57+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/22/spirits-review-com/2010-02-22T15:37:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/20/reinheitsgebot-in-vietnam/2010-02-20T20:33:14+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/19/one-week-from-today/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/morrell-2.gifmorrell 2https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/morrell-logo.gifmorrell logo2010-02-19T15:08:18+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/18/well-suited-pair/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/kumeu-river-chard.jpgKumeu River Chardhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/soup.jpgsoupAsparagus soup garnished with chicken lollipop, mushrooms and creme fraiche. It was too pretty to go wine-less.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/prepping-asparagus.jpgprepping asparagusI was not excited about the prospect of selecting a wine when I learned the first course was asparagus soup.2010-02-19T00:15:27+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/13/pink-gin/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/pink-gin-better.jpgpink gin betterYup, only 2 ingredients in this cocktail.2010-02-14T02:11:46+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/12/bebbo-cocktail/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bebbo.jpgbebbo1 1/2 oz. gin (I used Seneca Drums), 1 oz. fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz. honey, 2 teaspoons o.j.. Stir all ingredients (without ice) until honey is dissolved, add ice, shake and strain into chilled glass. Garnish with a cherry.2013-05-26T20:32:44+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/11/snow-day-happy-hour/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/v-bar-drinks1.jpgv bar drinksOn the left is "Sicilian Margarita" - tequila, orange liqueur, agave nectar and lime. On the right is "Bitter Lord" - whisky, ginger syrup, bitters, soda and lime.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/v-bar-drinks.jpgv bar drinksOn the left is "Sicilian Margarita" - tequila, orange liqueur, agave nectar and lime. On the right is "Bitter Lord" - whisky, ginger syrup, bitters, soda and lime.2012-02-07T09:25:08+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/09/barbara-west/2010-02-11T14:59:42+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/08/join-in-the-fun/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/riesling-grapes.jpgRiesling grapesRiesling grapes in Germany2010-02-09T04:59:12+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/03/martini-madness/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/martini-glasses-with-orange.jpgmartini glasses with orangeIs it better to shake or stir? Serve it up or on the rocks? Shaved ice while shaking?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/vermouths.jpgvermouthsWhich vermouth will come out on top? Notice there's no Italian representation.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/garnish-shots.jpggarnish shotsWhich garnish will come out on top - orange, lime, lemon or something else all-together?2010-02-03T21:31:39+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/02/if-your-body-can-take-it-you-might-as-well-buy-the-cheaper-liquor/2010-02-03T14:54:36+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/02/01/buy-local-booze/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bowery1.gifBoweryhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bowery.gifBoweryhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/martini-bowl.jpgMartini Bowlhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/crush-logo.pngcrush logo2010-02-01T23:20:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/29/hearts-and-cocktails-for-haiti/2012-02-06T09:03:12+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/28/blood-and-sand/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/blood-and-sand-cocktail.jpgblood and sand cocktail1 oz. Scotch (I used Dewar's), 1 oz. orange juice, 3/4 oz. cherry liqueur (I used Finger Lakes Distilling), 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth (I used Dolin). Combine all ingredients over ice, shake and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a cherry.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/blood_and_sand_1922_poster.jpgblood_and_sand_1922_poster2016-03-15T14:40:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/27/pouring-tableside/2010-01-28T01:42:17+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/26/pinot-blanc-trapp-style/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/bottle-shot2.jpgbottle shot2The wine had notes of honey, musk melon, white flowers and fresh herbs. The back label suggested ossobuco of rabbit, but it did just fine with Serrano ham, Manchego and Bleu d'Auvergne.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/pinot-blanc-bottle-shot.jpgpinot blanc bottle shothttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/von-trapp-lodge.jpgVon Trapp LodgeHorsing around in front of the lunch lodge.2010-01-27T21:29:22+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/22/prior-to-the-horseless-carriage/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ford-cocktail.jpgford cocktail1 ounce Old Tom Gin (I used Hayman's), 1 ounce dry vermouth (I used Dolin), 3 dashes Benedictine, 3 dashes orange bitters (I used Regan's). Combine over ice and stir. Strain into cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.2010-01-24T04:25:24+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/21/about-com-announces-whiskies-of-the-year/2010-01-21T16:44:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/20/go-big-red/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/p1010109.jpgP1010109Tuesday afternoon fun at the L'Ecole bar2010-01-20T18:13:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/19/brewski/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/shed-flight.jpegshed flightWhat better way to use old skis? The beer flight at The Shed Restaurant in Stowe, VT.2010-01-19T04:28:01+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/15/how-to-open-a-bottle-of-wine-without-a-corkscrew-shoe-hit-wall-drunk-awesome/2010-01-27T05:33:21+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/14/want-one-of-these/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/food_blogging_steve.giffood_blogging_steveThe fearless instructor2014-09-11T17:45:29+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/13/red-riesling/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ak-in-vineyard.jpgAK in vineyardKlaus-Peter told us they hand de-stem in the vineyard and then let the stems ripen another 10 days or so. About 30% of the grapes will go through the fermentation process with stems.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/box-of-soils-2.jpgbox of soils 2Some "soil" samples in the tasting room. Keller explain when there was a little clay on top of the rock, it made for fleshier wines.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/spat-grapes-3.jpgspat grapes 3The Felix came from 40-45 year old vines, which yield about 2 1/2 tons per hectare.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/spat-labels.jpgSpat labelsFelix is Klaus-Peter's oldest son. His children will be the 10th generation. I don't seem to have notes on the sample on the left. Maybe it's the Frauenberg Eric tried??https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/at-tasting-table.jpgat tasting tableKlaus-Peter at the head of the table. He and his wife took over the winery with the 2001 vintage.2010-01-13T19:28:40+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/12/bon-vivant/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/boulevardier.jpgboulevardierThe Boulevardier: 1 1/2 ounces bourbon (I used Maker's), 1 ounce Campari, 1 ounce sweet vermouth (I used Dolin). Stir, strain and garnish with a cherry.2010-01-14T14:58:25+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/11/everywhere-an-oink-oink/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/swine-wine.jpgswine wineone of the more tasteful "critter" labels I've seen2010-05-20T08:11:15+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/09/wouldnt-mind-some-hanky-panky/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/hanky-panky.jpghanky pankyThe Hanky Panky: 1 1/2 ounces gin (I used Seneca Drums), 1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth (I used Dolin), 2 dashes Fernet Branca; stir, strain and garnish with orange peel.2010-01-09T22:31:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/08/italian-roast/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mona-4.jpgMona 4This is what happens when you combine 3,604 cups of coffee with varying amounts of milk and Australians with a lot of time on their hands.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mona-3.jpgMona 3https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mona-2.jpgMona 2https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mona-1.jpgMona 1Can you guess what it's made of?2010-04-12T15:56:58+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/06/02/how-to-make-the-perfect-espresso/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/cappuccino1.jpgcappuccinohttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/cappuccino.jpgcappuccinohttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/good-cup-espresso.jpggood cup espressohttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/espresso-mid-flow.jpgespresso mid flowhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/espresso-begin-flow.jpgespresso begin flowhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/tamping.jpgtamping2013-05-08T08:12:01+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/05/19/calling-all-coffee-freaks/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/coffee-heart.jpg845895632017-07-31T18:51:52+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/04/27/cold-brewed-love/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/coffee-and-milk.jpgcoffee-and-milkhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/coffee-into-jar.jpgcoffee-into-jarhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/coffee-into-chemex.jpgcoffee-into-chemexhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/water-into-coffee.jpgwater-into-coffeehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/auggies-blend.jpgauggies-blendhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/porto-rico.jpgporto-rico2014-09-09T13:35:21+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/07/fly-me-to-the-blue-moon/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/blue-moon.jpgblue moon2 ounces gin (I used Seneca Drums), 1/2 ounce creme de violette, 1/2 ounce lemon juice; shake and strain.2010-01-07T17:01:15+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/06/thank-you-hot-toddy/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/hot-toddy.jpghot toddyAfter a few minutes, I put 1 1/2 ounces of McKenzie Rye and 1/2 ounce of Maplejack in each mug and strained the spiced, lemon-honey water over the top.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/steeping.jpgsteepingWhen the water was ready, I steeped the lemon peel, one cinnamon stick, the juice of one lemon and 3 teaspoons of honey (with the idea of making 2 drinks).https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/clove-soldiers.jpgclove soldiersI put water on to boil, sliced 4 pieces of lemon peel and stuck whole cloves in them, dubbing them "clove soldiers".2010-01-06T17:46:43+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/05/one-hull-of-a-wine/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/p1010048.jpgP10100482010-01-06T00:42:23+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2010/01/04/beer-of-the-british-isles/2010-01-04T22:35:17+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/28/hello-bourbon-meet-pecan/2009-12-28T15:19:52+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/25/poker-live-on-camera/2009-12-25T21:37:48+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/24/the-perfect-gin-and-tonic/2009-12-25T21:36:58+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/22/buy-these-bitters/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/regans-orange-bitters1.jpgRegan's orange bittersHow can you resist "the best orange bitters for man or beast"?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/regans-orange-bitters.jpgRegan's orange bitters2009-12-22T17:14:09+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/21/the-first-cocktail/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/old-fashioned-with-orange.jpgold fashioned with orangeSame as above, with the addition of 1/4 oz. oj. Would be great to make this a completely clear drink. Nils? Dave?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/old-fashioned-1.jpgold fashioned 1In a pint glass, I muddled 2 slices of jalapeños in simple syrup, added ice, 3 dashes Angostura bitters, 1 oz. McKenzie Rye, 1 oz. Glen Thunder, dash of salt and I stirred it and strained it into a rocks glass.2009-12-21T18:49:15+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/15/blogger-drink-up/2009-12-15T19:29:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/10/susie-homemaker/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/vesper.jpgvespera chilly grapefruit vesper2011-10-09T01:34:27+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/09/octopus-and-zinfandel/2009-12-10T00:43:58+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/08/great-with-bacon-and-eggs/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/majella.jpgMajellaMajella's 2005 Sparkling Shiraz 2009-12-09T03:11:50+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/07/this-milkshake-brings-all-the-drunks-to-the-yard/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/adult-milkshake.jpgadult milkshake...damn right, it's better than yours2009-12-08T02:37:46+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/06/rose-face-off/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/gosset.jpggossetThe oldest house in Champagne, dating back to 1584https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/louis-de-sacy.jpglouis de sacy1st up - Louis de Sacy2012-11-01T07:24:20+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/04/taking-the-ale-train/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/pint-of-lager.jpg880904342009-12-04T22:40:12+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/03/insti-age/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/adding-oak-liquid.jpgadding oak liquidadding insti-age to my cup of Laird'shttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/oak-juice-and-lairds.jpgOak juice and lairdsbrown insti-age with clear (!) Laird's in the background2009-12-07T19:49:48+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/02/cryoextract-this/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/icewines.jpgicewineswine showdown: cryoextraction vs. true icewine2009-12-02T16:45:11+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/12/01/advent-calendar-of-beverages/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/brewing-equip-in-dining-room.jpgbrewing equip in dining roomhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/hop_warrior.gifhop_warriorhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/rooster-fish-logo.gifRooster Fish Logo2009-12-01T22:46:54+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/11/23/what-good-are-the-holidays-if-you-dont-light-something-on-fire/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/poker-2.jpgpoker 2yes, that's a temperature reading across the front.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/red-hot.jpgRed hotthe wand of the red hot poker. we don't call it red hot for nothing.2010-03-17T13:55:06+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/11/18/velvet-devil/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/velvet-devil.jpgvelvet devilSo purty that no garnish is necessary.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/pouring-the-benedictine.jpgpouring the benedictineThe Benedictine creates a dazzling visual effect as it's poured into the glass. It collects at the bottom, so the cocktail changes flavor as you consume it, getting a touch sweeter at the end.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/stirring-the-devil.jpgstirring the devillarge ice cubes+long bar spoon=good results.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/devil-ingredients.jpgdevil ingredientsdevil ingredients: Peychauds, Velvet Falernum, Brandy Library's Speyside Scotch, Angostura and Benedictine.2010-10-18T18:18:18+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/11/14/visiting-la-grange/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/purchaed-bottles.jpgpurchaed bottlesthe purchased goods.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/agritourism-warning.jpgagritourism warningthis sign should have included a warning about bachelorette parties as well.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/house.jpghousethe winery opened to the public in 2006.2009-12-11T16:23:15+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/11/10/a-dram-with-your-lamb/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/table-shot-with-glasses.jpgtable shot with glassesA full table. The whiskies were Glenfiddich 15 Year, Glenlivet The Nàdurra and Dalmore Gran Reserva.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/p1000812.jpgP1000812Seared trout with barley risotto, Calvados raisins and apple cider reductionhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/the-judges.jpgthe judgesThe panel, starting with the gentleman with his back to the camera and moving clockwise: Flavien Desoblin, owner of Brandy Library, Ethan Kelley, spirit sommelier of Brandy Library, Craig Koketsu, chef of Quality Meats and Park Avenue, Joe Campanale, GM/beverage guru of Dell'anima and L'Artusi, Alain Sailhac, our Dean Emeritus and André Soltner, another Dean of ours.2009-11-16T15:37:11+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/11/09/readying-the-rye/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/finished-product.jpgfinished productfinished in sherry barrels, this rye is smooth for such a young whiskey with notes of orange peel, cardamom and butterscotch.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/drying-the-capsule.jpgdrying the capsulesealing the capsule. not your average blow-drier.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/applying-the-necker.jpgapplying the neckerapplying the necker.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/biv-and-ak-assemby-line.jpgbiv and ak assemby linethe labels are the trickiest parthttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/filling-bottles.jpgfilling bottlesreminiscent of a dairy farm, don't you think?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/working-the-bottling-machine1.jpgworking the bottling machineworking the bottling machine.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/tasting-notes1.jpgtasting noteswriting tasting notes. hammer is optional.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/working-the-bottling-machine.jpgworking the bottling machineworking the bottling machinehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/tasting-notes.jpgtasting notesmaking tasting notes. hammer is optional.2009-11-16T15:39:35+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/11/04/malt-on-my-mind/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/whiskey-dinner-invite.jpgwhiskey dinner invitehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/whisky-dinner-invite.gifwhisky dinner invitehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/glenlivet.jpgGlenlivet2011-07-16T15:06:57+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/26/rhone-vs-barossa/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ak-with-winemakers.jpgak with winemakersDavid Powell and Daniel Brunier2010-02-25T10:41:50+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/22/decanting-champagne/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/p1000718.jpgP1000718https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/p1000717.jpgP10007172015-03-24T00:58:11+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/19/taste-of-the-tropics/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/amstel-bright.jpgAmstel Brighthttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/balashi-beer-logo.jpgbalashi beer logo2015-04-23T17:09:18+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/14/one-of-my-beer-heroes/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/brooklyn-brewery.jpgbrooklyn-brewery2009-10-14T17:06:32+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/13/vintners-wildberry-harvest/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/img_0439.jpgIMG_04392010-01-28T07:52:46+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/12/malbec-carmenere-torrontes-oh-my/2009-10-12T19:41:48+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/09/fermentation-take-two/2009-10-09T04:26:07+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/27/if-only-it-were-so-easy/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/wine-recipe.jpgwine recipehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/apron.jpgapron2009-10-09T03:27:34+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/06/new-sommelier-competition-announced/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/top-somm.jpgTop Somm2009-10-06T22:34:31+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/10/05/tickled-pink/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/spatburgunder.jpgSpatburgunderhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/riesling-grapes.jpgRiesling grapesRiesling 2009-10-14T21:24:23+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/30/more-vineyard-adventures/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/erderner-ak-foreground.jpgDSC00615you can see me making my way up the stairs at the bottom left - helps give some scale to the shothttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/erdener-treppchen-vineyard-sign.jpgDSC00619https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/se-winemaker-goldtropchen-vineyard.jpgDSC005622009-09-30T17:57:22+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/29/my-teeth-hurt/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tooth1.jpgtoothhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tooth.jpgtooth2009-09-30T12:00:24+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/24/jamaican-me-thirsty/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/jmc-cocktail.jpgjmc cocktailpink, frothy, spicy, refreshing - what more do you need?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/egg-2.jpgegg 2my bartender Gene doing the egg honors https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/jmc-ingredients1.jpgjmc ingredientsguests in the background wondering why I'd want to photograph bottles of boozehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/jmc-ingredients.jpgjmc ingredientsguests in the background wondering why I would be photographing bottles of booze2012-05-31T03:31:41+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/22/the-hollywood-of-germany/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/wine-at-the-top-better.jpgwine at the top bettersweet success!https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/at-the-top-with-a-glass-of-wine.jpgat the top with a glass of winenot a good photo op for those afraid of heightshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/view-from-the-top.jpgview from the topthe Mosel River is in the backgroundhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/urz-wurz-no-people.jpgurz wurz no peoplehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/owner-sign.jpgowner signthe signs mark who owns the vineshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/look-how-steep1.jpglook how steepsome sections have slopes up to 70 degreeshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/slate-soils1.jpgslate soilsyes, they're referring to rocks as soil - the famous slate of the Moselhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/urziger-wurzgarten-background3.jpgurziger wurzgarten backgroundhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/urziger-wurzgarten-background2.jpgurziger wurzgarten backgroundhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/look-how-steep.jpglook how steepsome of the vineyards are slopes of 70 degrees!2009-09-22T22:18:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/18/bright-young-stars/2009-09-22T22:15:31+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/21/a-perfect-finish/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/braised-pork.jpgBraised Porkthis much food calls for a digestivehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/underberg.jpgUnderberg2009-10-09T04:28:43+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/14/beneath-the-market/2009-09-16T11:21:13+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/13/first-taste-of-germany/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/lufthansa-beer.jpgLufthansa beer2009-09-14T22:16:12+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/12/thank-you-wines-of-germany/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/header_landscape.jpgheader_landscape2009-09-12T16:24:22+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/09/dont-call-it-champana/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dscn0379.jpgDSCN03792009-09-10T02:33:41+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/08/cokteles/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dscn0253.jpgDSCN02532009-09-09T01:19:14+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/07/please-dont-go-summer/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/please-dont-go.jpgplease don't gohttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/please-dont-go-ingredients.jpgplease don't go ingredients2025-03-06T09:31:05+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/05/dusty-because-its-old/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dscn0328.jpgDSCN0328https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dscn0330.jpgDSCN03302009-09-06T00:33:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/04/4th-annual-salud/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/chilean-wines.jpgChilean wineshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/wines-of-chile-vinos-de-chile.gifwines-of-chile-vinos-de-chile2009-09-04T19:55:19+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/03/eat-drink-local-week/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/eedlw-webad.gifeedlw-webad2009-09-08T19:48:52+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/02/maybe-not-so-divertida/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cannabis-absinthe1.jpgcannabis absinthehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cannabis-absinthe.jpgcannabis absinthehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/beer-with-tequila.jpgbeer with tequilahttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/san-miguel-apple.jpgsan miguel apple2011-01-12T13:15:33+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/17/thirsty-got-hitched/2009-09-02T02:18:38+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/09/01/bebidas-divertidas/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sangria-collection.jpgsangria collectionhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sangria-guitars1.jpgsangria guitarshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sangria-guitars.jpgsangria guitarshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sangria-bull.jpgsangria bullhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/moscatel-mermaid-and-horse.jpgMoscatel mermaid and horse2009-09-02T00:08:51+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/31/this-tops-the-worm/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/lizard_booze.jpglizard_boozeNot one dead lizard, but two2009-09-09T17:30:30+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/29/chat-with-savory-cities/2009-08-29T15:13:04+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/13/about-com-came-to-class/2009-08-13T17:19:17+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/12/pucker-up/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/limoncello.jpgLimoncello2010-02-03T00:48:02+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/10/wines-of-summer-part-ii/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/spain-map1.jpgSpain MapSee Rías Baixas in the upper left corner?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/spain-map.jpgSpain Map2009-08-11T03:04:53+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/08/get-spritzed-take-two/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/p10006411.jpgP1000641https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/p1000641.jpgP1000641https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/p1000638.jpgP10006382009-08-09T00:49:56+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/07/the-judd/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/judd-cocktail3.jpgjudd cocktailhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/judd-cocktail2.jpgjudd cocktailhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/judd-cocktail1.jpgjudd cocktailIsn't she a beauty?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/judd-cocktail.jpgjudd cocktailIsn't she a beauty?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/nils-with-nitrogen.jpgNils with nitrogenNils chilling a glass with liquid nitrogen2009-08-07T23:06:21+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/06/tom-foolery/2009-08-09T12:37:30+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/05/cocktails-for-breakfast-and-the-colbert-bump/2009-08-05T18:42:08+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/04/blending-cabernet-across-vintages/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/barrel-sample-syrah.jpgbarrel sample syrahhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ken-among-equipment.jpgKen among equipmentKen Burns, consulting winemaker, describing the winemaking equipmenthttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/cellar-entrance.jpgCellar entranceThe creation of their cave was covered in a 2006 episode of "Dirty Jobs"https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/mountains-background.jpgMountains backgroundThe Porter Family vineyards are at 600 ft.https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/terraced-vineyard.jpgTerraced Vineyardhttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/vineyard-1.jpgVineyard 12009-08-04T22:38:06+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/03/more-bubbly/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ed-and-mary.jpgEd and MaryEd McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan2010-04-24T15:08:57+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/08/01/it-didnt-make-me-crazy/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/absinthe-from-underneath.jpgAbsinthe from underneathThirsty yet?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/absinthe-mat.jpgAbsinthe matThe colors are like easter eggshttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/absinthe-bottles.jpgAbsinthe bottles10 from around the world2010-03-08T08:50:16+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/31/what-part-of-funaguchi-kikusui-ichibanshibori-nama-genshu-honjozo-dont-you-understand/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/sake-on-counter.jpgSake on counterlook how cute!2009-07-31T15:47:05+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/30/gin-o-matic/2009-07-30T17:09:29+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/29/think-wine-spectator-will-cover-it/2010-03-21T19:16:23+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/28/thirsty-heavy-metal-hitmakers/2009-07-28T19:31:45+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/27/if-homer-simpson-drank-wine/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/toh-friulano.jpgToh Friulano2009-12-15T23:43:50+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/26/for-you-tough-guys/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/brass-knuckles-wine-opener.jpgbrass-knuckles-wine-opener2025-05-06T14:41:10+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/25/playing-second-fiddle/2009-07-25T18:43:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/24/1346/2009-07-25T15:48:24+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/05/06/dont-let-this-happen-to-you/2009-07-24T14:58:08+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/23/thirsty-for-etymology/2009-07-23T15:05:30+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/22/hold-the-sausage-pass-the-beer/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/wostyntje-bottle.jpgwostyntje-bottle2009-07-22T19:18:20+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/21/cone-yack/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/cognac-map.pngCognac Map2009-07-23T15:41:33+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/20/wine-uncorked-in-the-press/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/wine-uncorked-071409.jpgWine Uncorked 0714092023-07-29T13:15:59+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/19/togas-arent-just-for-frat-boys/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/redneck-toga1.jpgRedneck TogaSelf-described "redneck togas"https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/redneck-toga.jpgRedneck Toga2009-07-19T16:59:00+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/18/blueberry-corn-muffin/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/muffin-21.jpgMuffin 2https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/muffin-2.jpgMuffin 2https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/glen-thunder.jpgGlen Thunder2009-07-18T16:25:33+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/17/finger-lakes-bramble/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/with-bottles-in-background.jpgWith bottles in backgroundThe cassis will have a pretty label soon instead of my post-it notehttps://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/close-up-top-shot.jpgClose up Top ShotIs your mouth watering yet?https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/cassis-trickling-down.jpgCassis trickling downsee the cassis trickling down the inside of the glass?2009-07-18T05:48:49+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/16/nerd-conference/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/swe-logo.jpgSWE Logo2009-07-16T21:04:31+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/06/24/vintage-cocktail-books/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sir-william-temple.jpgSir William Temple2009-07-16T14:19:58+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/06/28/pull-back-on-the-reins/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/horse.jpg828400042009-07-16T14:19:02+00:00monthlyhttps://athirstyspirit.com/2009/07/15/ooh-la-la/https://athirstyspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ooh-la-la.jpgOoh la 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