Isn’t Moonshine the ultimate American Drink for the Holidays? After all, it’s made with American corn, and it was always the drink of independent individuals, not part of government or industry.
Apparently, as a teenager delivering the family’s moonshine, Junior Johnson learned “evasion†and other driving skills that eventually propelled him to NASCAR fame. Later he went back to moonshine – legally, this time, having learned his lesson with an 11-month stint in prison. His Midnight Moon moonshines are cleverly packed in homestyle canning jars, individually numbered on the labels, some with fresh fruit added for flavoring. Strawberry and other flavors are recommended for cocktails.
But for the holidays, I tried several of Johnson’s moonshines and I think I’ve come up with the definitive food pairing: Apple Pie Midnight Moon with Roast Beef and Roasted Root Vegetables. Add a dab of horseradish sauce if you like some bite to your meal.
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Dangerous wine reivews
It’s always dangerous when someone contacts you out of the blue and asks you to review their wine. It’s great if you love it, but what if you don’t? Is it better to say nothing, or to give them your opinion? Always a quandary…
Recently, I was sent some wines by Gallegos, a new winery created by a family that has been growing grapes in Napa since 1950. Interesting to be in on this, as I am headquartered on the East Coast and the Gallegos wines are now available only at the winery and at a few locations in Napa.
First impression? To me, it seems like the winery is at a fork in the road. They could either go with a New World fruity style, or they could retrench on the fruit and go classic Old World. The 2012 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2011 Pinot Noir I tasted were neither one nor the other.
I’m not a farmer, but the wines seem clean, like they were made with good fruit – as advertised. According to the information I read, some of the fruit is from Gallegos-farmed land, and some is sourced from the Gallegos’ winery clients: the pinot noir, for example came from the Santa Lucia Highlands. (I wonder why they decided to do this instead of using their own fruit?)
Specifically, the Sauvignon Blanc is more minerally than classically herbal, with big fruit underlying the flavors, almost tropical. A slight chalkiness in the lightly citric finish suggests northern chardonnay more than sauvignon blanc to me. The Pinot Noir is full of big, dark red fruit on the aroma and palate, with addition of some smokiness too.
There’s plenty of fruit expression here, but what is lacking is definition. Both wines would benefit from a decision about their underlying styles. It will be interesting to see what direction Gallegos takes in their future vintages.
Have a Cocktail after this Film. Make that two…
It’s a circus – cirque du soleil style. With sideshow of gastronomy.
The film Hey, Bartender is a crash course in American culture – behind the bar. It entices you in by following the real-life ups and downs of bartenders, bar owners and managers.
The people behind the bar are maniacally serious, they are a cross between circus performers and butlers. The ultimate in service and showmanship.
With a cast of luminaries in the mixology world, this film takes you on an adventure from a local watering hole to the hottest bars in the country today. And fills in the history of the American cocktail along the way.
Take notes: in this film you’ll get a taste of just about every top bar and every top mixologist working today.
After the film, go have a cocktail and start planning your road trip.
Top 3 Ways to Drink Orange + Brandy
After mulling over (i.e., tasting) several versions new of orange-flavored brandies, I 
have a current list of my faves:
Remaining on the list is Mandarine Napoleon with excellent tangerine aromas that greatly enhance the whole experience.
For a fun aperitif from Armagnac: La Grande Josiane over ice, a very nice mélange of orange and Armagnac.
For the fall, you probably already have Grand Marnier liqueur in your home bar: a quality item for over a century. The next step (taking the pricepoint up a significant notch) will be Grand Marnier’s new Cuvée1880, a tribute to the year Grand Marnier was created by Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle. Cognac is the star of this cuvée, which is a “blend of aged, premium Grande Champagne XO Cognac and wild tropical orange parfum.â€
The Most Luxurious Horchata Rum for National Rum Day
I don’t know whose idea it was to combine horchata with rum, but horchata flavored rum is suddenly all over the place. So naturally I’ve been tasting it.
First learned about horchata at that great little taqueria in Santa Barbara – you know the one that all the celebs go to, what’s the name? Anyhow, there horchata is a wonderfully refreshing rice-based soft drink. Sometimes, when you ask, people say it’s made with almonds.
Whatever the flavor base, I think I’ve discovered the richest one: Cruzan Velvet Cinn. It’s luxuriously cream-based, with hints of almond and cinnamon. Great over ice as a summer nightcap – at least that’s what happened in our house. You can tell yourself you’re having a soothing milk drink before bed.
You might want to get some for National Rum Day which is August 16th.
Vodka Smackdown: Purity vs. Grey Goose
Intrigued by Purity Vodka’s great cocktail recipes and pureness claims I asked for one of their taste-test kits. It arrived this week, beautifully wrapped. When I enlisted my husband to set up the blind taste test, he asked me to leave the room so I wouldn’t be able to peek. We used our own tasting glasses – small wineglasses
.
Vodka #1: hefty aroma and body, somewhat sweet with a fruit component and some bite in the finish.
Vodka #2: mild from aroma through finish.
I thought that #1 could add an interesting fruitiness to cocktails, but based on what I’d heard from Purity, I guessed that Purity would be #2 – which was my favorite.
I was wrong: Purity was #1.
I still love Grey Goose.
Thanks for the chance to find out.