The Beverage of the Week - Archives

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Bray Vineyards Barbera Rosato Shenandoah Valley 2008

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March 10 to March 16, 2010

Bray is located in the California Shenandoah Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) that lies in portions of Amador and El Dorado counties in California. This is an old gold prospecting area that is now home to just 2,000 vines and less than 20 wineries. Zinfandel is king here but an eclectic selection of varietals (mostly red) is planted here.

Terra D’Oro Rosé Amador County 2008

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February 24 to March 2, 2009

This great wine offers two treats in one. First, it’s a great American born Rosé with fruit, acid, and above all balance. Second, it is made primarily from Nebbiolo, a grape variety seldom planted and used in the US.

Sonnet Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2006

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February 17 to February 23, 2010

What if you could buy wines from celebrated appellations for the price of wines hailing from obscure zones? That would be a clever way to achieve the all important quality to value ratio that we seek. Luckily, we found a Washington wine that does just that. Sonnet is a great new value-oriented brand that we have recently discovered and it scores high on flavor as well as value.

Roundhouse Gin, USA

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February 10 to February 16, 2010

Recently we became acquainted with a new distillery named Roundhouse Spirits from Boulder County, Colorado. They presently make a coffee Liqueur and a wonderful Gin that quickly became a darling of our tasting panel.

Glenfarclas 17 yr old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland

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February 3 to February 9, 2010

Among Glenfarclas’ portfolio of seven expressions, the 17 year old has always been a favorite. For us it represents the ideal “sweet-spot” in the age range being mature enough to show the complex nuances associated with the best single malts with the balance of youthful flavors.

Van Gogh Mango Vodka, Netherlands

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January 27 to February 2, 2010

Van Gogh has quietly become the master of flavors in the Vodka world. We have sampled our share of flavored Vodkas and we can say without hesitation that the portfolio from Van Gogh cannot be beat.

Clynelish 14 yr old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland

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January 20 to January 26, 2010

It is extraordinarily difficult to pick a favorite among the great number of tremendous malt and blended Whiskies available today. As we have so often said, it is a great time to be alive and to be a Whisky drinker. While a favorite may be difficult, we do have some comfort in stating a Whisky faves short-list. Among these Whiskies, Clynelish is always present. It cleverly represents strength and delicacy, hedonism and nuance, and above all, pleasure.

Peju Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005

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January 13 to January 19. 2010

The Peju’s winery was born in 1982 when they purchased a 30-acre property in Rutherford between Highway 29 and the Napa River. While they were far from wine pros at the time, the Pejus did know that with real estate, location is key. Their new vineyard property had substantial location credentials being flanked by vineyards owned by Robert Mondavi, Beaulieu Vineyards, and the Rubicon Estate.

Ayinger Weizen-Bock

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January 6 to January 12. 2010

Perhaps there is no place in the world that reveres Beer more than Bavaria. Beer is an inseparable part of daily life as it is woven into the tapestry of the culture. As expected, standards for Beer are high here so it is no surprise that some of the best Beers in the world come from this zone in and around the capital city of Munich.