Beverage of the Week (BOW) – Archives

The 2020 vintage marks the seventh edition of The Tongue Dancer "Pinot de Ville" (PDV) — but this one is not like the others. For the first time in PDV history the fruit is sourced from vineyards in Russian River Valley. The 2020 fires in California and the nature of buying fruit from vineyards no...
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Chuko Yokka Koji Awamori is made from Thai white rice and black koji like all Awamori. If you haven’t heard of Awamori do not be alarmed. There are fewer than 50 producers of Awamori in Okinawa and very little of this spirit makes it out of Japan. Awamori is thought to be the predecessor to Shochu...
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Made entirely from ingredients harvested in Kagoshima Prefecture (Japan is divided into 47 prefectures — like small states) of Japan. Kogane Sengan sweet potatoes, the most popular sweet potato in Kyushu, are steamed and added to the secondary fermentation. The initial fermentation is done exclusi...
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The Great Lakes Brewery Dortmunder Gold is part of their regular lineup and has been since 1988. This great lager takes its name from the German city that is most recognized for this style. It's a beer that strikes the perfect balance of malty richness and hops (a moderate 30 IBU) while not being to...
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This wine represents Tongue Dancer Wines sixth Chardonnay and the fourth from Pratt Vineyard Irwin Lane in the Russian River Valley AVA. Every vintage of this wine offers a unique expression while having a strong familial bond. This (2020) vintage showcases a lovely mélange of ripe orchard fruits w...
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There is precious little Vermentino grown in America — a damn shame — and Tablas Creek's Vermentino is unmatched. Vermentino is typically high in acid with flavors of grapefruit, green apple, peach, and lime with hints of blanched almonds and spring flowers. The grape is native to Italy where it...
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Leinenkugel's is a great, old family brewery founded in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin over 150 years ago. Leinenkugel's beers are now available nationwide. They offer over a dozen different styles including a collection of seasonal beers like this Session Helles. It is more session than Helles for sure...
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The Yebiga Bela Rakija is a true treat. A pure and authentic Rakija (pronounced Ra-Kee-Ya) that is clearly made by master distillers. Rakija is a very specific style of fruit Brandy made in the Balkans. Rakija is an essential element of the local culture and is often made at home in an heirloom stil...
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Leinenkugel's offers over a dozen different styles including a collection of seasonable beers like their "Canoe Paddler", a classically styled Kolsch beer. Luckily, the Canoe Paddler has earned such a following that it is now available all year. We absolutely love the Canoe Paddler as it has everyth...
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This spring (2022) we get treated to a new Tongue Dancer Wines (TDW) Chardonnay. A new Chardonnay is rarely cause for celebration but when it's made by James MacPhail we take notice. It's a blend from three vineyards: Bacigalupi, Pratt Irwin Lane, and Pratt Vine Hill. Regular readers at BevX and fol...
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The great Patelin de Tablas Rouge is made with a unique blend of 36% Syrah, 34% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 8% Tannat, and 3% Counoise. We have watched the makeup of this wine change through the years (this is our seventh vintage reviewed) from wines with over 50% Syrah to a blend with Grenache having...
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Tongue Dancer Wines (TDW) has just introduced Foxtrot Pinot Noir. We are intrigued by any new release from TDW but this one exceeded our high expectations. The Foxtrot is one hell of a Pinot Noir that is bold, exotic, and pleasingly vexing while being thoroughly true to the varietal. The grapes hail...
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Made with a unique blend of 55% Malbec, 35% Tinta Roriz, and 10% Counoise. Last year's Rosé included a healthy dose of Primitivo but these vines have been pulled in favor of other varietals. Like all of Troon's wines the vines are farmed to provide optimal fruit for the intended wine. The grapes we...
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This wine represents the eighth commercial release of the delicious Tongue Dancer Wines (TDW) Rosé of Pinot Noir (the sixth that we have reviewed). How time flies… In their 2021 vintage TDW has returned to the saigné method — a winemaking technique that bleeds off a portion of juice after a br...
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This amazing Petit Verdot is made through a special selection of top grapes that are hand-harvested from their estate vineyards. This particular vineyard enjoys 10 to 12 hours of sunlight per day. The fruit is macerated for 48 hours before going through a 14-day fermentation in stainless steel at mo...
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