Fresh Cracked Pepper

A Log of Liquidy Delectation

Wine

Tinhorn Creek Pinot Noir (CDN): a not-too expensive cherry/vanilla, medium-bodied wine.

Castillo di Diablo Pinot Noir (CHILE): medium bodied, dry but smooth.

Phillipe de Rothschild Pinot Noir (FR): one of our favourite affordable Pinots.

Banrock Station 2005 Shiraz (AUS): box is 12$ at Liquor City in Syracuse. A decent “house wine.”

Botabox 2005 Shiraz (CA): our tops boxed wine, full bodied, tart cherry and fruit. Environmentally sound product.

• Finger Lakes Tour Sept ‘07 Highlights:
  • Hunt Country(NY) Pinot Gris 2006: very fresh, a unique white. Vignoles 2006: Tart and citrusy, pineappple, good with spicy food. Ruby Port: good and economical.
  • Dr. Konstantin Frank (Salmon Run, NY) 2004 Meritage, 2005 Pinot Noir 24.99.
  • Heron Hill 2002 Pinot, 14.99, very smoky and tanniny. Mark didn’t like as much as I did.
  • Ravines Wine Cellars 2006 Cerise, 13.95 Very good, light bodied wine. Perfect for summer! We also liked the 2005 Pinot (21.95) and the 2005 Meritage (23.95).

Benjamin Tawny Port (AUS): A very affordable introduction to port at 8$ a bottle (in the US). One sip and you’ll want this for dessert every night!

Beer

Aventinus Dunkel-Weizen:  Mark tried at Vineyards ‘07. “Freshly bakes bread, sweet herbs. Highly aromatic. Rich, complex, malt-accented palate and viscous mouthfeel through to a long, lingering finish.

Crest Lager (England): Jen tried at Vineyards in Ottawa in ‘07. “Deep yellow, honey notes with a long powerful finish.”

Franziskaner Weissbier: This might be my favourite beer, especially for the summer. Really, does anyone do it better than the Bavarians?

Gosser Lager (Austria): Mark had at Vineyards ‘08. Pale amber blonde, round flavour, soft in front. Citrusy.

Slavutich (Ukraine): Friend had at Vineyards ‘08. “Gorgeous blonde colour ideally balanced between fruity malts and crisp hops. Superb clean finish.”

Faxe Festbock (Denmark): Jen had at Vineyards ‘08. “Crisp dark fruit malt explodes on the palate with intense richness, toffee and espresso leads to a slight hop conclusion.” I tasted marmite. Yum.

Hacker-Pshorr Heffe Weisse: This was the perfect blend of sunny heffe weisse flavour and the body of a stout or a brown ale. Definitely a favourite.

Scotch

Glen Garioch 18 yr (Highland): My first Scotch tasting experience at Ouisi Bistro in Van, with Mel. Held it on our tongue to get all the aromas. Don’t need much in a sip. Warming, woody and floral. Like tasting a sauna. Long, long finish, taste it for many minutes after. Oaky.

Oban (Highland): Had at the Palm Room the day before we got engaged! We shared a shot and it lasted a super long time. Very caramelly, and the perfect amount of woodsy-ness. [Mark: Had some very savory citrus notes.] We own a bottle.

Lagavoulin (Islay): Got for my 26^th birthday from Mark! We like it, but it’s strong and very peaty. Sometimes a bit TOO much! Great with a bit of water to release the flavours.

McCallan 12yr (Speyside): tried at Rick and Kathleen’s before we left for Syracuse. Very good, caramelly, a nice “afternoon” scotch. Also had at Paul’s. A very rich amber colour.

Talisker (Isle of Skye): Had at Hi’s lounge in summer ‘07 before we left for Syracuse. Lighter and more acidic than Oban. Less smooth. OK.