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Elixirs

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 26th 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.


One Response to “Elixirs”

  1. Jen, LOVE your blog. RE: Beer, not a big beer drinker myself but this one gets me every time: do your tastebuds a favour and see if you can get Lindemans Pechesse (Peach Beer) from Belgium. Timmermans Peche from Belgium is close too. W-w-wow….

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