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Drinking In What Portugal Offers

June 2, 2023 by evebushman

This past May I spent two weeks in Portugal, specifically Porto and Lisbon and the areas we could reach easily from there. I concentrated my drinking on the local wine, port and cocktails, and that’s what I’m sharing today in this article. I did quite a bit of social media while there, so some of what I cover in this article can be seen in public photos on both Facebook and Instagram. So onward, here’s your taste from this remarkable place:

White, Rose and Tawny Ports: We started our journey in Porto with port wines when we were offered a white or ruby port during our check in at our hotel. White was new for us, so I jumped at the chance. Expecting something sweet like Sauternes, instead it was a dry white port. Not bone dry, but dry enough for me to notice. Later, when we tasted port at a winery (or two!) we would have both dry and sweet. The sweet white ports grew to yellow and brown with age, and those were very grand, and did remind me of Sauternes. The red ruby port – yes it’s like a red ruby in color – were very fresh, and it made me think that a person that enjoyed lighter red wines like Pinot Noir or Grenache may lean toward the rubies. The tawnies were my favorite, as most reminded me of a whisky, if whisky were sweet, and because they were aged the longest. We had some aged up to 20 years, and some rare vintage year ports as well. I didn’t become a fan of any one Port producer; I may need to do more “research” before I do. (There are Rose ports, though none of the port wineries we visited made them. We understood from one of our tour guides that it is a new thing, a fashion so to speak, for young drinkers and tourists. We did look for them, to try the novelty, but had no luck.)

Douro Valley: We had one day to tour the Douro Valley. The Douro river lies beautifully at the base of steep vineyards, and our tour van climbed very high to visit one and have lunch at another. The Douro Valley is famous for their port wine but the wineries also make non-fortified wines with Portuguese white and red varietals. As I’m not much of a sweet wine drinker, and I enjoy trying new wines, I enjoyed the Portuguese wines the most. At our dinners out we only ordered Portuguese wine.

Port Tonic: This may be difficult to replicate at home but here goes. In the heat of the summer it would be a treat to have. It’s made with a dry white port wine (it can be made with any port but white was the most popular), tonic water, ice, a spank of mint and a lemon twist. It is very refreshing. If I can find dry white port wine I will be making this again.

Gin and Tonic: Gin and tonic cocktails are certainly not a new thing. But some countries in the UK and Europe serve them up completely different than we do. They match the botanicals in the gin to the garnish. So think of a Hendricks Gin, that has cucumber as one of its flavors, served with slices of cucumber and maybe some juniper berries. (Gin has to have juniper as a rule.) Now, picture the wealth of gins with their wealth of botanicals, and the garnish choices are unlimited. Then, besides that, these G and Ts are served in large wine goblets – bigger than a Pinot Noir glass – and with an abundance of ice. Lastly, if you have a really good bar, they have a selection of Fever Tree tonics to add in. These are also uniquely flavored.

Wines: From whites, aka Brancos, like the inexpensive white wine Vinho Verde, and red table/local wine, aka Tintos, there is a LOT to try in Portugal. I’ve written about them after taking this Masterclass. I was familiar with some of the red varietals and I strongly suggest that you try the red blends that start with Touriga Nacional, Tempranillo or Alicante Bouschet, try wines from the Douro Valley as well as wines from Alentejo DOC, and try pairing Portuguese wine with food too.

Aperol Spritz: Though not a phenomenon in Portugal alone, know that if you visit Europe during the summer you will spy this orange-colored beverage on ice in wine glasses. It’s a mix of Aperol (orange bitter liquor), sparkling wine and tonic. If you are not an orange or a bitters fan, skip it, but if you are open to trying what the locals are drinking, now’s your chance.

Note on travel: Portugal is a popular destination in Europe these days. Their dictatorship was crushed in 1974 and it would appear that most travellers came after that, and only continue to grow. Based on the crowds we had in May I recommend avoiding the summer months when tourism, and the heat, only escalates. We had a fabulous tour guide in Lisbon; check out Diogo from Tours With Me Portugal for his contact. And if you only have a day like we did to tour the Douro Valley find this experience on AirBnb. Also, when in Lisbon check out Bairro Alto, we found exactly what Google promised, “After the sun goes down, an eclectic crowd gathers in the neighborhood’s quirky and trendy bars, while traditional restaurants let out the evocative sound of fado…”

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: aperol, bar, bitters, botanicals, cocktails, doc, douro, dry, europe, food pairing, gin, ice, Port, portugal, red blend, red wine, Rose, Sparkling wine, spritz, tonic, uk, varietal, vineyard, white wine, wine glasses, Wine tasting, winery

CELEBRATING 26 YEARS OF LODI WINE AND CHOCOLATE, FEBRUARY 3-5

January 18, 2023 by evebushman

LODI, Calif., – Northern California’s beloved Lodi Wine & Chocolate returns February 3-5, 2023, for another decadent and delicious weekend. There’s no better time to fall in love with the winegrowing region than by sampling renowned Lodi wines and delectable chocolate pairings during this festive weekend! 

The weekend culminates in the Sunday Winemaker’s Toast on February 5 at Wine & Roses with a showcase of Lodi’s white, rosé, and sparkling wines. Chefs at the boutique resort will be preparing carefully crafted small bites from locally sourced ingredients to complement the days’ wine selections. Tickets to all weekend events are limited and expected to sell out.  

“Lodi Wine & Chocolate continues to be a popular event for visitors as well as locals,” said Stuart Spencer, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “The event provides multiple opportunities to interact with our winegrowing community and sample a diverse selection of Lodi-grown wines in a fun and festive atmosphere.” 

Lodi Wine & Chocolate was founded in 1997 with the goal to promote and elevate the region and its wines. In addition to providing marketing value and a fun and welcoming atmosphere for wine enthusiasts, the event serves as an important fundraiser for programs in education, research, and sustainable viticulture which are operated by the Lodi Winegrape Commission to the benefit of Lodi’s winemaking community. To date, the event has welcomed more than 100,000 guests and generated over $2 million in support of these programs. 

Tickets for all events are now on sale and can be purchased online at lodiwineandchocolate.com. Tickets to Friday Evening Experiences are $125 per person and the experience varies by winery. Saturday tickets to Winery Tours are $75 per person and includes admission to all participating wineries. There is no cost for designated drivers attending Saturday Winery Tours. Tickets to Sunday’s Winemaker’s Toast are $95 per person and includes small bites and live entertainment. All tickets to weekend events include a commemorative wine glass, chocolate treat from CocoTutti Chocolates, and wine tastings. All attendees, including designated drivers, must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

About the Lodi Winegrape Commission, event organizer

Established in 1991, the Lodi Winegrape Commission represents the common interests of Lodi winegrowers with programs in marketing, education, research, and sustainable viticulture.  The Commission collectively and effectively promotes Lodi’s vibrant, multi-generational farming community and California’s most dynamic wine region. Comprised of nine commissioners and nine alternates, the board of directors provides direction and input on behalf of the region’s 750 winegrowers. For more information about the Lodi Winegrape Commission, visit lodigrowers.com. 

About CocoTutti Chocolates, chocolate partner

Since 2010, CocoTutti has been producing delicious and colorful, individual chocolates.  Recipes for the majority of CocoTutti’s fine chocolates have been handcrafted from scratch by owner / chocolatier Elyce Zahn and utilize house made jams and marmalades made from organic, locally sourced fruit or house made peanut or hazelnut butter.  To learn more about CocoTutti, visit cocotutti.com. 

About the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA)

A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi is perfectly situated 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and distinct soils allow its growers to cultivate 125 winegrape varieties, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions. 

Lodi is naturally a leader in sustainable viticulture. Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES is America’s original sustainable winegrowing program. Held to a high standard of scientific rigor and excellence, the program emphasizes environmentally and socially responsible practices, while keeping economic feasibility in mind for long-term business success. Today, there are more than 55,000 acres certified throughout California, Washington, and Israel. For more information about the Lodi AVA or LODI RULES, visit lodiwine.com and lodirules.org. 

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: ava, California, chocolate, event, food event, food pairing, fruit, fundraiser, Lodi, music, Port, Rose, Sparkling wine, tour, vineyard, white wine, wine event, Wine tasting, winery

WhiskeyFest Las Vegas 2022…Done!

January 13, 2023 by evebushman

Last month Eddie and I attended the WhiskeyFest Las Vegas event at Resorts Word – for the first time! We had two VIP tickets, which allowed us entry one hour early and samples of rare and aged whiskies. My plan? As soon as I checked in and picked up my swag bag – and program – I scoured the slim booklet to see who was pouring what that first hour, made some quick notes, and then attacked the two conference rooms allocated for the event. Second to that plan was doing as much damage, err, getting as many tastes as I desired in that hour, before taking a break, enjoying the different buffet meals, and then heading into a sit down class with one of the brand ambassadors. After the class I did go back into the two main rooms, but didn’t do as much tasting as I had in that first hour and in the class. First I will share the pours Eddie and I  enjoyed in bold and italics, and then I’ll share which class I took and my notes on that.

The Full List and VIP Pours:

Ardbeg: Wee Beastie, 10 yr., An Oa, 19 yr. Batch No. 4 (VIP hour only), Corryvreckan (VIP hour only)

Awayuki Japanese Strawberry Gin: A little on the sweet side for me but tasty.

Baker’s Bourbon

Balcones Distilling: Lineage Single Malt, Baby Blue Corn Whisky, Texas 1 Single Malt, Pot Still Bourbon, Rye 100, Brimstone Smoked Corn Whisky, Mirador Single Malt (VIP hour only), Prohibida Rum (Finished in ex-Balcones—Peat Casks) (VIP hour only)

Basil Hayden:10 yr., Dark Rye, Subtle Smoke, Toast

Benromach: 10 yr., 15 yr., 21 yr., Heritage Single Cask 1978—(VIP hour only)

Bikoku

Bird Dog Whiskey: Salted Caramel, Apple, Gingerbread

Blackened American: Flagship, Rye the Lightning

Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon: (VIP hour only)

Booker’s

Brenne: Estate Cask Single Malt, 10 yr. Single Malt

Bruichladdich: Classic Laddie, Islay Barley 2013

Calumet Bourbon: Farm Kentucky Straight Bourbon — Small Batch, 10 yr., 15 yr., 16 yr.

Chita

Cincoro Tequila: Blanco, Reposado, Cincoro Añejo, GOLD (VIP hour only), Extra Añejo (VIP hour only)

Crown Royal: Reserve 18 yr. (VIP hour only)

Dewar’s: Caribbean Smooth, Japanese (this was a Mizunara cask) Smooth, French Smooth, 12 yr., 15 yr., 18 yr. (VIP hour only), 25 yr. (VIP hour only), Double Double 21 (VIP hour only), 19 yr. (VIP hour only) I don’t do a lot of blends but I had a class on Dewar’s once and learned about the amazing single malts that go into their whiskey which made me a fan.

El Tequileño: Reposado Gran Reserva, The Sassenach Select Double—Wood Reposado, Añejo Gran Reserva

FEW Spirits: Straight Bourbon, Straight Rye, American Whiskey, Cold Cut, Immortal Rye, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon—(VIP hour only)

Frey Ranch: Bourbon, Rye, Single Barrel Rye (VIP hour only)

Gentleman Jack

Gladstone Axe

Glen Moray: 25 yr., Classic, Port Cask, Chardonnay Cask, Cabernet Cask, Sherry Cask, 12 yr., 15 yr., 18 yr., Pauillac Single Cask, 21 yr. (VIP hour only)

Glenmorangie: Original 10 yr., X by Glenmorangie, Lasanta 12 yr., Quinta 14 yr., Cadboll Estate 15 yr., 18 yr. (VIP hour only), Signet (VIP hour only) If I only had one single malt brand to enjoy, a pal told me, it would be Glenmorangie. I had to agree.

Gordon & MacPhail: Connoisseurs Choice, This was my favorite table as there were so many incredible aged whiskies to try. —Glenlivet 2004, —Bunnahabhain 1989, —Caol Ila 1997 – Cask Strength, —Tormore 1994 – Cask Strength, Glentauchers 1979 – Private Collection 1—(VIP hour only)

Hakushu: Smoky

Hibiki: Japanese Harmony

Jack Daniel’s: Tennessee Whiskey, Single Barrel Select, Bonded Tennessee Whiskey, Triple Mash Blended Straight—Whiskey (VIP hour only), Sinatra Select (VIP hour only)

Jefferson’s: Ocean Aged at Sea Rye, Reserve Pritchard Hill Cabernet—Cask Finished Bourbon

Johnnie Walker

Kikori

Knappogue Castle: 12 yr., 14 yr., 16 yr.

Knob Creek: 9 yr., Rye, 12 yr.

Legent

Little Book

Maker’s Mark: 46, Cask, BRT-01, BRT-02

Michter’s: US*1—Bourbon, —Rye, —American Whiskey, —Sour Mash, Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash (VIP hour only), 10 yr. Rye (VIP hour only)

Middle West Spirits: Straight Wheat, Straight Rye, Straight Bourbon, Bourbon Cream, Sherry Finished Bourbon (VIP hour only), Oloroso Wheat Whiskey (VIP hour only), Ported Pumpernickel Rye (VIP hour only) I’m a Middle West fan, first for their Pumpernickel rye. I believe they are the only ones in the U.S. making a pumpernickel whiskey. And these three, including the ported pumpernickel, blew my socks off.

Oban

Octomore 13.2: VS, VSOP, XO (VIP hour only)

OMAGE: (VIP hour only)

OYO Vodka: Honey Vanilla Bean, Stonefruit, Barrel-Finished Honey Vanilla Bean

Port Charlotte: 10 yr., Islay Barley 2013

Powers Irish Whiskey: Gold Label, Three Swallows, John Power

Rabbit Hole: Dareringer Sherry Cask Bourbon, Bourbon – Limited Release

Saint Cloud Kentucky Straight Bourbon: 100 Proof Single Barrel, X-Series (Abstrākt2) Single Barrel 110 Proof, 13 yr. Single Barrel, Barrel Proof (VIP hour only) Loved this discovery!

Seven Seals: Sherry Wood Finish, Port Wood Finish, Peated Port Wood Finish, Age of Taurus (VIP hour only), Age of Leo (VIP hour only)

Shanky’s Whip

Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash: (VIP hour only)

Shunka Shuto: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

SIA

Skrewball: Neat, Espresso martini (Skrewball, Kahlua—Coffee Liquor, & Cold Brew), Skrewball with Salt Rim, Skrewball with mixers (Cranberry, Apple Cider—Pineapple Juice, & Soda Water)

Smooth Ambler: Contradiction Bourbon, Founders’ Cask Strength—Series Rye

St. George Spirits: Lot 22 Single Malt, Baller Single Malt, Breaking & Entering American, Terroir Gin, Botanivore Gin, Spiced Pear Liqueur, NOLA Coffee Liqueur, Green Chile Vodka, Absinthe, 40th Anniversary Single Malt—(VIP hour only)

Talisker: 10yr

Teitessa Single Grain Japanese Whisky: 15 yr., 20 yr. (VIP hour only), 25 yr. (VIP hour only) This was my second favorite table, and a new Japanese whisky discovery for many if not all of us at the event. The 15 and 25 year old were both made the same way, and delicious. All three were very smooth and no need to add water.

Templeton: 4 yr., 6 yr., Barrel Strength, Stout Cask Finish, 10 yr. (VIP hour only), Single Barrel (VIP hour only)

Toki (as a Highball)

Vim & Petal Dry Gin

WhistlePig: PiggyBack 100% Rye, PiggyBack 100 Proof Bourbon, FarmStock Rye,
Small Batch Rye, Aged 10 yr. (VIP hour only) Fabulous finish on this one.

Widow Jane:10 yr. Bourbon, Lucky 13 Bourbon, Oak & Apple Wood Rye, Decadence (VIP hour only)

Yamazaki: Puncheon Cask, Sherry Cask, Mizunara Cask

##

Suntory Seminar

I don’t really know why I’m so enamored with Japanese whisky exactly, it may have been my exposure to Sake when I did my certification class, the books I was sent for review on Japanese drinks and Japanese whisky, the uniqueness of the Japanese Mizunara cask, the differences in how Japanese whisky tastes compared to Scotch whisky…or just fond memories of my high school boyfriend Jim Matsuo that still hasn’t come to a single reunion. LOL.

The Art of Blending: A Deconstruction of Hibiki Japanese Harmony

Jonathan Armstrong | BIO
West Coast Brand Ambassador | House of Suntory

Seminar description: Please join the House of Suntory for an extraordinary opportunity to discover and explore the depth of Japanese whisky. Tasting a selection of whiskies from Chita, Hakushu and Yamazaki distilleries, we will discuss the history, craftsmanship and terroir of the House of Suntory. Through the Art of Blending we will examine the influence of American oak, Spanish Sherry casks and Japanese Mizunara Oak barrels and share the subtle, refined and complex nature of Hibiki Japanese Harmony.

Back to me: The five we tried that led up to the final blend included 1. Chita clean (made from corn). 2. Yamazaki Puncheon cask was a bit harsh to me. 3. Yamazaki sherry cask (my personal “wow that’s good” favorite) 4. Yamazaki Mizunara oak (My second favorite but a bit tight. Hibiki is also the first known brand to make this.) 5. Hakushu heavily peated (not too peated in my opinion). And the final blend they all went into: 6. Hibiki Harmony (We have a bottle at home).

I had a similar class two years ago, and covered it here in this blog, but here are a couple of things that sounded new to me:

Yamazaki Distillery will be celebrating their centennial this year as they opened in 1923. I bet that will garner a nice celebration. Also single malt whisky lost in sales to a less alcoholic drink in Japan: the highball that is now the most popular drink in Japan.

Instagram for some of the distilleries:

@Glenmorangie @GlenmoDan @StGeorgeSpirits @Glen_Moray _Whisky @GordonAndMacPhail @Dewars @BalconesDistilling @WhistlePigWhiskey @MiddleWestSpirits @CrownRoyal @SaintCloudBourbon @TeitessaJapaneseWhiskey @SuntoryWhiskey @WhiskyAdvocate

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: aged, american, anejo, blend, bourbon, cabernet, cask, Chardonnay, cognac, distill, gin, Japan, las vegas, mizunara, peat, Port, rare, reposado, rum, rye, sherry, single malt whisky, tennessee, tequila, vodka, whiskey, whiskey education, whiskey festival, whiskey tasting, whisky, whisky event, whisky tasting

Sippd Launches Premium At-Home Wine Tasting Bundle

July 5, 2022 by evebushman

WASHINGTON (PRWEB) – Sippd, the wine recommender that uses artificial intelligence to provide users with personalized scores, has released an at-home wine tasting bundle offering app users a premium wine experience delivered to their door. Sippd’s Wine Tasting Kit encourages users to learn about wine by drinking it, while giving beginner drinkers a place to start and wine aficionados an at-home experience to get outside of their comfort zone.

Making it simple and convenient to explore the quintessential wine varietals of the premier wine-producing regions of the world, the tasting kit features six bottles – each one of the major wine types: red, white, sparkling, rose, fortified, and dessert. Sippd has partnered with connected online retailer, Wine Spies, to create this kit offering a range of flavors to satisfy a variety of tastes, make a great addition to any wine collection, or help wine-curios consumers discover which wine suits their unique taste preferences.

In addition, Sippd users receive 57% retail pricing of the bundle, taking the six-bottle Wine Tasting Kit from $232 to only $99, including shipping.

What’s in the tasting kit:

  • Red: Wine Guerrilla 2018 Paradise Lane Vineyard RRV Old Vine Zinfandel
  • White: Stéphane Ogier 2014 ‘Viognier de Rosine’ IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
  • Sparkling: Wine Spies Brut Sparkling
  • Rosé: IND ‘Influencer’ Rosé of Cinsault
  • Dessert: “Chateau Ste. Michelle 2014 ‘Eroica’ Riesling Ice Wine 375ml
  • Fortified: Wolf’s Head ‘Iberian Ruby’ Port Blend 500ml

“From music to movies, everyone has personal preferences in all facets of life, and wine is no different,” says Blake Hershey, Co-Founder and CEO of Sippd. “Our team created this bundle to showcase an outstanding portfolio of wine while helping our users learn about, build on, and refine their unique taste profile – as drinking what you like is what it’s all about.”

Sippd’s Wine Tasting Kits are perfect for your personal consumption, special occasion gatherings, and make a great gift for wine lovers whether you’re showing appreciation to a friend or client.

To purchase a Sippd Wine Tasting Kit, consumers can buy here on desktop or download the Sippd app on mobile devices, available for free on the Apple and Google Play stores.

About Sippd
Sippd empowers people to focus on enjoying their wine, not ordering it. Combining artificial intelligence and wine, Sippd helps wine lovers find and order wines that match their tastes. With our Taste Match capabilities, we’re able to provide you with personalized wine recommendations that continually evolves with your preferences, so you can effortlessly order the perfect bottle every time. Stop wasting your money on bottles you don’t like and instead, simplify and transform your online wine experience with Sippd, the AI-powered personal sommelier that knows your palate. Sippd’s free mobile app is available for download on the Apple and Google Play stores. For more information, visit sippd.com.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: brut, Cinsault, dessert, flavor, fortified, ice wine, Port, red wine, Riesling, Rose, Sparkling wine, taste, Viognier, white wine, Wine tasting, Zinfandel

Milam And Greene Releases The Castle Hill Series Batch Two, a Limited-Edition Batch of 13-Year-Old Casks

July 4, 2022 by evebushman

BLANCO, TEXAS (PRWEB) – Milam & Greene Whiskey is introducing The Castle Hill Series Batch Two, the second release of its limited-edition batch of 13-year-old hand-selected straight bourbon whiskies bottled at barrel proof. The Castle Hill Series celebrates the art of batching well-aged casks, one of the many methods Milam & Greene enlists to create its award-winning range of whiskies. Just 26 vintage barrels were married to create this superb whiskey, making it the most limited release from the acclaimed distillery that was recently lauded for its “Best in Show” whiskey at The American Craft Spirits Association competition.

The Castle Hill Series carries the oldest age statement in the Milam & Greene family of whiskies, and each batch includes the distillery’s most exclusive casks. The series is named for the historic Texas Military Institute, also known as “The Castle,” in Austin, Texas. While the Milam & Greene distillery operations and warehousing are in Blanco, Texas, The Castle is home to Heather Greene’s blending lab, and its old-world elegance serves as an inspiration for the Milam & Greene CEO and master blender.

Greene is renowned for her exceptional whiskey blending skills, and The Castle Hill Series showcases her ability to select the right casks to blend to develop complex flavors. Greene honed her tremendous whiskey blending skills while evaluating Scotch whisky for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Scotland, as well as while working with numerous distilleries around the globe before bringing her talent to Milam & Greene in 2018. Under Greene’s direction, whiskey blending is essential to creating core Milam & Greene whiskies including the Triple Cask Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Port Finished Straight Rye Whiskey.

“The guiding principle in blending The Castle Hill Series is to create a traditional bourbon that whiskey drinkers will love,” says Heather Greene, Milam & Greene CEO and master blender. “Each cask used to create The Castle Hill Series has a different personality. Those personality traits are developed through aging over a long period of time with influences from the environment. We hand-selected each barrel aged between 13 years, 10 months, and 17 days at the youngest, and 14 years, two months, and 13 days at the oldest, to identify specific characteristics that we want in the finished product. The result is a multifaceted bourbon with layers of nutty, spicy, fruity, and oak flavors.”

Milam & Greene The Castle Hill Series, Batch Two Tasting Notes
Milam & Greene The Castle Hill Series Batch Two shines in the glass with a deep burnt amber color. On the nose it is a dichotomy of youthful vigor and aged splendor with scents of warm peach cobbler, brown sugar, and vanillas with hints of almond and milk chocolate. Bottled at cask strength of 111 proof (55.5 % ABV), this potent straight bourbon whiskey features velvety, opulent flavors of caramel, cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, and tobacco with a warming and long finish.

The Castle Hill Series Batch Two Barrel Information
Twenty-six barrels were used to create The Castle Hill Series Batch Two. The ages of each barrel are detailed below:
4 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 17 days
8 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 18 days
4 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 19 days
4 barrels aged 13 years, 11 months, 6 days
2 barrels aged 14 years, 1 month, 20 days
2 barrels aged 14 years, 2 months, 13 days
1 barrel aged 14 years, 2 months, 16 days
1 barrel aged 14 years, 3 months, 6 days

Pricing and Availability
The Castle Hill Series Batch Two is available for a suggested retail price of $149.99 at select retailers that can be found on Milamandgreenewhiskey.com. This whiskey is extremely limited with only 3,000 bottles released around the country. Please call your local retailer to determine local availability. Milam & Greene whiskey is distributed by Southern Wine and Spirits, Empire Merchants, Heidelberg Distributing, Brescome Barton, and Winebow Fine Wine and Spirits.

About Milam & Greene
Milam & Greene Whiskey is made by some of the world’s most experienced whiskey professionals, including CEO, master blender, and author, Heather Greene and 30-year veteran and master distiller, Marlene Holmes. The Milam & Greene team distills in Blanco, Texas on small 300- and 1,000-gallon pot stills as well as in Kentucky on classic column stills, using its proprietary yeast and grain recipes. Aging takes place in rickhouses located in four states in different casks for a variety of flavors resulting in the most thorough array of casks made and collected by any craft distiller. These casks become the ingredients from which its award-winning American whiskey range is batched to create perfection. Milam & Greene Whiskey believes in using the best people and ingredients to create delicious, award-winning whiskey for whiskey lovers. For more information visit: http://www.milamandgreenewhiskey.com. Connect with Milam & Greene Whiskey on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: aged, award, Barrel, best of show, blend, bourbon, cask, color, competition, distillery, finish, flavor, fruit, nose, Oak, Port, proof, rye, Southern Wine and Spirits, spice, sugar, tasting notes, texas, vanilla, vintage, whisky

South Coast Winery Garners 20 Awards from LA Competition

May 7, 2022 by evebushman

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: argentina, Australia, best of class, blend, bronze medal, California, canada, Chardonnay, Chile, competition, France, Germany, Gewurztraminer, gold medal, Grenache Blanc, israel, Italy, Japan, judge, los angeles, medal, mexico, New Zealand, pinot blanc, Pinot Grigio, Port, portugal, red blend, Rhone, Riesling, Rose, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, silver medal, spain, sparkling, Temecula, Tempranillo, united states, verdelho, vintage, Viognier, wine competition, wine education, wine judge

Arizona Wines Score Big in San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

March 7, 2022 by evebushman

San Francisco, CA. – The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) is one of the world’s most highly publicized and well-respected wine competitions of both local and large-scale wineries. A testament to the quality of wines being grown in the state, several of Arizona’s wineries have been chosen as winners in this year’s SFCWC competition.

Photo from Phoenix.org

Arizona has three wine growing regions (Verde Valley, Willcox and Sonoita/Elgin), all of which are designated American Viticultural Areas. In total, there are more than 120 wineries and tasting rooms, many of which grow varietals native to Italy and Southern France. The following wineries placed in the categories below:

  • 1764 Vineyards:
    • Orange Wine/Skin Fermented White
  • Arizona Hops and Vines:
    • Distilled/Fortified
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Grenache – Up to – $34.99.
  • Birds and Barrels Vineyards:
    • Dry Rosé/Blush – RS 0
    • Malbec – Up to – $36.99
    • Tempranillo – Up to – $34.99
    • Petit Verdot – Up to – $39.99
  • Bitter Creek Winery:
    • Montepulciano
  • Callaghan Vineyards:
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – Up to – $29.99
    • Port – Up to – $32.99
    • White Blends – $28.00 and over
    • Cabernet Franc – $30.00 – $39.99
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Red Blend: Petite Sirah leading blend.
  • Copper Horse Vineyard:
    • Cabernet Sauvignon – $35.00 – $38.99
  • Four Tails Vineyard:
    • Cabernet Sauvignon – $35.00 – $38.99
    • Petite Sirah – $28.00 – $34.99
    • Viognier – Up to – $26.99
    • Petit Verdot – Up to – $39.99
    • Tempranillo – Up to – $34.99
    • Dry Rosé/Blush Blend – RS 0
  • Golden Rule Vineyards:
    • Red Blend: Sangiovese leading blend
    • Red Blend: Petite Sirah leading blend
    • Aglianico
    • Mourvedre
  • Heart Wood Cellars:
    • Cabernet Sauvignon – $39.00 – $41.99
    • Red Blend: Syrah leading blend – $36.00 and over
    • Tannat
    • All Other Red Varietals
    • Port – $33.00 and over
    • Red Blend: Petite Sirah leading blend
    • Sangiovese – $35.00 and over
    • Tempranillo – $35 and over
    • Dry Rosé/Blush – RS .1 – .299
    • Mourvedre
    • Petite Sirah – $46.00 and over
    • Pinot Noir – $44.00 – $47.99.
  • High Lonesome Vineyard:
    • Malbec – $37.00 and over
    • Tannat
    • All Other Red Varietals
    • Other White Varietals
  • Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery:
    • Rosé Sparkling
    • Merlot – $27.00-$30.99
    • Petite Sirah – $35.00-$39.99
    • Petite Sirah – $40.00-$45.99
    • Red Blend: Zinfandel leading blend – $25.00 and over
    • Riesling – Dry <.99 RS
    • Sangiovese – Up to $34.99
    • Sauvignon Blanc/Fume – $20.00-$25.99
    • Syrah/Shiraz – $31.00-$34.99
    • Tempranillo – $35 and over
    • Zinfandel – $42.00-$47.99
    • Barbera – Up to $34.99
    • Cabernet Sauvignon – $35.00 – $38.99
    • Dry Rosé/Blush Blend – RS 0
    • Red Blend: Merlot leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Zinfandel – $32.00-$34.99
  • Jerome Winery:
    • All Other Red Varietals
  • LDV Winery:
    • Petite Sirah – $46.00 and over
    • Petite Sirah – $40.00-$45.99
  • Mogollon Vineyards:
    • Chardonnay – $23.00 – $25.99
    • Red Blend: Syrah leading blend – Up to – $35.99
    • White Blends – $28.00 and over
    • Grenache – Up to – $34.99.
  • Pillsbury Wine Company:
    • Petite Sirah – $46.00 and over
    • Syrah/Shiraz – $44.00 and over
    • Dry/Sweet Rosé/Blush – RS 1.00 and over
    • Grenache – $35.00 and over
    • Malvasia Bianca
    • Red Blend: Mourvedre leading blend
    • White Blends – $22.00 – $27.99
    • Mourvedre
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Red Blend: Syrah leading blend – $36.00 and over
    • White Blends – $28.00 and over
    • White Blends – Up to – $21.99
  • Strive Vineyards:
    • Aglianico
    • Cabernet Franc – $30.00-$39.99
    • Dry Rosé/Blush – RS 0
    • Petite Verdot – Up to $39.99
    • Port – $33.00 and over
  • Sultry Cellars:
    • All Other Red Blends: $35.00 and over
  • Tantrum Wines:
    • Chardonnay – $20.00-$22.99
    • Dry/Sweet Rosé/Blush – RS 1.00 and over
    • Red Blend: Petite Sirah leading blend
    • Pinot Noir – $32.00-$35.99
  • Winery 1912:
    • Grenache – Up to – $34.99
    • Albariño
    • Red Blend: Grenache leading blend – $30.00 and over
    • Verdelho
  • Zarpara:
    • All Other Red Varietals
    • Red Blend: Syrah leading blend – Up to – $35.99.

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s competition! Find out more about Arizona Wines with Arizona’s Wine Trail Passport.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: arizona, ava, award, barbera, Cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, Chardonnay, fermentation, Grenache, Malbec, montepulciano, Mourvedre, petit verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Port, red blend, Riesling, Rose, san francisco, Sangiovese, sparkling, Tannat, Tempranillo, varietal, Viognier, viticulture, white wine, wine competition, Zinfandel

Carter Creek Winery Racks Up 12 Awards at TXIWC

March 3, 2022 by evebushman

JOHNSON CITY, Texas – Carter Creek Winery, located in the heart of Texas Hill Country and owned by the Carter Family, accepted 12 awards at one of the largest wine competitions in Texas – the 5th Annual Texas International Wine Competition (TXIWC). The mission of this yearly competition is to highlight Texas as a prominent viticulture and wine-making region while also raising funds for charitable donations for local community organizations.

Entries from six countries and over 11 U.S. states were blind tasted and judged by panels of three or more industry qualified judges – master sommeliers, masters of wine, certified wine educators, enologists, wine writers, professors, beverage directors, buyers and other influencers – all chosen for their vast experience and well-trained palates.

“We are most pleased that 12 of our Texas High Plains wines from Carter Creek Family Winery won distinguished recognition at TXIWC and especially proud our Plateau Red was awarded Best of Class Texas Red,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, operating company of Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa. “We too, like the organizers of this competition, are passionate about bringing recognition to Texas viticulture and supporting local community causes,” Carter added.

Veteran master winemaker Jon McPherson, who oversees production of Carter Creek’s award-winning wines, points out the winery’s vineyards in Texas Hill Country produce varietals that are especially unique because of the combination of an extremely warm growing season and an early harvest delivering softer, earth driven wines. McPherson likes to talk about the qualities of Best of Class Texas Red winner, Plateau Red, which is a blend of tempranillo, grenache, touriga nacional and tinta cao, showing a very exotic fruit aroma of spiced black cherries and raspberries. He says that Plateau Red is a rich, full-bodied wine due to 18 months of barrel aging and pleases the palate with bold lingering fruit flavors.

The 12 Carter Creek Winery, Texas High Plains award winners include the Best of Class Texas Red, one double gold, two gold and eight silver medals. Award winning wines include:

  • Best of Class Texas Red Wine Blend: Plateau Red, 2016
  • Double Gold Red Wine Blend: Maverick, 2018
  • Gold Medal White Wine Blend: Gloriosa, 2017
  • Gold Medal Red Wine Blend: Maverick, 2017
  • Silver Medal Sparkling White: Brut, NV
  • Silver Medal Dessert, Port: Dominum Tinto, NV
  • Silver Medal Other Flavored Grape Wine: Sangria, NV
  • Silver Medal Sparkling Fruit: Sparkling Peach, NV
  • Silver Medal Red: Tempranillo, 2016
  • Silver Medal White Blend: Plateau White, 2017
  • Silver Medal White Blend: Viognier Roussanne, 2017
  • Silver Medal White Blend: Viognier Roussanne, 2018

Producing award-winning wines since 2016, Carter Creek Winery’s production facilities are in Johnson City along Old Hwy 290 in Texas Hill Country, complementing Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa. Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa features 78 luxury villas, tasting rooms, a restaurant, its own onsite microbrewery creating small batch craft beers and an outdoor event center. It is a counterpart to Temecula, California’s award-winning South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and Carter Estate Winery and Resort.

 About Carter Hospitality Group

Established in 2011, Carter Hospitality Group, LLC. is a family-owned hospitality company with four hotels and resorts as well as three wineries across the United States. Based in Orange County, California, the company manages and owns a portfolio of luxury properties including South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, California; Carter Estate Winery and Resort, Temecula California; and Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Texas Hill Country. Carter Hospitality Group additionally serves as the owner-franchisee for Red Lion Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Orlando Florida. For more information, visit www.carterhospitality.com.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: aroma, award, Barrel, best of class, blend, blind tasting, brewery, craft beer, double gold, enologist, flavor, gold medal, Grenache, influencer, Master of Wine, master sommelier, palate, Port, red blend, Roussanne, sangria, silver medal, sparkling, tasting room, Tempranillo, texas, touriga nacional, varietal, Viognier, viticulture, wine competition, wine education, wine judge, wine writer, winemaker

Perlises Pick: J DUSI WINERY

January 8, 2022 by Michael Perlis

A visit to Paso Robles is never complete for us without a visit to J Dusi Winery. Admittedly, it’s personal.

We first met Janell Dusi in the mid-2000s at a roadshow tasting for Paso Robles wineries held at a hotel in Santa Monica. At that time, she was pouring her first commercial vintage of Zinfandel made from the family’s historic Dante Dusi Vineyard off the west side of Highway 101. Planted by Janell’s great-grandparents in 1945, the amazing fruit had been traditionally sold to other wineries who were proud to designate the vineyard on their label. But Janell took the family business to the next level by making and bottling the wine under her J Dusi brand.

Since then, we’ve visited Janell many times, initially at the family home on the vineyard property and more recently at the winery/tasting room on Highway 46 West. Whether they know it or not, Janell and her family have become our Paso family.

Janell has also grown the wine selections beyond the flagship Zinfandel and even added another brand to the mix – Paper Street.

The first thing we noticed on this trip was how much the outside tasting area had expanded, with lots of comfortable seating and umbrellas, much of it colored the signature Dusi blue.

Then, Janell greeted us and, although we forewent our usual hugs, it was with immense joy that we sat down with her to talk about the last several months and sample several of the new releases.

We started with the 2020 Pinot Grigio. We found this to be super bright and fresh. Its low alcohol makes this a true summer wine, although we drink a lot of this all year long. It is not just popular with us, as Janell’s customers love it and buy it by the case. One of them even referred to it as “Dusi Water”, a term a stickler might find offensive, but not Janell. Hey, whatever keeps the customer happy, right? [Just a thought from us – much like in our neck of the woods, Agua Dulce means Sweet Water in Spanish, maybe she should rename it – not Acqua Dolce – but Acqua Dusi. What do you think, Janell?]

Second to be tasted but always first in our hearts was the Dante Dusi Zinfandel. This was the 2019 vintage and we noted that it was fruity and spicy [specifically with pumpkin bread spices] with a nice long finish. Classic Dusi Zin.

The next two wines were from the 2017 vintage. The Escandalosa is a blend of – not Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre – but Zinfandel, Syrah and Mourvedre. We’re not sure if the “scandal” is the unusual blend or what happened at the naming party that came up with it, but it had a beautiful cherry color and great spices from the Zinfandel. The other 2017 was the Caterina’s Vineyard Syrah, which was full bodied, well rounded, with notes of white pepper and a looong finish. Sadly, the 2018 version of this is the “last Syrah” from this great vineyard, although other varietals will be forthcoming.

We also tasted one of the wines from the Paper Street label – the 2017 Narrator. This is a classic GSM [40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre] and was just perfectly balanced. The Paper Street vineyard was planted by Janell’s brother Matt and their father Mike on the West side of Paso Robles. Planted not only to Zinfandel, but also to Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah and Clairette Blanche [among others], Janell is doing great things with this vineyard, as are other wineries in the area. The name Paper Street has a double meaning, referring both to the vineyard not having a true address and as an homage to Matt’s favorite movie, Fight Club. Ditto with the name Narrator, referring both to Mike Dusi and to the Narrator in the movie.

Janell also told us of an exciting new development involving J Dusi Wines. You may have heard of the emerging market for canned wines. My initial observations have been these tend to be lower-end wines designed for maximum quaffing. Maker Wine Company (www.makerwine.com) is taking a different approach – focusing on quality wines from smaller producers in a convenient canned package. Janell’s contribution to the brand is a blend of the Zinfandels from the Dante Dusi and Paper Street vineyards. This should really “up” the perception of what canned wine is all about.

It was wonderful to visit with Janell, but she had a winery to run. We said our goodbyes after quick tastes of the yummy 2016 Zinfandel Port and the 2018 Haute Blanc Viognier Port and headed out, knowing we would be back to J Dusi on our next trip to Paso Robles wine country.

J Dusi

www.jdusiwines.com

1401 CA 46 West

Paso Robles, CA 93446

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.

Filed Under: Michael Perlis Tagged With: alcohol, body, bottling, brandy, canned wine, color, Grenache, gsm, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Pinot Grigio, Port, spice, Syrah, varietal, vineyard, vintage, Viognier, Wine tasting, wineries, Zinfandel

Ember Restaurant at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort Receives Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence” for 2021

August 14, 2021 by evebushman

FORT MCDOWELL, Ariz. /PRNewswire/ — Today, the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort is thrilled to announce that Ember, its fine dining restaurant, has received Wine Spectator‘s esteemed “Best of Award of Excellence.”  The honor recognizes recipients that offer extensive selections with excellent breadth across multiple regions and significant vertical depth, and Ember is now one of 19 restaurants (out of nearly 9,000) in Arizona – and one of approximately 1,000 around the world – to receive this award.

This is the second time that the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation has been lauded by this highly regarded industry publication.  In 2006, the Ahnala Mesquite Room received the “Award of Excellence,” recognizing the restaurant’s wine list that featured a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.  The fact that the tribal nation has now been granted two Wine Spectator awards for excellence – an achievement rare among tribal casinos – affirms their commitment to delivering an exceptional culinary experience.

“American restaurants are back in business, as patrons are eagerly returning to dining rooms across the nation,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator. “In this year’s Restaurant Awards issue, we reflect on how restaurateurs navigated this incredibly difficult period, and look ahead, with every indication that the coming year will be one of the most promising in decades for an industry we all love. It’s been a long road back, and it feels wonderful to celebrate restaurants and all they bring to the world of wine.”

“The ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ really belongs to our advanced sommelier Dennis Payne, whose 31 years of experience and painstaking efforts over the past year have resulted in this impeccable award-winning wine list,” added Zac Gallo, Executive Director of Food and Beverage for the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort.  “Not only has Dennis cultivated an extensive  wine and spirit program, but he ensures the proper care, storage and handling of our collection to maximize our guests’ dining experiences.”

Ember’s wine program covers seventeen countries, focusing on each country’s top wine-producing regions and most highly acclaimed vineyards.  It includes 517 wines by the bottle and 26 wines by the glass – ranging from a strong California presence to Barbaresco, Rioja, New Zealand, Argentina and Germany – along with 30 Dessert Wines from across the globe as well as 15 Ports and Madeiras.

In addition, Ember has a special page in their 37-page wine list titled “The Century Club,” dedicated to the world’s top 100-point wines.  Curated for fine wine collectors, this list contains 32 critically acclaimed wines spanning more than two decades that have scored a perfect 100 points.

Wine Spectator began its program to recognize the world’s best wine lists in 1981. There are three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award—with 1,673; 1,141; and 103 winners this year in each respective category.

All award winners will be featured in Wine Spectator‘s special 40th Anniversary Restaurant Awards issue, available to readers today.

For more information on Ember, visit www.wekopacasinoresort.com/dining/ember.

About Ember

A destination dining experience at the new We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, Ember is run by critically acclaimed Chef de Cuisine Richard Pelz.  In addition to an exhaustive wine and spirit library, the restaurant features the highest quality USDA Prime and Angus Wagyu beef, game and seafood from around the world, carefully prepared over a custom wood burning grill. Signature items include their Ujih Hot Stone appetizer, Seafood Tower, Snake River Farms Wagyu Striploin, Braised Buffalo Short Rib, and Ember Flaming Liquid Chocolate Truffle.
https://www.parkviewortho.com/wp-content/languages/new/propecia.html

The energetic dining space overlooks the all-scratch kitchen with views of the culinary team, and seasonal outdoor dining by the fireplace is also available. A separate piano lounge with live entertainment five nights a week adds to the dynamic vibe.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: advanced sommelier, argentina, arizona, award, barbaresco, beverage, California, casino, collector, culinary, dessert wine, food, Germany, kitchen, library wines, madeira, New Zealand, points, Port, resort, restaurant, Rioja, spirits, storage, vertical, vineyards, wine glass, wine list, wine spectator

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