Okay no drinking today (yet) but yesterday we went on a wine and sprits run. Visited one of our favourite Niagara area wineries, and picked up a few cases of wine. So this Reselling was on sale, so picked up 6 of these - nice and dry, and pretty easy drinking: Upped the anti and bought a case of this - much more complex and brighter than the previous one, and not being a huge Riesling fan, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this: Not much of an ice-wine maker, and all they had in that regard was a late harvest Vidal - got 6 of these 1/2 bottles. Good pricing and nice for when we don't want the full on ice wine, but want something nice after dinner: Last time we were there, we bought 2 cases of their 2015 winemaker's red blend, and it is aging nicely as we sample a bottle from time to time. We also bought some of their 2010 Benchmark red blend (it was already ready to drink), and it was fantastic. The Benchmark reds are only made in years when the quality of the crops allow it, and in 2016 they said that the 2016 red was looking nice, so we bought a case to lay down for a few years: And lastly we bought 2 bottle of their award winning Cab Franc - 2 bottle limit as the supply is low, and that was okay considering the price anyway... One of our favourite distilleries is only a few minutes away, so we stopped there before heading home. Picked up another bottle of their unfiltered gin, which is my go to gin: I'm not huge on overly flavoured spirits, so although I tired the strawberry and sour cherry gins (the cherry was the better of those two), I wasn't impressed enough to buy any. However when I tired this cucumber gin, it was a must buy for me: I was expecting it to be very subtle, but there's loads of cucumber flavor in there! Not 100% sure what to do with it yet (soda water maybe, as I think tonic might overpower it) but I'm guessing it will be refreshing on hot days (which are unfortunately now months way here): And lastly in collaboration with a very well known Toronto restaurant, Canoe (great food), they have a dill pickle vodka: Where the cucumber was really in your face, the dill here was a little more subdued than I was hoping for, but this is downright spicy hot as well, so will be perfect for mixing some good Caesars... So lots of choices going forward. Cheers, Al
Had a meetup last weekend in Columbus with some college friends. Pre-gamed on Friday night at a restaurant that let us bring in a few bottles. Damage was done. Sparklers & White Bordeaux White Burgundy Assorted Reds Bordeaux (shockingly good for a 43 year old wine from a so-so vintage) Dessert My entree
Cock Puncher IPA out of Toronto. One of my favourite beers. 11% ABV, with some real bite. Fitting name
Monkey47 gin, Campari, Martini Rosso sweet vermouth. Mix 1oz equal parts. Slice of orange. My perfect Negroni.