Uncorking Memories: A Toast to My Favorite Wine Experience
What’s a wine memory?
It’s an incredible experience that involves a remarkable wine.
And this recollection is one wine lovers are eager to share — they love revisiting that place in time and they want to take you with them.
Wine memories take us to all corners of the world and hearing these stories invites us to learn about extraordinary, as well as unusual, wines.
Here are a few colorful wine memories from Sonoma County wine aficionados.
“Kristine Anderson, please report to the office.”
When Anderson, a seventh grader in 1968, was summoned to the principal’s office during a school assembly, many of her schoolmates in the small town of Gwinn, Michigan, thought she was in trouble.
As she reached the office, the secretary said, “Your father is on the phone.”
Thankfully, there was no bad news from home. Instead, her father asked if she wanted to accompany him to Washington, D.C., that afternoon. He needed to pick up eight to ten cases of 1963 Château Margaux from a distributor.
The world-renowned Château Margaux wine estate is located in the appellation of the same name in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France. It has been making full-bodied Bordeaux red blends for centuries, with notes of leather, smoke, and earth.
At 12 years old, Anderson knew very little about wine and hadn’t heard of the legendary Château Margaux. But she was up for a trip to D.C., replied “sure” to her father on the phone, and then rode her bike home.
Once her mother had packed a small suitcase for her, Anderson and her father drove to Marquette, Michigan, where he kept a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche airplane.
After an eight-hour flight, they landed in D.C. in the late afternoon, checked into the Shoreham Hotel, where they had dinner while Peggy Lee performed that night.
The next morning, before they went to pick up the French wine, they went on a whirlwind tour of the capital — they drove past all of the monuments, visited the National Air and Space Museum and Arlington Cemetery, and saw George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon.
The father and daughter arrived at the wine distributor around 3 p.m., loaded up the wine and flew home. By the time they arrived back in Michigan, they had only been gone for 30 hours.
Fifteen years later, Anderson’s parents bought 40 acres of land in Napa Valley where they founded Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards. And, sometime in the 1990s, Kristine Anderson got to finish off the last bottle of the 1963 Château Margaux together with her parents.
By that time, the wine had become much softer but it had held up well and was a pleasure to drink, Anderson said. The Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet that they were drinking alongside the Château Margaux tasted very fine, too, she added.
When Fred Levin of Santa Rosa visited Hungary with his family several years ago, a server suggested a somewhat unusually named wine to pair with their meal. It was a bottle of Egri Bikavér, also known as Bulls Blood (“bika” means bull, and “vér” means blood in Hungarian).
Egri Bikavér is a red blend that is made in Szekszárd, in the south of Hungary, as well as in Eger, in the northeast part of the country.
The town of Eger was the site of a 16th century battle between the Hungarians and the Ottomans — or “the siege of Eger.” Despite being vastly outnumbered by the Ottoman forces, the Hungarians defeated the attackers, forcing them to retreat from the Castle of Eger. The Hungarians’ unexpected victory, according to the Ottomans (and legend), was due to their habit of drinking bulls blood.
Whether the legend is true or not, Levin enjoyed the Egri Bikavér, its aroma, rich full body and pleasing aftertaste. In fact, he liked it so much, he ordered another bottle. But no battles were fought at the end of the meal.
In 2006, when Susan and Dean Nowacki of Santa Rosa were traveling to China for the first time, they had been advised to stick to beer because Chinese wine, according to friends who had visited previously, tasted terrible.
The Nowackis heeded the advice. But, halfway through the trip, just as they had arrived in Xi’an to see the famous army of terra-cotta warriors, Susan had an unexpected wine moment.
While waiting for their luggage to arrive at the hotel, the couple joined a group of other travelers at the bar. Curious, Susan picked up the wine list and — to her amazement — it featured a Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay. She had two glasses.
Maybe it was the Kendall-Jackson magic, maybe it was the excitement of traveling and exploring new and historic places, but, to this day, Susan Nowacki considers those glasses of Chardonnay sipped some 6,000 miles from home the best she ever tasted.
The next time you uncork a bottle with friends, ask them about their favorite wine memory. Then sit back and expect to be entertained. You’ll find the stories compelling and, best of all, you’ll walk away with a curious palate.
You can reach wine writer Peg Melnik at 707-521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @pegmelnik.
I Tested the Viral “Vodka Hack” for Wrinkle-Free Sheets: Here’s What Happened
Making the bed — especially after washing and drying my sheets — is my least favorite part of housework. I put it off as long as possible, then often let my bedding sit in the dryer for hours, sometimes days, after the cycle has completed. As a surprise to no one, it’s a wrinkled mess when I take them out of the machine.
After hours of labor, I make the bed, and it still lacks allure. The sheets are clean, but they don’t look smooth or call my name in a way that hotel beds seem to. I’m not the type to break out an iron, so I accepted that I’d never have the perfect, wrinkle-free bed I enjoy on vacation. That is until I came across a video on Instagram showing me that it’s possible.
In this video, Annalora Vanderbeek (@annivanderbeek) shares her hack for achieving wrinkle-free sheets without touching an iron or steamer. She mixes a recipe of vodka, water, vinegar, and fabric conditioner, and sprays her sheets with it before smoothing it out and letting it dry. I already had all the ingredients at home and couldn’t wait to give it a try.
The measurements were unclear, but after watching her video several times, I eyeballed it and came up with this: In a spray bottle, combine one cup of distilled water, a half cup of vinegar, and a quarter cup of vodka. Vanderbeek shares that the vinegar will help “relax the fibers in your bedding” while the vodka will keep linens fresh.
“A lot of theaters use vodka to deodorize the costumes — it’s a natural deodorizer, and it dries down without a smell,” she says in the video. Even the Denver Center for the Performing Arts swears by a vodka refresh for its costume department when they can’t perform a proper machine wash.
As an optional step, Vanderbeek says you can add a tablespoon of conditioner (or, in my case, three pumps) to help “pack a punch in the de-wrinkling.” Vanderbeek used The Laundress Fabric Conditioner but says any type of conditioner (hair or fabric) can work — just be sure that whatever you use is colorless to avoid staining your sheets.
I shook my old Dollar Store spray bottle to mix the contents, and it took a while for the conditioner to break down. I got to work with a cloudy, slightly sudsy mixture with still a few conditioner lumps floating at the top.
I tried the spray on the expensive linen sheet set by The Citizenry I invested in, which is meant to look lived-in, but as I’ve experienced, there’s a difference between “lived-in” and messy. I worked one section at a time, spraying the sheets until the surface was damp but not soaked. I stretched the fabric with one hand while I spritzed with the other, then smoothed out the surface with the palm of my hand.
In less than five minutes, all the wrinkles and fold marks had been released from half of my bed. I proceeded to de-wrinkle the other side, and voilá, my bed-making skills have leveled up to Hilton status — all because of this liquid wonder. I can’t believe how this homemade recipe made my luxury sheets feel infinitely more luxurious.
The spray smelled nothing like vodka, though I initially got a whiff of vinegar. Once it dried, though, there wasn’t any kind of lingering scent, not even from my conditioner. I’ll definitely be keeping a bottle of this on my nightstand and have even ordered a cuter option from Amazon.
I may consider adding a few drops of essential oils or scented linen spray to make my sheets smell better, but the concoction (even with some simple eyeballing) was easy and quick to make, didn’t require a trip to the store, and worked surprisingly well.
Exploring the Timeless Beauty of Jordan’s Wadi Rum Desert
Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, offers an unforgettable journey through vast, echoing landscapes and towering cliffs.
This desert in Jordan is not just a natural wonder but a historical tapestry, with petroglyphs and inscriptions that date back thousands of years.
Its unique terrain has attracted filmmakers, adventurers, and those seeking solitude under its expansive skies.
Planning your trek through Wadi Rum is essential due to extreme temperatures and scarce water.
It’s wise and respectful to hire a local Bedouin guide for safety and to discover hidden spots.
Pack essentials like water, sunscreen, hats, and walking shoes.
Light packing is recommended to navigate the desert’s challenges comfortably while ensuring you’re prepared for the journey.
Experiencing Bedouin hospitality is essential in Wadi Rum.
These indigenous people, in harmony with the desert for centuries, offer a unique stay in their camps.
Travelers can enjoy traditional meals under the stars and hear stories passed through generations.
It’s a deep dive into human history and nature, connecting visitors with the ancient ways of life.
After sunset, Wadi Rum transforms into one of the world’s most spectacular planetariums.
The absence of light pollution reveals constellations and galaxies sprawling across the night sky.
It’s a perfect time for photography enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates the quieter moments in life.
Lying on soft sands while gazing upwards offers a profound sense of peace and insignificance in the universe’s vastness.
Wadi Rum’s landscapes are canvases for ancient civilizations, with rocks showcasing petroglyphs and inscriptions that narrate long-forgotten tales.
These artworks offer insights into early human life and beliefs.
Guided tours decode these ancestral messages, providing an educational journey into the past.
Beyond breathtaking views, Wadi Rum invites deep exploration of its majestic terrains and introspection within oneself.
‘I Tried the World’s Strongest Beer — Here’s What Happened When It Hit My Tongue’
Dan, known for his one-minute beer reviews, left fans in stitches with his reaction to tasting the ‘world’s strongest beer’ which has 75% alcohol content
A man left social media users in stitches after he tried the ‘world’s strongest beer‘ that felt like fire on his tongue.
Dan, who posts online as @1minutebeerreviews, is known online for his speedy reviews about some of the most unique beers from around the world. He has reviewed more than 1,900 bevvies so far from spicy beers to non-alcoholic ones.
But one beer, which has the highest alcohol content in the world, made him wretch and sweat – leaving fans howling with laughter in the comments. In the video, which has resurfaced because it’s International Beer Day (August 2), which has gained more than 1,600 likes, the bloke said: “One-minute beer review, beer number 1988. It’s my birth year, and you all seem to think I look like Eddie Hall – some here we go with the world’s strongest beer.”
He pulled out a bottle of Scottish Beithir Fire, which is 75% alcohol by volume from the 88 Brewery in Edinburgh. The 330ml bottle retails for £45.9 on their website.
It even comes with a warning label that recommends people “don’t exceed 35ml in one sitting.” Thewebsite notes: “As the warning label states, due to the extremely high alcohol content of the beer, it should be treated with respect and handled responsibly.”
But Dan couldn’t resist giving it a go as he poured himself a serving into a snake venom glass. “Let’s get it in the face,” he said as he knocked it back, but the beer was so strong it started burning immediately.
“It tastes like burning; my tongue is now numb,” he said, wiping the sweat from his brow with a tea towel and taking deep breaths. TikTok users were left in stitches over the review in the comments.
One user said: “Least I know what not to buy,” while a second commented: “That will get your night going.” Meanwhile, a third added: “That can’t be beer anymore… Surely….” Someone else wrote: “Have watched this half a dozen times! Can’t stop laughing…’I need to have a lie down!’.”
According to the 88 Brewery website, Scottish Beithir Fire takes two months to be brewed, and is blended with the “purest Scottish spirit to create. 75% liquid”. It continues: “After fermentation the beer is filtered 3 times removing any impurities.”
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10 Refreshing Scotch Cocktails Perfect for Easy Summer Sipping
The barman pours alcohol into a glass. Close-up.
Scotch whisky, tracing its roots back to 1494, remains a symbol of Scottish heritage and craftsmanship. In recent years, Scotch has gained renewed popularity, especially in the U.S. market, driven by evolving consumer trends.
According to the IWSR, a leading authority on data and intelligence for the global beverage alcohol market, Scotch whisky is experiencing notable growth in the U.S. Millennials are increasingly gravitating towards premium whiskies, fueled by rising financial confidence. This shift is driving higher sales of premium spirits in bars and restaurants. The IWSR report also highlights a growing interest in no-alcohol alternatives, reflecting a broader trend towards mindful drinking. Despite overall moderation in alcohol consumption, the demand for quality Scotch remains strong, driven by changing consumer preferences and a focus on health and wellness.
While Scotch can be thoroughly enjoyed on its own, it also pairs wonderfully with other spirits and flavors to create easy, sipping cocktails. Here are 10 cocktail options that showcase Scotch’s versatility:
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Experience the vibrant and zesty flavors of The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow with this refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Serve over a block of ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with dehydrated lime and nutmeg.
Bold flavors of Lagavulin 16 Year Old Scotch.
A fiery twist on the classic margarita, featuring the bold flavors of Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Muddle jalapeno slices in a shaker, then add remaining ingredients. Shake well and double strain over ice into a rocks glass with a Tajin rim. Garnish with a lime slice.
Rock and roll glamour with Wolfie’s Whisky by Sir Rod Stewart.
A glamorous cocktail that brings a touch of rock and roll to your glass with Wolfie’s Whisky, a brand by Sir Rod Stewart.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Shake whisky, passion fruit liqueur, vanilla syrup, and lime juice with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and top with a splash of champagne.
Smooth elegance with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old.
A timeless classic, the Whisky Sour is elevated with The Glenlivet’s smooth profile.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Dry shake all ingredients, then add ice and shake again until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with bitters.
Double Cask 18 Years Old, vermouth, and Campari.
An elegant and bitter cocktail that balances the richness of Double Cask 18 Years Old with sweet vermouth and Campari.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Stir all ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled martini or rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Rich espresso meets The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow.
Perfect for coffee lovers, this sophisticated martini combines the richness of The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow with espresso.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Shake all ingredients and strain into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with toasted coconut and coffee bean dust.
Modern sophistication with Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie.
A modern cocktail with a nod to tradition, featuring Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scotch.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Celebratory blend with The Glenlivet 14 Year Old and champagne.
A luxurious blend of The Glenlivet 14 Year Old and champagne for a celebratory touch.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Pour whisky, lemon juice, and honey water into a chilled flute. Top with champagne, stir, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Talisker 10 Year Old and aromatic Earl Grey tea.
A refined cocktail that marries the depth of Talisker 10 Year Old with the aromatic qualities of Earl Grey tea.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Prepare the syrup by steeping tea bags in boiling water, then adding sugar. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with a lemon twist.
Tropical twist featuring Aberfeldy Scotch by D’Arel Miller, Director of Food + Beverage at Broken Shaker.
A tropical twist on a classic cocktail with the added depth of Aberfeldy Scotch by D’Arel Miller, Director of Food + Beverage at Broken Shaker at Freehand New York.
Ingredients:
Instructions: Freeze an ice tray with Vita Coco Coconut water. At home, blend the ingredients together, then place in the freezer for five minutes to replicate a slushy consistency.
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Bourbon vs. Rye: Do Traditional Categories Still Matter in Modern American Whiskey?
Sampling bourbon at a local whiskey festival.
I live in a typical American town, far from Kentucky, in a state with a surprisingly active whiskey scene. There are local whiskey clubs, a rotating lineup of whiskey-themed dinners at community restaurants and plenty of dedicated retailers that select high-quality single barrels for their patrons. There are multiple Facebook groups dedicated solely to local whiskey happenings. Lines form in the wee hours of the morning for well-publicized single barrel releases and there are, ahem…,strong rumors of an active local gray market that’s always open for business.
If you live in the U.S. and can relate to this story, you’re not alone. The United States has embraced whiskey culture in a way that seemed unfathomable at the turn of the century. The domestic whiskey market has always followed a cyclical boom-bust pattern during its history, yet these feel like unprecedented times. What makes this current market boom different? The internet—and social media in particular—not only connects us with others around the globe, but it makes it much easier to tie local communities together like never before. In my local online and in-person communities, I see photos and discussions about all kinds of American whiskey, including bourbon, rye and American single malt among others.
Ask an American whiskey drinker what they’re into and most of the time, they’ll keep it simple and say “I like bourbon”. This is a gross oversimplification of the likely, more complicated answer: “I drink bourbon—both rye-based and wheated, as well as rye. I’ve also tried and enjoyed wheat whiskies and straight malt whiskies a few times.” While accurate, it doesn’t exactly flow off the tongue.
Today’s whiskey consumer is familiar with the two most important legal requirements used to categorize American whiskey. Regardless of the grains used, most categories of American whiskey must be aged in brand-new, charred oak. The real distinction, however, comes down to the grains used in the whiskey’s production. Whiskey must be created from a mash bill containing at least 51% corn or rye to be called “bourbon” or “rye” whiskey, respectively. That same 51% major grain requirement can also apply to malt whiskey (not to be confused with single malt) and wheat whiskey.
At first glance, these designations give the impression that different categories result in clearly defined flavor profiles. In reality, though, most styles of American whiskey mash bills lie on a broad spectrum of grain proportions and consequently, a continuum of flavors that makes it impossible to pigeonhole each style into a single flavor set.
For example, the most in-demand bourbons made at the Buffalo Trace distillery (including Eagle Rare, Stagg, and E.H. Taylor) use their “Mashbill No. 1”—a low-rye mash bill that’s strongly rumored to contain less than 10% rye. By comparison, Four Roses “B” mash bill contains 35% rye, well above the generally accepted “high-rye” threshold of 20%.
Speaking of Four Roses, the distillery recently announced two new mash bills that illustrate the wide dynamics of bourbon perfectly. The first new mash bill is comprised of 52% corn, 43% rye and 5% malted barley—a whiskey made with almost as much rye in the recipe as there is corn. The second mash bill is made from 85% corn, 10% rye and 5% malted barley. Four Roses uses several different yeast strains, but assuming all other production factors are the same, these two whiskies will likely taste very different despite both bourbons being made at the same exact distillery.
Expressions made from a blend of multiple whiskey styles are becoming more and more common as distilleries emphasize flavor over convention. Here are a few examples of bottles that have no classic categorization, but have made waves over the last few years.
High West Bourye
This list wouldn’t be complete without first mentioning High West Bourye, one of the earliest examples of modern whiskey made from a blend of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskies. The source whiskies have changed over the last decade, but the premise is always a combination of well-aged bourbons and ryes.
The 2024 edition is comprised of several whiskies, each aged at least 10 years. The components include straight rye whiskey from mash bills of 95% rye, 5% malted barley and 80% rye, 20% malted barley. These are blended together with straight bourbon whiskey from mash bills of 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley as well as 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley.
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Unforgotten
Wild Turkey is no stranger to blending bourbon and rye together, though it hasn’t always been on purpose. In 2010, a distillery employee mistakenly blended bourbon and rye stocks together. Making the best of a bad situation, the whiskey was released with the title Forgiven, a nod to making the best of an honest mistake.
A few years ago, the distillery took a more deliberate approach to this blend of whiskey styles with the release of Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Unforgotten. Unforgotten is made from 13-year-old bourbon blended with 8 and 9-year-old rye. This blend was then finished in rye casks in Wild Turkey’s historic Warehouse B and bottled at 105 proof.
Wyoming Whiskey Outryder
Wyoming Whiskey’s Outryder takes a unique approach to marketing by leaning heavily into its status as a whiskey that doesn’t fit neatly into one category. The name Outryder helps further illustrate a unique approach that results in a “best of both worlds” flavor profile. Wyoming Whiskey describes this expression as a blend of “an almost Rye Whiskey and a High Rye Bourbon,” bottled at 100 proof. It’s the distillery’s first foray into the use of rye whiskey in any capacity.
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch
Sonoma county’s Redwood Empire burst on the scene in the 2020s with expressions like Emerald Giant and Pipe Dream. Their bourbon and rye blend, Lost Monarch, is named after the 321-ft tall coastal Redwood tree of the same name. Lost Monarch is “a blend of 3 to 14-year-old Bourbon and 3 to 14-year-old Rye Whiskey.” The whiskey components are 55% rye from a mash bill of 94% rye, 5% malted barley, 1% wheat and 45% bourbon from a mash bill of 74% corn, 20% rye, 4.5% malted barley, 1.5% wheat. Lost Monarch is the only whiskey in this list that incorporates wheat in the blend, albeit in trace amounts.
As distillers continue to push the boundaries of blending, it will be interesting to see what combinations are brought to market. Perhaps we’ll see a blend of wheated bourbon and straight wheat whiskey. How does the popularity of straight malt whiskey impact future projects? What about the bourgeoning American single malt space? Today’s whiskey consumer continues to demonstrate a willingness to branch out and try new things. If a distillery has a new or experimental blend in mind, now is the right time to test the market.
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Arlow: The Perfect Low-Alcohol Wine for Health-Conscious Enthusiasts
Arlow wants to cater to the growing movement of mindful drinking and those seeking healthier alternatives.
Arlow is debuting this month as a new low-alcohol wine brand, crafted with the intention of providing a flavorful and balanced option for consumers looking to moderate their alcohol intake.
“Over the last five years, we’ve seen increasing demand for solutions to moderate alcohol intake,” Arlow CEO Brandon Joldersma tells Forbes. “While non-alcohol wine has prospered (and sister brand Surely has played an important role in that), we discovered that there has been little innovation in low-alcohol wine.”
Joldersma highlighted the complex process of creating Arlow’s wines, involving blending full-alcohol wines with dealcoholized ones to achieve the desired 6.5% ABV. After a lot of experimentation, Joldersma says the team—including a winemaker and a flavor scientist—realized that they could create wines with around half the alcohol (and calories) of regular wines, which on average can have ABV levels between 12% and 15%, depending on the varietal and winegrowing region.
“Full-alc wines that taste great often taste terrible when dealcoholized, and a great-tasting, dealcoholized wine most likely tasted a bit strange when it was full-alc,” Joldersma says.
A bottle of Arlow’s low-alc rosé wine.
But creating low-alc wines is a complex and time-consuming process, Joldersma notes, which involves blending full alcohol wines with dealcoholized wines to achieve the 6.5% ABV target.
“Thankfully, we have an in-house team that can dedicate the time required to get these blends right,” Joldersma says. “We taste hundreds of wines from our vineyard partners in California, working through a litany of blends to make sure we’re hitting the mark. It’s an art as much as it is a science.”
Joldersma also underscores the shift towards moderation among wine drinkers. The startup aims to tap into the growing trend of mindful drinking, offering an alternative for those looking to enjoy wine without overindulging.
“Many wine fans now intentionally drink less on weekdays. Arlow provides an option for them to enjoy wine without overindulging,” Joldersma explains. “Our wines allow for two glasses on a Tuesday night without worrying about the next morning, or a Sunday afternoon at the pool without needing a nap.”
Low-alc wines usually have a reputation of tasting watered-down, but maintaining taste and quality is paramount for Arlow, Joldersma says.
“We wouldn’t pursue this if we didn’t believe we could offer a quality product at this ABV,” Joldersma says. “Many ‘lower’ alcohol products prioritize branding over taste. We aim to reverse this trend, proving that you can enjoy a flavorful wine with lower alcohol content.”
Arlow’s low-alc wines by the pool.
And Arlow’s wines are naturally low in calories due to the lower alcohol content.
“While non-alcoholic wine has seen innovation, low-alcohol wine has not kept pace. Most existing low-alcohol options are marketed as low-calorie, ‘diet’ wines,” Joldersma says. “At Arlow, we’ve focused on creating wines with around half the alcohol and calories of traditional wines, without compromising on taste.”
The brand’s inaugural release includes bottles of sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and rosé varietals, each crafted from California-grown grapes with meticulous attention to detail. Joldersma adds a red blend as well as a pinot noir are currently in development.
The company is also exploring different bottling and packaging options, including canned wines and premium bag-in-box formats.
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Fairfields Rum of the Americas Secures Late Seed Round Funding Led by Maplewood Ventures
The funds are being used to further expand markets and release the 8-year sherry cask finished reserve and a low-alcohol ready-to-serve
FAIRFIELD, Conn., Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fairfields Rum of the Americas, founded by entrepreneurs Frank Klein and Joy Branford, announced a Late Seed round led by Maplewood Ventures of Westport Connecticut. “We will be going deeper into existing markets, releasing our reserve, and launching our evolutionary ready to serve low-alcohol rum cocktails,” according to Frank Klein, CEO of Fairfields. The rum is currently distributed in fine Connecticut restaurant and retail locations and via e-commerce with distribution in California, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island coming this summer.
“We continue to be well received by not only rum drinkers but those seeking a no-additive clear spirit that is expressive and nuanced” commented Frank Klein, Co-Founder and CEO. “The lower sugar, diverse craft drinks that bartenders are making with Fairfields showcase how versatile an all-naturally distilled, no sugar added white rum can be” Klein added. The rum is made in the United States from cane sourced throughout the Americas. The 8-year-aged reserve is bottled at eighty-eight proof and the amber spirit is finished in sherry casks with no additives or colorings.
The brand is continuing with its campaign that declares “If you like your tequila, you will love our rum”. Joy Branford, Caribbean born, Brooklyn raised, collaborated with Klein to create a unique rum that intentionally strayed away from Caribbean styles that rely on flavorings or added sugar. “We use a blend of Agricole and Molasses distillations to create a rum that sips on its own over ice like tequila or can be used in simple three ingredient cocktails.” Branford added “because a daiquiri was around long before George Clooney invented tequila”. Not surprisingly the founders prefer daiquiris on the rocks.
“We are truly excited and proud to support Frank, Joy and the wider Fairfields Team as their production partner on these incredible rums,” states Anthony Moniello, Co-CEO of Next Century Spirits. Moniello continues, “Fairfields’ headquarters are right in our backyard and supporting skilled entrepreneurs like Frank is core to who we are. We believe in what they’re building as well as the quality of the rum at-hand and are excited to be part of their wider journey ahead.”
Fairfields Rum of the Americas was founded by Frank Klein and Joy Branford. Investors include Overdrive Ventures which is led by founder Ray Potter, Maplewood Ventures and others. Fairfields Rum of the Americas is based in Fairfield, CT. Suggested retail is $29.99 for the Dry White Rum and $43.99 for the Reserve.
To learn more visit www.rumoftheamericas.com as well as check out their Instagram.
Frank Klein can be reached at 203-763-9997 or 381176@email4pr.com
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SOURCE Fairfields Rum
20 Versatile Vodka Cocktails to Suit Every Mood
We’re so grateful to the people of Eastern Europe from centuries ago for concocting one of the most versatile liquors ever—vodka. Whether you choked back cheap pints of Smirnoff at frat parties or you always reach for a dirty vodka martini at your local watering hole, you’re familiar with the clear neutral spirit.
There are quite possibly thousands of ways to enjoy it. You can have it as a pick-me-up with red bull before you hit the town. Or bitterly cold, in a glass by itself, tasting unapologetically of vodka. Have it in a lemon or apricot flavored form, blending seamlessly into the other flavors of your cocktail. Pick the one that suits your mood—contemplative (the Vesper), high-spirited (the Espresso Martini), hungover (what else? the Bloody Mary)—and gather your ingredients. Cheers to the most basic and easy-drinking liquor.
This coffee-and-vodka cocktail is a viral sensation and surprisingly simple to make.
Ingredients
2 oz. Grey Goose vodka
1/2 oz. Mr Black coffee liqueur
3/4 oz. simple syrup
1 1/2 oz. fresh espresso
Directions
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with two or three coffee beans.
James Bond was good at many things, but inventing a cocktail was not one of them.
Ingredients
3 oz. London dry gin
1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. Lillet blanc
Directions
Stir ingredients briskly with ice in a mixing tin until very cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a large, thin-cut lemon peel.
Love piña coladas, but not a fan of rum? Swap it out for vodka without compromising taste.
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz. vodka
4 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
Pineapple slice
Directions
Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Combine vodka, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut and shake vigorously until chilled. Strain into a goblet of crushed ice. Garnish with pineapple.
This melon liquor and vodka drink will transport you to the disco days of the ’70s.
Ingredients
1 ounce Midori
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
Club soda
Directions
Add the Midori, vodka, lemon juice, and lime juice to a Collins glass with ice. Stir to combine, then top with a splash of soda water.
Take your favorite childhood drink, mix it with vodka, and prepare for a good time.
Ingredients
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce grenadine
6 ounces lemon-lime soda
Maraschino cherry
Directions
Fill highball glass with ice. Add the vodka and grenadine. Top with the lemon-lime soda and stir gently. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
When you want to drink your dessert, reach for a Mudslide.
Ingredients
1 oz. coffee liqueur
1 oz. vodka
1 1/2 oz. Irish cream liqueur
Directions
Combine coffee liqueur, vodka, and Irish cream liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake for at least 10 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
Simple, tart and hard to put down, the Lemon Drop Martini can easily become a go-to.
Ingredients
2 oz. vodka
3/4 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
Lemon sugar
Directions
Twist rim of a chilled martini glass into sugar and lemon juice and set aside. Add ingredients and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake until very cold. Strain into the martini glass.
With a few additions, you’ve got the robustly flavorful cocktail you’ll be sipping all weekend.
Ingredients
24 oz. Lemonade
1 c. vodka
4 oz. simple syrup
4 sprigs fresh peppermint
1 lemon, cut into rounds
Directions
In a pitcher with ice, mix the lemonade with the vodka and simple syrup. Fill a highball glass with ice. Add vodka lemonade until the glass is three-quarters full. Top off with club soda and stir. Garnish with a lemon round.
Light and refreshing, the Sea Breeze gives a classic vodka cranberry a bittersweet twist.
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces vodka
3 ounces cranberry juice
1 1/2 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
Grapefruit slice
Directions
Fill highball glass with ice, then add ingredients. Stir. Garnish with grapefruit.
Like the name suggests, this fruity cocktail feels like a fun afternoon delight.
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. peach schnapps
2 oz. orange juice
2 oz. cranberry juice
Orange wedge and maraschino cherries
Directions
Combine vodka, peach schnapps, and orange juice in a glass with ice and gently stir to combine. Pour cranberry juice over. Garnish with cherries or orange wedge.
The most popular vodka drink of the lot, with plenty of spicy ginger zing.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1/2 oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 6 oz. ginger beer
Directions
Squeeze lime juice into a copper mug (or a Collins glass) and drop in the spent shell. Add ice cubes, then pour in the vodka and fill with cold ginger beer. Serve with a stirring rod.
A bracingly sour, slightly sweet, purely refreshing jewel of a drink.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1/2 oz. lime juice (fresh)
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
Directions
Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.
A well-proportioned classic that’ll win over even the gin Martini purists.
Ingredients
• 3 oz. vodka
• 1/4 oz. dry vermouth
Directions
Stir the ingredients well with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olives.
Salty like the sea, in a worryingly addictive kind of way.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1/4 oz. extra dry vermouth
• 1/4 oz. olive juice
• olives
Directions
Combine the gin, vermouth, and olive juice in a mixing tin with ice. Stir well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with as many olives as you’d like on a toothpick.
A pared down version of the White Russian that’s less reminiscent of a milkshake and more like an after-hours black-coffee replacement.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. coffee liqueur
Directions
Stir ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over fresh ice.
A drink that exemplifies the timeless marriage of vodka and orange juice.
Ingredients
• 1 part vodka
• 2 parts orange juice, freshly squeezed
Directions
Pour ingredients over ice in a glass. Stir, then garnish with an orange slice.
The vodka cran that grew up and got a real job with a house near the shore.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 2-3 oz. cranberry juice cocktail
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• club soda
Directions
Pour vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice into a Collins glass over ice. Stir. Top with club soda, then garnish with a lime wedge.
A very good drink that’s long overdue a cultural resurgence.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 oz. Rose’s lime juice
Directions
Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, then garnish with lime.
An incredibly simple sipper to make, if grapefruit is your fruit of choice.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 4 oz. grapefruit juice
Directions
Add vodka and grapefruit juice to a glass over ice. Stir until mixed.
Like drinking a salad for breakfast. More or less.
Ingredients
The Mix (for one serving)
• 1/2 c. tomato juice
• 1/4 inch horseradish, chopped
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• dash of celery seeds
• 4 dashes hot sauce (Tabasco, Tapatio, etc.)
• 1/2 lemon’s juice, fresh squeezed
• 1/2 lime’s juice, fresh squeezed
• dash of sea salt
• dash of black pepper
• 1 tbsp. vodka
The Drink
• 2 oz. vodka
• 6-8 oz. Bloody Mary mix
Directions
Blend tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire, and celery seeds until smooth. Add hot sauce, lemon juice, lime juice, salt, and pepper, then blend. Adjust the mix depending on how spicy, salty, or citrusy you like it. Add 1 tbsp. vodka to stabilize the mix and keep the juices fresh, then blend. Combine 6-8 oz. of the mix with 2 oz. of vodka into a glass with ice. Pour back and forth into another glass 3 or 4 times to mix. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lime.
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A Beginner’s Guide to Rosé Wine: Everything You Need to Know
Rose wine glasses set on wine tasting. Different varieties, colors and shades of pink wines on white… background. Top view
Rosé: it’s pink alcohol, served cold by the pool, right? On one hand, absolutely. On the other, this over-simplifies a surprisingly nuanced wine encompassing impressive historical and cultural traditions in some of Europe’s great appellations. Of course, nuanced doesn’t mean so complex it’s too intimidating to learn the basics. If you’re looking for a break-down of the differences in rosé, from the effect picking and production techniques have on style, color and taste, to a review of classic European regions, bookmark this page. Next time you reach for a bottle, you’ll know the difference between Tavel, Rosado, or Rosato.
Production Methods
Though it’s commonly believed that rosé is made by blending white with red, most bottles are made through skin contact (like a red wine) known as “saignee.” Blending red wine into white is only common in Champagne — not in quality still wine. Further, another misconception leftover from America’s white Zinfandel days is that rosé is off-dry or even sweet. In fact, most quality-driven rosés are a variation on bone dry.
Skin Contact
Have you ever heard a producer use the phrase “intentional rosé?” The concept entails growing and harvesting grapes for the express purpose of making rosé wine. This means picking early to preserve freshness and bright fruit flavors, followed by a limited maceration. In other words, winemaking follows the same technique as for red wine: crushing grapes and allowing the juice time on the skins. But for rosé, that time is far less, from a few hours to two days. The shorter the period, the lighter the color – think pale salmon versus dragon fruit pink. After maceration, the wine is drawn off and fermented to full dryness.
Direct press is a variation on this, though is more akin to white winemaking. Rather than allow any contact between skins and juice, the grapes are pressed and the juice is drawn off the skins. But because the grapes are black, the juice will take on a hint of color and flavor. This method yields a delicate rosé, one that’s faint in color, while favoring citrus flavors over red fruits.
Wine glasses and appetizers on the table in the vineyard orchard.
Saignée
French for “bleeding,” saignée is often a byproduct, though not always – see Navarra – of red winemaking rather than utilized as an intentional rosé winemaking method. Grapes are not picked expressly for rosé but rather for the primary red wine. This technique is common in Paso Robles, for example, where winemakers seek to produce concentrated, bold, and flavorful reds. Bleeding some wine off early in the maceration process concentrates the remaining juice; and the lighter juice that’s bled off gets vinified separately for rosé. Though it’s an acceptable method, wines can be an afterthought. Rosé generally demands freshness, and grapes picked for concentrated reds are usually the opposite: ripe with higher alcohol. Of course, it’s a matter of taste – saignée is great for those who prefer a richer, fruitier style of rosé.
Blending
Except maybe late night at a party, fine wine producers don’t blend red and white wine together. At least, French appellations do not allow it, except for one: Champagne. For rosé Champagne, producers may add still Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier for hue and flavor. Outside of Europe, a few New World producers might blend white and red but it’s not the norm for quality wine production.
View on ancient village of Aiguines, Provence, France
FRANCE
Provence, France
If you’ve sipped a glass of rosé, you’ve probably tasted one from Provence. The OG of pink wine, denizens of the south of France view rosé as a way a of life, not just a beverage. Stylistically, Provençal rosé is distinct, too.
Typically, wines are made intentionally, picked for citrus and tart red fruit flavors, with limited skin contact for lighter hues and delicacy of flavor. It’s not a big, brash, fruity wine; rather, they are meant as crisp, versatile food wines to be enjoyed with vegetables, seafood and even meat. The classic grapes are Grenache, Cinsualt, and Mourvèdre. Bandol has a large presence in the U.S. for its high quality, pricier versions made from Mourvèdre. Wines are savory, mineral-driven and structured, rather than simple and fruit-forward. Bandol is a rosé that can age.
Though Provence is better-known in the U.S. market, Tavel is the only French appellation specializing in dry rosé. Talk about intentional winemaking. The primary grape used in Tavel is Grenache. Other grapes allowed include: Cinsault, Bourboulenc, Clairette (pink and white), Mourvèdre, Picpoul (black, white, grey), and Syrah. While white wine cannot be blended with red, white grapes and their press juice can be added pre-fermentation.
Due to longer skin contact, the wines achieve greater color and depth of red fruit flavor. This lends more tannin, structure, and age-worthiness from top producers.
Chinon, Touraine, Anjou, Loire Valley: Based on Cabernet Franc, the best rosés weave delicate vegetal notes from the Cab Franc with juicy red fruit flavors.
The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage which can be walked by connecting various different trails and routes through Europe ending at the tomb of St. James in north west Spain.
SPAIN
Spaniards have been drinking rosé for ages; only in recent years have those bottles made their way stateside. Often, producers made simple, quaffable wines. But as exports have increased, so has quality. Instead of rosé, bottles will say rosado. Grenache and Tempranillo are the main varieties used for making various styles, though often in a deeper hue than their French counterparts.
Navarra
Navarra rosé helped make the region famous. Producers turn out both poolside sippers and more complex, food appropriate expressions. Grapes used include Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, though rosado from old-vine Grenache is considered the highest expression for the region. Saignée method is typical, but in the case of Navarra, wines are of good quality, not after thoughts.
Rioja
Unusual in the world of rosé, or rosado, is the application of aging classifications to this style of wine. Most producers of rosé tout new vintages for their youthfulness and freshness, using stainless steel vessels in that stylistic pursuit. That, or they need to move product for cash flow. But in the case of Rioja, rosado follows the classic aging rules in oak barrels: joven (no aging requirement), crianza (aged for 12 months including 6 months in barrel); and reserva (2 years including 6 months in barrel). Grenache and Tempranillo are the primary grapes.
Txakoli
Spain’s northern Basque country is home to unusual, indigenous varieties used to produce dry, effervescent Txakoli. Though rosé is a recent phenomenon, it’s becoming easier to find in the U.S. Made in a pale shade of pink, wines are mineral and tart, and largely based on red grape Hondarrabi Beltza.
Beautiful Medieval Villlages Of Italy. Pacentro, Abruzzo.
ITALY
Known as rosato in Italy, rosé is made up and down the boot, with styles and flavors dependent on the local climate and traditional varieties. You’ll find more delicate versions produced in the northeast around Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige. Logical, given the cooler climate. That includes Chiaretto from Lombardy and Veneto. “Chiaro” means light or pale, evoking the dry style of the wine based on the Corvina grape. Ramato, from Friuli, is based on extended maceration with pink grape Pinot Grigio.
Central Italians, of course, produce rosato. One better known example: cherry-pink Cerasuolo of Abruzzo made from the Montepulciano grape.
In the south, rosatos are fuller-bodied and fuller-flavored like the sun and the food. Puglia, Sicily and Calabria turn out lots of examples with native grapes like Negroamaro (Puglia) and Nero d’Avola (Sicily).
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