Tennessee Whiskey vs. Bourbon: Understanding the Key Differences and Similarities
What’s the difference between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon? Not much.
One common misconception about bourbon is that it only comes from Kentucky, but that’s not true.
Tennessee whiskey is a type of bourbon, explained Matthew “Moss” Morrissey, executive director of Whiskey House, a nonprofit organization that uses its extensive collection of old and rare whiskies for charitable causes like auctioning off tastings to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
What do bourbon and Tennessee whiskey have in common? They must be bottled at between 80 and 125 proof ethanol, made of at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels.
But Tennessee Whiskey must follow two more requirements:
“One, it’s made in Tennessee and two, it goes through the ‘Lincoln County Process,'” Morrissey said. “And that’s just a fancy way of saying filtering through charcoal.”
The carbon in charcoal bonds with undesirable compounds in whiskey and removes them before aging.
Does it make a difference?
“Yes, absolutely,” Morrissey said. “That’s why it’s smooth and mellow.”
Whiskey doesn’t have to be brown; that’s the effect of barrel-aging. Unaged whiskey, for example, is called white whiskey. Many distilleries called their white whiskey “moonshine,” though moonshine by definition is untaxed and unregulated, and anything you’re buying on the up-and-up is most certainly both of those.
Morrissey, a Nashville native, said not everyone held Tennessee whiskey in high regard historically. But that’s all changed — thanks to an expansion of premium spirits.
“Jack Daniel’s, over the last four years or so, has started producing more lines of whiskey that a lot of people have fallen in love with,” he said. “Even people who didn’t care about Jack Daniel’s before.”
Suddenly, some who claimed not to like Jack Daniel’s anymore because of overindulging in Old No. 7 in college changed their tunes, he said, adding: “Including myself.”
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Coy Hill High Proof
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey
Old Dominick Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whiskey
Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey
George Dickel Bottled in Bond (Fall 2005)
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee whiskey: Type of bourbon, spirit recommendations, more
Charleston Tragedy: Police Report Driver in Fatal Hit-and-Run Had Been Drinking at Sweet Grass Vodka Lounge
kcota@postandcourier.com
The Sweet Grass Vodka lounge, pictured Nov. 16, 2022, in The Refinery complex on Meeting Street Road in Charleston.
BY TERI ERRICO GRIFFIS and KAILEY COTA
Now that police have offered a glimpse of what happened in the hours leading up to two 20-year-olds being struck and killed on a Charleston street, more questions swirl about how one of the men accused in the fatal hit-and-run could have been served alcohol at one bar in particular.
An investigator testified in court July 17 that Seth Carlson, 33, allegedly drank several beverages at Sweetgrass Lounge — a flagship bar for Sweet Grass Vodka that had lost its liquor license a month before the fateful night in late April.
Story continues below
The Charleston-based spirits business and brand has been swirling in financial and legal trouble for most of 2024.
On March 5, the state Department of Revenue sent a letter to Jarrod Swanger stating that he hadn’t filed his South Carolina personal income taxes in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and also did not have liquor liability insurance coverage for the business. The same month, the state denied renewal of his liquor manufacturer license along with permits to sell on-premises beer, wine and liquor by the drink.
Swanger needed a liquor license to sell and serve alcohol to patrons at his Meeting Street Road lounge, located in The Refinery development on Charleston’s upper peninsula.
Assets inside the lounge and backroom bottling plant, including all liquor, were then seized from the property on April 19 by a creditor owed $2.5 million.
Neither Swanger nor his attorneys could be reached to discuss how he operated a private party at the lounge on April 28.
Staff at Alchemist Wine and Spirits at Six Mile in Mount Pleasant said that liquor was bought wholesale before the private party and charged to the Sweet Grass account.
Leading up to accidents, Carlson was part of a band playing a gig at Sweetgrass Lounge on April 27, Charleston Police Department investigator Jose Bordallo said during a July 17 hearing.
A bartender remembered seeing Carlson drink an Edmund’s Oast beer and shot of tequila before performing, the officer testified. After the gig, the bartender told police Carlson took another tequila shot and finished a band member’s beer so it wouldn’t go to waste, Bordallo said.
Police also talked to a bandmate who recalled Carlson drinking several alcoholic beverages. The band member remembered Carlson drinking one beer, two whiskey drinks and a shot of tequila, Bordallo testified.
Carlson left Sweetgrass Lounge around 9 p.m. and later arrived at Henry’s on the Market, Bordallo said. Bordallo did not present evidence indicating Carlson drank at Henry’s, a longtime business next to the historic Charleston City Market.
Police reported that Carlson was driving north on Morrison Drive around 1:12 a.m. on April 28. Video footage from the scene shows a Chevrolet pickup truck swerving around a slight curve and striking Arianna Gamber and Lizzy Zito as they walked along the roadway just past an entrance ramp to the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
The truck, which police identified as driven by Carlson, did not stop after the collision. According to police, video footage a half-mile north of the collision site showed that his front passenger headlight was no longer shining.
Carlson continued driving for 10 minutes until a witness observed him “driving erratically” and eventually saw him crash his truck into a ditch on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard in West Ashley.
The concerned witness got out to check on Carlson and noticed that he smelled of alcohol and was sweating, according to Bordallo’s testimony. Carlson then fled the scene on foot, abandoning his truck.
He was “three sheets to the wind” Bordallo said the woman told police during an interview.
A private company towed the truck on April 28 before police connected it to the double hit-and-run on Morrison Drive. The tow truck driver noted an empty beer bottle inside the truck but did not preserve it, Bordallo said.
A half-hour after the truck struck Gamber and Zito, a second car driven by Max Gentilin, 25, also struck the women, police say.
Video from the scene at 1:43 a.m. shows a car switch lanes just past the entrance to the bridge and veer into a bike lane. It struck the curb and then bounce over the victims’ bodies.
Gentilin had been drinking alcoholic beverages he held in both hands at a bar that night, Bordallo testified before Chief Magistrate Judge Richardine Singleton-Brown. Bordallo did not say which bar that video of Gentilin came from.
A walker discovered the women’s bodies about seven hours later.
Carlson is charged with two counts of hit and run with death and two counts of reckless homicide. Gentilin is charged with two counts of hit and run with death. Both defendants are free on bond.
Reporter
Kailey Cota is a breaking news and public safety reporter for the Post & Courier’s Charleston location. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
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Unveiling the World’s Best Pinot Noir: Insights from the Decanter World Wine Awards
Domaine Histoire D’enfer, L’enfer Du Calcaire Pinot Noir 2019,
Six Pinot Noir wines won Platinum medals at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). The competition is the largest wine competition in the world and is considered among the most prestigious. Over 18,000 wines were entered in the recently completed 2024 judging. Below are tasting notes on the six winners and some background on their producers. All six medalists had identical scores of 97/100 points.
Domaine Histoire D’enfer, L’enfer Du Calcaire Pinot Noir 2019, 13.9% ABV, 750 ml
Domaine Histoire D’enfer is a boutique winery in Salquenen, Valais, Switzerland. Established with a focus on high-quality, small-batch production, the winery’s name, “Histoire D’enfer,” translates to “Hell’s History,” reflecting their region’s challenging but rewarding viticulture. The winery is dedicated to expressing the unique terroir of Valais through its wines.
The vineyards are characterized by limestone-rich soils, contributing to the wines’ minerality and elegance.
This Pinot Noir reveals a stunning ruby color with a bouquet that features aromas of ripe red cherries, cranberries, and subtle floral notes. The palate is nuanced and complex, with layers of red fruit, minerality, and a hint of spice. The texture is silky, with fine, well-ripened tannins and a balanced acidity that leads to a long, elegant finish. The limestone influence is evident, adding a distinct minerality and freshness to the wine.
The DWWA Judging panel described the wine as featuring:
Enchanting raspberry, strawberry, and freshly picked cherries charm and delight with a delicious infusion of sumptuous red licorice, clove, and star anise rippling alongside. Capacious and warming with a simmering gravelly undertone of mineral tannin. Superb!
Audeant Wines, Luminous Hills Pinot Noir 2021, 12.9% ABV, 750 ml
Audeant Wines, located in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, is a small family-owned winery dedicated to crafting premium Pinot Noir wines. The winery emphasizes sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention in the winemaking process to preserve the fruit’s purity and the vineyard’s distinct characteristics.
The vineyards are situated on a mix of volcanic and sedimentary soils at an elevation of approximately 700 feet above sea level.
Luminous Hills Pinot Noir is a vibrant and expressive wine with a deep garnet hue. The nose is filled with aromas of black cherries, raspberries, and a touch of earthiness. It offers a rich texture on the palate with flavors of dark fruit, cocoa, and a hint of spice. The wine is well-structured with fine tannins and a bright acidity, culminating in a long, nuanced finish.
The DWWA Judging Panel described the wine as exhibiting:
Ripe crushed cherries and perfumed red flowers leap out of the glass and cascade over the crunchy, youthful palate; with an immersive texture, silky smooth tannins and a squeaky-clean acidity. Impressively long and memorable.
Bay of Fires, Pinot Noir 2022, 13.6% ABV, 750 ml
Bay of Fires, Pinot Noir 2022, 13.6% ABV, 750 ml
Bay of Fires is a prominent winery in Tasmania, Australia, renowned for its cool-climate wines. The winery’s location provides ideal conditions for growing high-quality Pinot Noir, characterized by intense flavors and balanced acidity. The vineyards feature sandy loam and volcanic soils, which help to produce wines with great finesse and complexity.
This Pinot Noir from Bay of Fires is elegant and refined, showcasing a beautiful translucent ruby color. The nose reveals aromas of violets, blackberries, and a hint of spice. The palate is silky and smooth, with flavors of dark cherries, plums, and subtle oak undertones. The wine has a vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins that provide structure and length, leading to a graceful finish.
In describing the wine, the DWWA Judging Panel noted:
Prior to 2024, we’ve never had a Tasmanian Pinot in our Best In Show selection. This year we have two. Was it because 2022 was a sensational vintage? Not exactly – the east coast of the island suffered from a spectacularly cool, wet season; elsewhere on the island, though, conditions did indeed vary from good to outstanding.
The first wine in our pair is a pan-Tasmanian blend with source fruit from several regions. It is a translucent dark red in colour, with warm, settled aromas of plum, cherry, and raspberry just teased towards sweetness with subtle oak. It is warm, soft and mouth-filling, built on the same core of subtly mingled fruits with muted, natural acidity and fine tannins, the combination giving an almost silky charm to the wine. This considered, restrained winemaking lays the groundwork for a Pinot which is hugely easy to drink yet at the same time deeply satisfying and highly amenable – a Pinot to sip on its own, to chill with fish or to serve at a cool room temperature for white meats and salads.
Yarra Yering, Pinot Noir 2022, 13% ABV, 750 ml
Yarra Yering is one of the most iconic wineries in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1969, it has a long history of producing exceptional wines that reflect the region’s terroir.
The vineyards are planted on a mix of sandy clay loam and volcanic soils, which enhance the aromatic complexity and structure of the wines.
The Yarra Yering Pinot Noir is a wine of great elegance and complexity. It is a light ruby color. It features fragrant aromas of red berries, roses, and a hint of forest floor on the nose. The wine is finely textured on the palate with flavors of strawberries, cherries, and delicate spice. The tannins are soft and silky, complemented by a refreshing acidity that enhances the wine’s length and balance.
The DWWA Judging Panel described the wine as being:
Alive with bright red cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit with just a subtle hint of five spice oak. Solid and smooth with velvety tannins and a melting spine of acidity. Long and lingering with a vanilla plum finale.
Lowestoft, Single Vineyard Jacoben Pinot Noir 2022, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml
Lowestoft, Single Vineyard Jacoben Pinot Noir 2022, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml
Lowestoft is a premium wine producer in the Derwent Valley, Tasmania, Australia. The winery focuses on single-vineyard expressions that highlight the distinct characteristics of their unique terroirs. The vineyards are characterized by sandy loam over clay, which helps to produce wines with depth and complexity.
This Single Vineyard Jacoben Pinot Noir is a testament to the exceptional quality of Tasmanian Pinot Noir. It displays a brilliant ruby color with a bouquet of red cherries, wild strawberries, and subtle floral notes on the nose. The palate is rich and layered, offering dark fruit flavors, earthy undertones, and a touch of spice. The wine is well-structured with refined, well-integrated tannins and vibrant acidity, leading to a long, elegant finish.
In describing the wine, the DWWA Judging Panel observed:
The second of this year’s outstanding 2022 Tasmanian Pinot Noirs comes from the Derwent Valley, just north of Hobart and in the rain shadow of Mount Wellington. The region can be drought-susceptible in warm summers, but in the wetter season of 2022 its site stood it in good stead.
This is a darker wine than its pan-Tasmanian peer, but beautifully crafted: singing red fruits without any shadowing from oak and with the intrinsic grace and charm of the Derwent Valley’s fruit well to the fore. On the palate, it is pure, bright, and mouth-filling, packed with juicy raspberry; both tannins and acids are soft and sustaining. They nourish and ease the gorgeous fruit core through the palate to a gently subsiding finish. There’s just a touch of tarry complexity behind those fruits. Virtuoso work from a Pinot region of extraordinary promise.
McArthur Ridge, Southern Tor Pinot Noir 2022, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml
McArthur Ridge is in the Alexandra Basin, Central Otago, New Zealand. The winery is known for its high-altitude vineyards, which produce Pinot Noir with distinctive character and depth. The vineyards feature schist, gravel, and sandy loam soils, which contribute to the wines’ concentration and minerality.
Southern Tor Pinot Noir is a beautifully crafted wine with a deep ruby color. The nose is expressive, with aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, and a hint of spice. The palate is rich and concentrated, featuring layers of ripe fruit, earthy notes, and well-integrated oak. The tannins are firm yet velvety, and the wine’s bright acidity provides balance and length, resulting in a complex and satisfying finish.
In commenting on the wine, the DWWA Judging Panel noted:
We may not have found any Burgundian Pinot Noir wines to feature in this year’s Best In Show selection, but three Pinots from the Southern Hemisphere goes some way to compensate. This example from the Alexandra Basin sub-region shows why there is so much excitement about Central Otago.
It’s translucent dark red in color, with articulate aromas of warm red berries, red cherries, and root spice. It’s softly articulated on the palate and sweet-fruited, with great grace and poise. The wine’s structure comes more prominently from its acidity than from its relatively discreet tannin profile. In just two years, it has already begun to soften and open; look out for stones and an herbal complexity, as well as root spice, on the finish.
These six wines have been recognized for their exceptional quality, reflecting their respective producers’ unique terroirs and winemaking expertise. They are, without question, among the very best Pinot Noir wines in the world.
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The Worst Rum Choices to Avoid When Making Mojitos
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When those hot, hazy days of summer roll around, few cocktails hit the spot better than a mojito. Mojitos are light, refreshing, and fizzy, and they’re pretty straightforward. The classic version calls for rum, lime, mint, sugar, and soda water. Although it’s almost infinitely customizable, it’s those ingredients that come together to create this incredible cocktail that’s popular for a reason. But let’s take a closer look at the rum. While it’s often suggested that white or light rum is the best option for a mojito, are there rums you should avoid?
Yes, and it’s not what you think. Oft-repeated cocktail wisdom says you should steer clear of spiced rum when making mojitos, but we’d argue that’s not the case. A spiced rum can make an absolutely incredible mojito, and we’ll tell you how.
We will add, however, that if you’re looking for a cocktail that truly plays to a mojito’s strengths, you’ll want to keep those light, refreshing flavors — and dark rum isn’t going to do that. While you can, in theory, use a dark rum in a mojito, it will be a deep, molasses- and caramel-heavy cocktail, not the smooth, summertime drink everyone expects when they think of this cocktail. In the warm season, at least, stick with the light rums, avoid the dark, and rely on other options to switch up the flavor profile of this versatile drink.
Read more: 26 Popular Vodka Brands, Ranked By Their Versatility
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When making a refreshing, summery mojito, you’ll likely want to give dark rum a miss because it changes the entire feel of the cocktail into something with a lot of heavy flavors. A classic mojito is a light, fresh cocktail with forward flavors of mint and lime. Swap in dark rum, and you’ll get something very different. Sure, it’s also a delicious cocktail, but if you serve it to someone claiming it’s a mojito, know that it’s not going to be what they’re expecting. Dark rums bring strong, distinctive flavors that make them more well-suited to sipping straight or on the rocks instead of in a cocktail like a mojito.
Now, let’s talk about spiced rum. If you’re looking to get creative with your mojito game, you can use spiced rum for a twist on the classic cocktail. With the addition of a few other ingredients, you’ll make something worthy of repeating.
Add a pineapple slice for garnish, a splash of cranberry juice to mellow out the spice, a dash of aromatic bitters, or some ginger. That can be ginger that’s muddled along with the mint, or you can replace the soda water with ginger beer or ginger ale. Using spiced rum with ginger — particularly in the proper proportions — will still result in a light and summery cocktail that stays true to the spirit of the classic mojito.
If the only rum you have on hand is dark and you still find yourself in the mood for making mojitos, you should know that there are several alternatives that will be much better than a dark rum. The very best replacement might be a simple vodka. A plain vodka won’t have any flavors that take away from the lime and mint, but plenty of flavored vodkas — particularly citrus vodkas — can also work well.
Gin can also be a perfectly acceptable option, bringing a light botanical freshness ideal for a hibiscus and blackberry mojito. It’s also fun to experiment with: Whether you like light or heavy botanical flavors, sloe gin, or one of the fruit-forward varieties, a gin mojito can be pretty amazing. If you’re a fan of botanicals, you’ll also need to try a mojito with the rose-flavored spirit Lanique or the elderflower-flavored St. Germain, which can be used in a deliciously herbaceous mojito.
No matter what liquor you choose, keeping that refreshing quality is key to making an incredible mojito. There’s no shortage of additions that can enhance it: Add some honey or fruits like strawberries, watermelon, cherries, blueberries, and pomegranates. The lime and mint are key, but what if you don’t have any fresh mint? Use store-bought breath mints to make a minty simple syrup — really! Get creative, but stay away from the dark rum if you want a refreshing version of this classic.
Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
The U.S. Open Beer Championship Crowns the World’s Best Pilsner
The best pilsners of 2024 came in a variety of sub-categories.
The world’s best pilsners in various sub-categories were announced by The U.S. Open Beer Championship in early July. The Ohio-based beer festival is one of the most prestigious in the world, and along with the World Beer Cup and The Great American Beer Festival, it is one of the big three beer festivals in the U.S.
The competition was founded by brewer Dow Scoggins in 2009. Scoggins recently mentioned that the festival has always prided itself on the diversity of the categories it judges. This is evident in the pilsner categories. The festival has five pilsner categories and a sixth category that can go either to a lager or pilsner (pilsners are a type of lager so although all pilsners are lagers, not all lagers are pilsners).
This year, many major beer festivals have seen an uptick in pilsner submissions, reflecting growing interest in the category from consumers. Many brewers I have spoken to have long preferred the subtle yet complex pilsner category over the more in-your-face IPA category, which had come to dominate beer sales. Due to this preference, pilsners are starting to take some market share from IPAs, though they are not yet as popular.
The pilsners below were all gold medal winners at this year’s U.S. Open Beer Championship, meaning they were deemed the best of the best by the festival’s panel of judges.
This popular Denver brewery with several locations is no stranger to success, with several previous medals from prestigious beer competitions to its name. These include a 2024 bronze medal from the World Beer Cup for a beer called Smooth Exportations, a German-Style Oktoberfest. Here, it took home the top prize in this competitive light and crisp lager category.
This brewery Czechs all the marks (get it?) for lovers of Czech/Bohemian pilsners, with Czech Republic ingredients including the quintessential pilsner Saaz hop. Per the brewery, this beer has “a slight honey-like sweetness and toasted cracker flavor from the lightly kilned malt and a wonderfully spicy, herbal, and floral hop aroma.”
Only a true pill wouldn’t like this pils from Riverlands Brewing Co. that is made with German pilsner yeast and a mix of American Sterling hops and German Saphir hops. The brewery’s tasting notes say this beer features “a beautiful blend of floral, spice, lemongrass, and citrus hop flavors,” and “a pleasant bitterness.”
This gets the gold medal from me for best name on this list, which is all the more impressive because the brewery that released it, Taproom Beer Co., doesn’t exactly earn creativity points for its name. Getting back to this beer, it’s made with a new experimental hop called HRC-003 from the Hop Research Council and per the brewery “boasts [a] bouquet of tropical, stonefruit, and berry qualities.”
The latest award-winning brew from this critically acclaimed brewhouse and movie theater is named for the nickname given to the main character in the iconic Rocky franchise. Not only is this beer and many others from the San Antonio beer award-winning, I’m betting it pairs well with popcorn.
One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.
In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site’s Terms of Service. We’ve summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.
Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:
User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:
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Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service.
Enhance Your Rum Cocktails with Rich Flavors Using This Unique Type of Sugar
When describing the flavor of rum, especially dark, aged expressions, a common consensus among the experts is that it offers notes of molasses. And that should be obvious since molasses is one of the main ingredients from which the popular spirit is distilled (the other one being sugarcane juice). Therefore, it would make sense to use a darker, deeper flavored sugar when mixing rum cocktails. Next time you whip up a batch of mojitos or a nice Caribbean-style rum punch, consider swapping the regular sugar in your recipe for muscovado sugar.
This lesser-known sweetener is one of the most unrefined sugars out there, acquiring its deep brown color and moist, crumbly texture from its high content of molasses. Muscovado is made by evaporating sugar cane juice but leaving varying amounts of molasses in the final product, depending on whether it’s labeled as light or dark muscovado. The flavor is therefore more complex, with notes of toffee and caramel. It is widely used in baking, confectionary, and even to add another layer of flavor to a barbecue sauce.
Read more: The 40 Absolute Best Cocktails That Feature Only 2 Ingredients
The purpose of adding a sweetener to a cocktail is to enhance its flavor or balance bitterness and acidity. You can use muscovado just as you do regular sugar in a cocktail, but remember that your choice of sweetener will change its taste profile — muscovado will yield a richer sweetness with hints of caramel. You can use it to muddle herbs or fruit or make a sugar syrup with much more depth and body. It would be especially good in Tiki cocktails that use a Caribbean rum or Rhum Agricole, such as a Zombie, or in drinks where rum is used in place of whiskey or Bourbon such as a rum old fashioned, Manhattan, or Cable Car cocktail. It is stellar in creamy drinks like the Bushwhacker or added to coffee-based cocktails to enhance their chocolatey notes.
You will find muscovado at most regular grocery stores, although the price might be a bit higher than that of regular sugar due to its artisanal, labor-intensive process. However, the slight price increase will be worth it, as you will certainly find plenty of uses for it in your kitchen and bar.
Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Glen Powell and Luke Combs Impress Fans with Epic Beer Chugging Skills at Concert
Luke Combs knows how to have a good time.
On Friday, July 19, the singer, known for his 2023 cover of “Fast Car,” invited Glen Powell and the “Twisters” stars onstage with him at MetLife Stadium to chug beer.
After the cast, including Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos, walked on stage, they were handed Miller Lite beer. On the count of three, they lifted their cans up for a group shotgun.
Once Powell and Combs were done, they threw the beer cans toward the country music star’s roaring audience.
Edgar-Jones seemed to struggle chugging the alcohol, so Powell offered an assist, downing the rest of her drink.
Powell shared a clip of the moment on his Instagram story and above it, added tornado and beer emoji.
Edgar-Jones added on her own story, “So this happened.”
Combs, the singer of “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” is known for his drink shotgunning skills. In May 2023, Ed Sheeran posted a video of Combs teaching the “Thinking Out Loud” singer how to shotgun, with step-by-step instructions on how to open the can and flip it up for the perfect chug.
Combs’ song “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” is featured on the soundtrack for “Twisters,” in addition to tunes from Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert and more.
In the song, Combs sings, “I can’t breathe and I catch my breath/ But I keep chasing that same old devil/ Down the same old dead-end highway.”
In “Twisters,” Powell plays a rodeo star-turned-tornado chaser, who thrives on danger. In the film, he teams up with Kate (Edgar-Jones) and Javi (Ramos) to survive a sinister storm season in Oklahoma.
A few days before the film was released on July 19, Powell stopped by TODAY to talk about the movie, and he said he couldn’t wait for fans to see the film.
“I really love this one. I mean, maybe it’s because I feel really comfortable in a cowboy hat,” he said with a laugh during the July 17 interview. “Growing up in Texas — all my friends want to see this one, so it’s great.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Discover the World’s Best Pinot Noir: Winners of the Decanter World Wine Awards
Domaine Histoire D’enfer, L’enfer Du Calcaire Pinot Noir 2019,
Six Pinot Noir wines won Platinum medals at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). The competition is the largest wine competition in the world and is considered among the most prestigious. Over 18,000 wines were entered in the recently completed 2024 judging. Below are tasting notes on the six winners and some background on their producers. All six medalists had identical scores of 97/100 points.
Domaine Histoire D’enfer, L’enfer Du Calcaire Pinot Noir 2019, 13.9% ABV, 750 ml
Domaine Histoire D’enfer is a boutique winery in Salquenen, Valais, Switzerland. Established with a focus on high-quality, small-batch production, the winery’s name, “Histoire D’enfer,” translates to “Hell’s History,” reflecting their region’s challenging but rewarding viticulture. The winery is dedicated to expressing the unique terroir of Valais through its wines.
The vineyards are characterized by limestone-rich soils, contributing to the wines’ minerality and elegance.
This Pinot Noir reveals a stunning ruby color with a bouquet that features aromas of ripe red cherries, cranberries, and subtle floral notes. The palate is nuanced and complex, with layers of red fruit, minerality, and a hint of spice. The texture is silky, with fine, well-ripened tannins and a balanced acidity that leads to a long, elegant finish. The limestone influence is evident, adding a distinct minerality and freshness to the wine.
The DWWA Judging panel described the wine as featuring:
Enchanting raspberry, strawberry, and freshly picked cherries charm and delight with a delicious infusion of sumptuous red licorice, clove, and star anise rippling alongside. Capacious and warming with a simmering gravelly undertone of mineral tannin. Superb!
Audeant Wines, Luminous Hills Pinot Noir 2021, 12.9% ABV, 750 ml
Audeant Wines, located in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, is a small family-owned winery dedicated to crafting premium Pinot Noir wines. The winery emphasizes sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention in the winemaking process to preserve the fruit’s purity and the vineyard’s distinct characteristics.
The vineyards are situated on a mix of volcanic and sedimentary soils at an elevation of approximately 700 feet above sea level.
Luminous Hills Pinot Noir is a vibrant and expressive wine with a deep garnet hue. The nose is filled with aromas of black cherries, raspberries, and a touch of earthiness. It offers a rich texture on the palate with flavors of dark fruit, cocoa, and a hint of spice. The wine is well-structured with fine tannins and a bright acidity, culminating in a long, nuanced finish.
The DWWA Judging Panel described the wine as exhibiting:
Ripe crushed cherries and perfumed red flowers leap out of the glass and cascade over the crunchy, youthful palate; with an immersive texture, silky smooth tannins and a squeaky-clean acidity. Impressively long and memorable.
Bay of Fires, Pinot Noir 2022, 13.6% ABV, 750 ml
Bay of Fires, Pinot Noir 2022, 13.6% ABV, 750 ml
Bay of Fires is a prominent winery in Tasmania, Australia, renowned for its cool-climate wines. The winery’s location provides ideal conditions for growing high-quality Pinot Noir, characterized by intense flavors and balanced acidity. The vineyards feature sandy loam and volcanic soils, which help to produce wines with great finesse and complexity.
This Pinot Noir from Bay of Fires is elegant and refined, showcasing a beautiful translucent ruby color. The nose reveals aromas of violets, blackberries, and a hint of spice. The palate is silky and smooth, with flavors of dark cherries, plums, and subtle oak undertones. The wine has a vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins that provide structure and length, leading to a graceful finish.
In describing the wine, the DWWA Judging Panel noted:
Prior to 2024, we’ve never had a Tasmanian Pinot in our Best In Show selection. This year we have two. Was it because 2022 was a sensational vintage? Not exactly – the east coast of the island suffered from a spectacularly cool, wet season; elsewhere on the island, though, conditions did indeed vary from good to outstanding.
The first wine in our pair is a pan-Tasmanian blend with source fruit from several regions. It is a translucent dark red in colour, with warm, settled aromas of plum, cherry, and raspberry just teased towards sweetness with subtle oak. It is warm, soft and mouth-filling, built on the same core of subtly mingled fruits with muted, natural acidity and fine tannins, the combination giving an almost silky charm to the wine. This considered, restrained winemaking lays the groundwork for a Pinot which is hugely easy to drink yet at the same time deeply satisfying and highly amenable – a Pinot to sip on its own, to chill with fish or to serve at a cool room temperature for white meats and salads.
Yarra Yering, Pinot Noir 2022, 13% ABV, 750 ml
Yarra Yering is one of the most iconic wineries in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1969, it has a long history of producing exceptional wines that reflect the region’s terroir.
The vineyards are planted on a mix of sandy clay loam and volcanic soils, which enhance the aromatic complexity and structure of the wines.
The Yarra Yering Pinot Noir is a wine of great elegance and complexity. It is a light ruby color. It features fragrant aromas of red berries, roses, and a hint of forest floor on the nose. The wine is finely textured on the palate with flavors of strawberries, cherries, and delicate spice. The tannins are soft and silky, complemented by a refreshing acidity that enhances the wine’s length and balance.
The DWWA Judging Panel described the wine as being:
Alive with bright red cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit with just a subtle hint of five spice oak. Solid and smooth with velvety tannins and a melting spine of acidity. Long and lingering with a vanilla plum finale.
Lowestoft, Single Vineyard Jacoben Pinot Noir 2022, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml
Lowestoft, Single Vineyard Jacoben Pinot Noir 2022, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml
Lowestoft is a premium wine producer in the Derwent Valley, Tasmania, Australia. The winery focuses on single-vineyard expressions that highlight the distinct characteristics of their unique terroirs. The vineyards are characterized by sandy loam over clay, which helps to produce wines with depth and complexity.
This Single Vineyard Jacoben Pinot Noir is a testament to the exceptional quality of Tasmanian Pinot Noir. It displays a brilliant ruby color with a bouquet of red cherries, wild strawberries, and subtle floral notes on the nose. The palate is rich and layered, offering dark fruit flavors, earthy undertones, and a touch of spice. The wine is well-structured with refined, well-integrated tannins and vibrant acidity, leading to a long, elegant finish.
In describing the wine, the DWWA Judging Panel observed:
The second of this year’s outstanding 2022 Tasmanian Pinot Noirs comes from the Derwent Valley, just north of Hobart and in the rain shadow of Mount Wellington. The region can be drought-susceptible in warm summers, but in the wetter season of 2022 its site stood it in good stead.
This is a darker wine than its pan-Tasmanian peer, but beautifully crafted: singing red fruits without any shadowing from oak and with the intrinsic grace and charm of the Derwent Valley’s fruit well to the fore. On the palate, it is pure, bright, and mouth-filling, packed with juicy raspberry; both tannins and acids are soft and sustaining. They nourish and ease the gorgeous fruit core through the palate to a gently subsiding finish. There’s just a touch of tarry complexity behind those fruits. Virtuoso work from a Pinot region of extraordinary promise.
McArthur Ridge, Southern Tor Pinot Noir 2022, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml
McArthur Ridge is in the Alexandra Basin, Central Otago, New Zealand. The winery is known for its high-altitude vineyards, which produce Pinot Noir with distinctive character and depth. The vineyards feature schist, gravel, and sandy loam soils, which contribute to the wines’ concentration and minerality.
Southern Tor Pinot Noir is a beautifully crafted wine with a deep ruby color. The nose is expressive, with aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, and a hint of spice. The palate is rich and concentrated, featuring layers of ripe fruit, earthy notes, and well-integrated oak. The tannins are firm yet velvety, and the wine’s bright acidity provides balance and length, resulting in a complex and satisfying finish.
In commenting on the wine, the DWWA Judging Panel noted:
We may not have found any Burgundian Pinot Noir wines to feature in this year’s Best In Show selection, but three Pinots from the Southern Hemisphere goes some way to compensate. This example from the Alexandra Basin sub-region shows why there is so much excitement about Central Otago.
It’s translucent dark red in color, with articulate aromas of warm red berries, red cherries, and root spice. It’s softly articulated on the palate and sweet-fruited, with great grace and poise. The wine’s structure comes more prominently from its acidity than from its relatively discreet tannin profile. In just two years, it has already begun to soften and open; look out for stones and an herbal complexity, as well as root spice, on the finish.
These six wines have been recognized for their exceptional quality, reflecting their respective producers’ unique terroirs and winemaking expertise. They are, without question, among the very best Pinot Noir wines in the world.
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The Top Sparkling Wines of 2024: Tried, Tested, and Recommended
Best sparkling wine, overall:
Best sparkling wine, runner-up:
Best budget sparkling wine:
Best splurge-worthy sparkling wine:
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Indulging in a tall glass of chilled sparkling wine can be a blissful experience. Refreshing, refined and crisp all at once, a good bubbly is bound to elevate any meal or celebration. That’s why, along with friends and family, a bottle of sparkling wine is always waiting to be uncorked during life’s big moments. At the very least, it can provide a few ounces of cool relief in the muggy summertime heat.
From rosé and cava to champagne and prosecco, the sparkling wine varieties on the market are vast. Deciphering and differentiating the varieties of sparkling wine can be an intimidating experience. To make matters worse, finding a good bottle at a fair price without help can make your head spin.
Our adventurous team at CNN Underscored is here to make wine shopping less isolating. That’s why we ventured to the West Village’s favorite restaurant and bar, The Noortwyck. Here, we met expert sommelier, Cedric Nicaise, who guided us through an in-depth tasting. Along the way, he gifted us many pearls of wisdom about wine and, in return, we found our new favorite picks.
To be clear, we all have different preferences when it comes to wine. Some of us are sparkling wine enthusiasts while others would rather sip on a canned cocktail. That’s why we had a trusty sommelier to chime in with his expertise.
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This exceptional, editor-favorite sparkling wine is grown and harvested in California’s renowned Napa Valley. Most of us thought this buttery, bubbly cuvée had the perfect balance of sweetness with a hint of fruitiness and freshly baked pastries. We all agreed on one thing; this elegant bottle was worth the price.
We were lucky enough to sample this vintage sparkling blanc de noirs from 2018 by Etude Wines, which was one of the pricier picks in our testing pool. We appreciated the fresh citrus notes from this delightful bubbly, which we all thought was comparable to a great champagne.
If you love rosé and a good price tag, this vibrant pick from Domain Ste Michelle will be your new favorite sparkling wine. We appreciated the ripe citrus notes and affordability of this wine, sourced from premium grapes in Washington state’s Columbia Valley.
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Although we concluded a good bottle of wine doesn’t have to break the bank, we couldn’t help but love this refreshing, almost creamy chardonnay-esque sparkling wine from the certified women-owned and Black-owned McBride Sisters Wine Company. According to its website, it’s best paired with oysters and shellfish, caviar with kettle chips, sushi, french fries, popcorn or berry desserts.
Although California’s Napa Valley is home to the Mumm Napa vineyard, it has a distinctly French influence. Mumm Napa follows in the footsteps of GH Mumm and its classic French heritage with its traditional wine-making techniques.
We agreed this wine was more delightful than we anticipated. Pale gold and bubbly upon first glance, this wine had a ripe and fruity scent we all found endearing. According to the Mumm Napa website, this wine has aromas of red apple, cherry, orange, and, surprisingly, bread. Senior travel and money editor Andrew Kunesh described this wine as having a “bakery-like smell.” Nicaise confirmed our suspicions, explaining that brioche or buttered toast notes are common in some sparkling wines. Bread flavors “bake” when sparkling wines undergo a second fermentation and yeast consumes sugar.
Associate editor Jillian Tracy found this wine the perfect balance of sweet and yeast-like bread notes, adding: “This one lends itself to be sipped and enjoyed.” Senior tech editor Mike Andronico thought this wine had a hint of apple flavors but found it “smooth and easy to drink.” Meanwhile, photographer Molly Flores described this cuvée as “nutty and oaty,” adding it “opens to sweeter maple on the nose.” Reviews editor Tobey Grumet Segal noted the tart notes from this wine that gave it more flavor and added it had mid-level carbonation, describing it as “almost effervescent.”
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Etude wines were founded on the philosophy that winemaking begins in the vineyard long before the harvest, according to Etude winemaker Jon Priest. Etude is also passionate about sustainable winemaking, and two-thirds of their Grand Benoist Ranch estate vineyards comprise wildlife corridors.
This wine was a close winner for one of our favorite wines, which we moved down the ranking for the higher price point. According to Etude’s website, this bubbly was made via the classically styled brut méthode traditionelle to make pinot noir and chardonnay. This wine has delicate notes of magnolia, Meyer lemon citrus, and orange peel, all with the toasty brioche and vanilla créme notes from the fermentation process. The palate also includes notes of white peach and Golden Delicious apples that would pair well with aperitifs or various cuisines.
Nicaise was impressed by the wealth of information on this label, which was certified sustainable. We all loved this crisp, fine sparkling wine that we felt was comparable to champagne. Flores ranked this wine as her favorite due to its crisp texture and fine carbonation. Tracy wrote this wine had much more minerality and felt tart, with mellow and balanced flavors. Andronico described this wine as fizzy but champagne-like and pleasant overall. Kunesh thought this wine was unobtrusive and added he was “a big fan of this one,” due to its fruitiness and strong apple notes.
It’s hard to resist an elegant rosé, even more so when it’s under $15. This brut rosé crafted by Domaine Ste. Michelle was made in Washington’s Columbia Valley. Home to a lesser-known and underappreciated wine region, the winery has finessed traditional French-style sparkling wines for nearly 40 years, now headed by female winemaker Paula Eakin.
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According to its website, this refreshing rosé has tasting notes of ripe strawberries, with hints of apple and citrus. It has a subtle spice and sweet finish that pairs well with sweet-and-tangy food combinations. Domaine Ste Michelle recommends sipping this rosé with spicy jalapeño and artichoke dips, mixed baby greens, coconut shrimp with sweet chili sauce and fried chicken and waffles.
Although most editors noted that this rosé was floral and on the more acidic side of the sparkling wine spectrum, we thought this citrus-packed option would be great to sip on in the summertime. Senior digital content strategist Hannah Lauson described this wine as “very sweet and floral” and added she loved the light taste and perfect amount of bubbles. Senior testing editor Rick Stella thought it had “a dry taste” but found it mellow and easy to drink. Testing writer Joe Bloss even compared this wine to lemonade, but added that he wasn’t a fan of the prominent bubbles and carbonation. Kunesh was not a fan and added that it reminded him of a simple syrup.
Sisters Robin McBride and Andréa McBride released this limited production of McBride Sisters Collection Reserve wines in 2021, after creating quality canned wines SHE CAN, Black Girl Magic Wines and others. This line embodies their extraordinary origin story, considering they were raised on opposite corners of the globe in the world’s most iconic wine and farming regions of Monterey, California and Aotearoa, New Zealand. As fate would have it, they reunited and realized their shared love of food and wine to create the McBride Sisters Wine Company with the mission to empower women and Black winemakers in the industry.
According to the McBride Sisters’ website, this sparkling wine packed with “fresh fruit intensity” was made using the méthode traditionelle to make a sparkling chardonnay from a single vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This means it was barrel fermented with a secondary fermentation and tirage aged 20 months in the bottle before disgorging. This neutral barrel fermentation creates a soft and creamy texture, which all our testers took note of. The additional aging also created a yeasty aroma, similar to the . The sisters recommend pairing this wine with oysters and shellfish, caviar with kettle chips, sushi, french fries, popcorn or berry desserts.
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One of the many lessons we learned from Nicaise was to be on the lookout for the amount of information on a wine label. Typically, the more information there is, the better. We were impressed with the McBride Sisters’ striking label, which listed the vintage — unlike most sparkling wines we tested.
We all found this tasteful champagne had buttery and creamy flavor notes thanks to the fermentation process. Bloss compared the aroma wafting from this sparkling wine to “freshly boiled pasta” and added that it tasted like it was worth the splurge. Tracy agreed with the pasta analogy due to the wine’s buttery texture and added that the smell made her salivate. She thought it would pair well with a sweeter dish since it “felt more acidic and tart.” Andronico felt this wine was “solid” due to its smooth, rich taste and fine carbonation.
Although wine tasting may seem like an easy experiment, many crucial factors are needed to ensure a thorough test. We researched and landed on 12 sparkling wines at various prices and variations. We brought them to The Noortwyck and chilled them before our tasting because nothing is worse than tepid wine. As advised by our sommelier, we used tall stem glasses to taste a healthy dose of each one. He also taught us to smell our glass and to really “breathe in” all of the flavors to understand the complexity and composition of each bubbly. As we tasted each wine, we made sure to take notes on each wine’s:
We were also mindful of the unseen elements making each wine unique, including:
If we could summarize this wine in one word, it would be “glamorous.” Like the wine itself, this California-derived sparkling brut comes in a golden, sparkly bottle that stands out from the shelf. According to its website, it features notes of green apple, luscious pear and other tropical aromas. One Hope recommends pairing this wine with tropical fruits, cheese kabobs, scallops, halibut and lemon tarts. Bloss summed it up best when he noted: “The fruit is winning here.”
Blanc de Blancs translates to “white of whites,” meaning the Mumm Napa winery only used white grapes to make this wine. Nicaise informed us this term typically indicates a wine is almost always a chardonnay. According to Mumm Napa’s website, this Blanc de Blancs has notes of lemony citrus and aromas of pear, pippin apple and toasted biscuits. We all found this sparkling wine to be extremely carbonated with strong notes of apples.
This unique bottle from Segura Viudas combines the freshness of cava with the elegance of rosé. According to its website, this “cava rosado” features intense fruitiness, lively color and is made from three black grape varieties: Trepat, Pinot Noir and Garnacha. Winemaker Manel Quintana even described it as having youthful fruit aromas of strawberry, redcurrant and grenadine. They recommend pairing this rosé with seafood or enjoying it as a standalone drink. Rosé isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but we all agreed this rosé had a delightful fruity aroma. Our testers found this rosado very fruit-forward and powerful, but we especially appreciated the $10 price tag.
We couldn’t stop at just one rosé. That’s why we picked up Santa Margherita’s brut sparkling rosé that can typically be found for around $25. According to its website, this wine has floral aromas and hints of red berry and a blend of white wine made from Chardonnay and Glera grapes, in addition to a red varietal, Italian malbec. This rosé is “predominantly white with just a kiss of red,” according to the Santa Margherita experts. Their winemakers recommend pairing this rosé with strong flavors, like paella, spicy dishes or savory appetizers. We found this rosé to be intense and piercing to all the senses. Tracy described this wine as “very sharp” and Stella found it to “taste better than it smells.”
Believe it or not, there’s such a thing as sparkling red wine. It’s not as common as rosé or cava, so we felt compelled to taste a classic sparkling red. According to the Rosa Regale website, this wine derives from the Piedmont region of Italy and has aromas of freshly crushed strawberries with just a hint of rose petals. Their experts recommend pairing this luscious red wine with chocolate desserts or simply sipping this on its own. We all found this decadent wine to be fruity, smooth and rich — to the point where some of us could only stomach a few sips. Kunesh felt it was bubbly but not intrusive, reminiscent of Welch’s grape juice. Grumet Segal concluded it was “way too sweet” while I enjoyed the sangria-like intensity. Tracy even wrote, “Texture and flavor-wise, this feels more like juice than wine.”
This rosé from Oregon-based A to Z Wineworks is a blend of pinot noir with white wine, all with notes of tropical fruits including passion fruit, orange, guava, starfruit, luscious pear, honeydew melon, and bruised strawberries. According to the A-Z Wineworks website, this wine also has notes of a tangerine creamsicle and rose petals. Their experts recommend pairing this aromatic rosé with barbequed foods, fruit salads, popcorn or mixed nuts. Nicaise found this to be a respectable rosé, although he was curious to know where the grapes were sourced from. Regardless, we thought this wine was a great, “everyday” rosé packed with flavors, and many testers said this smelled like bubblegum.
We were intrigued by this zero-sugar sparkling wine from Avaline, founded by celebrity Cameron Diaz and friend Katherine Power. According to Avaline’s website, it’s on a mission to craft wines from organically farmed grapes without unnecessary additives and elevate transparency in the wine industry. In addition to the low-calories and no-sugar content, it boasts vegan options in various varieties: red, white, rosé and more. This dry sparkling wine is made with four grape varieties: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, and Malvasía for a blend of floral and fruit notes. The winemakers at Avaline recommend pairing this wine with “the sound of laughter and moments to remember.” Nicasise was skeptical of this wine because, as he put it, there’s not much you can do to remove calories from wine. Some testers found this wine to be sour, with less carbonation and excessive foaminess.
This adventurous wine is made by firecracker winemaker Penelope Gadd-Coster, an avid motorcyclist, fly-fisherman, and 90-point sparkling winemaker. This California sparkling wine is made from chardonnay grapes and contains a 12.5% alcohol content. Some found this wine to be on the acidic side, with an almost metallic finish. Others thought it was very fruit-forward with a strong apple aroma but others felt this wine had a similar texture to a beer. Stella noticed this pick was sweet and dry with an “interesting bubbly quality.” Nevertheless, Nicaise was certain this blanc de blanc was the best value pick at just $23 for a bottle.
What is sparkling wine and how is it different from non-sparkling wine?
‘Here’s the most simple and obvious answer,” said Nicaise. “Sparkling wine has bubbles in it and non-sparkling wine doesn’t,” he put bluntly. “Today, in more technical terms, sparkling wine is a decision a winemaker makes,” he added. “It could possibly be a wine of terroir, whereas still wines (non-sparkling) are wines of terroir.” A wine of terroir is a wine that expresses the unique qualities of the region (the “terroir”) where it was grown. It’s comparable to the way a vegetable can taste like the environment it was grown in.
“There are many types of wines,” expanded Ana Fabiano, founder of RiojaTrade and Brand Ambassador for the DOCa Rioja. “There’s table wine, fortified wine and sparkling wine. The latter has carbonation from carbon dioxide,” she said, echoing Nicaise’s point. “This happens naturally (traditional method) in the same bottle or by Charmat, also known as the tank method. Champagne and Cava are made by the traditional method,” she said. “Sparkling wine starts with a still (non-sparkling) wine and then undergoes a secondary fermentation,” clarified dynamic duo Jeff Jenssen and Mike DeSimone, a.k.a @worldwineguys.
What are the different kinds of sparkling wine?
“There are three basic ways of making sparkling wine,” explained Nicaise. “First is the method ancestral, also known as the ancient way. In modern times, producing sparkling wine is a decision a winemaker makes, but as is implied by the name, in ancient times it was sort of an accident.
“Wine that was not fully done fermenting was bottled, and when that wine would start fermenting again, the bubbles would be trapped in the bottle, and therefore make the wine sparkling. Many know this today as Pet-Nat,” he added. “Second, is what is called the Charmat method, which is often used to decrease costs and make large amounts of sparkling wine. To achieve this, fully fermented wine is placed in large stainless steel tanks that are pressurized and a solution of yeast and sugar is added to the tank, that solution then ferments creating CO2; that CO2 is trapped in the tank and makes the wine sparkling, then the wine is bottled.”
“The third and last method is called the champagne method,” said Nicaise. “Here the second fermentation described above takes place in individual bottles, instead of in a large tank.”
What are the most popular kinds of sparkling wine?
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“I believe there are four main categories of sparkling wine,” said Nicaise. “Prosecco, Cava, Champagne method sparkling wines (Cremant in France, some higher end Cavas, some New World Sparkling wines), and Champagne.”
Do you have a favorite brand or variety of sparkling wine?
“I like Champagne,” the Noortwyck sommelier and co-founder shared. “If I had to pick a favorite non-champagne I would pick Bruno Dangin from Burgundy as my favorite,” he added.
“I love premium Champagne, especially Dom Perignon P2, Alfred Gratien, and Boizel,” shared the World Wine Guys. “I live in Spain for part of the year so I am a big fan of Cava. Segura Viudas Heredad Reserva Brut is one of my favorites and the beautiful bottle makes it a great gift to bring to a dinner party.”
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Fabiano agreed and added she loved Cavas. “I have worked with and enjoyed many Cavas so they are my favorite,” shared Fabiano. “I also love Billecart Champagne.”
“It’s impossible to choose just one,” said Dana Beninati, food & wine educator and host of Dine with Dana.” I can highlight some of my favorites from the countries known for awesome sparkling production. Segura Viudas Cava from Spain, specifically the Brut Rosé and the Icon Brut Vintage. Mionetto Prosecco from Italy, specifically the Prestige Brut and Berlucchi Franciacorta, specifically the Black Arrow Brut25. Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs from the U.S. and Champagne Drappier Carte d’Or Brut from France.”
What popular cocktails feature sparkling wine?
“There are many, including the French 75, Aperol Spritz, ‘champagne cocktail’ Kir Royal, and then, of course, the Bellini and Mimosa,” shared Nicaise.
“Nothing says happy hour like a Limoncello or Amaro Spritz, which perfectly pair Prosecco with lemon or herbal liqueurs,” said Beninati. “Of course, the internet sensation of a negroni sbagliato went viral for good reason. I also love how a French 75 plays the fruity flavors of sparkling wine against the bite of gin. My absolute favorite cocktail, when ripe summer fruit is in season, is a sparkling sangria, studded Cava with cherries and stone fruits.”
How should you best enjoy sparkling wine?
“Sparkling wine is often identified as a celebratory wine which is positive and wonderful!” shared Fabiano. “However, they can also be enjoyed for solo sipping or with a meal. They do not have to be relegated to a special occasion and are especially refreshing in warm weather with the bubbles’ bright acidity and flavor profile. They can be enjoyed in a flute, tulip-shaped glass or what is currently trending a traditional still wine glass. Chilling in an ice bucket should include both ice and water. A favorite for me this season is the Cava Vilarnau Reserva Rose.”
The World Wine Guys agreed, adding: “With meals or as an aperitif but always with people you love!”
Exploring Brewery Rowe: Utah’s Booming Beer-Brewing Scene
A recent trip to Capitol Reef National Park, a red-rock wonderland 215 miles south of Salt Lake City, amply demonstrated that much of Utah is bone dry. Still, brewers bristle when ignorant outsiders refer to Utah as a “dry” state.
“We are definitely underestimated,” said Jacquie King, head brewer at Ogden Brewing. “The Utah craft beer scene is alive and thriving.”
Nonetheless, King and her colleagues operate under some of the nation’s most restrictive alcohol laws.
In theory, the state’s 40-plus breweries can produce whatever they want, but boozier beers — anything boasting alcohol by volume in excess of 5 percent — are only found in bottles and cans. On tap, nothing can exceed that limit.
(Czech Your Head, the 6 percent pilsner reviewed here, was a canned beer which I ordered at a restaurant; it was served in a glass.)
Utah’s alcohol laws are as twisty as Capitol Reef’s Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long geological formation visible from space. One example: wine, spirits, and higher-octane beers are sold in state-run stores, and are banned from supermarkets.
“It’s kind of a thorn in everybody’s side,” King said.
Yet these limits have encouraged a fair amount of cheeky humor — witness Wasatch Brewery’s Polygamy Porter with its tag line “Why just have one?” — and award-winning experimentation.
At this year’s World Beer Cup, an annual competition sometimes dubbed “the Olympics of beer,” Templin Family Brewing of Salt Lake City captured two gold medals, one for Guava Coconut, a field beer, and another for Squirrel, its entry in the “juicy or hazy strong pale ale” category.
Another Utah stalwart, St. George-based Silver Reef Brewing, took a World Beer Cup gold with its smoke beer, Mas Fuego, and a bronze with Smokin’ Barrel, in the “wood- and barrel-aged beer” category.
Moreover, Utah breweries may reap some benefit from the current trend toward lower-alcohol beverages. “Five percent and under,” King said, “is really a sweet spot.”
Sunday: Beer Fest, the Del Mar racetrack’s annual blend of ales and tails, is set for 1 to 5 p.m. in the track’s Seaside Cabana. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. dmtc.com/calendar/detail/beer
Aug. 2-4: I mentioned this in my last column, but it’s worth repeating: My Yard Live will host a three-day fest for its fifth anniversary. Expect food, beer, corn hole and live music — dueling pianos, Aug. 2; Band Over Board’s yacht rock, Aug. 3; and Cash’d Out, the Johnny Cash tribute band, Aug. 4. My Yard Live, 288 Rancheros Drive, San Marcos. Reservations, free but required: myyardlive.com/reservations.
Aug. 10: HessFest XIV, celebrating Mike Hess Brewing’s 14th anniversary, will feature live music — I’m especially pumped to hear The Walrus, a Beatles tribute band from New Orleans — food, beer — I’m especially pumped to try MHB’s cold IPA, Chill Factor — craft root beer, hop water and free bottled water. All proceeds will benefit Oncology and Kids (OAK), a San Diego nonprofit that serves children with cancer. Imperial Beach Pier Plaza, 940 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach. Tickets, $30-$80, can be purchased at mikehessbrewing.com.
Given the overwhelming number of choices, where do you direct out-of-towners eager to explore San Diego’s craft beer scene?
Gary Stoller, Forbes magazine’s beer correspondent, recently asked me that question with one key caveat: look beyond breweries that already enjoy a national following (Stone, say, or Ballast Point). My answers can be found online: rb.gy/bihes2.
Your choices may differ — heck, mine might differ by the time this appears in print. But if you want to engage in this great San Diego beer debate, send your picks to peterrowesd@gmail.com.
Beer: Look Up!
From: Level Crossing Brewing, Salt Lake City
ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 5 percent
Style: Amber Ale
Drink or dump: Drink. Not too light and not too dark, this Goldilocks of an ale showcases sweet caramel malts. Also just right: the piney and herbal hop character which lift the beer off the palate in the finish.
EVO
From: Wasatch Brewery, Salt Lake City
ABV: 5 percent
Style: Amber Ale
Drink or dump: Drink. Exceptionally quaffable brew, its toasted malts supplying notes of toffee and roasted walnuts. Willamette and Super Galina hops add a refreshingly bitter snap.
Czech Your HeadFrom: Proper Brewing, Salt Lake CityABV: 6 percentStyle: PilsnerDrink or dump: Dump. Proper’s website insists this beer leans into a bracing hop bitterness, but I found it surprisingly – and disappointingly – sweet.