Category Archives: Cocktails

I can’t believe that the year is ending.  I started 2014 very concerned about Sergio’s father who was gravely ill.  Sergio had to rush back to Brazil and ended up spending nearly a month there.  Now we are ending the year in Brazil – Sao Paulo to be precise and while a lot has changed, much remains the same.

Sergio and I had a great year and despite his father’s failing health most everyone else in our lives has been healthy and happy.  We were able to spend time with family, make new friends and deepen friendships with others.  I would like to wish you health and happiness in 2015. For those who have yet to find what they are looking for – I wish you patience and luck in attaining it.  Happy New Year.

Earlier this month I was sent a bottle of Prosecco DOC Treviso Spumante, an Italian sparkling wine that comes from the northeast of Italy.  The prosecco  has a pale golden hue that has a surprising number of tiny bubbles.  Prosecco can sometimes be too sweet for my liking, but this wine was surprisingly light and had a quick finish that I really enjoyed.

Although we shared the bottle with friends without food (naked you could say), I think it would hold up nicely with a cheese and fruit plate. This wine retails for $15-$20, making it a great bottle to buy in bulk for holiday parties you might host.

Party Tip: white and sparkling wines don’t stain if a guest spills.  And let’s be honest we all have that friend who spills wines after one too many drinks.

Last month I paid a visit to one of the South End’s better wine shops, The Urban Grape.  One of their recommended wines was the Sonoma County 2012 Banshee Pinot Noir.  While I don’t often purchase Pinot Noir to drink at home, I was still thinking about the delicious 2012 Anthill Farms from Comptche Ridge Vineyard I had at Bar Boulud Boston the week prior.

The Banshee retails for less than half the cost of the Anthill Farms Pinot Noir, making it more accessible and affordable.  While I preferred Anthill Farms, for the money it is hard to argue the value of the 2012 Banshee Pinot Noir. The wine has a sweet scent with a hint of dark cherries when you initially pour it and a relatively soft finish. This is an easy wine to drink socially with or without food.

Texas Rose at Union Bar & Grille

Earlier this spring I wrote about a gin cocktail at Union Bar and Grille that I really enjoyed called the Caprice Cocktail.  They have a summer cocktail that I recently tried that is so light and refreshing you’d think you were sitting pool or beach side while sipping it.

The vodka and combier rose cocktail is garnished with a lemon wedge and a sprig of thyme in a mason jar. It is surprisingly light and refreshing.  With each sip you can smell the citrus and thyme which probably lends to the illusion that you are outside. You may want to try this and serve it at your next party – it is that addicting.

Haven’t been to Union in a while? Stop by their bar and try the Texas rose.

Writing a blog can have some real perks.  Last Tuesday I joined approximately twenty food and wine bloggers for a dinner at Row 34 to try Martin Codax Albarino’s 2012 vintage.

Seated next to me was my favorite food and wine blogger, Tracey (40-Something Life Blog). For those unfamiliar, Martin Codax Albarino, is a great Spanish table wine that ranges in price between $15-$20 at most retailers (or online here).

The wine is very versatile and can (and should) be enjoyed on its own but is perhaps best with shellfish and lighter seafood options like the menu prepared by Row 34 for our dinner.  Although write ups from Martin Codax suggest fruity overtones such as apple, peach, pear and lemon zest, I don’t pick that up. Rather, I would describe this Spanish wine as light and crisp with a minerality and dry finish that I like in white wine.

Next time you head out to your local wine shop ask for a bottle, give it a try and let me know what you think.

Cheers

Beat the heat with a craft beer at BoMA. If I wasn’t in NYC I’d be there.