Irish Whiskey has experienced somewhat of a renaissance in recent years and while it is undeniably linked to St Patrick's Day celebrations across America, the reality is that Irish whiskey distillers are working hard to innovate and change the perception of their craft as simply a seasonal libation. We are particularly impressed with the aging process delivered by Glendalough Double Barrel since it takes a classic Irish whiskey but then let's it age in American oak Bourbon barrels and finish in Spanish oak Oloroso Sherry barrels for that ultimate sense of refinement that defines this unique expression of Ireland's treasured spirit.
- Written by: James Hills
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Like a seasoned explorer charting new territories, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery is expanding its horizons to include wines from Sonoma County. Known for its exceptional Paso Robles wines, the winery is about to release a Sonoma County Chardonnay and a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This move marks a key milestone in their 40-year history, showcasing their commitment to innovation and diversity in the world of wine. I'm curious to see how these new regional expressions will influence the wine adventure we're on with JUSTIN. So, are you ready to embark on this journey with me?
- Written by: James Hills
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As a wine enthusiast keen to explore new expressions, I couldn't resist the intriguing fusion of carnival nostalgia that the concept of Cotton Candy Wine brings to the table. With my background and education in winemaking, I've had the delight of exploring unique vintages around the world and well ... this is certainly a unique blend. But a question begs, is it crafted from actual cotton candy or is it merely a clever marketing ploy?
Surprisingly, I found that (like everything in winemaking), the answer is considerably more complicated than I initially assumed. The simple answer is that many different products are using the same name and while "Cotton Candy Wine" can be made quite literally from cotton candy floss found at the carnival food stands to the Shiava grapes in Italy to the hybrid table grapes found at your local supermarket - the simple truth remains. If something tasty can be distilled or fermented, people will find a way to do it. In situations like this where it makes people happy ... they will do it again and again!
- Written by: James Hills
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For most Gen X men like myself, the notion of having a hearty delicious meal waiting for us when we got home after a long day of work is a romantic notion that faded away as more moms and wives took an active role in the workplace. Along with that trend though was a resugence in men taking on kitchen duties at home. Somewhere in the middle of this transition is an entire spectrum of services ranging from Freshley to Blue Apron to game changing platforms like SUVIE that for the first time is a product that I can see having as a part of my life beyond a particularly busy time when I don't have time to shop and source my own stuff.
- Written by: James Hills
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I'm not a big fan of the idea behind "dry January" ... the notion of creating a "time out" implies that overconsumption instead of moderation is ok and while for some this might be the opportunity to put them on the right path again, I'd prefer that people approach the concept of bing drinking in othere more practical ways. Regardless though, this is a great time of year to take a look at non-alcohol wines and how the industry is evolving in terms of packaging, production quality, and technology that allows them to be a palatable alternative to alcoholic wines for folks who, for whatever reason choose not to imbibe.
- Written by: James Hills
- Hits: 976
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