Spring is the time for awakening, and to refresh and restart! So for this issue Eve will tackle your questions about wine and spirits that may be new to you:
What is the hot trending wine right now?
White and red Rhône varietals as well as Bordeaux blends seem to be capturing wine drinkers’ attention anew.
Look for single varietal or blends of white Rhônes such as Viognier, Roussane and Marsanne if you are tired of too-oaky Chardonnays or Sauvignon Blancs that make your taste buds stand up due to the high prickly acids. Common red Rhônes include “GSM” blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, as well as Petite Sirah, Carignan, Cinsault and others. Check out Paso Robles wineries, or the Rhône Rangers website, for a taste of these.
In a Bordeaux blend look for a Cabernet Sauvignon that has Merlot to soften the edges or Malbec to darken the color. (The other “five noble” grapes of Bordeaux also include Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.) You can find these styles practically anywhere, most commonly from the Napa Valley. Check out the Cab Collective website, out of Paso Robles, for more.
Your palate may enjoy trying these blends, and keep in mind that the winemaker is free to do whatever he likes in a blend as opposed to a single varietal.
Why are craft cocktails popular?
A craft cocktail takes a wee bit more time to build, incorporates more “flair” bartending skills – though not as much as Tom Cruise in the film “Cocktail” – and uses unique fresh ingredients. A simple Wine Spritzer that only required an inexpensive wine, ice and soda, becomes a craft cocktail when fresh fruit, interesting ice cubes and a special glass is used. (Learn more by reading the answer to the next question.)
Can I take an old favorite cocktail and refresh the recipe?
Purchase some of the same bar tools and fruits to make your cocktails at home that you’ve seen used to make a Craft Cocktail. Some people like the copper mugs used for the Moscow Mule, a single large ice sphere or cube for Scotch or Bourbon, or the dark Luxardo cherries instead of a bright red and cloyingly sweet Maraschino in a Rob Roy. You can make your old favorite new again with new tools and ingredients.
Are boxed wines fresher than bottles?
In a word, yes! An unfinished bottle of wine, with an airtight seal, can be kept for a day or so in your refrigerator. But a boxed wine, which is lined with a bag that slowly deflates without introducing air at all, will remain fresh for a month or so. The little spigot makes it easy to dispense just the amount you want. However, a word to parents: I haven’t kept one in my home for years, nor do I keep spirits in my freezer or leave my liquor cabinet unlocked.
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored Wine Etiquette for Everyone and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com