Monthly Archives: February 2013

So, You Want to Start a Wine Cellar?

19 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by in Wine

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Are you overcome with a love for wine and ready to start collecting? To ensure that your wine is ready to drink when you are, consider these wine storage tips:

wine_rackFirst, plan your storage spot. Your wine will show its best if you store it in a cool, dark, vibration-free room or closet, basement or cool corner, where temperatures stay relatively constant. Keep it away from windows, bright light and fluctuating kitchen temperatures. Optimal storage temperatures are anywhere between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit—55 to 60 degrees is ideal! Some humidity is also beneficial. Store wine on its side or upside down to keep the cork moist. And for wines you plan to hold more than a couple months, a wine fridge is an excellent and affordable option.

Drink_it_upPlan to drink it. Most wines on the market today are not designed for extended storage; they are ready to drink and will only last up to one or two years. Remember that wines in clear glass containers degrade more quickly than those in dark-colored bottles, and wines from the Southern Hemisphere are six months older than their northern counterparts because of seasonal differences. So stock up on your favorites, but don’t be afraid to enjoy them!

Age premium-quality wines. While many wines are not made for aging, some are glorious after a decade or more. These include pricier selections that deliver greater concentration and complexity. High levels of acidity, sugar and/or phenolics (tannins and flavor compounds found in red grape skins) all help a wine age well. Some age-worthy wines include Grand Cru and Premier Cru Bordeaux, Sauternes, premium-quality late-harvest Riesling and Chenin Blanc, Barolo, vintage Port and many high-end Cabernet Sauvignons from New World regions such as Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Since proper storage for these special wines is essential, investing in a wine fridge or even professional storage is in order. Always keep notes on when you want to drink these wines, or label the bottles so you don’t forget to enjoy them before they pass their prime.

wine_cooler_smallFinally, experiment with new wines and varieties. While it’s great to regularly enjoy some personal favorites, always keep a variety of wines on hand to sample and enjoy with friends. Periodically, add something new to your cellar. Check out the extensive Total Wine & More selection!

Celebrate National Margarita Day 2/22

18 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Spirits, Tequila

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margarita_salt“Margarita: it’s more than a girl’s name.” According to The Complete Book of Spirits, a man named Vern Under advertised Jose Cuervo with that catch phrase in 1945. Why is that significant? Well, there are at least three or four established stories that claim the invention of the margarita, and the date of that quote questions one of the most popular.

In 1948, Margarita Sames was experimenting with tequila during a vacation in Acapulco. It’s probably safe to say she didn’t have Google or Twitter to know about the Jose Cuervo ad. She was just having fun when she stumbled into a recipe that everyone in her group enjoyed. Being a popular person with many connections, she was able to spread the word about this new cocktail quickly, even without Facebook. Now Margarita being her name and the name of the cocktail is highly coincidental, I know, but I guess it is possible she could have independently invented the drink. She is at least responsible for helping to spread its fame.margarita_limes

Another contending inventor, Bartender Danny Herrera, in 1938, was said to create a cocktail for actress Marjorie King at his Tijuana bar. The drink was to be a tequila drink as Marjorie was supposedly allergic to all other alcohol. And he concocted the first margarita, named after Marjorie’s translated name.

Those two stories sound the most believable, though there are others. The popularity of the drink has exploded in the past 60 years, making the margarita the #1 cocktail in the US today. Certainly Jimmy Buffett’s 1977 classic song Margaritaville has had an impact on reaching that designation. The song is as popular today as it was three decades ago. And Jimmy continues to live his motto: “If life gives you limes, make margaritas.”

The Classic Margarita is made with 2 ounces blanco (or resposado) tequila, 1 ounce triple sec (or Cointreau) and 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice. There are also bartenders that prefer a 3:2:1 ratio (amongst others) of the three ingredients. Mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Serve in a cocktail glass with its rim moistened with a lime wedge and dipped in salt. Using quality tequila, Cointreau, and freshly squeezing your lime juice will offer the best cocktail.

There are many variationsmargarita_salt2 of the margarita, too many to count. We found a few nice alternative recipes here, with Giuseppe Gonzalez’s “Joey’s Margarita” the one we’re going to check out next. The addition of an egg white and the herbal French liqueur Chartreuse are said to make this a sophisticated “Grown-up’s Margarita.”

How about you? How will you be celebrating National Margarita Day on February 22nd? Classic, a variation, something really exotic? Share your favorite recipe and be sure to let everyone know what makes it special!

Classic New Orleans Cocktails

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Spirits

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Sazerac_cocktail

Sazerac cocktail

Mardi Gras is tomorrow! To get you in the spirit, let’s explore a few classic New Orleans cocktails!

The Sazerac

The Sazerac was America’s first cocktail, created in New Orleans by Antoine Peychaud a few hundred years ago. The name of the cocktail comes from the brandy used in the original recipe. In 1870, however, Leon Lamothe replaced that brandy with rye whiskey and added a few dashes of absinthe to create the cocktail still served today. Absinthe, rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, lemon twist, sugar, water (and club soda if you want.)

Hurricane

Hurricane

The Hurricane

Rum-based cocktails were created at Pat O’Brien’s Bar in the mid 1940’s when other liquors were in short supply. Through trial and error, a fruity drink called The Hurricane was created by mixing rum with passion fruit syrup and fresh lime juice. The Hurricane is served with an orange slice and cherry garnishes in a glass shaped like a hurricane lamp, the origin of its name.

Ramos Gin Fizz

In 1888, Henry Ramos created The New Orleans Fizz which was later named in his honor. The drink was so popular that the Roosevelt Hotel bought the rights to the drink. Ramos Gin Fizz (also simply known as the Ramos Fizz) incorporates gin (some recipes call for Old Tom or Tanqueray gins specifically), heavy cream, an egg white, lemon and lime juice, sugar and orange flower water. The drink is often served with breakfast or brunch and offers a nice refreshment to complement the hot New Orleans weather.

Brandy Milk Punch

Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans’ French Quarter is often credited with creating Brandy Milk Punch, a rich drink often served the morning after a night of over-indulgence. In addition to Brandy, whole milk, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and grated nutmeg are combined to create this adult milk drink known throughout the city. Brandy Milk Punch has many variations, including those which substitute bourbon or spiced rum for the brandy.

Pimms_cup

Classic Pimm’s Cup

Southern Comfort Champagne Cocktail

Southern Comfort is the famous spiced whiskey created in New Orleans in 1874. It has been used extensively and creatively in dozens of cocktails. One such recipe is the Southern Comfort Champagne Cocktail, where Southern Comfort and champagne are mixed with Angostura bitters and the drink is garnished with a lemon peel twist.

There are many other original New Orleans cocktails, like Antoine’s Café Brûlot Diabolique and The Absinthe House Frappe. In addition, some drinks were invented elsewhere but given a New Orleans’ twist, like Pimm’s Cup, made popular at Napoleon House. Be sure to comment on your favorite New Orleans cocktails and even share an interesting recipe or two.