Reviews of wines and spirits for the curious drinker.
Château Haut-Batailley is a Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru Classé) from Pauillac, one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious appellations. It is a classic Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon–dominated wine, known for its combination of blackcurrant fruit, cedar, graphite, firm but polished tannins, and considerable aging potential.
Wisconsin native Thomas J. (Tim) Lawrie had a 26-year career in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam as a combat officer, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He served as an Army Infantry Airborne soldier before finally retiring with the rank of Colonel. After which, he was almost universally referred to as, “The Colonel,” a somewhat surprising affectation for a Northerner, I think. As with most military personnel, he had assignments throughout the country, including California, where he acquired an interest in wine and wine production. Continue reading “Simon Creek Viognier”
Cascina Baricchi is a small family estate based in Neviglie, just outside the Barbaresco appellation, although its Barbaresco vineyards are within the denomination, principally at Neive and Treiso. Giovanni Simonetta purchased the property in 1979; his son Natale took over and developed the estate, with the first commercial release under Natale coming in 1996. Early in his career he spent several years working with the legendary Bruno Giacosa, which helps explain the traditional orientation of the wines.
As you enter Sonoma county from the south on California 121, one of the first wineries you encounter is Cline Cellars, and there could hardly be a better introduction to the Carneros AVA.
Pierre Moncuit is a relatively small, family-run grower in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, one of the great Chardonnay villages of Champagne’s Côte des Blancs.
Austin Hope Graciano 2024
Chuck Hope and his wife Marlyn came to Paso Robles in California’s Central Coast in 1978 to farm, and eventually to start what would become Hope Family Wines. This early arrival put them on the forefront of the Central Coast becoming a world-class viticultural region. Initially, the Hopes planted apples and grapes in this then sparsely-populated area. Seeing the property’s potential for grape growing, Hope eventually replanted the apple orchards with grapes.
Eric and Amy Gale are the owners and sole full-time employees of Anchored Roots in Door County, Wisconsin, founded in 2020.
The couple make an ideal front-of-house/back-of-house duo. Amy grew up in Milwaukee, with hospitality at the forefront of her career path. Her initial focus was event planning, from non-profit fundraisers and catering, to corporate events and weddings. This was followed by experience in tasting room management at Airfield Estates in Prosser, Washington.
Eric and Amy Gale are the owners and sole full-time employees of Anchored Roots, in Door County, founded in 2020.
The couple make an ideal front-of-house/back-of-house duo. Amy grew up in Milwaukee, with hospitality at the forefront of her career path. Her initial focus was event planning, from non-profit fundraisers and catering, to corporate events and weddings. This was followed by experience in tasting room management at Airfield Estates in Prosser, Washington.
Meukow is an interesting Cognac house because it combines a very old name with relatively modern family ownership, and its style tends toward the richer, rounder, fruitier side of Cognac.
Gran Gala belongs to the same general family as Grand Marnier: rather than putting orange flavor into a neutral alcohol base, such as Cointreau, it combines orange with aged brandy. Sazerac describes it as VSOP Italian brandy infused with fresh-orange flavors, producing a full-bodied, sweet, velvety orange liqueur. It’s a substantial 40% ABV, unusually high for an inexpensive liqueur.
Ham and Cheese Soufflé
Few dishes are as elegant, or as easy, as a soufflé. They can be savory or sweet, and are equally good for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner. I adapted this ham and cheese soufflé recipe from one in The New York Times Cookbook by Craig Claiborne. It was the first cookbook I ever got, and is still one of the best.
Lautenbach’s Market, Winery & Cider Co. is one of the older surviving wineries in Door County, Wisconsin, but it really makes more sense when you think of it as a working Door County fruit farm that evolved into a winery, rather than a conventional winery that later planted an orchard.
Eric and Amy Gale are the owners and sole full-time employees of Anchored Roots, in Door County, founded in 2020.
The couple make an ideal front-of-house/back-of-house duo. Amy grew up in Milwaukee, with hospitality at the forefront of her career path. Her initial focus was event planning, from non-profit fundraisers and catering, to corporate events and weddings. This was followed by experience in tasting room management at Airfield Estates in Prosser, Washington.
Helioterra Wines Door County is the project of Anne Ebenreiter Hubatch, a Wisconsin native who grew up in Sheboygan, studied geology and environmental studies at UW–Madison, and then moved west. She spent roughly a decade learning winemaking with some significant Oregon names, including Eric Hamacher, David Adelsheim, Dave Paige, Joe Dobbes and Alfredo Apolloni, before releasing the first Helioterra vintage in 2009.
Torres Brandy is the spirits arm of Familia Torres, the large, still-family-controlled Catalan wine company founded in 1870. The spirits division is now formally presented as Juan Torres Master Distillers, and brandy production dates to 1928.