Monthly Archives: April 2010

The Idiocy of Green Wine

Posted on April 29, 2010 by james

This is the official ‘hate me’ post: Why organic/biodynamic/green wine is beyond dumb. Understand I have a great deal of sympathy with organic wineries. In general I find organically produced wines are much less likely to provoke allergies, and are … Continue reading →

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Gin & It

Posted on April 27, 2010 by james

This was a popular European cocktail at the dawn of the jet-set era. Like most cocktails, it was gin based. (Smirnoff had yet to hit their stride, substituting for all white liquors.) Vermouth (wine and wormwood and other spices and … Continue reading →

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Chinato, the Ur-Campari

Posted on April 22, 2010 by james

If you ever drink vermouth, either on the rocks or in a cocktail, you’ve probably come across Campari. Unlike all the other vermouths, it is extremely bitter. You either like it or you don’t. The classic cocktail with it, is … Continue reading →

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The Perfect Cocktail

Posted on April 18, 2010 by james

If you really want to make a cocktail (‘martini’ in the current parlance) that stands out, you’ve got to get away from gimmicky liquor (goldschlager anyone?) and alco-milkshakes. These appeal to the adolescent drinker with their undeveloped craving for sweets … Continue reading →

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Uber Aubergine!

Posted on April 9, 2010 by james

And what a ripasso! I don’t know if Masi is getting better; perhaps 2006 was an exceptional vintage; or maybe it was just the right meal and the right wine… Continue reading →

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