In my Utah Bites review this week of Avenues Bistro on Third, I mentioned a particularly good food and wine match that my wife and I enjoyed there. It was an order of gougères - French-style puff pastries made with Gruyere - and a bright, crisp sparkling wine from the restaurant’s wine list: Adami Dei Casel Extra Dry Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore ($20.99). This … [Read more...]
OTC Townie Rosé 2017
Old Town Cellars, known as “the official wine of après,” is a winery located at the bottom of Main Street in Park City. The mission at Old Town Cellars (OTC) is to create approachable wines and to serve and sell them in a laid-back and inviting atmosphere. No wine snobbery allowed. Says OTC co-founder Stephen MacKay, “Starting a winery has been stressful enough. Let’s not make … [Read more...]
Festa Italiana SLC 2018
This week, I’m not focusing so much on one sip of the week, but many of them. This weekend is Festa Italiana SLC 2018 at The Gateway in SLC on Saturday and Sunday. And, the festive event will feature sips of a number of Italian beverages for you to sample and enjoy. Among the wines being served, sponsored by Vine Lore, are Il Faggio Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, Di Majo … [Read more...]
Kiitos Northeast Pale Ale
Have you visited Kiitos Brewing yet? If not, be sure to put it on your must-do list. This new brewery has a great vibe, friendly and informed staff, and a tremendous selection of top-notch craft brews, offered both in cans and on tap. Casey, one of the terrific bartenders at Kiitos, was especially nice and helpful in describing the brewing methods and the beers we … [Read more...]
Château Moulin de Canhaut Cru Bourgeois
I love the opportunities I get to sample prestigious French Grand Cru Bordeaux wines like Latour, Haut-Brion, Margaux and the like. However, those darling wines are way beyond my Bordeaux budget. So, when I’m in the mood for Bordeaux - which is often - I frequently turn to the value-priced Cru Bourgeois wines from Bordeaux. These wines typically sell for less than $40, … [Read more...]
Wasatch Blueberry Hefeweizen
There’s a local brew that I’m really enjoying this summer. It’s not one of those fancy high point beers, the grooviest new IPA, a sour beer sensation, or even the newest kid on the block. But it’s a dependable, refreshing beer that just seems to hit the right spot: Wasatch Blueberry Hefeweizen. Wasatch Brewery is part of the Utah Brewers Cooperative, which also … [Read more...]
Sip o’ the Week: Soter North Valley Vineyards Rosé
While dining at Solitude Mountain Resort’s Honeycomb Grill, I thoroughly enjoyed an excellent Rosé wine from Soter Vineyards, which is located in the Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley. Soter North Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé is a great pink wine (actually, more like salmon-colored) to drink anytime, but especially in warm weather. The wine is made by Tony Soter … [Read more...]
Solitude Mountain Aviation Cocktail
During a recent visit to Solitude Mountain and dinner at the resort’s Honeycomb Grill (read about it here next week!), I enjoyed a delicious drink on the patio from the restaurant’s signature cocktail menu. Among the signature cocktails at Honeycomb Grill are a Strawberry Rosé Margarita, an Aperol Spritz, and a Café & Tonic made with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, simple … [Read more...]
Pago Winemaker Dinner
This coming Tuesday, August 7th at 7 PM, Pago restaurant founder/owner Scott Evans will host a very special “Pre-Harvest Wine Dinner” featuring Ruth Lewandowski Wines and Idlewild Wines. Evan Lewandowski, former beverage manager/sommelier at Pago, will be on hand to share his passion for winemaking, along with his award-winning Ruth Lewandowski wines, which have garnered … [Read more...]
Left Bank Martini Recipe
One of my all-time favorite cocktails is the Left Bank Martini, which is made with Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and white wine. It’s a delicious drink to sip out on the patio in summertime, or for that matter, anywhere, anytime! Here is how you make it. Ingredients: 1 ½ shots Gin 1 shot St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur 1 shot unoaked white wine, preferably … [Read more...]