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 from … [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 syru … [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 muc … [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 S … [Read more...]
Zucca Wine Pairing Dinner
Next Thursday, July 26th, Ogden’s Zucca Ristorante will host their monthly wine pairing dinner, from 6 PM to 9 PM. Attendees are invited to wine, dine and mingle at The Underground inside Zucca while indulging in an off-the-menu four course dinner prepared by head chef Luis Zamora. Each course will be paired with wine hand-picked by Zucca owner Brian Gobar. The tentative m … [Read more...]
Italian Wine Evening @ Kimi’s
For your Sip o’ the Week - or rather, sips in this case - I suggest reserving a spot for a special evening tasting Italian wines at Kimi’s Chop & Oyster House. Next Friday, July 20th, Kimi Eklund and her talented staff will host a wine pairing dinner featuring the Italian wines of Roncus and Dolfo wineries. Roncus is located in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in the hills behind t … [Read more...]
A Perfect White Wine for your next Picnic: Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2016
I have been a fan of the fine wines from the firm of E. Guigal in Ampuis, France, for many years. These wines from the Côtes du Rhône are of very high quality, yet are typically priced quite reasonably. Founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal, his son Marcel has led the family estate since 1961 and his son Philippe - Etienne’s grandson - serves today as Director and O … [Read more...]
Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon
If you know of a wine with the complexity, nuance and concentration of Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, priced at $16.95 or under, I’d sure like to hear about it. This is one of my top bang-for-the-buck picks of the many wines I’ve had the pleasure of sampling so far this year. According to Bonterra winemaker Jeff Cichocki, when discussing the density of flavors in Bonterra … [Read more...]
SaltFire Brewing: 12 Monkeys Double IPA
When I visited the newly opened SaltFire Brewing Co. in SLC recently, their pub wasn’t quite finished and open. However, I was able to score a handful of really excellent brews from their retail bottle shop and enjoy them at home. Owner Ryan Miller has created a number of great beers, including Charlotte Sometimes Summer Blonde Ale, Füry Kölsch, Saison de Trahison, Nzed Pil … [Read more...]