This Thanksgiving will be a low key affair at Chateau Scheffler. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be celebrating. And before we get around to sitting down with the turkey and fixings, I usually like to sip a bit of bubbly and offer a glass to guests and family when they arrive. An excellent and affordable sparkling wine for the holidays or any time at all is Gruet Brut Rosé … [Read more...]
Saldo 2018 California Zinfandel
You may be familiar with one of the best-selling California red wines on the market, The Prisoner, created by The Prisoner Wine Company. But The Prisoner Wine Company—named for the iconic wine originally made by founding winemaker Dave Phinney—makes much more than just The Prisoner red wine. Indeed, The Prisoner Wine Company produces a wide range of red and white wines, and … [Read more...]
Blue Sky Ranch Horse Thief Cocktail
During a recent visit and stay at Blue Sky Ranch in Wanship, my wife and I enjoyed cocktails prior to dinner in the bar adjacent to Yuta restaurant. I’ll be writing about that fabulous dinner soon in Utah Bites, so stay tuned. Anyway, we were chatting in the bar with Katie Zamarra, the wife of Yuta Executive Chef Galen Zamarra, who recommended that I try a cocktail called … [Read more...]
A Perfect Halloween Cocktail: Liquid Web Cocktail
If you’re looking for a fun and delicious cocktail to serve to your favorite spooks on Halloween, I recommend the Liquid Web Cocktail, which I first came across on the CountryLiving website. It’s not exactly calorie free, but Halloween is a time for us to indulge in sweet things, right? Despite its sweetness, the Liquid Web is actually pretty light on the palate. … [Read more...]
Alpine Distilling Swaner Dreams Cocktail
During a recent visit to Park City’s Alpine Distilling and a visit with owners Rob and Sara Sergent, I came away a huge fan of their Preserve Liqueur. It’s so delicious - like happiness in a glass. Named for the Swaner Nature Preserve in Park City - which Alpine Distilling supports with a portion of all proceeds of Preserve Liqueur sold - Preserve is a light, not cloying … [Read more...]
Gérard Bertrand 2018 Cote des Roses Rosé
Personally, I like to sip Rosé any time of the year and on almost any occasion. Ever since I visited Provence for the first time years ago, I’ve come to love the stuff. I find that Rosé wines pair very well with a wide array of foods and cuisines, from Asian fare and tacos, to burgers from the grill. Most of the time, you can’t go wrong reaching for Rosé. I think that’s … [Read more...]
Mosketto Magic!
In recent years, the market for lower alcohol sparkling wines has been growing, as has the market for lower alcohol beverages in general. Before our warm weather departs and cooler temperatures take over , I suggest trying out some low alcohol frizzante (fizzy) wines from Mosketto winery in Piedmont, Italy. These wines aren’t dry, but they aren’t super sweet either. There … [Read more...]
Einstök Ölgerd Icelandic White Ale
Located just 60 miles south of the Arctic circle in the Icelandic fishing port of Akureyri, Einstök Ölgerd is Iceland’s #1 craft brewery. Einstök brews a number of award-winning beers, including a triple-hopped Arctic Pale Ale, smoked Scottish Ale, Toasted Porter, a Summer Ale brewed with bilberries, a holiday Doppelbock and others. Recently, I came across a bottle of a … [Read more...]
Wasatch Brewery New Pilsner: Great Deceiver
In my opinion, Pilsners are the gold standard for international beer brewing, and Wasatch Brewery has just released a new brew called the Great Deceiver Imperial Pilsner which, they say, “now reigns supreme as a devilishly delicious and deceptively sessionable beer.” According to the brewers, “Wasatch gave the Devil his due in this big, bold Imperial Pilsner that sits on a … [Read more...]
Eyrie Vineyards Oregon Pinot Blanc
During a recent visit for dinner to the all-new Arlo restaurant (see this week’s Utah Bites restaurant review), my wife and I shared a bottle of The Eyrie Vineyards 2017 Oregon Pinot Blanc ($14.95/Utah retail price). Simply put, this is a wonderful wine and a steal for 15 bucks. For many years I’ve been a big fan of Oregon’s Eyrie Vineyards wine and their philosophy of … [Read more...]