03 Aug Wines of the Languedoc, Summer Cocktails and Glorious Cheese!
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Sips of the Week
2009 Castelmaure Corbières Rouge, Grande Cuvée $14.99 (45% Grenache , 45% Syrah , 10% Carignan)
Winemaker’s Notes:In the early 1990’s, Castelmaure began experimenting with a Prestige Cuvée of Corbières. This wine has become known as “Grande Cuvée” and is made with the help of the winemaking team of Tardieu-Laurent. Made from Vinification: destemming, pneumatic press, end of fermentation at 25 degrees C; two racking; aging in tank then in 220 Liter Bordeaux barrels for 10-12 months. Egg fining, slight filtration. Deep and intense color, powerful aromas of dark berry fruit, prune and coffee nuances, and a persistent finish.
2009 Chateau Millegrand Minervois $9.99 (Syrah 45 %, Carignan 25 %, Grenache 15 %, Mourvèdre 15 %)
Winemaker’s Notes: This wine has a beautifully intense and deep red colour. At first, the nose is like a bouquet of fresh flowers, with slight hints of peppermint followed by aromas of cocoa and extra ripe fruit. The palate reveals the same aromas, with elegant and smooth tannins. This medium-bodied wine will go perfectly with all kinds of grilled meat, especially lamb chops.
Featured Guests
Brian Loukmas, Mixologist for Bacardi USA, joined us to share the recipes for two delicious summer cocktails. Brian has over 23 years in the hospitality industry, with 15 of those years working behind the bar where he perfected his unique style. Brian’s cocktails have been featured in over 100 National Restaurant chains including Chilis, Applebees, Ocean Prime, TGI Fridays, PF Changs, Bar Louie, Marriott Hotels, Bahama Breeze and Walt Disney World. His signature drinks have been awarded the Cheers Best Chain Signature Drink of the Year twice; Kryptonite Rita (Fox n Hound Group) and Yin & Yang Martini (Melting Pot).
Wine Sandwich
Holly Foster, founder of Chapel’s Country Creamery joined us to talk about how she started her creamery and three of her delicious cheeses. Chapel’s Country Creamery Maryland artisanal cheeses are hand crafted by the Fosters in an Amish artisanal cheese maker. Chapel cheese starts with fresh raw milk produced on their family’s Grade A dairy farm in Maryland. Chapel’s dairy herd consists of grass fed Jersey and Holstein cows that produce high quality milk, rich in cream. The milk is all natural and contains no synthetic hormones, antibotics, or chemical compounds.
1. Talbot Reserve which pairs with Oregon Pinot Noir or California Zinfandel
2. Chapelle with goes great with our featured wines this week – Corbieres or Minervois
3. Bay Blue that can be masterful with a nice Cabernet or after dinner with a Port
Next Week
We’ll be back next week we’ll be back to explore the recipe for a delicious life!
Special Thanks to Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis and Wells Discount Liquors.