The Sipping Point Radio – 7/28

28 Jul The Sipping Point Radio – 7/28

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Sips of the Week

Laurie featured 2 great reds she found in France last week both under $15!

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 Interview 

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).

Sapphire East Basil Cocktail

Glassware: Highball

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz  BOMBAY SAPPHIRE EAST

¾  oz  MARTINI Extra Dry Vermouth

4 each  Fresh Basil Leaves

½ oz  Simple Syrup

½ oz  Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Garnish:   Basil Leaf

In a mixing glass add all ingredients (including the fresh basil). Fill with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and double strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a basil leaf.

Cherry Noir Mule

Glassware: Collins

Ingredients:

4 each  Fresh Black Cherries (pitted)

½ oz  Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

½ oz  Simple Syrup

—  Muddle above ingredients, then add:

1 ½ oz  GREY GOOSE Cherry Noir

1 dash  Angostura Bitters

2 oz  Topped with Ginger Beer

Garnish: Lime Wedge, Black Cherry

Muddle in a mixing glass four black cherries, fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Add Grey Goose Cherry Noir and bitters. Fill with ice and shake for 5 seconds. Double strain into a collins glass filled with fresh ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge and black cherry.

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 take a trip to the Finger Lakes to taste their outstanding Rieslings, talk to the wine maker from the legendary Dr Konstantine Frank Winery and find out how to perfectly pair the right summer dish for wines from Chef Debbie Meritsky of the Black Sheep Inn.

Special thanks to Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis, Wells Discount Liquors, Crystal Cruise Lines, Santa Rita Winery, The Cavit Collection & J Brown Jewelers.