Fall in Love with Southern Spirits This Valentine’s Day!

12 Feb, 16 /  Uncategorized /  southernsc /  Comments Off on Fall in Love with Southern Spirits This Valentine’s Day!

As Valentine’s Day approaches Keith Haze amuses us with his random yet romantic musings on the holiday…

Hey there booze fans, the less said about the Super Bowl the better.  That reminded me of a date I had, so excited, so much promise, spent a long time making it happen, and then without warning it all went to hell.  Thankfully there were not millions of people witnessing my date!   Speaking of dating, it is Valentines day!  A “holiday” in which Husbands and Wives try to remember what their significant other likes (booze is always the best gift, he said with no bias whatsoever!) and single people are jealous and wish they had that problem to solve.  “I would never forget that she loves blueberries and hates raspberries!”  I used to have a girlfriend that loved black beans but hated pinto beans, but when I would get to the counter of our favorite burrito shop in Los Angeles my brain would go blank!  If I didn’t hate beans I would have just gotten both and eaten the other one, but I do hate beans and it would only be at the moment I arrived home that my brain would suddenly say “it was black beans!!!!”  Oh the look of disappointment on her face when she would see the Pinto beans in there.  I did learn to hang the towels up after I finished using them though.  Alright enough about my sad love life, and on to the thing that never lets me down, booooooze!  We have a good tasting, and some yummy new arrivals.

TASTINGS:

FRIDAY    MAESTRO DOBBEL WITH MARIA! 3:30-6:30

Our favorite Tequila expert is back with her awesome lineup! I will not go into my rant about how silly all the anti-tequila sentiment is because then I will get all worked up, and it is not reasonable for a grown man to froth at the mouth over how people stubbornly refuse to try top shelf tequila because twenty years ago they drank some of the worst tequila on earth!!! Oops.

WINE 4:00-6:00

DOMAINE SERENE PINOT NOIR: This is a wonderful Oregon winery and would be a great Valentines day gift, or any day gift, because an exceptional Pinot Noir is special. The hardest grape to grow and a market that has been flooded with phony Pinot’s that are full of Syrah and Grenache and grown in climates that do not make Pinot! When you see a Pinot under 20 bucks there should be a sign that reads “Beware of Dog”

CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES OLIVETS: Another great producer! This lineup is looking pretty sexy. CDP, is a great winter varietal, so big, and bold.

DOMAINE EDEN CABERNET: This is a winery that is near and dear to my heart. Mount Eden, is run by the amazing Jeffery Patterson, who I believe to be one of the best winemakers in the world. After years of making amazing wines, they have finally gotten some attention. A few years ago Wine Spectator put their Chardonnay on their top ten list and people began to pay attention. This tiny winery makes world class wines and their label is a guarantee of quality. If you are ever in Santa Cruz, I recommend visiting because it is quite scenic as well as having brilliant wines.

JCB ROSE: Everyone buys Champagne for Valentines day, but guess what, France makes other tasty sparkling wines! How about a Rose from Burgundy??   I will not get started on peoples absurd Rose discrimination! Just go over the tequila rant and change the word to Rose.

KEITH’S CABINET: What Keith is drinking now

CLEMENT SHRUB: Man I love this stuff! This orange liqueur is one of my favorite new toys.

NARDINI DI CEDRO: This high end Lemoncello IS my favorite new toy! Last night I used it and the Clement together with the Selvarey Rum and a splash of Fat and Juicy and I was very happy.

NOLET GIN: This Gin is just too good. I killed my bottle, and felt great remorse at its passing.

JAMES OLIVER RYE: Really loving the old fashioned with this, but also love it straight!

NEW ARRIVALS:

MUDDY RIVER!: Okay folks, you have been asking me for this and now it is here. We have the clear, the coconut, and the Queen Charlotte!

COLLINGWOOD: Canada really needed something new and good. It is the weakest section in the store, so Collingwood to the rescue. This is a very clean and smooth whiskey that is on par with the Crown Reserve.

YELLOW ROSE: I will not the sing song! Oh no there it goes in my head!! Sorry, they have a rye and a bourbon and they are both very well made! I highly recommend both of them. The regular Bourbon did not ship it will be in next week, BUT, we got the reserve “The Outlaw” Good job Texas, you made something yummy.

JACK DANIELS RYE: I have been waiting for two years for this to come out. I loved the two year old and now here is the four year old. I am very excited.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

PORT ROYAL/KIR ROYAL

5 OZ OF SPARKLING WINE

SPLASH OF RUBY PORT OR CREME DE CASSIS (should be pink not purple when finished)

One of the simplest and best cocktails! Surprise your sweetheart with this fantastic cocktail.