Grapes & Grains

Beer, Wine, Spirits and Food from Happy Harry's

“Come quickly, I’m drinking the stars,” is a famous quote from the 1880’s and is a reference to drinking Champagne.  Tomorrow on New Year’s Eve, millions of people around the world will be celebrating with a glass of sparkling wine, not Champagne!  Let me explain…

Champagne is actually a region in France where some of the best sparkling wines in the world are produced.  Everywhere else in the world, wineries produce sparkling wines.  Confused yet?  All wines produced that have “bubbles” are sparkling wines.  In order for the label to state “Champagne,” it must be from the Champagne region of France.  You will find some California sparkling wines that state “California Champagne,” but they are required to state “California.”

So what is the difference…nothing!  Most sparkling wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle which creates the bubbles in the bottle.  The two most common grapes used to produce sparkling wines are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.   

Now that we now know the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine, let’s take a look at the different “styles” of sparkling wines.  The following list is in order of driest to sweetest.

BRUT:  Brut is ALWAYS the driest style of sparkling wine produced.

EXTRA DRY:  Extra Dry is actually in the middle of the scale when we are talking about sweetness.  As confusing as it may be, BRUT IS DRIER THAN EXTRA DRY!

BLANC DE NOIR:  Blanc de Noir translates to “white on red,” which means it is made with Pinot Noir grapes.  This style will have a soft pink color and be similar in dryness to an extra dry.

BLANC DE BLANC:  Blanc de Blanc translates to “white on white,” which means it is produced with Chardonnay grapes.  Blanc de Blanc is similar to Extra Dry.

SEMI-SECO or DEMI SEC: A slightly sweet sparkling wine

ASTI:  Asti is a region in Italy that produces a sweet sparkling wine produced from Moscato grapes.  Similar to Champagne, the wine must be produced in Asti to have the Asti name on the bottle.  Always one of the best sellers, Asti is commonly referred to as “Asti Spumante.”  A few years ago, Asti producers removed “Spumante” from their label so that Asti would not be confused with the “Spumante” that was being produced in other parts of the world.  California wines labeled “Spumante” are very similar to Asti!

BRACHETTO:  Another sparkling wine specific to Italy, Brachetto is a sweet, red sparkling wine.

MOSCATO D’ ASTI:  Almost exactly the same story as Asti, but Moscato d’ Asti has smaller bubbles and a little less fizz.  This small difference gives Moscato d’ Asti a richer flavor and tends to taste a little sweeter than Asti.

 As you head out to purchase your bottle of bubbly for the New Year, don’t forget the sparkling apple juice or sparkling grape juice for friends and family who prefer a non-alcoholic sparkling drink!

Have fun, be safe and Happy New Year to everyone!

Cheers,

Greg

The Holiday Season is the perfect time to serve some delicious cream based cordials.  Cream cordials are very versatile when you are expecting a house full of guests or if you are looking for something special to take to a Christmas party.

Cream based cordials are best when served over ice, with dessert, after dinner cocktails and even mixed with coffee or hot chocolate!   While the calories in these cordials are high, the alcohol content is low which makes them enjoyable for almost everyone.  As always, enjoy in moderation!

Here are a few newcomers and familiar favorites to share with family and friends:

AMARULA FRUIT CREAM:   Marula fruit from South Africa is fermented, distilled and then aged 2 full years before it is blended with cream.  Amarula has flavors of exotic fruit, caramel, chocolate and vanilla.  Try Amarula served over vanilla ice cream!

CAFÉ BOHEME:  Café Boheme is produced in Paris, using fine French Vodka, premium coffee, cream from Holland and a hint of vanilla.  Café Boheme’s flavors of chocolate and coffee blend together to create a truly unforgettable treat.  Try Café Boheme in Hot Chocolate!

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH EGG NOG:  What would Christmas be without Egg Nog!  Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog is real dairy cream blended with Rum, Brandy and Whiskey.  Very noticeable cinnamon, nutmeg and clove flavors balanced with a sweet creaminess.  Best served chilled or over ice!

ADULT CHOCOLATE MILK:  This one is pretty self explanatory, that is if you like a splash of alcohol in your chocolate milk.  Try blending with vanilla, chocolate or mint ice cream to create and adult milkshake!

RUM CHATA RUM CREAM:  Rum Chata is made with real Horchata, cream and rum.  Horchata is made with rice, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and water or cream.  Rum Chata is the best new cordial I have tried this year and as some people have mentioned to me, “it tastes just like a snicker doodle cookie”!   Try it chilled or in coffee!

Cheers,

Greg

The holidays are knocking on our front door! Chances are pretty good that you have a few people on your shopping list that you just have no idea what to buy. 

Fortunately, I may have a few solutions for the problem.  During the holidays, numerous distilleries release “gift set” packages that come with glassware, bar supplies and trinkets of all sort.  The best part is that most distilleries don’t charge a higher price for these gift set and the trinkets are essentially free! Plus, they are prepackaged and ready to be wrapped.

Here is a short list of some unique sets that I think may be able to fill some voids in your shopping list:

HPNOTIQ LIQUOR:  Hpnotiq is a great cordial that is best served over ice or chilled before serving.  Hpnotiq is a blend of exotic fruit juices, vodka and cognac that has a brilliant blue color.  The light and fruity flavor makes this a perfect gift for anyone who likes tropical drinks!               

-The gift set includes an ice bucket to chill down the bottle and 2 martini style glasses

E&J VSOP BRANDY:  E&J VSOP brandy is aged longer for a fuller and richer flavor.  One of the best buys on the shelf if you are shopping for brandy.  This a perfect gift for any brandy or cognac drinker! 

-The gift set includes a 6 oz Stainless Steel Flask embossed with the E&J VSOP logo.

GLENLIVET SINGLE MALT SCOTCH:  Glenlivet is one of the most well known names in single malt scotch!  Glenlivet has everything you would expect from a great 12 year old scotch.  Nicely balanced flavors of toasted oak, smoky peat and a hint of spice on the finish.  Great gift for any scotch lover!

-The gift set includes 2 scotch glasses, a 50ml bottle of Glenlivet 15 year old and a 50 ml bottle of Glenlivet 18 year old.

FORTY CREEK CANADIAN WHISKEY:  Whiskey Maker and owner John Hall personally blends every batch of Forty Creek Whiskey.  Forty Creek is one of the few Canadian whiskeys that age the corn whiskey, rye whiskey and grain whiskey separately and then blends the three to create one of the highest rated Canadian whiskeys in the world!  Forty Creek will be appreciated by anyone who enjoys bourbon, Canadian whisky or Irish Whiskey.

-The gift set includes 2 rocks glasses with the Forty Creek logo.

MAKER’S MARK BOURBON:  Maker’s Mark is my favorite Bourbon!  Maker’s Mark uses more corn in their blend which gives it a hint of caramel sweetness. Maker’s Mark has an unbelievable smoothness and richness which makes it perfect for a Manhattan or just sipping.  Maker’s Mark is best known for their trademark red wax dipped bottles.

-The gif set includes a limited edition red wax dipped ornament.

CRYSTAL HEAD VODKA:  Crystal Head Vodka was founded and owned by actor Dan Aykroyd!  Crystal Head tastes like no other vodka in the world and is made with deep glacial aquifer Newfoundland water.
It is quadruple distilled, filtered three times through charcoal and then filtered three times through Herkimer diamonds.  The legend of the 13 crystal heads dates back over 30,000 years and the heads are believed to offer spiritual power and enlightenment to those who see them or possess them.  Crystal Head Vodka bottles are a symbol of life and represent the idea that every day is a new beginning.  For more information about Crystal Head Vodka and the legend of the crystal head visit: http://crystalheadvodka.com

-The gift set includes 2 crystal head glasses.

Happy shopping to everyone and I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Cheers!

Greg

In December, almost every major brewery in the United States rolls out their winter seasonal brews!  My December Brewery of the month, Boulevard Brewing Company from Kansas City, Missouri is home to one of my favorite winter brews…Nutcracker Ale.

Boulevard Brewing was established in 1989 and has grown to be the largest “specialty” brewer in the Midwest.  Boulevard prides themselves by creating fresh, flavorful beers using only the best traditional ingredients.

Boulevard brews twenty-seven different beers a year, ranging from light and fresh with their Unfiltered Wheat to robust and rich with their specialty Belgian Ales.

Here is a look at four of Boulevard’s year round brews and of course their winter seasonal!

Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat:  This unfiltered wheat has a cloudy appearance that is refreshing and light, but still has plenty of flavor.  The citrus and fruit flavors will make you want to go back for another.   Great year-round brew and even better during the summer with a twist of fresh lemon.  Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat has won a gold medal from the Great American Beer Festival.

Boulevard Amber Ale: Amber Ale is one of Boulevard’s newest releases to our area.  Amber Ale has wonderful flavors of toasted nuts and a light hint of coffee on the finish.  Amber is extremely easy to drink and has a smooth malty balance.

Boulevard Single-Wide I.P.A: A very “true to style” IPA with aromas of grapefruit and citrus.  The caramel malt flavor blends nicely with the hop bitterness creating a great IPA for any hoppy beer lover.

Boulevard Bully! Porter:  Bully! delivers flavors of dark-roasted malt in recognition of the classic English Porter.  This medium-bodied beer has flavors of dark chocolate and coffee which make it a great beer to serve with grilled meats and even with dark chocolate for dessert.

Boulevard Nutcracker Ale: Nutcracker is a great winter-warmer brew.  Nutcracker has a mouthful of different flavors including toffee, caramel, and brown sugar.  This full-bodied beer will fill you up and keep you warm throughout the holiday season. 

Cheers!

Greg