Category Archives: Aperitif

Blandy’s 5 Year Sercial

Posted on May 17, 2010 by RJ

Blandy’s, Madeira, 5 Year Old, Sercial nv The nose features dried fruits and nuts, melding a sense of citrus and raisins with honey all wrapped into a nutty dessert. The complexity is great and always leads one down a garden … Continue reading →

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St. Raphael Rouge

Posted on April 16, 2010 by RJ

I was delighted to find this aperitif during our recent trip to Bordeaux. While in a little grocery store buying some essentials for the apartment, I had to check out the wine section and low and behold, St. Raphael. St. … Continue reading →

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Quady Vya Extra Dry Vermouth

Posted on March 8, 2010 by RJ

Quady, California, Vya, Extra Dry Vermouth nv The nose combines mint, ginger and a host of spices. In the mouth it is dry and spicy with a reminiscence of quinine’s bitterness – an intense mouth refresher! The grapes are Colombard … Continue reading →

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Blandy’s 5 Year Old Verdelho

Posted on January 12, 2010 by RJ

Blandy’s, Madeira, 5 Year Old, Verdelho nv The flavor profile puts together the best of Amontillado from Spain with a splash of sweetness. You’ll find a woody, nutty essence with warmth and dried oranges. This is a weighty aperitif that … Continue reading →

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Gaston Riviere Pineau des Charentes Rouge

Posted on December 7, 2009 by RJ

Gaston Rivière, Pineau des Charentes, Pineau François 1er, Red Pineau nv The smell of red grape juice really comes through, with a green, herbaceous essence and a whiff of chocolate. In the mouth it is sweet, thick and spiritous, like … Continue reading →

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Lillet Red

Posted on December 7, 2009 by RJ

Lillet, Red nv This aperitif reminds me of dunking a slice of orange into a slightly sweet red wine, with a little shot of added for punch. Serve it over a few ice cubes. P&B in Podensac in the Gironde, … Continue reading →

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Lutsau Puerto Fino

Posted on December 7, 2009 by RJ

Lustau, Jerez DO, Solera Reserva, Puerto Fino, nv This Fino is nutty and spiritous with a light sense of the classic bruised apples. This Palomino-based wine is matured in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Bottling code: 7185 15.5% $15.99 at … Continue reading →

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Vya Sweet Vermouth

Posted on August 4, 2009 by RJ

Quady, California, Vya, Sweet Vermouth nv What makes this aperitif so exciting is that it is impossible to stop adding descriptors if you start – so I won’t – just buy a bottle, chill it well and serve it over … Continue reading →

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A different kind of Pineau

Posted on October 8, 2008 by RJ

Gaston Rivière, Pineau des Charentes, Pineau François 1er, White Pineau nv This has the taste and smell of Cognac and grape juice and follows-on from its creation. The grapes are old vine Colombard, fortified with minimum one year old Cognac … Continue reading →

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A sense of citrus

Posted on October 1, 2008 by RJ

Lillet, White nv There’s a beautiful sense of citrus peel – very aromatic with alcohol in the background. It’s sweet but not too much so. Serve it over a few ice cubes. This latest bottling in 2010 is vibrantly fresh … Continue reading →

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