The Corkdork - Wine and Food Musing

L'ultimo Mezzo-mezzo Cocktail

I often wonder what to do with Artisan Vermouth. It's too intensely flavored for a normal Martini most of the time, imho. But a good one is delicous on its own, so I came up with a variation of an old favorite. 

When I used to tend bar, a lifetime ago, the house drink was the Half-n-half, equal parts red and white vermouth, over ice with a small twist of lemon. It's a great pre-dinner cocktail, because it is a low alcohol aperitif and the herbal nature gets the juices flowing. 

My new take on it is using a generous pour of my friend, Carl Sutton's tasty Sutton Cellars Brown Label Vermouth and a slightly less generous pour of Cinzano Red Vermouth. Delicious. 

While you're surfing on Carl's site, buy some of his excellent Syrah from Bennett Valley. One of my favorites.

 

Matthiasson's new Blog

I recently cracked open a different kind of treat from my friend, Jill Matthiasson...jam. I'm a huge fan of the Ribolla-Girolla-based Matthiasson White (I'm drinking the 2008 tonight) and am lucky to have a few bottles of the Red Hen Merlot in my cellar for special treats. This Raspberry Peach Jam was made from the Red Hen property's fruit trees and berry bushes, and was such a great surprise. It has just the right amount of lemon to cut the sweetness of the peaches and raspberries. I can only hope Jill sells it on her website or to the Wine Club next year. She and Steve have been working on a blog lately. Here's the link. Also, seek out their wines, which are getting more widely available in the Bay Area. I found some 2010 White at Vintage Berkeley on College Avenue yesterday.

2007 Hess Allomi Vineyard Cabernet

Just delicious. I don't often reach for the Cal Cabs, but this one, which was a gift from a friend recently, is everything a great Cab should be without the sticker shock. I love the cigar-box scents and plummy flavors. Recommended.