DOWNEAST Winter Blend Cider

I must preface this post by saying I have never been a big fan of hard cider...until... I tried Downeast Winter Blend Cider. It had everything I wanted and more in a 4 pack: fresh-pressed apples, natural ingredients and cinnamon spices! Not to mention it is made in Boston and I always enjoy a local product. 

Downeast cider sets itself apart from other cider houses by pressing fresh local apples and by using ale yeast instead of white wine or champagne yeast. The result is a refreshing taste and great unfiltered color. 

As I mentioned before I almost never drink hard ciders, but my craft salesman assured me that this winter blend was worth a try. This seasonal apple cider is fermented with ale yeast then aged on toasted oak chips, cinnamon bark and nutmeg. The all spice flavoring is what I truly enjoyed smelling and sipping on with the turkey I made for dinner. A 6.5% alcohol ABV gave this gluten free beverage an extra kick perfect for chilly nights. 

Have you tried Downeast cider yet? Have a great weekend!    

Bully Boy Hub Punch

 Today's post is inspired by a recent in-store tasting with Bully Boy Distillers. My store has been supporters of Bully Boy's craft spirits since its 2010 launch and are very proud of their success. My town is neighbors to where Will and Dave Willis', creators of Bully Boy, story begins. Their family owned a farm in Sherborn, MA which was home to a secret vault/speakeasy of local spirits during Prohibition. The vault was rediscovered about 70 years later and became the inspiration for Boston's first craft distillery. Their focus is on hand-crafted, premium spirits produced in small batches. The product line up includes Vodka, Boston Rum (aged), White Rum, White Whiskey and American Straight Whiskey. 

The latest Bully Boy creation brings consumers back to the early 1800s with the release of Hub Punch. This rum based product, infused with fruits and botanicals, was a popular drink many Bostonians consumed until Prohibition hit the city. Bully Boy has revived this classic libation for new generations of Bostonian drinkers to enjoy! 

In terms of specific tasting notes, this spirit starts off as Bully Boy's aged Boston Rum then is stepped with orange peel, lemon peel, raspberry as well as other botanticals and herbs. This part of the recipe is not disclosed. The end result is a fruit forward rum designed to mix well with both dry and sweet mixers. Aside from using soda water, ginger ale, iced tea or lemonade, I have included some suggested recipes below to try!  

The Hub Punch

1.5oz Hub Punch

3oz ginger ale

3oz Soda Water

Squeeze and garnish with a lemon wedge

The Sagamore

Muddle ten mint leaves

Add ice

1.5oz Hub Punch

3 oz lemonade

3 oz soda water

Optional: two dashes Angostura bitters

Have a great day!  

Meiomi Pinot Noir

The holidays are here and I must apologize for not staying on the ball with blogging. I have not quite figured out how to juggle blogging and the busy holiday season at work so please bear with me! 

Smooth. Fruit-forward. Delicious. My hands down favorite Pinot Noir under $25 that I love to put in my customers hands is none other than Meiomi. This Pinot from the Wagner Family of Wines delivers intense fruit flavor and a velvety smooth finish. It is a blend of grapes sourced from Santa Barbara, Sonoma and Monterey, which are all regions known for quality Pinot Noir production. 

When I first tried Meiomi it was still under the Belle Glos label, which makes unbelievable Pinot Noir! It's major success has paved the way for its own line with an extension of a new grape: Chardonnay. Everything that the Wagner Family creates always makes the top of my wine wish lists (i.e. Caymus Mer Soleil, Conundrum and Belle Glos). 

The new 2013 vintage continues to deliver a fruit-forward style made for easy drinking. I slightly prefer the 2012 vintage as the new vintage is quite ripe. With that being said I suggest you decant this wine and let the air open it up. It can be enjoyed without food or with a wide array of food. Meiomi pours a rich garnet color and delivers wonderful cherry, ripe berries and vanilla notes. These aromas carry though on the palate and compliment the rich, smooth texture. Its fresh fruit flavors and sweet oak on the finish allow for this wine to age further, yet is mature enough to open for dinner tonight! 

If you do not believe me how great this wine is, then you can trust the experts. Meiomi was awarded the prestigious 2014 Market Watch Wine Leaders Choice Award for “Wine Brand of the Year.” Have you tried Meiomi Pinot Noir yet? Have a great day!