Lauterbach Cellars Estate Syrah 2009

categories: Booze, Wine

On a recent visit to Sonoma County wine country, I popped by the mom-and-pop Lauterbach Cellars to see a boutique wine business in action. Not only was I welcome with generosity of hospitality, good spirits, and a wealth of wine knowledge — I was absolutely blown away by what this couple creates. Self-educated winemaker Stew Lauterbach and wife Barb pretty much just make the wines they like and like the wines they make. But today I want to highlight one of my favorites in the current Lauterbach line up.

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06
Dec
2016

Lightened Up Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

categories: Baking, Sweet

I was inspired by a bottle of white port the first time I baked this pumpkin cheesecake. The lightly spiced cream filling along with the buttery, cookie crumb crust, was the perfect accompaniment for my dessert wine. Not too sweet, and slightly less guilty than a normal cheesecake, this is one recipe sure to please a crowd.

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06
Dec
2016

Prager Winery & Port Works 2012 Aria White Port

categories: Booze, Wine

I’ve been holding on to this bottle of white Port since the Prager family shipped it to me some months ago. I wanted to make sure that I was prepared — both mentally and culinarily — before I cracked the seal. I also wanted to make sure that I opened the bottle at the right time and in the right place: I wanted to make sure I was surrounded by loved ones with which to share this wine adventure. A family product like Prager Port deserves such attention and occasion.

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05
Dec
2016

Re:Find Barrel Finished Vodka Cocktail Recipe

categories: Beer & Cocktails, Booze

After tasting Re:Find Barrel Finished Vodka I wanted to craft my own signature cocktail using the product. It’s not fancy, but it’s a mix of flavors that I particularly enjoy and that I think go well together. I hope you enjoy it as well. Cheers!

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If you haven’t read my product review for Re:Find Distillery Barrel Aged Vodka, please do so.

05
Dec
2016

Product Review: Re:Find Barrel Finished Vodka

categories: Beer & Cocktails, Booze

Re:Find Barrel Finished Vodka

Yes, I am predominantly a wine girl (in case you couldn’t tell). But when in the mood for a cocktail, vodka is my go-to hard liquor of choice. To be honest, I’m not as well-versed in vodkas as I am with wines. I only recently discovered Hangar 1 when it was on sale, and with its smooth texture and almost fruity finish, it quickly became my new favorite. And then I realized why — Hangar 1 distills a combination of grapes and grain, so the vodka has a wine-like quality about it. But when Monica Villicana, Re:Find proprietor and wife to chief distiller and co-proprietor Alex Villicana, sent me a bottle of their barrel aged finished vodka, I knew I was about to find my new, new favorite.

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