Thursday July 1, 2021
THIS JUST IN: more new natty wine. Small production, big flavor.
This Week: July.. already? Time flies when you aren't stuck inside at home and socially distanced for the best days of the year. 4th of July is THIS weekend - and we're ready to celebrate like we couldn't last year.

Todd has some ideas for celebrating with one of our fav native beverages - Bourbon. Peep our bartender in residence's recipe for a Whiskey Smash, one of the more refreshing ways to go about Bourbon this weekend.

Schedule a night in with a free virtual screening of Roadrunner, the new film about the late great Anthony Bourdain. More on that below as well as the link to RSVP.

Stay safe and enjoy the 4th! Good luck to our furry friends who aren't quite as into this holiday.

Cheers,
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
DON'T MISS THIS:
Advance Viewing of Roadrunner, a film about Anthony Bourdain
Mark your calendars - on behalf of Focus Features, we're offering a chance to see Roadrunner in an advance virtual screening ahead of the film's arrival in theaters.

Join us July 15th at 7pm for a virtual advance screening of this emotional documentary. Space is limited so RSVP today. Grab a nice bottle of wine and celebrate the life of the late chef and explorer.
Nothing More American Than Bourbon
Celebrating Independence Day with a favorite homegrown beverage.
As we celebrate Independence Day this weekend we encourage you to celebrate with America’s native spirit: bourbon. In 1964, Congress declared that bourbon is exclusively a product of the United States. It must be produced in the U.S., distilled from at least 51% corn, and aged in new charred oak barrels. There are many options available ranging from well-known distilleries to brand new small producers. Every bottle offers a unique experience and tells a different story. Whether you enjoy Old Forester, Rabbit Hole, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, Widow Jane, or Evan Williams you are enjoying a bottle of American history.
 
Bit of knowledge - Bottled-In-Bond
The Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897 was passed to protect consumers from unsafe products. In fact, it was the first food safety law in the United States. In the late 1800s many "entrepreneurs" were buying barrels of whiskey from distilleries to resell themselves. Many of these sellers of whiskey would remove a good measure of whiskey from the barrel and replace the liquid with water, tobacco spit, and/or turpentine. Inconsistent whiskey was a large problem, and people were getting sick. The Bottled-In-Bond Act fixed the problem. To be considered Bottled-In-Bond, a whiskey must be the product of one distiller in one distilling season. It must be aged in new charred oak containers in a government bonded warehouse for at least four years. Once it is done aging, it must be bottled in sealed glass bottles at 100 proof. This provided a guarantee to the public that they were buying good, safe whiskey. 
 
Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon - $24.99 
Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond is a classic, well-rounded bourbon. The mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley creates a bourbon that is very approachable. Vanilla and caramel dominate the palate followed by a nice showing of baking spices. Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond is a great everyday bourbon, the proof point makes it shine in cocktails, but it is still pleasant enough to be enjoyed on the rocks.

Cheers,
Todd
..... annnnd now, more Bourbon ideas + a recipe from Nikola.

Whiskey Smash
Whiskey cocktails aren't just for cold winter nights. The whiskey smash is one of my favorites for the hot summer nights or days.... The Smash is a variation on a classic whiskey sour. Instead of using lemon juice we are muddling lemon wedges and shaking the cocktail with mint. It is as refreshing as it sounds.

Rowan's Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon:
Let's start at the beginning with a good bourbon. For this I like Rowan's Creek Bourbon from Willett distillery. It is in fact the best selling of all of Willett's boutique whiskeys and you can tell why when you taste it. Rowan's Creek is aged for 12 years giving it everything you want in a small batch bourbon. On the nose there is a bit of spice, dark chocolate and a grassines from the high rye of the mash bill. On the palate you get the classic oaky caramel sweetness along with vanilla notes you'd expect in a bourbon aged 12 years. There is a touch of pepper then finishes with light coffee and nutty flavor. This is a bourbon I like to have on my home bar at all times for just sipping neat or in cocktails (It's great in Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Boulevardiers and more.)

Now Back to the Smash.
Whiskey Smash
2 oz of Rowan's Creek Bourbon
4 Lemon Wedges (half a lemon total)
.75 oz of Simple Syrup
3 sprigs of Mint (just the leaves)
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Build: Add lemon wedges into the shaker and muddle aggressively. Add mint and lightly muddle (you don't want to pulverise the mint). Next add the Bourbon, Simple and bitters. Shake it up. Then strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a bouquet of mint.

There you go. Now you're drinking cocktails like an adult!!!

Cheers
Nikola Govich
Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.

Oni Koroshi "Demon Slayer" - $3.99
Stocking up on drinks for the barbecues and cookouts this weekend? Be sure to grab some of Oni Koroshi's " Demon Slayer" sake. think of it as an adult juice box: sporting fun artwork and a straw, this sake is very portable and great to take with you anywhere you want to feel empowered to take on demons. the dry, rich, earthy flavors will pair wonderfully with burgers, fries, hotdogs or anything else summer festivities throws at you. 
-André

2020 Borell-Diehl, Saint Laurent Rosé, Pfalz, Germany - $16.99 (1 Liter)
Annette Borell and Thomas Diehl are the couple behind Borell-Diehl that was formed in 1990. Their oldest son George is now poised to take over leadership at the estate in Hainfeld, Germany and will continue the focus on quality wines and extraordinary value, and what a value this big bottle of rosé is! A liter bottle (6-8 glasses!) of super fresh, medium-pale rosé made from the dark-skinned Saint Laurent grape, sustainably dry farmed with no herbicides or pesticides is the perfect wine for your next picnic or porch hang. With a screwcap, no tools are required. This easy summer sipper is dry, (don't let the darker color fool you) with notes of citrus and bright red fruits with just a hint of spritz. Chug-a-lug!
-Angie

2020 Quinta da Raza, Vinho Verde, Portugal - $9.99
For this time of year at North Loop Wine, we definitely expand our Rosé options in our shop wine cooler. And, of course, a chilled dry Rosé is great for summer. However, may I point you to a white wine we just added to that cooler to enjoy, as well? For this Vinho Verde is the perfect summer sipper. Situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean in Northern Portugal, this wine from Raza is a blend of 3 indigenous white varietals that come from vineyards of gentle slopes on granite soils, touched with schist and clay in a unique microclimate that allows maximum sun exposure and greater temperature range...ideal for viniculture in "Green Portugal", north of Porto. In the glass you are greeted by aromas of apple and white flowers before meeting flavours of melon, pineapple, and litchi. All of this is wrapped by a light petillant spritz that is justly famous in the white wine of the Vinho Verde. The wine just dances on the tongue! This is a perfect match for melon salad or ceviche with lime. So, come in and buy a bottle (under $10!) that is already chilled for you to enjoy on your balcony or deck!
-Patrick

2020 Domaine du Salvard, Rosé, Cheverny Loire Valley - $17.99
I'm sure we've mentioned this wine in the past but, with rose season in full swing, I thought it would be a good time to revisit. Cheverny has long been a strong value competitor in French Sauvignon Blanc, showing well against it's pricier and more famous neighbors in Sancerre and Pouilly Fume'. Domaine du Salvard has been excelling in such wines for 5 generations. Also of interest, however, are the reds and roses. The red grape plantings make up a tiny percentage of overall plantings but produce some interesting wines. The rose is made up of Pinot Noir and Gamay and is exceedingly fresh tasting. There's some wild strawberry in the nose. Pinot Noir lends it's signature roundness to the mid palate but is more than matched with zingy cool climate acidity. Great for hot weather and/or light appetizers.
-David 

Ryme Wine Cellars, Sangiovese/Friulano, Fox Hill Vineyard, Mendocino- $27.99
If you aren't spending this July 4th grilling, are you even a real American?! While you're tending to the fiery throne you're going to need something extra tasty to wash down all those Brats and Burgers you'll be crushing in honor of our freedom, and boy do I have the perfect wine for you! Ryme Cellars Sangiovese Friulano is a nod to the olden days of Chianti when there was large amounts of white grapes being blended in to soften the tannin and add a touch of sweetness, and the ever growing popularity of the chillable reds you'll find across the Nu-California wine scene. This red is a co-fermented blend meaning that both of the varietals were fermented in the same vessel which leads to a lighter, brighter style of red wine. This wine has aromas and flavors of tart cranberry, rhubarb, wild strawberry and pink peppercorn. This red drinks bright and juicy with high acidity and supple tannins, best served slightly chilled to get the true expression of this bottle.
-Nick Z
VERY IMPORTANT: Cute Dog Visitors!
Dog pics are an excellent way to spread cheer, we hear.
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits