Thursday December 31, 2020
.. remembering all the good times we had in 2020.
This Week: We're SO over this year. We know you are too. As an ode to that year we'll never forget but would love to forget, we're having a little 20% off sale starting tomorrow (January 1) to see you into a new, better year.

Mind the hours: we're open normal hours today (12/31) and open limited hours tomorrow, from 9am until 5pm. Enough time for you to grab extra Champagne before midnight and open just early enough to hand you some bubbles for your mimosas and some mix for your hair of the dog Bloody Mary's.

Unfortunately, COVID will be joining us in the New Year so keep those masks on and over your nose. Wash your hands. Be careful - keep yourself and your friends, family and everyone else safe.

Cheers to 2021!
The Team at NL Wine & Spirits
NYE At Home:
Cocktails for a special occasion to drink on your couch.

Staying home on NYE is the hot new trend this year. Look at the bright side: this place has everything. Cheap drinks! No lines for the bathroom! No dress code! No cover! Eat whatever you want - unlimited access to the fridge. So mix yourself something nice, put on those sweatpants, and watch the ball drop from the comfort of your safe, (hopefully) COVID-free home.

The Champagne Cocktail
For an easy, interesting, celebratory sip to ring in 2021, give the classic Champagne Cocktail - originating in 1850's San Francisco - a try. Essentially an Old Fashioned made with Champagne instead of whiskey, this cocktail features a sugar cube doused with bitters that dissolves into the wine, evolving with every sip. Set a sugar cube inside a dry champagne flute, soak it with 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters, and slowly top with ~5oz of dry Champagne (or other dry sparkling wine).
-Nick S.

The French 75
This will make you feel fancy. Easy to make, celebratory in feel - this is one that goes down way too easily, enough to get you in trouble. The historic version used cognac as a base but somehow gin became the main spirit involved over time. Use either - take 2 oz, .5oz lemon juice, .25 oz simple syrup and give it all a good shake. Strain into a flute (or any glass) and top with some bubbles!

Hot Buttered Rum
Not the most celebratory per se - but hey, it is cold and you're at home. Pairs well with sweatpants. The more relaxing aesthetic for the New Year. To start, use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to room temp butter. Throw into your mixer or whisk by hand if you don't have one. Add cinnamon, clove, nutmeg to taste. Mix until blended.
To build: get your mug warm with some hot water and then discard. Add about 1 tbsp of the butter batter then about 3oz of piping hot water. Mix it in. Add your rum. Top with more hot water. Voila, you have a very comfortable night ahead.
Staff Picks: The Final Reviews of 2020
Wines (and a spirit) that were much better than this entire year.

Pikesville Straight Rye - $54.99
This historic brand is a beautiful & approachable example of the Maryland rye style. Pikesville was first produced in 1895 in Maryland, changed hands a number of times until ceasing production in 1972, and ended up being sold to Heaven Hill in 1982 after remaining stock dwindled. Heaven Hill began producing this mark again in Kentucky in 2015 after more than 30 years out of the market. Much like other Maryland-style ryes, the mash bill for this whiskey includes more corn and malted barley than other rye styles, and results in an easy-drinking whiskey that belies its high proof. It shows a marriage of sweetness & spice in the glass (think sarsaparilla or cherry cola with a little hint of cinnamon), with a moderate finish and undercurrents of vanilla, fresh stone fruits, and red Twizzlers. Excellent as a solo sipper, but also works spectacularly in cocktails. Drink if you like other Heaven Hill whiskies such as Rittenhouse Rye, Henry McKenna, Elijah Craig, or Evan Williams.
-Nick S.

Laherte Freres, Rosé De Meunier, Extra Brut Champagne - $53.99
When I'm craving a sassy sparkling wine - I grab champagnes containing Pinot Meunier. This rose is made of 100% organic & biodynamically farmed Pinot Meunier and possesses all the trademark tension: rich/savory yet racy/crisp, focused/chalky yet full bodied/spicy, and savory/herbaceous balanced by notes of tart cranberry/rhubarb. In a nutshell, this is the perfect wine to share with or gift to ANYONE. Bonus Points: this Champagne is easily the most fashionably packaged on our shelf. 
-Katrina B.

Jaques Chaput, Blanc de Noir, N/V Champagne - $32.99
Okay, we all know 2020's been a real bear. If you're celebrating alone, in pairs or in a socially distanced group, this is likely the perfect choice. First off, it's Champagne, and you deserve that. Also, it has a cool pedigree. It comes from the right bank of the Aube in the southern end of Champagne and is made exclusively of Pinot Noir. Most importantly, it doesn't rely on it's pedigree or your wine knowledge to be enjoyable. The sensual experience for anyone paying attention (and perhaps not) is immediate. It has roundness owed to it's Pinot Noir makeup and freshness owed to calcareous soil. It just feels right, delicious and satisfying without being overly cerebral.  Plus, its label theme of black and white check and gold detail will put you right in the mood even if you're just on the couch watching old movies. See ya' 2020!
-David M.

2019 Cooper Hill, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley - $21.99
This is a true value entry to certified organic Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. 
Grown on alluvial soils and farmed fully organic on all Estate owned vineyards, this Pinot Noir uses only native yeasts and is bottled at the Gross Family Cooper Mountain estate. It is a lovely expression of lightly spiced soft cherry fruit, wrapped around a balanced core of mouth watering acidity. It makes a wonderful match to fresh columbia river salmon.
Cheers and Happy New Year!
-Patrick D.
ALSO VERY IMPORTANT...
Just some good dogs that visited us recently.
(We hear dog photos are a great way to spread cheer)
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits