Twitter Tuesday - 2005 Roza Ridge Cabernet - FREE Shipping

The deal:

The 2005 Roza Ridge Cabernet has been a staple at Suburban (in past vintages) for the past 3 years or so. We love it so much that when they lost their distributor in New York, we contacted the winery directly and arranged for it to be brought in just for us. We think it is a bonafide steal at $17.99. If this wine were from Caifornia...it would sell for 25 bucks!

Tasting note:

The 2005 Roza Risge Cabernet was barrel aged in French and American oak for eighteen months. Dark red in color; complex aromas with oak spice and ripe fruits of black cherry and blueberry. Integrated tannins leave this wine smooth and soft. Perfect for grilled meats and heartier dishes.

FREE SHIPPING -

To take advantage of our "Twitter Tuesday" Free Shipping special, simply order the wine by clicking below...in the coment section of your order put in the code "TWITTER" and your shipping will be free! Please note that the free shipping option will not be reflected in your "e-shopping cart", but will be rung out correctly in store.

Click here to order.

thank You

The Perfect Martini?

First and foremost – a Martini is made with Gin, NOT Vodka! As a matter of fact, if one goes to Wikipedia and pulls up the page on the Martini, the very first sentence is “The Martini is a cocktail made with Gin and Vermouth”. Yes, the “Vodka Martini” has had a surge in popularity in the past decade or so…but make no mistake – a Martini is made with Gin, a “Vodka Martini” is made with Vodka.

Rant over…

OK..here is how I make the perfect Martini (for me). First, a little background. My Dad was a Gin drinker (he has since switched to Vodka), and for years he would have Gin when he came home from work. This got me wondering about Gin, but when I tried it in my teens, I found it quite repulsive. Then, in my mid-twenties, I found myself in a Martini bar in San Antonio, and figured…what the heck, let’s see what all the fuss is about..I ordered up a Tanqueray Martini. I have not looked back.

Over the past 20 years, I have tried just about every Gin on the market, and stylistically I have found that I prefer a clean, less aromatic gin for my Martini. Of course, this is how I like ‘em…many people love an abundance of Juniper (or other infused flavors)….I do not.

Another interesting point is that over the years I have eliminated Vermouth from the elixir….opting for strictly Gin. I find that the Vermouth takes away some of the crispness that is so alluring for me.

Anyway…here is what I do…

• Put a Martini glass in the freezer (it should be there at least ten minutes). Get big ones….why make two?

• Take your shaker and fill halfway with ice (more if you are making two).

• Pour in the Gin, seal up the shaker and give it a good shake or three

• Place the shaker on the counter and wait for 5-8 minutes. This is subjective....If I am in the mood for it stronger, I will pour it out earlier…weaker…later.

• Take out the glass and insert garnish of choice. More options here…me, I prefer olives stuffed with jalapeno. I always use olives of some kind…but NEVER use olives stuffed with any kind of cheese – it ruins the taste of the gin.

• Pour your Martini…..admire the frosty glass for a moment and then take that first magnificent sip!

Depending on my mood, I will add some of the olive brine into the glass making it a “dirty” martini (as I have in the picture above).

One last note…if you do like Vermouth, use as little as possible. I used to pour some into the glass and then, empty it out, so just a film was left.
Most importantly – enjoy!