Tamarind Dark and Stormy (Still thirsty? See Liqurious)

The Date and Time: Monday, April 29, 2013 1:30 PM to 5 PM The Event: 30.50 Imports Portfolio Tasting The Venue: Barberian's Steakhouse The Target Audience: wine trade, private clients The Availability/Catalogue: wines are mainly in stock, but a few were private orders. The Quote/Background: Many of the wines are sustainable or certified organic. The Wines: I did not taste every wine. Prices listed are LICENSEE. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Bod Tradicion Amontillado Jerez 30 years old, $89.95 -Bod Tradicion Oloroso Jerez 30 years old, $89.95 -Bod Tradicion Palo Cortado Jerez 30 years old, $115 -Bod Tradicion Pedro Ximenez Jerez 20 years old, $105 -Cantina di Venosa Aglianico del Vulture Vignali 2008 DOC, $16.95 -Il Paradiso di Frassina Brunello di Montalcino 2008, $59.95 -Musella Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2009, $25.95 -Champagne Chapuy Carte Verte Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV, $49.95; $24.95 split. -Roots Run Deep Winery Pinot Noir Educated Guess 2009, $29.95 -Mt. Rosa Estate Winery Pinot Gris 2009 Central Otago, $25.95 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 ? 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Sidonio de Sousa Bairrada Tinto 2005, $15.95 -Porta da Teira Ninfa Espumante Pinot Noir Ribatejo MT, $29.95 -Porta da Teira Ninfa Touriga Nacional-Syrah 2010 Ribatejo, $17.95 -Porta da Teira Moscatel de Setubal, $15.95 for 500 mL. -Bod Medrano Irazu Crianza 2009 Rioja, $13.25 -Bod Briego Reserva 2004 R. del Duero, $27.50 -Celler Cesca Vicent Red 2010 Priorat, $20.95 -Peter Zemmer Pinot Bianco DOC 2011, $16.95 -Cantina di Venosa Dry Muscat Terre di Orazio IGT 2011, $14.50 -Castello di Verduno Barbaresco DOCG Faset 2007, $49.95 -Castello di Verduno Barolo DOCG Massara 2005, $64.95 -Tenuta Alessandro Garetto Fava 2007 DOCG Super Nizza Piedmont, $34.95 -Fattoria Casabianca Tuscany 2012 Vermentino Coppaia, $12.95 -Fattoria Casabianca Tuscany 2010 Chianti Colli Senesi, $15.95 -Fattoria Casabianca Tuscany 2009 Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva, $19.95 -Fattoria Casabianca Tuscany 2007 Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva Belsedere, $34.95 -Fattoria Casabianca Tuscany 2010 Canaiolo Loccaretto, $25.95 -Castello La Leccia Chianti Classico Riserva Bruciagna 2008, $34.95 -Il Paradiso di Frassina Gea Sant'Antimo Rosso DOC 2009, $34.95 -Musella Amarone Riserva 2007, $59.95 -Dom Michel Mallard & Fils Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Les Valozieres 2009, $74.95 -Chateau Barrejat Cuvee des Vieux Ceps 2010 Madiran, $24.95 -Mt. Rosa Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Central Otago, $19.99 *** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 ? 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Sidonio de Sousa Bairrada Tinto Reserva 2008, $19.95 -Adega de Mesao Frio Claustru's Tinto 2010 Douro, $11.95 -Bod Amador Garcia Penagudi Blanco 2011 Rioja, $13.95 -Bod Medrano Irazu Tempranillo Joven 2011 Rioja, $13.25 -Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio La Lot IGT 2011, $13.95 -Peter Zemmer Muller Thurgau DOC 2011, $18.95 -Peter Zemmer Pinot Nero DOC 2010, $17.95 -Peter Zemmer Lagrein DOC 2010, $18.95 -Fattoria Casabianca Tuscany 2011 Coppaia Chianti Colli Senesi, $12.95 -Castello La Leccia Chianti Classico 2009 $24.95 -Il Paradiso di Frassina Rosso Organic IGT 2011, $20.95 -Dom Michel Mallard & Fils Ladoix Le Clos Royer 2009, $49.95 -Chateau Barrejat Seduction 2010 Madiran, $19.95 -Mt. Rosa Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2009 Central Otago, $29.95 The Food: an awesome display of charcuterie, cheeses, breads, smoked salmon and roasted red peppers, plus beef on a baguette. The Downside: I was rushed as there was a mammoth Portuguese tasting immediately afterwards at the AGO. The Upside: a chance to speak with two visiting winemakers. The Contact Person: Nelson Abreu info@3050imports.comThe Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade)

Tipsy Lemonade and Peach Iced Tea (Still thirsty? See Liqurious)

The folks at Wines of Germany sent along their quarterly pair of samples. The first is a repeat, but one that I've enjoyed every time that I've had it. 2009 Dr. Pauly Bergweiler Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling KabinettMosel, Germany100% Riesling$22, 9% abv.Nose has a tinge of petrol and overripe white fruit, but gives way to a light and golden, medium-dry wine. Low acidity and a round mouthfeel, with a lingering yellow apple flavor on the palate. The second wine was a bit of a surprise. I wasn't expecting a Pinot Noir, even though it's not that rare in Germany, where it's known as Spätburgunder.2010 Franz Anton Pinot NoirBaden, Germany100% Pinot Noir$37, 13.5% abv.Cherries and bacon fat, mild nose, light and thin body with a lingering sour cherry flavor. This is by far the best German red wine I've ever had. My first experience was with a rather disappointing Dornfelder. This pleasant Pinot Noir would be delicious with kielbasa or other dense pork sausages. Note: These wines were provided as samples.

A Pomegranate Cocktail and a interview with James Beard Award winner Robin Davis. (Still thirsty? See Liqurious)

Tarragon Strawberry Smash from Brooklyn Supper (Still thirsty? See Liqurious)

Icy Citrusy Grapefruit Margarita...perfect for cooling off or entertaining (Still thirsty? See Liqurious)

Mint. Sugar. Bourbon. It's all you need in life, really. (Still thirsty? See Liqurious)

The Bad Dog Greyhound - A perfect cocktail for the bad, the fiery, and the untamed. (Still thirsty? See Liqurious)

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.**********************************************************1) Frank McClelland is the Chef & Proprietor of L'Espalier and he is one of few Chefs in the country to reside on his own farm, Apple Street Farm. In one of the country’s most ambitious sustainable agriculture initiatives for the restaurant industry, Apple Street Farm is the primary source of organic harvests for L’Espalier and is a source for various other restaurants throughout the city of Boston. Apple Street Farm is located just north of Boston in Essex, MA and is Chef McClelland’s revitalization of a two-century pastoral 14-acre equestrian farm.Every Summer, Chef McClelland and his talented team hosts the Apple Street Farm Summer Dinner Series. Each month from June until October, Apple Street Farm will celebrate the freshest ingredients of the season with a special dinner