Kentucky Derby and Mint Juleps

Kentucky Derby and Mint Juleps

The word julep can be traced back over 600 years and stems from the Arabic julab or Persian jul-ab, meaning “rosewater.” The term has been referenced in English literature as early as 1400, originally referring to “a syrup composed solely of water and sugar.” Prior to...
Tequila — Mexico’s Native Spirit

Tequila — Mexico’s Native Spirit

By Bob Lipinski “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.” — Comedian George Carlin, 1937-2008 Tequila is a distilled spirit produced from the juice of the blue agave, a plant native to Mexico. The agave has stiff, blue-tinted leaves and needle-like thorns,...
Brie: Easy to Pair with Wine

Brie: Easy to Pair with Wine

By Bob Lipinski “How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?”  — Charles de Gaulle, 1890-1970, President of France, 1962 speech According to popular legend, Emperor Charlemagne first tasted Brie in around 774 at a monastery and fell in love with...
Pairing Tempura With White Wines

Pairing Tempura With White Wines

By Bob Lipinski Tempura, a Japanese specialty, consists of pieces of seafood, vegetables, or occasionally chicken, that are lightly battered, then deep-fried to a golden color. The batter, which must be light and thin, is made of flour (traditionally wheat), eggs, and...
Storing Your Wines at Home

Storing Your Wines at Home

By Bob Lipinski “A man, fallen on hard times, sold his art collection but kept his wine cellar. When asked why he did not sell his wine, he said, ‘A man can live without art, but not without culture.’” — Author Unknown Wines are best stored at a temperature of 52 to...

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