Kosher Wine AND Bourbon???

2009-02-24T17:19:00.008-05:00

Yes, my friends, these are the things I tasted last night. Well, let's be clear. I went to the Kosher Food & Wine Experience last night at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC and then I went to Char No 4 for dinner and drinking. I foolishly did not go to the trade part of the Kosher tasting during the times of 4-6pm. This meant I had to rub elbows with many persons there at prime time. Well, I AM a professional, so had no problem reaching for the spit buckets that were not being utilized. Here are some highlights of what I tasted:

KOSHER WINE
'05 Barkan Altitude 720 Cabernet Sauvignon, Israel--a fair amount of vanilla on the nose with some chocolate and black fruit on the palate. Firm tannins, but well integrated. Pleasing to those that like that sort of thing.

'07 Gamla Riesling, Israel--bright apricot on nose and palate with a touch of spice. just a hint of sweetness and a very pleasant finish. one of my favorites of the night.

'05 Adar, Ribera del Júcar, Spain--about a quarter percent each of Bobal, Syrah, Cab Sauv, and Merlot. Sees 12 months in French and American oak, but they are 300L so the oak influence is not in your face intense. Had some lovely black fruit and a slight coffee bitterness on the finish which I liked.

The low light of the night was the Barons de Rothschild table. This was mostly because of the corked bottle that was poured for me. When I pointed this out to the young lady pouring, she did have another bottle opened, but continued to pour the corked bottle to other guests. Honestly, they really didn't care. When someone asked for the "Cabernet Sauvignon wine", she selected the Argentine Malbec on the table (which for the record was horrible. Avoid the Flechas de Los Andes at all costs). Everyone drank it up.

Clearly, this was a night for those looking for Kosher wines to get introduced to the brands, but not for them evaluating them in a serious way. They seemed to be pleased that there is more to life than Manischewitz, and I can't ask for anything more. I'll happily steer them in the right direction when they come a callin'.

BOURBON

Char No. 4 is seriously one of my favorite places on the planet. As for the booze that was swallowed and not spit, included a Manhattan that was poured upon arrival. I honestly didn't see what he used to make this because I was just looking for instant relief to a long day at work.

For those that don't know, all whisk(e)y poured here is poured in 1 or 2 oz. pours with a sidecar of ice and tongs. I had the Willett's Family Reserve as my first pour. Lovely cinnamon and vanilla notes on the nose evolving to a slightly sweet palate of smoke and maple syrup. Long and spicefilled finish.

Next up was the Four Roses Single Batch Bourbon. One of my favorite go to Bourbon's as of late. Always up for a jigger of this. Along with the usual suspects of vanilla, and other baking spices, there is a hint of red fruit hidden in there and a bit of chocolate. Not too sweet, not too dry, and the finish has that dash of acidity that makes you reach for the glass again. Enjoyed this one with my Chopped Pork Sandwich with a side of baked beans. Yum!

I was making this a quasi early night so that was all I had to drink, but I did take a sip of Amanda's drink before heading home. The Woodford Reserve Sweet Mash. Yea for Cherry Banana Bread! That's seriously what I get each and every time I drink this. I love this one so much that the bottle I received for my birthday a few weeks ago is still not opened. I think I need to buy another bottle and open that one so that this one can be drunk at another birthday. Woodford won't be making this again so I want to squirrel mine away.

Brooklynwino

Kosher Wine AND Bourbon???