Now that the warm weather is upon us, I thought I’d take this opportunity to discuss gin because it always tends to be a cocktail favorite during the summer months.
Gin is a spirit produced from a mash of cereal grains, usually consisting of corn, rye, barley and wheat. The spirit’s predominate flavor and aromas come from the botanical, juniper berries. Other botanicals that are traditionally used to round out the flavor profile include –but are not limited to– coriander, lemon and orange peels, fennel, cassia, anise, almond and angelica. Gin by law cannot carry an age statement and generally ranges between 80 and 94 proof. Continue reading The Different Styles and Characteristics of Gin
Saturday, June 18th
I imagine the look on Mr Pasanau’s face as being that of a parent whose small child has just won the school talent show playing the bagpipes. Yes, there is pride in recognition, but the true source of that pride is recognition for doing something both unusual and gutsy. Mr Pasanau makes Priorat, one of only two DOCa in Spain (the highest level of their classification system, the other region that holds it is Rioja), and his wines clearly illustrate the intersection of tradition and modern technology that has become a hallmark of the region. Indeed, finding the balance between the push and pull of the two concepts is becoming the reputation of Spain in general. 
