By Emma Krasov. Photography by Yuri Krasov
Jean-Charles Boisset, the founder of the Boisset Collection that operates dozens of wineries in California, France, and Canada, has a special wine produced to “commemorate one of the most pivotal moments in our world history—Victory Day 1945.” Introducing the rich red blend from Sonoma County, California, the Boisset Collection proprietor notes that it “honors the 75th anniversary of May 8, 1945, when the free world joined together to celebrate PEACE.”
Victory Day marks the end of World War II and Nazi regime in Europe with the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender after midnight on May 8, 1945—May 9 Moscow Time. Since the holiday has been inaugurated in the former USSR, both dates are equally important, and remain a valid reason to celebrate our freedom, and honor the heroes who fought and died for it.
The handsome bottle of the full-bodied wine composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Merlot by winemaker Brian Maloney, and aged in a combination of French and American oak for 15 months, Victory Day is well-balanced with integrated tannins; characterized by the aromas of black fruit with notes of cassis, and flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate and baking spice, and is adorned with a label that presents a period black-and-white photo and gilded lettering.
Another great red from Boisset Collection is Raymond Vineyard’s Sommelier Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted by a group of influential sommeliers at the finest restaurants and inspired by the rich history of California wine country.
“We used Cabernet grapes from three unique appellations, resulting in a fun and diverse wine made to enjoy,” says Mr. Boisset. “Napa Valley is the backbone of the blend, with its terroir providing the fullest expression of black fruits and integrated tannins; Sonoma County’s fog influence produces grapes that give the wine structure, balance and acidity; Lake County’s growing season is short, making for red, jammy wines.”
Raymond 2017 cabernet sauvignon comes from Raymond Vineyards that has a forty-year reputation for elegant wines with a beautiful balance of finesse, power and complexity.
When popular singer John Legend was searching for a wine-producing partner with the highest standards of excellence that would equal his music, Raymond Vineyards appeared as a perfect match. The inspired interdisciplinary collaboration yielded a special series of rose wines, labeled LVE–Legend Vineyard Exclusives. Light crisp roses would be great for Mother’s Day on May 10!
To learn more about the Boisset Collection, visit: https://www.boissetcollection.com/
While no one was looking, 3 Badge Beverage Corporation based in Sonoma, California, was warking on creating a legit La Hora del Vermut (the Vermouth hour) and naming May 15 the National Vermouth Day.
In Spain, Vermouth isn’t just for mixing cocktails, it’s a respectable drink in its own herbaceous right, offered before lunch as an aperitif, or in the afternoon over ice with a splash of tonic as a precursor to Madrid’s traditional all-nighters on the town.
La Pivón Spanish Vermouth comes in Blanco and Rojo varieties, both on a sweeter side, making a great cocktail ingredient as well as a pleasing nightcap or a spirit-lifter just because! Order some ahead of Vermouth Day—you’ll be glad you did. Paired very smoothly with cheese, fruit, almonds (Marcona!) crackers or sweets, La Pivon is also beautiful to behold in artsy bottles you would want to keep when the wine is gone.
For a perfect mix, use Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin (also available in Restorative and Peppered Gin lines) Also a product of 3 Badge Beverage Corp, Uncle Val’s Gins are crafted as complex “food gins”, using combinations of juniper, cucumber, lemon, lavender, coriander, rose petals, red bell pepper, black pepper and pimento. Great-tasting and unbelievably fragrant on its own, Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin is of course well suited to cocktail classics, like negronis and martinis.
More information at: https://www.3badge.com/
If you’re looking for something ever stronger, Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, an ultra-premium award-winning spirit, handcrafted from corn to cork, one barrel at a time, is what you should seek and enjoy!
Lots of love and effort goes into creating every bottle of Garrison Brothers, carefully tended to every step of the way, crafted with utmost attention to details, and perfected before reaching you, the bourbon aficionado who knows what’s good.
“It’s everything rich and good about bourbon, without the bite,” states the company. “Our bourbon is amber-crimson like a Texas sunset, darker, richer, and fuller than almost any other bourbon on the market. We don’t source whiskey from elsewhere and we never will. Our bourbon is made in Hye, Texas, from a sweet mash of premium, #1 food-grade corn, soft red winter wheat from local farms, and two row barley.”
Aged in new American oak barrels, Garrison Brothers bourbon acquires aromas of butterscotch, nutmeg, and vanilla. The flavor profile has notes of summer fruit with hints of butter, whipped cream, and angel food cake. The finish is smooth, with chocolate and espresso notes.
Garrison Brothers bourbon is available online at: https://shop.garrisonbros.com/
And now a special announcement from Garrison Brothers. On Friday May 22, Garrison Brothers Distillery will have their third release of the multi-award-winning Balmorhea, twice-barreled bourbon whiskey, 115 proof, as drive thru at the distillery. This release will only have a total of 6,000 bottles for sale. The remaining bottles will be send out for sale nationwide at select retailers on Monday May 25. In California, Balmorhea will be sold at Total Wine, BevMo and some select specialty liquor stores. More information at: https://www.garrisonbros.com/our-babies/balmorhea
Circling back to the Mother’s Day on May 10, don’t forget to complement the good wine with even better food pairing—Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese!
“Here at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, we believe that great cheese is made in the pastures,” say the three sisters-proprietors. “It’s made in the natural grasses and cool ocean breezes on our coastal, Northern California farm. It’s made by healthy, pampered and well-fed cows that we raise individually from birth. It’s made by hand, by artisan craftspeople. It’s made here, on the dairy farm our family calls home.”
The most popular selection of cheeses known to the cheese-loving public as Crowd Pleaser has been upgraded and specialized as a gift for Mother’s Day and now called the Mom Pleaser.
The company provides additional benefits to its customers by offering free second day shipping through May for all deliveries in the contiguous US. (No promo code required. Offer good on all individual cheeses and composed gift packs available online.)
“Stay Home. Stay Safe. Eat Cheese”
On offer are such multiple award-winning delicacies as Original Blue—California’s classic style blue, aged 3.5 months, no-rind, all-natural and gluten-free with ultra-creamy texture and flavor notes of sweet fresh milk with a peppery finish.
Bay Blue—a rustic-style cheese with a natural rind, aged 90 days, known for its fudge-like texture, mellow flavor and sweet, salted caramel finish.
Toma—the most versatile semi-hard table cheese with creamy texture and a waxed rind, true to its name that in Italian means “wheel of cheese made by the farmer herself.” Aged for 90 days, with buttery flavor and grassy tangy finish.
Buy the Point Reyes Farmstead’s excellent cheeses at: https://www.pointreyescheese.com/
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