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Email Nora McGunnigle at nora@nolabeerblog.com
WINE of the week 2012 Ballard Lane Sauvignon Blanc CENTR A L C OA S T, C A LIFORNI A $10 RETAIL
Sauvignon blanc is a favorite among wine enthusiasts around the world for its food-friendly, straightforward aromas and flavors. California’s Miller family — Ballard Lane’s owners — have farmed in the Central Coast area for five generations. Forty years ago, they purchased land in Paso Robles and Santa Maria Valley, planted vineyards and eventually began producing the award-winning Ballard Lane label as well as making wine for other wineries. This wine, 90 percent sauvignon blanc and 10 percent chenin blanc, was vinified in stainless steel and aged in tanks with no oak for eight months prior to bottling. In the glass, the wine exhibits aromas of grapefruit, guava, melon, herbal and floral notes, and flavors of green apple, citrus and white peach on the acid-balanced finish. Drink now and over the next one to two years. Drink it with: oysters on the half shell with mignonette sauce, ceviche, grilled shrimp, creamy vegetable soups, herbed goat cheese and Asian cuisines. Buy it at: Pearl Wine Co. — BRENDA MAITLAND
GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > DECEMBER 3 > 2013
On the heels of Gulfport, Miss. beer maker Crooked Letter Brewing (www. crookedletterbrewing.com) bringing its beers to the New Orleans market, two other well-respected and established breweries soon will sell their beers in Louisiana as well. Distributor Uncorked NOLA is bringing The Bruery (www.thebruery. com) from California’s Orange County to markets throughout the state in mid-December. Nick Selby, managing partner of Uncorked, says the decision to distribute The Bruery’s beer reflects the strength of its bottled offerings. “They’re amazing beers done by really cool people,” Selby says. The six beers that will be distributed initially will be in 750 milliliter bottles only (no draft). Saison Rue, a rye farmhouse ale and Mischief, a hoppy Belgian-style golden ale, represent the Bruery’s year-round offerings. Sour beers Rueuze, Oude Tart and Tart of Darkness also will be available in New Orleans at Whole Foods Markets, Elio’s Wine Warehouse, Bacchanal and Stein’s Market and Deli. Louisiana will get a limited amount of Bruery’s fifth anniversary ale Bois, which has 15 percent alcohol by volume, an old ale aged in bourbon barrels. The second brewery bringing beer to town is Athens, Ga.-based Terrapin Brewing (www.terrapinbeer.com), which will launch in mid-January with its flagship beer Hopsecutioner IPA on draft, according to distributor Crescent Crown and Terrapin Area Sales Manager Steve Hayes. Hayes added that he hopes to provide “specialty, seasonal, one-offs and rarities” to celebrate the rollout. In February, Hopsecutioner, Rye Pale Ale and RecreationAle, will be available in six-packs. “As we get closer to spring, you can expect to start seeing all of our seasonal, Monster Beer Tour series and side project and specialty offerings,” Hayes says. “Our decision to start distribution in these markets was a no-brainer,” Hayes says. “There is a growing thirst [in Louisiana] for craft. People have been calling for Terrapin down there for a while now, and we just plain like the scene — who doesn’t?” — NORA MCGUNNIGLE
Email Brenda Maitland at winediva1@bellsouth.net
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