Debra C Argen & Edward F Nesta

While Makasi Wine made in the San Francisco Bay area of California may be a newcomer to the wine market, (the brand launched in April 2022), Winemaker Danny Sullivan has been making wines for over 10 years for private label clients, family, and friends. Now the rest of us get to enjoy these stellar wines from the boutique Makasi label, produced and bottled by Treasure Island Wines in San Francisco, California. We loved the M-19CH-SLV-CNV, shorthand for Makasi 2019 Chardonnay …

Since 1905, Ottella wines from Lugana, Italy have been winning awards. Their Ottella Le Creete Lugana DOC 2021 received 92 points from Wine Spectator and is a crisp, white wine with luscious pineapple and grapefruit notes on the nose, and intense minerality from the white clay of the terroir. This is a wonderful wine to enjoy on its own or to pair with a variety of food. We paired it with pasta as well as with seafood, and the wine …

After the excitement of the November and December holidays, there is always a bit of a slide into the January doldrums and the need for a bit of decadence to ease into the new year. Riserva wines are always special, and we found that the Il Grigio Da San Felice Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2019 from the San Felice Estate in Siena, Italy was especially so and just what we needed with its tradition of excellence. This intense, deep ruby …

Master Distiller Robert Schulten, owner of Fifth State Distillery located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was having fun in the distillery again and created another fabulous gin, Passion Gin, to add to their award-winning line of spirits. Awarded the 2022 and 2021 Connecticut Gin Distillery of the Year by the prestigious New York International Spirits Competition, Fifth State Distillery continues to deliver excellence in every bottle. For his latest Passion Gin, Rob distills passionfruit and having tried it found it to be …

Looking for something different to serve your guests? We recently “discovered” Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa Sanlúcar de Barrameda and loved how this extra dry sherry paired with “tapas” making it perfect for easy holiday or anytime entertaining. While new to us, Bodegas Lustau was founded in Spain in 1896 where they continue the tradition of crafting world-class, award-winning sherry expressions. Salud!

On November 17, 2022, we attended the 31st Edition of Benvenuto Brunello, the Benvenuto Brunello Anteprima 2022: Tasting the future: Brunello 2018 and Riserva 2017. Held at The Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, the unveiling of these incredibly exquisite future wines also occurred simultaneously in London, Toronto, and Los Angeles, making it an international grand-scale event with 68 wineries presenting their wines. Saluti!

Once again, we were enchanted with the Holiday Train Show® at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) located in the Bronx, New York. For over 30 years, the NYBG has continued their tradition of creating a holiday fantasy that deftly combines over 190 iconic models of New York landmark buildings all made from natural items found in a forest with more than 25 G-scale model trains and trolleys. Delightful for all ages, we have made the Holiday Train Show® one …

Tequila lovers are in for a treat with the award-winning Tequila Código 1530 Rosa, as it is exceptionally smooth with layers of flavor nuances that make it equally enjoyable whether sipped neat, served over ice, used in cocktails, or to enhance culinary recipes. Made from 100% Blue Agave in Amatitán, Jalisco, México, this ultra-premium tequila has won a coveted space on our drinks table. We created three delectable cocktails and a culinary recipe that complement this outstanding product. We first …

Looking for interesting flavors to create inspired cocktails? We found Wild Moon Cucumber Liqueur created by Creatrix and Infusionary Lelaneia Dubay, owner of the woman-owned distillery Hartford Flavor Company based in Hartford, Connecticut to be a delectable and versatile ingredient. Wild Moon Cucumber Liqueur imparted layers of flavor to cocktail classics as well as to creative modern cocktails and was also delicious in our culinary creations. Who would think of making a cucumber liqueur? Lelaneia Dubay of course, and for …

SONO 1420 American Craft Distillers Vo Vodka is an ultra-premium vodka handmade in South Norwalk, Connecticut and is America’s first distillery to incorporate hemp seed in its mashbill. Founded in 2019, the double gold award winning distillery is earning kudos and followers due to their exceptional products handcrafted in small batches. Their Vo Vodka is a mixologist’s dream to work with as it is hand distilled from a blend of corn and cane and is sugar and gluten-free. It also …