Debra C Argen & Edward F Nesta

  It was a perfect Saturday afternoon in Wallingford, Connecticut at the 2022 CT Craft Beer Fest held by the CT Brewers Guild at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre, learning about (and tasting) the diverse line of Connecticut Craft Beers. More than 60 craft breweries came from around the state and brought delectable samples of their artisanal products. Who knew the Connecticut Craft Beer Movement had so many tasty products?

Barceló Imperial – Ron Dominicano is a super-premium rum from the Dominican Republic and imported by Shaw-Ross International Importers. Made from fermented sugar juice, and not from molasses, this delectable rum is carefully crafted by a blend of rums ranging in age up to ten years and aged in American bourbon oak barrels. The result is a smooth and delectable sipping rum that is also an excellent choice for cocktail and culinary recipes. Cheers!

We love to use botanicals in our cocktail and culinary creations and were delighted when we “discovered” Wild Moon Lavender Liqueur created by Creatrix and Infusionary Lelaneia Dubay, owner of the woman-owned distillery Hartford Flavor Company based in Hartford, Connecticut. Their luscious Wild Moon Lavender Liqueur is perfect to serve chilled or over ice, and when used in cocktail or culinary recipes adds another layer of flavor that makes the recipes uniquely tasty.

Tasting the award-winning Henri Bardouin Pastis is like taking your palate on a trip to Provence, France. Made in France since 1898, Henri Bardouin Pastis is made from a delectable blend of 65 plants to create a unique, and very tasty, elegant liqueur. We found this product to be very versatile as it can be enjoyed as an aperitif, used in cocktail recipes, added to espresso at the end of a meal, and can also be used in culinary recipes, …

We took our palates on a trip around the world (without a need for a passport) during the impressive selection of offerings at the Whiskeys of the World tasting and pairing presented by Beam Suntory, Inc. during the 2022 Mohegan Sun, Sun Wine & Food Festival held at the Mohegan Sun located in Uncasville, Connecticut. It was an evening of tasting old favorites and discovering new ones. We also had the opportunity to sample food pairings from the Celebrity Chefs …

With the rising interest in organic and gluten-free products, we decided to explore Westford Hill Distillers Organic Rime Vodka handcrafted in Ashford, Connecticut with 100% organic non-GMO corn. Master Distiller Louis Chatey has created another delicious spirit for their handcrafted artisanal spirit line with the introduction of Rime Vodka. Delectably smooth and all-natural with nice viscosity and mouthfeel, Rime Vodka is perfect served chilled or over ice, and is an admirable companion in cocktail and culinary recipes.

VARA Winery & Distillery located in Albuquerque, New Mexico has a diverse and delectable selection of wines imported from Spain that go beyond the standard offerings. We love their Vara Garnacha 2018, a flavorful blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo, and Syrah grapes that is absolutely delicious. Juicy, fruit forward, currant, cocoa notes, and a slightly spicy finish, this is another great wine to experience. Cheers!

Looking to expand your white wine horizons for 2021 and go beyond the usual chardonnay, sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio? We just "discovered" VARA Viura 2018 imported from Spain and bottled by VARA in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is a sumptuously delectable blend of Viura, Muscat of Alexandria, and Albarino grapes. The VARA Viura 2018, Vino Blanco Español, is a dry, crisp white wine with lush green apple, citrus, and mineral notes. With only 13.2% alcohol by volume, it is …

Winter has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere and with it our desire for bold red wines and hearty culinary recipes. We love the VARA Tempranillo 2018 Español imported from Spain and bottled by VARA in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A delectable blend of tempranillo and garnacha grapes provide the wine with a nice balance of body, structure, and incredible layers of flavors. The Vara Tempranillo 2018 Español is delicious to drink on its own or enjoyed with food. Cheers!

The holidays will soon be knocking at our doors and there is nothing more festive than offering your guests a welcome glass of bubbly, in this case, cava (sparkling wine from Spain) to start the festivities off on an elegant note. We were delighted to "discover" VARA Silverhead Brut, Cava Método Tradicional, which is an elegant and delicious Cava D.O. whether served by itself or used as a complementing component in cocktails. Cheers!