Sweets for the Sweet:

Periodically, one enjoys a wine after dinner.  Dessert wines are typically sweet, like most delicacies that follow the multi-course meal.  Unfortunately, the market is flooded by wines that are artificially sweetened with sugars; to a connoisseur's palate, these merely taste like the unholy union between old rum and a packet of Sweet n' Low.

Fortunately, God invented Ice Wines to fix this problem.

Ice wines are somewhat uncommon, and are produced when the grapes freeze while on the vine.  An early frost on ripe grapes will create ice wine.  Most people are familiar with those from Germany and Canada.  But because of the specific weather conditions, good ice wine crops aren't produced every year. 

I am currently trying the 2005 Selaks Ice Wine from New Zealand.

Why Selaks?

Well, I'm trying more New Zealand wines before I visit in a few weeks.  This is a small bottle, so if I didn't like it, I wouldn't be terribly wasteful.  

It is 11% alcohol by volume, and is a clear, golden color, akin to mead.  In fact, the flavor is similar to mead in that the sweetness is less syrupy than artificially sweetened wines, but is definitley noticable.  In fact, this may be too sweet of a wine for a person who isn't offsetting the flavor with sharp cheese.  Keep that in mind.

Cost:  

Because ice wines are uncommon, they tend to be a little pricier than other sweet wines.  A bottle of decent ice wine can easily run over $40, though most are sold in smaller bottles.  This particular half bottle cost around $20.

The French Aren't All Bad: Hob Nob

Hob Nob

There are times when you'll be hanging out with people who only drink Miller Lite and Pink Zin, but you'll want something will a little more flavor.  And body. And color.  

Anything really, that isn't the aforementioned beverages.

But you don't want to offend your company with anything too strong or bitter.  Certainly nothing that is an "acquired taste."

Why Hob Nob?

Normally, I prefer Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs.  I've probably had 20 different ones, and I've never even graced the lush Pacific Northwest with my presence (the Pacific Northwest may be happy about this). This garnet colored French wine is excellent with most things:  It is mild but flavorful, fruity but not sweet.  The first taste won't startle your palette, but you won't be terribly disappointed.  I haven't had one single person complain about a bitter taste.  I did find a review that gave this a "C" grade, but the reason was a "green finish."  I don't necessarily taste in color, so I don't know what that means.  Green is my favorite color, so maybe I would like this sort of completion to my sip.  Whatever - I think this is a solid crowd pleaser for the price.

I also like antique cars.

Cost?

Less than $20.  In most states this may be had for around $14 per bottle, and in California it retails for around $11.  There are other Hob Nob varieties, but I haven't tried them and can't vouch for their qualities.

It has a fake cork, though.  There are some people who prefer the real thing, so I'm just letting you know.

Off To England: Strongbow Dry Cider

Strongbow - England's Dry Cider

Some people have yet to venture into the realm of ciders, and I must say they are missing out.  Nothing is more refreshing on a sultry day than kicking back with a dry cider in a chilled glass.

Why Strongbow?

Some people in the U.S. might be more familiar with Vermont's Woodchuck Cider.  I like most brews out of Middlebury, and some of the Woodchuck flavors are pretty good, but others are far too sweet.  If you are more of a beer/red wine drinker, you will prefer a dry cider.  I've yet to find one with a crisper finish than what comes out of this English can.  The carbonation is noticeable, but minimal.  The taste is similar to biting into a fresh Granny Smith apple.

Strongbow just became available in some states, and still isn't available in all.  Some places carry it in bottles, others in cans.  I'm currently drinking one out of a can.  The alcohol content (outside of UK pubs) is officially 5.3%, though it appears to vary. My can reads 5.0%.

 

Cost:  

The cost is a little high, though not unreasonable - a four pack of cans runs anywhere from $9 to $12.  That may not sound like a lot, but most good imported beer six packs cost about the same.

For a particularly interesting beverage, mix a cider with Harp (or any non-crappy lager) and make a Snake bite.  The lager simply lessens the sweetness of the cider.