Spirits Sweets Winemakers News
The Promise of an Emerald
Tanqueray's newest gin comes in a bottle that's the color and cut of an emerald, and it carries the promise of a martini that will rate a perfect 10. Made in small batches with handpicked fresh botanicals (juniper berries, angelica), Tanqueray No. Ten ($25) easily earns its name.
Believe It or Not
With so many scotch whisky makers touting 20-, 30- and 50-year-old bottlings, it's hard to believe there's actually such a thing as scotch that's too old. But whisky expert John Hansell of the Malt Advocate contends that 18 is the ideal age for scotch.
Grape Candy
A magic word in health these days is antioxidant, and one of its sources is grape seeds. Canandaigua Brands has come out with a line of grape-seed products, like Tapestry Herbal Fudge. It's good health with a good taste ($6.50 for a 16-piece box; www.anti-oxidant.com).
Falling for Canada
Although Niagara Falls is a well-known tourist stop, another may soon be Le Clos Jordan, a nearby Niagara Peninsula winery. It's the first Canadian vineyard investment by a French company, the Burgundy-based Boisset, in partnership with Canada's Vincor.
Top 10 Reds
Favorite red wines at famous steak houses.
1. Ben Benson's, New York City:
Robert Mondavi Cabernet.
2. Brenner's Steakhouse, Houston:
Jordan Cabernet.
3. Del Frisco's, Dallas:
Stags' Leap Winery Merlot.
4. Bern's Steakhouse, Tampa:
Hogue Merlot.
5. Manny's Steakhouse, Minneapolis:
Silver Oak Cabernet.
6. Morton's of Chicago, Chicago:
Silver Oak Cabernet.
7. Ruth's Chris, New Orleans:
Kendall-Jackson Merlot.
8. Plaza III Steakhouse, Kansas City:
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet.
9. Spencer's for Steaks and Chops, Salt Lake City:
Frog's Leap Cabernet.
10. The Palm, Los Angeles:
Jordan Cabernet.
Tuscan Son
Legendary Napa Valley winemaker and spiritual Tuscan Robert Mondavi strengthens his ties to Italy with another financial commitment. Mondavi, already a partner with the Tuscan Frescobaldi clan, recently purchased a minority stake in Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, for a total Italian investment of $13.6 million.
By Lettie Teague