Delicate Cherry Plumtini

A little history before the toast--In an effort to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan, 98 years ago, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo  gifted the United States with 3,000 Japanese Cherry Trees to the city of Washington. 

 Cherry trees were originally planted in Japan for their beauty to adorn the grounds of the nobility of Kyoto as early as 794.  Flower viewing was a social practice the Japanese emulated from China where the imperial households, poets, singers and other aristocrats would gather and celebrate under blossoms.  

  

Gekkeikan Sake Company, Ltd., based in Kyoto, Japan, is the world’s most popular sake brand and was founded in 1637 by the Okura family. With nearly 400 years and 14 generations of sake brewing experience, Gekkeikan, one of the oldest-family operated businesses in the world and one of the most respected names in sake, has proudly been the official sake of Japan’s Imperial Household for almost a century.  Their delightful offerings include 14 sakes and plum wines, including Gekkeikan Traditional, the world’s most popular Junami, Horin, the award-winning Junmai Daiginjo and the acclaimed Zipang Sparking Sake. Have your sake the traditional way or try something new.

Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival, which starts on March 27^th , and Spring in general, with this cocktail  from Gekkeikan:

Cherry Blossom Tini (by Allen Katz)

2 ¼ parts Gekkeikan Sake

¾ part Cointreau®

¾ part cranberry juice

¼ part fresh lime juice

2 dashes orange bitters

 http://www.gekkeikan-sake.com/

As always, drink and serve responsibly.

Turning into Spring

    

The winemaker at Turning Leaf, Nicole Hitchcock, has some ideas for pairing wines with Spring repasts.

 
     A light wine such as  Turning Leaf’s 2008 Pinot Grigio  goes  nicely with lamb, poultry [and vegetarian] dishes. Pino Grigio  is refreshing, with aromas of ripe apples and lingering hints of pear. Enjoy with any light fare-from seared scallops with a lemon-butter drizzle to an open-faced, roast chicken breast sandwich topped with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

    Their 2008 Merlot is a natural with dishes like pasta or ham or just about anything else. This Merlot has a fruity and spicy flavor-- luscious and medium-bodied, with the scents and aromas of blackberry jam and black plums-and just a hint of chocolate.

    Both are equally at home on the dining table or toted along on a picnic. At only $8 a bottle, you can choose a veritable basket of Turning Leaf wines and you won’t break your budget. Enjoy! And, as always, drink and serve responsibly.

http://www.turningleaf.com

From Ireland, with Love

 
Two things that might be appropriate in the month of St. Patrick’s Day—Michael Collins and Irish Whiskey. Put them together and you have Michael Collins Irish Whiskey.
Michael Collins, a heroic figure in Irish history, signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which made Ireland an independent country for the first time in over 700 years. Michael Collins was a visionary who realized that Ireland was poised for greatness. He understood the importance of retaining culture and heritage but knew that as an independent country, Ireland could flourish.


Nearly a century after his death,  Ireland has become the prosperous, economically successful country that Michael Collins envisioned. As a tribute to his efforts, Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys celebrate a new age in Ireland and in Irish Whiskey.

The blended whiskeys are aged for a minimum of four to more than twelve years in small bourbon seasoned casks to ensure a rich, smooth taste-- clean and full, delicately balanced between honey sweet and citrus flavors, with a fresh oak finish.

The Single Malt, matured in specially selected oak casks for a minimum of eight to over twelve years, is well-rounded and complex with a rich maltiness. The long finish has a hint of chocolate and a wonderfully settled smoky flavor from the peat that lingers on the palate.

Have a toast to St. Patrick and to Ireland. And as always, drink and serve responsibly.
http://www.michaelcollinswhiskey.com