Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards
Prologue Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Aisle 6B, $24.99
A 4 person project started in 1983 has become one of Napa Valley’s most prestigious vineyards. This Cabernet from Anderson’s Conn is full bodied with layers of structure and gripping tannins. When the grip is let loose the wine showcases a tremendous marriage of cheery, vanilla and rose pedals. The Prologue hails from 2006 vintage described as “a grower’s year” with record breaking heat in July and an early flood. The best of the lot are much like this wine, bold with depth and ripe fruit.
SCORE: 4

One of my job perks is that when I’m looking for a great wine at a great price, I can march right over to our wine aisles and grab a wine department employee and ask for a recommendation.    I explain what I am celebrating, what I’m fixing for dinner or that I’m watching my budget and need a great wine under ten bucks. I’ve never been disappointed and I always get to try something new in the aisles!  But if you’d like to do a little research before you get here – check out The Party Source’s wine department’s Staff Picks.  The knowledge and passion of our wine specialists will blow your mind!

When you find one you just love- or  you want to try them all -stock up.  Your budget won’t feel the pinch with our our new CASE Discount Program!

See you in the Wine Aisles!

Connie Volker

EQ Event and Marketing Director

Cousino-Macul Finis Terrae
grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
This is a vineyard at the bottom of the world that I have paid close attention too over the last 7 years. Cousino-Macul has gained mine and yours trust with their red and white offerings from both Estate and Antiguas labels. They recently released their 2005 Icon for $65 (2nd best vintage for Chilean red wine to date) a wine I had the pleasure to taste in barrel while visiting Chile. Finis Terrae, the little brother to Icon is made of only the finest Cabernet and Merlot grapes after they select the Icon. Yet another well structured and refined dry red wine from South America that will cellar well and performs at twice the price. Meaty, with a focus of smoke and earth with touches of silk throughout.
$18.99
Aisle 7A
SCORE: 4+

Cheers,
Danny Gold
Fine Wine
The Party Source

Punkt Sparkling Gruner Veltliner
Austria $16.99 – Aisle 7B
This is a first not only for myself or the The Party Source but a first for the wine industry itself. Never before have we seen a Sparkling Gruner Veltliner before. This Austrian delight is full of bright stony fruit a chalky mouth feel and a very elegant touch to the dry finish. Pouring more like a still wine than a sparkler this wine makes too much sense not to try. If you are a venturous wine drinker do your self a favor and pick one up. This would make a great opening act for dinner or gift idea during wedding season.
SCORE: 4+

Cheers,
Danny Gold
Fine Wine
The Party Source

If you enjoyed last night’s Zootini at the Cincinnati Zoo, you were not alone!  Jay Dickerson, EQ Bar Chef did a great job creating, mixing and shaking these cocktails just for you!  Let us know which was your favorite!

Cheers!

Connie Volker

EQ Event and Marketing Director

Manatee Melon Martini
1½ ounces tequila
1 ounce  melon liqueur
½ ounce orange flavored liqueur
½ ounce lime juice
2 ounces sour mix

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.

The Watering Hole Hpnotiq® Martini
2 ounces Hpnotiq® liqueur
1 ounce coconut rum
2 ounces pineapple juice

Combine all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into a martini or cocktail glass and serve.

African Violet Martini
2 ounces raspberry vodka
½ ounce Chambord
1 ounce grape juice
½ ounce lime juice
Lime wedge

Shake with ice and strain into a well-chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Sihil’s Martini
2 ounces rum
½ ounce passion fruit liqueur
½ ounce simple syrup
1 lime wedge
2 ounces pineapple juice
Mint leaves

In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint, simple syrup, and limes.  Add ice, rum, passion fruit liqueur, and pineapple juice.  Shake vigorously and strain into chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with mint sprig.

Zootini Martini
1½ ounces bourbon
½ ounce maraschino liqueur
Dash grapefruit bitters
1 teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice
Maraschino cherry
Ginger ale

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients except ginger ale and shake. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Hahn SLH Pinot Noir-$24.99  California Aisle 6A

Hahn has a reputation amongst wine drinkers especially red as being solid and a safe bet for your money. In fact one of the first Meritage and Cabernet Franc wines I tasted 8 years ago were Hahn wines. They just released late last year with a new series of high quality performers and the buzz is mainly about this Pinot.   I had it last night with some Korean marinated Sea Bass and was impressed by it’s delicate touch and well mannered fruit. The wine was medium bodied packed with beautiful berry notes and floral tones.
SCORE: 4

Cheers!

Danny

Are you trying to think of a fun and novel idea for your next birthday celebration?  Try a demonstration cooking class at EQ!

Janet and Bob Conboy recently celebrated both of their birthdays by treating themselves to the Taste of Woodford Reserve demonstration cooking class held at EQ on Monday night.  They had a great dinner prepared and taught by Chef Mark Williams from Woodford Reserve and toasted each other with some tasty cocktails prepared by Mary Perkins – also from Woodford Reserve.

Make your next birthday an EQ birthday.  Here’s to Janet and Bob-

“May you live as long as the 100 year oak tree I planted yesterday.”

Cheers!

Connie Volker

EQ Event and Marketing Director

As part of our restaurant series, Woodford Reserve’s repeat appearance last night at EQ was spectacular.  Executive Chef Mark William’s first trip to the EQ was a treat for the SOLD OUT class.

Great food was complimented by tasty drinks expertly mixed by Mary Perkins, Woodford Reserve’s Brand Events Coordinator.  Check out the drink recipes below.  If you missed this class, they’ll be back.  In the meantime, treat yourself to other top restaurants classes at EQ. Hurry, these classes book FAST!

A New Woodford Manhattan

2 parts Woodford Reserve
1/2 part Sweet Vermouth
1/2 part Grand Marnier
4 drops Peach Bitters

Serve up or on the rocks. Garnish with cherry or orange curl. Enjoy

Woodford’s New Old Fashioned

2 parts Woodford Reserve
1 part Cherry Juice
2 parts Lemon-Lime Soda

Serve on the rocks

Reymos Sparkling Muscotel
$8.99, Spain-Aisle 8A
I featured this little gem a couple weeks ago at one of our FREE wine tastings in the aisles.   I am pretty sure that everyone that tasted it bought it.

The wine is on the riper, sweeter side of the spectrum and is kept from being too sugary by it’s clean mineral influence. Earlier in the month,  Chef Todd Kelly, executive chef at Orchids at Palm Court, named #1 on Cincinnati Magazine’s top 25 Restaurants in the City cooked for us here at EQ.   I paired this wine with his Seared Scallops with Glazed Pork Bellies, Mirin and Oranges.  It was an amazing pairing!

This wine is great for sunny days, as an aperitif, cheese plates, brunches and as the centerpiece for a great Mimosa.
SCORE: 3++++

Cheers!

Danny