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Of the hundreds of wines we sample every month, here are some we recommend.

Sevana's Picks   HK's Picks   Lisa's Picks   Stig's Picks   Ashley's Picks   Amy's Picks

Sevana's Selections          

The weather is heating up and so are my picks with a jalapeno tequila, an ale with cocoa and spices and a zesty Italian red wine. And things will only continue to heat up in my life with my sister’s Bachelorette Vegas trip this weekend. So with that in mind and Cinco de Mayo a few weeks away, my selections will be great for any Springtime festivity! With my mother’s day of birth falling on the same day as Cinco de Mayo and my families love for Latin culture and music, mind you my mom’s default radio station in the car is Latino 96.3 FM, Cinco de Mayo is definitely a holiday celebrated in my household.

Sevana Pashaian

 

2009 Heitz Grignolino
$19.49
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As the weather is getting hotter and most people are gravitating more towards refreshing whites and roses, I still prefer a nice red wine with fresh fruit flavors and vibrant acidity. Grignolino is a zesty red Italian wine varietal that is light, lively, and fresh, just what you want for warm weather! It is primarily planted in the Asti province of Piedmont and is rarely found outside this region. One notable exception is the California producer Heitz Cellars that grows a limited amount in their Napa Valley vineyard. The Heitz family’s love affair with Grignolino, pronounced “Green-o-lean-o”, began in 1961 when Joe and Alice purchased their first 8-acre vineyard. The mouthwatering flavor of crushed strawberries carries a pleasing hint of spice that follows through on the extended finish.  There’s a nice balance of bright fruit with lemony acidity and lean tannins, thus resulting in an exceptional red wine with distinctive character that’s perfect for Spring and Summertime sipping!

 

Cocoa Mole Ale
$8.99
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Upon seeing the name of the ale and the colorful Mariachi style graphics, I wanted to taste this beer as soon as it arrived! And that I did with the new beer buyer, Stig. It is inspired by Mexican ingredients, featuring chocolate, cocoa, ancho, guajillo, and chipotle peppers, and a bit of cinnamon. On the nose you get scents of cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate! Medium bodied and spiced nicely with lots of roasted red chili, ending with a light kick on the finish. But don’t fear the heat, because plenty of caramel and chocolate malts bring a smooth, complex flavor to this unique brew. The subtle heat of the peppers builds slowly with each swallow, lingering at the back of your throat. With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, New Belgium Brewery’s Cocoa Mole Ale is a festive beer for the celebration, not only because of its unique flavor but also its fun and cultural packaging featuring traditional folk art. Papel picado, meaning 'punched' or 'perforated' paper, is a decorative craft made out of paper cut into elaborate designs like that of which you see in the background of the beer bottle graphic. In Mexico the art has reached a pinnacle of expression and is present at every major holiday, such as the Day of the Dead and Cinco de Mayo, in the form of brightly colored strings of cut tissue paper banners. If you enjoy crafts like I do, check out this link from the sweetest occasion for a great DIY papel picado project in honor of Cinco De Mayo.

 

Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila
$46.99
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And lastly, this artisanal spirit is 100% agave tequila infused by hand with fresh jalapenos. Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila is lush, elegant, and incomparably delicious - with a dose of savory heat on the finish. The spice of the jalapeno is not overbearing or overly hot. The Beverage Testing Institute describes this unique tequila as ''Clear with a plate silvery straw cast. Baked jalapeno, roasted nut, and melon rind aromas follow through on an oily entry to a dry-yet-hot medium-full body with jalapeno oil and seeds, pistachio accents. Finishes with a searing hot white pepper, jalapeno jelly, and melon sorbet fade.'' I’ve also had the privilege of trying the other two flavors, sweet cocoa and fresh tropical fruits, infused in Tanteo Tequila and jalapeno is my favorite by far. As a matter of fact, for Cinco de Mayo weekend I am going to take a bottle for my mother in law since jalapeno is her favorite ingredient to ANY dish, and I mean any, whether it is spaghetti or traditional Armenian meals. She’s not much of a drinker, let alone a shooter, but this tequila might have her saying “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, FLOOR!!”.

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