What else can be said about Cabernet Sauvignon that hasn’t already been said? The King of red wine grapes, and also the world’s most planted red variety, it achieves classical heights throughout the globe. From California and South America, to France and beyond, Cab can show off the power of Tyson with the complexity of Ali.
If there is a pillar of American wine (there is), it’s California. California Cabernet and Chardonnay set the benchmark at the Tasting of Paris in 1976 but new regions, new varietals, and throwback winemaking techniques have made the Golden State one of the most diverse wine producers in the world. Paso Robles has pioneered the movement of celebrating Rhone varietals in the New World, Santa Barbara is pumping out seductive Pinot Noir, and the Central Valley has continued its run with powerful Zinfandel.
Canadian whiskies are often referred to as Rye Whiskies, though rye need not be used. The majority of Canadian whiskies are blended and distilled from a selection of grains, which usually include a good proportion of rye alongside barley and corn. This style is greatly similar to Scotch blended whisky, save for the oft used rye. The spirit must be aged for at least three years. Canada also produces its own Single Malts which can be wonderfully distinctive. One of Canada’s whisky pioneers was Hiram Walker, who established his distillery in Detroit in 1858, later moving it to Ontario where he founded Walkerville, his own town. Hiram Walker created the brand Canadian Club, which has become globally popular. Such was Walker’s success that he established two whisky distilleries in Scotland.
Is it too trivial to call Champagne the Xerox of sparkling wines? We don’t think so, not with just about everyone and their mothers understandably assuming that the term describes sparkling wine, in general. In reality, though, a bottle of sparkling wine isn’t Champagne unless it comes from the Champagne region of France and follows a certain production process, méthode traditionnelle, and is comprised of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and/or Pinot Munier.
Where it be your mother’s bulk, jug bottles, or a Grand Cru Burgundy, there is no varietal in the world that places as much onus on its winemaker to impart their own style. Medium bodied, Chardonnay has an amazing ability to showcase power--think California and South America--or blissful sophistication, like in France and parts of Italy.
Just on the other side of the Andes from Argentina and Mendoza, Chile is home to a vast array of east-west-running valleys, maritime climates, desert climates, high-altitude vineyards, and seemingly everything else as well. The Chileans are producing world class Syrah, rich Cabernet, and truly elegant Pinot Noir, alongside rich Chardonnay and fastball Sauvignon Blanc. Look for Casablanca Valley for your SB and Syrah, while Maipo is hope to their top end Cabernet.
View our large selection of cognacs. Our curated cognac collection is one of the best around. Free tastings are held every Friday and Saturday from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
Compass Box was launched in 2000 by the American John Glaser, who was previously International Marketing Director at Johnnie Walker. To promote his whisky, John traveled through London visiting pubs and bars with samples and, in idiosyncratic style, handing out business cards billing himself as “John Glaser – Whisky Zealot”. Compass Box’s modus operandi and strong work ethic is what sets them apart as an independent bottler and blender like no other. Compass Box buys individual casks and focus on creating a craftsman-like boutique product. None of their bottlings are chill-filtered, nor is any coloring added and are all married exclusively in American oak. This brings the characteristic sweetness to the whisky.
View our large selection of cordials and liqueurs. Our curated collection is one of the best around. Free tastings are held every Friday and Saturday from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
Bourbon can be much more than the 51 percent corn minimum; many are made from 60 to 70 percent corn. But very few exist with a really high corn content. Buffalo Trace produces Old Charter with a corn content of more than 80 percent. The other main one is from New York's new microdistiller Tuthilltown Spirits, which made a splash in the market with its "Baby Bourbon"—made from 100 percent New York corn (yes, it's legal to produce the stuff outside of Kentucky) and aged in new charred wood. Whiskeys with a high percentage of corn may come across with extra sweetness. Also note that there is a separate and distinct category of corn whiskey, called straight corn; these spirits must be at least 80 percent corn and can only be aged in used charred barrels or new uncharred wood.
The Rhone Valley offers as much value as anywhere in the form of Cotes-du-Rhone blends (based predominantly on Grenache), especially ones that classify a particular village--though blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape certainly command a higher price. When looking for Syrah, seek out AOCs like Crozes-Hermitage or Saint-Joseph as introductions to the grapes brilliance here.
Dark rum gets its color from oak aging. The intense tropical heat expands and contracts the barrels and the wood becomes porous, like a sponge, forcing the spirit in and out of the oak. This adds all of the flavors present in wood – sweetness, vanillin, tannins etc. Rum is often aged in bourbon and sherry barrels and this in turn brings additional flavors - a raisiny, syrupy sweetness in the case of sherry aging, or toasty vanilla and smoke from bourbon barrel maturation.
Del Bac's passion is making American Single Malts that are rooted in the Sonoran Desert. That passion extends to every step of the malting and distilling process, ensuring they yield the highest quality product for every batch.
If the world of wine had an answer to digestifs, it would be the wide array of dessert and Port wines. Enthusiasts and industry professionals swear by the healing powers of Port, Sauternes, Madeira, Sherry, Tokaji, Eiswein, and many, many more. Perfect for any occasion, but their richness and weight is most often paired with a snowy evening.
Our mission to curate an eclectic and diverse lineup of offerings may take us around the globe, but it is built on a foundation of consciously crafted, local selections and focus.
From day one, wines from famed New York regions like the Finger Lakes and North Fork of Long Island have been staples of our portfolio. Gin, whiskey, vodka, and even specialty release Amaro from the boroughs of New York City continue to call Grain & Vine "home." New additions, to be sure, are never distant.
Not only does it makes sense for your community purveyor to source locally, but it would be irresponsible of us not to share what we have found to be so brilliant and so close to home. We can't and won't change that philosophy.
