#Cabernet Sauvignon casks

[whiskyblog]

[wine-porn]

In the Nook

One of my better wine purchases in recent memory. A few ’11 Casks during the spring sale. $155 marked down to 100 when added to cart. It’s not often you can get such great deals on older vintages with perfect cellar-direct provenance. Here we have a vintage #winebro does not understand and LOVES to hack on, but the 1% adore and even some of the wagging tongues have come around on recently. And…

[bourbontrend]

Discover the refined flavors of Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Cask Finish. This Napa Valley masterpiece promises a symphony of aromas and a rich, velvety texture. Dive into our detailed review and see why it’s a must-try for every whisky aficionado! #WhiskyLovers #BourbonTrend #NapaValley

[lordelmelloi2]

last ask for me; can you recommend an alcoholic beverage for people who hate the taste of alcohol but want to be drunk?

my first genuine advice is to get over it and learn how to drink like everyone else has to and learn to appreciate the notes in a beverage instead of going YUCK! ALCOHOL TASTE! IT BURNS! at everything... GET OVER IT!!!!!

Alcohol is an acquired taste. You must treat it with respect for that fact, but also treat the creation and history and culture behind the beverages with respect as well. I genuinely hate and feel disgust when people tirade about how alcohol tastes bad -- I'm not saying it's a heaven-sent beverage or that it doesn't cause cancer or substance abuse or anything, massive disclaimer, but there is culture and history behind many alcoholic beverages and like any culture and history there must be respect put behind it. Not everyone has had a poor relationship with alcohol. There is, in fact, a way to have a healthy, moderate relationship with alcohol; to not be dependent on it psychologically or physiologically, and to not let it ruin your life. I do believe that having a strong sense of self-discipline is key to this, as well as remembering moderation and temperance as well as humility when it comes to managing one's relationship to alcoholic beverages. I can't stress this enough. I am someone who comes from a DV household where alcoholism was a massive factor. I am well aware of the risks, I am not condoning alcohol abuse. Don't take my words in bad faith. Please god

This is in no way an absolutely comprehensive list but I get really intensely focused about this topic so this is where I am going to start.

beginner alcohol suggestions for those who are weaning into alcoholic beverages generally start sweet or mellow. You are going to stick to regions and grape varietals (varietal = the name of the grape used in the wine i.e. cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, moscato, riesling) that are sweeter or milder/mellower/softer. Thus it usually goes like:

Moscatos

Sangrias

White Zinfandel

White Merlot

Ports (VERY high in ABV, proceed with caution)

Chocolate Wine

Icewine

Sauternes

Meads

(Sweet, not Dry) Rieslings

Sweet Red Blends

Spumantes/Off-dry Cuvees

Vinho Verde

for what wines people generally try first. For beers, I would suggest Fruit Beers, Wheat Ales, chocolate Stouts/Porters and the like -- things that have flavors added to them. Or inoffensive beers like Lagers and Cerveza styles (which translated literally just means Beer Styles, but generally refers to Mexican lagers). Sours are another one that people start with but I hate sours, so...

For liquor there's no real good starting point I think. people who aren't used to drinking alcohol are going to taste it in everything.

Flavored whiskies (not Fireball. stop fucking drinking Fireball)

Irish Cream Liqueurs

Liqueurs in general, in particular Amarettos, Orange liqueuers, Schnapps of any kind (lower proof), Limoncellos

Aged Tequilas (i.e. reposados and anejos/extra anejos as those are smoother and tend to have a sweeter taste in some regards, these are meant to be Sipped)

Cocktails in fucking general ...

If trying to get into whiskies, usually people start with Bourbon and such because the high amount of corn (51%+) in the mash bill means that it will have a corn-syrupy sweetness to the body (known sometimes as caramel). Do not fall to the Mental Illness of Trying To Seem Cool And Knowledgable About Bourbon. I'm sick of coming into work to be on the floor helping customers and having to watch people stand in front of the bourbon section for 15-30 minutes just staring and poising and being like "I don't need any help" only to come grab a merchandiser later and be like "Where's your Pappy Van Winkle/Blanton's/E.H. Taylor/Buffalo Trace" fuck you.

And another thing about getting into Bourbon -- Wheated styles are going to be softer than High Ryes, Cask Strengths, Bottled-in-Bond etc. those are not very beginner friendly for people trying to acclimate to the taste of alcohol. Wheated styles are friendlier in general. Maker's Mark is a very common one, but I personally am fond of Larceny. If you can get a chance to do Redemption Wheated I also recommend that. Redemption is a great beginner bourbon in general, very reliable all-purpose bourbon, great to sip and mix.

A lot of people also choose Vodka because it is supposed to be distilled to be as inoffensive as possible. But you don't usually drink Vodka straight. especially not if you're a beginner. most beginner drinkers just make screwdrivers (vodka+OJ) or cape codder's (also known as a vodka cran) or anything like that. Try experimenting with adding different liqueurs and juices into Vodka (like i.e. making White Russians or Cosmopolitans)

If you're starting to acclimate to these sweeter, milder types, and you're ready to start foraying into drier and more complex/refined styles, you're ready to start to move onto other types of wine and spirits and beers. So these are decent transition wines. So that looks like, for wine:

Off-dry/Dry Rieslings

Pinot Grigio/Gris/whatever

Vouvray/Loire Valley French Wines/Alsace French Wines

Southern Italian White Wines (i.e. Pecorino, Falerio, Puglian wines, Campanian wines are my absolute favorite)

Chardonnay (oaked and unoaked), Chablis

Sauvignon Blanc/Sancerres

Prosecco, Cava, Champagne, other Sparkling wines in general (which tend to be made with majoritively Chardonnay grapes, along with Pinot Noir grapes in those same styles ALTHOUGH there are Sparkling Sauv Blancs & Sparkling Rieslings in existence and a ton of other grapes people use too)

Rosés (try Gamay grape Rosés/French Rosés)

For red wines: try Merlots

Zinfandels

Red Blends

Fruit-forward Pinot Noirs (ask somebody about these -- in general, with wines, if you do prefer vaguely sweeter styles, ask somebody about which wines are more "fruit-forward" for whichever varietal you're shopping)

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignons (due to them being very fruit-forward). Of note -- the tannins can tend to be just as firm in Cab Sauvs, so if you really can't handle dry wines yet, wait before getting into Cabs unless you really want to jump into learning how they taste.

And then similarly for beers, try:

More lagers. just do it fuck all life

Ales in general. any kind of ale. Amber ale also

Hazy IPAs are pretty good to start with IMO because they're a little fruitier and softer than regular IPAs due to the lack of filtering

Porters

Bocks

Tripels

Stouts

For liquors, try:

Silver/Blanco Tequila

Gin

Irish Whisky

Speyside Scotch Whisky (tends to be the softest style of scotch and is easy for beginners to acclimate to)

if you're used to Bourbon, try Rye Whiskies, or other styles of American Whiskey

Aperitifs (think Campari and Aperol, but there are other styles of apertif as well)

When you think you've acclimated to drier styles of wine there are a quite a few dry styles of red wine that are worth taking a look at. I touched a bit earlier about dry red wines like Bordeauxs. Bordeauxs are usually varying blends of Cabernet Sauvignons & Merlots depending on which riverbank side of the region they are located on. LCRM is an acronym describing it - Left, Cab, Right, Merlot.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Syrah

Malbec

Bordeaux AOC

Cotes du Rhone AOC

Tuscan DOCG

Piedmont DOCG

Sangiovese of really any location in Italy but whatever

Chianti/Chianti Classico DOCG

Italian dry red wines of any kind fuck it

Rioja

Ribeira del Duero

there's so many Portuguese wines too. I can't remember all these okay just try to do European red wines whenever you can. They do Pinot Noir in Germany too. God there's so much my brain hoirts

I'm afraid Tumblr's going to kill my document at this point so I'm just going to say when you've really reached the point that you feel comfortable drinking most of those transition wines or spirits or drinks and have a feel for what you do and don't like, you can pretty much try anything and have some degree of enjoyment of it without being put off by an alcohol taste. Learning to drink alcoholic beverages without reflexing from the taste of alcohol is an acquired skill and will not come overnight. But there is a lot of fun culture and history to explore in alcoholic beverages -- learning how to taste and discover notes in wines and spirits and beers, as well as learning how people make different alcoholic beverages, the creation of cocktails, craft beers, craft spirits, new wines, different styles of wines ETC. ETC. there's a big world here and I think it's worthy of being elaborated on.

[kingjamesroystonpub]

King James Royston Pub Holiday Drinks Menu

King James, the exclusive venue famed for its immaculate hospitality and regal environment, has released a brand-new beverages menu just in time for the holiday season that is sure to make your celebrations even more memorable. King James Holiday Drinks Menu offers a wide variety of beverages for its customers, including red and white wines, cocktails, draught and bottled beers, and a remarkable collection of spirits. Come with us as we sample from this luxurious collection of drinks, sure to enhance your celebrations this season.

King James Royston Christmas Pre Bookings

White and red wines:

The wine list of King James Royston Pub near Hertfordshire is as impressive as the name suggests, featuring both red and white wines of the highest quality. The wines on the list have been hand-picked from the best cellars across the world to make sure that each glass is a memorable one.

Red Wines: 

The red wine collection at King James is a sommelier's dream, with everything from bold Cabernet Sauvignons to smooth Merlots and exquisite Pinot Noirs. Each wine was hand-picked to mix well with the varied and complex flavours found on the menu.

White wines: 

Crisp Chardonnays, aromatic Sauvignon Blancs, and delicate Rieslings are just some of the white wines available at King James. If you're looking for something a little more refreshing, try one of these wines.

Royal Cocktails:

King James offers an assortment of carefully made drinks for those who are looking to enjoy a little bit more. The skill of the bartenders is on full display in every drink, from traditional standards to one-of-a-kind creations.

Strawberry Daiquiri: 

The Strawberry Daiquiri, made with fresh strawberries, rum, lime juice, and a touch of sugar, is a tropical pleasure that perfectly captures the essence of summer.

Espresso Martini:

A refined, energizing cocktail, the Espresso Martini combines the rich, robust flavours of espresso with the smoothness of vodka and a dash of coffee liqueur.

The Passion Fruit Martini: 

This unique and visually appealing cocktail is as tasty as it is beautiful, thanks to the combination of the tart sweetness of passion fruit, the smoothness of vodka, and the brightness of citrus.

Margarita: 

A popular beverage for any occasion, the Margarita blends tequila, triple sec, and lime juice for a tangy and delicious drink.

Mojito: 

This famous Cuban cocktail combines white rum, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, soda water, and the right amount of each to create a drink that is both energizing and gratifying.

Indulge in an Amaretto Sour! 

An elegant drink with a distinct flavour profile, the Amaretto Sour is a mix of nutty amaretto liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and a dash of sugar.

Best Cocktails in Royston

Beers, Ciders, More

There is a wide choice of beers, ciders, and other alcoholic beverages available at King James to meet everyone's needs.

Beers and Ciders on Tap: 

King James features a wide variety of beers on tap, from light lagers to dark ales, guaranteeing that any beer lover will find something to their liking.

Beers and Ciders in Bottles: 

Those in search of something truly special can choose from a wide variety of beers and ciders from across the world, all available in bottle form.

Draught and bottled beers and ciders differ mostly in packaging, manufacture, and flavour:

Packaging-

Draught Beers & Ciders: 

You may get these at taverns and restaurants all around the world, served straight from the keg or cask. There is no packaging involved; they go from the tap to the glass. Because they are held in larger containers and not pasteurized, beer and cider served from taps tend to be fresher.

Bottled Beers, Ciders: 

Glass bottles are used for storing bottled brews and ciders. The tight caps protect the contents. Beverages in bottles can be found on restaurant and bar menus and in grocery store aisles.

Beer and cider in cans 

Beverages that come in cans are packaged in aluminium containers. Beer and cider cans provide superior protection from light and oxygen, two elements that can diminish their quality.

Production Process-

Beers and Ciders on Tap: 

Kegs are a common container for draught beverages because of their mass production. They are typically less processed than their bottled equivalents and frequently remain unpasteurized. A more natural and genuine taste may come from this.

Beers and Ciders in Bottles: 

Beverages in bottles undergo pasteurization, a heating process that destroys harmful bacteria and yeast. This method can be used to preserve food for longer periods, but it may also affect the taste.

Flavor and Freshness-

Beers and Ciders on Tap: 

The flavour of draught beverages may be brighter and more refreshing because they're poured straight from the keg. Reduced exposure to light and air, as well as the lack of pasteurization, can result in a richer flavour profile.

Beers and Ciders in Bottles: 

The pasteurization procedure often gives bottled drinks a distinct flavour from their draught equivalents. Nonetheless, they are easily accessible and can provide a reliable flavour profile.

Effects on the Environment -

Beers and Ciders on Tap: 

Waste is reduced by serving beverages from a tap rather than from bottles or cans. Kegs can be used more than once, cutting down on waste and saving the planet.

Beers and Ciders in Bottles: 

Energy expenditures for making and transporting bottles, especially those made of glass, are higher. They can, however, be recycled.

Beer and cider in cans 

Lightweight and easily recyclable, aluminium cans are a sustainable packaging choice. They take up less room in transit, which is convenient.

Wines and Spirits for the Connoisseur:

King James has an extensive selection of great spirits from all over the world. It doesn't matter if you prefer gin, vodka, rum, whisky, cognac, vermouth, or tequila; each category has at least one hidden gem. 

Best Saturday Brunch in Royston

Spirits of King James Royston:

Spirits such as TANQUERAY, Hendrick's, ITALIAN MALTY PINK GRAPE, WHITLEY NEILL RUBAB & GINGER, and WHITLEY NEILL RASPBERRY are available here.

Stoli, Absolut, Zubrowka, Grey Goose, and other VODKAs. We stock only the highest quality rums, like BACARDI, KRAKEN SPICED, KOKO KANU COCONUT, DIPLOMATICO RESERVA, and RON ZACAPA 23. Whisky, especially when chilled and served on the rocks, is a universally beloved beverage. Our whikies include GLENFIDDICH 15Y, TOMINTOUL 10Y, BUNNAHABHAIN 12Y, WILD TURKEY (RYE), KILHOMAN SANAIG, LAPHROAIG QUARTER CASK, and KILHOMAN SANAIG.

Enhancing Your Festive Occasions

This holiday season, King James' new cocktail menu will take you on a voyage fit for a king or queen. Whether you like a glass of wine, a well-crafted cocktail or a frosty draught beer, you'll be able to unwind in style while creating new memories at our bar. Raise a glass as you embark on a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas celebration and raise it to the King's leadership.

[goodspiritsnewsat]

GSN Alert: New Spirits Releases 10.13.23

ABERFELDY 18 YEAR NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINE CASK FINISH This 2023 limited edition initially aged for 18 years in refill and hogshead casks. Then it was finished for about 15 months in cabernet sauvignon red wine casks sourced from Napa Valley in California. Available as of October 2023. (SRP $129.99) ABERFELDY 25 YEAR 125TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION This 25 Year limited edition expression was…

[vincancan]

How a Wine of the Month Club Chooses Their Wines

Many people belong to wine clubs, but most have no idea how a wine of the month club goes about choosing the tasty wines they deliver to club members each month. The selection process usually consists of two different parts: setting the criteria for choosing particular wines and finding the wineries with wines that fit  wine in cans

Common Criteria Used By Wine Clubs

Not surprisingly, the first decisive factor used by a wine of the month club in choosing wines is the price. Most groups look for wines that fit within two or three price points for French, Italian, California, or other wines.

Secondly, wine clubs usually look for balance in a wine. Balance is judged by how a wine exhibits the typical flavors of the grape variety used in making the wine. In other words, Cabernet Sauvignon should taste like Cabernet Sauvignon. If the wine is red, it should have an agreeable texture, a somewhat grainy characteristic that is derived from the tannings that reside in the seeds and skins.

That texture shouldn't give the taster a case of lockjaw, but it shouldn't be absent either, as it is in grape juice. Good texture lies somewhere in between. The wine should contain enough acid (the component that vinegar or lemon juice gives to salad dressing) to create a crisp, clean, refreshing sensation. Since white wine is not fermented with the seeds and skins, it has no tanning, but acid is an important component.

Finally, wood flavors should be inconspicuous. Beautiful red wines aged in old casks shouldn't reek of oak. The woodiness should be subtle, not overpowering.

Finding Good Wineries

Often, the selection committees for the group attend wine tasting events where they meet winemakers to taste their wines. Winemakers love the exposure they can get from a wine of the month club. Each year, Family Winemakers of California in San Francisco hosts one of the biggest wine tasting events. At the last event, 375 wineries poured over 1,000 wines during a two-day tasting. Attended by thousands of people, this yearly event is open to trade professionals, wine clubs, and the press.

The problem with finding the perfect wine for a wine of the month club at a massive event like this is that they are often "too much." There are too many wines, too many people, and too much going on to make a wise decision. Therefore, many wine clubs opt for smaller, more specialized tastings. Popular with wine of the month club selection committees, the annual Rhone Ranger tasting specializes in California wineries that produce Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, and other wines originally grown in the Rhone region of France.

The Cal-Ital Festival offers California wines made from grapes indigenous to Italy. The Zinfandel Advocates & Producers annual tasting specializes only in Zinfandel wines. Various regional wine organizations also gather their local producers for local events. For example, the Santa Cruz winery association recently organized a tasting in San Francisco. Various Sonoma wineries conduct tastings throughout the year, as do wine regions from all over California.

Sometimes the show goes on the road, and sometimes it's hosted in its own region. Importers will do the same to introduce and educate press and trade. Sometimes, individual Italian wineries will visit their major markets in the United States to conduct tasting seminars for restaurants, retailers, and wine clubs.

[juliatomtaniaart]

We joined our friends on a guided tour of the enchanting @stagsleapwinecellars . It was beautiful drizzling day that inspired jaw dropping views of the vineyards and caves. We ended with this mouthwatering #CelestialTastingExperience by @cheftraviswestrope and crew. I was struck by the smell of the caves and chardonay cellars. The taste of the S.L.V, & Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon we’re some of the best I have tried in Napa. We may have left with a few bottles. Thanks again @jesslee630, such an amazing time with you! I would give this experience 5 art brushes out of 5! 🖌️🖌️🖌️🖌️🖌️ My husband and I have been on some incredible dates… with incredible views and food. I’m going to do my best to take you on this voyage every Saturday! Also, look out for my new art posts on Sundays! I have to be more regular with this, so now, in the new year look out for more voyages! #juliasartbrushes #artbrushes🖌 #art #food #winetasting #wine #sfbayarea #love #life #2023 #abstract #freedom (at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnIdchlvOmq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[farehamwinecellar]

Gaja Barbaresco DOP 2019

Gaja Barbaresco is arguably the Gaja’s flagship Piedmontese wine, a wine that the family have been making since 1859. It is 100% Nebbiolo sourced from the families various vineyards located in the municipality of Barbaresco.

Gaja is simply one of the most famous Italian wine producers. The business was founded in 1859 in Langhe, Piedmont by Giovanni Gaja and it is his great grandson, Angelo Gaja, who currently runs the company. They are most famous for classic Piedmont wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Indeed, Angelo has often been referred to as the “King of Barbaresco” and has been responsible for developing techniques that have revolutionised wine-making in Italy. They also make some superb Grappa.

Gaja also produce wines in Tuscany as well as Piedmont and bought their first property in Tuscany called Pieve Santa Restituta in 1994 which was swiftly followed by the second Tuscan property, Ca’Marcanda, located at Castagneto Carducci in Bolgheri, in 1996. Whereas the concentration in Piedmont and at Pieve Santa Restituta is on more traditional wines, the focus at Ca’Marcanda is on international grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot) and “Super-Tuscan” style blends like the Promis and Magari.

The grapes for the Gaja Barbaresco are sourced from 14 vineyards around the villages of Barbaresco and Treiso. The vineyards are located at a height between 250 and 330 m above the sea level and cover a surface area of 21.4 hectates. The vines have an average age of 45 years old. Thegrapes from each vineyard are vinified separately and are fermented separately in stainless-steel vats for approximately 20 days, depending on the vintage. Upon completion of fermentation, the wine is racked to barriques, where malolactic fermentation takes place. The separate lots are aged for 12 months in barriques (20% news, the rest in first and second fill barrels) before the 14 lots are blended and racked to large Slavonian oak casks ranging in age from five to fifteen years for another period of ageing prior to bottling.

The post Gaja Barbaresco DOP 2019 appeared first on Fareham Wine Cellar.

from You searched for wine | Fareham Wine Cellar https://ift.tt/Iiuh3UT

[whiskyblog]

Aberfeldy Whisky 15 y.o. Napa Valley Wine Cask Finish

With the 15 Napa Valley, Aberfeldy releases another bottling of the "French Wine Series". The finish in Cabernet Sauvignon casks from sunny California gives the whisky more complexity and the full aroma of dark fruits.

Region : Highlands Cask type : Bourbon & sherry casks, finish in Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks from California.

[thewhiskyphiles]

ABERFELDY® ANNOUNCES TWO NEW EDITIONS TO ITS RED WINE CASK COLLECTION

ABERFELDY® ANNOUNCES TWO NEW EDITIONS TO ITS RED WINE CASK COLLECTION #whisky #news

John Dewar & Sons announces the latest limited expressions to come from ABERFELDY’s Red Wine Cask Collection. For this year’s annual release ABERFELDY is releasing two expressions; ABERFELDY 15 Years Old finished in Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks from Napa Valley, and ABERFELDY 18 Years Old finished in Tuscan red wine casks from Bolgheri, available in selected markets. The ABERFELDY Limited…

[lyledebeast]

Does anyone else have fandom flavors, or is it just me?

[beck-a-leck]

I hope I'm not too late on the smooch prompt! A very self-indulgent #24, please 😳. I know that you know who, lmao. 😅

It is never too late for Smooch Prompts!

Enjoy your self-indulgent smooches, Cliff and Claire getting a little frisky at the winery, and I maybe sprinkled in my own self-indulgent bits. It was hard not to be indulgent with this prompt 😁

#24: Deep kisses where they have their hands tangled in each other’s hair to pull them closer.

Thank you for the prompt!

💋💋💋

Claire chirped a cheery greeting to Duke as she passed him in the doorway of the wine cellar. He was heading out whole she was going in.

“Enjoy lunch, see you in an hour,” Duke said, with an absent wave as he headed into the main house for his own break.

Claire shifted her hold on the picnic basket and made her way carefully down the steps. She and Cliff made an effort to eat lunch together most days; some days he came home, some days she brought lunch to the winery, and sometimes they let Doug and Ann feed them. The basket today was a little heavier than normal – Claire might have gone a touch overboard putting lunch together. But could she really be blamed? Winter was a season of ample free time, and Claire didn’t do well with idle time. Add to that the work restrictions she was under, and she had been putting a little more effort than normal into lunches with her husband.

Cliff was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, relieving her of the basket and planting a kiss on her cheek in one smooth motion. “Oh my god, did you bring the whole pantry?” He asked, caught by surprise by the basket’s weight.

“Everything sounded good, I couldn’t make up my mind.” Claire defended herself, with a slight blush.

“And you carried it all the way here?”

“Of course I did, it’s not that heavy.” Claire pecked him on the cheek. “I know telling you not to worry so much about me won’t make any difference, but honey, try not to worry so much about me.”

They settled in at the little table in the wine cellar, the one usually used for tastings, and tucked into lunch. Claire really had brought a little bit of everything from the fridge and pantry, but she had wanteda little bit of everything, and these days what Claire wanted, Claire got.

As they finished eating, Claire couldn’t help but make a face at Cliff – that worried little crease had appeared between his eyebrows again.

“What’s on your mind?” she prompted, brushing her foot against his leg beneath the table.

Cliff frowned slightly, rubbing his hands together. “Are you warm enough? It’s kind of cold down here. You sure it’s okay?”

“I am perfectly fine.” Claire affirmed with a smile. “It’s much warmer here than it is outside, and you’ll never guess where I, a farmer, spent my morning.”

Cliff laughed. “Okay, I guess I deserved that.” He reached across the table and took Claire’s hand, brushing his fingers over her knuckles.

“Keep it up,” Claire threatened lightly, “And I might just have to kiss those worries away.”

Cliff was sorely tempted to think up some reason to get Claire to kiss his worries away, but was also very conscious of the fact that Duke would be back from lunch soon. Instead, he changed the subject. “We put the special vintage in the casks today.”

Claire perked up. “What did you decide on?”

“I’ll show you.” Cliff took Claire’s hand and led her into the cavernous depth of the winery’s aging room. Closest to the doorway were the newest casks, waiting to be hoisted onto their shelves for a long aging process.

Stamped proudly on the barrels was their last name and the year. Claire inspected the barrels and then noticed something. “There are two kinds of wine here.”

Cliff rubbed at the back of his head. “Duke insisted we have a red and a white. A Cabernet Sauvignon and a Riesling.”

“Does he know something we don’t?” Claire asked with a teasing smile. “Are we having twins?”

A brief moment of blind panic overtook Cliff and he shuddered. One baby was enough to worry about. Hands on his hips broke him out of his thoughts as Claire pulled him close.

“You’re worrying again.” She whispered before pressing a kiss to his lips.

Cliff settled his hands on Claire’s waist, pulling her flush against his body, before snaking his hands beneath her shirt. She squeaked a bit at his cold fingers, but didn’t back off. Deciding fair is fair, Claire worked her hands slowly up Cliff’s back, dragging her fingers up his spine to rest briefly on his shoulders.

Encouraged by the little moan of pleasure Cliff let slip, she took her hands from his shoulders and slowly worked her fingers into his hair. His locks slid like silk over her fingers as she worked her fingers into the brown tresses, dragging her nails tantalizingly over his scalp, pulling just hard enough.

Cliff gasped slightly, surprised, breaking off just long enough to catch a breath before Claire pulled him back in. They stepped back just a little bit until they were backed fully into the wine casks. His hands worked their way up under Claire’s shirt. And then –

Thump. Thump. Thump.

That was Duke’s heavy tread on the cellar stairs.

With a muffled yelp, the two of them jumped apart like they’d been electrocuted. Both suddenly remember where exactly they were. Holding back nervous laughter, they hurriedly fixed mussed hair and clothes, and looked perfectly presentable by the time Duke came within eyesight.

“Ah, Claire! I see you’ve found your vintages.” Duke boomed, clapping the farmer on the back. “I know you two just wanted one wine for the baby, but Manna and I also wanted to give them a gift, you know, And what would be better than a fine wine made just for them?”

“It’s a very generous gift, Duke. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to try them.”

“Well, kids, like wine, get much better the older they are,” Duke said with a hearty laugh. “Though, there will be plenty of other wines ready for you two when you end up trapped in the Terrible Twos.”

“I appreciate the offer.” Claire laughed in agreement. “I better let you two get back to work. Cliff, we’ll finish our… discussion later, okay?”

Claire scooped the picnic basket off the table and made her way to the stairs and disappeared. As soon as she was out of earshot, Duke shot Cliff a sympathetic look. “In the doghouse already, son? Don’t take any arguments too seriously. In this stage, almost anything can set her off.”

Cliff smiled tightly, he wasn’t about to admit to his employer what he and his wife were doing in the wine cellar. Instead he said, “Thanks for the advice. I think we’ll okay, though.”

[lordelmelloi2]

The longer I work in a super huge wine & liquor store the more I’m puzzled about that wine Waver actually gets you a custom wine and cigar for Valentine’s. Like the wine he gifts you is called “Kae la zuno jin” (kaelazunojin = kaerazu no jin = unreturning formation = stone sentinel maze his Noble Phantasm) but anything else about it is unknown. What grapes did he use? Is it a dessert wine like a port, is it a pinot noir, is it a cabernet sauvignon, a syrah, a merlot, a cab franc, etc. etc. etc.  Where did he have it produced? France i.e. Bordeaux, Burgundy Loire Valley..., Italy (north, south?? Piedmont?? PLEASE? ?? ?), Spain (like Catalonia, Castille & Leon... etc...) , Argentina, California, Washington, Germany, ... don’t say Britain. Waver. If you honest to god had that wine produced in Britain I will actually be mad. 

What’s funnier is how Waver canonically hated alcohol when he was 19... he’s like.... 

waver (19): grrrr I hate alcohol. alcohol makes me SICK. i hate even the smell of alcohol why is my stupid servant grabbing a huge cask of wine to steal and serve tonight grrr i hate it i hate it

waver (28): here’s a bottle of custom-made red wine for valentine’s I genuinely hope you enjoy it (:   [proceeds to pour himself a bottle of whisky] 

[goodspiritsnewsat]

GSN Alert: New Spirits Releases 6.9.23

ABERFELDY 15 YEAR FINISHED IN NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINE CASKSThis 15 year-old Aberfeldy is part of the brand’s Red Wine Cask Collection which first began in 2019. The single malt was first matured in combination of refill casks before being finished in cabernet sauvignon casks sourced from Napa Valley. It’s bottled at 43% ABV and is available in the US beginning June 2023. (SRP…