David De Silva

If Katie is speaking of a wine I had with her at a past Studio Kitchen dinner (last Fall I believe?), then she speaks the truth. The non-alcoholic wine I had was excellent, quite sweet, and packed full of flavor and fruit. I would recommend it as well.

Bigbear, being inspired by your posting, I have had some awesome winter brews with wonderful cigars lately. Some recent brews that I've enjoyed have been: 2 Brothers Russian Imperial Stout; Shipyard Longfellow; Troegs Oatmeal Stout; and Papercity Winter Palace. Yesterday I enjoyed the 2 Brothers with an incredible Oliva Maduro 7x54 torpedo, a match made in heaven! I also have a bottle of Dogfish Head World Wide Stout (24% ABV, 666 calories) that I'm waiting for the right moment (and cigar) to have, perhaps with a Padron 1964 Anniversario? Cheers!

Great sounding cocktails Katie! Now that's one Slippery Slope I'd love to be on! Sounds great! After all my upcoming stuff is taken care of, Judy and I will have to stop in and have a few! David

quajalote, thanks for the information! I know the Hirsch will not come cheaply but it'll be worth it! David

Quajolote, thanks for the article, it confirms my belief that Hirsch is the best. But alas, soon to be gone forever? Please tell me the name, address and phone # of the wine store you know of selling Hirsch so I can contact them and get some before it dwindles completely. Thanks! David

As an avid coffee drinker, I have had Gevalia and think it's OK as well. But, at over $15 a pound I don't think it's worth that much. What I now recommend to everyone who loves coffee is, what I consider to be the best coffee available, La Colombe Torrefaction. Started here in Philadelphia by two guys (one a Frenchman and one from Seattle), it is now the coffee served in the best restaurants in Philly (e.g. Le Bec Fin) and NYC. It sells for about $10 a pound and comes in 4 styles, Corsica (hearty and strong), Phocea (medium bodied), Nizza (more mild) and decaf. It is available through their website (www.lacolombe.com I think). Excellent in a drip maker, it is even better in a French press. Just my thoughts.

Now that you mention it, I have a bottle of Smith Woodhouse 1983 Port that I have been meaning to open. It's ready to drink and why not on V-day? Otherwise I have a bottle of sparkling Shiraz that I'd like to taste too. Why not both? I think I will.

For a romantic meal just after Valentine's, I would recommend Pigalle on North 2nd St in the Northern Liberties section. A classic French Bistro, the restaurant is low lit and sexy, plus has excellent food. For a meal with apps, entrees, dessert and a bottle of wine it will set a couple back about $125. Otherwise, I would recommend Azafran in Queen Village (South 3rd St) for excellent South American/Neuvo Latino in a funky and fun setting. It is BYOB. Hope these help, enjoy our city, it is hard to find a bad meal!

Just happened to be reading the latest QRW (Quarterly Review of Wines) and they listed what they thought were the best gins (and vodkas) for martini's. Their picks (for what it's worth): 1st Boodles and Tanqueray Ten (36/40 pts.) 2nd Tanqueray (35/40) 3rd Beefeater (33/40) 4th Daresburt 30/40 Bestbuy at $17) 5th Bombay (29/40 6th Bombay Sapphire (23/40) Vodkas 1st Ketel One (32/40) 2nd Three Olives (31/40 Bestbuy at $16) 3rd Finlandia (30/40) 4th Stoli (29/40) 5th Shyy (27/40) 6th Smirnoff (25/40) 7th Absolut (22/40)

If you are looking for great Italian food and don't want to have to go to Philly (as we used to have to do), check out a new place called Ravenna in Center point (intersection of Rtes 73 and 363). Serving excellent Italian fare from the Emilia Romagna region, Ravenna is a lovely BYOB restaurant that is also reasonably priced. I have eaten there twice as well as their 4 course New Year's Eve menu and have never been disappointed. Their Osso Bucco (at $25, the most expensive item on the menu) is as good as it gets. Add that it's BYOB and it can't be beat. Unfortunately, young and inexperienced wait staff can be frustrating but hey, you can't have it all. Reservations a must on weekends when it gets pretty crowded. Go on a weekday, they have specials everyday.

As someone who is lucky enough to live in a city chock full of BYOB restaurants (Philadelphia), I love being able to bring what I want to go with my food and not have to pay 3 or 4 times mark up for wine (recently saw a $12 bottle of wine selling for $42 at a fine restaurant). But, when restaurants charge $25-30 for a corkage fee, how can this be considered BYOB? It's not. They are still gouging you just to bring in your own wine. $75 corkage fee? Absolutely absurd in my book! I guess I'm spoiled.

Actually I was recently sent an article by an oneophile friend that stated that California Zinfindel was indeed a genetic cousin of the Primitivo grape of Italy. But I have also heard of the Croatia connection as well. Any definitive conclusions from either? Personally, I think there are some mightly fine California Zins (I do like Rosenblum myself) as well as Primitivo d'Manduria wines from Italy for a fraction of the cost.

I agree with beachfan that a good Amarone has a port-like nose due to the drying of the grapes and can be pruney as well. I think a good bargain is a good Valpolicella ripasso, not like a fine Amarone, but still quite good. Recently had a lovely Santa Sofia (forget what year) Amarone that was quite fine.

Gavi is a fine wine but can sometimes be ridiculously priced and misnamed (as in Gavi di Gavi, the best of the best, etc. it's just called Gavi). One that I do know is quite fine is the Princepessa Perlante. It runs about $16 (here in Pa.), is slightly frizzante and a lovely wine, worth the extra you'll pay for it.

I absolutely love port. I enjoy it after a nice dinner, with a good cigar, or just by itself in a contemplative quiet moment. I have found that it's not a drink everyone enjoys. It's often too alchoholic, strong or sweet for non-wine drinkers. I may actually like a good 20 yr (or older) tawny port better than a vintage but both are incredible. The best bottles I've ever had were a bottle of 20 yr old Sandemans Tawny and a 1983 Grahams vintage. The latter was thick, unctous, sweet, and like velvety heaven! You have to search hard to find a better, more complex, and just completely enjoyable drink than port. Actually, I have a bottle of Smith Woodhouse 1983 vintage port in the cellar that is due for opening, maybe I'll uncork it soon and enjoy!

While I used to drink only Bombay Sapphire, I now prefer Tanqueray or if I want to splurge Tanqueray Ten. In my opinion, they are the most consistent (and best value) gins out there.

Ah, the fine art of combining a wonderful cigar with a spirited companion, perhaps my favorite way to pass the time. My favorites would have to be: A fine single malt scotch (Macallan, Highland Park, Glenmorangie) A fine Tawny Port (20 yr old or older preferred), Vintage Port will also do A fine microbrew beer (this time of year a winter warmer, stout or porter) A fine glass of cabernet sauvignon or zinfindel Cigars and spirits/beer/wine were meant to be together!

The best Bourbon I have ever had was A.H. Hirsch, which I have been told is no longer made! I've only ever had it by the glass (at around $20!) but it was worth it. Henry Clay Reserve 18 yr. old is also mighty fine as well. Though knocked a bit here, my bottle of 19 yr. old W.L. Weller has been mighty fine as well. I have not enjoyed my bottle of 17 yr. old Eagle Rare NEARLY as much. In a pinch, Woodford Reserve is pretty good. Be this as it may, I must say though that Bourbon pails in comparison to a good single malt Scotch whisky (in my humble opinion).

I am with Damian on this one. I have been a drinker of single malts for some years now and have tasted nearly all of them (well many of them at least). Adding water (what I used to do) opens up a whisky both nose and taste wise. I now take mine on the rocks. The gradually melting ice adds just enough water to open things up and gives varying tastes and aromas at different times. I love whisky but personally can't fathom drinking it neat. There are many many awesome single malts, each one with it's own distinctive strengths and personalty depending on where it's from. Personally I find the whiskies from The Macallan (the 30 yr. old is simple amazing) and Highland Park to be among the most consistently delightful out there. They are complex, with hints of sweetness, and very balanced. I also have a bottle of Glenfarclas Cask Strength (120 proof) that is very dark, heavy, and good after dinner with a good strong cigar. The aforementioned Bushmills Irish single malt is nice as well, but I find Irish whiskies to be less complex than Scotish malts. I also enjoy fine Bourbons but again find them rather sweet and less complex (if you can find some Hirsch anywhere but it! W.L. Weller is also mighty fine). Just my thoughts.

Not champagne but I prefer Iron Horse Russian Cuvee, very nice for around $25-30. Also not champagne but a good bottle of Brachetto d'Acqui is heavenly. Scent of fresh strawberries, light bubbles, very refreshing. And, laugh if you must, but a top of the line Moscato d'Asti can be wonderful as well. These may be not be considered "serious" sparklers by others but they are very enjoyable nonetheless.

You are starting on a great and long journey of getting to know and appreciate one of the true treasures of life. Everyone started at the beginning like you and you are approaching wine with an open and honest attitude. Definitely go on a semi-full to full stomach so it doesn't go straight to your head. I usually don't spit but you may want to. Eating a cracker in between is good advice as is drinking some water to clear the palate. If you are ever in Philly there are some awesome wine tastings and wine dinners offered by Marnie Old (www.marnieold.com). I recently took her three part Italian course (my favorite wines) and it was interesting, informative and very yummy. Have fun and welcome to the world of wine.