The other day a friend asked my how come I only have good things to say about the drink I put on Drink a Day. At my first my ego and pride stepped and replied “Well, because I only drink good shit bro” I said in a very clinical confident way. Then just as quick offered up a better, more realistic statement that was along the lines of that I am hoping to pass on good information to those who like to drink, and also for those that appreciate craftsmanship and the product of a well crafted drink, wine, or spirit. I have too many things going on in life to take time out to give attention or keep the momentum going for anything that is not the best it can be or something that is just to special not to pass along. He said I sounded too much of a drink snob and I need to pass on information about wines and drinks that were for the average guy. I let him know that was what Bud Light and Silver Bullet commercials are for.

That being said, and you do find yourself in a desperate last minute need to bring a red wine that will most likely go with most everything in an average dinner party or social meeting then the 2009 Mac Murray Pinot Noir is just what you are looking for. It is affordably priced (in the USA), it is low in tannin, and just enough fruit flavor to conjure up a conversation with your co-worker of fellow club members who are at the annul event for the free booze and a captive audience to share their overall ideas about life and to bear wittiness to their realistically comedic social anxiety issues. This is a great wine for those situations. Just enough to make people go “ohhhhh this isn’t yellow tail”. but not enough for the boss to think he pays you too much to afford the real deal. There was a nose of cherries, cola, and a hint of oak. The nose hinted at what was hoped to be a bit more then it turned out to be. Maybe it needs a second try but not much in the glass suggested it be anytime soon.

-by Brian Aufdenberg

Buy this here.

Get all the details here.

Trying to expand what I know about wine is a daily pursuit. Each day looking for some other trait or characteristic to discover or notice. Another is finding new regions, blends, or grapes to explore and decipher and try to get inside of. I am already a fan of Grenache and my growing love for Syrah has just continued upwards so I figured this blend sounded like a worthy gamble. At only ten bucks a bottle I figured I couldn’t loose.

This is a great example of the high quality wines that have consistently come from the Costieres de Nimes AOC. It was a dense purple and ruby wine that just exploded with violets, Cassis, lavender, and juicy back berry fruits. The body was medium and treated you to a smooth as silk early on red that is only going to get better and peak in the next three years. This really is a wonderful way to treat yourself to a great drinkable young wine well on its way.

-by Brian Aufdenberg

See it all here.

If you dig this sort of thing, Union Made have a great selection of them.

Buy this, here.

This one of those “somewhere along the way drinks”. Its a pretty safe guess that this is somewhere between Virginia Beach and Orlando. It is almost certainly some form or stage of a Jack and Coke. Its guaranteed to taste good just based on ingredients alone. Its can be a conversation starter or the sign to be left the fuck alone, but that all depends on the day.  It is one of those few things that is not arbitrary. You know exactly what you are getting into with these. If you dont, it has a way of showing you and I promise you it will be on its terms. So here is to the few small things you can count on in life….

-by Brian Aufdenberg

Buy it here.

Check it out here.

Last autumn the ladyfriend and I ventured down New Orleans way and had an amazing long weekend in The Big Easy. There was plenty to see, drink, explore, double check, take in, and overall just enjoy being there. On our last night there we made our way for dinner and drinks to Cafe Amelie, located at 912 Royal Street in the French Quarter. It was the perfect temperature outside for a dinner under the stars among other diners and trees filled with candle lit lanterns. It was one of the places where the mood and food are matched perfectly. We had to wait a few minutes for our table and we had no problem making our way to the back of the garden to discover the bar in back. It was a beautiful marble bar with a barkeep named Leo who was ready to make su some great drinks.

The conversation started with him when we notice they serve ROOT, RHUBY, and SNAP from Art in the Age. As a true drinker and a keeper of the spirit making legacy, he was an over the top fan of them as it gives him “one more dimension to use in making drinks”. Not only is he good with the ideas, hes a good judge of character. He looked at me with concern and concentration and asked with a tone of matter of factness “Rye?”

I couldn’t help but admire his skills of perception and full heartedly answered ”Perfect!” Leo seemed to smile to him self and said he had the perfect drink for me then. he was again, right on the money. The drink was strong yet flavorful, had depth, and was refreshing. It was everything you want in a pre-dinner cocktail.

Rhubarb and Rye:

1.50oz Bulliet Rye

1.50oz Rhuby

.75oz Aperol

3 dashes House Made Rhubarb Bitters

Mixed and poured into a sold rocks glass over rocks ice. Garnish with lemon. This drinks makes the perfect way to start or end a night with total class and perfection.

- by Brian Aufdenberg

Tres Bien have a few left, last I checked.

Great pictures, as usual, a nice alternative to the preppy pricks championed elsewhere.

See them here.