The Gourmez

Bin 90 Lindeman’s Moscato 2010 Australia I purchased this wine mainly because I was curious how the Australian moscato differed from other muscat wines I’ve tried. The answer would be not much. It’s very sweet, and I definitely consider it a dessert wine. There is a lot of pear and vanilla with lesser notes of [...]

Here’s the second clip! This one takes place later that same evening, after Dean and Maya have spent the afternoon and evening reconnecting. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Maya’s Vacation is available for purchase (e-books only) at Astraea Press, Amazon, and Barnes and Nobles. Don’t forget to head out to my book launch [...]

That’s right, folks. The day has finally arrived, and I am now a published book author! I can’t thank you all enough for your support over these last few crazy weeks. I hope you’ll pick up, by which I mean download, a copy of Maya’s Vacation soon. It’s available as an e-book only, but you [...]

Tokyo Punch Shiki Sushi Southwest Durham $7.75 Tokyo Punch was a lovely surprise for this cosmopolitan lover. Most people might assume that a cocktail made with vodka, cranberry, Midori, and brandy would be awfully similar to a cocktail made with vodka, cranberry, lime, and triple sec, but I somehow missed the connection between the two [...]

Socialite on Thin Ice W XYZ Lounge, Aloft Hotel Chapel Hill $9 It’s been way too long since I’ve done a cocktail review-—glad I could bring you a unique one this time! This is a mix of Crown Royal whiskey, espresso, triple sec, and cream. That ingredient list reminds me of many times that I’ve [...]

Peter Brum Vino Noire Rhone, Germany I haven’t tried too many red wines from Germany, so I was intrigued by this bottle and its unique shape—it really is all about marketing, folks. It smelled of strawberries and light tobacco. The first thing I noticed while drinking it was a small bit of fizziness, just enough [...]

It’s only 7 days until the launch of my first book, Maya’s Vacation, and I’m getting quite excited! As many of you have asked, yes, I am holding a book launch party to celebrate! This is not an organized shindig so much as it is an excuse to have drinks with friends. The wonderful Johanna, [...]

Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine I’ve been enjoying this spirit out in the occasional cocktail, and I’m excited to have finally bought a bottle to try on its own. I’m drinking it on the rocks, and it interestingly divides into rivulets on first contact with the ice. Honestly, that makes me scared to drink it! The moonshine [...]

Col di Sasso Cabernet Sauvignon & Sangiovese Blend 2009 No photo this time! It was a casualty of my trigger finger. It smells mildly of fig and tastes of fig, too, with plum notes also. Besides the healthy portion of fruit, it’s dry, leathery, a bit bitter, and abundant in allspice.  Overall, it was too [...]

Arge & Tina Malbec 2009 San Juan, Argentina Who can resist a pun like this wine’s name? Mr. Gourmez won this bottle of wine at a trivia game—hooray, free wine! Nail polish and heavy spice meet my nose, but I’ve found a nail polish smell does not always make a nail polish wine. Tobacco is [...]