Archive for August, 2009

How to Prepare a Soho Martini

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

soho-martiniVarious types of aromatic bitters were once popular ingredients in cocktails. During the second half of the twentieth century the use of bitters declined to the point that they all but vanished. With the revival of the cocktails in the new millennium, bitters are back. Below you will find a receipt that includes bitters in a modern martini.

Ingredients:

2 ounces of Vodka
1/4 ounce of Vanilla
1/2 ounce of orange Curacao Liqueur
Dash of Bitters

Preparation:

Assemble all the ingredients in a Boston shaker glass and stir with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an orange peel.

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How to Bid on Wine at Auction

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

Following are a few rules to follow if you are biding on a wine auction:

1) Check the Source - The older the wine the more important it is to find the source and how its been kept.

2) Get Answers - Deal with a wine specialist and find out all you need to know before you make the purchase.

3) Buy Original - It is hard to fake a Chateau’s imprint. Buy wines in its original wooden case by looking for “OWC” in an auction catalog.

4) Do a Taste Test - When buying a case, ask to sample a bottle and make sure that its color, aroma, taste and physical condition fulfills the expectations of the wine. Examine the wine like you would a piece of art. If you discover the wine is spoiled after making the purchase, you could work a fair settlement with many reputable auctioneers.

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