All of this "fancy" stuff reminds of some very UN-fancy stuff i once bought when i was back in my early 20's. I was already three sheets to the wind and wandered into the local liquor store. They had some cheap wine on close-out i.e. $1.25 a bottle. How could you go wrong??? Needless to say, i bought two bottles.
YOW !!! I swear that they mis-labeled that stuff. I'm certain that if it was a wine, it could have at least doubled as shoe polish remover. Now i know why they were trying to give it away!!! : )
As it is right now, i hardly ever have a drink anymore. When i do, i typically like chilled European based Ale's that have been poured into a stein and allowed to warm up a bit. I'm not talkin' room temperature, but just a bit cooler. This tends to really bring out the flavour in them AND smooth them out. Anybody else like "warm bier" ???
Back in my yoot, it was either gin, vodka, everclear, diesel, sunshine, etc... My motto was that clear booze had nothing to hide and only one goal. That is, to get you lit : )
Back in those days, quality didn't mean as much as quantity. I was one of those people that wanted to find the edge of the Earth and lean over as far as i could without falling off. Those that knew me back then are pretty amazed that i have ANY brain cells left today. I've still got at least three or four cells left and i'm doin' my best to hang onto them : )
I think the fact that i blew my brains out back then has taken away my desire to do anything remotely close to that today. Boy, i'll tell ya that when i do go out for a night on the town, i'm hurtin' BAD the next few days. Guess i'm outa shape for stuff like that. I have to wonder how i did it 5-6 nights a week for several years on end??? :( Sean
> |
Beefeater Apple Martini with BrouChesz (Russian Beer found at TRader Joe) with lime and Sparkletts water!! |
Galeriehughie.... Yes, there are sauternes other than d'Yquem... Suiderat (sp?) for one. I have a few of those (mostly .350L) in the cellar. 2001 seems to be a sleeper vintage, doesn't it?! I've bought some futures, but not Mouton... some second growths like Haut-Bages-Liberal.
YBA: no, not me! I have a Plinius, but some here have been recommending that I trade it in for a YBA. Having not heard one, nor having one available to audition, I'm not about to make a change at the moment. Thinking about giving a tupe amp a try... seems like it might be a good match with my efficient Cabasse.
Back to inexpensive wines: 2003 Glen Carlou Chardonnay (Paarl, South Africa). I'm not a big Chard fan, but this is a nice one. Went well with oysters and fish and very nicely with Dianne Reeves' latest CD. |
CpDunn,
I forgot the 1997, which I really enjoyed....
Also Did I see you have experience with the french company YBA? I am thinking of buying an Audio Refinement processor for 2 channel and HT use. Any thoughts? Anyway... to keep with the spirit of the thread, the new Mouton 2001 is out at $150. Zachys said it may be better than 2000 for the house at half the cost. I see a trip to Scarsdale in my future and a maybe a new cd to go with it... |
Extra dry Beefeater martini straight up with an olive or a nice port or two fingers of Johnnie Walker black over one cube.
Any kind of beer works too! |
Hey cdp,
I have had 1989, 1993 and 1995.
I have heard good things about the 2001 vintage as well. I haven't heard about the 2003 yet... I cannot afford futures, I'm a buy it and drink it now kinda guy. We don't have a cellar. We pick up a first growth every couple of months but awhile back it was every month other hobbies have invaded. I am also a fan of other houses of sauternes as well. It can really finish a meal nicely. |
Galeriehughie... which Ch. d'Yquem vintages?! I'll be right over!! 2003 looks like it might be a good year for Sauternes... buying any futures? |
A 40 of OE or Cisco while listening to 50 Cent or NWA. A pint of Guinness while listening to House of Pain or perhaps some Gin and Juice with Snoop and Dre. Ludwig who? |
Wine: Any vintage or estate from DRC...
Although I mostly buy Mouton.
Beer: a nice belgian or even a Unibroue from Canada.
Although I would happily share a glass of custodian's Cheval. But I have had 4 vintages og Y'Quem and don't like them for just drinking and listening. Perhaps with dessert or some fresh fruit after dinner while listening to some jazz.. |
Single malt: The Maccallan
Beer: Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout or Sammy Smith's Taddy Porter (Anderson Valley makes a better stout) when I need a black beer to brighten my day, Bridgeport IPA or Fuller's ESB when I want a light beer. |
Ch. d'Yquem?! Oh, nice!! Yes, I can imagine the pairing with a Mozart opera! |
Go down to the cellar and get a bottle of Cheval Blanc '82, or if it's late, perhaps a Warre '63 Port. For a Mozart opera, perhaps a d'yquem with a plate of tropical fruit. In fact I think I'll just open a bottle right now! |
Metaxa 7 Star Greek Brandy, Armagnac de Montal VSOP, Any and all Belgium Beers,Port Wine,...... |
Hooper... yes, port and Jackson Browne is a good pairing! I know what you mean about evoking winter... |
Cpdunn:
My wife and I usually go with the Six Grapes. It's nothing terribly exotic, but it's definitely one of the better "affordable" ports I've tasted. As for music, since I'm not a classical buff, I'd have to go with something pop/rock-ish and mellow--maybe Jackson Browne. Good winter music, for when the leaves are off the trees and the sky is gray. |
Cpdunn,
Oh, aye. Twas much the better for it. |
Ffontan... I understand completely... absolutely
Slipknot... and the motor drive, no doubt, is better for it, too?! |
A friend and I just went through 2 bottles of Smoking Loon Cabernet tonight while breaking in the new Walker Precision Motor Drive. I am amazed at the quality and drinkability of this inexpensive California red. |
Cpdunn99
I know my statement may sound kind of silly, and that this next post will probably rub audiophiles the wrong way, but you see? I have seen from some audiophiles an attitude as though the audio gear becomes more important than the music. Me?? I am putting together a decent rig, but if all I had was a Sony boombox radio(like when I was in college), I'd still enjoy listening to music, smoking a cigar and having a drink...know what I'm saying? |
"By the way, I always listen to music...I don't think I ever listen to the rig itself..." Well said, Ffontan!! |
I brought home some Limoncello from Rome...goes pretty good straight up with a mild cigar...
I got two boxes of hand rolled Puerto Rican cigars...most people wouldn't even know the brand, as they are rolled in a small shop in the west side of the Island...but boy they are good.
Anyway, that, wine, aged rum...all go good with good cigars and good music.
By the way, I always listen to music...I don't think I ever listen to the rig itself... |
Red wine or single malt scotch. |
Hooper... first, which Grahams are you drinking? I've got some vintage 2000 aging in the cellar. Can't touch it for at least 20yr! Second, what does Port go best with? Haydn quartets, perhaps?! |
A short glass of Graham's port. Lights out, blinds open, snow falling into the river in the background. Music playing softly. Nice. |
I just discovered small batch Bourbons - Bookers, Baker's, Knob Creek - a wonderful change from my usual single malts. They go really well with bluegrass, for some strange reason! |
I just discovered small batch Bourbons - Bookers, Baker's, Knob Hill - a wonderful change from my usual single malts. They go really well with bluegrass, for some strange reason! |
Rum and Coke with a good cigar does the trick for me. I have a bottle of 12 years aged, Puerto Rican rum...the brand is Don Q "Gran Anejo". Barcardi 8 Anos also works. Good rum, good cigar, and good music, what else can anyone ask for? |
...bone dry, 3 olives, shaken, not stirred in a chilled glass |
Irish Nut;1 part Baileys Irish cream,2 parts heavycream,1/2 part Frangelica liquor(can put pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top) |
A good German hefeweizen; Ayinger, Franziskaner, Paulaner, Hacker-schoor, a hoppy American micro IPA, or maybe one of my own concoctions. |
Pops... thanks for the Plymouth recommendation. I'll keep a look out for it. I like gin with jazz, for some reason... maybe it's just the alliteration? |
Clipsal: great post! Wish we could get some of those Australian brews "up over," as it were! Do you listen to the Waifs at all? Friend from Melbourne sent me two CDs. Kind of like them, actually. |
Yes Tim, life if short and cocktail hour is an important part of the day to wind down, reflect, oh yeah and on the weekends listen to loud music. It's like the statement on the sleeve of "let it bleed" "This record should be played loud." |
Pops- I have not tried the vodka you mentioned- have you ever tried Jewel of Russia Ultra? that is the BEST vodka I have ever had the pleasure of imbibing.
I prefer plymouth gin when drinking pink gin- for martini's its a little to dry for me- I prefer Bombay saphire for martini's. Tanq. or tanq 10 for gimlets- tanq. 10 is almost to smooth for gimlets :) and the regular tanq. has a sharper taste of limes which is well suited for gimlets and gin and tonic- however, IMO, is not well suited for martini's for this reason. To much booze and just not enough time!
Its funny how there is this group of lushes here at audiogon which I am proudly part of :) |
Ozfly - it's just being introduced so you'll see it everywhere soon - CP Dunn I have had Citadelle Gin and your right it is interesting. If you like Gin try Plymouth Gin from ...you guessed it Plymouth, England. I toured the distillery last year. It is the 7th most important landmark in England! It's where the pilgrims had their last meal and boarded the Mayflower. That's how long they have made this gin - do a taste test against Tanquerey, Beefeater, Tanquerey 10, or Bombay Sapphire and you will not believe the difference! Just a tip from an old rummy! |
G'Day,
Here in Australia, I like to sit down and listen to Quality music with some fantastic Aussie beers such as:
1. Little Creatures - Sonny Rollins - Way out West SACD
2. Cascade Premium - Eagles - Hell Freezes Over XRCD
3. Red Back - Mighty Sam McClain - Various CD's
4. Hann Premium - Goosebumps when listening to Andrea
Bocelli - Romanza on XRCD
5. Victoria Bitter - Wonderfull whilst listening to Bruce
Springsteen
Regards,
Clipsal |
Vvrinc... great post!! sorry about your system, though.. stick with vinyl |
I must confess that I have thought of a hemlock daquiri after hearing the sound my system makes with some classical CDs.
Ordinarily I prefer water or a great small-brewery beer so I can take a bathroom break when I change sides on the LP. (At my age these considerations are necessary.)
Here's two chugs to you! |
Any particular musical genre that matches nicely with Level?
Have you had Citadelle gin? French with crap load of different herbs. Interesting... very... |
Thanks for the heads up Pops. I've never heard of it, but will give it a try. |
LEVEL Vodka - the new super premium from the makers of ABSOLUT - unlike any vodka I've ever had.....and I've had a few! |
Interesting. Once, while in Grad school, had some really cool vintage CUBAN cigars as well as CUBA LIBRE (Bacardi rum+Coke+Lime and ICE....)What a shity stereo was playing there, but hell, the DJ was cool....Puerto Rican guy who was into NYC Hip Hop, only on Vinyl....All in a small livingroom, somewhere in Kansas! (it was sooooo cold outside...) It was the best and one of the fondest memories I have.
Now, a good meal and
2-4 bottles of MOLSON either Golden or Ice will do the trick.
BTW, if I was in Belgium doing the same, a motherload case of Chimay 50! Long live those dastardly Flemish Monks who came out with that formula.
PAUL |
Tim,
I did! that's 'kimmen Chen Gao'. wild stuff! On par with 'Er Guo Tou'.
If you buy them from a well establish Chinese grocery store, such as 'Ranch99' here in bay area, chances are you will be ok. no need to worry about illegal stuff. I've bought all of them and I KNOW they are genuine.
Still owe Cpdunn99 photos, will collect all of them over Thanksgiving.
Abe |
Abe av, try Kao Liang Liquor made in kimmen, Taiwan.(58%) many chinese friends love this liquor than liquor made in China. this liquor does not go well with classical music, jazz and pop will be great.
BTW, i do concern these illegal made liquor in China?? |
Sure, that would be great (e-mailing me images, that is). Thanks for the offer! cdunn@mortonarb.org |
Cpdunn99,
They should be fairly easily found in most Chinese grocery stores, at least that's the case here in bay area. It's difficult (almost impossible) to translate them into English. I can take some digital pictures and email to you if you are interested.
Order some Chinese take out and pour yourself some .... man that's life!!!!!
They go well with almost any music except classical.
Abe |
Bloody good idea there, matey! Eggnog with Capt. Morgan's might go well with some baroque holiday music, eh? |
For those that put rum in their Egg Nog, may I suggest Captain Morgans Spiced Rum. Fairly inexpensive and adds a nice essence of vanilla. |
Never heard of these liquors, Abe! Which music do they pair well with?! I'm in the Bay Area fairly often, so I'll have to check them out. We have a fairly sizable China Town here in Chicago... maybe I can find them here. |
Chinese liquor, Votka like but with much much more flavor masterfully blended in:
The Best ...... Wu-Liang-Ye ......... 106 proof
2nd best ...... Lu-Zhou-Lao-Jiao .... 96 proof (not strong enough :-)
Wild .......... Er-Guo-Tou .......... 112 proof, now we are talking!
Best dishes to be served with, well, I have to say if you are ever in bay area, I'd like to show you the real thing.
Abe |
