SPIRITS OF THE GAME By AZ Golf Insider Staff
< Cocktail hour If aromatic gin cocktails conjure visions of spring, serve Arizona Distilling Co.’s Commerce Gin at your next happy hour. Commerce pays homage to the state with five Cs of its own: cardamom, coriander, cumin, cinnamon and citrus lime zest. All sourced from the Flagstaff area, the 85-proof concoction literally expresses Arizona in a glass. Serve over rocks with a splash of lime- or lemonade.
$30 •
www.azdistilling.com
< California style Fifth-generation winemaker Karl Wente calls Wente Vineyard’s new Riva Ranch Chardonnay “beautifully rich yet balanced” made in the venerable producer’s typical style. With fruit sourced from California’s Monterey and Arroyo Seco appellations, you’ll notice expected apple and pear impressions along with some tropical and stone fruits. Barrel fermentation and small amounts of Gewurtztraminer add complexity and nuance to this lovely springtime white wine.
$22 •
www.wentevineyards.com
> Brunch beauty In a land dominated by earthy, Syrah-based red wines comes a delicious and value-focused white — Cotes du Rhone Samorens Blanc — by longtime French producer Ferraton Pere and Fils. Made of 60 percent Grenache and 40 percent Clairette varieties, the bright golden wine bursts with freshness, floral aromas and juicy citrus-apple fruit. The pretty white pairs nicely with grilled fish, shrimp or chicken and a Caesar salad.
$16 •
www.hbwinemerchants.com
< Steak seduction If you’re grilling burgers or steaks for your group after a round, pour this complementary new Merlot from Sonoma, Calif.-based Toad Hollow and behold its lush and elegant fruit notes and soft tannins. Toad Hollow continually earns praise for its Merlot, which owner Frankie Williams has now produced for 20 years sourced from the Russian River, Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. Seductive berry-cranberry flavors are given a light dusting of French oak that imparts nice spice.
$18 •
www.toadhollow.com 14 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRING 2017
> No horsin’ around Spring is in the air, and mint juleps are in the glass. The classic drink of the Kentucky Derby also ideally caps 18 holes with your weekly foursome this time of year. Muddle some mint and go local with Arizona Distilling Co.’s Copper City bourbon, a top-shelf nod to the corn- based elixir typically made in the Bluegrass State. This Tempe variety spends four years in American oak and showcases smooth caramel and vanilla notes. The perfect cocktail to sip while settling bets. 90 proof.
$30 •
www.azdistilling.com
Where to buy These selections and others are available at fine wine and spirits retailers like Total Wine & More, BevMo and AJ’s Fine Foods Valley-wide.
www.azgolf.org
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