LA ENFERMERA 2020 TINTO DE TORO When it comes time to open a bottle of wine
SAMUEL SMITH PURE BREWED ORGANIC LAGER In this day and age of micro-brews and fancy new
that needs to be robust and power- ful yet manageable in alcohol and tannin, few areas produce beautiful wines like the area of Toro in Spain. Tempranillo is the king of Toro, and it is common to find vineyards that are over 100 years old. Small little stumps that at first glance would make you believe that no wine producing grape could grow out of dot the landscape of this dry and hilly region of Spain. This is the land of cured pork, hard cheese, and a brutal and violent history. The year was 1476, Spain was fighting the Battle of Toro against Alfonso V of Portugal. The first queen of Spain, Isabel the Catholic decreed that tents be set up on the outskirts of the battlefield to treat and care for wounded soldiers. The soldiers were also given wines made from
beer making technology, Samuel Smith has withstood the test of time. Founded in 1758 in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire England, Samuel Smith has been producing quality fermented beverages for genera- tions. The folks at the brewery will tell you the secret is the water supply which comes from a limestone lined underground lake. The purity of the water makes it ideal for producing beers that showcase the quality of ingredients that are used to make them. This iconic brewery still owns and operates over 200 pubs in the UK which are famous for their strict rules of conduct for operators and visitors alike. No music allowed and don’t pull out your cell phone, but please stay awhile for a few pints of inexpensive, wonderful quality beer.
the area to help ease their pain and suffering. This simple decree awarded Isabel the moniker of ‘La Enfermera’ or The Nurse. La Enfermera produced by Terra d Uro is not only a brilliant wine but an even more amazing value. You simply cannot find wines of this quality from 140-year-old vines at this price produced anywhere else in the world. I paid $22 for this bottle. $22!!!! I’ve had glasses of wine that I paid $22 for that couldn’t hold a candle to this stuff. It’s simply a delight. Robust with a hint of oak and a long powerful finish. I enjoyed it with a pan-seared NY Strip, creamed spinach, and a butternut squash gratin. It completely blew me away. We all like to wander the aisles of our local wine store wonder- ing what to take a chance on. For me, a bottle of Tempranillo from Toro is always a safe bet and will appease anyone who’s looking for a bargain with- out sacrificing quality.
Lager has always been my beer of choice. If I’m not enjoying my favourite beer on the planet, Saison DuPont, it’s usually an ice cold, crisp Lager. It’s a fantastic beer to enjoy with food and serves as a robust palette cleanser regardless of what you’re enjoying. The Samuel Smith Organic Lager has a permanent residency in my fridge. It’s low in alco- hol so if I happen to need a mid-afternoon atti- tude adjustment it won’t put me on the couch. It’s wonderfully dry and like some modern lager inter- pretations it doesn’t leave a funky aftertaste on the roof of my mouth. The water that Sam Smith uses is the game changer. They’re products all share a strong, clean backbone that allow for the organic barley and organic hops to shine. Lager takes a long time to make, especially this one that is cold brewed utilizing bottom fermenting yeast. The elongated brew process allows time for proper flavour integration and a lovely soft carbonation to manifest. Samuel Smith beers are available world- wide and if you ever find yourself in the neighbour- hood of one of their pubs, do yourself a favour and take a moment to enjoy a pint.
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