Aromas of Wine

Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy

My dad just got back from a work trip to Wisconsin last week and informed me I would love it there because of all the breweries. I believed him except for the fact that I can’t stand the cold weather. He bought a six pack of Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy for me to try mentioning that he knew I would like the way it tasted. He was so right, this beer is delicious. Brewed in Chippewa Falls, WI this weiss beer is brewed with honey and has natural lemonade flavor added. They had me at lemonade flavor. It costs around $6.99 for a six pack from ABC. It smells like lemonade and doesn’t really taste that much like beer. It has a refreshing balance of sweet and tart. This would be a great brew for someone who doesn’t really like the taste or hops or yeast very much. It almost reminds me of an alcoholic soda. If you could make this beer into a slushy it would be the perfect summer treat. 

Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy

The Crusher Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

A friend of mine has a father who knows my interest in wine and is always offering me a taste of his finds when I come over to visit. The Crusher Cabernet Sauvingon 2011 vintage is from Clarksburg, California, but was purchased on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa so i’m not sure if this is something you can find at your local grocery or liquor store, but you can purchase one through a link on their website for $18. With a 13.5% abv the tannins are low and the smell fruity, like dark cherry mingled with vanilla or possibly cinnamon. It has a nice balance and even better legs. My favorite part is that the label boasts “natural yeast fermentation.”

The Crusher Cabernet Sauvignon

Keel & Curley visit

This past Tuesday my best friend and I decided to stop by the Keel & Curley Winery for an afternoon tasting since it was the last day of unleavened bread and we couldn’t do anything productive anyway.

It was a little busier than I expected but I didn’t mind the bartender’s lack of customer service since it gave more time for conversation. I noticed they added a Wine Makers Reserve wine under their blackberry wines since my last visit, which wasn’t terrible but I wouldn’t buy a bottle of it.

I also noticed that instead of the previous 80%/20% grape to fruit ratio they now have a 90%/10% grape to fruit ratio. As I mentioned, I didn’t bother asking the busy bartender much about the wines but I did overhear her telling another group that all their wines were 12% abv.

I also noticed a sign in the corner mentioning something about a brewery that would be opening later this year. It was for some company I had never heard of so you know I will be checking it out and letting you know all about it.

Keel & Curley Winery

Monica’s Florida Frost Ice Wine & Margarita Wine Freeze

Photo courtesy Nathaniel’s phone