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Dear Kelly,
When we get to the final page on our calendars, the
last few weeks just seem to fly by (especially since
Thanksgiving was late this year...) Although these are
tough times economically, and many of us may be
scaling back our holiday spending this year, the most
important detais remain.
Time spent catching up with cherished family and
friends,
enjoying a glass or two of wine or a new cocktail
creation you've whipped up, is part of the spirit of the
holidays (literally and figuratively!) And no matter the
beverage--be it Guinness or Gibson--let's raise a
toast to those in our lives for whom we have been
most grateful this year.
This month's edition of "Kelly's Grape Times" has lots
of last minute holiday ideas. There's a sparkling wine
cocktail recipe that's bright red, tart and delicious; a
cocktail concoction that's perfect for those who like
spice (or maple syrup!); and a rundown of a few new
bar guides, if you need a last minute gift idea--or if
Santa didn't bring you everything you wanted. Finally,
you can catch up on my latest articles in Wine
Enthusiast, DC Magazine and Cheers.
Happy holidays, and all the best for a healthy and
prosperous 2009! Thanks to my faithful readers and
loyal customers, and a warm welcome to those of you
who
have just subscribed!
Cheers--
Kelly
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Hit the book and then the bottle...
Cocktail books reviewed
Forget cookbooks...2008 was the year of the cocktail
book. Books based on fresh and seasonal
ingredients, reprints of classic bar guides, and
everything in between,
all hit the shelves this year. Here are a few I've
enjoyed:
Luscious Liqueurs, by A.J. Rathbun
Rathbun provides easy-to-follow recipes so you can
replicate your favorite liqueurs (like Limoncello and
Irish Cream), as well as not-so-well-known sippers
(like the lemongrass and Thai basil-infused
Lebaoku), at home. Since most of the recipes take
several weeks to infuse and steep, these concoctions
aren't for the impatient! But if you have always wanted
to dabble in infusing spirits, this is a great reference.
The Essential Cocktail, by Dale
DeGroff
The inclusion of both classic and modern recipes
from the undisputed Master Mixologist deems this the
perfect choice for an indispensable go-to bar guide.
Fascinating anecdotes and history behind drinks and
drink makers allows for great cocktail party
conversation
fodder.
Artisanal Cocktails, by Scott Beattie
Fresh, well-crafted cocktails based on seasonal
ingredients offer inspiration for the home mixologist,
and full color photographs show the beauty of an
expertly made drink. However, note that some
techniques may be too involved or time-consuming for
the casual bartender.
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Kelly Magyarics Wine Consulting will make your next
event special. If you are planning a private or corporate
gathering,
whether it is a wedding shower, birthday party, get-
together with
friends, or a business promotional or employee
motivational event, consider
Kelly Magyarics Wine Consulting. Our interactive,
educational wine tastings
and classes
are a memorable and unique option for your next
gathering. Kelly
holds an Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits from
the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust), and she
has been offering wine tastings for private and
corporate events in the DC area for over seven years.
Just
see what our clients are saying about us.
Check
out www.trywine.net
for more information, email us
at trywine@gmail.com, or call us at
703.203.9463.
Feel free to pass this along to
other wine lovers you know!
And don't forget about Kelly's other services. She is
available for freelance writing, wine list creation and
management, and wine and food pairing consultation.
Cheers, and happy sipping!
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