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Get in the �Spirits� for Holiday Celebrations

by: ARA

(ARA) � The holidays are almost upon us, and that means ��tis the season� for parties with co-workers, dinners with families, get-togethers with close friends and quiet nights by the fireside with loved ones. If you�re planning to do some entertaining, do everyone a favor and look beyond the traditional spiked eggnog and hot buttered rum. There are some better options; so here are a few suggestions to warm your belly and fill your guests with holiday cheer.

Some Like it Hot

On a cold winter day, there are few things better than a steaming mug of coffee, hot chocolate or mulled cider served with chestnuts or biscotti besides a roaring fire. Put some �fire� in the mug by adding one ounce (approximately a shot) of Vecchia Romagna Brandy and garnish with whipped cream. Brandy mixes exceptionally well with warm beverages (especially coffee) and adds a sweet, yet slightly spicy, bite to the drink. Vecchia Romagna, which is one of the oldest Brandy distillers in Italy, imports four sophisticated Brandies: Etichetta Nera or �Black Label,� which retails for a very affordable $26.99, and three high-end vintage Riservas (10, 15 and 35 years old) that range from $40 to $200. Vecchia Romagna Brandies are also available in attractive gift boxes that make great gifts for �dads and grads.�

Love that Lemon

What is it that bartenders and desert chefs have in common these days? The answer is a delightful liqueur known as Lemoncillo (also spelled Limoncello). Perfect for cocktails and confections, Lemoncillo is a luscious spirit made from lemon zest infused with alcohol. It has gained in fame due to its versatility and perfectly balanced sweet/tart flavor. One Italian company, Giori, produces a Lemoncillo that has earned praise from epicurean experts and can be used equally well in Cosmo Volanos as it can in lemon meringue. Giori also offers a one-of-a-kind Lemoncillo �Cream� liqueur that serves well in espresso or drizzled over brownies as a glaze. Giori Lemoncillo and Lemoncillo Cream both retail at $18.99 for a 750-ml bottle.

Feel the Chill

Cocktails are a sure-fire hit for holiday parties, and no cocktail party is complete without vodka. Vodka (especially the unflavored, premium kind) is ideal for cocktails because true, quality vodka has a faint, icy aroma and a smooth, dry, almost neutral taste that inherits the character and flavor of a mixer. So, everything from chic Cosmopolitans, Martinis and Vodka Mimosas, to standards like White Russians, Gimlets and Screwdrivers can be made from the same bottle. One exceptional example is Kutskova: a Russian-made, five-times filtered, double distilled, super-premium vodka. Kutskova, which retails in the $25 range, has received rave reviews as well as gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Tastings International Review of Spirits, for its pure, crisp flavor and cool, soft aftertaste.

Something Different

If you�re looking for a truly unique gift for a liqueur connoisseur, look for a delightful cordial called Amaro Montenegro. For those of you not familiar with Amaro Montenegro, it is an herbal liqueur that has a sweet taste and slightly bitter finish and is usually served before or after a meal. Bartenders and barristas across Europe have been using Amaro for years as an ingredient in everything from cocktails to coffees, and it is now beginning to gain popularity here in America. With vibrant flavors of spice, molasses, clove and orange peel, Amaro Montenegro was recently given outstanding ratings by the �Spirit Journal,� �Wine Spectator� and �Wine Enthusiast.� It serves best straight when chilled or at room temperature poured over ice cream. For the holidays, Amaro Montenegro is available as a gift set that comes with a special Amaro glass and retails for $21.99.

Get Cozy

Possibly the most cherished thing about the holidays is that it brings people together. With close friends and family traveling from everywhere for a visit, you may find yourself playing host to an intimate get together. Whether served on the rocks, mixed in a cocktail, with champagne, or warm in a snifter with a cigar, what could be better than a rich, velvety, aromatic Cognac? Produced from among the finest vineyards in the Grande Champagne region of France, Croizet Cognacs have received praise at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for their incredible flavor and smoothness. And, with the VS retailing at $19.99, VSOP at $29.99, XO at $74.99 and XO Gold at $99.99, Croizet�s line of quality cognacs are exceptional values compared to other, better known brands. Additionally, the VSOP, XO and XO Gold are presented in attractive individual boxes perfect for holiday gift giving, and the XO Gold is presented in a festive gold bottle.

Wrap it Up

This time of the year can be pretty hectic with trips to the mall, travel plans, preparing the house for guests, cooking feasts and more. But, no matter what holiday you�re celebrating this season, or whether you�re hosting a get-together for two or two hundred, these holiday spirits can fit into just about any occasion. So, may your days be merry and bright, and remember to drink responsibly.

On the House

Finally, here are some holiday beverage recipes to help get you going:

CAF� CORRECTO

- Build in coffee mug

- 1 part Vecchia Romagna Brandy

- 3 parts hot coffee

- Top with whipped cream

- Dust with cocoa powder

*****

BREZZA ESTIVA

- Build drink in glass with ice

- 1 part Amaro Montenegro

- 3 parts tonic or ginger ale

- Serve with a stir stick

*****

COSMO VOLANO

- 2 parts Giori Lemoncillo

- 2 parts Kutskova Vodka

- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

- Splash of cranberry juice

- Shake with ice

- Strain into glass

- Garnish with lemon wedge

*****

VODKA MIMOSA

- 1 part Kutskova Vodka

- 1 part Champagne

- 2 parts orange juice

- Serve in chilled Champagne glass

*****

AMARO MUDSLIDE

- 1 part Amaro Montenegro

- 3 parts vanilla ice cream

- Blend

- Spoon into glass

- Top with whipped cream

*****

GRAND CHAMPAGNE

- Build in Champagne glass

- 1 part Croizet VSOP Cognac

- 3 parts Champagne

- 1 Maraschino cherry

- Garnish with orange wheel

*****

CAF� CILLO

- Build in coffee mug

- 1 part Giori Lemoncillo Cream

- 2 parts espresso

- 1 part steamed milk

- Dust with nutmeg

- Garnish with lemon wedge

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Courtesy of ARA Content

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Choosing Wine on a First Date
by: Neil Best

First dates are nerve wracking enough without having to worry about what wine to choose to impress your new friend!

One of the great things about wine on a date is that one bottle is a defined amount, normally about five glasses. If shared equally it is unlikely that you will fall off your chair drunk after half a bottle of wine!

However, there are some other social sins that can be committed whilst choosing wine on a date.

Getting Started

First, you need to decide whether you want white, red, ros� or sparkling wine. This is perhaps the most important decision. As a general rule, red wine is more of an acquired taste and it can be harder to select a good red. Therefore, when you do not know your companion's tastes it may be wise to steer clear of the red wine section.

Sparkling wine can make you appear a little pretentious or if you go for a cheaper version, a tightwad; so this is usually best avoided. If you are not sure whether your companion likes wine at all, ros� wine is often a safe option as it often lacks the sharpness that people commonly dislike in wines.

How Much to Spend?

Remember more money doesn't always mean more quality. If you are very new to wine, go for a house white. A house white is unlikely to be extremely imaginative or unusual, but is almost always perfectly drinkable. For this reason it is a safe, middle of the road option.

If you want to impress, look for something other than the house white. Keep away from extremes until you know your companion a little better, so don't go for bone dry whites. Instead, opt for a fruity dry wine that appeals to those who like both dry and medium whites.

Whilst neutral wines may seem like a bit of a cop-out, bear in mind that you simply want a drinkable wine that does not offend.

If you are really not sure what to choose, why not offer your companion a choice of glasses as an aperitif while you have a beer or spirit. This way you can judge your companion's taste. Even if they select a spirit, you can still get a measure of whether they prefer sweet or dry wines.

Of course, you could always give your companion the choice�

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