Expert Contributor by Elyse Lovenworth Corporate Beverage Director of Paxos Restaurants/Firepoint Grill
Resolutions for a Better Beverage Year New Year’s Resolutions are all the rage this time of year, but often fall by the wayside come February 1st. How can you help guarantee that you stick to your resolutions? By making ones that you are sure to enjoy! Resolve to make 2019 a better beverage year with these tips for expanding your palate and learning about wines, cocktails, beers, and more. 1. Take a break. Make sure you take the time to relax after a busy holiday season. Since you’ll be kicking back this month, spend some of your post-holiday couch time watching a wine-based documentary, like “Sour Grapes” or “SOMM” on Netflix. 2. Try something new. If you are a fan of full-bodied reds, try a wine from Portugal’s Douro or Dao regions. They are excellent values and always delicious. If you are a white wine drinker, try a crisp and mineral driven white wine from Alsace. If you prefer Chardonnay, try a white burgundy like Chablis or Pouilly Fuissé . 3. Try something old… again. Revisit something you think you don’t like. One bad experience can often sour a drinker on an entire category of spirit, but there are always different varieties to explore. For example, if you “don’t drink gin”, what kind of gin don’t you like? There are several different categories of gin, as with all spirits. If the typical London Dry like Beefeater and Tanqueray aren’t your preference, try a more citrusy American Dry like the local Bluecoat distilled in Philadelphia, or the “New Wave” Hendrick’s which is more floral and clean tasting since it is infused with rose petal and cucumber. Taste evolves, so give it another chance!
WOOD-FIRED GRILL WEEKEND BRUNCH WEEKDAY HAPPY HOUR SIGNATURE COCKTAILS 3739 WEST CHESTER PIKE, NEWTOWN SQUARE 484-428-3093 | WWW.FIREPOINTGRILL.COM
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
January 2019
4. Travel. Take a trip to a wine region or somewhere with lots of breweries. My favorite wine region to visit is the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Fly into Portland and drive out to McMinnville, the heart of Oregon’s wine country. There are also lots of excellent breweries nearby, like Levante in West Chester or Tired Hands in Ardmore. Whenever you are traveling to a new place, make sure to ask what the locals are drinking to get the inside scoop! 5. Host a Wine Tasting. Make a resolution to enjoy some of life’s most civilized and simple pleasures (eating and drinking in good company!) by sharing your newfound knowledge with friends and family. Ask your friendly local Sommelier or do some quick searching online for cool wines and pairings and quick tips on hosting a successful at-home wine tasting. A great resource is an article from VinePair.com called “How to Host the Perfect At-Home Wine Tasting”. From wine pairings to cocktail crafting, you’re sure to learn a lot by following any of the above resolution ideas. Cheers to a boozy and delicious 2019! NS
