Ethan Fixell

Writer • Educator • Performer

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Nov 9, 2018

4 Must-Visit Winemakers of Barolo and Barbaresco

Nov 9, 2018

AS PUBLISHED BY FOOD & WINE

Fickle Nebbiolo is perfect for expressing subtle differences in terroir—especially in the Langhe subregion of Piedmont, where soils and microclimates can differ greatly within a few footsteps. In fact, as in Burgundy, a single Langhe plot might be divided up amongst multiple vineyards. Thus, growing the grape in Barbaresco or Barolo will produce very different wines—even though the two famous DOCGs are only fifteen miles apart.

These four wineries not only represent some of the best Piedmont has to offer—they also help illustrate the greatest differences between Barolo and Barbaresco, and the range of unique qualities one can find within each.

Nov 9, 2018

Sep 19, 2018

Five Wine Regions Producing America’s Finest Ciders

Sep 19, 2018

AS PUBLISHED BY WINE ENTHUSIAST

As it happens, some of the most noteworthy cider in the United States comes from its greatest wine regions.

“Not every plot of land in a famous wine-growing appellation is perfectly suited to grapes,” says Dustin Wilson, master sommelier and co-founder of Verve Wine. “Often, you’ll see other types of plants in areas that might not be as well-suited for quality grape growing.”

Here are five cider makers from the nation’s greatest wine regions.

Sep 19, 2018

Aug 29, 2018

Everything You Need To Know About Fancy Cider

Aug 29, 2018

AS PUBLISHED BY THRILLIST

Cider is seemingly everywhere these days, going well beyond its antiquated status as a tap option for the gluten-averse or people who say they don't like beer. Still, most people don’t think to order cider when out for a nice dinner, and that's a shame. Good ol’ fermented apple juice can be as complex (and expensive) as any craft beer or fine wine. The best stuff -- often “heritage cider,” made with cider-specific heirloom apple varieties and produced with traditional winemaking techniques -- is incredibly nuanced, with plenty of regional differences and unique flavors to go around.

Aug 29, 2018

instaGram

#WakuWakuBrewery is in #Ishikawa, Japan, the west coast prefecture known for its pure water (lots o' hot springs!) and fertile soil. Waku Waku (which --I'm sorry -- makes me think of Fozzy Bear every time) uses local grain grown on their very own farm -- a pretty remarkable undertaking for a small brewery. In particular, their #KoshihikariAle is produced with their own rice for a smooth, dry, clean, light ale -- perfect for pairing with sushi or sashimi. Pictured here, of course, is a bounty of germinating barley, soon to become malt (once it has been thoroughly dried) that will be used for the base of that rice-adjunct brew.
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#RiceAle #JapaneseBeers #JapaneseCraftBeer #JapaneseBeer #MaltedBarley #Barley #TwoRowMalt #SixRowMalt #BeerMalt #Malting #Germination #Germinating #Koshihikari #WakuWaku #IshikawaJapan #Japan

#Sansho Ale is the first of many beers I've fallen in love with in Japan. The herbal brew from @IwateKuraBeer of #Sekinoichi -- a prominent sake brewer that's been at it in #Iwate for over 100 years -- is produced with a Japanese peppercorn called Sansho (scientifically known as Zanthoxylum piperitum -- NERRRRD!) for beautiful aromas of ginger, white pepper, and citrus. On the palate it's just as fresh, zippy, and inviting as the nose suggests. Best of all -- it's available in the U.S.! Highly recommend seeking out this unique and tasty @Japanese_CraftBeer.
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#HerbBeer #JapaneseBeer #Japanese #Beer #JapanBeer #Peppercorn #Peppercorns #CraftBeer #JapaneseCraft #JapaneseCraftBeer #Beers #FreshBeer #Japan #BeerTasting #LocalBeer #VisitJapan #JapaneseBeers

Apparently someone wasn't satisfied with just one bottle -- Lucie stole my 2015 @MtBraveWines Merlot, a gorgeous wine produced exclusively from #MtVeeder fruit. Fortunately, I was able to wrestle it from her (I let her keep the other) to taste it for myself -- and it's jam-packed with plum, blueberry, and chocolate (or is it vanilla? Both, really...) notes with a rich, full body and complex finish. I'd first encountered winemaker Chris Carpenter's work a couple of years ago at a tasting for @CardinaleWinery -- one of the other esteemed #NapaValley wineries to which he lends his talents. And if there's one thing he does well, it's make wines that last. This one, like Lucie -- is still just a baby right now; I'd love to see what it's like in five, or even ten years.
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#MtBrave #ChrisCarpenter #NapaWine #NapaWines #NapaValley #NapaValleyWine #NapaValleyWines #WineBaby #CuteBaby #CuteBabyGirls #NapaMerlot #MerlotDay #MerlotMonth #CaliforniaMerlot #MerlotWine #Merlot🍷

From a commercial perspective, #WashingtonState has yet to claim a state grape like Cali has with Cabernet or Oregon has with Pinot Noir. But @ReynvaanWine is doing such amazing things with #Syrah that I'd nominate the variety to rep @WA_State_Wine any day. Fans of the #NorthernRhone will go cuckoo over Reynvaan's stuff, known for its fascinating savory and umami notes that range from herbal to mineral to even meaty. Their 2016 #Stonessence shows aromas of smoked sausage, black tea, blackberry, and (surprise) wet stones, with a mouthfeel that is so smooth and soft, it's hard to believe that it's as structured as it is. Of course, the wine ain't cheap (roughly $100 retail / $250 at a restaurant like this one, @TheModernNYC), but it can stand up to much more expensive French stuff from the Rhône valley, and is worth seeking out for those who want to try something uniquely beautiful and Washingtonian.
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#WAWine #Wines #Wine #Washington #WAState #SyrahWine #RhoneValley #RhôneValley #RhoneWine #RhoneValleyWines #Reynvaan #ReynVaanFamilyVineyard #TheModern #TheModernNYC #Sommelier #Somm

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