Single Barrel Season

written by Chaz

The leaves may still be falling, and Halloween is just a few days away, but holiday shopping has already begun. Social distancing and staying safe has many people already thinking about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even New Year’s Eve. We have already started multiple services to accommodate people including curbside pickup and a concierge service. Keep an eye out for our holiday gift packs coming soon as well. But as we have made changes to the shopping experience, the premier end of year products are still coming through the door, including our single barrel whiskey selections.

With the rise of American whiskey in the last 20 years, people are always on the hunt for something different and unique, and we certainly have those here at France 44. At the moment, we have three unique single barrels perfect for whoever you may know in need of another special bottle for their shelf. While Maker’s Mark is one of the most well known liquor brands, few know of their private select program. Our newest Elijah Craig barrel that arrived last week is a steal, and our Rossville Union Rye is one of the best whiskeys you have never tried.

MAKERS MARK CASK STREGTH

From the private stave collection, this wheated bourbon came out the barrel at 111 proof. The barrel leans hard into the French Mocha and American Pure seasoned staves, giving it a rich, chocolate forwardness. It finishes with notes of sweet orange rind and vanilla. If you like wheated bourbon, you will love this selection.

ELIJAH CRAIG

Not your typical Heaven Hill single barrel. The barrel is light on fruit and dry oak, with instead a heavy helping of vanilla and caramel, bordering on ice cream sundae. The age statement comes in at a youthful eight years, but older is not necessarily better. We think this bourbon is mature beyond its years.

ROSSVILLE UNION BOTTLED IN BOND RYE

Sweet, fat, and spicy! This single barrel is exactly as it is named, with prominent spices in the aroma, yet sweet pastry in the palate. The finish is big, long and full of flavor. MGP, the maker of Rossville, is a big reason behind the success of Willett Distillery rye and the High West lineups. Expect the same high standard in this single barrel.

Cold-Brewed

You have seen the commercials: a vendor shouting “ice cold beer, here” while navigating through the football stadium; two arctic explorers abseiling into a crevasse to chip an ice cold can of beer from the glacier, only to return it to the man waiting by the portable cooler at a tailgate; a frozen train of beer careening through snow-capped mountains to deliver refreshment. The voice actor bellows in with some nonsensical phrase like “cold-brewed the hard way” or “brewed with the purest water from melted icebergs.” Even if statements like these hold little barley-water, the marketers have done their job. Because what many beer consumers want is crisp, quenching, and ice cold.

While there are certainly occasions for beers of the variety mentioned above, I’ve got some good news to share. Not all lager beer needs to be consumed at near-freezing temperatures to taste acceptable. In fact, most classic styles of lagers should be enjoyed cold, but not ice cold. The colder a beverage is served, the harder it is for your gustatory system to perceive its true flavor. And most craft lagers have much flavor to offer!

So what makes a lager? The advertisements give you part of the picture. Lager beer is fermented at a cooler temperature than ales, then cold-conditioned or “lagered” for an extended period of time. The metabolic activity of lager yeast is much slower, but results in a more complete fermentation. Higher attenuation, or a greater percentage of sugars consumed by the yeast, leads to a drier, “crisper” beer. Because lager yeast imparts minimal characteristics into a beer, it is the quality and balance of malt and hops that is stage-center. There is nothing to hide behind in lager brewing, which further elevates my reverence when I find a quality example.

Lagers can come in a variety of styles and strengths: from the ultra-light, crisp, adjunct-laden macro lagers, to hop-accentuated pilsners, to smoke-infused rauchbiers, to the big, malty doppelbocks dubbed “liquid bread”. After sampling a variety of styles you will find the category has more to offer than at first glance. Many are even perfect for cold weather consumption, considering we just were blessed by Minnesota’s first major snowfall. So if you’re looking for something “cold-brewed”, consider a few of our favorite examples listed below:

Modist Soft Minute Single Malt Foeder-Aged Pilsner – $11.99/4pk Cans

Modist has been on a roll with its foeder-aged lager program, producing some of my favorite “crispy bois” in recent memory. Soft Minute is brewed with 100% malted wheat, a feat only accomplished by the brewery’s mash filter, leading to a pillow-y soft mouthfeel. It’s hopped with Triple Pearl and Citra hops for a delicate floral, peppery citrus note. The beer is finished in an egg-shaped oak foeder for a bit of structure on the palate.

Fair State Pils – $9.49/4pk Cans

This is head brewer Niko Tonks’ “desert island beer”, and I might have to agree. This brisk German-style pilsner has a grassy nose from Hallertau Mittelfruh hops, a dry quenching palate, and a surprisingly bitter finish that begs another sip. Yes, it’s available all year-round, but it’s a beer that the staff always keep coming back to.

Ayinger Jahrhundert Bier – $3.49/500ml Bottle

Brewed in celebration of Ayinger’s 100th anniversary, Jahrhundert Bier is a sparkling export-style lager worthy of the acclaim. Floral, honeyed aromas with an earthy, malt-driven palate and a spicy hop note on the finish. Extremely balanced and quaffable.

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen – $4.99/500ml

A beer that I think everyone must try in their lifetime, please take a chance on it! The original smoked beer from Bamberg, Germany is unlike anything else in the beer world. Its smokiness is imparted from smoking the malt over beechwood logs, offering aromas of campfire and smoked bacon. Do not be deterred upon first sip, as with each progressive glug the smoke becomes intertwined with layered bready malt notes. Drinking this beer brings you back in time.

Augustiner Brau Maximator Doppelbock – $15.99/6pk

This ruby-hued doppelbock is an excellent choice for cold, wintry days by the fire. Big and malty with aromas of toffee, plums and raisins. Malty expressions of brown bread and a bit of chocolate lead to a vinous, warming finish with extended notes of dark fruits.

Shifting the Trend: The New American Red Blend

written by Karina

The category of “red blends” has always been a tricky one. Every country in the world makes red blends, and unfortunately there’s no standard recipe for what constitutes a red blend. They can be full-bodied and bursting with ripe, juicy fruit and a silky, ultra-drinkable quality. They can also be earthy and funky with mouth-drying tannins and tart fruit. They can be mind-bendingly complex, or simple and straightforward. 

And while so many regions worldwide are known for their beautiful blends, American drinkers are perhaps more likely to think of Red Blends as, well, distinctly American. These typically big, concentrated blends are packed with ripe, fruity flavors (and might have a few sneaky extra grams of residual sugar).  

But there are two blends we’ve gotten into recently that buck the trend of high alcohol, over-ripe fruit and instead explore the more elegant side of what red blends can be:

 Next Wines Red Blend | $15.99 | Columbia Valley, Washington | Once you taste the perfect harmony of fruit, spice, and well-integrated tannins, it makes sense that this Washington State blend was made by an Oregon Pinot Noir producer. King Estate is known for their world-class Pinot Noir and makes their wines with a beautiful freshness and finesse that highlights the best things about the grape. It’s no surprise that they have the same philosophy with their other wines. An almost equal balance of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it’s honest, delicious, and won’t break the bank.

Birichino ‘Scylla’ Red Blend | $21.99 | Santa Cruz, California | John Locke got his winemaking training from one of the most eccentric wine characters in American history: Randall Graham of Bonny Doon. Graham was one of the pioneering “Rhône Rangers” in California in the late 1980s and rose to fame for his against-the-grain winemaking philosophies and for championing little-known grapes. John Locke takes a similar approach with this fresh, incredibly fragrant red blend from Carignane, Grenache, and a splash of Mourvèdre. As with all of John’s wines, the Scylla is fermented with native yeasts, aged in neutral barrels, and was not fined or filtered. “All Scylla, no fylla,” as he says.

Beyond blends, the “new wave” (ie, the last 15-20 years) of California winemakers has adopted an avant garde approach to the identity of Californian wine. The Californian wine ideals of the 1990s and aughts with new oak barrels, overripe grapes, and high-octane Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay have fallen by the wayside, and in their place are grapes that were once only found in their indigenous European homelands: 

Forlorn Hope “The Kerrigans” | $21.99 | Mendocino, California | Matthew Rorick has made a name for himself by way of quotable, head-turning names and niche, hole-in-the-wall grape varieties. He loves bringing the ‘old school’ wine styles back to life—the gritty, of-the-earth types that remind you that wine is food and not a showpiece. “The Kerrigans” is named in homage to what many old grape growers still call Carignan (car-i-nyan) in California—the perfect description of what to expect in this crunchy, no-nonsense, chillable red.

Matthiasson Pinot Meunier | $24.99 | Napa Valley, California | Pinot Meunier’s spiritual home is Champagne, where it’s used to add fruitiness and acidity in blends with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in world-famous bubbly. And while it’s not seen much by itself in France (or really anywhere else in the world for that matter), Steve & Jill Matthiasson decided it would be a hit as a still wine from Napa Valley. Originally planted for Mumm sparkling wine, this single-vineyard Pinot Meunier is earthy and mineral driven, while still retaining those sunshine-kissed pomegranate and blueberry flavors and that fragrant rose petal note that Meunier is so well-known for.

More New Grapes To Try:

Forlorn Hope “Queen of the Sierra” Red Blend | $21.99 | Calaveras County, California

Cruse Wine Co. Tannat | $27.99 | Mendocino, California

Stolpman “Love You Bunches” Sangiovese | $27.99 | Santa Barbara, California

Martha Stoumen Nero d’Avola | $44.99 | Sonoma, California

Be Cool, Shop Vintage!

Written by Sam

Are you IKEA’d-out? Does your bar need to evolve in a maximalist direction? Are you tired of plastic? Did you Marie-Kondo your house, only to find that you actually want a little more charming clutter back in your life?

If your answer to any of the above was yes, you may be ready to come and peruse our new vintage glassware & barware section at France 44! Curated by yours truly, it’s a fabulous way to bring some unique, mid-century-modern style to your home bar.

I first became interested in collecting antique and vintage glassware after reading Imbibe!, David Wondrich’s wildly informative (and quite funny) tome on the history of the cocktail. Once I started fooling around with Sherry Cobblers and Improved Whiskey Cocktails, it was a slippery slope to monthly (then weekly, and… ok, sometimes daily) trips to thrift stores and antique sales for more coupes, cocktail glasses, jiggers, shakers, and barspoons than I could ever hope to fit in my tiny apartment—because, after all, doesn’t a fancy old drink need a fancy old glass?

But, I promise, there is more than just aesthetics on the line here—those vintage glasses really do serve a specific culinary purpose! Pick up any classic cocktail recipe written pre-1950, and you’ll quickly find that the three-or-so ounces of whatever deliciousness you mix up looks pretty measly when you dump it into a modern cocktail glass. The reason? As the cocktail hour has shrunk over the years, our modern cocktail glasses have gotten larger in order to accommodate a single, headache-inducing Margarita (or Martini, or Manhattan, or, god-forbid, a Midori Sour) that can be downed in twenty minutes, rather than a series of smaller-sized cocktails that could be enjoyed over an hour or two (with slightly less debilitating effects).

Thankfully, our recent, more homebound lifestyles are the perfect time to revive the joys of a long, drawn-out cocktail hour—resplendent with small, session-able cocktails (and snacks—don’t forget the snacks!) that looks great served in tiny glasses with pretty etchings and silver rims and… well, you get the point. And, as long as you’ve got that stylish glassware lying around, you might as well complement it with a midcentury cocktail shaker, or a set of wooden-handled Japanese bar tools, or maybe a really chic cocktail tray? Who uses a cocktail tray anymore?? You do.

The cocktail “renaissance” that swept the country over the last decade has wound down. Every 30-year-old you meet has heard of a Negroni and wants a Mad Men-style tumbler to put it in, which means it’s never been harder to hunt down items of genuine quality and provenance in a sea of imitations. Luckily, that’s where your neighborhood geek at your neighborhood wine shop comes in, putting together a selection of excellent finds from around the Twin Cities—so that you don’t have to go hunting yourself! Come by the store and check it out.

Beer Cooler Picks

For the beer staff these days, the only constant has been change. On any given week we are likely to receive north of 50 new items into our cooler space. While the logistical challenges have become more daunting, the benefit is that we are now able to carry even more of the world’s finest beers. With an overwhelming list of new brews to consider each time you shop, it is important to acknowledge that you’ll never be able to try them all, and that’s ok. It is important to us, however, that we can assist you in discovering beers that you’ll truly enjoy each time you leave our doors. You already know that we have a top-notch selection of the freshest hazy IPAs, but here are some other gems worth your attention right now:

Indeed Pistachio Cream Ale — $9.99/4pk Cans

Yes, it works. Softly sweet, nutty malt notes with a creamy body.

Utepils Receptional Festbier — $8.99/4pk Cans

This golden festbier has a wonderful biscuit-y malt character and smooth, dry finish.

Bad Weather Tippin’ It Down Earl Grey Tea ESB — $9.99/6pk Cans

Spicy, floral tea notes envelop a chewy malt character and an herbal hop finish.

Drastic Measures Humble Mumble — $15.99/4pk Cans

A milk stout brewed with lactose sugar and crushed Oreos. So delicious. Need we say more?

Oliphant Spooky Squishy Sour Ale — $9.99/2pk Cans

It’s fall in a can. Tart apple with a sprinkle of vanilla and spice.

Ology Resolved Enigma West Coast-Style IPA — $16.99/4pk Cans

Dry, light body from pils malt and a beautiful hop bouquet from Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops.

Black Stack Side of Ranch Lager — $8.99/4pk Cans

It’s a beer made for pizza, what’s not to like? Totally gulp-able and delicious.

2,000 Years of Wine Tradition Gets a Facelift at France 44

written by Dustin

France 44 would be remiss if we didn’t share our new treasure trove of German wines with you. Over the past year our market had lost one of the most famous German wine importers that had serviced the US for over 40 years. We worked tirelessly to get any news of what happened to these wines, phone calls, emails, the ever so important Zoom calls, and now we have finally found a new life line to bring us back some of our favorites.

Last week, we were lucky to land 14 new German wines. The, all important, and fan favorite Frtiz Muller Rose has reclaimed its spot in our rosé section. The Von Buhl Bone Dry Riesling and Rosé are now smiling back at us from their once empty shelf spaces. If you have never tried any of the aforementioned wines, you must, but please do not look over some of the other house favorites that have come back.

German wine is and always has been historically known for Riesling. Riesling once rivaled the storied wines of Champagne and Bordeaux in demand amongst world leaders, it has been known to be one of the most versatile food wines, and has a history of making some of the most age worthy wines of all time. The grape itself gets a bad rap due to the possibility of it having a high residual sugar content. But please, look no further, we have brought in several dry expressions for those who love a crispy white wine!

Maximin Grunhaus Riesling Monopol Mosel, Germany $25.99/ bottle

“A blend of fruit from the three grand crus that opens with clear, aromatic mango fruit and, after a while, lots of flinty notes of crushed stones. Silky, pure and enormously salty on the palate, this is a stunning, complex, tensioned and almost challenging Estate Riesling with lingering salinity and immense complexity and charisma.” – Wine Advocate

Becker Family Pinot Blanc Pfalz, Germany $21.99/ bottle

Looking past just Riesling there are many other white wines produced throughout Germany. Unfortunately, many of these other expressions of white wine are scarcely imported throughout our country. Lucky for you we have acquired wines from a small estate called Friedrich Becker Family. The winery specializes in pinot noir, pinot gris, and an exquisite pinot blanc.

“Prominent notes of toasted barrel and nut accent crisp white plum and grapefruit here. It’s a briskly composed and easy-drinking but elegant Pinot Blanc made completely dry.” – Wine Enthusiast

Meyer-Nakel Estate Pinot Noir Ahr, Germany $39.99/ bottle

One of the many hidden treasures of German wine is pinot noir. Sharing a close border to France, Germany has a history of making pinot noir that some suggest could rival its neighboring red Burgundies. Just like many of the non-riesling white wines, pinot noir is ever so difficult to procure in the US. These wines embody the vigor and opulence of world class expressions of pinot noir and are definitely worth a try.

“Bright and tangy, delivering black cherry, currant and raspberry fruit on a juicy profile. The long, spicy finish echoes sweet berry and toasty oak notes.” – Wine Spectator

Bobbin’ for Apples

written by Chaz

It is after Labor Day, and it seems the world is a’changing. The air is crisp, sweaters are out, my jeans still fit on my quarantine body (score!), football is back, and the Edina Starbucks ran out of pumpkin cream cold brew due to all the Gen-Z teens in the area needing a pick-me-up before attending their online school, leaving none for the rest of us. Nature is healing.

The classics of fall are all back, so naturally, we are back to selling a plethora of apple spirits, mainly the classic apple brandy. Now, while we all love ourselves a good apple brandy old fashioned, sidecar, or spiked cider, we want to challenge you to maybe think outside the “basket” a little.  I present to you two eau de vie, an apple flavored whiskey with cinnamon, and some apple liqueurs.

Quick eau-side 

In France and most of the European Union, eau de vie is referred to as a colorless fruit brandy not made from grapes. Everywhere else, this term can apply to most colorless brandies and fruit distilled liqueurs. Where a lot of classic brandy (think E&J, Camus, Remy Martin) can get big and fat, eau de vie is light. There is even a Canadian maple syrup eau de vie. It is a close cousin to schnapps, and a whole other list of liqueurs, but we are getting a little too deep into the weeds, or orchard, one may say.

Dampfwerk Apple Brandy

This is brandy in pure form without the barrel aging process. Dampfwerk runs a spectacular spirits program just over the way in St. Louis Park, and their lineup of brandies are all beautiful pieces of craftmanship, inside and out. Fresh apple skin aromas pierce the nose as you open and pour. MacIntosh apple with a slight green texture dominate the palate here, and a watery texture allows you to enjoy this brandy neat or mixed, not demanding anything from the drinker.

FINAL RATING: Getting your first iPhone

Neversink Apple Brandy

This is a similar product to Dampfwerk, but hailing all the way from Port Chester New York, an hour outside The Big Apple. Another eau de vie, this brandy stems into more granny smith character. Big fresh and juicy apple flavor permeates the profile, but Neversink still holds notes of tree bark, soft spices, and more.

FINAL RATING: One bushel of Honeycrisp apples from a local farmer’s market

Du Nord Spiced Apple Liqueur

Starting in Lake City by the Mississippi River, this spirit begins by picking Wealthy apples, the first apple to grow successfully in Minnesota. After juicing and traveling to Minneapolis, Du Nord blends the juice with a corn-based spirit and finishes with light spicing. Red apple forward, this juicy libation still features a good spice profile thanks to its 30% ABV, a little higher than most apple liqueurs. Du Nord has been making a great catalog of spirits locally, and this is one of the best local options for your apple cocktails.

FINAL RATING: Hitting all the health goals on your Apple Watch

Panther Spiked Apple

Panther Distilling out of Alexandria brings a corn whiskey infused with Minnesota apples and cinnamon. It’s apple pie in a bottle. Doughy pie crust, roasted apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg all flow through this whiskey. Plus, at only 15% ABV, you are not going to feel bad pouring yourself a second glass of this if the night takes you this far.

FINAL RATING: One fresh baked apple pie from granny

 

Tattersall Freewheeler Pommeau

A partnership with Sociable Cider Werks, this is one of the more complex apple liqueurs. Made by distilling an apple brandy from Sociable’s Freewheeler Cider, blending in unfermented Freewheeler juice, and resting on oak. The combination is a deeper apple complexion having both bright and fruity flavor at the top with a smooth finish. A perfect spirit to drink neat, over ice, or adding a full apple character to any cocktail of your choosing.

FINAL RATING: Bobbin’ for apples, getting the golden one on the first try, and winning a $100 gift card to the local Applebee’s.

A Taste of the Fair

Written by Bennett

One of the profound losses for Minnesotans during this year’s pandemic was the cancellation of a great get-together that we hold most dear, the Minnesota State Fair. The annual twelve day festival attracts visitors from the farthest outskirts of our state to a fairgrounds bustling with upwards of 100,000 people in daily attendance. It is an event that any true Minnesotan must experience for themselves, just not in 2020.

Each year we would come for the amusement rides, live music, art, competition, parades, livestock and yes, some great people-watching. But above all this, we would come for the drink and food (as long as it’s on a stick). Over the last decade our growing local beer scene has bolstered the plethora of drink options with some wild, wacky creations that exemplify what the fair is all about: a little bit of excess in the name of fun. Amongst the dozens of craft beers served exclusively at the fair, you would undoubtedly find creations that stretched the concept of beer itself.

Though we missed out on the bulk of state fair brews this year, we are fortunate enough to have gotten our hands on two fun beers that were originally intended for this year’s celebration. So come get yourself a little taste of the fair and cheers to 2021.

Modist MN Brew Together Orange Dreamsicle Sour IPA — $18.99/4pk Cans

A collaboration between Modist, Barrel Theory and the Ballpark Café. This Sour IPA pours a milky, golden yellow with a dense, creamy eggshell-like foam. Sharp aromas of orange peel and dank hops give you a preview of the tangy citrus flavor with a bitter orange- and grapefruit-like finish. Just a hint of high-toned acidity brightens with each sip.

Pryes Winning Cobbler Blueberry Pastry Ale — $15.99/4pk Cans

A collaboration with Freehouse and The Blue Barn. This Pastry-style Ale looks beautiful in a glass, opaque garnet coloring with a salmon-colored foam on top. Jammy, candy-like aromas with a hint of pie crust. Its medium body is fruity but not sweet and has just a splash of vanilla. The lingering berry aftertaste is just right.

Grilling & Wine Part II

Dry Aged Beef

Selected from our locally raised, butchered in house cows and aged to 30+ days. Our dry aged steaks are nuttier, more tender, and more robustly beefy than their fresh counterparts. For fans of mushrooms and blue cheese, these premium cuts of beef deserve the sous vide treatment.

Roger Sabon CDP – Premium cuts of beef call for a premium wine. The Chateauneuf Du Pape from Roger Sabon provides a perfect balance between power and finesse. Fruit notes of blackberry and plum combine with gripping tannins and fresh minerality, to make this the perfect companion to any of our dry aged beef options. Open the bottle 30 to 45 minutes before serving.

 

Red Wattle Pork Chops & T-Bones

Lovingly raised in Altura, Minnesota at Pork & Plants Farm, our heritage breed chops and t-bones offer a truly singular pork eating experience. Seasoned with just salt and pepper and eaten at an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, our chops taste like buttered popcorn and eat like steak. Savor every morsel.

Piaggia Pietranera Toscana Rosso – A fruit driven style of the Sangiovese grape made famous in Tuscany. The wine offers bouquets of rose petal, cherry, and rustic herbs. The palate is perfectly balanced between soft tannin and moderate acidity. The Pitranera Sangiovese will complement the pork without overpowering.

 

Linguica

Think Portuguese Chorizo. Our Minnesotans by way of California or New York will recognize this house crafted link. Hand made from our Red Wattle pork shoulder, this fully cooked sausage is seasoned with paprika and bacon, and just needs to be heated and browned.

Villa Wolf Rosé – The Villa Wolf Rose is one of the most versatile wines in the Rose section at France 44. You are met by aromas of watermelon and strawberry that carry through to the palate. A dry, light and refreshing with a zippy acidity, this wine is made for sausage on the grill.

 

Apricot Chicken Skewers

Chunks of chicken and apricot slathered in our house made curry and apricot jam. Treat this skewer like it has three sides, browning each over direct heat and finishing with a few minutes of indirect heat, or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Celsius. Rest briefly, then dig in.

Willm Pinot Gris – Willm Pinot Gris is a fuller bodied style of white wine, with reserved acidity and just a touch of sweetness. On the pallet you will find fruit notes of pear, honeysuckle, apricot, and subtle baking spices. Don’t be afraid of the mild sweetness, it pairs brilliantly with grilled fruit, especially apricot.

My Love Letter to Luxardo Bitter Bianco

Written by Tom Schneider

During these trying times, we have all been looking for a little ray of happiness. Some people find that ray while combing through books, others while watching movies—as a liquor buyer, I’ve done my looking in the deep-ends of booze distribution catalogues. And, folks, I’ve found my little ray of happiness: Luxardo Bitter Bianco. 

I stumbled upon it one lonely Monday evening and ordered a case. Why not, right? I’m a huge fan of white negronis and spritzes, not to mention souping up a gin and tonic with a splash of aperitivo; maybe this mystery bottle would be an upgrade, maybe it would bring a little light and warmth into my cold, cold life.

I received the case the next day, cracked the bottle later that evening, and… I was blown away. I fell in love with LBB’s combination of gentian, citrus rind, and wormwood—with just enough sweetness to balance everything out. I was expecting light and sweet, but this had a busty bitterness that was almost a rival for Campari. Brighter, less thick, and more elegant… We began a summer romance, to say the least.

A white negroni with Bitter Bianco subbing for Campari and Cocchi Americano subbing for sweet vermouth may be the perfect early-evening summer cocktail. Spritzed with cava and sparkling water, LBB made Sunday afternoons a charm. Where had this tantalizing elixir been all my life?

I then did a deep dive on my new fling. And guess what, folks? It’s got a bit of a history. It turns out the producer Luxardo (known for their cherries and maraschino liquor) was started in the town of Zara, where Girolamo Luxardo had moved with his family to be the Consular Representative of the Kingdom of Sardinia. He bought his lovely wife a distillery (a killer Valentine’s day gift for all you lovebirds out there) so she could bring her home liqueur-making project to the next level, which resulted in the creation of the company’s flagship Maraschino Liqueur. Zara is now Zadar, the oldest continuous inhabited city in Croatia. The Distillery was bombed out in World War II, and along with it went all of the Luxardo Bitter Bianco. The family has done its research, though, and finally re-released this gem of a bottle a few years ago.

While doing my research, I also found out that one of the primary uses of LBB was in an Italian Paloma (the traditional Paloma being a mix of tequila and grapefruit). So, being a devoted lover, I grabbed a San Pellegrino Pompelmo and put a splash of my new amore in there, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The LBB brought out all the citrus rind that the soda was lacking, bringing it all together. I nabbed the only four cases in the state to share my love with all of you, because sharing is caring. Keep your heads up and sip bittersweet cocktails with your loved ones, everybody.

Order Online here: Luxardo Bitter Bianco $24.99