Author Archives: Chuck Gregory

"Seeking Happily Ever After" Ball on Thu, Aug. 14

A fundraising Ball worthy of a fairytale! To help fund the completion of their documentary “Seeking Happily Ever After,” Filmmakers Kerry David (“My Date with Drew”, “Making Miles — The Miles Davis Story”) and Michelle Cove (bestselling author “I'm Not Mad, I just Hate You!”) are throwing an exclusive fundraising Ball on Thursday August 14th at Aqua, 424 N Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA. All proceeds from the event will go towards completing “Seeking Happily Ever After” — a feature-length documentary.

Re-defining the Fairytale!
Re-defining the Fairytale!

Tickets can only be bought online at: Seeking Happily Ever After Fundraising Party

Producer Kerry David says, “This party celebrates men and women at any age, and any stage — single, married, divorced, gay or straight, who are living or seeking their Happily Ever After.” This fun filled party will include:

* Mini-fashion show by Rem Productions with clothes by trendy LA boutique SydneyMichelle
* Fabulous Shoes contest: wear your best pumps and we'll award prizes for Most Glamorous, Most Dangerous and Most Courageous to Walk In
* Emcee Jay Black, voted #1 comedian on the college circuit
* Tunes spinning from DJ Dodge from MTV/Europe
* A chance to be interviewed for the DVD bonus features
* Special auction item — a date with Brian Herzlinger at Geoffrey's restaurant, Malibu
* EXTRA! TV show is documenting the filmmakers journey, so dress your best!

One generation's struggle to redefine the fairytale!
With single women today re-writing the rules for love, marriage and success, “Seeking Happily Ever After” explores why there are more single women (over 6 million) in their 30s today than at any other time in history, and how they are redefining what “Happily Ever After” means.

Are you living YOUR “Happily Ever After” or someone else'sä Director Cove shares, “This story goes beyond the current state of single women in the US and into the core of relationships in our society. We've had incredible responses with the interviews in cities across the country. Everyone is asking us what can they do to make sure this doc gets made. This fundraiser Ball is a big step toward getting this film in theaters.”

For more information about the fundraising Ball or the documentary “Seeking Happily Ever After” (including the top-rated trailer at this year's Sundance Producer's Lab) please visit: Seeking Happily Ever After

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Chileangoumet.com Goes Nuts!

Chileangourmet, an environmentally and socially responsible producer of indigenous gourmet foods from Chile, today introduces Genuina toasted Avellano nuts. Avellanos, while virtually unheard of in America, have been a staple nut of the Mapuche people in Araucanía region of Chile for centuries. “Avellano nuts are just one of many indigenous Chilean foods yet to be experienced in America,” says Paulina Peñaloza, co-founder of Chilieangourmet. “Avellanos that been enjoyed by the Mapuche people for hundreds of years, prized for their high protein, fiber and ability to help lower cholesterol.” The Avellano (Gevuina Avellana Mol) is a tree species growing up to 20 meters in height. The nuts from the Avellano tree have also been used to make flours and oils, all which have excellent antioxidant qualities. “When you buy a package of our Genuina you are supporting 30 Mapuche women collectors who harvest these healthy nuts by hand,” adds Paulina. Genuina toasted Chilean native nuts are available for $TBD (3.5oz./100gr.) at specialty gourmet food markets nationwide. About Chileangourmet Founded in 2005 by Paulina Peñaloza and Roberto Manieu, Chileangourmet is an environmentally and socially responsible producer of indigenous 100% Chilean spices, oils, raw honey, nuts and other gourmet foodstuffs. Headquartered in Santiago Chile, Chileangourmet follows an open book policy and pays fair trade prices to their producers for the raw materials; a practice that helps support century-old sustainable farming traditions and respect for the environment. Chileangourmet is represented exclusively in the U.S. by Culinary Collective an importer and distributor of gourmet cultural foods based in Seattle. Washington. For more information and recipe ideas please visit www.chileangourmet.cl or www.culinarycollective.com.

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Think Ronzoni!

Ronzoni® Bistro™ is a new innovative line of quick, portable pasta meals served in convenient
microwavable pouches that are both easy to prepare and clean up. Ronzoni® Bistro™ meals are
made with the highest-quality Ronzoni® pastas and are combined with flavorful sauces and
ingredients. In just 90 seconds, pasta lovers can enjoy their favorite meals anytime and
anywhere, whether at home, at their desks, or on the go with Ronzoni® Bistro™.
Ronzoni® Bistro™ is available in four varieties:
· Penne with Chicken and Broccoli – Penne pasta cooked with white-meat chicken and
broccoli tossed in a light rosemary and garlic cream sauce
· Linguine with Chicken and Mushrooms – Linguine pasta cooked with white meat chicken,
mushrooms and tomatoes tossed in a white wine and cream sauce
· Rotini with Tomato and Basil – Rotini pasta in a savory vine-ripened tomato sauce with
onions, garlic and sweet basil
· Spaghetti and Meatballs – The classic spaghetti and meatballs simmered in a rich tomato
sauce with seasoned herbs
Availability: In the pasta aisle at retailers nationwide
Approximate Retail Price: $2.79 for 8-ounce package

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America's Worst Restaurants for Kids Revealed

Which kids' menus are most likely to make your children fatä A year-long study of children's meals has revealed vast dietary differences among America's favorite fast-food and sit-down chain restaurants, according to the authors of the new book EAT THIS, NOT THAT! For Kids. Co-authors David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding calculated calories, fat (trans- and saturated), and sodium, as well as the average number of calories per children's entree, and discovered that many of America's most popular chain restaurants are nutritional nightmares for America's children.

The authors compared children's entrees; credited restaurants for having healthy adult options that would appeal to the young palate; evaluated healthy vegetable and fruit sides and drink options that go beyond sugar-laden soda; and docked points for restaurants still dishing out unhealthy trans fats or for refusing to release any nutrition information to their customers.

The result is a Restaurant Report Card that holds each food chain accountable for the fare they're serving up — to moms, dads, kids, teens, and everybody else — along with a survival strategy for making it through any meal unscathed.

Did your favorite restaurant make the gradeä

A

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A excels in every category we tested for. With a slew of low-calorie sandwiches, the country's “healthiest” chicken nugget, a variety of solid sides like fresh fruit and soup that can be substituted into any meal, and nutritional brochures readily available for perusing at each location, Chick-fil-A earns the award for America's Healthiest Chain Restaurant (for kids, for the adults who drive them there, plus anybody else wise enough to make it their fast food choice).

Your Survival Strategy: Even the smartest kid in the class can still fail a test, so be on your toes at all times, even at Chik-fil-A. Limit salads with ranch or Caesar dressings, any sandwich with bacon, and make milkshakes a special treat, not an everyday beverage.

A-

Subway

A menu based on lean protein and vegetables is always going to score well in our book. With more than half a dozen sandwiches under 300 calories, plus a slew of soups and healthy sides to boot, Subway can satisfy even the pickiest eater without breaking the caloric bank.

But, despite what Jared may want you to believe, Subway is not nutritionally infallible: Those rosy calorie counts posted on the menu boards include neither cheese nor mayo (add 160 calories per 6-inch sub) and some of the toasted subs, like the Meatball Marinara, contain hefty doses of calories, saturated fat, and sodium.

Your Survival Strategy: Cornell researchers have discovered a “health halo” at Subway, which refers to the tendency to reward yourself or your kid with chips, cookies, and large soft drinks because the entree is healthy. Avoid the halo, and all will be well.

B+

Boston Market

With more than a dozen healthy vegetable sides and lean meats like turkey and roast sirloin on the menu, the low-cal, high-nutrient possibilities at Boston Market are endless. But with nearly a dozen calorie-packed sides and fatty meats like dark meat chicken and meat loaf (which contains an unfathomable 55 ingredients!), it's almost as easy to construct a lousy meal.

Your Survival Strategy: There are three simple steps to nutritional salvation: 1) Start with turkey, sirloin, or rotisserie chicken. 2) Add two noncreamy, nonstarchy vegetable sides. 3) Ignore all special items, such as pot pie and nearly all of the sandwiches.

B

McDonald's

Though not blessed with an abundance of healthy options, Mickey D's isn't burdened with any major calorie bombs, either. Kid standards like McNuggets and cheeseburgers are both in the acceptable 300-calorie range.

Your Survival Strategy: Apple Dippers and 2% milk with a small entree makes for a pretty decent meal-on-the-go. McDonald's quintessential Happy Meal(R) makes this possible — just beware the usual French fries and soda pitfalls. Adults should go for a Quarter Pounder without cheese.

C+

Domino's

Domino's suffers the same pitfalls of any other pizza purveyor: too much cheese, bread, and greasy toppings. If you don't order carefully, your child's pizza might come laden with more than 350 calories per slice. To its credit, Domino's does keep the trans fat out of the pizza, and it also offers the lowest-calorie thin crust option out there.

Your Survival Strategy: Stick with the Crunchy Thin Crust pizzas sans sausage and pepperoni. If your must order meat, ask for ham. And whenever possible, try to sneak on a vegetable or two per pie.

C

Burger King

BK has only four legitimate kids' entrees on the menu, and none of them — French Toast Sticks, hamburger, mac and cheese, chicken tenders — are particularly healthy. And while the recent addition of Apple Fries provides a much-needed healthy side alternative for kids, the menu is still sullied with trans fats. BK pledged to follow in the wake of nearly every other chain restaurant and remove trans fats from the menu by the end of 2008, but so far, we've seen little action. In fact, a large order of Hash Browns has an outrageous 13 grams of the heart-threatening fat, and even an order of Cini-minis will add 4.5 grams of trans fats to your kid's breakfast.

Your Survival Strategy: Adults can sign on for the Whopper Junior and a Garden Salad, and escape with only 365 calories. The best kids' mealä A 4-piece Chicken Tenders(R), applesauce or Apple Fries, and water or milk. Beyond that, there is little hope of escaping unscathed.

D

Chipotle

We applaud Chipotle's commitment to high-quality produce and fresh meats, but even the most pristine ingredients can't limit the damage wrought by the massive portion sizes the chain serves up. The lack of options for kids means young eaters are forced to tussle with one of Chipotle's behemoth burritos or taco platters, which can easily top 1,000 calories. Don't think you'll escape by ordering up a salad, either — even a leafy bowl at Chipotle can knock out more than half a day's worth of calories.

Your Survival Strategy: Stick to the crispy tacos or burrito bowls, or saw a burrito in thirds.

F

Applebee's, IHOP, Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster, T.G.I. Friday's

These titans of the restaurant industry are among the last national chains that don't provide nutritional information on their dishes. Even after years of communication with their representatives, we still hear the same old excuses: it's too pricey, it's too time-consuming, it's impossible to do accurately because their food is so fresh. Our response is simple: If every other chain restaurant in the country can do it, then why can't theyä Recent New York legislation requiring these restaurants to run calorie counts on their menus gave diners a glimpse of what these establishments are hiding: At Friday's, no fewer than nine sandwiches and ten appetizers topple the 1000-calorie barrier; at IHOP, the “healthiest” entree-size salad has a staggering 1050 calories; and at Outback, even a simple order of salmon will wipe out 75% of your day's caloric allotment.

Your Survival Strategy: Write letters, make phone calls, beg, scream, and plead for these restaurants to provide nutritional information on all of their products. Ask them why they refuse to tell us the truth!

For a comprehensive A-to-F breakdown on 30 other chain restaurants — plus the best and worst meals at each — see the complete EAT THIS, NOT THAT! For Kids Restaurant Report Card at eatthis.com/restaurants.

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Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival Extravaganza Is Set For October 17-18

Maggie White, president of The Edgartown Board of Trade, today announced the schedule of events for the 2008 Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival. From October 17 – 19, visitors and residents are invited to attend cooking demonstrations, food & wine tastings, culinary seminars, and wine dinners featuring the area’s finest chefs, farmers, and specialty food purveyors. This distinguished group of professionals will host more than 13 events all highlighting fresh, local ingredients.

Festival Opening Reception – Friday, October 17

The Food & Wine Festival will begin on Friday, October 17, at 5:00 p.m. with a reception at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum – Small Plates from the Grill Grates. BBQ masters Andy Husbands, chef/owner of Tremont 647 in Boston, and Dante de Magistris, chef/owner of dante in Cambridge and the soon-to-open Il Casale in Belmont, will grill island-raised meats, seafood, and produce for guests to sample. Wine historian Nina Wemyss will pour a selection of vintages chosen to accompany the smoky, subtle flavors of BBQ. Guests can place bids on cases of rare wines during a silent auction while listening to live jazz music by Jeremy Berlin. Tickets are $100 and proceeds will benefit the Martha's Vineyard Museum.  

 

Following the cocktail party, Festival attendees can choose from one of the

pre fixé wine dinners offered by Edgartown restaurants at 7:30 p.m. Participating restaurants to date include Atria, Détente, and l’Etoile. Sharkey’s Cantina will host a Southwestern-themed dinner with pairings of Casa Noble Tequilas.

 

Culinary Seminars – Saturday, Oct. 18

Culinary experts will present seminars in Edgartown galleries and restaurants on Saturday, October 18. Seminar tickets range from to and include:

·          Chocolate and Dessert Wine Pairings, by Lee Napoli of Chocolee Chocolates–2008 Best of Boston “Best Chocolates,” and Jonathan Alsop of The Boston Wine School

·          Beer and Cheese, by The Vineyard’s own Offshore Ale and a selection of cheeses from Shy Brothers Farm, Westport, Mass.

·          Bread and Olive Oil, by Joanne Chang, owner, Boston’s Flour Bakery, and Emmanuel Daskalakis of Aralia

·          Classic Cocktails, by Lauren Clark of DrinkBoston

·          Adventure with an Affineur, wine and cheese tasting, by Russo’s of Watertown resident wine & cheese expertMark Trumble

 

Children’s Camp at The Farm Institute – Saturday, October 18

The Food & Wine Festival has arranged a half-day camp for the children of Festival attendees. Participants will tour the farm and help care for the animals.

 

The camp is open to children ages 6 – 12 years of age and will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost per attendee is and the registration deadline is October 4. Camp reservations can be made on the Festival Website at www.mvfoodandwine.com.

 

Corn Maze – Saturday, Oct. 18 & Sunday, Oct. 19

For families to explore together, the famous corn maze at The Farm Institute will be open throughout the weekend from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is for children under 13 and for guests over the age of 14.  Tickets are available for purchase at The Farm Institute.

 

Grand Tasting, Oct. 18 – Chefs, Vintners, and Cookbook Authors

On Saturday, October 18, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., the Martha’s Vineyard Museum will host the Grand Tasting.   Distinguished island chefs, including Kevin Crowell of Detente, Christian Thornton of Atria, Anthony Saccoccia of The Grill on Main,will demonstrate dishes prepared with local, in-season produce, meats, and seafood, highlighting each chef’s distinctive style.  Noted vintners will pour wines for guests including Rombauer Vineyards, Duckhorn Wine Company, Liberty School Wine, and C. Donatiello Winery. Acclaimed cookbook authors,including Cathy Walthers and Chef Andy Husbands, will conduct a book signing. Tickets are $100. 

 

 

Two Gourmand Dinners – Saturday, Oct.18

These dinners will be held at a private residence from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.   Guests are invited to enjoy flavorful fall menus while engaging in conversations with chefs and culinary experts on the benefits – and challenges – of eating locally in New England.

 

Food, Art, and Wine

Chef Peter Davis of Henrietta’s Table in Cambridge will prepare an island-grown masterpiece while noted Wine Historian Nina Wymess pairs each course with a selected vintage. With literary anecdotes and illustrations, Nina will explain the historical relationship between wine and art as well as its cultural significance. Margarit Mondavi of the Mondavi Winery will discuss her interest in uniting wine with the arts and the winery’s dedication to cultural programs.   Tickets are $500.

 

Sustainable Seafood

Chef/Owner Jeremy Sewall of Lineage in Brookline, Mass. will walk diners through the process of preparing sustainable fish and shellfish. Heather Tausig, coordinator of the New England Aquarium’s Celebrate Seafood Dinner Series, will lead a discussion on the importance of shopping for and eating sustainable seafood. Chefs Collaborative’s new Sustainable Solutions seafood guide will be provided for guests. Tickets are $500.

 

Farmers’ Market and Brunch – Sunday, Oct. 19

The Festival will close on Sunday, October 19, with a Farmers’ Market and Brunch from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Local farmers will offer their fall harvest for sale. Guests can also purchase prepared brunch foods a la carte. 

 

The Museum will be open for children to enjoy a complimentary craft activity while museum guides engage young festival attendees outdoors with historic games.

 

Ticket Information:

For more detailed information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mvfoodandwine.com. Tickets may also be purchased in Edgartown at The Christina Gallery and at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. 

 

Please note: schedule subject to change.
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Four Things Every Guy Needs From Skechers

Layback T-Shirt in White Take it easy in the SKECHERS Clothing Layback Tee Shirt. 100% cotton jersey t-shirt with a vintaged crackle finish SKECHERS swirl logo front and S logo detail back. .00 USD Harley Raglan T-Shirt in White and Blue Go to bat with style in the SKECHERS Clothing Harley raglan baseball tee shirt. 100% cotton jersey raglan in a long sleeve baseball t-shirt with distressed wing and S logo front, large wings and graffiti SKECHERS logo back. .00 USD Layback Hoodie in Chocolate Get some vintage cool with the SKECHERS Clothing Layback Hoodie. 80% cotton/20% poly hoodie with a cracked, distressed SKECHERS front logo and large round vintage-look back logo detail. Front zipper, front pockets. .00 USD Harley Hoodie in Spa Blue Get your motor running with the SKECHERS Clothing Harley Hoodie. 100% cotton French terry hoodie with color fade wings and SKECHERS graffiti logo design. Raw edge detail, reversed fabric front pocket, full zipper. .00 USD

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8 Hottest Things To Buy at Skechers

Here are the eight coolest things this year at Skechers: Beach Bum Hoodie in White Hit the beach in style with the SKECHERS Clothing Beach Bum Hoodie. 96% cotton/4% Spandex French terry hoodie with all over flip-flop design and subtle SKECHERS logos. Front zipper with heart zipper pull and front pockets. .00 USD Beach Bum Shorts in White Beat the heat with the SKECHERS Clothing Beach Bum short. Soft 96% cotton/4% Spandex French terry jogging short with all over flip flop print and SKECHERS logo. Elastic waist with drawstring. .00 USD Rainbow T-Shirt in White Find your rainbow connection with the SKECHERS Clothing Rainbow tee shirt. Soft 100% cotton jersey in a vintage style t-shirt with v-neck, distressed iron-on style rainbow and heart with 70's-look SKECHERS logo. .00 USD Rainbow Cropped Sweat pant in Black Show some colorful style in the SKECHERS Clothing Rainbow Cropped Sweat Pant. Soft 96% cotton/4% Spandex French terry cropped slim fit palazzo sweat pant with retro rainbow, heart and logo design. Elastic waist with drawstring, flared legs. .00 USD Flyaway T-Shirt in White Style takes flight in the SKECHERS Clothing Flyaway Longsleeve Tee. 100% cotton long sleeve tee shirt with colorful tattoo style rose design with rhinestone detail. Back with large rose and bird design with glittering rhinestones. .00 USD Rosebud Hoodie in Airy Blue This rosebud's for you in the SKECHERS Clothing Rosebud Hoodie. 96% cotton/4% Spandex French terry in a distressed edge hoodie with colorful tattoo style rose and SKECHERS scroll logo details, with tiffany-set rhinestone accents. Front zipper with star-shaped zipper pull. Front pockets. .00 USD Rosebud Sweatpant in Airy Blue Style is in full flower with the SKECHERS Clothing Rosebud Sweat pant. Soft 96% cotton/4% Spandex French terry in a raw-edge yoga sweat pant with colorful tattoo style rose design and SKECHERS scroll logo. Tiffany-set rhinestone accents. Elastic drawstring waist, flared leg openings. .00 USD Lily Babydoll Tunic/Top in Graphite Pretty style blooms on the SKECHERS Clothing Lily Babydoll Tunic. 100% cotton jersey in an A-line babydoll tunic minidress with shoulder straps, gathered front, shiny metallic foil floral design. Metallic embroidered SKECHERS logo and rhinestone detail. Twin front pockets. .00 USD

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Gee, It's a GiiNii!

Genie in a bottle? Not quite.

Last holiday season, it seems the Ritz Camera's of the world had a hard time keeping up supplies of the digital photo frames. So taking a cue and an early target toward the upcoming holiday season (hopefully it will be picture perfect), a new product is hitting the web shelves.

It's called GiiNii. Yup, that's the name.

GiiNii offers a full line of easy-to-use, feature-rich, economically priced digital photo frames that enable consumers to see, share and store their favorite digital photos. Available in a variety of sizes and finishes, GiiNii digital picture frames offer a wide range of features and prices so consumers can find the right one for any room in their homes.

All GiiNii digital picture frames come ready to use with three high-resolution photos pre-installed. When we turned on our review device sent by the PR folks, the frames instantly started playing a vivid color slide show, making them so easy to get up and running, they’re perfect for gift-giving. An auto rotate function, which the company first introduced on its products in 2007, automatically displays photos in their correct landscape or portrait orientation when the frame is turned. 8-Inch Ultra-Thin Digital Picture Frame Product Description

The GiiNii 8-inch Ultra-Thin Digital Picture Frame sports a sleek, sophisticated design. At .78 inches, it is 54 percent thinner than conventional digital picture frames, making it a beautiful addition to any home or office. The frame’s high-resolution (800 x 600), digital LCD screen displays crisp, vivid images and is viewable from the widest possible angle, Its 4:3 aspect ratio means standard photos are displayed as they are taken, with little or no cropping. With 128 MB of internal memory, the unit can store hundreds of photos. It also plays music and videos, and a collage feature lets it display multiple photos at once. It offers 2 design options: with the wooden frame, or without it for a more contemporary, all-metallic look, With an MSRP of 5, the GiiNii 8-Inch Ultra-Thin Digital Picture Frame offers exceptional value. Product Features

The GiiNii 8-Inch Ultra-Thin Digital Photo Frame’s features include: • 8-inch high-resolution (800 x 600) digital LCD screen, viewable from virtually every angle • 4:3 aspect ratio, which displays standard photos with little or no cropping, so you see your photos as you took them • .78-inch thickness, which is 54 percent thinner than conventional digital picture frames • 128 MB (minimum) memory for storage of hundreds of digital pictures (optional memory upgrade to 512 MB is available at some retailers) • Three pre-installed, high-resolution photos, so the frame is ready to use right out of the box • Instantly plays photos from memory cards • Pre-installed sound track • 6-in-1 slot memory card reader and memory stick socket that supports SD Card, MS Card, MMC, MMC+, MS Duo and xD • Additional slot for Compact Flash (CF Type 1), and Micro SD and Mini SD, both with adaptor (not included) • USB 2.0 port for flash drives • Mini USB port for cable connectivity to most computers (PC and Mac) • SmartCopy™ for quickly and easily transferring images • Auto rotate, for displaying images in portrait or landscape mode when frame is turned • Collage presentation, for displaying two or three photos at once • Slide show (in-order or random, plus transitions) • JPEG, TIF and GIF image support • MP3 or WMA music playback • Speakers • AVI or MOV (MJPEG format) video playback • Calendar, clock and alarm • Smart Sleep with light sensor, for sleep mode programming • On-screen navigation • Remote control • Zoom in and thumbnail viewing • Brightness and contrast adjustments • Detachable wood frame • 24×7 toll-free customer support at 866-909-3550 Getting Started

Each GiiNii 8-Inch Ultra-Thin Digital Picture Frame package includes: • Digital picture frame • Wood frame • AC power cord • Remote control • Instruction manual • Quick Start guide • Detachable, changeable back stand The GiiNii 8-Inch Ultra-Thin Digital Picture Frame is easy to get up and running. Just plug it in and instantly see a vivid color slideshow of three high-resolution, pre-installed images. Simply insert a memory card to view your personal photos. On-screen programming makes it easy to change settings. Customer Support

To help users get the most out of their GiiNii products, GiiNii offers: • 24×7 toll-free telephone support at 866-909-3550 • Instructional videos and FAQs at the GiiNii Web site • Coming Soon! Webinars with live product demonstrations and “Ask The Expert” sessions Availability and Pricing www.amazon.com, www.walmart.com and Wal-Mart retail locations.

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Wine That Shines: Alamos Malbec 2007 Catena

The 2007 Alamos Malbec has a dark, blackish purple color. The nose shows ripe black fruits, black pepper spice and floral notes. The mouthfeel is full yet soft and supple, with black raspberry and currant flavors mingled with notes of sweet spice and a touch of leather. The finish is long and persistent with soft, sweet tannins. This Malbec, sent over to us by the generous PR folks at Springfield, Virginia-based Billington Wines, was the instant winner among the reds we poured at the consumer product tasting lab we held last week. Our reviewers loved the vino for it oozes dried raisiny fruit character and has ripe sweet tannins, resulting in an incredibly approachable wine. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-5 years.

READ OTHER CONSUMER PRODUCT REVIEWS FROM THE PARTY DIGEST LAB…

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Democrats, Republicans Spar on Bar Behavior

While there is no ballot box at the bar, DC's best bartenders can identify political preference by cocktail selection and bar behavior. According to a survey released today, Democrats are seen as better tippers, have better pick-up lines and give better toasts.

Republicans heavily outweigh Democrats when it comes to ordering their drink straight up. Parties are at a stalemate over drinking hours, with Republicans edging out for the first to arrive at happy hour and Democrats being the last to go home.

The survey was issued today by Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO) ], a global leader in premium spirits, in collaboration with Clarus Research Group. Approximately 100 bartenders in the Washington, DC area were surveyed on their opinions of patrons' cocktail preferences.

"According to the survey results, bartenders in Denver should know that they'll hear better toasts while the bartenders in Minneapolis won't need as much ice with their patrons ordering drinks straight up," stated Bobby "G" Gleason, master mixologist for Beam Global Spirits & Wine.

The full survey questions and results include:

— Who is a better tipper? Democrats 60%, Republicans 38%

— Who is more likely to order a drink straight up? Democrats 14%, Republicans 82%

— Who is more likely to order a fruity (pink) drink? Democrats 58%, Republicans 34%

— Who has the better pick-up lines? Democrats 74%, Republicans 14%

— Who is better at giving a toast? Democrats 63%, Republicans 36%

— Who is more likely to arrive first to happy hour? Democrats 48%, Republicans 50%

— Who is more likely to be the last to go home? Democrats 53%, Republicans 46%

Whether consumers find themselves at the conventions or watching from home, election-themed cocktails will surely set the stage for both Democrats and Republicans: The Grand Ole Party Bartender: Pat M., Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 2 parts Canadian Club(R) Whisky 1 part DeKuyper(R) Signature Creme de Menthe (clear) 1 part DeKuyper(R) Blustery Peppermint Burst Schnapps Combine ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice. Fill an old-fashioned glass with shaved ice, strain spirits over ice and serve with straw.

The Running Mate Bartender: James Lee, West End Tavern, Boulder, CO 2 parts Maker's Mark(R) Bourbon 1 part simple syrup 2 wedges of lemon 1 slice of watermelon Muddle lemon and watermelon with simple syrup. Add Maker's Mark and ice. Shake and strain into a large old fashioned glass with fresh crushed ice. Garnish with a slice watermelon & lemon wheel

The Donkey Bartender: Jim Hewes, Round Robin Bar, Willard InterContinental, Washington, D.C. 2 parts Knob Creek(R) Bourbon 1 part DeKuyper(R) Triple Sec 1 teaspoon sugar 6 mint sprigs Splash of DeKuyper(R) Pucker(R) Raspberry Schnapps Fresh raspberries and blueberries to garnish Add sugar, bourbon and mint into an old-fashioned glass with crushed ice and muddle the fruit. Garnish with berries and mint. Beam Global reminds legal purchase age consumers to drink responsibly after casting their vote.

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Local Wine Company Donates $30K from Big Tattoo Wines To Charity

During September and October, Big Tattoo Wines will donate 50 cents from every bottle sold nationwide to Breast Cancer Network of Strength, whose mission is to ensure through information, empowerment and peer support that no one faces breast cancer alone.

Big Tattoo Wines is a brand born as a tribute to a mother who lost her own battle with cancer in 2000. The mission behind the brand is to raise and donate 50 cents per bottle sold to charity. Since the project’s beginning in 2002, it has not strayed from this mission, and has in fact been the path through which distributors, retailers and restaurants have also begun donating portions of their own profits.

To date, Big Tattoo Wines, since inception, has raised more than ,200,000 in charitable funds, with breast cancer research and awareness initiatives being one of the major beneficiaries. Alex Bartholomaus, president and CEO of Billington wines, along with his brother Erik, an accomplished tattoo artist, developed Big Tattoo Wines in honor of their mother Liliana.

The pair pooled their talents, Alex sourcing the wines and Erik designing the label using Liliana’s favorite symbol, the fleur de lys. “The fight against breast cancer is a very important cause to my brother and me. We are very proud to be able to honor our mother in this way and we hope that our donations will help make a difference to support families likes ours who need immediate emotional support and relief when facing a breast cancer diagnosis,” said Alex Bartholomaus.

This year, in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Big Tattoo Wines, for the first time ever, will embark on a national partnership donating proceeds to one national charity – Breast Cancer Network of Strength. In addition to this donation, Big Tattoo Wines will continue to make their already promised donations to local charities nationwide. Breast Cancer Network of Strength, formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization is the nation’s oldest breast cancer organization. This year the Chicago based organization marks its 30th anniversary of working to ensure no one faces breast cancer alone. Their mission is accomplished by programs such as the YourShoes™ a 24/ breast cancer support center, which receives calls and offers support in over 150 languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week. YourShoes is composed of breast cancer survivors who are trained peer counselors and truly understand what callers are going through.

Big Tattoo Wines is excited to join forces in this mission. If you or some one you know has been touched by breast cancer you can call YourShoes for immediate support at 800-221-2141 or visit www.networkofstrength.org. Big Tattoo Wines, a partnership between brothers Erik and Alex Bartholomaus, began in 2002 as a way to raise funds for charity in memory of their mother, Liliana S. Bartholomaus.

Fifty cents from every bottle of Big Tattoo sold is donated in their mother’s name to charity, with a portion benefiting the community where the wine is sold. Due to the success of the original Big Tattoo Red, the Big Tattoo project has expanded to include six different wines available in restaurants and retailers nationwide. By 2007, over 70 charities in approximately 33 states have benefited from the more than million raised. For more information, visit www.billingtonwines.com.

 

BIG TATTOO The Big Tattoo line includes the original bottling, Big Tattoo Red, for which the project was named, as well as Big Tattoo White and Big Tattoo Syrah.
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