Evan Williams Distillery, 2000 Single Barrel Vintage

I am most definitely on a Bourbon kick.  These long winter nights make me enjoy the smooth warming drink all the more.  Because of the increased interest folks seem to have these days in brown liquor there is no shortage of new and tasty ones to try in my local shops.  I recently bought a bottle of the Evan Williams Single Barrel from 2000.  They release them every year or so, and I've had the 1997 and 1998.  Both were very good as is the 2000.  It retails for around $30 a bottle, so for a single barrel Bourbon, it's a pretty good deal.

Brussels Sprouts - Another Delicious Brassica

The Brassica family includes some of my favorites like cauliflower and cabbage as well as Brussels sprouts.  I feel like Brussels sprouts are severely unappreciated because they are most often overcooked causing them to have a bitter, sulfurous taste.  It's a shame, because they can be quite delicious when prepared well.  They are in season from December to June in California and Mexico and you'll see them in the supermarkets for a good price then.  They are best however if you can find them grown locally just after the first frost when they seem to be a touch sweeter than usual.

Kristen Stoner's "Images" for Solo Flute

"Images" is a fabulous new album featuring works for solo flute performed by Kristen Stoner, professor of flute at University of Florida.  It features works mostly by living American women composers like Libby Larsen, Katherine Hoover, Victoria Bond, and by the performer herself!  There is a nod to some standards in the flute repertoire also such as Debussy's Syrinx, Honneger's Danse de la Chevre, and Bozza's Image.

Brick House Vineyards

When I visited Brick House Winery in Oregon 5 years ago, I was struck by the commitment to the land and their desire to make the best wine they could with the grapes yielded by their unique terroir in the the Northern Willamette Valley.  I haven't visited many wineries, but I can't imagine that many people go to quite the effort that Doug Tunnell does on his rustic plot of land literally in the middle of nowhere.  Though he is only certified at the organic level, I feel his tendency is really toward biodynamic practices.  These types of wine-growers subscribe to the practices set forth by Steiner in the 19th century, the premise of which is to listen to the earth in regards to your treatment of the vine.  Whether you believe in the validity of biodynamics is personal, of course, but it's hard to deny that Brick House produces some great wine once you have tasted it.

Saving Mangalica Pigs from Extinction by Eating Them

Something new just popped up on the menu at work...  Mangalica Ham.  Being the diligent employee that I am, I went scurrying to my computer to get more information.  My curious mind won't allow me to just sit in complacency without knowing as much detail as I can about something that is new to me.  I had lots of questions.