Pimm's No. 1 is a gin-based liquor made in England from dry gin, liqueur, fruit juices and spices. It was created in 1859 by the English oyster bar owner James Pimm. The recipe is a secret, and only six persons know exactly how it is made.
Dark tea in color with a reddish tint and tastes subtly of spice and citrus fruit. Pimm's is most common in Britain, particularly Southern England. Pimm's Cup is a staple drink at Wimbeldon, the Henley Royal Regatta and the Glynebourne Opera Festival. As a result Pimm's has the reputation for being a drink for the "upper class".
RECIPE for PIMM'S CUP, NEW ORLEANS STYLE
2 oz Pimm’s No.1
2 oz Lorina Sparkling Lemonade
1 slice cucumber
In an ice filled rocks glass, add Pimm’s and lemonade. Garnish with a cucumber slice.
CLINE SMALL BERRY MOUVEDRE 2006
In the latter part of the 1800s, Oakley, Contra Costa County was a booming farming community with thousands of acres of orchards and healthy vineyards. Fred Cline's maternal grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi of pump and spa fame, called this place home. On summer visits to his grandparents, Fred learned both the love of agricultural life and the mysteries of vinifying grapes into wine. These lessons led Fred to obtain a degree in Agriculture Management from U.C. Davis. In 1982, with an inheritance from his grandfather, Fred founded Cline Cellars near Oakley, California. Here, he preserved and restored many ancient vine sites to their rightful reign as premier California wine lands.
Since 2000, Cline Cellars has farmed way beyond the industry’s standard of organic in an attempt to avoid reliance on chemical pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers that are generally used in everyday farming. They believe in utilizing the most efficient methods towards retaining healthy vineyards by employing the use of organic cover crops, compost teas, crushed volcanic rock and oyster shell, natural mined sulfur and sheep grazing.
Once each year they reduce vineyard cultivation and degradation by providing their soil with organic matter to help retain soil structure, water infiltration, and microbial activity. Composting throughout their vineyards with nourishment derived from natural products such as grape pumice, vine prunings, and other mature organic material that they mix and nurture all year, helps to improve the texture and depth of the soil and also provides needed sustenance to the vine. "Compost Tea" is added to the vines via drip irrigation and also applied directly to the leaves. This tea contains molasses, fish emulsion to increase nitrogen content, rock dust, microbes and other nutrients.
SMALL BERRY MOUVEDRE 2006 - $40.99 PER BOTTLE
The 100 plus year old Small Berry Mouvedre vineyard is a small block that consistently produces one of Cline’s most complex and concentrated Mouvedre wines. The vines were originally planted on their own roots, which make this one of California’s most historic vineyards.
This vineyard has always shown intense concentration of flavors due, in part, to the miniscule yields they receive. Tobacco, plum and eucalyptus-mint dominate this wine. With plenty of flesh and a farm balanced structure of acid and fine-grained tannins, it is delicious now and will age beautifully for many years to come.
MITTENBRAU AT THE GREEN WELL
In celebration of July as Michigan Craft Brew Month, we're partnering for a festive feast and Michigan beer tasting with our good friends at The Green Well. For more information on this event please view us on line at www.grandrivergrocery.com and click on events. $40 per person, call The Green Well to reserve your spot at (616)808-3566.
GRILLFRIENDS GRILL OFF!
Join chef's Chris Ferris of Holland and Erin Van Epps of Grand River Grocery as they "duke it out" on the grill, Thursday evening, August 7, 6:30 - 9:30 PM. Your $50 fee guarantees you a seat and one heck of a delicious dinner (not to mention a great view of the Thornapple River!). Pre-payment and reservation required ,contact us at events@grandrivergrocery.com or call the market at (616)676-9292.
BEVERAGE CATERING
Did you know Grand River Grocery does Beverage Catering? And we do it well! We cater for just about any event and every possible occasion - from intitmate dinner parties with a wine steward and service staff, to large corporate events. Indoors or outdoors, we take great pride in making your gathering a special one. Our knowledge, capability and experience will make your event or gathering worry-free. Call me at 676-9292 or check us out on line at www.grandrivergrocery.com to download a pdf of our Beverage Catering brochure.
