VittlesVamp

Cotes Du Wrong

I'm not usually one to pay attention to advertisements when it comes to selecting a bottle of wine. But the new promotional posters for Cotes du Rhone caught my eye, due in no small part to an invitation to a celebratory fête -- a party at the Lower East Side's New Museum for the campaign.

The ying-yang message of these new ads wasn't exactly subtle.

Wear a folksy ethnic necklace or a spectacular diamond-encrusted piece? No matter your style, both go with a glass of Cote du Rhone!

Denim jacket or tuxedo? Jeans or elegant red dress? The perfect wine for either occasion!

Pepperoni pizza or a gourmet steak dinner? The choice for both is clearly Cotes du Rhone!

So, I had to ask myself: Why, oh why, was the entire event space stylishly decked out, featuring glamazon severs and an array of elegant hor d'oeurves?

Somewhere along the line, it seems that the intended brand messaging went awry.

Then again, maybe I just simply didn't warrant an invite to the second half of the event -- held around the corner at a casual dive with everyone wearing ethnic jewelry, denim jackets and jeans, while downing greasy slices of pizza from Domino's.

Lost Lager

The Tea-ki Punch I whipped up last night for my annual Lost season finale soiree was definitely a big boozy hit. However, it was the six-pack of Dharma Lager -- compliments of Mr. P -- that received the most heartfelt compliments.

Admittedly, it was absolutely in keeping with the evening's entertainment.

Still, I've gotta say that when it comes to Lost-themed brews, Dharma IPA and Dharma "Others" Porter are my real faves. The Dharma Smoked Monster Beer ain't bad either. And you know it's gonna be a bash to remember, if I break out the Dharma "Dude" Hurley Hefeweizen.

All things to look forward to in 2010, when Lost returns...

Through Rose Colored Glasses

The box finally arrived. A box full of wine. Not "boxed wine," mind you. A Fedex box holding precious cargo: six pink-hued bottles of Stag's Leap Napa Valley Amparo Rosé 2007, ordered during my recent visit to the vineyard.

Once the Fedex delivery man exited, I ripped the package open with gleeful abandon. I adored this wine, letting it play on my palate during a carefree afternoon of California winery-hopping. But would the Amparo be as luxuriously bright, sunny and ambrosial on a rainy day in Brooklyn? I couldn't wait to find out.

But, wait I did.

I put the bottles in the fridge and anxiously marked time until the bottles were cool and still after their long journey -- ready for the pleasant "pop" of the cork and gentle sipping.

I invited oenophile friend Mr. L to join in the wine's soft rosy delights. The Amparo's bouquet of strawberry and peonies, followed by the honey sweet flavors of watermelon and crisp citrus finish were just as enchanting as in Napa -- if not more so in drizzly, gray, urban surroundings.

Suffice to say, a rainy day in Brooklyn can be utterly delightful when seen through rose colored glasses. Wine glasses, that is.

I Like My Wine Shaken, Not Stirred

Before heading off to Cali, a friend of a friend hooked me up with the U.S.-based marketing and PR team for an Australian winery, Mollydooker. Once he'd gone to the trouble I didn't think it was right to back out of a Oz vino tasting, even though we were in the heart of Napa wine country.

So, Karen and I traipsed over to the Boon Fly Cafe at Carneros Inn with low expectations. There, we were inspired by the well-met and jubilant Jenny for a sip and swirl of Mollydooker's offerings.

Initially we were put off by the peculiar regimen required to drink these deep, dark Aussie reds. It seemed like a Ronco gimmick of the highest order.

Bottled with nitrogen gas as a natural preservative, in order to enjoy the wine's voluptous fruit and velvety texture, we were obliged to empty of bit of the drink from the stylishly screw-topped bottles. Then, placing the cap back on, we inverted the bottles and shook vigorously. Turning the bottles right side up, bubbles appeared and the red stuff was poured.

A bizarre ritual to say the least.

The outcome was a stupendous, jammy, fruit-filled explosion, with hints of dark cherry and aged leather.

We tried three in all -- The Boxer Shiraz, the Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz and the Enchanted Path Shiraz/Cabernet blend.

The "wow" factor of these wines was lusciously undeniable. So was the "wow" factor of Jenny's company.

Needless to say, I'll be ordering some bottles of Mollydooker in the near future. If only I could order up Jenny's company again so easily!

Come What Mayahuel

It's been a love affair for the past few years. Phil and I. A bartender and a cocktail nerd patroness. The bond was undeniable from the moment we met years ago at Flatiron Lounge. Then it shifted to Pegu Club and moseyed on over to Death & Company.

But, as with all relationships, it'll only survive if it changes and grows. And, I think our "on the rocks/straight up" romance can make it through Phil Ward's transition from mixologist-for-hire to bar owner -- with the birth of his new East Village tequila and mezcal cocktail haven Mayahuel.

It won't officially open its doors until May 1 (just in time for Cinco de Mayo), but I stopped by for a soft launch sampling of his new Mexican-inspired tipples.

Stepping inside after being greeted by Phil's partner Ravi DeRossi of Bourgeois Pig, Desnuda and Death & Co fame, I was impressed at the work that had gone into transforming the Moroccan spot Zerza into an alluring, cozy cantina. Then came the shake and stir...

The Loop Tonic, made of blanco tequila, green chartreuse, vermouth and celery bitters, went down so smooth, I had to order up another cocktail right quick. A Whoopsy Daisy came next, with blanco tequila, joven mezcal, lime and pomegranate molasses. Mouth-puckering, lightly sweet and potent all at once.

With a second drink under my belt, it seemed time to explore. The second floor beckoned with its stained-glass parasol chandelier catching my eye from ground level. Upstairs was scarlet red with crushed velvet banquettes and enough sex appeal to make the tequila and mezcal almost unnecessary in order to inspire a canoodling session with Mr. Wrong -- almost.

It all appeared a bit too dangerous for a Saturday night with two strong drinks already making their effects known. Still, I couldn't leave without at least one more for the road. I went for a Phil Ward classic, the Fresa Brava, with its muddled strawberries, jalapeno peppers, yellow chartreuse and blanco tequila. Spicy, juicy and spring-like, it qualified as a proper dessert on a warm late April night.

Can't wait to come back once the kitchen is in order and continue to see where this cocktail courtship leads.

Hornswaggled (aka The Vamp May Be An April Fool)

I had no reason not to trust my bartending source. That said, I was initially surprised by the name pick for a rumored bar to be opened by Audrey Saunders and Sasha Petraske, but was assured that the origin had to do with Welsh ancestry and not Harry Potter.

Have no idea if I was simply a belated April Fool or if my mixology mate was led astray and was simply passing along mis-information, but the folks at NY Mag's Grub Street did get confirmation that my Rumor report was off-base.

Still, I believe it is time to remember that The Vamp was indeed the first to break the news of Sara Jenkin's Porchetta and the first to report the opening of a Clark Street branch of Tazza.

Not bad for a food blogger who still has a day job.

Rumor Alert: Cocktail Wizardry

Word is buzzing around New York's bartending community that "Libations Goddess" Audrey Sauders and mixology master Sasha Petraske are looking to pool their collective cocktailian talents to open up a new speakeasy named Gryffindor.

One can only hope that their new hot spot won't be serving up Hogwarts Martinis and such. That said, with these two legends at the helm, I surely think not.

Lost Punch To Be Found In Brooklyn

I have almost recovered from last night's "Lost" season premiere gathering. At the very least, the platters and such have finally made it into the dishwasher.

The reason for my slow recovery? A seriously delicious and seriously strong punch made by mixology pro Max Britten. Christened Oceanic Royale Punch, after the show's fictional airline, this heady concoction featured Rhum Agricole, Champagne, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, Green Chartreuse, Fee Brothers Aromatics and Grapefruit-Nutmeg Syrup.

It was such a hit at the party that Max has decided to add it to his drink menu at Jack the Horse Tavern in Brooklyn Heights starting next Tuesday -- a day before the next episode of "Lost" hits small screens.

Thankfully, he'll be serving it by the glass, rather than in a humongous punch bowl, as pictured above with a mysterious island-like fruit-infused block of ice afloat.

Be warned, this stuff can cause time travel, not too dissimilar from those seen on the TV show last night. Oceanic Royale Punch gives "down the hatch" a whole new meaning.

Things Are Brewing For U.S. Troops' Super Bowl Celebration In Iraq

It won't necessarily help broker peace in the Middle East, but it looks like the troops in Iraq are going to be granted permission to imbibe a couple of beers while watching Super Bowl XLIII. Ordinarily, drinking brewskies in a military zone could be cause for a GI's reduction in rank and pay -- and even the possibility of court-martial. Instead, The Washington Post reports on a happy turnaround of this strict and sobering ruling:

Of all the missives the top U.S. military commander in Iraq has signed, probably none generated more cheer than the one issued this week authorizing all U.S. troops to drink beer.

Two catches: only two per person and only on Super Bowl night.

The waiver, issued Wednesday by Gen. Ray Odierno, marks the first time all American service members in Iraq will be allowed to break the ban on liquor in combat zones without risking being court-martialed.

"Feels good to be trusted!" rejoiced Spec. Justin Roark, 23, of Little Rock, who is stationed in Baghdad. "Keeping in touch with an American tradition."...

...Odierno asked commanders to "exercise discretion and good judgment in enforcing these guidelines and restrictions."

First Lt. James McGuire, 29, of Queens, who has been stationed in Mosul, in northern Iraq, for more than 11 months, said he has watched nearly every Super Bowl with his dad, throwing back beers.

"I'm Irish, sir," he said in a phone interview. "It'll be nice to have a beer and -- even if it's just for three hours -- feel like I'm back home."

Non-fans were just as delighted.

"I don't care about the Super Bowl," said 1st Lt. Scott Trout, 25, of Greenville, S.C. "I just want to kick back and relax and have a few beers."

Punch - Hold The Judy

After writing about it, I couldn't resist. I needed a gargantuan bowl of punch. I needed it now.

A group field trip to Death & Company was had. Luckily Phil was at the helm. A bowl of punch was ordered among friends. And then another. And then another.

And then no more, lest we end up on the floor.

I think that's why they call it "punch-drunk."