Something for a Cold Day

How about something that will warm you up from the inside out.. Maybe some whiskey, brandy, or a rum cocktail...

What about a simple Irish Coffee.. mm mmm good

Ingredients...
2 1/2 oz strong, hot coffee
1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
1 tsp brown sugar
1 oz whipping cream

Preparation...
1. Pour the hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and brown sugar into mug
2. Stir well
3. Float the cream on top

Merlot

Merlot is a red wine grape used for blending and for varietal wines.  Merlot is thought to derive from the Old French word, blackbird.  Merlot is a medium based wine with some hints of berry, plum, and currant.  Merlot is popular grape for blending with cabernet sauvignon.  It is also the most popular wine varietal in many markets. Merlot is one of the worlds most planted grape varieties.  The best quality merlot is grown in rocky, arid ground, and even in damp, cool climates. 

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the toughest grape to grow but it is well worth the investment.  Pinot Noir demands warm days consistantly supported by cool nights.  Pinot Noir is a lighter colored red wine with flavors of sweet red berries, plums, tomatoes, cherries, and often some earthy or woodlike depending on the growing conditions.

Shiraz/Syrah

Shiraz and Syrah are from the same red wine grape.  The reason there are two names for this grape is because in France it is known and grown as a Syrah; it is responsilbe for some of the Northern Rhone's big bold red wines.  In Australia and South Africa they call it Shiraz.  The Shiraz is the Australia's spicy, big hitting wine.  It is a deep-purple color grape and produces medium to full bodied wine.  Shiraz wines display firm tannins and the rich round flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, clove, licorice, dark chocolate, and smoked meat.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is a well known red wine.  It is becoming so popular that people are starting to call it "king of wines" or "king of red grapes".  Cabernet Sauvignon is a small berry with a thick black skin.  It is well known for it's debth of flavor, aroma, and ability to age.  Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, dry, and intense, cherry current and sometimes herbal flavors.  Cabernet grapes prefer warmer climates.  The grape is also a main ingredient in blends for many of the most famous red wines in the world. 

Zinfandel

Zinfandel is truly an American specialty.  It is being produced all along the west coast from California to Washington.  It's the #2 most widely planted grape in California, and many consider the Zinfandel to be the "California Red".  Many vines on the U.S. west coast are more than 100 years old to this day.  And being an "old vine Zinfandel" is like a special treat to the fans of Zin.  The grape originated in Craotia, and not Southern Italy, today it is widely planted in Italy as the Primitivo grape.  The Primitivo is a cousin to the Zinfandel grape, it is a bold, rich flavored grape.  The small Zinfandel grape is actually tough to grow and its clusters tighten up and ripen unevenly.  The Zinfandel grape likes warm weather particularly close to the coast.  Zinfandel is a full-bodied red, with ripe raspberry fruit accented by pepper and spice.