Wines traveling by sail boat

The folks at 100 mile diet just posted a story about a new/old trend in Europe to ship wines by sail boat. This is how ancient wines were transported, of course. Some winemakers are reviving the trend to reduce their environmental impact (and shipping costs, presumably) by eliminating petroleum transportation fuel.

We say, "Fantastic!" Columbus Ohio isn't likely to be reached by sailboat any time soon, but wind farms are being built here to generate consumer energy.

Small Business Contest - please vote!

Intuit (makers of Turbo Tax and Quickbooks) is running a contest for small business owners. The winners will receive $50,000 in start up money and other prizes. Unfortunately we did not hear about it in time to enter.

However, a friend and mentor, Alissa DeRouchie, did enter and is in the final five! The winner is now up to voters. Here are five reasons I think you should vote for her:

1) Her business idea (a kid friendly cafe with healthy food) is innovative.
2) We have nothing like this in Columbus.
3) I know of at least 50 families that would support this business.
4) I need a healthy dining out option for my family.
5) Alissa has been successful running other businesses.

Please vote for Lissi (aderouch) at JumpUp Intuit. Vote today and once per day until January 31.

Need more information? Check out VoteCafeandPlay.com.

Let's Be Clear

We do NOT support alcohol abuse.

We do believe in drinking responsibly.

Alcohol may be good for your health in moderation. However, just one drink of alcohol can cause impairment. We like to drink locally and just walk home. We believe that drinkers should designate a sober driver when needing transportation to and from parties or bars. If you think you have a problem, please get help.

The Current Bar

One of our rules is that what is in our liquor cabinet at the beginning of the year is fair game for drinking, even if it is foreign. Here is everything we start with, with links provided for the unusual or highly recommended:

Tools:
The Little Black Book of Cocktails by Virginia Reynolds
Cocktail shaker
Selection of shot glasses
Plastic flask
Small pocket flask
SIGG stainless steel flask/bottle
Wooden muddler
Wooden reamer
Beer bottle opener (wall mount, hand held, and Homer Simpson voiced)
Wine bottle openers (lots because we can't take them through airport security and are constantly buying them on trips away from home...but our opinion of the TSA is another topic...)

Liquor:
White Rum (foreign generic)
Bombay Gin (England)
Bulleit Bourbon (Kentucky USA)
Sauza Tequila (Mexico)
Vermouth (France)
Tuaca Liquor (Italy)
McClelland's Single Malt Scotch (Scotland)
Paul Masson Brandy (Kentucky USA, home flavored with orange peel to resemble Grand Mariner)
Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch (Scotland)
Blue Curacao (Ohio USA)
Skyy Vodka (California USA)
Feist Madeira (Portugal)
Rain Vodka (Illinois USA, home flavored with ginger, orange and lemon)
Angostura Bitters (Trinidad)
Pinnacle Vodka (France)
G.E. Massenez Framboise Sauvage Wild Raspberry Brandy (France)
Kahlua (Mexico)

Wine:
Hoshi Sake (California)
Ozeki Sake (California)
Gnarly Head 2006 Old Vine Zin (California)
Razor's Edge 2005 Shiraz (Australia)
Merum 2005 Monastrell (Spain)
Mo's Strawberry Wine (home brewed by a friend of foreign and domestic fruits)
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (New Zeland) Mixed at Camelot cellars by Alex's parents
Sula Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (India)

Beer:
Lindeman's Rasberry Frambroise (Belgium)
Chimay Cinq Cents (France)
La Fin Du Monde (Canada)
Michelob Ultra Amber (USA) my mama's favorite

Mixers:
Homemade Grenadine (California?? Pomegranates)
Homemade Sours Mix (Florida sugar and lemons)
Creme De Menthe (USA)
Nellie and Joe's Key Lime Juice (Florida)

Wow...that's a lot of alcohol!

A New Rule

We were talking about alcohol ingredients last night. Should we find the source of all ingredients in every beverage?

In a bottle of beer, even one made in Ohio, there could be hops from England or spices from the Carribean. Manufacturers don't often publish the source of their ingredients. Unfortunately some might not even know this information.

The principle of All American Alcohol is to reduce transportation impact and highlight local breweries and distilleries. Therefore, as much as possible, we will not drink alcohol with known foreign ingredients. This means no Fuggles hops (usually imported from England) and only domestic juniper berries for homemade gin.

Here's to the challenge!

The Beginning

On our way home from a Xmas lunch today, Alex and I were discussing the globalization of trade, especially food trade. We already make efforts to eat locally by participating in a Columbus area Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and shopping our local co-op grocery store. We buy durable goods from ethical businesses and limit our purchases to things we 'need' as much as we can. What's left to do to limit our resource footprint?

I just read the book Plenty, an account of two writers who challenge themselves to eat only food grown and produced within 100 miles of their home. I know we can't do that because it would require too much time and the few healthy foods our toddler will eat (bananas and cranberries) come from far far away.

"What if we pledge to only drink US made alcohol in 2008?" I suggested. We each have a drink or two most every day, so this change wouldn't be insignificant. We started talking varietals: "We would have California, New York, and Ohio wines." "Does anyone make gin in the US?" "Can we make our own gin?" "There's always PBR." Finally, Alex said, "I like this idea."

We talked about a few 'rules' for the challenge:
1) What's in our liquor cabinet on January 1 can be used anytime throughout the year, domestic or not.
2) If traveling (Alex travels in foreign countries frequently) drink products produced in the host country.
3) Do without alcohol if we are in a situation without a domestic option.

We have a few days of 2007 left. I'll surely drink a few margaritas - we can't think of a US tequila substitute yet. When the year turns we'll start updating this blog with our domestic finds, recipes, and adventures.