And it is pretty damned good.
Sophisticates have always known the trick of taking a light, aromatic wine, blending it with fresh and savory botanicals, and fortifying and stabilizing it with a good quality eau-de-vie brandy and offering it to guests as an aperitif (from the Latin apere, to open); it is the perfect way to start a gracious evening of entertaining.
Jardesca California Aperitiva is the result of a harmonious convergence of several talented individuals dedicated to creating a new and stimulating reflection of the lifestyle of California wine country and culture. Duggan McDonnell, renowned restaurateur, sommelier and bartender worked with Sonoma wineries and the father-and-son craft distillers of Essential Spirits Alambic Distillers to craft the aperitiva.
When you start a meal you want to stimulate the palate, keep it clean and fresh and lively. Sometimes wine is not forceful enough, yet spirits might be too harsh, too dominating. Blend the two and add a delicate mix of carefully selected garden-fresh botanicals and you have the perfect starter: fragrant, crisp, balanced between naturally sweet and dry, a resonance of bitterness to tantalize the taste buds and a citrusy acidity to brighten the flavors
Three wines are used to create the base for Jardesca California Aperitiva; the primary aromatic grape is Viognier with its effusive floral components that blend well with the added botanicals, while the other two are used to create a harmonious balance between sweet and dry. Ten different botanicals are used to infuse teasing, delicate garden-fresh nuances to the mix. Before adding the eau-de-vie to stabilize and complete Jardesca.
The possibilities for Jardesca are limitless. It is delightful as an al fresco sipper: simply peel the strip from the Zork-style closure, pop the top and pour over ice. To add a festive touch of color and aroma, garnish with a lemon or orange peel or wedge and a sprig of green plucked fresh from your garden.
May not be easy to find right away----a few places in California and you can mail order it through K&L Wine Merchants. Suspect it will spread in distribution fairly soon though.