Got some left over port or other sweet dessert wine from a diner party? Think cocktails for the next night.

Recently, when in Boston this was served – a Ruby Manhattan at the top of the Prudential Building with a stunning view of the Charles River:

• 2 parts Barrel Select Bourbon
• 1 part Ruby Port
• Shake over ice
• Pour into frosted martini glass and garnish with a lemon rind twist

Which got me thinking at the end of today’s tasting and we had some Muscat left over – would this work in a cocktail as well? Yes. Try this:

• 2 parts Bourbon or Rye (Market Price)
• 1 part 2009 Chateau Saint Sauveur Cuvée des Moines Muscat de Beaumes de Venise    (Was $28, Now $18 for 750ml)
• Three shakes Regan’s Bitters ($8 and lasts a long time)
• Shake over ice
• Pour into frosted martini glass and garnish with an orange rind twist – run it around the rim for good measure

As we head into fall, we switch from our whites and rosés to our reds and ports. Such is the season.

See you on Saturday for our South African wine tasting from 2-4pm, and on Sunday for our Italians By Way Of France tasting from 11-5 with an artist reception for Genevieve Tremblay from 3-5pm. Her art will be hanging in the shop until the end of the month.