Merlot on steroids

Malbec (similar to cabernet sauvignon) is a varietal known mostly in South America and Argentina specifically, but Chile exports close to three million cases of wine a year, including Malbec. Even better, most of the bottles fall in the under $15 range. The Montes Malbec is a Chilean red that marries fruit flavors with a hint of oak. The wine, made from grapes grown in the Colchagua Valley, is aged for six months in American oak barrels.I found (the Montes) Malbec to be a little less fruit driven, still nice, still that Merlot on steroids, but a little more elegant, and a little less powerful than their Argentine counterpoints, said Mickey Werner, the wine guy at Alpine Wine and Spirits in West Vail.My advice is to let the intensely deep purple hued wine breath for 10 minutes it made a huge difference. On the nose, the wine smells of blackberry and spice. In the mouth, the wine is spicy and intense, but it finishes smooth especially after it sits for a few minutes. The wines label recommends pairing the wine with meat and strongly flavoured sauces. The Chilean and Argentine diet is either fish or steak, Werner said, so it would have to be a steak.I personally paired a glass with a few dark chocolate M&Ms a perfect end to the day. Caramie Schnell, Arts & Entertainment Editor

For many years in the wine world, kosher wine received about as much respect as wine in a box. Finally, we can put those days behind us. Now there are options available besides the sugary, syrupy wines that most people associate with kosher wines. One kosher wine that doesnt get enough respect is the Baron Herzog Chardonnay 2005. I think that this white wine was one of the best bottles I have tasted from the Herzog brand.I am not a huge white wine drinker, but I got a pleasant shock when I opened the bottle. It had a crisp, light taste that went down easy. The wine boasts flavors of pear, apple and vanilla. The wine is a blend of Central Coast and Russian River Chardonnay. The two types of grapes give different flavors to the wine the central coast is responsible for the fruit flavors and the Russian Rivers, fermented in barrels, adds a hint of oak.Dont believe me that this wine is drinkable? It received 87 points and was noted as a top value by Wine Spectator. The Baron Herzog Web site even details their family history, and their relatively new commitment to sustainable wine growing. Go ahead and take a chance, and remember this is not the kosher wine you remember from your childhood, this is wine any adult would like to drink and all my non-Jewish friends enjoyed it, too. Jessica Slosberg, Daily Correspondent

I think everyone is told at least once in their life not to judge a book by its cover, but, frankly, I disagree. Quite often I choose books based on their covers and I elect my spirits based on their labels it usually serves me well. It served my especially well when I selected Hebrews Monumental Jewbulation, Schmaltz Brewings 10th anniversary celebratory beer.The label grabbed my attention and yes, I had to buy it for my Rosh Hashanah dinner. The label is not only colorful, but it relays the entire story and was downright educational. It talks about why the number 10 is significant in Judaism the 10 commandments, the 10 plagues, 10 percent of Nobel Peace prize winners are Jewish and the 10 days of awe the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Never one to leave a dead horse well enough alone, the label explains that for the companys 10th anniversary the beer was made with 10 types of hops, 10 additions and boiled for 100 minutes. What can I say? I like my beer with a theme. And the beer turned out to be good extremely dark but also quite good. I am not a huge fan of dark beer, actually for this beer the word dark doesnt do it justice, black is the better term. But I liked it and I drank it. It is filling, so dont plan on drinking this all night. But at $5.29 for a bomber size brew at Beaver Liquors, it should serve as an excellent addition to any party you attend in both taste, alcohol content (what else 10 percent) and, of course, as a conversation starter. Jessica Slosberg, Daily Correspondent