Vilarnau Brut Reserva Cava

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY! How about some Vilarnau Brut Reserva Cava for a toast? On the nose it's got a pleasant yeasty breadiness with green apples, lemon, vanilla and flowers. It's zippy on the palate with a sharp acidity and flavors of apples, lemon, and yellow pears. It finishes with an increase in floralness and a slight touch of sugar. This isn't a bubbly to sit there and analyze to death. It's fun and delicious, and its affordability makes it perfect for any kind of celebration.

Listen to both Joey and Mike talk about this wine on episode 10 of Grapes & Capes: Cava Countdown

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Vilarnau Rosé Reserva Cava

This rosé Cava from Barcelona, Spain is 85% Garnacha and 15% Pinot Noir. It's salmon in color and on the nose there's aromas of strawberries, lemon, whipped cream, and little bit of peach and toast. It's light and foamy on the palate with a bright acidity and soft tannin. All of the aromas on the nose return on the palate to create quite a delicious sparkling rosé for the price.

Listen to both Joey and Mike recommend this wine on episode 10 of Grapes & Capes: Cava Countdown

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Grapes & Capes Episode #11: It's the TPG Christmas Party!

 

Members of the Team Patrol Gang, a group of four podcasts, get together for a Christmas party full of malarkey and ridiculousness. Join Chris from the Horror Comics Podcast, Eric from the Legendary Geekouts Podcast, Crumbs from the Crumbs of Gotham Podcast, and me (Joey) from Grapes & Capes as we discuss everything else and wonder if we'll ever get to any actual Christmas talk! MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!

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Grapes & Capes Episode #10: Cava Countdown

Mike and Joey drink Spanish Cava for the Holidays while counting down their top 5 favorite comic book heroes and villains.  BUT THERE'S A CATCH!!! Mike can't pick anything Marvel, and Joey can't pick anything DC!

Vilarnau Brut and Rosé Cava provided by Donna White Communications.

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Prologue: Podcasting during the first winter storm of the season, what do we listen to while we're reading?

Wine #1: Vilarnau Brut Cava, what is Cava?, what is Champagne?, how they make traditional method sparkling wine, glasswear, the dryness scale, the kickass history of Korbel

Comics #1: Top 5 Favorite Heroes, the Titans TV show, WB movies on HBO Max, DC Universe turning into comics service only, the Defender shows on Netflix,  Sinestro Corp Wars is a must read, Doomsday Clock is too, annoying thought bubbles

Wine #2: Vilarnau Rosé Cava, "Merry Christmas and wear a #$%^ing mask!", THANK YOU DONNA!

Comics #2: Top 5 Favorite Villains, cross country 1990, the Birds of Prey movie, Batman Forever, the new Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, John Leguizamo, The Happening, the "menacing" factor for villains, the New Gods movie, life lessons from EC Comics

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Grapes & Capes Episode #9: Crumbs of Gotham

Joey and Crumbs (from the Crumbs of Gotham podcast) just hang out and talk about whatever. There's really no format or any expectation of anything. It's totally unprofessional and pointless, which is exactly why you should listen. (Apologies to Dolly Parton. Also, apologies to Alex Ross and Mike Milbury for saying their names wrong.)

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Seltzer, Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again", Miley Cyrus on Howard Stern, Dolly Parton, The Mandalorian, Beavis and Butthead, why MTV stopped playing music, Peter Dinklage, Eric from Legendary Geekouts, Batman's Grave, Dark Nights Dark City, Divinity, The Ten Cent Plague, EC Comics, video games blamed for juvenile delinquency, the hate for younger generations, (THIS IS AROUND THE PART WHERE AUDIO ALIGNMENT GETS MESSED UP), Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross (not "Art Ross". That's an old hockey player.), physical books vs digital, new gamer feature on Facebook, DC Universe Online, Spellbreak, EA Sports NHL, Marty Brodeur, Trent Dilfer vs Dan Marino, NFL = No Fun League, excessive celebration in the Super Bowl, fighting in hockey, calling Mike Milbury "Mike Middleton", Bruins' Stanley Cup loss to the Blues, Brad Marchand, facerakes are gross, Sydney Crosby, Claude Lemieux, Sean Avery, John Scott

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Grapes & Capes Episode #8: Slicin' Dicin' & Sake

Mike and Joey taste three bottles of Sake from TippsySake.com while keeping comic talk Japan themed as they read Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (2015) and Wolverine #1 (1982).

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Sake #1: Kudoki Jozu Junmai Ginjo, what is Sake?, Futsu-Shu vs Premium, Honjozo vs Junmai, Single Malt Scotch vs Blends, moving the damn Elf on the Shelf, is Sake a beer?, drinkin' cheap Sake, Sake's REAL name

Comic #1: Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (2015), Something Is Killing The Children, Batman's package, who is our favorite turtle, TMNT movies (old and new)

Sake #2: Nanbu Bijin Tokubestu Junmai, the white powder on gum

Comic #2: Wolverine #1 (1982), "The Wolverine" movie, Comics Code, The Ten Cent Plague, EC Comics, Future State, Fortnite, Trainspotting

Sake #3: Tozai "Snow Maiden" Junmai Nigori, what is Nigori?, Thank you TippsySake.com!

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Book Review: "Firing Blancs" by Peter Stafford-Bow

Felix Hart is at it again in the third installment of Peter Stafford-Bow's wine fiction adventure novels. You may already know that I love these books and I love Peter as a writer, but I have to say... this one is my favorite so far!

I also have to apologize to Peter, directly after kissing his arse, because I should have done this book review A LONG time ago. But there has been a lot going on with family and work and etc, so it took me quite a bit to not only read the book but to also get my act together to write about it!

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Joey Casco is #30 on the Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020

After digging through old emails, I discovered one from September that I didn't even see before. I was named #30 on Corking Wine's Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020! That's pretty awesome!

I don't write nearly as much as I used to and I'm more focused on podcasting now for the time being, so if you want to see the golden age of the blog check out my old Articles and my old wine reviews going all the way back to 2014.

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Mossback Russian River Pinot Noir 2019

Mossback's 2019 Pinot Noir by Matchbook is everything that you want out of a Russian River Pinot Noir. Dark berries, cranberries, chocolate, rose petals, and green peppers. All on a medium body with a smooth mouthfeel, a little bit of a grippy tannin, and a bitter chocolate and coppery finish. It's quite elegant with a drop of rusticness. For $25 I'm all about it!

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about two other wines by Matchbook on Grapes & Capes Episode #7 "Pyromania"!

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Audio Article - The Chemistry between us... and Wine

Get nerdy with chemistry and learn about the science that makes wine what it is.  Fermentation, alcohol, acids, phenols, and other chemical compounds and processes.  Everything except, probably, proper pronunciation. Read The Chemistry between us... and Wine (article originally published May 7th, 2014) or listen below:

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The Arsonist Red Bend 2017

This is 53% Petite Verdot, 24% Malbec, and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon from Dunnigan Hills, California, that was aged in oak for 24 months.

Right off the bat there's a lot of black licorice and oak, followed by  eucalyptus, root beer, vanilla, dark chocolate, orange peel, and decaying roses. It's rich and big and raisinated with soft tannin, uplifting acidity, and loaded with character. Once you taste this $20 blend you'll keep going back for more. Pair with a big ol' ribeye, cheeseburgers, or raspberry cheesecake.

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about this wine on Grapes & Capes Episode #7 "Pyromania"!

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Irmàna Grillo 2019 & Frappato 2019 by Corvo

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I've got two wines from Sicily by Corvo, both varietals native to the island, that would go great on your Thanksgiving table. Irmàna Grillo 2019 is a white wine that has a big lush body with notes of stone fruit, clementine, cake frosting, and a little bit of earthiness and green herbs. Delicious! Irmàna Frappato 2019 is a red wine with big juicy grape juice, strawberries, black licorice, lavender, cream soda, and dark chocolate. It's actually lighter than the loud nose leads you to expect it to be, and even with it's juicy character it is very versatile with food. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

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The Arsonist Chardonnay 2018

This is 100% Chardonnay from Dunnigan Hills, California, that was aged in five months in oak after going through malolactic fermentation.

It's full bodied and rich with a bright acidity. It's very tropical with pineapple and banana, but also has notes of cooked apple, buttered biscuit, toasted vanilla, and butterscotch. Mike calls this "a dessert", and Joey says it's one of his favorite Chardonnays for under $20. Pair with a Chinese PuPu Platter or your traditional Thanksgiving dinner!

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about this wine on Grapes & Capes Episode #7 "Pyromania"!

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Grapes & Capes Episode #7: Pyromania

The building is on fire as Mike and Joey drink two wines from Matchbook Wine Company's The Arsonist label and read about the ultimate pyromaniac villain Heat Wave in The Flash #218 (2005)!

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Wine #1: The story of Matchbook Wine Company, The Arsonist Chardonnay 2018, pairing it with Chinese food, Royal Palace in Dennisport, Wok 'n Roll in South Yarmouth, finding the right Chardonnay to win you over, wines for Thanksgiving

Comic, Part 1:  The creation and origins of Heat Wave, The Flash #218 (2005) "Heat Wave" pages 1-12, the darkness and brutality of Heat Wave while feeling sympathy for his character, more Game of Thrones (should we just make a GoT podcast, I mean jeez), Donny Cates

Wine #2: The Arsonist Red Blend 2017, Petite Verdot is the miracle grape

Comic, Part 2: The Flash #218 (2005) "Heat Wave" pages 13-22, Siri never helps, the connection that keeps Heat Wave and Captain Cold connected forever

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Orbelus Orelek Sandanski Misket 2018

This is 100% Sandanski Misket from the Struma River Valley in southwest Bulgaria. It's also biodynamic! Sandanski Misket is a cross variety of Shirka Melnika and Cabernet Sauvignon created in Bulgaria in 1979. Technically this one is dry but it has some sweet aspects to it such as its juiciness, body weight, and thick mouthfeel. There's a lot of lychee nut, so it's reminiscent of Gewurztraminer. There's also pineapple, lime peel, and a little bit of leafiness. Very enjoyable and intriguing! (Wine provided by Kristova Family Partners)

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #6!

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The New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia

This huuuuuge book by Tom Stevenson and National Geographic is now my new favorite reference book. I'm not even exaggerating a little bit here. I plan to grab this thing first when I need to look something up. And it's not just because I just want an excuse to smell it, because my goodness it does have a GREAT "new book smell" to it.

The whole thing is well written, loaded with great information, and has easy to read maps. It looks like not one subregion is left untouched, and it's done in such a way that you feel like you aren't being overloaded with information.

Even with all those things, being a history nerd my favorite section is the Chronology of wine. Ten pages of a straight-up timeline focusing on important events in wine from all over the world. I still haven't sat down and just read the whole chronology through, but I intend to and can't wait.

This book is awesome, man. It's going to claim the spot for my go-to reference book by my desk for awhile. Go get it, wine geeks! BUY IT HERE!

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Audio Article - Analyzing Wine: Everyone Gets Better

In the first episode of a series where Joey reads the articles that he's written over the years for TheWineStalker.net, he goes over how to develop your palate to analyze wine using aroma and flavor descriptors. And it may make you ask the question... do you really want to? Read Analyzing Wine: Everyone Gets Better (article originally published April 23rd, 2014) or listen below:

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Rossidi Rubin 2017

This is 100% Rubin from the Thracian Valley of Bulgaria, and it was aged in oak for 16 months. Rubin is actually a cross variety of Nebbiolo and Syrah, created in Bulgaria in the 1940's. It's garnet in color. There's notes of bakers chocolate, tar, juicy plums, black olives, and pepper. Medium to full bodied with a rich mouthfeel. FRIGGIN' AWESOME. This was our favorite of the three Bulgarian wines we tasted that night. (Wine provided by Kristova Family Partners)

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #6!

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Edoardo Miroglio "EM" Mavrud 2015

This is 100% Mavrud from the subregion of Elenovo in the Thracian Valley of Bulgaria, and Mavrud is a native grape of Bulgaria. This one is complex, gritty, and different! There's notes of spearmint, Fruit Roll-Up, pepper, dried leaves, and cider spices. This wine is perfect for fall and Thanksgiving. (Wine provided by Kristova Family Partners)

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #6!

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Grapes & Capes Episode #6: Off The Beaten Path

Mike and Joey taste wines from Bulgaria (provided by Kristova Family Partners) and read two Indie comics: The Authority #1 (2005) and Divinity #1 (2015). WARNING: This episode contains language and descriptions of acts that may be offensive to some listeners during the discussion of the second comic book due to its content.

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Wine #1: Edoardo Miroglio 'EM' Mavrud 2015, history of Bulgarian wine, Khan Krum the Fearsome, drinking from the skulls of your enemies, the story of Mavrud, wine regions of Bulgaria Comic #1: Divinity #1 (2005), digital vs print, free digital comics with purchase of print, the harsh reality of space travel, Valiant, Bloodshot, Deathblow, John Woo, Hard Boiled, Face/Off, Broken Arrow Wine #2: Rossidi Rubin 2017, a bit about hybrid and cross variety grapes, wtf is up with pepper, Game of Thrones yet again, movie theaters during COVID, HBO Max, Wonder Woman 84, drive-ins, COVID numbers and precautions Comic #2: The Authority #1 (2005), lots of offensive language, who is Kev?, revisit to the Mavrud Wine #3: Orbelus Orelek Sandanski Misket 2018, biodynamic craziness that actually works, descriptor terms that are correct but sound terrible

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Temecula Hills Estate Syrah 2016

Temecula Hills is a product of Oak Mountain Winery, which we just saw two quick reviews from. Their 2016 Estate Syrah is 100% Syrah from the Windy Ridge vineyard, it saw time in French and American oak, and it will cost you $49. That nose is lively! There's notes of big black cherries, black table pepper, back licorice, raisins, and caramel. It's big and bold, savory, spicy and BRILLIANT! Reminds me of a Côte-Rôtie but still clearly from a hot climate. Pair with Camembert cheese with cured meat or a big o' ribeye.

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #5!

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Oak Mountain Winery Malbec 2016

The 2016 Estate Malbec by Oak Mountain Winery out of Temecula is 100% Malbec, and it was aged in American and oak. Smooth and laid back! Lots of plums and white pepper, with notes of cranberry, toasted spice, mustard seed, and violets. Black licorice comes out as it opens up. It has quite a bit of bright acidity on the midpalate that is swiped away by the chalky tannin on the end. $45 and yummy!

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #5!

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Oak Mountain Winery Estate Cabernet Franc 2016

The 2016 Estate Cabernet Franc by Oak Mountain Winery out of Temecula is 100% Cabernet Franc, and it was aged in American and French oak. It's soft bodied with chalky tannin and a little bit of a tart acidity. Loaded with berries like raspberry, cherries, blackberries, a touch of anise, and spice notes like chili powder. Very good for $36! Pair with gamey and/or red meats!

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #5!

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Grapes & Capes Episode #5: Dark Knights, Dark Wines

Mike and Joey taste Oak Mountain Winery Cabernet Franc, Oak Mountain Winery Malbec, and Temecula Hills Syrah while reading Batman: Dark Knights, Dark City for the Halloween season!

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Prologue: Newbury Comics, Halloween costumes

Wine #1: more on phylloxera, Oak Mountain Winery Cabernet Franc 2016, mystery delivery

Comic #1: "Dark Knights, Dark City" Part 1

Wine #2: Oak Mountain Winery Malbec 2016, the run down on Malbec

Comic #3: "Dark Knights, Dark City" Part 2, concussions vs killing

Wine #3: Temecula Hills Estate Syrah 2016, why cooler and hotter climates effect profiles

Comic #4: "Dark Knights, Dark City" Part 3

As promised, Joey as Bane and Boomer:

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Grapes & Capes Episode #4: Beer with Brad

Joey is joined with Brad as we crack open beers and talk about Magic: The Gathering, video games, and comic book movies.

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TOPICS: Our tastes in beer, Cape Cod Beer, Breweries on Cape Cod, Allagash, Austrian wine scandal, Magic: The Gathering, the Walking Dead infecting Magic, stolen heartbreak, Suicide Squad kill the Justice League, Gotham Knights, who is Red Hood / Jason Todd, the legend of Robin, Three Jokers, the G&C Logo, Spider-Man movies, Marvel on Disney Plus, Marvel Studio phase 4, DC multiverses, a DC fan kisses a Marvel's ass and a Marvel fan kisses DC's ass, WCW and WWF, Royal Rumble at the Fleet Center, Falcon & Winter Soldier, more on Marvel shows on Disney Plus, the future of Thor, Marvel vs DC in printed comics, publishing content, the best Joker, 80's classics, high school hindsight, The Suicide Squad, Ostrander's Suicide Squad & Deadshot: Beginnings, HBO Max, Raised by Wolves, Disney Plus yet again, Cosmos, 9/11 Tribute Comic, The Boys TV show, maaaaaybe a Potcast???

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Chelsea Goldschmidt Guidestone Rise Merlot 2018

October is #MerlotMe Month and I've got this fantastic Merlot for you! I am a huge Merlot fan so this month is usually one of my favorite wine times of the year. Unfortunately I wasn't able to participate in the whole parade of Merlot's for the month, but hey, I've got this Goldschmidt! And man, is it delicious. Medium bodied with a lush mouthfeel and notes of blueberries, black cherries, graphite, and vanilla. This is a textbook quality Merlot, and I recommend it to anybody who wants some #MerlotMe in their October. Yummmaaaaay!!!!

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Banshee Rosé 2019

Oh I love Banshee's wine so much, and this Rosé in no exception! The 2019 vintage is salmon in color and made with 48% Sangiovese, 25% Grenache, 16% Syrah, 8% Barbera, and 3% Zinfandel. Cantaloupe is all over it, with honeydew melon, lemon, and toast. I could smell it all night! This is not a quaffing rosé. This is one that you want to cradle and savor.

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #3!

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La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018

La Crema Sonoma Chard is always a good, solid, never-let-you down standby that you can find anywhere. The 2018 vintage was aged for seven months in 75% French oak and 25% American (17% new). There's notes of vanilla, honey dew melon, pineapple, and balanced oak. For $15 it's a damn good deal.

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #3!

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Oak Farm Vineyards Fiano 2018

This wine is out of Lodi, California, which has a similar climate to Fiano's native homeland of Avellino in Campania, Italy. It shows melons, buttered pecans, and earthy herbs. As it cools off and opens up, lemon shows up on the scene. On the finish it has a snappy and tangy acidity with nice minerality on the finish. It is just beautiful!

Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #3!

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Grapes & Capes Episode #3: Robots don't eat cookies

Michael and Joey read The Ultimates #1 and Vision #1 while tasting Oak Farm Vineyards Fiano, La Crema Sonoma Chardonny, and Banshee Rosé. Wines provided by Colangelo & Partners.

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Wine #1: Oak Farm Vineyards 2018/2019, sitting on the leese

Comics #1: The Ultimates #1 (2002)

Wine #2: La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018, New World wine vs Old World wine, effects of oak, what is Zinfandel

Comics #2: Vision #1 (2015), Tom King's Batman, War of Jokes and Riddles, Tom King's comicsgate controversy, Scarlet Witch

Wine #3: Banshee Rosé 2019, how they make pink wine, orange wine, dry rosé vs sweet rosé

Comics #3: the death of Deadshot, DC Universe Infinite, HBO Max, call Tony Stark at 212-970-4133, Marvel getting cosmic

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Mosketto Delicate Sweet White, Rosé, & Red

I may not like sweet frosty pastries like cake (ew, gross) but I do like sweet wines. Sorry, not sorry. Mosketto Delicate Sweet White has white flowers and orange zest on the nose with apples and peaches. The palate is also appley and peachy and the thick finish turns to sweet succulent clementines. With the Delicate Sweet Rosé there's rose pedals on the nose with juicy cherries and strawberry candy that follows onto the palate. Those cherries pop on the finish, and this is my favorite of the bunch. With the Delicate Sweet Red there's raspberry sauce on the mid palate and strawberry jam on the finish. With that red I gotta ask: anybody got some cheesecake? That is a cake I'm all about.

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Rosé All Day Spritz Rosé + Grapefruit with Bubbles

Okay, I'm going to be blunt: Rosé All Day are not kidding when they say "+ grapefruit" because there's A LOT of grapefruit here. And that wouldn't be a big deal in the middle of July or August when it's hot as hell and if this thing was chilled ice cold, because it would be completely crushable and I would just abuse that 4 pack of cans so easily it's ridiculous. But it's September and starting to get chilly here so you know what I did? I took an inexpensive Cava, that I knew I could trust to provide some wonderful bready yeastiness, and mixed them together. It was pretty damn enjoyable. I'm not even joking. Improvisation!

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