Liquid Solutions: Potable Potpourri

As we ease our way into September and back-to-school, it's time to clean up the Liquid Solutions coffers in preparation for new fare.

In other words, if I don't clear out my inbox, the system administrator is going to cut me off.

This column is a tasty mélange of items from the Liquid Solutions file. Think of it Potable Potpourri.

Dynamic Duos

Although Europeans have been doing it for centuries, Americans are still a little new to the idea of blended wines. Or at least I am. I know what to expect when the bottle says "chardonnay," "merlot" or "cabernet." But blended wines with names like Chateauneuf-du-Pape, from French's Rhone Valley, can be confusing. I have no idea what's inside!

So, when some samples arrived on my desk with labels sporting words like "chardonnay-semillion" and "shiraz-cabernet," I was more than a bit curious. But hey, at least I knew what was in the bottle -- to a degree.

Black Swan, the third-top-selling Australian wine in the United States, recently introduced three new blended wines -- the two mentioned above and a first-of-its-kind shiraz-merlot.

I found all three wines to be extremely approachable. I chilled the chardonnay-semillion and found it to be crisp and refreshing with a slightly citrusy touch. The slight tartness of the semillion (35 percent) was a very nice counterpart to the chardonnay (65 percent), which, to me, can sometimes be cloying.

Because they are two of my favorite wine styles, the shiraz-cabernet caught my eye. Shiraz, being a classic Australian wine (69 percent), gives the wine bright, raspberry flavors and a hint of spice while the cabernet (31 percent) provides a backbone of rich blackberry and a touch of tannins.

I have to admit, I was most impressed by the shiraz-merlot. I am not normally a merlot fan, finding it often doesn't have enough character and complexity to keep me interested. But the addition of the shiraz (75 percent) to the merlot (25 percent) was a happy surprise! The shiraz's dark berry flavors and touch of black pepper paired perfectly with merlot's ripe plum notes and soft, velvety mouth feel. It was by far my favorite of the three.

The best part about Black Swan's blends is the price -- affordable enough that you can try all three and discover your own favorite.

Musical Beers

Handcrafted beer and homegrown music -- that's what Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons, Colo., is supporting with its new "Singing 12-Pack."

The small brewery, which makes Dale's Pale Ale, is one of only a handful of craft beers that comes in cans. The specially marked 12-packs of Dale's Pale Ale include a limited-release, six-song sampler of beer-blessed tunes from national and local artists played on KCUV-AM 1510, a new Americana music station in Denver.

Oskar Blues has a history of supporting independent musicians; this is its fourth CD in the series.

Both the musicians and the brewers believe the combination is a symbiotic relationship.

"Independent radio stations and bands face the same hurdles indie brewers face," Oskar Blues founder Dale Katechis said. "We're all making uncompromising art in a world heavy with corporate, diluted-down products. These CDs are a way for us to help our musical counterparts combat that ugly trend."

"We're both blazing new trails and swimming against the mainstream," said KCUV's Zak Phillips. "And we both know that great local beer and great Americana music go together like Waylon and Willie and Rock & Roll."

Will Aluminum Bottle Can The Can?

Meanwhile, a Pennsylvania brewery is taking a cue from Oskar Blues and other breweries, and also is turning to aluminum -- just in a different shape.

Pittsburgh Brewing Co. -- maker of Iron City Beer -- recently began selling beer in aluminum bottles.

The Associated Press reported that the brewery is teaming up with Alcoa, the world's largest aluminum maker, to produce the bottles, which are said to have three times the aluminum of a typical beer can, making for superior insulation.

All this means your beer will stay cooler longer (and chill faster, for those of you who are thirsty and impatient). The aluminum cans also are easier to deal with than bottles for people who are doing outdoor activities such as golfing or fishing.

About 20,000 cases of the new aluminum bottle beer were recently shipped out to about 28 states.

Pittsburgh Brewing might be the largest brewery to turn to aluminum bottles, but it isn't the first. Big Sky Brewing Co., of Missoula, Mont., has been using aluminum bottles for its Moose Drool Brown Ale for more than a year.

Have a comment, question or a drink recipe you'd care to share with Lisa? Drop her an e-mail at lisa@ibsys.com.