Summer Olympics: Let the Games—and Drinks—Begin!
The Summer Olympics will start tomorrow on July 23rd 2021 Beijing time and it is time to stock up on beverages to enjoy while watching the world’s best athletes. Given the Olympic rings represent the flags of all nations, it seems fair to sip wines, beers and spirits from across the planet.
With Japan as Olympic host, YUU Sho blended whisky is a natural choice. Enjoy this one as highballs while watching the high jump or high beam. Add 45 ml of whisky to an ice cube-filled glass and stir a dozen times, then top with soda water and lemon or lime garnish. You can also use mixers like ginger ale or ginger beer.
Let’s stick to the spirits theme with Marshall’s Bourbon from Kentucky in the United States. As with the YUU Sho, this is a good option for mixers, with partners such as soda water, ginger ale or cola. And if you come across mixed doubles table tennis, add a double pour.
The grape Ancellotta hails from Italy but has found homes elsewhere, including in Argentina, where its deep color is especially attractive. CHEERS has a 100 percent Ancellotta by Pixels that is fruity, aromatic and a good pick if Argentina and Italy meet in Olympic basketball.
Pixels Malbec Syrah Ancellotta
Springfield Estates Sauvignon Blanc is called “Life from Stone”, a reference to the incredibly rocky vineyards at the estate, and seems symbolic of the challenges athletes overcome to reach the Games. It’s also delicious, a refreshing wine with guava and passionfruit aroma, a slight chalkiness and lime character at the finish. (Those who prefer red wine can try the Bordeaux-style red called “The Work of Time.”)
The work of Time
Speaking of challenges, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape, a thin-skinned variety vulnerable to temperature shifts, vineyard disease, excess sun and more. You need the endurance of a marathon runner to deal with this one. Check out Seaside Pinot Noir from Marlborough in New Zealand, a dry fresh wine with ripe fruit and touches of chocolate, earth and smoke.
Tussock Jumper Pinot Noir（750ml）
We recently covered the CHEERS range of Rieslings, available at a discount all this month. And this week, we introduced CHEERS’ newest wine, a Prosecco Rose. So, let’s finish with a trio of beers from Appenzeller in Switzerland.
Tussock Jumper Prosecco Rose
Appenzeller Beer
For spicy fans, the Ginger Beer has tastebud-tingling zing. For sweets fans, the Mielfiore, which means “honey flower”, hits the spot with honey and without being cloying. And for those who have to work, Bschorle is a non-alcohol fruit beer made with 17 apple and 11 pear varieties. It’s a true champion when it comes to flavor performance.