This week we are highlighting one of our newest editions to Organic Alley, Thatcher's Organic Artisan Liqueurs. Thatcher's Organics founder Dave, stopped by Liquor Mart last week to do an employee tasting with our staff and a mini interview. We are very impressed with Thatcher's new line of artisan liqueurs and are very excited to share them with you. In this post you will get to read a mini interview with Dave, the founder and master distiller of Thatcher's, and I will showcase a couple of my personal favorites from his new line of liqueurs.

Interview with Dave, master distiller and founder of Thatcher's Organic Artisan Liqueurs:

1. Where did the idea to create Thatcher's Organics come from?

Dave- First, I wanted to do something which has never been done before, second, I believe and others support that the best fruits, veggies, and botanicals come from organic farms. Third, too many liqueurs have a lot of sugar or use the lab to create their liquids. I start with the bounty of the harvest and craft my liqueurs from there.

2. Where do your ingredients come from?

Dave- All over the world. Italy, France, California, Washington, Maine, Michigan, Brazil, Kentucky, Canada, Central America, and a host of others. It is pretty fun on the sourcing side as we have some great people who are dedicated organic.

3. Do you use sustainable practices?

Dave- Yes, we have non-bleached boxes, very lightweight glass to reduce shipping costs, and waste nothing at it is recycled at the distillery.

4. When was Thatcher's Organics created?

Dave- I started it in March 2008 and took the first 13 months to figure out how to source then craft the liqueurs. I launched April 2009 and have been growing pretty fast ever since. It has been a pretty wild ride.

5. Does Thatcher's give to any charities or environmental organizations?

Dave- Yes and I am thrilled to be a part of 1% for the Planet with other like minded companies such as Fat Tire and Patagonia. We donate 1% of our revenue to great causes. I love it!

6. We love the design of the bottles, what was the idea behind the concept?

Dave- I believe in simple yet purposeful design, clean lines, show the fruit/veggie/botanical and describe what you can make with it on the front label. People want to know what they should do with a Cucumber liqueur and to have us say great in a martini just makes it easier for everybody.

7. What can people look forward to when tasting Thatcher's artisan organic liqueurs?

Dave- In all my expressions you will get great aromatics, forward flavor and a very clean finish. By only using USDA certified organic ingredients you will enjoy a great cocktail at nature intended. We like to say "We make one Mother nature of a cocktail."

                                 CORK      VS.    SCREWCAP (Stelvin Closure)

                          

Organic Wine

What Defines a Certfied Organic Wine?  

Made with Organic Grapes:  

• Grapes have been grown in accordance to the organic standards established by the USDA's National Organic Program.  
• The wine has been produced and bottled in a certified organic facility.  
• No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides are used in the vineyards.
• Sulfite content must not exceed 100 ppm.

Organic Wine:  

• Grown, produced and bottled as above.  
• No sulfites have been added during the winemaking process.  
• Must contain under 20 ppm sulfites.  
• Naturally occurring sulfites may be produced during the fermentation process so although wines labeled 'organic wine' have no added sulfites, sulfites may still be detected.

99.99% Organic:  

• Because wines made with organic grapes must contain less than 100 ppm sulfites (translating to 0.01 percent), the final product has to be and actually is 99.99 % (or more) organic grapes and 0.01% (or less) sulfites.
• Wines made with organic grapes are required to be virtually 100% organic and can't use the USDA organic seal. 

SULFITES:  

WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT DO THEY DO?  

What are sulfites?  

• Sulfites, or sulfur dioxide (SO2), are the salts of sulfurous acids. They are a commonly used preservative found in foods, alcoholic drinks and even medications. Sulfites occur naturally in table and wine grapes, as well as in all fermented foods and beverages. Sulfites have both fungicidal and antioxidant properties.  

Why are they used in the making of wine?  

• Winemakers have historically added sulfur dioxide to wine to help protect against damage to the wine by oxygen. It has been part of the craft of winemaking, much like yeast is used for bread. After the grapes are harvested and crushed, sulfur dioxide is used to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and wild yeasts... as well as to prevent spoilage or oxidation in the final wine. Sulfites are also naturally-produced during the fermentation process of winemaking.  

How do wines made with organic grapes differ from conventional wines?

• Conventional wines in the United States are permitted to contain sulfite levels up to 350 parts per million (ppm). Wines made with certified organic grapes are required by the USDA's National Organic Program to contain no more than 100 ppm.

Information Provided by Organic Vintners at www.organicvintners.com   

For more information regarding the Federal Regulations please visit http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html and more specifically at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_07/7cfr205_07.html 

NEW RELEASE!

ORWIN SWIFT MACHETE

Many of you are familiar with Orin Swift's "The Prisoner" which has gone from a small-batch cult wine to a nationwide phenomenon. Some of you might have been lucky enough to snag a bottle of his super-limited production 2009 Southern French inspired Red Blend called Abstract. We are lucky enough to have a few cases of Orin Swift's newest label Machete. Don't miss out on tasting this delicious addition to the Orin Swift line-up.  

Like Abstract, Machete is the product of Dave Phinney's love affair with the Pyrénées-Orientales region of Southern France. Abstract being the feminine seductive soft blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Syrah; whereas, Machete is the brooding masculine chewy red dominated by Petite Sirah with a backbone of Syrah and Grenache. Machete like Abstract is a super-limited production wine sourced from Dave's favorite vineyards of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino.  

2009 Machete, $40.99  

"Beautiful notes of just picked warm, ripe blackberry with licorice and cedar box on the nose. The wine is structured and complex, saturated with smoky, dark, ripe brambly black fruit. It is bright and brooding, rich and powerful showcasing the intensity of Petite Sirah, the elegance and complexity of Grenache with the seriousness of cool climate Syrah." - Dave Phinney