Monday 30 March 2020

Drinkables


My poor traditional person had run out of tsipouro (raki/grappa) and was getting fidgety.  Fortunately after some phone calls to a trusted friend he has found a supply that is guaranteed to be  drinkable.  But when isn't it?  I am not sure of the answer to that but we do have a bottle on our shelves which apparently is not drinkable.  I am allowed to use it to make a sweet liqueur.  

In the photo he is taking possession of the liquid gold, both of them keeping their distance even though raki drinkers are not supposed to be at risk.  That also holds for garlic eaters and people who gargle with vinegar says the fake news going around at the moment.  Garlic producers in the north are very happy.  They have sold out of this years crop.

K only buys from distillers who have proved they know their product.  There are always phone calls and discussions before he makes his final choice.  Usually there is a bit of tasting as well but that is not possible at the moment.  The raki often comes from somewhere in the colder northern area of the country or an island with a reputation for good grapes and wine.  There is always a second cousin twice removed or the koumbaros (bestman) of a neighbour who gets a secret supply from the uncle of their extensive family.  It really is who you know if you want any quality service around here.

31 comments:

  1. Great post!!!!

    But!

    Does K know, that he is so useful, on your blog??????????? >,-))))))) Betcha not!!!!

    Please stay calm,
    and carry on.
    πŸ’›πŸŒ±πŸŒΈπŸŒ±πŸ’›

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    1. No way!! Fortunately he is not in the least interested...and it's in English. Don't know what I'd without him lol

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  2. At least he will be able to disinfect himself with plenty of strong alcohol now.

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  3. I enjoyed this post! And now, true confession time, when we were doing our big "shop" before hunkering down (and well before distancing / isolation rules were in place), I bought two boxes of red wine. (It's a big bag of vacuum sealed wine inside a box with a spout). We just opened the second one yesterday. Our LCBO (liquor control board of Ontario) was deemed "essential" and stays open, although with reduced hours. Canadians, I've heard, are known as beer drinkers and you can buy beer at the LCBO, as well as other liquor. -Jenn

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    1. Best way to keep wine fresh when buying in bulk. Don't know how many litres we have but it's quite a few.
      Essential for mental health

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  4. They say crazy paving isn't what its cracked up to be. I would like to sample some of that drink.

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    1. Ha ha.
      I'd invite you for a tipple but you can't, so there. It's good for the stomach whether taken internally or rubbed on, but you won't finding anyone using it as a rub around here

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  5. Surprising what people can convince themselves of when they want to isn't it!

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  6. I hope he enjoys his grappa. Have you got a bottle of your favourite tipple tucked away?
    Sad to say that the strongest drink I have is coffee and tea not through virtue, simply because they don't leave me with a migraine.

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    1. I have a few litres of red wine. A glass a day keeps the doctor away. So far

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  7. Home deliveries are the new normal

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    1. And non essential has become most essential

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  8. Here it is called Arak and some people use it for "medical" needs like toothache and more.

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    1. Thank you Yael, I had forgotten the word Arak. I bet all the Mediterranean make it and use it either to drink or as medicine.
      It always used to be a strong medicine here but the last few years has come into fashion as a drink

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  9. i've never heard of it but I will have to look it up. Garlic has been quite expensive here, we've been using it more and more in our cooking lately.

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    1. Strong stuff distilled from the stalks and leftovers of the grape press. Drink with caution

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  10. I told hubby he has to learn how to make it. All the oldies are disappearing and we won’t be able to access it anymore
    My kids would always ask for a little if they felt a sore throat coming on. Fixed it right away with a quick gargle

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    1. All he needs is YouTube with instructions on how to make the still and distill the brew, and a crowd of male friends....oh and you to provide a few mezedes!

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  11. Tell Traditional Guy that I am happy he managed to track down his alcohol. Some things in life are absolute essentials :) xx

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    1. He will be pleased to know someone, besides his drinking friends, agree with him

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  12. One more problem solved. I still have a few bottles of the white left.

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  13. I have bottles of Plum Eau de Vie, and Pear Eau de Vie. I drink neither, as I find them far too strong, and headache inducing; but it's comforting to have them in the house. They are both illegally made (of course).

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    1. Those fruit flavoured ones are quite enjoyable, though still darn strong. A Serbian family member brought us some pear grappa and it was drinkable. I prefer vodka

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    2. It's illegal here too to distill your own but as the law was only just passed it will need another 50 years to be 'actual law'

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  14. Boxed wine is called "cask" wine in Australia. The youngsters call it Goon and won't drink it. I believe the cask bladder was invented in Australia in the 70's and back in the day we all used to drink cask wine cos bottled wine was too expensive. Garlic is good for enforcing social distancing.....not much good against COVID19.

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  15. Cask wine keeps the wine fresher for longer ! My wine expert says so and that is that. You spoilt Aussies!

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  16. Well I hope it was drinkable! lol

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