If you haven’t noticed, there is a lot of new stuff in our Liquor Department.

(Savvy shoppers might have noticed the 50% off markdown bins/carts in many stores with discontinued wines – like one of my faves, Wrongo Dongo.)

I had an early sneak peek of what would be in store, including the challenge to develop new cocktails based on three new vodka varieties: Absolut Berri Acai – a blend of pomegranate, blueberry and acai berry; Three Olives Bubble – vodka that smells and tastes just like bubble gum; and Skyy Ginger Vodka – just as the name describes.

The ginger vodka was my favorite just for its sheer versatility – and the fact that I have a rather ridiculous ginger problem. You can use it to make drinks sweet (Apple Gingersnap) or savory (like a Thai Cooler I made with lemongrass and coconut milk).

The acai berry vodka was a little more tricky. The blueberry flavor/aroma is very strong – and you have to find just the right thing to pair with it. I find this is pretty typical of Absolut, which always has very intense flavors in its flavored vodka. My favorite way to have was just mixed with Raley’s Sparkling Sicilian Lemon Soda that was on my counter. :D

The bubble gum vodka was my biggest challenge, because you want to keep the bubble gum flavor that makes it so cool, but I think this is a great one for get-togethers (especially warm weather.) From this one, I made two drinks inspired by bubble gum flavors – watermelon and sour apple – and my favorite, a twist on a caipiroska with lime juice and a little sugar.

But since this is the wine club..I also picked up a pair of albariños on the weekend. As I’ve said before, I’m a big fan of those zingy, zesty New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, and I’ve been a fan of albariños, which have a similar “woosh” of tart flavor, for some years.

Albariño, by the way, is a Spanish grape that makes a light- to medium-bodied white wine, a bit like a dry – not sweet – Riesling. I tried the Paco and Lola, which comes in a super cool bottle. Definitely zingy, with really bright apricot and apple flavors.  I partnered mine with a spicy Caribbean black bean soup recipe to help cool the spice. I think it would be outstanding with seafood.

It’s on sale right now, but at $15, you may find the price a little more than you want to pay to “experiment” with a new wine.

No problem – ease your way into it for under $10 with the Spanish Quarter Chardonnay Albariño Blend. The Chardonnay gives the wine a lusher mouthfeel, and more creamy richness, tonng those tart albariño qualities down some. It would also go well with seafood, as well as chicken and probably a risotto.

My goal is to try a new wine/spirit every week and report back to you – cheers!