nopa: journal

Post Phylloxera: French Trinity • Comments »

We are asking a lot of you guys with this. In a way it does feel pretentious to name a cocktail something so difficult to pronounce. And doubly so when those would can manage still have no idea what is being referenced.

But there was no way around it. This is the name of the drink and the name makes sense. So we decided to share our thinking, rather than abandon the name. So here it is.

Post Phylloxera is a very common phrase in the world of wine. It is essentially the wine equivalent of BC and AD. So what is phylloxera? And how do you say it? It's a louse, or pest, that attacks grape vines. Their relentless root-gnawing block nutrients from getting to the vine. That makes it really hard to get healthy grapes. And it's pronounced, fah-lox-era.

Phylloxera is perhaps the most notorious enemy of the wine ever. As it spread through France, in the 1870's and on, reports of 60-90 % of European vineyards were wiped out. But after all of the expaining of the name and history, lest we not forget the to discuss the character of the drink. And you'll find solace in knowing it is easy to understand. If you enjoy an Old Fashioned, imagine the Post-Phylloxera as the French Trinity equivalent. Sugar, Armagnac and Pear Eau-de-vie. A Pear Old Fashioned. It tastes as good as it sounds.

Stephen Satterfield is a Manager at nopa
Posted February 16, 2012 • Filed under Spirits