Tastemakers: Alpine Chocolate Haus

Feb. 10, 2008

From: ads3@northernexpress.com
Subject: taste
Date: February 8, 2008 1:29:30 PM EST
To: lynn@northernexpress.com

Alpine Chocolat Haus
Sure, it has become cliché, but chocolates are truly the best gift to give
for one’s heart on Valentine’s Day. Research shows that a small bar of
dark chocolate every day is good for your heart; it lowers blood pressure
and bad cholesterol. Dark chocolate has eight times the amount of
antioxidants of such fruits as strawberries (dip the berries in chocolate
for double the health benefits).
Northern Michigan is blessed with several chocolatiers, and among the best
is Bruce Brown who opened the Alpine Chocolat Haus in Gaylord 23 years
ago. Brown takes the approach that each piece of chocolate is a work of
art. That is why he and his staff handcraft every piece of chocolate they
produce; no two pieces look the same. The Alpine Chocolat Haus has a range
of Valentine options such as the Chocolats in a Padded Rose Fabric Box
(one pound) which has an assortment of their best chocolates.
While Brown is creating chocolate masterpieces (one must try his dark
chocolate and chips -- yes, that’s right, potato chips covered in that
very good for your heart dark chocolate), The Alpine Chocolat Haus has
made a name for themselves with their now-famous Bruce’s Caramel Corn. If
you are looking to personalize your gift, you may “build your own box or
tin” of goodies. The Alpine Chocolat Haus is located on Main Street in The
Alpine Village (Gaylord) and they ship their products all over and take
orders online at alpinechocolathaus.com, or call then at
800-835-6713.



True North Cherry Vodka

Sure, cherries are harvested in July and August in Northern Michigan, but
February is National Cherry Month. Cherries are great in just about
everything, and that includes vodka. Kent Rabish of Traverse City-based
Grand Traverse Distillery hasn’t even been open for a year and is already
producing one of the best vodkas in the world. That’s right: in the world.
At the prestigious 2007 Beverage Testing Institute’s International Review
of Spirits Competition, his True North Vodka took home a Gold Medal and
was ranked the 11th best vodka in the world, scoring a 92. This is
unbelievable for a new product, but not surprising considering the passion
distiller Kent Rabish has for his product.
True North Vodka is flying off the shelves at fine liquor stores and has
become popular at several restaurants in Northern Michigan. While Rabish
isn’t planning a full line of flavored vodkas (he believes in the infusion
process; see his website to learn how to infuse vodkas with your favorite
fruit or herbs), he decided to honor cherry country with a cherry vodka.
True North Vodka has captured the “spirit” of the region’s best-known
fruit and Rabish was successful in producing vodka without the
“coffee-medicine” effect that often results with cherry-flavored liquors.
It might have to do with the slight hints of chocolate that come through
in the finish.
Serve chilled or over rocks for sipping after dinner, or make a Cherry
Cosmopolitan. Try a True North Valentine Fizz by shaking 1 oz. True North
Cherry Vodka with 2 oz. cranberry juice or pomegranate juice over crushed
ice. Strain into a champagne flute and top with Fizz or Sex from L. Mawby
Vineyards or Cremant for a drier cocktail. Garnish with a chocolate
covered cherry.
True North Vodkas are available all over Northern Michigan and Rabish has
plans for a rye whiskey (he uses Northern Michigan rye in his vodka) and a
gin in the near future. For more info, see
www.grandtraversedistillery.com