If you’ve been driving yourself crazy searching high and low for that perfect spirit to consume before, during and/or after your next French themed, multiple person, over the top wild sex orgy, then I have great news for you. The name of this vodka, Ménage a Trois, spells it out very clearly for you. According to my Funk and Wagnall’s dictionary, ménage a trios is French for “household of three,” which is a polite way of saying that it’s a domestic arrangement in which three people having sexual relations occupy the same residence. (By the way, this really is your lucky day as these folks also produce over a dozen different wines under the Ménage a Trois label as well.) So, you just gotta ask, who in the hell are these French loving sex maniacs? Turns out that they’re not French at all – but Italian, all these sexual spirits and wines are brought to you by Trinchero Family Estates, and these folks are not your Johnny come lately types trying to make a name for themselves with outrageous marketing ploys. This family has been active in Napa Valley since 1948, and their portfolio includes more than 40 brands including Sutter Home and Newman’s Own and alcohol free Fre wine. Judging by their successful 65 year run in the wine and spirits businesses, you gotta know that they know what they’re doing.

vodka_bottle_citrus

So how did they do with their citrus flavored vodka? Let’s find out. The nose is very crisp and clean, and mostly, I get a sense of the lemon backed by the orange. There is virtually no alcohol in the aroma. On the palate, the tartness of the lemon and sweetness of the orange come front and center, backed by the lime. The taste is very natural and has layers of complexity that are quite unusual in a flavored vodka but greatly welcomed. The finish is dominated by the flavor of orange peel and lemon peel and clean and short and sweet, with absolutely no bite. On the rocks, the flavors blend together a bit more and present a delightfully citrusy palate, with an even smoother finish with more subtle flavors. By the by, this vodka makes a hell of a martini and it doesn’t need the lemon peel or orange peel garnish and all by itself is very appealing.

If you find this vodka near you, a 750 ml bottle that weighs in at 40% ABV will set you back around $31.00, and it is worth it.

 

By George Brozowski

image004