Cognac is meant to be sipped. Savored. Perhaps enjoyed in a cocktail. And while it’s been said that cognac is God’s great gift to sophisticated spirit lovers, I’m also fairly sure he never meant for one man to visit the four biggest cognac makers in the world over two days. Jesus, I feel like a Rolling Stones song.

Baby, I’m shattered.

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The Regulatory Council for the Campo de Borja wine region in Spain hosted a tasting last week at the W Hotel on Union Square in the Big Apple. Of course I was there -- after all, everyone knows that the Regulatory Council for the Campo de Borja wine region throws bitchin' parties. Plus, I wouldn't pass on the chance to hang out again with legendary wine critic Jose Penin, the world's foremost authority on Spanish vino.

The idea behind the event was to promote Campo de Borja as "The Kingdom of Garnacha," the grape varietal perhaps better known by its French name, Grenache. (Of course, I don't recommend ever using the word Grenache around Spaniards unless you're looking for a fight... they can get testy about it.)

Most of the young red wines I sampled were made exclusively from garnacha, or blended with a little tempranillo, merlot, syrah and/or cabernet sauvignon. They're big on fruit flavor, high in alcohol content and light on the tannins. One standout was the 2006 Fagus from Bodegas Aragonesas, a relatively new winery held in very high esteem by the likes of Penin and other wine experts. This wine has charisma. One sip, and I my taste buds were at attention. Red berries jumped out, but then I picked up some delicious mocha flavor on the back end. I imagine the Fagus would pair perfectly with a flat iron steak and some onion risotto. Okay, now I'm drooling a bit.

Another bottle I dug something proper was a 2005 Pago de Huechaseca from Bodegas Bordeje, a family winery that's been at it since 1770. The Pago de Huechaseca ($32) is made up of 40% tempranillo, 35% cabernet sauvignon and 25% merlot. So much for the Kingdom of Garnacha, right? It's a little tight, but you can sense big things to come. Stateside, it's only available in NYC. Sorry, Kansas!

For more about this exciting wine region, visit www.campodeborja.com

Friends, we're going to have a little chat about gin this week. Partly because gin is the least understood bottle in the bar, and it's partly because it's one of the most subtle and beguiling spirits available. But it's mainly because your friendly neighborhood Imbiber has just returned from the soggy shores of England, where the stuff gets consumed like it's stupidity and you're watching The Hills. I spent a whole lot of time soaking it in with the folks who understand it best, and am ready to pass on the benefits to you without the attendant liver damage.

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