Quarry Wine & Spirits Pours Taste

is diverse.

The boutique-like shop not only carries wines, but brew and spirits as well.

On Friday, Tim Shriver of Prestige Beverages offered tastes of Etalon vodka—straight up or with cranberry, lime or ice.

It has a very smooth, not bitter, taste.

There were also samples of Maryland brews available. And on Saturday evening, the shop offered wine samples.

On Friday, Shriver described the vodka. It's made from a Russian recipe of wheat and water and is filtered 12-14 times, he said.

And he discussed martinis.

Martinis are generally prepared with 1/2 ounce vodka and 1/2 ounce vermouth, he said. But if you were Winston Churchill, you'd prefer a cold gin martini.

Which vermouth does Shriver recommend? Dolin—a certified French brand.

—six for $60—are held at Quarry Wine & Spirits, 2628 Quarry Lake Drive, from 2-6 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, call the shop at 410-486-9463.

In your opinion what's the best vodka, vermouth or martini? Tell us in the comments!