Champagne, Wine, and Chocolate. Perfection.

The sound of a Champagne cork popping is the perfect complement to any celebration. Toast the holidays and ring in 2013 with Barefoot Bubbly – the perfect accompaniment to all your holiday festivities. Looking for a classic champagne? Try the Brut Cuvée ($10), crisp with hints of green apple and jasmine.

For a deliciously different wine experience, try ChocolatRouge ($11), a new wine that combines the perfect pairing of red wine and chocolate in one bottle. It comes in three flavors: award-winning ChocolatRouge Milk Chocolate, Sweet Red, and Dark Red.

For a festive and delicious addition to the holiday table this year try The Naked Grape's Harvest Red Blend ($9). This wine is juicy red with rich notes of raspberry and plum - the blend brings together a variety of red grapes, including Merlot and Tempranillo, to highlight the ripest fruit flavors. It’s also budget friendly, fresh, and great for the harvest season!

So, whether you prefer a wine that’s more classic or one that is more daring and has a sense of (sweet) humor, you need look no further. Enjoy—and please remember to drink and serve responsibly.

 

http://www.thenakedgrapewine.com/

 

http://www.barefootwine.com/

Festive Wines and a Beautiful Gift Basket

 

Francis Ford Coppola Winery's 2012 holiday gift basket is back and more decadent than ever. It's a tongue-tingling, heartwarming, nostalgic package of goodies that makes a thoughtful gift for holiday party hosts, clients, friends, family and all wine and chocolate lovers. The basket is available onlineand includes:

· A bottle of Francis Ford Coppola Winery's Diamond Claret

· A bottle of Francis Ford Coppola Winery's new Diamond Red Blend

· A box of holiday treats: chocolate covered cherries, pistachios, salted almonds, holiday jelly beans

· The Night Before Christmas book

· A mason jar containing a winter scene: a funky snow globe-style addition to classic holiday decorations

 

 

Diamond Claret

A full-bodied and delicious red blend to welcome crisp weather and savory fall foods, such as roasted poultry and game, savory mushrooms and hearty squashes. And beautifully presented.

About Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Francis puts it best, saying the winery is “a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life – food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. “A place to celebrate the love of life.” Among the many unique attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features wine tasting, two restaurants, a swimming pool and a movie gallery.

www.FrancisCoppolaWinery.com

Remember, please drink and serve responsibly.

Another Delectable Coppola Production

The time of year is perfect to discover the delightful and wines of Francis Ford Coppola Winery. May we suggest:

Diamond Chardonnay: The classic California Chardonnay offers depth, richness, distinctive spice notes and a smooth, creamy texture. It pairs well with Fettuccine Alfredo, orange chicken, and pork tenderloin with peaches: an ideal white wine to make the transition from summer fruits to fall flavors. SRP: $16

Votre Santé Pinot Noir: A wine with light, elegant texture perfect for pairing with light meats and fall pasta dishes. Intriguing aromatics of incense, cinnamon and tea leaves are followed by bright, lively flavors of red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, earthy minerals and cloves: a feast of fall’s sweet spices. SRP: $14

Diamond Claret: A full-bodied and delicious red blend to welcome crisp weather and savory fall foods, such as roasted poultry and game, savory mushrooms and hearty squashes. SRP: $18

Also try the their new Diamond Red Blend, a very delicious balance of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot.

http://www.franciscoppolawinery.com/wine

Please always serve and drink responsibly.

 

Affordable Wines that are Music to Your Palate

 Steve Reeder (left) and musician Dave Matthews (right) share a passion for making wine at least as strong as their fervor for drinking it. Based in the lush wine region of California, Dreaming Tree Wines vows to make quality wines accessible to everyone.

As their website says, they make wines for people to drink; not for people to put in their cellars.

 Their wines include: Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Crush-- a Red Blend, of which Steve says:

"For Crush, Dave and I hand-selected a special blend of our favorite varieties to create a red wine that pulls you in with notes of smoky berry and a pop of raspberry jam. Around the dinner table or out on the patio, it’s a wine you’re going to want to share with your favorite people.” 

The Chardonnay is crisp, light (but with personality) and dry.

And here's a toast to Dodger and Moose!

http://www.dreamingtreewines.com/?month=7&day=31&year=1979&x=85&y=15

Remember, always drink and serve responsibly.

A Family of Friendly Wines, Fluent in French

Clos du Bois wines are not just affordable, they are immensely enjoyable. For example, the North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon begins with Blackberry and vanilla smokey aromas and then segues into deeper notes of Black Cherry and Roasted Coffee that add up to a sophisticated full-bodied red.

 Prefer white? Try the crisp California Pinot Grigio  with the snap of freshly-washed linen fluttering in the sunlight.

"Made in America. Fluent in French." is more than their slogan. It describes the very essence of these delightfully fluent wines.

Lovely to Look at, Delightful to Drink

Barefoot Bubbly Pink Moscato has  delightful fragrant aroma of fresh berries; candied cherries and sweet citrus compliment the creamy, lingering finish. Serve it as an aperitif, or with appetizers, spicy cuisine and sweets. This lovely looking champagne is attractively priced at $10 for a 750ml bottle. Toast the holidays in style while being frugal. Only your good taste will show.

http://www.barefootwine.com/

Remember to drink and serve responsibly.

Remember the Alamos

Perhaps you would like to try a wine from Argentina? May we suggest the Alamos Malbec or the Cabernet Sauvignon? Or the crisp Torrontes? If you are on the lookout for wines that are affordable and fine tasting consider Alamos. The vines grow in some of the highest mountains in the world and higher altitudes help forge richer more intense wines.

 http://www.alamoswines.com

Enjoy and please remember to always drink and serve responsibly.

Clos Du Bois

Time for a little wine. Clos du Bois offers a very nice selection of affordable wines that make a nice addition to your everyday meals. And since the variety and taste are very good, indeed, you will will feel comfortable serving choices from their list including Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec or Merlot as well as a California Riesling that we found particularly agreeable.

As their website says, "Made in California. Fluent in French."

http://closdubois.com/

Enjoy. And remember to always drink and serve responsibly.

The Summer Side of Appleton Estate

It's the time of year when it is still warm to hot but with a hint of cooler weather to come. Appleton Estate Rum makes a refreshing drink for any season.

Here are a few Summer-into-Autumn cocktails to make while you wait for the Hot Buttered Rum Season. Remember? Snow? Cold? Freezing? Snow?

Appleton Reserve Fix                                                                                                                 

6-8 Mint leaves

½ oz Lemon juice (or 3 muddled lemon quarters)                                                                   

¼ oz Grand Marnier

¼ oz Simple syrup

½ oz Pomegranate grenadine

2 oz Appleton Estate Reserve

Garnish: Mint sprig

Glass: Dbl old fashioned

Ice: Crushed ice

Preparation:

Add all ingredients into your shaker by order of the recipe. Add one to two Kold Draft cubes and shake. Strain ingredients into your glass and top with crushed ice till over flowing. Garnish with fragrant beautiful mint sprigs

Shake Down Highball

Muddled fresh berries

.5 Lemon juice

.75 Ginger agave nectar

2oz Appleton Estate Reserve

Top with soda                                                                                                                         

Garnish: 2 raspberries & 1 blackberry on a pick

Glass: Highball

Ice: Kold Draft or cubed ice

The Jamaicanite

1/2oz Lemon juice

Pink grapefruit ½ wheel

3/4oz Honey syrup (2-1 honey to water)

2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

2 oz Appleton Estate Reserve

Please drink and serve responsibly.

http://www.appletonestate.com/

A Wine for Every Day

Clos du Bois, from Sonoma, are affordable, stylish, luxury wines, including Chardonnay and a wide selection of varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, perfect for home entertaining, hostess gifts, picnics or for a night out. Winemaker Gary Sitton is passionate about crafting wines that capture the seemingly unlimited array of flavors and aromas that Sonoma County has to offer; his passion is reflected in every bottle of Closdu Bois.

Priced between $11.99 and $14.99 a bottle, these wines are not only wonderfully tasting, they are eminently affordable. Each makes the perfect companion to a variety of foods.

 

http://closdubois.com

Please remember to always drink and serve responsibly.

Sake Sangria? A Delicious Surprise

Craving Sangria? How about a different take on this refreshing pitcher-friendly drink that counts variety as its main ingredient. Traditionally made with Rioja as the base and nuanced with citrus, strawberries or any other fruit, there have been many variations, including rum, brandy or even vodka. So, why not try a Sake twist? Gekkeikan sakes and plum wines are light, not sweetened and all natural making them an ideal base for sangria. Sake Sangria also pairs well not only with Asian foods but any fare. Here are a few recipes to get you in the mood:

Peach and Plum Sake Sangria

28 oz Gekkikan Sake

14 oz Kobai Plum Wine

2 Fresh Peaches, sliced

2 Fresh Plums, sliced

2 oz Soda Water

Muddle the fruit, add the sake and plum wine and let infuse. Add ice and stir well. Top with soda water.

Summer Sake Sangria

24 oz Gekkeikan Sake

12 oz Gekkeikan Plum Wine

¾ cup fresh watermelon, cubed

1¼ cups fresh honeydew melon, cubed

Muddle ½ cup watermelon with 1 cup honeydew melon. Add the sake and plum wine and let infuse. Add the remainder of the melon, ice and stir well. Top with ginger ale.

Sake Berry Punch

32 oz Gekkeikan Sake

½ cup fresh blueberries

½ cup fresh raspberries

1 bunch fresh mint leaves

4oz simple syrup

1oz ginger ale

Lightly muddle the berries, mint and simple syrup. Add the sake and let infuse. Add ice, stir and top with ginger ale.

For more about  Gekkeikan Sake visit:       http://www.gekkeikan-sake.com/home.cfm

Remember: Always serve and drink responsibly.

English Rose in a Champagne Flute

The Drambuie English Rose Cocktail, created in honor of Kate and named for the key ingredient, rosewater. The feature liqueur is Drambuie - a historical Scottish liqueur named the legendary Bonnie Prince Charlie - which is deeply woven into the fabric of Scottish and British history.

This champagne cocktail, the drink most associated with celebration, is perfect for any celebration.
The Drambuie English Rose Cocktail

In a Champagne flute, add:




1 Sugar Cube
3 drops Orange Bitters
1 oz. DRAMBUIE

Slowly top with:
4 oz. chilled Blanc de Noirs Champagne
Splash Campari
3 drops Rosewater

Garnish with a thinly-sliced strawberry fanned and floated on top.

Sip languorously and please remember to serve and drink responsibly.

http://www.drambuie.com/

Bring out the Bubbly

Spring's actual arrival may have been much later than the calendar's proclamation but finally, things seem to be warming up. Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvee is a sparkling way to toast anything special or anything else. Sip it chilled as it is or mix to make light-hearted concoctions like Mimosas.

This is a charming bubbly that you won't want (or need) to save for infrequent celebrations. Pop open a bottle and enjoy! After all, it will soon be summer, and then autumn and then winter, and then....


http://www.barefootwine.com/our-wines/overview/bubbly/BrutCuvee.html


Please remember to drink and serve responsibly.

Wines from Portugal

The time has come to think again about wines from Portugal. Esporão is offering you something truly different-- a Portuguese sparkling rosé wine. Esporão is a Portuguese wine and olive oil company producing wines from native Portuguese varieties. They produce Portugal’s leading red wine and their Reserva Red wine sets the standard for Portugal’s southern Alentejo region.


The sparkling rosé is new (blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah, traditional method vinification).

The new vintages of their core Reserva wines have also changed. Each vintage of these labels feature the work of a Portuguese artist and the new labels feature works by Joana Vasconcelos.

These wines make a perfect accompaniment to meals or are delicious and smooth just on their own. on their own

And, something else tempting to anticipate-- they have a new property in the Douro whose wines will be released in a few months.
 http://www.esporao.com/

Remember, always drink and serve responsibly.

Hot Buttered Rum

How about a nostalgic, warm cocktail during these cold winter nights?  Consider Hot Buttered Rum made with  Appleton Estate Reserve Jamaica Rum:

Base: Brown Sugar
Butter
Pinch of Salt
Fresh apple cider
Fresh extracted ginger juice
Nutmeg, Allspice
Using 2 tbsp prepared cocktail base, add:
2.0 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve,  6.0 oz. of hot water, Cinnamon                                                                          

Or go a different route and try:

The Presidential Seal


1.5 oz Appleton Estate Reserve
.75 oz Carpano Antica
.75 oz Aperol
Dash of whiskey barrel aged bitters

or

The Oval Office

2 oz Appleton Estate Reserve
1 oz Demerara syrup
1 oz fresh lime juice
.5 Pomm wonderful
1 spoonful maraschino liquor
1 blackberry

http://www.appletonestate.com/

Please drink and serve responsibly.

Wines to Enjoy

No matter where you are in a relationship, or not, Valentine’s Day is all about a celebration of love. Consider these delicious yet affordable wines - blended twists on varietal favorites:

· For the serious duo…make your statement with Apothic Red ($14), a blend of Merlot, spicy Zinfandel and lush Syrah. We've written about this delight before and now we are writing about it again. It is very nice.

· Want to keep it  lighthearted? Try Barefoot Wine’s newest release, Sweet Red ($7), a deliciously sweet blend of Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Grenache and Petite Sirah. Make the bottle your Valentine! Tie a note to the necker asking your special someone “Will you be my Sweet Red?” This is also worth another mention. A sweetly (but not too sweet and never cloying) enjoyable wine.

· For the eclectic couple… say, “I love you” with Bear Flag Wine’s new big, bold Dark Red blend ($9), with a wild label to match.

And, no one says you can't just have a glass with friends or just by yourself. Enjoy!

Always remember to please drink and serve responsibly.

Sparkling, Festive and Affordable

When you think of any celebration, you might hear the sounds of  Champagne corks popping. While others may point out what are the most expensive champagnes, (a nice superlative if you just want to read about bubbly hyperboles), we would like to turn your attention to more affordable (and just as enjoyable) sparkling wines.

Barefoot Bubbly, the recipient of a myriad of awards for sparkling wine for under $20, offers five sparkling wines to suit a broad range of preferences listed below, from driest to a sweeter taste profile:

Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée - your classic champagne; crisp with hints of green apple

Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry - aromas of ripe yellow apples complementing the creamy texture

Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio Champagne - flavors of citrus and yellow apple

Barefoot Bubbly Rosé Cuvée - aromas of peach and strawberry

Barefoot Bubbly Moscato Spumante - sweet with flavors of mandarin orange

But the best part is that all these Barefoot Bubbly choices are affordably priced at $10 a bottle - so you can have a variety on hand for any celebration or just for the fun of it.

Remember to always serve and drink responsibly 

http://www.barefootwine.com/

Autumnal Cocktails

Caramel Apple

Sleepy Hollow

Two Cool-Season Cocktails from Kanon Organic Vodka

Sleepy Hollow: 

2 oz Kanon Organic Vodka

1 oz White Crème de Cacao

½ oz Half and Half

½ oz Dark Crème de Cacao

Pumpkin Spice Cocoa Powder (see recipe below)

simple syrup

In a plate with a diameter larger than a martini glass pour in enough simple syrup to coat the rim and dip the rim of the glass into the syrup.  Wipe the excess off the outside of the glass with a damp cloth.  Allow the syrup to drip down into the glass.  Put the cocoa powder mixture in a deep dish and coat the rim of the glass with the powder.  Add more powder to the center of the glass and rotate the glass so that all the syrup drippings get coated as well.  Dump out the excess cocoa powder mixture and set the glass aside.

 Add the Kanon Organic Vodka, half and half, and white crème de cacao to a mixing glass, add a few ice cubes and shake.  Strain the mixture into the martini glass allowing the cocoa powder to draw in from the sides along the surface of the cocktail.  Slowly drizzle in the dark crème de cacao so there is a layer on the bottom of the glass. 

Pumpkin Spice Cocoa Powder:  Add 1 tsp of dried pumpkin spice mix to ¼ cup of cocoa powder.

Caramel Apple: 

2 oz Kanon Organic Vodka

½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice

¾ oz Berentzen Apple Liqueur

¾ oz Caramel Syrup (see recipe below)

Cinnamon Sugar (see recipe below)

Put the caramel syrup in a plate with a diameter larger than the martini glass.  Lightly dip the rim of the glass in the simple syrup.  Wipe off any excess from the outside of the glass with a damp cloth.  Hold the glass upside down to allow any excess to drip off.  Then dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar (for a crystalline effect allow it to sit over night…it will look like rock candy).  Add all the other ingredients to a mixing glass add in a few ice cubes and shake vigorously.  Strain into the cinnamon sugar rimmed martini glass and garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.

Cinnamon Sugar:  Add ½ tsp ground cinnamon to a ½ cup of granulated sugar.

Caramel Syrup:  Place 2 cups sugar in a heavy bottom saucepan; add enough water to make it look like wet sand.  Heat on medium heat until the mixture turns a medium amber color.  Remove from heat and add 2 cups of room temperature water and stir until all the sugar is dissolved.  Allow it to cool completely to room temperature.  Slice a green apple and soak the slices in the caramel syrup for at least one hour.

Enjoy and always drink and serve responsibly. 

 http://www.kanonvodka.com/

Four For Dinner, or Lunch, or Supper, or Brunch, or...

Here are two delightful, uncomplicated wines to have with any meal any time you feel like it. California-based The Naked Grape launched this Fall with four easy-to-enjoy wines: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied, rich red with flavors of black cherry and blueberry. The Ponot Grigio is a crisp white wine with the aromas of pear, lemon and honey while the Chardonnay is a smooth white wine with aromas of pineapple and peach. The lush Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied with the fragrance of plush blackberries.

 These are wines that need no rules and since they are priced at around $9.00 a bottle, neither do you. Enjoy!

www.theNakedGrapeWine.com

Remember--always drink and serve responsibly.

Redwood Creek Malbec

Redwood Creek's Malbec is a delightful red wine perfect for the approaching cooler weather. This medium-bodied wine is bursting with the lush flavors of black cherry, blueberry and dark blackberry fruit, with hints of brown spice and maple after notes. Malbec is a California wine with historic roots in Argentina and can stand up to chowing down by the campfire or dining at a well-appointed table. And at about $6.99-$12.99 for a 750-ml or 1.5-liter bottle, the price is nice and smooth as well.

http://www.redwoodcreek.com/