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.