Twist on a Sunday Morning Favorite!

“All you need is Love and Wine. Maybe some chocolate… and a nap. But mostly LOVE” –Anonymous

  

I hope that each of you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Chocolate and champagne make the best companions for this special day. Let’s focus on a favorite for Sunday Brunch – Mimosas!

Mimosas are a favorite at many restaurants that specialize in Sunday Brunch. As our tastes have evolved, the flavors that are paired with sparkling wines and champagnes have also become varied. No longer are Mimosas only paired with orange juice. Many variations of juices are featured.

The first thing to remember is that a Mimosa is a blended drink that features sparkling wine and/or champagne. One that I enjoy is Korbel California Champagne (www.korbel.com). This is easily accessible in almost any store that sells wine and is very reasonably priced. I prefer the Brut variety for pairing with juices.

Triple Berry Mimosa featuring Korbel Brut

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: Why can Korbel be labeled a champagne if it is produced outside of France? The Treaty of Versailles established the ownership of the Champagne label to the Champagne region of France. And while the U.S. signed the treaty, the U.S. Senate never ratified it thereby producing a loophole in the use of the title.

Korbel Champagne is produced in California. Korbel has a light taste with a hint of dryness. The beverage is made up of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard and Pinot Noir grapes. Korbel Brut has hints of citrus flavors and a very pleasant aroma. In 2015 the Brut took Gold and Silver awards in Orange County, CA and San Francisco wine competitions.

One variation on the Mimosa that I enjoy is a Triple Berry Mimos. The base features fresh squeezed orange juice combined with strawberry, raspberry and blueberry juices. Fill a champagne flute with 2/3 of the juice mixture, add a few frozen blueberries and fill the glass with Korbel Brut. As you drink the Mimosa, you can refill your glass with the remaining Korbel. Top it with a strawberry or other fruit on the rim for an added pop of color. The Korbel and juice mixture provides just the right blend of sweet and dryness to have a rich Mimosa that is not syrupy tasting.

Grab a couple of bottles of Korbel the next time that you see it at your favorite wine or grocery store. It generally starts around $11 per bottle and is a good type of everyday champagne to keep handy for brunch or any special occasion.

Be sure to send me your favorite Mimosa recipes so that we can share with the rest of the Positivevines’ followers.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Fun with Sparkling Wine!

Try something fun for the holidays!

“Don’t ever let anyone dull your sparkle” – Sally Gilchrist

  

Holiday parties are in full swing and whether you are hosting friends or want to bring a fun gift as a party favor; sparkling wines are always appreciated this time of year. Sparkling wines are a cousin to Champagne and Prosecco.

A recent sampling featured a sparkling wine called Blanc de Bleu Cuvée Mousseux by Premium Vintage cellars (www.blancdebleu.com). The wine is an effervescent blue in color as a result of blueberries that are added to Chardonnay grapes.

 

Blanc de Bleu® Cuvée Mousseux

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: Sparkling wine is made by not allowing the escape of gases created from the fermentation of sugar and yeast. The gases return into the wine and are released when you pop the cork, creating tiny bubbles. It can only be called Champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of France.

The Chardonnay grapes are harvested from Northern California in Mendocino County. Blanc de Bleu was created in 2006 as the winemakers challenged themselves to create something different. Thus the first sparkling blue wine was born! The sugar levels and alcohol content are low at 11%. It is a Brut style which is slightly dry and the hint of blueberry gives it a crisp and balanced taste.

This sparkling wine earned silver award status in 2012 at the BevStar Awards. Blanc de Bleu averages $15 per bottle at most DFW Market Street stores. Ordering online is a bit more expensive at $25 per bottle. Shop around for sales this time of year. And consider bulk ordering for special occasions. Lots of brides select this sparkling wine as their “something blue” for wedding receptions. Consider adding frozen blueberries to your wine glass for added flavor.

Grab a couple of bottles of Blanc de Bleu to take with you to your next holiday party. It’s a fun conversation starter and the wine pairs well with both appetizers and desserts.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Turkey and Wine Pairing - Part 2

Turkey and Wine Pairing – Part 2

“Some people serve red wine with Thanksgiving dinner. Some people serve white. My preference is ‘lots of’.” – Crabby Road

  

For those of you who still need to purchase a turkey, you’re running out of time! For those of you still needing to buy wine for your Thanksgiving feast, here is part 2 of the turkey and wine pairing series. In the first blog I focused on red wine pairings. For this second blog I am focusing on white wine pairings.

In one of my earlier blogs, I reviewed a Chardonnay by Josh Cellars vineyards that is a great pairing for most any poultry dish. Today’s blog will feature La Crema Chardonnay (www.lacrema.com). La Crema winery produces a wide variety of Chardonnays from various wine growing regions including Monterey, Sonoma and the Russian River valleys. We will focus on La Crema’s Chardonnay from Sonoma Valley.

La Crema Chardonnay

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: Sonoma Valley is known as the birthplace of wine production in California. Just north of San Francisco, the earliest vineyards in Sonoma survived major epidemics and prohibition.

I am a big fan of Chardonnays that have a bold taste and La Crema fits the bill. This Chardonnay has hints of citrus fruits in both the smell and taste. Customers also noted vanilla and plum flavors lingering on the palate. La Crema is aged for 5 months in French and American Oak barrels. The predominance of French Oak imparts a buttery, creamy finish. The slightly fruity sweetness lends itself well with the Turkey and Stuffing spices.  

La Crema Sonoma Chardonnay averages $16 at most stores. Many stores run specials this time of year since it is such a popular partnering with holiday meals. One hidden gem for wine sales is World Market. This surprisingly fun store frequently runs specials on La Crema wines.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family traditions and don’t be afraid to start new ones. Let me know what you think about the wine! Post to my blog or email me. I’m always thrilled to hear from wine enthusiasts.  

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Turkey and Wine Pairing - Part 1

“If food is the body of good living, wine is its soul”– Clifton Fadiman

  

6 days and counting until Turkey Day! Thanksgiving is a feast of food, family, friends and celebration for most Americans. Yes, there is controversy surrounding the day and the original participants but, for the sake of my blog I’d like to focus on the evolution of the holiday to represent the time honored tradition of eating, drinking, playing tag football and a brief rest before the shopping madness for Christmas starts.

One of the most time-honored traditions is “if it grows together, it goes together” should be taken into account when looking at pairings with Turkey and many other traditional Thanksgiving foods. For the red wine lovers in the group my focus today will be on Hahn’s Pinot Noir, an American wine from Monterey county (www.hahnwines.com).

Hahn Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a lighter varietal that pairs well with poultry and grilled meats. Hahn’s Pinot Noir has hints of cherry, strawberry and spices.

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: Pinot Noir is often compared against Cabernet Sauvignon varietals in terms of body and boldness. Pinot is much lighter and should be enjoyed within 4 to 5 years of bottling versus a Cabernet Sauvignon which can age quite well for 10 to 20 years.

The Hahn family winery Pinot Noir vineyards are located in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County. The Santa Lucia Highlands is known for having rich soil in a cooler mountainside climate.  Customers described this wine as also having a slight hint of tannins that provided a smooth balance to the fruitiness initially experienced.

Hahn’s everyday offering of Pinot Noir’s averages $14 a bottle. This makes it easy to stock up for the holidays. If you’re willing to spend a little more, Hahn has a SLH variety (Santa Lucia Highlands-remember) that starts at $40 bottle with Wine Spectator ratings of 90 and above.

Let me know what you think! Post to my blog or email me. I’m always thrilled to hear from wine enthusiasts.  I’ll be back before Thanksgiving to talk about a good Turkey pairing for the white wine lovers in the group.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

The Season of Family and Celebration

“As long as we have Wine, the Holidays will be just Fine.” – Unnamed source

  

Halloween candy is starting to get low in the plastic pumpkins and we are turning our attention to the start of the holiday season with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s Eve follow in rapid succession. What’s a Wine Lover to do when hosting family and friends with a wide variety of tastes?

Today’s blog will focus on Moscato, a sweet wine varietal that is a experiencing double digit growth in sales and adoption by wine lovers. I had the privilege of hosting a sampling of Risata’s Moscato d’Asti. This Moscato is produced using varietals from the hilly Asti region of Italy by the Prestige Wine & Spirits Group. The wine is bottled under the group brand of Risati wine (www.risatiwine.com).

The Risata Mosacato is derived 100% from Moscato Bianco di Canelli grapes. These grapes are the fourth largest variety planted in Italy and naturally lend themselves through the fermentation process to produce sparkling wines with a fun fizzy characteristic.

Risata Moscato d’Asti

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: The Muscato Bianco grape produces a wine with a lower alcohol content (5.5%) than the average wine (12-13%).

The Risata Mosacato is derived 100% from Moscato Bianco di Canelli grapes. These grapes are the fourth largest variety planted in Italy and naturally lend themselves through the fermentation process to produce sparkling wines with a fun fizzy characteristic.

The Risata Moscato d’Asti is bright colored with a hint of tangerines and honey on your palate. It is sweet without taking on the heavier qualities of dessert wines. The wine also has a fragrant scent of rose petals and fruit.

The Risata Moscato d’Asti would be well paired with cheese, fruits, traditional holiday meals and spicy dishes such as Biryani or Thai dishes. The bottle itself is a beautiful blue with the design of wine leaves. What a nice centerpiece on any dinner table! At an average price point of $13 per bottle this is an excellent value for the quality.

Let me know what you think! Post to my blog or email me. I’m always thrilled to hear from wine enthusiasts. And remember to enjoy your holidays. Slow down, put family and friends first and embrace every moment!

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Smooth and Easy Merlot for Fall

Welcome to the Fall Wine Lovers!

“Celebrate Fall. Put on your Favorite sweater and cozy up with a glass of wine.”

        – Wine Wednesday Rule #66

Wednesdays aren’t the only fall day that I like to enjoy a glass of a good wine. Fall offers us a chance to slow down just a little before the hectic pace of the holiday season. Summer generally calls for lighter wines such as a Sauvignon Blanc and winters favor hearty Cabernet Sauvignons. 

I find that the cooler fall nights as well as my favorite pastime – watching football – are well suited for a lighter red varietal grape in the Merlot. Today’s blog will feature the smooth and well rounded Sandstone Lot Merlot from Wente Vineyards (www.wentevinyards.com). 

Wente Sandstone Lot Merlot 2012

Wente Vineyards is a fifth generation family owned Vineyard and Winery established in 1883 in Livermore Valley (Livermore, California). With over 130 acres Wente produces wine using sustainable farming practices. Karl D. Wente leads the vineyard as the primary winemaker. 

The 2012 Sandstone Lot Merlot that I recently demonstrated exhibits aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum. This Merlot was aged for 16 months in neutral French and American oak to provide a hint of toasted oak flavor as the wine settles on your palate.  The Sandstone lot Merlot doesn’t impart heavy tannins which make it an easy red wine to savor.

PositiveVines ‘HelpfulTip: The Merlot grape originated in the Bordeaux region of France. It is a widely planted and early harvested dark red grape that is hard to categorize. Merlot grapes can be used alone or in a variety of red wine blends.

The Sandstone Lot Merlot would be well paired with a variety of fall foods. Chili blends, pork and chicken are a few that come to mind. At $13USD per bottle the Sandstone Lot Merlot is at a great price point to pick up a couple of bottles today and enjoy for the weekend.

Let me know what you think! Post to my blog or email me. I’m always thrilled to hear from wine enthusiasts.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

Summer Heat calls for a light Sauvignon Blanc

Hello PostiveVines followers! I’m back to share more about great wines and spirits. Summer is one of my favorite times of year and I’ve been out and about on short trips sharing new wines at tastings across Texas.

When the temperature climbs above 95º, most of us slow down and find a smooth refreshing drink.  Sauvignon Blanc is a great summer varietal that I enjoy serving. This varietal started in the South West Region of France and is also widely grown in the US and New Zealand. Today I will focus on a Sauvignon Blanc from Bogle Vineyards. This California wine producing family focuses on sustainable farming practices. They produce high quality wines at wallet friendly prices.

PositiveVines’ Helpful Tip:  The Sauvignon Blanc varietal probably got its name from two French words – Sauvage (meaning wild) and Blan (meaning white).This green-skinned grape was considered to be a wild vine versus one of the sought after ancient vines.

Bogel’s winemakers – Eric Aafedt and Dana Stemmler – are masters at producing wines that consistently receive high scores from wine critics. The 2012 Sauvignon Blanc that I hosted received 88 points out of 100. This ranks it as “Very Good” wine in terms of color, clarity and taste. In a future post, I’ll cover the wine scoring system and how this can provide guidance.

Bogel’s Sauvignon Blanc is a light colored wine with hints of citrus in the aroma. During a recent tasting, customers described tasting lemongrass and citrus fruits along with a little spice.

This wine is a lighter version of a dry white wine. Don’t let that scare you away if you generally like sweeter wines. Remember that there is a citrus taste to balance the dry. Bogel’s wine pairs very well with light appetizers, cheeses, salads and seafood. Bogel’s Sauvignon Blanc would be an excellent companion for picnics. Like most Sauvignon Blancs it features a twist cap which makes it portable. At $9 USD per bottle you can grab a couple of bottles of this wine to take with you.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!