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Happy Hour: Warre's Otima Port 10

partysugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:15:24 -0800

With it's warming qualities and syrup-like texture, Port is a great wintertime wine. Warre's Otima 10 Year Tawny Port ($19.99) is my new favorite. It's delightful slightly chilled after dinner. I paired it with dark chocolate, but in the future want to try it with cheese. Otima's goal is to eliminate the usual myth of port being a drink only sipped by dusty old grandmothers. The light wine has a delicate yet full-bodied, well-balanced palate and rich, amber color with reddish undertones. It tastes caramely with hints of dried fruit and nuts. With its long, lush finish and smooth, heady aroma, this award-winning wine proves that port can be contemporary, hip, and perfect for 2009.

Do you enjoy port? What's your favorite bottle?

Happy Hour: Trentadue Chocolate Amore

YumSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:15:20 -0700

Most people know that red wine pairs amazingly with dark chocolate. However, the folks at Trentadue Winery have taken the amazing combo one step further. Their Chocolate Amore ($25) combines red wine with chocolate and is really the best of both worlds. Trentadue uses the traditional port-making technique but stops fermentation in order to trap more sugar. Once the wine is done aging, the winery adds a bit of chocolate extract to enhance the flavor. It's rich and decadent and goes well over vanilla ice cream. But be warned: It's not meant to be guzzled by the glass - I think you'd end up in a dessert coma - but is meant to be enjoyed sparingly.

So tell me, are you interested in trying this wine? Have you ever had a chocolate-infused wine before?

Happy Hour: Pink Port

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:29:31 -0800

British retail giant Marks & Spencer has just launched a pink port intended to appeal to women. The wine, which is unimaginatively called Pink Port, is lighter in hue than regular port because it takes a small amount of color from the grape skins. They've decided to test this product out because many folks associate port as a man's drink - much like they wrongly assume whiskey and bourbon are for men only.

I'll admit, I'm drawn to things by their packaging, so I'm sure this would have grabbed my interest. However, unfortunately, according to Guy Woodward, editor of Decanter magazine, the wine's not worth it. He believes it was more like vodka cranberry than port and said:

I suspect they're trying to jump on the rosé bandwagon, but it tastes worryingly close to the alcopop market.

It's a bummer to hear that port marketed towards women is inferior to regular port. Do they think we won't notice if it's bad? What do you guys think? Do you think we even need our own port?

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Happy Hour: Quinta de Roriz 2004 Vintage Port

partysugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:30:12 -0700

Last week I was invited to Wine & Spirits magazine's Top 100 Wine Tasting, where I sipped plenty of lush wines and was introduced to many interesting varietals. However, the most exotic wine I tried was the 2004 Single Quinta de Roriz Vintage Port. As this smooth, subtly sweet, full-bodied wine slipped down my throat, I realized we've never featured a Port here!

Port is a dessert wine native to Portugal's Douro Valley and usually served after a meal. I'm not normally a huge fan of Port, but this wine, with its deep purple-black color and fine finish, was incredibly easy to drink. It would pair deliciously with creamy blue cheese, honey, and walnuts. A bottle would also make a wonderful hostess gift.

Happy Hour: Autumnal Equinox

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:28:33 -0700

Yesterday was the first day of fall, or autumnal equinox. This means it's just about time to put away the ice cream maker and pull out the crock-pot. If this is sad news to you, you may need a drink to help you cope. If it's great news, then you may need a drink to help you celebrate. Either way, I've got the perfect one for the occasion. The drink, aptly titled Autumnal Equinox, is a perfect mix of port wine, Grand Marnier, and amaretto. To get the recipe, read more

Autumnal Equinox
From The Webtender
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2 oz Port
1 oz Grand Marnier
1/2 oz Amaretto

Fill Old Fashioned Glass with ice.
Pour ingredients into glass and stir.

Print recipe with images | without images

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Monday's Leftovers: Pork Cutlets With Cranberry Port Sauce

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:07 -0800

I just found the perfect use for my leftover cranberry sauce and boneless pork chops: this balanced dinner of sautéed pork cutlets.

I'll pan-fry some pork chops, then deglaze the pan with a combination of cranberries and port wine, for a sauce that's both sweet and tart.

The result? A mouthwatering meal that's full of flavor, not fat. Want to see the recipe? Then read more.

Butternut Squash Salad Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:50:44 -0700

October has barely begun, but I already miss my favorite Summer salads. Thankfully, I've got plenty of autumnal ingredients, like roasted butternut squash, to add into the fresh mix. If you plan meals ahead of time, channel your focus into a Fall salad with lots of splendid details, like port-soaked raisins, toasted walnuts, and oven-broiled goat cheese. Hoping to make the salad the night of? You still can - with the help of apples, cheese, cranberries, and a speedy balsamic glaze. Decide which one works best for you and read more.

Noteworthy Nibbles - Oct. 6-13, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:00:10 -0700

This week kicks off one of the biggest culinary events of the year: the NYC Wine and Food Festival, featuring headliners like Rachael, Bobby, and new favorite celeb chef, Ming.

Not in New York? No worries - there's still something to raise your glass to. Even though Oktoberfest technically ended last weekend, the party rages on from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Where will this week take you? Let us know below!

New York, NY: Rum Fest - Oct. 8
New York, NY: NYC Wine & Food Festival - Oct. 8-11
Gulf Shores, AL: National Shrimp Festival - Oct. 8-11
Panama City, FL: Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine & Music Festival - Oct. 9-11
Puyallup, WA: Oktoberfest NW - Oct. 9-11
Timonium, MD: Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest - Oct. 10
Atlanta, GA: Taste of Atlanta - Oct. 10-11
Port Angeles, WA: Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival - Oct. 10-11
Alexandria, VA: Old Town Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 10-11
Boston, MA: Share Our Strength's A Tasteful Pursuit Dinner - Oct. 13
San Francisco, CA: Wine and Spirits Magazine Top 100 Tasting - Oct. 14

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Sept. 15-22, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:30:31 -0700

Love lobster, chocolate, and wine? If the answer's yes, then it's time to indulge your wildest food dreams this week.

Drop by the Port of Los Angeles to get fresh-steamed, butter-laden lobster, eat chocolate bonbons to your heart's content near the Texas capital, or discover central California's hidden wine gems at the Lodi Grape Festival.

Personally, I can't wait to taste Asian fusion at its best when celebrity chef Ming Tsai hosts a dinner to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank. What events will you be eating your way through this week? Let us know in the comments below!

San Diego, CA: San Diego Restaurant Week - Sept. 15-18
New York, NY: A Taste of the Village - Sept. 16
San Francisco, CA: Come Together Dinner with Ming Tsai - Sept. 16
Lodi, CA: Lodi Grape Festival - Sept. 17-20
Hot Springs, AR: Smoke on the Water BBQ Championship - Sept. 18-19
Austin, TX: Austin Chocolate Festival - Sept. 18-19
Naperville, IL: Naperville Wine Festival - Sept. 18-19
San Pedro, CA: Port of Los Angeles Lobsterfest - Sept. 18-20
Lowville, NY: Cream Cheese Festival - Sept. 19
New York, NY: StarChefs New York Rising Stars Revue - Sept. 22

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Strawberry Mascarpone Tart with Port Glaze

partysugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:18:51 -0700

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