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How Sweet Do You Like Your Champagne?

YumSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:45:28 -0700

Happy Hour: Quady Elysium

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:49 -0700

While hosting a spur-of-the-moment dinner two nights ago, I wanted something sweet to end our meal, so I invited my guests to enjoy a glass of liquid dessert: Quady Elysium ($15.99), made with black muscat grapes.

The concentrated, blackberry-hued wine is rich with both floral and fruity flavors, so I enjoyed it in little sips. Because it's so intensely sweet and full-bodied, it's easy to overlook the alcohol content. Although it's detectable on the nose, I was surprised to find it was 15 percent alcohol, and had to pace myself! The winery also recommends enjoying it on ice with equal parts tonic water and wine, with a squeeze of lemon - something I fully intend to try next time I want a sweet sip that won't get me sloshed.

I've been hooked on stickies made by Quady Winery, a Central California-based producer that specializes in fortified wines, ever since I sampled its other dessert wine, Electra. Have you ever enjoyed Elysium or Quady's other dessert wines?

Happy Hour: Quady Electra

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:00:01 -0700

While at the SF Chocolate Salon this weekend, I spent quality time at the Quady Winery booth. Located in Madera County, one of California's oldest wine grape-producing areas, Quady is a winery that specializes only in dessert wines - ideal for those of you who adore sipping stickies.

On this sunny Spring day, one wine, Electra ($12.75), really hit the spot. Served slightly chilled, the unique wine has great body, yet is light enough to hold a slight effervescence. Made with orange muscat grapes, the wine is sweet, but also has a bright, apricot-citrus flavor. And, with only 4 percent alcohol, you don't have to worry about getting too tanked.

Have you ever had any of Quady's wines? Does Electra sound like something you would like?

Happy Hour: Tintero Sori Gramella Moscato d'Asti

YumSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:00:16 -0800

While perusing the massive wine section at Berkeley Bowl, a bottle of Tintero Sori Gramella Moscato d'Asti ($11.99) caught my attention. I've always been a huge fan of Moscato d'Asti, a wine made in Italy's Piedmont region from the fruity, floral Moscato Bianco grape. It falls under the category of a frizzante wine, which is effervescent but has less fizz than typical sparkling wine, with an accompanying sweetness.

This particular wine possesses all the attributes that I love about Moscato d'Asti: It's reasonably priced, not overly bubbly, and, at 5-7 percent alcohol, won't get you too drunk too fast. It's an exceptionally well-balanced yet delicate wine.

The flavor reminds me of peach skins and Osmanthus flowers, and while it's sweet it's not syrupy at all - only refreshing. I can't wait to hoard Sori Gramella for this weekend's Oscars celebration. Have you tried Moscato d'Asti?

Do You Like Dessert Wines?

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:15:20 -0800

Happy Hour: S'Naranja Viño Generoso de Licor

partysugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:15:49 -0700

Last weekend I was given a taste of S'Naranja Viño Generoso de Licor. Since it was served in a frozen shot glass and had a rich, tawny color, I figured it was whiskey. However, I was immediately shocked! It wasn't hard alcohol but a delicious, syrupy wine. The pourer was kind enough to offer me a full glass to better enjoy the smooth, medium-bodied wine.

Somewhere between a sweet Sherry and an uber-orangey liquor, S'Naranja is made with two types of Spanish grapes: Palomino Fino and Pedro Ximénez. Dried orange peels are added to the wine during it's 10-year barrel-aging process. The result is a luscious wine splashed with a hint of fresh oranges and creamy, caramel-raisin undertones.

With its bright bottle and easy pairability (I would serve it with everything from salty snacks to sweet bites), this wine makes a great hostess gift.

Come Party With Me: Wine Club's 1st Meeting - Menu (Sweet Appetizers)

partysugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:55:41 -0800

I am hosting my very first wine club meeting very soon. I've invited a group of fabulous friends to my house, asking each one to please bring a moderately priced bottle of Spanish red wine. We are going to cover the labels for blind tasting and then judge the flavors of each bottle ourselves. I hope you decide to start a wine club for you and your friends. To encourage your personal appreciation of wine, I'm providing you with an easy play by play plan to host your first wine club meeting. Yesterday I made a fun little wine label postcard invites and today I am assembling recipes for a small menu of tasty bites to pair with the wine and cleanse the palette. I've already revealed two super easy savory appetizer recipes that will complement a full bodied red wine, but to take a look at a little sweet finish to cap off the night, read more

The wine is the main event here but I can't help but offer a little sweet and salty treat in the form of homemade Chocolate Covered Almonds!

Chocolate Covered Almonds
From Martha Stewart

2 1/2 cups unblanched whole almonds(13 ounces)
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Heat oven to 350°. Toast almonds for 15 minutes on a baking sheet.
Line two baking pans with parchment paper; set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, toasted almonds, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar becomes golden and granular and almonds are completely coated and separated.
Pour nuts onto prepared pans.
Chill in freezer, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, place chocolate in a medium bowl; place bowl over simmering water until melted.
Transfer half the chilled almonds to a large bowl, and pour half the melted chocolate over nuts. Stir until nuts are thoroughly coated.
Transfer nuts onto prepared baking pan. Using two forks, separate nuts so none stick together. Return almonds to refrigerator until chocolate has set, about 20 minutes. Repeat with remaining almonds.
Place cocoa powder and confectioners’ sugar into two separate bowls. Toss half the nuts in cocoa and half in sugar, and gently tap off any excess powder. Store separately in airtight containers for up to 1 month.

Print recipe with images | without images

What sweet appetizers are you planning on serving at your first wine club meeting? Please tell me about it below. More on this party tomorrow, I'll be talking the how-to and inside-outs of hosting a successful wine club fete.

Come Party With Me: Bold Flavorful Thanksgiving - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:50:48 -0800

Are you sick of the same old, boring Thanksgiving recipes? Then this year, why not shake things up and serve a menu that is bold, flavorful, and eye-catching? Start with fried polenta bites with spicy chorizo. The focal point is a vibrantly colored turkey coated in adobo and red-chile gravy. On the side: cornbread stuffing, chile scalloped sweet potatoes, cranberry citrus compote, and olive oil mashed potatoes with manchego cheese.

While the traditional elements are there, each of these recipes has a slight twist making them oh-so-modern. Use all to host a memorable meal or incorporate one or two into your menu. The recipes, after the jump.

Noteworthy Nibbles - May 8-14, 2008

YumSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:30:40 -0700

Looking for something to do this weekend? The spring food-festival season is still in full swing, so grab mom and treat her to a fun Mother's Day weekend event. From wine to bbq, there's bound to be something to enjoy. And if there's nothing in your neck of the woods, grab picnic basket, a bottle of wine and a blanket, and create your own outing!

If something is missing from this list, let us all know about it in the comments below!

Charlotte, NC: Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend - May 7-10
St. Louis, MO: Saint Louis Brewers Heritage Festival - May 8-10
Owensboro, KY: International BBQ Festival - May 9-10
Breezy Point, MN: Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener - May 9-11
Addison, TX: Taste Addison - May 9-11
Norfolk, VA: Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival - May 10
Charlotte, NC: US Open Annual Homebrew Competition - May 10
Hopkins, SC: Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival - May 10
Cleveland Heights, OH: Northeastern Ohio Chocolate Festival - May 10-11
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Cocktail Week - May 13-19
Nantucket, MA: Nantucket Wine Festival - May 14-18
Buckhannon, WV: Strawberry Visions - May 14-18

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.