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Friday Feel Good! Open Your Wine Bottle With Your Shoe!

TresSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0800

It's no wonder the French make the top-10 list of countries that consume the most alcohol per capita - they appear to have a special talent for opening wine bottles, without a corkscrew, even when they're totally plastered! Well at least one Frenchman can do such a thing. To get in the happy hour spirit, let the French teach you how to open a wine bottle with your shoe. Happy Friday!

Happy Hour: Sage Sangria

partysugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:00:50 -0700

Just because Summer is long gone but that doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying sangria. Depending on the ingredients you employ, the wine-based punch can be sipped all year round. Instead of using a warm-weather fruit like peaches, this sangria is infused with Fall's most woody herb, sage. The recipe is simple, but the resulting drink is complex and earthy, perfect for sipping in front of a roaring fire. Honey adds a subtle sweetness and the sage makes this concoction an ideal pairing for any Autumnal dinner. Want the easy recipe? Keep reading.

Have You Ever Taken a Tour of a Winery?

partysugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:31 -0700

Can You Match the Wine to Its Region of Origin?

partysugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:50:17 -0700

Last week while attending Wine & Spirits Top 100 tasting, I realized that there are tons of wines out there that I'm not all that familiar with.

Since I figured you might feel the same way, I thought it would be fun to put together a quiz. I'll list a varietal and you tell me where it's from. Ready, go!

Take the quiz

How Many Alcoholic Drinks Do You Have a Week?

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:30:26 -0700

Hello Friday, and hello glass of wine after work! When the end of the week rolls around, sipping a glass of chardonnay or pinot noir is definitely one way I like to wind down.

Although there are tons of health benefits associated with wine, many studies point to the rule that women should enjoy one alcoholic bevvy or less a day. Limiting the amount of alcohol you gulp down can help prevent breast cancer and other cancers, lower your risk of stroke, and prevent loss of bone density. Some days, it's tough to stick to that rule though, so be honest . . .

Happy Hour: Codorníu Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé

partysugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:15:23 -0700

My favorite dance scene from the 1963 Ann Margret musical Bye Bye Birdie is entitled "Lot of Livin to Do." In it, she sings of "drinking Champagne as if it were water." But, not just any Champagne - pink Champagne. When I was little, I too, dreamed of drinking pink Champagne as if it were water. Well as luck would have it, sometimes I do!

My current favorite "pink Champagne" is actually a sparkling Cava Pinot Noir Rosé from Spain. It's refreshingly dry with light airy bubbles. It's an elegant, yet playful wine that is both crisp and fruity. The aroma is reminiscent of berries and it has a light body that coats the tongue.

What I love most about this sparking Rosé is its easy drinkability. I've enjoyed it with everything from cheesy rich appetizers to roast chicken to a light green salad. The affordable $15 price is the icing on the cake. Do you sip sparkling Rosé?

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:00:24 -0700

The menu for my harvest-themed dinner party is inspired by wine, so the tablescape will reflect this general feeling, too. To keep things casual and slightly rustic, don't cover the table with a tablecloth. Instead, place a linen runner down the middle and arrange bunches of ripe grapes as centerpieces.

White plates allow the food to be the focal point. Serve the meal family style and bring the braised chicken and saffron risotto directly to the table. Since the dinner is a celebration of wine, offer guests the choice of red or white wine and have the proper glasses for each.

During the cocktail hour, serve the Champagne punch in an elegant bowl and arrange the goat cheese mousse and strawberry compote on a wooden cheese board.

Lots of candles create an intimate glowing atmosphere while a single lavish arrangement of flowers is a welcoming hello if placed near the front door - it's the first thing guests will see and they'll immediately get in the mood!

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:15:03 -0700

A harvest party is an event that celebrates grape-picking, so I'm creating a menu that consists of dishes made with wine.

One of my favorite desserts to order when dining out is pears poached in wine. Although the technique is relatively simple, I've never poached pears at home.

That's why I plan to experiment with this recipe for pears simmered in pink Champagne. It's elegant and fruity, but not too rich or sweet. Oh and it can be made up to a week in advance! To look at the easy recipe, read more.

Champagne-Poached Pears
From Cookie

Ingredients

1 bottle champagne, preferably pink (about 3 1/2 cups)
1 cup sugar
Zest of 1/4 lemon
1 teaspoon rose water (optional)
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (optional)
2 large pears (such as Bosc) or 4 small pears (such as Seckel), peeled (firm, slightly underripe pears work best)

Directions

Combine all the ingredients except the pears in a pot and bring to a simmer.
Carefully lower the pears into the liquid (adding up to 1 cup water to make sure the fruit is fully submerged).
Simmer until the pears are tender, 15 to 17 minutes for small pears, 25 to 30 minutes for large ones.
Cool the pears in the cooking liquid for 30 minutes before serving, or store them in the refrigerator (still in the liquid) for up to a week.

Serves 2.

Print recipe with images | without images

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:15:43 -0700

The menu for my harvest party features a chicken dish braised in white wine. It's a variation on the more classic red wine braised chicken pictured below. Do you know what it's called?

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:50:24 -0700

In wine making, the harvest is one of the most crucial times of year. It's when the vintners pick the grapes and usually occurs between August and October. Since the harvest is such an important season, many wineries celebrate with a lunch or dinner.

I think the tradition is the perfect excuse to plan a party! Just because you don't live in wine country doesn't mean you can't commemorate the harvest. Invite friends over for a meal that honors the wonderful world of wine. Every dish on the menu has wine on the ingredient list.

Start by displaying an assortment of charcuterie, olives, crackers, and goat cheese mousse with red-wine caramel. For the main course, offer chicken braised in white wine with shallots, pancetta, and fennel. Plate the chicken with a simple risotto alla Milanese - made with white wine and Parmesan cheese. These recipes are welcome at any dinner party, be it harvest-themed or a special birthday. To check them out, keep reading.