Easy Holiday Punch Recipes
Easy Holiday Punch Recipes
As much fun as it is to host friends and family, entertaining can be overwhelming. I am always looking for ways to make things simpler to avoid the stress. Serving a holiday punch puts the merry back in the holidays. A good holiday punch eliminates the fuss of setting up a full bar. Here are three easy holiday punch recipes you can serve at your next festive gathering. Cheers!
Apple Cider Bourbon Punch
Vino 301 served this punch at one of our client’s holiday party recently. It was a big hit!!! We served the punch cold and rimmed the glasses with a cinnamon sugar mixture. For an additional surprise, a splotch of caramel was added to the bottom of the glass. The Apple Cider Bourbon Punch can be served warm too. The warm punch will melt the caramel adding a new flavor element. If you serve it warm, remember to keep the heat low. You do not want cook away the alcohol.
Ingredients
3 Cinnamon sticks
9 Cloves
1 Star Anise
4 cups Apple cider
1 cup Orange juice (no pulp)
1 cup sugar
½ cup Bourbon or to taste
Optional
Orange slices
Cinnamon sugar mixture
caramel
Directions:
In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine all ingredients and garnish with orange slices. Before serving rim your glasses with cinnamon sugar mixture, and place a dollop of caramel in the bottom of the glass for an added treat. Serves 10 – 15 people
photo credit: delish
Ornament Punch
This cocktail reminds me of a Christmas tree decorated with all of the lights and ornaments. It sparkles, and has traditional red and green colors…hence the name Ornament Punch. This recipe calls for sparkling wine. Remember, it is okay to select an inexpensive wine. Select a dry sparkling wine.
Ingredients
2 Granny Smith apples, chopped
1 c. whole fresh cranberries
1 c. green grapes, halved
1 c. pomegranate seeds
2 c. sparkling white grape juice
1 bottle sparkling wine (e.g., Cava or Prosecco)
DIRECTIONS
In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine apples, cranberries, grapes, and pomegranate seeds. Pour over sparkling grape juice and champagne and stir, then serve. Serves 8 – 10 people
photo credit: bon appetit
Ginger Spritz
If you are not keen on serving a punch, have a signature cocktail. Set up a self-serve cocktail station. The Ginger Spritz is a simple four ingredients recipe. It has my new favorite aperitif, Lillet (lee-lay). Lillet is made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. It is flavored with herbs, citrus, spices and fortified with citrus liqueur (17% ABV). Lillet goes a long way. You do not need generous portions. Also, it should always be served chilled. Try Ginger Spritz recipe courtesy of bon appétit.
INGREDIENTS
1 thin slice peeled ginger
2 oz. Lillet Blanc
3 oz. sparkling wine (e.g., Cava or Prosecco)
Splash of ginger beer
DIRECTIONS
Place ginger slice against the inside of a rocks glass, fill with ice, and add Lillet and sparkling wine. Top off with ginger beer and stir gently to combine. Single serving.
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2018 Last Minute Wine Gifts
Last Minute Wine Gifts
Christmas is next week. Are you still undecided what to get your beloved wine lover? We compile a list of our favorite wine inspired gifts. Here are last minute wine gifts you still have time to ship.
Stocking Stuffers
Trudeau Digital Wine Thermometer – End your worry about if your wine is at the proper temperature. Trudeau’s Digital Wine Thermometer is a self activating devise clips around a wine bottle and provides the temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius, with suggested temperatures for popular red and white wines printed in the stainless steel band. Retails $18.99 on Amazon
Bring Me Wine Socks – I received these socks last year. I love ’em. In addition to being fun, they keep your feet warm. Put these socks on, put your feet up, and let the wine flow. They are on sale at VINEPAIR $12.00 
Personalize your Corkcicle – These insulated tumblers are very popular. We see a lot of guests bring them on our wine tours. The stemless stainless tumbler keeps your preferred drink at the perfect temperature. The triple-insulated stainless steel promises a cold beverage for up to 9 hours and a warm beverage for 3. I have one. I can’t say my wine stayed chilled for 9 hours, but wine doesn’t stay in my glass for 9 hours. It has an easy-grip side, no-slip bottom and comes with a shatterproof lid. Things Remembered can personalize your Corkcicle in time for Christmas. Personalize the front and back with a name, monogram or a fun message. Things Remembered $24.95
Electric Wine Aerator – The electric aerator pump stopper sits on top any size wine bottle making a tight seal to store open bottles of wine. Pour and diffuse air directly into your glass with the touch of the button infuser LUXURY CARRYING CASE: This instant decanter breather system is 100% portable. The included soft fabric bag protects the diffuser’s metal finish from scratching and will impress your friends with a touch of class. Amazon pricing starts at $55.00
Standout Gifts
Rotating wine glass – Cupa wine glasses are made from lead-free crystal, their unique stemless construction creates a swirling rotation when set down. Rolling wine glasses oxygenate the wine. Enhance the sensory experience of enjoying a glass of your favorite vino. You can find them at aha . The set of two retails for $52.00
Rotating Decanter – This hand blown decanter is designed to aerate your favorite wine in an unsurpassable way. Comfortably fits one whole 750ml bottle. Works for both white and red wine. It retails for $65.00 at aha aha is offering free shipping on all US orders.
Serving Cart – Every gathering will have Gatsby flair when serving from this Belham Living Braxton Bar Cart. This generous bar cart is graced with a shimmering glass top and lower mirrored shelf with X side detailing and guard rails that keep your liquor in place. The hand-painted gold finish on the iron frame provides the fun and fancy, while wine glass racks, wine bottle storage, flared arms, and smooth-gliding wheels make this bar cart as practical as it is pretty. The Bart Cart on sale through December 20 for $179.00 at Hayneedle 
Wine and cheese board – This is not your ordinary cutting board. It has so many features. The Bamboo Cheese Board with Cutlery Set, Wooden Charcuterie Platter and Serving Meat Board with Slide-Out Drawer with 4 Stainless Steel Knife and Server Set . This natural bamboo cheese board features a concealed slide-out storage tray and a knife set that includes cutting and serving tools all made with stainless steel blades and bamboo handles. It’s a Bambüsi great hostess gift or holiday present for the friend who loves to entertain. Price starts at $55.00 on Amazon.
Cheese and charcuterie pairing – Wine Down Box is a unique monthly wine subscription service. Their experts curated pairings of small-batch California wines and deliver them with fresh, artisanal cheese, handcrafted charcuterie, and scratch-made crackers. You can get a one-time subscription or in intervals of 3, 6, or 12 months. Pricing starts at $70.00. Shipping is included in the price.
Each product featured has been independently selected and reviewed. If you make a purchase using the links included a commission may be earned. Enjoyed this blog? Great, receive more Vino 301 blogs twice a month. Subscribe to Vino 301’s email list and receive your very own copy of our blog. Subscribe here
Sign me up: Online Wine Clubs
Online Wine Clubs
I have a confession: I LOVE wine shops. I visit wine shops for fun. It’s not a casual love. Going to fine wine shops for me is like a shopaholic going to Neiman Marcus. I love strolling down the aisles, reading wine labels, discovering new varietals, and taking advantage of weekly wine tastings. Part of the fun is the hunt for new and interesting wines. Engaging all my senses; see, smell, touch and taste heightened my experience. Traversing the wine shop aisles was my only mode of discovery. Skepticism prevented me from trying shopping for wine online. I did not think you could have the same experience. I was wrong. Online wine clubs are an exciting way to appreciate wines and great gifts to share with others. Wine clubs no longer randomly select wines for you. It is a personalize experience.
Single Serving – Wine by the glass
VINEBOX was my first plunge into the wine clubs’ membership universe. Recently, I purchased the Twelve Nights of Wine. The Twelve Nights of Wine is VINEBOX version of the Wine Advent calendar. I was pleasantly surprised. The wine was presented in a beautifully decorated box. The decorated box contains 12 sexy glass tubes. Each tube is single serving (3.3 ounces). A closed nitrogen system is used to bottle each tube, preserving the wine up to three years. Beyond the sleek packaging, the quality of wines is exceptional. The wines were interesting and multi-dimensional. My inventory was dry European wines, from France and Italy. White and red wines from popular regions, such as Medoc, Brouilly, and Sicily, were among the selections.
VINEBOX is the perfect sample gift. You do not commit to a bottle of wine. This is great for the person who likes to try a little of this and a little of that. You can choose between two sample boxes. The original VINEBOX has nine wine tubes. They have a new brand called the Usual. It is “a large glass of real wine, in a bottle”. It is six ounces per wine. The Usual is a box of six glasses of wine. The Usual does not offer white wine, just red and Rosé. You can make a one-time purchase or quarterly subscription. Prices range from $48 to $72 per package.
Taste Profile Subscription
Bright Cellars Wine personalize your wine subscription based on your taste profile. Before you select your wine, you are prompted to take a seven-question quiz. “How do you like your tea?”, is an example of a question asked. Once you take the quiz you can select white, red or combination. I took the quiz and my selections were close to the types of wines I like, with one exception. They selected a Moscato, not my first choice. I was able to swap it out for another wine. Four wines were selected. All of the wines were California wines rated on a 100-point scale. Most of the wines were 92 points or higher.
The cool part about Bright Cellars is that they encourage your feedback. They are all about personalizing your selection to better match your taste profile. You can choose the frequency of your subscription. Monthly subscriptions start at $80.
Winc is another taste profile wine club. You are asked similar questions before your wine selection is presented. In addition to the flavor profile questions, you are asked what price point do you normally pay for a bottle of wine. Which is great! They are conscience of your wallet. Prices range from $15 to $25+ per bottle. Winc started with a California winery and partnered with other domestic and international vineyards that produce small batch wines. You won’t find these wines at your local wine shop. In addition to red and white wines, they offer sparkling wines and ciders. They even offer Vegan wines. The monthly subscription starts with three bottles. You can cancel your subscription at any time without penalty. They often run specials and shipping is inexpensive. My first order was $79, but with the specials and discounts I paid $47.00 Winc is offering a special for your first time purchase. You can take $20 off. Click here to view your deal.
Click and Order
WSJwine is The Wall Street Journal wine club. It is one of the most well-known clubs. You pick and click. There is not a big selection process. You can purchase 1, 6, or 12 bottles without joining the wine club. If you are looking for a regular allotment, the wine club is available and wine shipments are quarterly. You can get a mix case, or select white or red wines. There are two clubs Discovery and Premier Club. The Premier Club are rare find wines. You can customize your case with this membership. The Discovery Club membership is $149.99 per shipment (not including shipping cost) and Premier Club is $239.99 quarterly. The holidays are a perfect time to join because they are offering a lot of incentives.
Keep in mind shipping regulations and time when deciding on a wine club. Make sure the club ships to your state. An adult 21 years or old must sign for the shipment. Consider having the package delivered to your job so there is someone always available to sign for the package. Usually it takes longer than you think to ship the package to you. Allow for shipping time, especially if you are giving this as a gift.
Each product featured has been independently selected and reviewed. If you make a purchase using the links included a commission may be earned. Enjoyed this blog? Great, receive more Vino 301 blogs twice a month. Subscribe to Vino 301’s email list and receive your very own copy of our blog. Subscribe here
Wine Club by Vino 301
Membership Rewards: Wine Club by Vino 301
Vino 301 is excited to announce our first membership club. We love vineyard hopping and wine tasting with you. We want to reward you with savings. Wine Club by Vino 301 is a rewards program for individuals who love to explore Maryland vineyards. The more wine tours you take the greater the rewards and savings. You can select the level of membership based on how many visits you take over a year. You may select from any wine region (Patapsco, Heritage, Westminster and Chesapeake region) and specialty tours (Chocolate and Wine, Wine and Cheese, and Wine Beer & Spirits: A Beverage Adventure).
Membership Levels
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Silver |
Gold |
Platinum |
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Discounted Wine Tours |
2
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3
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4
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Free Lunch |
♦ |
♦ |
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Free Wine with Lunch |
♦ |
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Cost Per Tour |
$95 |
$110 | $118 |
| Wine Club by Vino 301
Cost Per Tour |
$76 | $80.75 |
$80.75 |
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Invoiced |
Bi-annually | Tri-annually |
Quarterly |
How does it work?
- Join Wine Club by Vino 301 and select your membership level (silver, gold or platinum) you want
- Make a 25% deposit.
- Select gift card option and you will receive a voucher number at check out. Use this voucher number to book your tour at any time.
- You will be billed quarterly for the balance of your Wine Club By Vino 301
- You can book your tours at any time. Your membership pricing is listed. Visit Vino 301 booking website.
Rules: Wine Club By Vino 301 membership is valid for a year. Your membership starts from the date of purchase. Tours must be taken within that years. Membership not renewed annually. You may cancel or upgrade your membership at any time. You are responsible for any unpaid portion of a wine tour taken. Deposits are non-refundable.
Joining is easy! Click here to join
Wine Advent Calendar… Great Way to Start Your Holiday
Wine Advent Calendar
The other day Carla, one of Vino 301’s dynamic Tour Ambassadors, was sharing with me she was trying to get a wine Advent calendar. She was trying to get one of Aldi’s famous calendars but they were sold out. Yes, Aldi the grocery store sells wine, mostly outside the Washington-Baltimore Area. Immediately, I thought this world is a wonderful place. Twenty-four days of wine, life couldn’t be any better.
If you not familiar with wine Advent calendar concept, let me explain. Aldi’s wine Advent calendar is a lovely holiday season decorated box. The box is numbered 1 through 24, representing each day of Advent. Each number is perforated. Behind each number is a miniature bottle of wine. Beginning December 1, you puncture the countdown calendar on each day of Advent to retrieve a miniature bottle. Heaven, I say! The box contains an assortment of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines.
You are probably wondering why am I telling you this since Aldi is sold out. Well, I found a couple other locations where you can get these calendars. It is not too late. You can order your wine calendar online or make your own. But don’t wait too long. These calendars are very popular and will sell out quickly.
Vinebox Advent Wine Calendar
Vinebox
If 24 bottles of wine are overwhelming start on a smaller scale. Vinebox offers 12 different glasses wine. Your box contains vinos from all different regions around the world. You could possibly win free wine for the entire year. If you receive a set with a special golden bottle, Win a year of wine with this wine advent calendar! View the Advent Calendar under the Holiday section on Vinebox website. It retails $129.00
Give Them Beer
Give Them Beer is an online store which offers wine Advent calendars. Give Them Beer offers 12 half bottles of wine, each hidden behind a secret door to ring in the holiday season. Each door includes a 375ml half bottle (or a split of champagne) to enjoy a few glasses or share with someone special. Delivered in a beautifully decorated box, the Wine Advent Calendar has 12 secret windows each revealing a special holiday treat. It retails $169.00
Make Your Own
You can make your own calendar. Amazon.com has a cardboard box features 12 doors, revealing compartments that are perfectly sized for stashing minis. All you have to do is stock up on the minis at your local liquor store to create your own customized calendar. It retails $14.99
Let us know if you buy or create your own Advent wine calendar. Post your pictures on our Facebook page. Each product featured has been independently selected and reviewed. If you make a purchase using the links included a commission may be earned.
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Simple Tips to Selecting Thanksgiving Dessert Wines
Thanksgiving Dessert Wines
There are blogs about selecting the perfect Thanksgiving wine. Pinot Noir is the go-to wine for most dishes. Pinot Noir complements just about everything on your plate even your aunt’s green bean casserole. But, where are the blogs about dessert wines pairings? What do you with pumpkin pie… coffee? What about pecan pie… milk? No, this is a feast a celebration of gratitude. We need to top the meal off right before the tryptophan coma begins. Here are some simple tips to selecting Thanksgiving dessert wines.
Select a wine equally or sweeter than the dessert
Food has an impact on the way wine will taste. Sweet food makes dry wine taste astringent, bitter and less sweet and fruity. A Pinot Grigio with a pineapple upside down cake increases the perception of the wine’s acidity. The sweeter the wine is will reduce the perception of bitterness and the burning effect of alcohol. Moscato d’Asti brings out the cake’s bright fruit and syrupy flavors.
Fruity dessert wines are a good partner for chocolate-based confections
Recioto della Valpolicella is delicious Italian wine that has aromas of cherry liqueur, and fig, and plum. Recioto is similar to Amarone. It is not inexpensive, but worth it.
Savory desserts like pumpkin or sweet potato pie are best with semi-dry wines
A semi-dry wine with nutty flavors will not detract from nutmeg and cinnamon flavors. Hungarian Tokaji (‘toe-kye’) has intense dried fruits and sweet spices. French Sauternes is another wonderful option. Sauternes has hints of vanilla and citrus stone fruits.
Port style wines enhance nutty desserts flavors
Your mother’s deep-dish chocolate pecan pie is perfect match for Madeira. Madeira is a fortified aged wine. Boal and Malmsey are sweeter styles of the wine. Flavors of caramel, peach, burnt sugar and hazelnut are familiar with this wine.
Late harvest wines are a great match for fruit desserts
Late harvest wines, like ice wine or Eiswien, have intense concentrated juice and are perfect with apple pie and peach cobbler. The flavors are pronounced, high acidity and syrupy sweetness. Maryland’s Vidal Blanc grape is frequency used to make ice wines.
Small pours go a long way
Dessert wines are higher in sugar and alcohol levels. They are meant to be sip. They will last longer than you average bottle of wine. Make sure you store them properly. Happy Thanksgiving! Have a blessed and safe holiday.
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Uniquely Maryland: Places to visit near Maryland’s vineyards
Uniquely Maryland
Vino 301 Tour Ambassadors have the pleasure every weekend viewing Maryland’s beautiful landscapes. Sometimes we take our front row seat for granted. Thank goodness for our tour guests to remind us how lucky we are. They remind us about the uniqueness of the state. A guest always remarks how stunning the state is. Commenting about the sweeping farmlands and rural areas. The scenic views remind them that Maryland is more than urban centers.
Maryland is referred to “America in the miniature”. Similar to the United States, the old line state is composed of mountains, beaches, cities and country landscapes wrapped up in our tiny little state. There are places and things to do that are uniquely Maryland. We pulled together a list of a few things you can take in while you are out and about enjoying Maryland’s vineyards.
Crab and Oyster Trails
What goes better with wine? Crabs and Oysters. Some would argue beer, but for the purposes of this blog, I say WINE. Maryland vintners have perfected Albariño wine. The native Spanish grape has made a big impact and it is grown in almost every wine region in the state. Its citrus flavors, hints of minerality, and medium body characteristics are the perfect backdrop to Maryland’s iconic crustaceans. The crab and oyster trails are a collection of Maryland restaurants seafood markets, tours and events. The trails are organized by five fun regions, Capital, Central, Eastern Shore, Southern and Western Maryland.
credit: Only In Your State
Tubing in Gunpowder Falls State Park
Driving from Basignani Winery to Boordy Vineyards, we see people walking along the road and carrying tubs, towels or kayaks. They are headed to Gunpowder Falls, the largest park in the state, to leisurely float along Big Gunpowder Falls River. The park spans from Baltimore to Frederick counties and reaches Pennsylvania. The Hereford Area, located in northern Baltimore County, is 3,620 acres of scenic wilderness. The Big Gunpowder Falls River is a part of this outdoor haven. Many travel to this area to canoe, kayak and tube throughout the year. Bring your own flotation device. Here is your guide to Gunpowder Falls Park.
Hiking in Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain Winery sits about a mile from the base of Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, Maryland. The Winery is a popular endpoint for hikers who hike the Sugarloaf Mountain trail. Sugarloaf Mountain Winery is known for its annual Stomp event. Stomp ushers in the fall and harvest season and is a grape stomping competition. Five trails traverse the mountain. The trails range from a couple of miles to six miles. The mountain property is owned by Stronghold Incorporated, non-profit organization, who manages and maintains the property. You can get trail information from Stronghold Incorporated website.
Discovering Maryland’s History
If you were ever curious about Maryland’s history head to historic St. Mary’s City. You step back in time to the 17th century when you visit historic St. Mary’s City. Historic St. Mary’s City is a living history encounter where you can participate in hands-on activities, learn about archaeology, and journey along nature trails. You will witness Maryland’s first years reenacted. Tours are available. On your way home stop by the Port of Leonardtown Winery. A trailblazing winery located in St. Mary’s county. Its Rosé and Chambourcin wines are charting Maryland on the world’s wine map.
I hope this is start of your journey to visit uniquely Maryland attractions. For more information about Maryland sites go to visitmaryland.org
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5 Easy Steps to Gifting Wine
Gifting Wine
Wine should be enjoyed and shared to celebrate the events in your life and the events in your friends lives. There are always events to celebrate … birthdays, weddings, friendships. In Vino 301’s last blog Let’s Create A Home Wine Bar, we discussed gifting items to create a wine bar. Now that you have the elements for an awe inspiring wine bar, we need to populate it.
Gifting wine does not have to overwhelming. It can be fairly simple and easy. Here are five easy steps to gifting wine.
wine gift guide
Share with us your tips you use to gift wine. Share your comments below. Enjoyed this blog? Great, receive more Vino 301 blogs twice a month. Subscribe to Vino 301’s email list and receive your very own copy of our blog. Subscribe here
Let’s Create A Home Wine Bar
Wine Bar at Home Ideas
June is a busy month. Weddings, graduations, Father’s Day, anniversaries are just some of the celebrations in June. Celebrations are fun often marking new beginnings or monumental occasions. For the people attending the celebrations, it can be an investment. An investment in Hallmark™ cards and gift cards. Instead of investing in gift cards, invest in making more memories. Let’s create a home wine bar to mark these milestone events. A home wine bar can be as small or large as you make it. Here are wine bar at home ideas.
Wine Glasses
I could and should write a separate blog on wine glasses. You can get lost and confused trying to select the “right” type of wine glass. Let’s keep it simple. At the least, you should have three types of glasses: red, white and sparkling. Purchase six of each type. If you want to keep it funky and fresh, select a stemless glass. Make the red wine glass the stemless glass. It can double as a cocktail glass.
What is the difference among white, red and sparkling glasses? It is all about the bowl (where you pour the wine). Red wine requires a larger bowl for the wine to breathe. It has more surface to air contact. A smaller bowl is sufficient for white and sparkling wines. You can read Nisbets types of wine glasses blog for further information about what you should consider when purchasing wine glasses.
If you want to get fancy, coupe glasses make the wine bar look sophisticated. Coupe glasses are the timeless Champagne glasses. These glasses also super versatile. Not only are coupes an acceptable alternative to flutes for champagne, they can add drama to your cocktails or desserts. If you still have trouble deciding on selecting sparkling wine glasses, read Glass Matters: The Best Glass to Sip Sparkling Wine …
Wine Pearls
Wine Pearls are the answer to the quick chill. They keep wine chilled like whiskey stones. They can be used in red or white wine. The more pearls you use, the frostier your beverage gets. These stainless-steel ice-cubes chill without altering or diluting delicate flavors and without scratching wine glasses.
Wine Decanter
Decanters are gorgeous accents to any bar. They can range in price from $30 to $300. No matter what the price, the purposes are simple. Carefully decanting wines ensure the sediment remains in the wine bottle. It separates the wine from the sediment. Secondly, decanting aerates the wine. When wine is slowly poured from the wine bottle to a decanter the wine’s aromas and flavors become more apparent.
Bottle Stoppers
Wine bottle stoppers can be decorative, ornate gifts. Some stoppers can be monogram or personalized. However, if you looking to preserve the wine you should select a practical solution like Silicone Wine Stopper or the vacuum seal stoppers. These create a tight seal around the wine bottle lip preventing air from seeping in. These stoppers create a leak-proof, air-tight seal in virtually any size wine bottle.
Wine Opener
A good wine opener is as essential as breathing. Nothing is worse than struggling to open a bottle of wine. A good wine opener is a wino best friend. I cannot begin to tell you which is the best is to use. It is about personal preference. A wine key is my favorite. It is small, easy for me to use and I have one in every handbag I own (literary). You never know when you have to open a bottle. A girl has to be prepared.
Here are a few tips you should consider when purchasing a wine opener. Make sure you have a foil cutter apparatus with the wine opener. You do not want shards of foil in your wine. The wine opener should have a good grip when you are handling the wine bottle. If you are selecting an electric opener, make sure it has a good battery life. I hate when you have the opener sitting on the charger all day and a few minutes off the charger the opener is died.
Chiller
If your gift recipient has more than 20 to 30 bottles in their house or apartment at any one time, then it is time to start considering wine storage. Check out our holiday gift giving guide about purchasing a wine cooler.
However, most people just starting out will only have a few bottles at a time. A single bottle wine chiller keeps the wine bottle chilled longer. You can place the chiller in the freezer or fridge before the wine is ready to serve. Make sure the chiller is well insulated. These chillers come in multiple styles, such as brushed stainless steel, marble, and electronic.
Happy gift giving. Let us know if you are building your own wine bar. We would love to hear what you are doing. Better yet, share your pictures with us on Instagram @vino301 or Facebook.
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Usher Summer in with Refreshing Sangria
Usher Summer in with Refreshing Sangria
We made it through the coldest, rainy spring ever. The hot, hazy days of summer will be here soon. (not complaining, just observing) I cannot think of a better way to greet summer than with a pitcher of refreshing Sangria. You can buy Sangria mix at the store, but do not. Sangria is easy to make and is the perfect summer drink. The cool thing about Sangria is it is all about taking your favorite wine, your favorite fruits, and experimenting with them. We are sharing a couple of our recipes with you to get you started.
Sangria History:
The term “sangria” dates to the 18th century. It is generally believed to have been taken from the Spanish “sangre” (blood), in reference to the red color of the drink; some believe, however, that the word comes from Sanskrit via the Urdu “sakkari” (sugared wine), according to Wikipedia. Water was unsafe to drink 2,000 years ago. It was filled with bacteria. According to WineIntro, “The alcohol would take care of any bacteria in the drink. Most households made some wine from fruits and berries in the area. It was very natural to “liven things up” by adding more spices, fruits, and other items to the wine to give it a different flavor.”
Sangria Tips:
- Prep the day before – Chill your favorite red or white wines and mixers overnight to create a refreshing punch.
- Freeze the fruit, instead of chilling– Prep the fruit the day before and freeze it. Squeeze a little lemon juice on the fruit to prevent the fruit from browning.
- Substitute the frozen fruit for ice – Ice will water down your drink. The frozen fruit will keep your Sangria chilled. You can buy frozen fruit too.
- Use a single varietal flavorful red wines – Use red wines that are big in flavor and aromas such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot
- Use medium body or sweet white wines – Medium body Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or Riesling is a better white wine base than high acidic wine.
- Use a serving pitcher with a pinched lip – A pinched lip pitcher prevents the fruit and other solids from plopping into the glass and splashing.
Vino 301’s Sangria Recipes
We experimented and created our own concoctions. Here are a couple Sangria recipes to inspire you. Have fun and create your own!
Rosé Watermelon & Honeydew Sangria
12 cups Watermelon
5 cups Honeydew
15 Strawberries
1 Lemon
1 Bottle of dry Rosé
1 ½ cup Peach Brandy
4 Cups of Ginger Ale
- Chop fruit (large chunks)
- Puree 9 cups of watermelon and 4 cups of honeydew with ¼ cup of Brandy
- Strain watermelon mixture
- In a large decorative pitcher combine wine, brandy and ginger ale
- Add watermelon mixture to wine mixture
- Add remaining fruit
Basket of Berries Sangria
½ cup Raspberries
½ cup Blackberries
½ cup Strawberries
1 cup Apple Brandy
1 Bottle of dry red wine
12 oz Ginger Ale
Lemon slices
Mint
- Combine fruit and place in a large pitcher
- Add red wine, Brandy and ginger ale
- Garnish with lemon slices and mint
What is your favorite Sangria? Share your recipe with us in the comments session below.
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