The Winetasting.com Blog

Earth Day

How have you “gone green” lately?

Earth Day is this Sunday, April 22, and it marks as an important day to teach and remind everyone about all the ways we can become more environmentally conscious. Our products come wholly from the earth, so it’s very important to us that we find ways to give back and be as environmentally friendly as we can!

We’re most proud of our partnership with ReCork, a cork recycling program. Natural cork, most commonly used for wine closures, is prime for recycling. This cork is 100% natural, biodegradable and renewable, so there is no reason why these wine corks should end up in the garbage.

Did you know that wine corks can become used for flooring tiles, building insulation, automotive gaskets, craft materials, soil conditioner and sports equipment? And they’re even more in demand now that there is worldwide interest in sustainable agriculture and natural products, just like corks. That’s where ReCork comes in.

It’s a very simple process, where they collect used corks from partners in wine, hospitality and retail markets and then grinds those corks down to various sizes of granules based on planned use.
 

That’s not all that we do. We also sell wines from some very environmentally conscious wineries. With your purchases from these vineyards, you’ll be sipping delicious wines with a clear conscious and taking care of the planet at the same time.

Our friends at Hahn Estates promote natural pest control, including beneficial insects such as beetles, lady bugs and lace wings.
 

At J Vineyards, plants cover crops to control erosion, choke back unwanted weeds and enrich soils with important nutrients.
 

And Pahlmeyer dramatically reduces their water consumption with customized irrigation systems and individual drip lines.

Every little bit helps when it comes to taking care of our earth. And this Earth Day, we’re happy to know that we’re able to contribute.

What changes will you be making this Earth Day?
 

Apr 19, 2012 at 8:07 AM

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Throw a Tax Day Party

Are you a go-getter or a procrastinator when it comes to filing your taxes?

April 15 is Tax Day (or April 17 for those of you really running late!) so you better get a move on it, and plan to give yourself a nice reward for all of your hard work when you finish. Whoever you are, make this weekend a fun one and throw a Tax Day party to celebrate being done with your taxes! If you want to make a bigger bash of it, plan ahead for making the party next week so your friends who will be forcing the post office to stay open on Tuesday will be able to join in the fun! 

Not that anyone needs an excuse for a good get-together, but a festive theme can always be fun to celebrate.

Pick up these perfect red & white wines for those who need to relax after just filing at the last minute and while you're at it, grab a bottle of bubbly for those who are ready to party the night away! Our picks for the occasion:

• Catch a Thief 2006 McLaren Vale Grenache (red)
• Mira Luna 2009 Tough Day Chardonnay (white)
• Schramsberg 2008 Blanc De Blanc Sparkling Wine

Want a signature drink for the night? Try out this fun mix we found at YumSugar.com

Income Tax Day Cocktail 

• 2 ounces gin
• 1/4 ounce sweet vermouth
• 1/4 ounce dry vermouth
• 1 ounce orange juice
• Aromatic bitters to taste
• Orange slice or twist for garnish

In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, vigorously shake liquid ingredients. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange.

Decorate your place with fake monetary bills, chocolate coins and Americana décor of red, white and blue. For a little noise or something to do, keep a money-minded movie on in the background (we’re thinking either of the Wall Street movies or the sympathetic look into an IRS Auditors life in Stranger Than Fiction).

Need a Tax Day Party activity? We have a couple! 

Guess Who: Not the board game, in this guessing game you should have each of your guests write down their perfect scenario of what they would spend a tax refund of $1M on! 

Wall Street Movie Drinking Game: (Before we begin ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY this game is only for friends over 21 who are staying over!)

Drink every time…

• The time is shown
• Anyone drinks
• Money is referenced in any way
• Anytime a company is mentioned by name

Before you begin calling your friends, it’s probably best if your taxes are done before you start any games. Get to the post office soon and have a happy and safe weekend! 

Apr 13, 2012 at 4:08 PM

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Easter Wine Pairings & Dinner Recipes

The big weekend is here, and what a delicious one it will be. Probably one of the best things about a holiday or celebration is that there is always a great meal as the centerpiece. I don’t mean “meal” as a single dish, but as an actual event where every piece plays an important part in making the meal work; Appetizers, sides, main course, desserts and of course, the drinks. For this eventful weekend, we have a few selections and dinner pairings that we think will go perfectly with whichever meal you chose to prepare. 

The first three picks are from our limited Bordeaux Collection. The Chateau Laurensanne 2008 Bordeaux and the Château des Proms 2008 Red Bordeaux Blend are both fine reds, whose blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec possess a gorgeous floral bouquet of spring, fruity notes of blackberries, blueberries and the like; full bodied yet layered with light flavors. Both wines are the perfect pairing for any Easter dish, but you’ll get the most out of them with a prime meat like beef or lamb.

Our third Bordeaux is the Cuvee Clemence 2008 Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers. It’s a white wine with more woody and floral aromas, dryish but with a citrus finish. This Bordeaux will pair great at Easter dinner with a side of potatoes, cheeses or green beans.

• Chateau Laurensanne 2008 Bordeaux
• Château des Proms 2008 Red Bordeaux Blend
• Cuvee Clemence 2008 Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers

For those celebrating Passover, we pulled together a delightful collection of kosher wines sure to complete the merriments. We’ve picked three Cabernet Sauvignons that sport expressive aroma blends of fruity black cherry and blueberry with sweet chocolate, licorice and spices. The Covenant 2008 Red C Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley and Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon (in both 2007 and 2008) make for impressive selections. Our kosher wines are handled only by strictly Sabbath-observant Jews, who use natural, indigenous yeasts all within the parameters of kosher conventions.

• Covenant 2008 Red C Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
• Covenant 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
• Covenant 2007 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Both collections from Easter and Passover are a perfect pairing for this delicious Lamb Chops with Eggplant Caponata recipe from the Food Network below:

What you need:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 small eggplant, diced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
• 1 tomato, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon capers
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts, toasted
• 12 to 16 lamb loin chops
• Arugula, for garnish

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook 3 minutes. Add the eggplant, season with salt and pepper and cook until the eggplant begins to soften, about 3 more minutes. Add the rosemary, tomato and vinegar and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the capers and pine nuts; set aside to cool slightly.

Place a large skillet over high heat. Season the lamb chops with salt and pepper. Working in batches, place the lamb chops in the pan, fat-side down, and cook until the fat begins to render, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the chops onto their sides and cook until crisp and brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare.

Divide the eggplant caponata and lamb chops among plates and garnish with arugula.

To complete the dinner, try your hand at these simple and quick side recipes for Twice Baked Potatoes and Honey Glazed Carrots. The Potatoes will be great with the white Bordeaux and the carrots a sweet addition for the red wines.

Finish the night with some dark chocolate and these selections for dessert wine pairings:

• San Valencia Old Vine Tawny Dessert Wine
• Mira Luna Crusher & Stemmer Red Table Wine
• Smith & Hook 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Apr 5, 2012 at 12:39 PM

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Easter Brunch Pairing Picks

Easter is just around the corner and we’re putting together our menu for a fun and delicious holiday. Spring is the perfect time for light and refreshing wines paired with our favorite Sunday activity: Brunch. Having an excuse to make Sunday brunch a little more fun for Easter is just an added bonus.

Our first pick is Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut. With generous aromas of vanilla and spun sugar, followed by fruitful characters of citrus and layered with essences of honey and toasted almonds, Mirabelle Brut works well as an accompaniment to a wide range of foods. Serve it as is with an egg dish, or impress your guests with this simple mix recipe:

Champagne Lemonade
Makes 8 cocktails

Need:
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 cups water
• 1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice
• 1 bottle of Mirabelle Brut
• Thin lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Directions:
Put sugar and 1 cup of water into a small saucepan and bring to boil. Cook for 1 minute until sugar has dissolved, turn off heat, and allow mixture to cool.
In a pitcher, combine the cooled mixture with lemon juice and remaining 2 cups of water and mix well. Fill a Champagne flute halfway with the lemonade and top with Mirabelle Brut. Garnish with lemon.

If you’re more of a Mimosa drinker, the Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut is the key ingredient to making this premium mimosa mixer:

Grand Mimosa
Makes 6 cocktails

Need:
• 6 tablespoons orange liqueur
• 1 bottle of Mirabelle Brut
• ½ quart orange juice (no pulp)

Directions:
In each Champagne flute, add 1 tablespoon of orange liqueur, add Mirabelle Brut to fill 2/3 of each flute. Top glasses off with orange juice and serve!

Our next picks Huru Sauvignon Blanc, Merryvale Careneros Chardonnay and Mira Luna Tough Day Chardonnay. All focus on crisp, vibrant fruits that pack a punch. Huru Sauvignon Blanc is very food friendly and pairs nicely with vegetables or creamy sauces. Chardonnay shows some aromas of apple butter, spice and honey, making it a great pairing for appetizers, cheese and pork. Both whites are incredible fresh, crisp and a perfect drink to accompany this appetizing Eggs Benedict with Canadian Bacon recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod.

Our last two Easter Brunch picks are the Grass Tree Traminer Riesling, the Azur 2009 Rosé. Traminer Riesling offers floral aromas of rose and fresh citrus flavors, perfect for Spring and warm weather. It pairs with many appetizers, cheeses, pork, poultry and seafood. Similar is the Rosé, which is one of the world’s most versatile wines for food pairings. Desserts, cheeses, herbs, vegetables, anything goes. These two delicate wines would be great to serve with this very delicious (and very easy!) Spinach and Bacon Quiche recipe from The Food Network.

Learn more about our selections at the bottom and feel free to share with us your own Easter Brunch specialties!

Winetasting.com’s Easter Brunch Selection:
• Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut
• Huru Sauvignon Blanc
• Grass Tree Traminer Riesling
• Merryvale Careneros Chardonnay
• Azur 2009 Rose 
• Mira Luna Tough Day Chardonnay

Mar 29, 2012 at 12:55 PM

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