{Wine Wednesday} Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

Not sure which wine to pair with some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? 

 

Here's a great article filled with plenty of perfect pairing tips!

Cheers!

{Wine Wednesday} Autumn Sangria

On Sunday I posted about this delicious sangria.  Without further ado, I bring to you...

AUTUMN SANGRIA

{photo courtesy of Inn the Kitchen}

Ingredients

2 bottles Merlot

1 bottle ginger ale

1 cup sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cloves
4-6 apples (I used a mixture of red delicious, granny smith, and fuji)

6-10 cinnamon sticks

Directions

In a medium pot, compine Merlot, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.  Let simmer for ten minutes, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved.

Pour immediately into a sealed pitcher or other container.  Chop apples and add them to the mixture along with the cinnamon sticks.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.  Add ice and ginger ale just before serving. 

My Tips

Don't buy expensive Merlot!  I used Two-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's.

Add the ginger ale once the mixture has cooled (just before serving).  This gives the sangria that slight fizz, which I think makes it very refreshing.

Allow the flavors to meld in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours...the longer, the better!

Make sure you simmer - and don't scorch - the wine as you cook it for ten minutes. This would cook all of the alcohol out of the wine...defeating the purpose of making the sangria in the first place. = )

This Autumn Sangria got rave reviews, and it will be a Thanksgiving and Christmas staple from here on out.  Give it a try ~ it makes you feel like Fall all over!

{Wine Wednesday} Drink Wine the Healthy Way!

About a year ago I started doing the Tracy Anderson Method.  I don't always love her when I'm doing my workouts (they are TOUGH - just look at that body of hers!), but I really do love her method.  

One great perk about her method is...wine is allowed!  Check this video out about how to drink wine...the healthy way!  Watch it here!

Cheers!

Ashley

{Wine Wednesday} Reggiano Lambrusco le Grotte Rosso Dolce

I love, love, love Lambrusco!  I usually opt for the inexpensive and easy-to-find Riunite brand {still a favorite} but this bottle caught my eye at Trader Joe's.  Honestly, I didn't even know that there were other Lambrusco brands! 

While doing a little research, I found that this Lambrusco is produced in the region of Emil-Romagna, just north of Tuscany.  This region also produces balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, and prosciutto.  No wonder it was so delicious!

It was sweet, but had more of a true red wine flavor than Riunite does.  Final verdict:  love it! And for about $6 at Trader Joe's, it's quite a steal.  Cheers!

{Wine Wednesday} Tres Pinos Tierra Blanca White Wine

Find it at Trader Joe's for $4.99.

What the bottle says:  "Tierra Blanca White is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, and Chardonnay. these grapes are grown in San Luis Obispo Country along California's beautiful Central Coast. This wine is bright and crisp with lovely aromas of citrus and wildflowers."

What I think:  I went out on a limb here and spent two dollars more than my usual "Two Buck Chuck" and did not regret it!  The citrus quality of the wine makes it so refreshing and smooth.  Besides, I am a sucker for anything with lemon ~ you should see my kitchen.  And of course, the label is super cute also!

I love the three tall trees and colors on the label.  The wine is made in San Luis Obispo, so the trees are very fitting. The perfect wine to take on a picnic, or to serve at an outdoor party!

I am loving Wine Wednesdays!

{Wine Wednesday} 2009 Green Fin White Table Wine

I love a good glass of wine!  Maybe it's because I have Greek and Italian roots.  Or maybe it's because a glass of wine can completely relax me after a hectic day at work.  Or maybe it's because I love cheese and the two just go together so well.  Or maybe it's because...it's delicious ~ what's not to love?

Last week I decided to venture out from my two-buck Chuck routine and try a new bottle of wine, and I was pleasantly surprised.  After this I had the crazy idea to start the series "Wine Wednesday" where I will post about a new bottle of wine I've tried.

Now trust me, I am no wine connoisseur.  You won't read any wine-specific lingo like "palate" or "components."  I have a serious lack of true wine knowledge, and I will often try wine simply based on its label (at least I'll admit it).  I like wine that tastes good, and wine that is, let's face it, inexpensive!   I'm looking forward to being a little more spontaneous with my wine choices and even finding a nice red wine that I like (eek! I'm not big on reds).  Maybe you will read about a new wine that interests you!

For the first Wine Wednesday I bring you...

2009 Green Fin White Table Wine

Find it at  Trader Joe's for $3.99

What the bottle says:  “This Green Fin White Table Wine is made entirely from organically grown grapes. This pale straw colored wine has very intense orange blossom and honey aromatics while delivering a full rich body with a core of pear and nectarine flavors followed by a smooth aftertaste that’s long and focussed. Savor the flavor of this organically grown white table wine with your favorite meal or by itself. Enjoy!”

What I think:  I love this wine!  It's sweet, but not too sweet.  To me, it tastes similar to a Riesling (which I love).  I drank it with a chicken dish and it went together really nicely.  And let's be honest...the bottle is so cute!  You can see by some of the background colors in my kitchen, that I love greens and yellows.  I saw the old Woody and surfboard on the front and that was it for me.  Then I saw the price, $3.99, and I was sold! 

I love good old Two-Buck Chuck, but I must say that the extra two dollar splurge was well worth it!