Juvé & Camps Pinot Noir Cava Is Great For A Lazy Sunday

I have a bit of work to take care so I had to pass on a St-Germain brunch. Totally bummed about that because St-Germain is one of my favorite French liqueurs, especially when adding it to champagne.

To make myself feel better, I am having some Juvé & Camps Pinot Noir Cava. A very lovely cava with aromas of fresh red apple and strawberries to hints of honey white flowers and toasted almond. If memory serves me correctly, I first tried this cava during Cava Week in NYC.  Loved it then and love it now. Great for a lazy Sunday.

My Sofia Summer- Win A Trip To Belize

I always recommend that a person does some  traveling. It really is good for the body, mind, and spirit. There is magick in seeing other parts of the world, because it also helps to expand your mind.

There is a contest that the Francis Ford Coppola Winery is running that would win you a trip to Belize to the Family Coppola Resort. Can you just see yourself on a beach in Belize with a tropical drink in your hand? I don’t know about you but I sure can. It’s a fun contest so why not enter. You could be the winner, just make sure that you take me with you. ;)

Francis Ford Coppola Winery invites you to toast to fun in the sun this summer with a bottle (or can!) of the ultimate warm weather beverage, Sofia Blanc de Blancs.  Enter for your chance to win an all- expense paid trip to Turtle Inn, the Family Coppola Resort’s beachside getaway located in Belize. Anyone over the age of 21 is eligible to enter by sharing a photo or video of their summer adventures with Sofia wines.

Visit MySofiaSummer.com to submit photos or videos (20 seconds max) or simply tag photo/videos with #MySofiaSummer and #SofiaPromo on Instagram or Twitter. One grand prize winner will be selected to receive the trip of a lifetime to Turtle Inn and 25 first place winners will receive a Sofia Sparkler gift box. The contest runs from July 21st – August 31st. For full details and official rules, please visit MySofiaSummer.com.

Wine Smash: Freixenet

Do you cava? You should, it's Spain's answer to champagne and it taste so good.  

It's always fun to get wine goodies! Freixenet sent me two bottles of their magick, the Excelencia and Rosado. Freixenet is one of the top producers of sparkling wine in Spain. The wine is produced in the methode champenoise tradition. 

I had the opportunity to visit their winery when I went to Spain earlier this month.  It was wonderful to get the behind the scenes scoop and sip on sparkling wine. 

Next time you are in the wine shop searching for a sparkling wine pick up a bottle of Freixenet. They make some great wines for every day and perfect for weekend brunches. Cheers!

Cava Chica Tee

Piper-Heidsieck & Wolfgang Puck Conjure A Red Carpet Ready Champagne Treat

Well, well, well, the Oscars are causing quite the stir this year. Will you be watching the show? Personally I can’t wait to see what Chris Rock does with the opening monologue. Then there is Leo Dicaprio. This year could be the one that he finally wins an Oscar. He has waited long enough.

No matter why you are watching the Oscars, you can luxuriate like a celebrate by sipping on Piper Heidsieck Champagne. Besides being one of my favorites, it is the exclusive champagne of the Oscars.  Bubbles are perfect to watch during all of the glamour and glitz of the night! What will be in your glass?

If you want to eat like the celebs at the Governor's Ball then whip up the Red Carpet Ready Raspberry Panna Cotta that Wolfgang Puck will be serving to celebs at the official post dinner of the Oscars.

“Red Carpet Ready” Raspberry Panna Cotta 

with Lychee-Champagne Gelee

Yield: 24, 4-oz glasses

Lychee Champagne Gelee:

1/2 ounce sheet gelatin

7 fluid ounces Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Champagne

7 fluid ounces lychee puree

Fresh raspberries

Raspberry Panna Cotta:

1/2 ounce sheet gelatin

21 fluid ounces cream

1 cup granulated sugar

24 fluid ounces raspberry puree

First, make the Lychee Champagne Gelee: Put the gelatin sheet in a small bowl and add ice water to cover. Leave the gelatin until it blooms, turning soft and pliable, 5 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the Champagne and lychee puree in a saucepan and warm, stirring, over medium-low heat.

When the gelatin has bloomed, gently lift it out and gently wring to remove excess water. Add the gelatin to the warm Champagne-lychee mixture and stir until fully dissolved and blended in.

Spoon the mixture into individual small serving glasses or bowls to form a thin layer in their bottoms. Add a few raspberries to each glass. Place the glasses on a tray and refrigerate until set completely.

While the Lychee Champagne Gelee sets, prepare the Raspberry Panna Cotta: Put the gelatin sheet in a small bowl and add ice water to cover. Leave the gelatin until it blooms, turning soft and pliable, 5 to 10 minutes.

Put half of the cream and all of the sugar in a saucepan and cook, stirring, over medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Gently squeeze excess water from the bloomed gelatin, add the gelatin to the pan, and stir until completely dissolved. Stir in the remaining cream and the raspberry puree.

Immediately  place the bottom of the pan in a large mixing bowl filled with ice cubes and water and stir until the mixture feels cool to the touch. Spoon the Raspberry Panna Cotta mixture evenly over the Lychee Champagne Gelee in each glass and return to the refrigerator to cool until completely set, 2 to 4 hours, before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Wolfgang Puck Catering, Executive Pastry Chef Tyler Atwell

Weekly Menu: Gingerbread French Toast, Croque Monsieur, Onion Fried Chicken, & Chocolate Glitter Cookies

This week's wine selection is: Louis Bouillot Perle Noire

It's one sexy crémant.. think creamy and delish! The aromas are vivacious as they give off red fruits and bread scents. Everything selected on the menu would be great to pair with the wine. Cheers!

Monday:Gingerbread French Toast from Food 52

Tuesday: Croque Monsieur  from Ina Garten

Wednesday: Artichoke Cheedar Squares from Pinch My Salt

Thursday: Onion Fried Chicken from Taste of Home

Friday: Roasted Garlic Mash Potatoes from Food Network

Dessert:

Best Chocolate Cake from Aapplemint

Chocolate Glitter Cookies from The Canadian Baker

Newburgh: Home To America's Oldest Winery

Little did I know that I lived only about an hour and a half from the Brotherhood Winery, the oldest winery in America. I was invited on a weekend trip to Newburgh, NY to check out the winery and the historic sites that are part of the town. I got to travel in style by going in a Luxor Limo. If you are going up to Newburgh with a group of friends, it is a great way to travel. However there are tours and bus packages that can get you to some of the sites.

I had never heard of the Newburgh before but it turns out there are more than a handful of wineries in the area. It's the kind of place that is perfect for an overnight trip when you want to get out of the city. I stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton. The hotel has recently been revamped and given a new attitude. It’s quite charming, but more importantly, affordable and clean with a really a nice staff. The beds at the hotel make love to your body. You won’t want to get out of bed. Make sue that you factor naps that into your schedule.

Let’s get to my favorite part of the trip, the wine! Brotherhood Winery was established in 1839. It’s quaint and filled with history. Not only is it a fun place to go hang out, but you can also have your wedding on their grounds in their mansion. The wine is pretty tasty, especially their red wine selections. They are solid and packed with wonderful aromas. Their sparkling wine, Blanc de Blancs ( aka Sparkling B out side of NY)  is an affordable option great for brunch and special occasions. I picked up their Holiday Wine which has aromas of cinnamon and spices. I'm going to warm it up in the crockpot and sip away on a lazy Sunday.  

When you go to the winery, make sure that you go on one of the wine tours so that you can find out about the history of the vineyard. The staff will give you history about the winery that will probably surprise you. Back in it's heyday Brotherhood use to throw weekend parties in the cellar that were all the rage. Everyone who was anyone went to the winery. Their grapes are now located in the Finger Lakes and Long Island, but the cellars are filled with stories that anyone into wine would love.

Before or after the winery if you have time check out Washington’s Historic State Site, I have to admit it is something that it is probably something I would not have done if I were not invited to go. It very educational. The grounds are beautiful and well preserved. The history of the house is a pure delight. It is definitely worth your time.

A big thank you for the welcome gifts in my hotel room at the Sherton goes out to Elm and Word Notebooks for the Adventure Logs. I’ve been rocking my beanie since I got it. The Adventure Logs are great for wine notes.

It's A Cava Kinda Day...

It's a cava kinda day! I've been working n wine stuff and sipping cava as I get ready for the Giants game. One of my favorite cavas is Friexenet who have been in the game since 1861. Made with flirty bubbles, dry and good friendly. I have mixed it with a little bit of violet liqueur today, it's so good.  Next time you want to pick up an affordable cava, check out this one. Cheers!

Glorious Ferrer Glorious Bites Appetizer Challenge

I was invited to the Glorious Ferrer Glorious Bites Appetizer Challenge in New York City over the weekend. Gloria Ferrer has teamed up with Brooke Williamson from Top Chef to discover the best appetizer around the country.  The semi finals were held at the ICE Culinary Institute where there was food and bottles popping all night long.

Gloria Ferrer is one of my favorite sparkling wines. I discovered it at Astor Wines when it was on sale and recommended by the staff. This winery was the first sparkling wine house in Sonoma Carneros. Their wines are made using the champagne method, so their bottles packed with delicious bubbles.

It was a fun and delicious evening. If you haven't tried Gloria Ferrer wines, you are missing some serious magick in a bottle. I give them a BIG thumbs up!

Gruet: Blanc de Blancs

Gruet is quickly becoming one of my favorite wineries. They know how to make good sparkling wine. I went to college in New Mexico where Gruet is located, who would have know this amazing wine could be from there?

I recently tried The Gruet Blanc de Blancs, a sparkling wine that is flirty in the mouth and sensual on the tongue. The apple, pear, and citrus notes in the wine are a delicious mix of flavor. As the wine opens up, it gets even better. 

These sexy bubbles could can be paired with whatever makes you happy such as burgers, salmon, a big yummy salad, cheeses and anything in between. It's so good, you will want to have it with everything.

The Gruet Winery is run by the Laurent and Nathalie Gruet, the childen of champagne maker, Gilbert Gruet. Since 1989, this winery has been producing sparkling wine that garners rave review from critics and wine connoisseurs from around the world.

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Get more than one bottle of the Blanc de Blancs, you will love this one! For a full sensory journey while sipping this wine burn blood orange or clementine essential oil. The citrus oil will go wonderfully with the the citrus note in the wine, plus give you a dose of happy energy.

For more of my wine reviews while you are in the wine store or in a restaurant, check me out on Vivino.

A Taste of Chile: Santa Digna Estelado Rosé, Pisco Mistral, & Chilean Truffles

(Claudia Olmedo, Sara Lehman, & me)

When my girl, Sara ( a.k.a. Somm in the City) invited me to tag along and check out some Chilean wines on a boat, I jumped at the chance. Like most people, I have indulged in a bottle or two of the Chilean wine, Gato Negro, due to the inexpensive price. There is so much more going on with wines from the region. Did you know that Chile’s wine history dates back to the 16th century? There was much for me to discover as I chatted with some of the top importers from Chile.

Authentic empanadas were served as well as deviled eggs topped with truffles from Chile. The truffles were flown in for the occasion and are so exclusive you have to know the right importer to get them. It is the first time that truffles are being cultivated in the region. I felt like a queen as I ate them, they were exquisite.

There are various wines to sip throughout the evening. As you know I am the kinda girl that loves bubbly, especially a good rosé brut. When I tasted the Santa Digna Estelado Rosé I instantly fell in love. This fabulous rosé is made in the same method as champagne. That is always a big bonus, especially when you want a good sparkling wine at an affordable price. The aromas are a mix of cherry, plum, strawberries, and floral notes. The wine is made by Miguel Torres Chile, one of the largest and highly regarded wineries in Chile.

A highlight of the evening was learning about Pisco Mistral and meeting Claudia Olmedo, the pisco sommelier. Made in winemaking regions of Chile, pisco is a sensual and potent brandy. It is the national drink of Chile. The only way I had tried pisco up until that point was in a pisco sour. Let's just say, I’m not a fan and it kept me far away from pisco. Now that I have tried Pisco Mistral, I won't ever think of pisco the same. Named after Nobel Prize Chilean poet, Gabriela Mistral, this amber colored pisco is aged in oak barrels for three years. The aromas are a perfume of wood, spice, and floral notes. Personally, I just like to have it one the rocks since I love how it tastes. If you are into pisco sours or pisco cocktails, the Pisco Mistral will add a touch of elegance to your drinks. There are five versions for you choose from.

Next time you are in the wine store pursue the Chilean section. You will discover that the region has many wines made with love and passion. Explore what Chile has to offer your palate.

Beyond Bubbles: The Essence of Champagne

I fell in love with champagne and French lifestyle while watching the movie, Gigi. I use to sing " The Night They Invented Champagne" over and over again. I imagined myself in the scene with Gigi and Gaston, doing the can can with a flute of champagne in my hand. The scene in the movie oozes of joie de vivre and luxury in other words the essence of champagne.

While bubbles and celebration come to mind when people think of champagne there is so much more to this wine.There is a rich history and culture attached to champagne as we see it today. Can you believe that when champagne was first produced, wine producers tried to get rid of the bubbles. They saw the bubbles as a failure. No matter how hard they tried the bubbles in the wine remained. It did not hurt that eventually doctors made claims that the bubble cured illness. It was when champagne became the drink of choice for the rich and royalty that everything began to change.

After champagne was introduced to King Louis XIV, he drank it exclusively.The women of the French royal court took a sip and went crazy over it. It is said that Napoleon Bonaparte would make a stop in the Champagne region before all military action to pick up some bottles of bubbly to take on the road as he went into battle. Champagne became such a trend during the 18th century that the top champagne houses had traveling sales people to take their champagnes to courts throughout Europe to compete for the affection of drinkers.

As the most influential people in society drank champagne, they bragged about it. Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV and member of the French court was an avid lover of the wine. She is quoted to having said "champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it." Cora Pearl who was one of the wealthiest and  most famous women in the 19th century filled up her bath tub with vintage champagne and invited her admirers to come watch her bathe in it. While something like this sounds over the top, it was a big coo. Fast forward to today and champagne is still the favorite drink of many celebrities, trendsetters and influential people. For example, the icon Marilyn Monroe loved champagne and was photographed many times taking a sip. Just like Cora Pearl, Monroe made the headlines by taking  a champagne bath. It took 350 bottles to fill the tub. Everybody who is anybody drinks champagne, because it is a lifestyle.

An amazing 200 million bottles of champagne are produced each year. The only way to drink an authentic champagne is to have one produced from the Champagne region of France. From the people who produce all of the bubbles to those who love to indulge drinking it, it is a wine of passion and life. Champagne is the meaning of joie de vivre.

Most of the founding champagne houses are still producing the top selling champagnes around the world. Every day a new sparkling wine comes on the scene to attempt to recreate the magick that is champagne. While the founders of champagne are no longer with us, they have left their art and joie de vivre in the bottle.

Champagnes & Sparkling Wines for Valentine's Day

The day after Christmas there was a Valentine's Day explosion. Hearts, roses, and big teddy bears were every where. I'm even rolling my eyes now as I write this. Not that there is anything wrong with V-Day paraphernalia, it can just be so over the top. I'm the type of lady who could care less about a stuffed bear, in fact if a man got me one I just might throw it back at him.

What I do love on V-Day is a nice champagne to sip on as I celebrate life. Champagne is the ultimate aphrodisiac. Research shows that the aromas of a dry champagnes and sparkling wines replicate the smell of female pheromones.

This Valentine's Day while you nosh on chocolate and hold that stuffed animal break out the bubbles. Put some thought into what is going on in your glass. Whether you are in a relationship or single indulge in a bit of bubbly to celebrate love which could be love of self, with a partner, love of a pet, or just because you love life. 

Here of some of my picks for champagne and sparkling wine for Valentine's Day:

Moet  & Chandon- This champagne was the drink of choice of Madame de Pompadour, a famous courtesan in France. She served it up to the Royal Court and the rest is history. If you want to drink like a royal or do it like the bougie, this is the champagne to get.

Menage a Trois Processo-  First of all the name alone says it's going to be a good time. This wine is crisp, a bit tart, yet refreshing to the tongue. After a few sips of this one, you will feel flirty and ready for just about anything.

Mumm Napa Rose- Since it is time to celebrate, break out the Mumm. This sparkler goes great with everything and anything. It is the great selection for celebrating Valentine’s Day due to the aphrodisiac aromas of vanilla and strawberries. A sip of this will rock your world.

Cristalino Rose Brut- This rosé is an excellent choice for Valentine's Day. It's pink, bubbly, and affordable what's not to love about that. It is delish with fried food and desserts so have it at the beginning or end of your meal.

Dibon Brut Cava- This is one of my favorite cavas. It’s crisp and the bubbles are kicking. The aromas in this one are apple, pear, and stone fruit. It’s also an organic wine so if you want to impress your lover who is all about being  green, this is the one to select.

Witch On Wine: Cristalino Rosé Brut

Check out my review of Jaume Serra Cristalino Rosé Brut Cava. If you want a full sensory experience with a touch of magickal aromatherapy, pair the cava with the aroma of peru balsam (balsam of peru) essential oil. Burn a bit in a burner or put some in a diffuser. Peru Balsam is woodsy and has a vanilla undertone. 

It's great for healing, so sniff as you sip. If you can't find this oil, you can just as easily use vanilla as your aroma of choice. Make sure that you use vanilla extract because their is no such thing as a vanilla essential oil. I recommend McCormick's, because they do not add anything artificial to their extract.

Bring On The Bubbles...

Having a hard day? Grab a friend and some bubbles and talk it out! Cheers.