During the holidays, some of us feel the need to indulge our loved ones with lavish meals, while others opt for easy but tasty hors d’oeuvres. Here’s an alternative that offers the best of both worlds: a festive wine and cheese party. By matching fine cheeses with bright, sparkling wines you will create a very special event full of holiday magic. Start the celebrations with a bottle of Domaine Rolet Crémant du Jura, a smooth sparkling wine from France, and a colourful Rumball Coonawarra Sparkling Shiraz from Australia. Their aromas of gingerbread (Crémant), blackcurrant and vanilla (Coonawarra) are perfect for […]
Month: December 2010
Sparkling Wines that Won’t Blow Your Holiday Budget
Champagne can only be produced in the French region that bears its name, but the joy that comes from hearing a cork pop can come from any number of other sparkling wines – at a fraction of the cost. "The central problem is that wine pricing is almost completely arbitrary … the price of a wine does not significantly correlate to the pleasure it brings," said Robin Goldstein, editor of "The Wine Trials," an annual guide to wines under $15 a bottle that beat wines costing $50-plus a bottle in blind tastings. Dom Perignon producer Moet & […]
Pair Wines with the People on Your Holiday Gift List
Wine is one of the few presents that makes both the giver and the receiver look good. You look like you spent a bundle on the gift (even if you didn’t) and the recipients are happy that you think they know something about wine (even if they don’t). This holiday season, anyone can tap into my free web site and mobile apps for iPhone, BlackBerry, Droid and other smartphones. They help consumers with a whole new type of pairing: wine with the people on your Christmas shopping list. The app and site also pair wines to thousands of dishes, including […]
Treat your greens to a downpour
We all remember our parents telling us how important it was to eat our vegetables as a child. And if you were staring down at a plate of limp carrots, peas and broccoli, following this command wasn’t always easy. Luckily with this delicate and delicious vinaigrette, getting your fill of leafy greens is much more of a pleasure than a chore. Now there is a palpable difference between a store bought dressing and a homemade one. And by adding Jackson Triggs White Meritage to the recipe, the tastes are immediately taken up a notch. This silver medalist at the […]
Savoury Recipe for Beef and Red Wine Stew
This wonderful recipe comes from Amanda, host and co-producer of The Hot Plate Recipe Author Link: www.thehotplate.net Recipe Author Website: The Hot Plate Recipe: Just the way we like it; rich, meaty and with a healthy dose of wine to round out the flavor. If you don’t have an oven safe pot just slow cook on the stovetop at a very gentle simmer. Stew is an easy dish to prepare if you’re pressed for time or need to feed a crowd because the active time is minimal. ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb stewing beef 1 bag pearl onions, […]
