Tis the Season: My Favorite Champagne Cocktails

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My Favorite Classic Champagne Cocktail.  It's no secret I love sparkling wine. (Remember Champagne is sparkling wine made in Champagne, France; all other bubbles are sparkling wine, prosecco, cava, etc.). And I mean love. But, I wish sparkling wines were loved more than during the holidays or on special occasions.  

Sure, I love celebrating with bubbles as much as the next person, but sparkling wine actually pairs very well with most food. Some wine critics even argue that rose sparkling wine is the best wine to pair with food (overall). 

With that said, I thought I would share with you all my favorite (and, I mean absolute favorite) champagne cocktail. I typically call it The Elderflower, but you may also know it as a St. Germain Champagne cocktail. It is refreshing, delicious and insanely addictive. 

Directions: Fill your glass 2/3 full with sparkling wine; top off with a generous splash of St. Germain (or any elderflower liquor) and finish with a twist of lemon.

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Now for you advanced mixologists, here are some more great recipes.

Christmas Cocktail. Ingredients: 1 sugar cube; splash brandy; genorous splash cranberry; champagne; a few raspberries. Directions: Place sugar cube in the bottom of chilled champagne glass. Add brandy and let soak in, then splash on the cranberry juice. At last moment, fill with champagne and dress with raspberries.

Champagne Sidecar.  Ingredients: 1 ½ measures bourbon; 1 measure Cointreau; ¼ measure lemon juice; chilled champagne; ice. Directions: Shake bourbon, cointreau and lemon juice over ice and strain into a chilled flute. Fill with chilled champagne

French 75.  Ingredients: 2 measures brandy; 1 measure lemon juice; 1 tsp sugar syrup; cracked ice; chilled champagne; lemon peel to decorate. Directions: Shake brandy, lemon juice and sugar syrup vigorously over ice, strain into cold highball glass and fill with champagne. Dress with twist of lemon.

Winter Wine Project: Kung Fu Girl Riesling

This post will definitely put the "winter" in Winter Wine Project! Why? Because of all the snow! As a February baby, I have always loved winter. Sure it's chilly, but I love getting outside and then coming back home to warm up with some hot chocolate or coffee. This time around, however, I decided to warm up with a different drink of choice - wine! More specifically, the next wine from my winter wine project, the 2012 Kung Fu Girl Riesling from Washington State. Check out my review below, along with some fun action shots from my snow day!

My snow day, views from winery (bottom left) and the park near my house!

So fun fact about the Kung Fu Girl label, it was one of the first wine's I picked up early in my wine-drinking career. I had just turned 21 and I was visiting my sister in Boston. We stopped in a random wine store downtown and I saw the Kung Fu girl label and thought, "this is a fun label and I like riseling, so let's try it!" These days I go into the wine shop with a little more direction about what I may buy, but that goes to show that using a fun label that jumps off the shelf is definitely helpful in the U.S. wine market. With that said, I was so excited to see Kung Fu Girl on not only WS 100 Outstanding Values, but it made the cut for Top 100 Wines of 2013. Way to go Kung Fu Girl! I am excited to see if the wine lives up to both this ranking and the delicious wine that I remember. 

But first, let's chat about wine making in Washington State. This state produces the most wine in the U.S., after California of course. The top varietals grown in Washington include: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurtztraminer. But the most notable wines are often made with Merlot or Syrah grapes.

Charles Smith Riesling Columbia Valley Kung Fu Girl Evergreen 2012.

Grapes: 100% Riesling. Classically, Riesling produces white wines with a strong citrus flavor balanced with a complex minerality. Many of the best Rieslings are made in Alsace or Austria. Please don't knock this grape until you try it. Also, if you have a sweet Riesling that you don't like, keep trying them, it is definitely a complex grape that requires patience to appreciate because there are so many styles out there!

Where it's From: Washington State, Columbia Valley AVA (American Viticultural Areas). Columbia Valley is one of the largest AVAs in the United States, approximately 30,000 acres. Kung Fu Girl is grown specifically at Evergreen vineyard.

Alcohol: 11%

Winemaker's Notes: "This wine kicks ass with tons of complexity, showing shoes of white peach and slate. Focused acidity finishing with mandarin orange and lots of minerality." Pairs well with spicy dishes or grilled seafood.

My Thoughts: I have missed this wine!!! First thing you notice off the bat is the strong notes of peach - they were not lying! I can also smell hints of slate or stone (kind of like the smell of a stone beach - weird description I know!). The taste is awesome and definitely deserving of its awards - soft citrus fruit up front with the perfect bite of acidity at the end. You should run, not walk, to your nearest wine store and pick this up ASAP. I'm beginning to wonder if my skepticism against WS has been mistaken for all these years.

So that brings us to the end of today's tasting for the Winter Wine Project. Please be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below. Next time, we will be tasting A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir 2011, from Oregon. 

Happy Holidays and Cheers!

Gifts for the Wine Lover: Gadgets and Gizmos

So what if that special wine lover in your life is not into books or art? No problem! This list is full of great items that every wine drinker should collect during their lifetime (or all at once if necessary)! When it comes to wine accessories for me, I prefer basic functionality over the latest technology. Affordable and functional beats high-tech any day - so check out my suggestions below!

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1. Wine Opener/Corckscrew.  Every wine drinker needs a decent wine opener, period. One of my personal favorites is the Metrokane Vertical Lever style opener. It is by far the easiest opener I have ever used and almost 2 years in it still works great. However, after working in a few tasting rooms, I have come to appreciate the traditional hinged corkscrew. You can buy them at any liquor store for around $3 and they work just fine.

2. Wine Saver.  Now, I haven't had much experience with these wine savers because I don't really understand the concept of leftover wine... But if you really wanted to open that Cabernet on a Tuesday night and still want to be functional at work the next day - you should look for a wine saver. Vacu Vin is one of my favorites because it is simple to use and affordable. Jury is still out on whether it really helps save the wine for an extended period of time, but it definitely helps for a few days.

3. Decanter.  If you enjoy reds, you really should look into buying a decanter. Traditionally, decanters were used to separate the wine from the small amount of sediment that collects at the bottom of the bottle. But more commonly today, they are used to help aerate the wine (or let it "breathe"). In all fairness, some wine experts criticize aeration and don't think it actually helps the wine - so I will leave that up to you. I like decanters because they and to the table decor. My main recommendation, be sure to buy one that is easy to clean.

4. Wine Aerator.  Moving along to something that is more impulsive than essential - aerators. I have one, have yet to use it, but I think it is an interesting idea. I have the Vinturi aerator, which is interesting because you can use it with a decanter or straight to the glass. 

5. Whiskey Stones.  I know, I know, this has nothing to do with wine. But, there are tons of fun accessories out there for beverages other than wine. I actually prefer whiskey on the rocks, but if you (or that whiskey lover in your life) likes their liquor straight up - whiskey stones are great for cooling down without watering down the drink. If you want to cool down your wine in a fun way (or I usually do this for sangria) freeze grapes. They have the same effect of whiskey stones, but are edible at the end!

6. Drink Charms.  Do you have that one family member who always loses their glass at parties or family gatherings and ends up stealing everyone else's? Then you definitely need to get them some wine charms. There are so many wine charms available these days - both online and in your favorite store on main street. Check out these mustache drink markers - hilariously cute!

7. Wine Refrigerator.  For that serious wine enthusiast in your life, you may consider a wine refrigerator. There are thousands of models out there - but I prefer the smaller models (holding approximately 30 bottles) with one temperature setting. This is mostly because I don't really believe in collecting wine to age for decades, but you may have a special bottle or two that you what to hold one for a view years. 

8. Wine Apps (iPhone).  Now if you are looking to save money or pick up something fun for yourself - check out my favorite wine apps!

• First, for tips on pairing wine with food, occasions, etc, check out Hello Vino. It's a simple app that is great when you head to the wine store (or restaurant) without a specific plan and need a quick idea. Plus it's free!
• Second, Drync Wine Pro. This is my favorite app by far, it's a great way to keep track of wines you drink or purchase with it's cellar tracking feature. But, it also allows you to look up wines by taking a picture of the label (so cool!). It costs $4.99, but its totally worth it if you like to keep track of wines you tasted.
• Third, Snooth Wine Pro. It's like a virtual cellar and facebook combined. Plus it's free!
• Two new apps I am looking into: Wine Events and Wine Wherever. Both help put you in touch with local wine events - definitely a fun idea

If you have any favorite wine gadgets, gizmos or apps that I did not give a shout out to, leave a comment! 

Happy Holidays and Cheers!

Decisions, Decisions: Favorite Wine Bars

My Favorite Wine Bars!

Photo Source: 

http://www.janesgourmetdeli.com/Restaurant/TheWineWall.aspx

Dear Enthusiasts! I am shocked to learn that I have not yet shouted out my favorite wine bars! We have covered my favorite places to grab

drinks in NYC

and we have considered what to consider when

choosing a wine bar

for your evening - but - now I will give you all my insider tips!

New York.

  Let's start with the greatest city in the world. NYC! There are so many options here, frankly too many. Below are my top 5 favorites, places that I could go to night after night and always have a good time. I am

sure

 there are tons that I missed, if so, just shout out your favorite place in the comments section.

1. Amelie (Greenwich Village).  

I have probably shouted out this wine bar multiple times. But this place deserves it! The ambiance is great - sleek and modern, yet cozy. But what's even better is the food and drink. All the snacks are delicious, but the wine list is extensive. Added bonus - the servers are super fun! 

2. The Immigrant (East Village).

  I walked by this place most days for almost six months before I actually stopped by, but I was oh so glad when I did! This place exudes simple, rustic charm. The wine list is short, but full of complex choices. Go for drinks and snacks, but don't expect dinner!

3. Terroir (East Village).

  Go for the Riesling selection, stay for the snacks! But an insider tip - one of the best happy hour deals I have seen in Manhattan. 

4. Cork Buzz Wine Studio (Union Square).

  If you want to experience great wine served by a truly knowledgeable staff - this is the place to go! Co-founded by one of my favorite Master Sommeliers (and 1 of only 20 women), the wine list really offers a great selection. Tons of familiar wine styles and even more interesting new glasses to try. Plus the food is delicious!

5. Murray's Cheese Bar (West Village).

  Wine + cheese = happiness. Need I say more?

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http://www.allposters.com.au/-sp/

L-Instant-Taittinger-posters_i421309_.htm

Boston.

  Now some New Yorkers wouldn't dare admit that there is life outside of the city, but I love exploring new places. One of the first things I do when I visit

a new city is find a great wine store and wine bar within the neighborhood. So this summer when I lived in Boston, I quickly found 

Belly Wine Bar

 in Cambridge. Rustic style wine bar with a very creative wine list. I wouldn't head there for a filling meal, but the snacks were definitely delicious.

Baltimore.

  (No, it's not just like The Wire). I lived in Charm City for over a year and in that time I learned that Baltimore is not really a big wine town. No matter! I still stumbled upon

13.5% Wine Bar

 in Hampden. The wine bar has a extensive list and fun snacks. But just in case you needed another reason, Hampden is a must visit neighborhood all on its own - hon fest, hipsters, great food! (Plus my favorite wine store of

all time

 The Wine Source). 

Annapolis.

  I may love living in the City, but I actually grew up in Maryland (aka the mid-atlantic,

not

 the South for you Northerners). One of my favorite places to visit when I'm back in town is

 Red Red Wine Bar

 on Main Street. It a relatively new addition, but well worth the wait.

Wilmington (Delaware that is).

I recently visited family in the Wilmington area, so true to form, I researched the wine bars. My favorite is 

Pochi,

 a wine bar featuring wines and food from Chile. Delicious!

Cheers!

Boston: The Publick House

hOOH YEAH Boston! It's time for a restaurant review!

The Publick House

No shots, no pitchers...

 the motto of The Publick House in Brooklin, MA. And they mean it!

As for Decor - the ambiance is everything you could want from a classic pub. Dark wood, dim lighting, and gold bar rails. On nice evenings they open all the windows.

The Beer selection here is extensive. Everything that the group ordered tasted great. I ordered a beer called Stillwater Ale, made by Cellar Door in Baltimore, MD. (And no it wasn't because it was made in Baltimore - but Go O's!) I was drawn to this beer because the brewer highlighted the use of sage in the brewing process, which I thought was unique and delicious!

Finally, the food was just as awesome as the beer. We ordered the brussel sprouts and fries (known as the best of boston, and weren't half bad) to start. Then, practically the whole table ordered burgers for dinner. I went the "healthy route" and ordered the veggie burger - which was good, but not my favorite ever. However, the rest of the table ordered the traditional burger, which was excellent.

Basically, if you are looking for a great place to grab a beer and a burger with friends, Publick House is worth the trip. 

Cheers!

I wish I could teleport to NYC to visit... The Fourth.

 I may be a bit late to the game, but this new spot in East Village looks to die for! Open for brunch, lunch and dinner (though I would opt for Brunch right out of the gate), 

NYC Favorites: Manhattan Restaurants

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http://www.jazzageclub.com/venues/the-classy-ciros-restaurant-chain/

Manhattan. This is the best place to grab a bite to eat - In the world! Yes, better than France, Rome and Tokyo. New York's edge can be described in one word - diversity. You can have quality food from all most every culture around the world. Some of my favorite spots are listed below:

1. Lower East Side Tacqueria (LES).

  Rational or not - LES Tacqueria may be my favorite restaurant in the city. It doesn't offer a fancy tasting menu or wine pairings but it does offer delicious food. My usual included a margarita, guacamole and two tacos. All of their tacos are awesome. And the service is always attentive despite the huge crowds out front. 

2. Blue Ribbon Sushi (South Village).  

If you love sushi, you will love blue ribbon. There are tons of options here and all are great.

3. Baohaus (East Village).  

Taiwanese Street Buns - pure awesomeness. Full disclosure, I went to baohaus before it became a household name - and it was definitely better in the early days. However, the buns are always tasty - my favorite is the fried chicken. 

4. Murray's Cheese Bar (West Village).

  Wine and cheese is definitely a match made in heaven. Murray's aims to exploit this partnership by pairing awesome cheese with complex wines. What's not to love?

5. Mighty Quinn's BBQ (East Village).

  A casual bbq spot with killer pulled pork sandwiches! A recent addition to the east village community, Quinn's has been an instant success. Definitely worth visiting to satisfy that bbq craving.

6. Crispo (West Village).  

Italian. Actually - my favorite Italian in the city! I have visited Crispo several times (and I try to never repeat restaurants in the city). The service is great. The wine list is great. Plus

7. Upstate (East Village).

  Cozy little establishment with fantastic seafood. I'll admit, I'm not a big raw bar person, but Upstate offers several delicious seafood dishes. If you have room, they usually serve a whiskey cake - yum!!!

8. ABC Kitchen (Union Square/Flatiron).

  A favorite among my NYC friends for brunch. 

9. The Toucan and The Lion (East Village).  

Asian fusion small plates - yes please! Plus, they have several inventive cocktails.

10. Beecher's Handmade Cheese (Flatiron).

  Cheese store upstairs, wine bar downstairs. I recommend the mac & cheese with wine (what kind - all of them!).

11. Hill Country Chicken (Flatiron).  

Their chicken and traditional sides are delicious - but I come here for the pies. They come in several flavors and sizes (including a personal size) - my favorite is the cowboy pie.

12. Momofuku - Ramen, Ssam or Ma Peche.

 David Chang is a culinary legend. He is the mastermind behind the Momofuku restaurant family. Ma Peche is the fancy fusion restaurant. The Ssam Bar is great for groups and features a huge slap of pork with sides. My favorite is the Ramen bar - offering simple and delicious ramen bowls. If you have room after visiting those three great spots - stop by Momofuku milk bar. They feature crack pie, everything cookies and red velvet milkshakes.

13. Cookshop (Chelsea).  

Rustic style food - best for brunch.

14. Num Pang.

  Cambodian flavors on perfect french bread - one of my favorite sandwiches in the city. The brisket is always the best. First runner up = shrimp.

15. Otto Enoteca Pizzeria.

  When I start a new restaurant list, I try to stay away from the well-known celebrity chefs. But I always had such a good time at Otto that this Mario Batali restaurant had to make the list. The feature here is pizza and wine. I usually stopped by for lunch when I could sit at the bar and talk the the bartenders about the best wines.

Now before my friends in Brooklyn get too upset about the lack of Brooklyn spots (of which there are tons!) a Brooklyn was posted previously!! So check it out.

Cheers!

NYC Favorites: Brooklyn Restaurants

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http://www.screanews.us/NewYork/BrooklynOld.htm

For most Manhattan residents, a trip to Brooklyn is as painful as TSA security at the airport behind a large family with tons of kids. But I always enjoyed the atmosphere (and the lower prices) of Brooklyn. Most of the places listed below are still on my must see list. However, they are all highly recommended:

1. Pies n' Thighs (Williamsburg).

  Country style food with great service. I dare you to visit without trying the mac & cheese.

2. Ovenly (Greenpoint).

  Cute little coffee shop with great desserts. 

3. Lighthouse (Williamsburg).

  Modern bar with awesome snacks and plates. Known for a wide variety of oysters.

4. Aska (Williamsburg).  

Don't get scared off by the style of this restaurant - Scandinavian  It is fresh food, inventive preparation and an all around great experience.

5. Pok Pok NY (Columbia Street Waterfront District).  

Authentic (and I mean legit authentic) Thai food in Brooklyn. Plus, Anthony Bourdain tested and approved. Some reservations on the price and size of the restaurant - but its NYC - too be expected.

6. Blanca (East Williamsburg).  

This place is a real splurge and requires some planning - but if you consider yourself an advanced foodie, Blanca is a must see. Here you will experience an extensive tasting menu with wine pairings (likely to last 3 hours) with only 11 other patrons. I'll admit - reservations are tough to come by and the experience isn't cheap - but worth it for any advanced foodie out there.

7. Fisherman's Dawta (Downtown Brooklyn).  

One winter day in the city, I was craving jerk chicken. Like I wish I could go back to Jamaica tomorrow craving. If that ever happens to you, FD is the place to go. Many list this place as one of the best in the city.

8. Radegast Hall and Biergarten (Williamsburg).

  If you ever want to feel like you have teleported to Bavaria for a night, Radegast is a great spot. The space has a rustic, hunting lodge feel. Plus, they serve traditional German beers and have an excellent outdoor space for summer. 

9. Gywnnett St (Williamsburg).

  Modern American food - that looks super tasty. Seriously, I just looked at the menu online and I had to fight back the urge to make a reservation! I would recommend the pork belly and scallops. Plus, the make fabulous in-house drinks.

10. Rucola.

  Italian. Romantic. Delicious. Classic Italian options - be sure to save room for dessert! They have a blueberry almond cake... need I say more?!

There are probably hundreds of other must see spots opening in Brooklyn every day. I suggest you go there ASAP. If you are lucky, you may even see Jay-Z on

R train

- though I wouldn't hold my breathe.

Cheers!