yumsugar -- To die for.

Happy Hour: Four Wines 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

partysugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:30:00 -0800

Last night while at a benefit for Global Green, one winery asked me to think outside the box. Now I want you to do the same: Allow me to introduce California's premium wine tube. It's not wine in a box, it's wine in a tube! Four Wines has created the first high-quality, alternative-packaged wine. While I was skeptical, the wine's spicy start, nice body, and layered fruity flavors impressed me — it was actually good and delightfully drinkable. Even super-taster FabSugar (whose picky about her wine) enjoyed a glass.

Perfect for entertaining a large crowd, the $40 tube holds 24 glasses of wine (about four bottles) that stays fresh up to four weeks after opening. The grapes are sourced from Paso Robles, Monterey, and Lodi, CA. The elimination of glass, corks, and foils reduce the wine's carbon footprint by 50 percent, making the wine tube an excellent choice for the eco-conscious wine drinker.

So what do you think about this green-friendly wine? Would you drink wine from a tube?

Happy Hour: 2007 Mark West Pinot Noir

partysugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:15:31 -0800

Not hosting Thanksgiving, but in charge of bringing wine to a family member or friend's dinner? I highly recommend seeking out a bottle of Mark West's 2007 Pinot Noir. It's not only affordable ($11.99), but its also delightfully drinkable and silky smooth.

Described as Pinot For the People, Mark West's manifesto is to "demand rich, fruit-inspired, easy-drinking wine." With its jammy black fruits, full perfume, vanilla undertones, and light acidity, this Pinot delivers. I enjoyed it with cheese fondue, roast chicken, and mushroom pasta making it extremely versatile — a necessary characteristic for a Thanksgiving wine.

Happy Hour: 2006 Iron Horse Estate Pinot Noir

partysugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:15:04 -0700

Last night I attended Jack Falstaff's first Farm to Table Grower's Dinner. The special menu features seasonal ingredients from local producers. The most exciting part of the meal (besides the delicious food) is that the farmers and wine makers dine with you.

I was lucky enough to speak with Audrey Sterling, the grande dame of Iron Horse vineyards. After fabulously describing the wines, she told me about how Iron Horse is served at the White House! Their varietals have been selected by the past five presidencies, dating back to Ronald Regan. It's a fun fact to tell guests when serving Iron Horse.

While I enjoyed all the wines they poured, my favorite was the 2006 Estate Pinot Noir ($40). It was subtly complex and incredibly smooth. Like the perfect little black dress, it's elegant, but stylish. It rolls through the mouth with fruity, earthy flavors and a rich aroma. The wine's made with a special precision-harvesting technique that closely examines each vines needs, resulting in a silky, wonderful wine. The wine was served with an intensely crispy, suckling pig porchetta, but I think it would be lovely with everything from comforting macaroni and cheese to braised beef.

Happy Hour: Conde de Siruela Crianza

partysugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:15:40 -0700

If you are looking for an exciting new red wine, I highly recommend Conde de Siruela Crianza ($22). From the Ribera del Duero region of Spain, this lush red is smooth, well bodied, and elegant. It has a ruby-red color and fruity aroma.

Although the bottle's label is rustic and old worldly, the liquid inside is fresh, full, and only slightly aged. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats — I enjoyed mine with finger-licking good lamb chops — roasts or cheese.

What red wines have you been into lately? Have you ever tried a Spanish red?

Happy Hour: 2003 Walter Clore Private Reserve Red

YumSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:15:44 -0700

Last night, I popped the cork on this 2003 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve Red ($35). The wine wasn't a single varietal (like Syrah or Zinfandel), but rather a Bordeaux-style blend of several different grapes. Red wine from France's Bordeaux region implies a blend of several different varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

The hue was a deep purple, and the taste bone-dry with a velvety finish and full body. Drinking the wine reminded me of the pleasures of Summer — blackberries and cherries — with a hint of chocolate.

What else did the wine remind me of? The person who sent it to me as a gift. As my favorite wine columnists say, "Wine can conjure up memories in a way that few other things can."

It's certainly true that drinking this wine conjured up great memories of our friendship. Does the same hold true for you when you drink wine?

Would You Rather Drink Red or White Wine?

partysugar — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 01:30:29 -0700

A couple of weeks ago I found out that the majority of you prefer to drink wine instead of beer. So now I want to know what kind of wine you favor: red or white?Source

Would You Rather Drink Red or White Wine?

I prefer red wine.

I prefer white wine.

I appreciate both red and white wine.

White in summer, red in winter.

I don't drink.

10 Healthiest Drinks

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

When the heat of Summer has you looking to quench your thirst, it's a good idea to do so with a healthy beverage. The question is: What are healthy beverages? Health.com is reporting on a new study that ranks 10 beverages by their levels of disease-fighting antioxidants. Here are the top 10 healthiest beverages.

Definition: Coq au Vin

YumSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:15:10 -0700

Coq au Vin, pronounced, coke-oh-vahn

Literally translated to "rooster in wine," coq au vin is a classic French stew of chicken pieces, bacon or lardons (salt pork), mushrooms, and onions cooked together in red wine. Many regions of France have developed their own variations of the dish using local wines.

Source

Happy Hour: Tinto de Verano

partysugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:00:28 -0700

Spain's cheap variation of sangria, the tinto de verano, is quite simply a red-wine spritzer. Refreshing and delicious, this concoction is my go-to drink when I'm in the mood for something light. This easily drinkable cocktail is a delightful alternative to beer and wine.

Choose a mixer that suits your tastebuds: sparkling water, Pelligrino Limonata, and Squirt are variations that I've made, and always garnish with a fresh lemon wedge. To learn how I recently made this version, which uses Hansen's new sparkling water,

5 Reasons to Stop After One Glass of Wine

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

When drinking red wine, I enjoy my glass knowing I am reaping some health benefits with each sip. As with everything, moderation is key, and drinking more than one glass a day can tip the balance and be detrimental to your health. Here are five reasons to stop after having just one glass of wine.

One glass of wine a day can reduce you risk of having a heart attack, but two glasses of wine a day increases your chance for developing breast cancer.
One glass of wine a day can increase bone strength, but two or more glasses daily can weaken bones. This decrease in bone density can put you at risk for developing osteoporosis.
One glass of red wine a day may help you stay thin, but two or more glasses a day may raise the fats found in your blood.

To see my final two reasons,