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Christmas Wine Tips

For many people, the holiday season is a time jam-packed with activities and celebrations! Tree-decorating parties, family get-togethers, office parties, and that magical night of Christmas Eve.

To make sure your party guests are happy, it’s easiest to limit your wine selection to just two or three to alleviate confusion. A good all-around, popular white wine is a dry Riesling from Germany, the French region of Alsace, or the Finger Lakes region of New York. For a red, try a Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Oregon, or California.

However, if you want to start your holiday party with a bubbly, think about a Cava from Spain, a Prosecco from Italy, or a sparkler from California. These are good choices because they are light, crisp, and dry, they can successfully accompany many canapés and appetizers, and they don’t carry the price tag that Champagne from France does. For a drier style, look for the word “Brut” (dry) on the label. Want a little sweetness in your sparkler? An off-dry sparkler will say “Extra Dry” or “Extra Sec,” while “Sec” will indicate a slightly sweet wine, and “Demi-sec” is a sweet wine.

For a lot of families, their Christmas dinners are made up of many of the same dishes they celebrated with on Thanksgiving. For white wine lovers, options can include a dry to off-dry Riesling, an unoaked Chardonnay, a Gewürztraminer, Viognier, or Pinot Gris. A crisp, dry Rosé from the Tavel region of France’s Rhône Valley is an excellent food wine and pairs beautifully with baked ham and many of the side dishes at your Christmas dinner. For your red wine lovers, offer light- to medium-bodied wines such as Pinot Noir, Chianti Classico, or Beaujolais. Some families eat duck or goose as their Christmas dinner’s main course, and Pinot Noir goes especially well with these birds’ gamey qualities. For those who want a more full-bodied red, choose a Cabernet Franc, such as a Chinon from France’s Loire Valley, an Argentine Malbec, or a California Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

With dessert, be sure that the wine you serve is sweeter than the dessert , and that the weight of the wine matches the weight of the dessert. Many holiday desserts are made with chocolate, and a gorgeous wine that pairs deliciously with chocolate is Brachetto d’Acqui, a red Italian sparkler with a beautiful aroma of strawberries. Many fortified wines, such as tawny port, cream sherry, and Madeira, are fabulous with desserts.

And here’s something fun to sip on as you’re decorating your tree: mulled wine, a hot drink made with red wine (Merlot is an excellent choice), port, apple cider, oranges, apples, and spices! It’s also a tasty way to warm up when coming in from the cold!

Happy Holidays!

Hanukkah Wines

Q: Our family is celebrating Hanukkah. What makes a wine kosher, and how do we select a good kosher wine?

A: Wine is deeply rooted in the celebration of Hanukkah, and the wine consumed during Hanukkah must be kosher. Kosher wine follows the strict guideline of dietary laws called kashrut. Below is a brief description of what makes a wine kosher.

The techniques used to make kosher wine are the same as those used to produce other wines; however, it must be made with only kosher ingredients, and it cannot come into contact with anything that is not kosher. A Sabbath-observant Jewish man must be involved in the processing and handling of the wine from harvest to bottling. The grapes used to make the wine must have been handled by a Sabbath-observant Jewish man, and the equipment used must be rabbinically certified without previous contact with non-kosher products. A non-Jew is not allowed to touch any of the equipment or raw products, and a rabbi must bless the facility and its wine. In addition, the label on the bottle must also have a hechsher, which is a seal that indicates kosher approval. An example of a hechsher is the “OU” symbol representing the Orthodox Union.

Mevushal wine is a type of kosher wine in which an extra step is taken during its production. It is heated to 194 degrees Fahrenheit; it is then deemed clean, even if non-Jews have handled it. This is the type of kosher wine that is typically served in restaurants.

Many wineries are now making kosher wines, so it is easier today to find a wide variety of kosher choices. Choose wines from Israel, made in the regions of Golan Heights, Yarden, or Upper Galilee. If you prefer to go with domestic kosher wines, try Herzog Wine Cellars or Hagafen Cellars, both located in California, the Kedem Winery in New York, or Manischewitz, a popular brand of kosher wines made in New York.

Happy Hanukkah!

Grape Girl Debbie

Do you have a wine related question?
Mailto: info@GrapeCrushEvents.com

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Debbie Jones, CSW
Senior Wine Consultant
Since November 2010, Debbie Jones has been the Senior Wine Consultant for Grape Crush Productions. Debbie is an integral part to the development of our wine tasting programs and ensures all of our amazing volunteers are well educated on the wonderful wines that they help pour at our events. Whether at our private tastings or major community events, she's always eager to share her love for wine with others. An Atlanta native, she holds the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential from the Society of Wine Educators and has been actively involved for years in wine and food events throughout the city.

Now Casting (Chefs!) in Atlanta...

A new food competition show that celebrates delicious, regional food all across America is now casting in Atlanta!

Do you want to represent your city with your unique culinary creations?

Are you fiercely competitive and want to show off your cooking skills?

Do you have an outgoing personality that makes you stand out from the rest?


If you are an Executive Chef, Sous Chef, or Caterer in ATLANTA who thinks you have what it takes to be crowned Atlanta's Culinary King or Queen, then they want to hear from you!

To apply, please email citychefcasting@gmail.com with the following information:


Name
Location
Phone number
Your current occupation
A short bio of yourself including your culinary background and what makes your food represent your city
A current photo of yourself
Resume

Cheers,

(Thanks for the notice Adventurous Tastes!)

The Grape Girls
www.facebook.com/grapegirlsatlanta

Thanksgiving Delights

DID YOU KNOW? American wine drinkers consume more wine on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year! Please sip responsibly...







On Thanksgiving Day we’re thankful for Our blessings all year through,

For family we dearly love,

For good friends, old and new.


For sun to light and warm our days,

For stars that glow at night,

For trees of green and skies of blue,

And puffy clouds of white.


We’re grateful for our eyes that see

The beauty all around,

For arms to hug, and legs to walk,

And ears to hear each sound.


The list of all we’re grateful for

Would fill a great big book;

Our thankful hearts find new delights

Everywhere we look!


Happy Thanksgiving from the Grape Girls!
Please be safe and drink responsibly.

Cheers!

Thanksgiving Day Wine Tips

If turkey was the only dish eaten at Thanksgiving, it would be easy to choose the perfect wine! But many other dishes accompany the turkey in this traditional feast, and it’s all those side dishes, plus regional and family preferences, that can make wine pairings for Thanksgiving dinner so difficult. So here are some options for a variety of wines that will make your guests happy:

BUBBLY
Go with a bubbly for the perfect starter. Think about a Cava from Spain, a Prosecco from Italy, or a sparkler from California. These are good choices because they are light, crisp, and dry, and they prepare the palate and the appetite for the meal to come without being heavy or filling. Look for the word “Brut” (dry) on the label.

WHITE WINES
For white wine lovers, a dry to off-dry Riesling is ideal. Its natural acidity makes it the perfect food wine. Choose a Riesling from Germany or the French region of Alsace. If Riesling just doesn’t fit the bill, Chardonnay is a classic option, but make sure it’s “naked” (unoaked), as oak can interfere with the tastes of the foods. (However, if there is sage in your dressing, this is a good reason to consider a red wine instead; sage can make white wines taste bitter.) More white options? Consider a Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, or Viognier.

THINK PINK
Rosé is not just for spring and summer! The red fruit and berry flavors of a crisp, dry rosé make it an excellent food wine—it’s superb with baked ham. Look to the Tavel rosés from the Rhône Valley of France; they are dry and usually more full-bodied than most rosés, made mostly from Grenache.

RED WINES
Red wine lovers can’t go wrong with light- to medium-bodied wines such as Pinot Noir, Chianti Classico, or Beaujolais. A New Zealand Pinot Noir, with its herbaceous palate, can hold up to the sage in your dressing. Chianti Classico is soft and fruity. If you decide to serve a Beaujolais, chill it slightly to enhance the fruit a little. Want a red that is a little more full-bodied? Consider a Cabernet Franc, such as a Chinon from France’s Loire Valley, an Argentine Malbec, or a California Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

SWEET TREATS
Finally, with dessert, be sure that the wine you serve is sweeter than the dessert , and that the weight of the wine should match the weight of the dessert. What goes well with the iconic pumpkin pie? Try a late harvest Riesling, a tawny port, a cream sherry, or a Madeira.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grape Girl Debbie


Do you have a wine related question? Mailto: info@GrapeCrushEvents.com

----------------------------
Debbie Jones, CSW
Grape Crush Senior Wine Consultant
Since November 2010, Debbie Jones has been the Senior Wine Consultant for Grape Crush Productions. Debbie is an integral part to the development of our wine tasting programs and ensures all of our amazing volunteers are well educated on the wonderful wines that they help pour at our events. Whether at our private tastings or major community events, she's always eager to share her love for wine with others. An Atlanta native, she holds the Certified Specialist of Wine credential from the Society of Wine Educators and has been actively involved for years in wine and food events throughout the city.

Sip & Shop for Toys for Tots! (Nov. 28, 2012)

Please join us on Wed., November 28th from 6-10pm at the annual Holiday Mingle Jingle marketplace and benefit for our last BIG event of the year. Enjoy complimentary wine tastings and craft beer, live entertainment, food trucks and more while finding the perfect gift for the foodie, fashionista or wine enthusiast in your life. Donate a new unwrapped toy and YOU could be the winner of a free home or office wine tasting party (valued at $500), tickets to see the Cake Boss (LIVE in Atlanta) and other cool prizes! MORE INFO




Cheers!

The Grape Girls
http://facebook.com/grapegirlsatlanta

Happy International Tempranillo Day!

TAPAS – Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society – is a nonprofit trade association of over one hundred wineries, growers, and amigos, whose mission is to promote Tempranillo and other varietal wine grapes native to the Iberian Peninsula, and wines produced from them in North America.

In 2011, TAPAS organized the first annual International Tempranillo Day: A celebration of the Tempranillo grape with all its regional synonyms. They encouraged everyone to open a bottle of Tempranillo, enjoy the fun, and share their experiences online with the hashtag #TempranilloDay or #Tempranillo. This year, the date is Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Tempranillo is the foundation of the red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero in Spain. Over the last twenty years, a number of American growers and producers have discovered or re-discovered Tempranillo, along with other Spanish and Portuguese varieties like Albariño, Graciano, Garnacha and Verdelho, as well as the grapes used in Port, such as Touriga Naçional.

Until recently, this noble grape’s entire acreage was almost all grown in Spain. Perhaps others were confused by the 60 or more regional synonyms for Tempranillo, which in itself may be a record worth celebrating.

But things have changed: knowledge of this noble grape is rapidly spreading, creating excitement and a spirit of cooperation among adventurous vintners bringing this Old World variety to New World soils. Tempranillo today is grown in many more countries including the United States, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, France, Portugal, Turkey, Canada, China, Thailand, and more. And that’s why we should all celebrate International Tempranillo Day.

We'll drink to that... Salud!

The Grape Girls
facebook.com/grapegirlsatlanta

Ultimate Office Outing Giveaway: Organic Wine & Food Fair!

Get YOUR office on the hottest guest list in town!

Forget hanging around the water cooler or arguing over whose turn it is to make the next pot of coffee, the Grape Girls have the ideal opportunity for your office to spend some quality time together - and perhaps even catch up on a little office gossip!


Instead of hitting up a local bar for happy hour, we're offering a chance for an office (up to 25 guests) to win an outing to the Organic Food & Wine Fair on Wed., October 24th at 6p.m. Just tell us why your office deserves an evening of wine-ing!


HOW TO ENTER: Email your full name and title, along with your business name, address and phone number to VIP@grapecrushevents.com with OFFICE OUTING in the subject heading. Be sure to tell us why your deserve to win in 75 words or less.

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Contest ends Sunday, October 21st at 6pm. All guests must be 21 and older with valid identification. One entry per person, duplicate entries will be discarded. Certain restrictions may apply. The winner will be notified on Monday, October 22nd. The prize package value is $625.00.
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Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest food and wine event news, special offers and exclusive invitations... Cheers!

SAVOR THE DATE:
Organic Wine & Food Fair
October 24, 2012 at 6pm
http://fooddayatlanta.eventbrite.com

Host a Wicked Wine Tasting Party!

Halloween heralds the start of the holiday season - and where there is a party, there is wine! A wine tasting party doesn't have to be a stuffy affair, so mix things up a little by throwing a unique Halloween bash that is sure to be a treat.

Host a wicked wine tasting party in 5 easy steps:


1.Invitations - Get crafty and make your own wine bottle shaped party invitations. Use construction paper or poster board, flat sheets of cork to make a life-like cork stopper for the top, a label in the middle of the "bottle" should provide party details.

2.Decor - Create your very own haunted wine cellar with equal amounts of sophistication and spook factor. Use old wooden barrels to hold platters of food and wine and decorate with large glass jars, grapes, pumpkins, gourds, faux leaves, lots of candles and scary touches like fake spider webs and spiders.

3.Food - Set up a nice assortment of fruit, cheese, crackers, bread, nuts and a few heavier appetizers (think stuffed mushrooms or a hearty pumpkin soup). Be sure to label your assortment with toothpicks that have labels attached - use a ghoulish computer font or eerie hand writing for maximum effect!

4.Wine - Use an old wooden door, wine crates or designate a large coffee table to display your wicked wine collection. Be sure to include some spooky brands like Vampire Wines (from Transylvania!), Poizin Zinfandel (comes in a coffin shaped box), Owen Roe Sinister Hand or Evil Cabernet Sauvignon. Add some dry ice to the display area for a ghostly effect!

5.Attention to Detail - Be sure to have great music, lots of candy, plenty of dump buckets and bottled waters handy. Place small gift bags or containers near your candy station so guests can help themsleves to take-home treats as parting gifts.

Wine & Candy Pairing Tips:

• Almond Joy and Sparkling Wine

• Snickers and Sangiovese

• Three Musketeers and Ice Dessert Wine

• Hershey’s Dark Chocolate and Syrah

• Caramel Apples and Sauvignon Blanc

• Candy Corn and Chardonnay


With these spook-tacular tips from the Grape Girls you are sure to pull off the perfect Halloween wine party. So, dress up, party down and enjoy the wine.

Want to have more fun and less work? Well, book a private Halloween wine tasting party for your home, office or venue!

Send an email to tastings@grapecrushevents.com to ask about our special rates for a professionally guided wine tasting experience now thru October 31st.

Cheers!