December 23, 2009 – 7:31 am
Are you looking for an unusual recipe for Christmas morning breakfast or brunch? Chateau Chantal in Michigan provided this recipe to add to the Wine Trail Traveler online recipes. Tipsy Fruit Pancakes can be made with four cups of fresh peaches or fresh cherries. The recipe also calls for 2 Cups Chateau Chantal Pear Brandy (Eau de Vie) (OR 1 500 ml bottle of Chateau Chantal Cerise). The fruit soaks in the liquor overnight.
Chateau Chantal is located on Mission Peninsula and overlooks Grand Traverse Bay. It is a beautiful location to visit. The winery also offers cooking classes and wine seminars. Visit the Wine Trail Traveler website to view an article about Chateau Chantal.
Cheers! Kathy
December 21, 2009 – 3:52 pm
We spent Thursday and Friday wondering if relatives and friends would make be able to make it to a special family event this past weekend. We called family to tell them of the impending snowstorm. One family’s members in Massachusetts were able to leave early Friday night and made it safely to our home at about 5am. Another family member arrived at the airport on Thursday and others arrived Thursday. Others who were hoping to make it to the “ engagement party” were unable due to the weather. Some were from Pennsylvania, New York City and Virginia. We’re sorry they missed this wonderful event but hope to see them all soon.
Needless to say they missed the wonderful Mulled Wine that my son prepared. He is an excellent cook and I wish I had his talents. He knows what spices to add to anything and isn’t afraid to experiment. He tastes a little and adjusts the mix by adding a little more of this or that. In the case of mulled wine he added a few more spices. He reminds me of my grandmother and mother-in-law, both of who were able to cook without measuring ingredients and ended with sumptuous dishes.
For anyone wondering about the ingredients for this weekend’s mulled wine, the ingredients included two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, sugar, orange pieces with rind, orange juice, cinnamon, apricot brandy, and whole cloves. Heat the ingredients for a couple of hours and its ready!
Are you creative? Try a mulled wine “from scratch.”
Cheers, Kathy
December 17, 2009 – 8:31 am
Here is a recipe that may be the perfect holiday solution to a pickup snack for when guests arrive. Only three ingredients are needed: port, pecans and sugar. Port Pecan Halves may be also be a perfect gift to give a friend or neighbor. Craft stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann’s have holiday gift containers that are easy to fill. Grocery stores have easy to use plastic storage containers. Add a red bow and the gift will be delightful. The recipe is available on the Wine Trail Traveler website at http://winetrailtraveler.com/recipes/appetizer10.php .
While at the moment I don’t have pecans in the kitchen, I have a large bag of almonds. Hmm…wondering if I can substitute almonds for pecans.
Happy Holiday Cooking with wine!
Cheers, Kathy
December 16, 2009 – 10:35 am
Recently while visiting family and friends out of state, we had the opportunity to enjoy a wine from Napa Valley. Our host chose a wine from Regusci Winery. This was a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Angelo’s Vineyard. The sommelier commented that this wine was in limited production. Only 794 cases were produced.
I usually enjoy a Cabernet Sauvignon with dinner especially beef. This particular wine was wonderful. The wine was a deep, opaque purple color. It offered a bouquet of dark fruit nuances with chocolate. The taste was silky with tannins. The wine paired well with the sliced prime beef and mashed potatoes that were also excellent. We decided that the wine was so good that one could enjoy it without food.
As my friends know, I enjoy reading the back labels of wine bottles. Sometimes one sees unique comments, pairing and on this bottle of wine there is a tribute to the owner’s father. “The vineyard is named in honor of my father Angelo, who over the last thirty-five years has taught me extraordinary lessons in both grape growing and in life.”
What a wonderful tribute to a father!
Cheers! Kathy
December 11, 2009 – 8:50 am
Wine journals provide a great way to remember a wine that you have enjoyed. Unless you drink only one or two particular wines, a journal helps one to remember why one enjoyed a particular wine, what the aroma, taste and finish were like. It also can tell you where you enjoyed the wine and what it was paired with. You may even discover a wine journal that has room for the wine bottle label.
Wine journals are available for a wide arrange of prices. Some are reasonable enough to be considered a stocking stuffer. Others are great gifts for wine enthusiasts. Check on the Internet to discover an array of wine journals to choose between – one that will be perfect for someone who enjoys wine.
Enjoy your holiday shopping!
Cheers! Kathy
December 10, 2009 – 10:31 am
Despite that corkscrews have one purpose and that is to open a bottle of wine, corkscrews come in a wide assortment of styles and prices. There are a variety of corkscrews available for between $4 and $20.
While any wine enthusiast is likely to have a corkscrew in his kitchen, it’s always a good idea to have an extra one in case the first one breaks in the middle of a dinner party. He or she may enjoy having a corkscrew to have with them when they are away from home. It’s always handy to have a small corkscrew for the picnic basket, too.
We’ve tried a number of types of corkscrews over the years. Now we each prefer a corkscrew of a different kind. The waiter’s corkscrew, seen frequently in restaurants, work well with a certain amount of effort. The wing corkscrew works well with minimum effort.
When considering a corkscrew purchase, do an Internet search and read the reviews that consumers have written about the various corkscrews available. It will help you to discover a good corkscrew at a reasonable price.
If you will be using the airlines to travel during the holidays, be sure to check with the airlines to see if corkscrews need to be in checked baggage.
Cheers, Kathy
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Ringing in the New Year with Champagne or Sparkling Wine?
How are you ringing in the New Year? Are you planning on celebrating with a delightful glass of Champagne or perhaps a sparkling wine and hopes for a brighter 2010?
According to the EU, only wine from the Champagne may be labeled “Champagne.” Some wineries have been grandfathered in and thus able to use “Champagne.” Visitors to some US wineries will note that the word Champagne or sparkling wine may be used.
Does it make a difference to a consumer whether they are drinking Champagne or a sparkling wine? I suppose the perception of drinking Champagne is one of expense but is there a difference in quality between Champagne and sparkling wine? I enjoy a good sparkling wine as much as good Champagne. To me the difference is between what grapes are used as well as the skill of the winemaker.
What will you be celebrating the New Year with? A sparkling wine, Champagne or another type of wine?
Cheers! Kathy