Cooking
Thanksgiving is a potluck affair at my parent's house. My folks cook the turkey and stuffing but the other dishes are up to the guests who arrive with appetizers, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, salads and dessert. Those who can't cook, are tasked with bringing wine or bread. Everyone contributes and has a chance at bragging rights.
- Vinho Verde: Wine On Friday
There's a sommelier I know who compares wine to people--she says Zinfandel is a dude, Pinot Noir is an elegant lady. If I had to choose a wine that fits with my personality, it might just be Vinho Verde. It’s fresh, approachable, bright, straight...
- Duas Quintas Reserva Red Wines: Wine On Friday
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- Pomsgiving Cocktail: Drinks On Friday
The last few years I've created a cocktail for Thanksgiving. It's a fun way to start the long Thanksgiving day feast. It perks the appetite and gives everyone something to talk about. I recently attended a POM Wonderful lunch and was inspired...
- Krug Collection 1989 Champagne--wine On Friday
"You've never had good Champagne." That was response I gave to someone who told me they didn't like Champagne. Because there's a big difference between low end sparkling wine and decent sparkling wine and Champagne. Sure enough, once he had...
- Wtn: 1999 Vintage Port, Smith Woodhouse
How do you pair wine and food? This was Clotilde's unspoken question when she announced her theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday, the monthly tasting group that meets across the blogs of the world. Pair some wine with a dense chocolate cake, she said....
Cooking
Ruby Sparkler Recipe
The feast always starts off with sparkling wine, except for last year when I mixed up a sparkling cocktail, the Aperol Spritz instead. This year, in addition to cooking as I always do, I've settled on a cocktail with port. Fonseca Bin 27 is a lovely and inexpensive ruby port, lush and filled with lots of ripe dark berry flavors. To lighten it up, a fizzy not too sweet sparkling wine is perfect. You want something good and bubbly but not too sweet.
Another nice reason to use Fonseca Bin 27 is that for the holidays they have released a bottle with a limited edition Artist Label which raises funds for Waterkeeper Alliance, a non-profit organization that promotes and protects clean waterways worldwide, this is an important cause for Fonseca as they are committed to sustainable viticulture with respect to the Douro Valley in Portugal. This year the label features the work of artist Barnaby Furnas, whose paintings are exhibited in the various museums including the Museum of Modern Art. Based on one of Furnas’ popular “rock star” paintings inspired by the music of The Velvet Underground, the painting’s vibrant hues are intended to echo the fruity intensity of BIN 27. No matter which bottle you choose, the port is sweet and luscious. It is also be lovely as an after dinner drink, especially with something chocolate.
This recipe originally was created by spirits writer David Wondrich, but I chose a slightly sweeter sparkling wine. For more port cocktails visit PortCocktails.com
Ruby Sparkler
2 parts sparkling wine, something lightly sweet and fizzy such as Extra Dry Prosecco, chilled
1 part Fonseca Bin 27 ruby port, chilled
Garnish of fresh berries or cranberries
Combine the sparkling wine and port in a Champagne flute, garnish and serve.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I was provided with samples of Fonseca Bin No.27. I was not paid to write this or any other post on Cooking with Amy.
Disclaimer: I was provided with samples of Fonseca Bin No.27. I was not paid to write this or any other post on Cooking with Amy.
- Vinho Verde: Wine On Friday
There's a sommelier I know who compares wine to people--she says Zinfandel is a dude, Pinot Noir is an elegant lady. If I had to choose a wine that fits with my personality, it might just be Vinho Verde. It’s fresh, approachable, bright, straight...
- Duas Quintas Reserva Red Wines: Wine On Friday
I have been very enthusiastic about Portuguese wines ever since I wrote WinePassport: Portugal. I appreciate that they are generally very food friendly with terrific acidity, and offer excellent value. While many varietals are planted everywhere,...
- Pomsgiving Cocktail: Drinks On Friday
The last few years I've created a cocktail for Thanksgiving. It's a fun way to start the long Thanksgiving day feast. It perks the appetite and gives everyone something to talk about. I recently attended a POM Wonderful lunch and was inspired...
- Krug Collection 1989 Champagne--wine On Friday
"You've never had good Champagne." That was response I gave to someone who told me they didn't like Champagne. Because there's a big difference between low end sparkling wine and decent sparkling wine and Champagne. Sure enough, once he had...
- Wtn: 1999 Vintage Port, Smith Woodhouse
How do you pair wine and food? This was Clotilde's unspoken question when she announced her theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday, the monthly tasting group that meets across the blogs of the world. Pair some wine with a dense chocolate cake, she said....