Cheers from Steve and Kathy Howe!
Wine Quote
"Age is just a number. It's totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine."
Joan Collins
Wine of the Month
Foppiano Vineyards
Our latest wine of the month is Foppiano Russian River Pinot Noir 2006. This is a light and dry Pinot Noir that is packed full of fruit aromas and flavors. Enjoy flavors of raspberry and cherry with hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove. The long finish is full of fruit and white pepper. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir and has been aged for 9 months in American and French barrels. ($20.99)
Foppiano Vineyards was founded in 1896 by the Foppiano family and is still owned today by members of the family. Foppiano Vineyard's winery is located at 12707 Old Redwood Highway in Healdsburg. The tasting room is open daily from 10-4:30.
For more information you can call the winery at (707) 433-7272.
Be sure to check back each month for our wine of the month.
Top Wine Picks for Thanksgiving
Select the perfect wine for your holiday dinner.
Gewurtraminer Gewurtraminer is a zesty white wine that goes well with a variety of dishes. Gewurztraminer has a spicy aroma and fruity flavors of peach, apricot, tropical fruits, and lychee. It can be a dry or sweet white wine.
Columbia Winery 2006 Gewurztraminer Pale straw yellow color. Hints of allspice and pink grapefruit accent the sweet fruit palate. Crisp finish with a good balance of acidity. This is a nice Thanksgiving wine at a great price and will be liked by many. ($8.29)
Sauvignon Blanc Lighter than Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc usually has a grassy citrus aroma. Flavors range from apple, pear, green tea, limes and freshly mowed grass. You can often detect a little smokiness. This wine is a great match with turkey and herb-filled stuffing. You will enjoy this Thanksgiving Wine.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Wine Spectator Top 100. Unfolds with flavors of passionfruit, gooseberry and subtle herbaceousness. The wine is mouthfilling with good texture and finishes well with cleansing acidity and great length. ($14.99)
Zinfandel Zinfandels are a great choice for those who prefer a heartier red wine. Zinfandel can be light to full bodied. It can be rich and spicy or lighter and fruitier. Aromas and flavors that are typical include raspberry, jam, black pepper, and licorice.
Renwood 2004 Grandmere Zinfandel A deep garnet red with brick tones on the edge. The aroma of this wine welcomes the drinker with its soft, yet complex fruit. Blackberry and holiday spice mid-palate essences balance the wine as it finishes with a rich texture of vanilla and dark red fruits. The full bodied tannin structure is built for a lasting finish. One of the best full bodied and spicy Zinfandels around and ideal for a Thanksgiving wine! ($32.99)
Sparkling Wine Sparkling Wines are perfect for celebrating with family and friends. Make a toast to all that you are thankful with this fabulous sparkling wine.
Gosset NV Brut Excellence  Aromas of pear and honeysuckle perfume the bouquet. This is a beautifully balanced champagne with a long, expressive finish.
Gosset only uses juice from the first and best pressing of grapes, and unlike most other producers, initial fermentation is still carried out in small oak barrels. Their efforts result in an amazing Champagne....one of the best we've tasted. A delightful Thanksgiving Wine. ($39.99)
More suggestions for Thanksgiving Wines
Top Gifts for Wine Lovers
As the holidays are fast approaching, it's time to take a look at gift ideas for the wine lovers on your shopping list. For specific suggestions go to Top Gifts for Wine Lovers
1. Wine Decanter
Decanting wine is important. Old wines need a few moments of decanting before serving to ensure that the wines clarity and brillance are not obscured by any deposits that might have developed over time. Decanting gives younger wines the oxygen they need to soften before serving. What makes this a great gift idea is that you will find decanters that are both practical and beautiful. More on Wine Decanters
2. Wine Refrigerators Serious wine drinkers will appreciate the gift of a wine refrigerator or cellar. Either will keep wines at a constant temperature of 50-55 degrees and let wines age properly. More on Wine Refrigerators
Stemware Did you know that you can enhance the flavor of your wine by serving it in glasses especially designed for that type of wine? Buy wine glasses for the wine lover on your list who will appreciate beautiful glasses in which to enjoy his or her favorite wine. More on Stemware
Wine Openers Removing the cork from a bottle of wine should be a simple and enjoyable task. There are a large number of corkscrews to choose from. More on Wine Openers
Subscription to Wine Spectator Magazine Give the gift that keeps giving month after month. This high quality publication will keep you up-to-date on wine from around the world. More on Wine Spectator Magazine
Vintners' Holiday at Yosemite National Park
During the months of November and December you can savor the wines of top vineyards as prominent winemakers showcase their vintages during Yosemite wine tasting and food events at the beautiful Ahwahnee Hotel.
Vintners' Holidays packages include wine tasting seminars, winemakers reception, and a five-course Gala Dinner in The Ahwahnee� Dining Room. The dinner will feature elegant gourmet fare by Executive Chef Percy Whatley paired with the fine wines of their featured vintners.
You can't beat the combination of outdoor beauty, fine wines, and world class dining at this popular annual event.
More Deatils
Holiday Open House - Calaveras County
Plan a wine tasting tour to Calaveras County on Saturday, December 6, 2008. Get in the Christmas spirit as you experience the annual Holiday Open House and sample great wines at the wine tasting rooms of 22 Calaveras wineries. Enjoy special discounts, recipes, and food and wine pairings.
More Details
Do Your Own Wine Search
Wine Tasting Coupons
Print Your Own Wine Tasting Coupons...for Free!
As a subscriber to Cheers 2 Wine News you can access our pages of free wine tasting coupons. Some of these coupons allow you to taste for free while others let 2 people sample wine for the price of 1. The password for these pages is:
cheers2wine2006
Cheers 2 Wine has free wine tasting coupons currently available from the following wineries: August Briggs, Vihuela Winery, Bonny Doon, Chandelle Winery, Deerfield Ranch, Hanna Winery, Orfila Vineyards, and Zahitila Vineyards.
2 for 1 wine tasting coupons are available for these wineries:
Andretti Winery, Beringer Vineyards, Girard Winery, Goosecross Cellars, Hess Collection, Raymond Vineyards, Whitehall Lane Winery, William Hill Estate, Blackstone Winery, Castle Vineyards, Clos du Bois, Wandering Dog Wine Bar, Sort This Out Cellars, and Wilson Creek Winery.
Cooking With Wine Recipes
"I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food."W.C. Fields
Wine Marinated Mushrooms
1 cup red wine
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper
1 pound fresh mushrooms with stems removed
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1. Bring to a boil in a saucepan: wine, vinegar, oil, sugar, garlic, bell pepper, red pepper flakes and mushrooms.
2. Add green onions, oregano, salt and pepper and serve.
Crockpot Roast
Slow cooking in a crock pot creates a deliciously tender roast with a rich, wine flavored sauce.
5 lb. pot roast
2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
3/4 cup Shiraz wine
3/4 cup water
1. Place roast in crock pot
2. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix over the roast.
3. Add cream of mushroom soup, wine, and water.
4. Cook for 3-4 hours on high or 8-9 hours on low.
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