"Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures."
Michael Broadbent
Our last issue was automatically emailed before we had finished updating it. My mother has been ill and we've been distracted. So...we are releasing this special edition of our newsletter along with the lastest wine events and wine tasting coupons.
What's in this issue?
Must Have Items for Wine Lovers
Thanksgiving Wines
Print FREE Wine Tasting Coupons
Password - cheers2wine2006
Recipe - Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Must Have Items for Wine Lovers
People will soon be asking you what you want for Christmas. Or maybe you'll be shopping for a wine lover on your list. Either way these are items that are sure to please wine drinkers.
1. Vinturi Aerator
This aerator easily and conveniently enhances the flavor, bouquet, and finish of your wine. Hold aerator over wine glass and pour wine through for instant aeration. We've done blind tests and it really works! ($35)
2. Vacu Vin Wine Saver Vacuum Pump
Make your wine last longer! This wine pump preserves the flavor of opened wine for up to 10 days. It works with both red and white wines.($9.29)
3. Wine Barrel Cork Cage
A fun and innovative way to store wine corks. Just drop your treasured corks in the top. This decorative wine barrel is sculpted from metal with entwined colored glass spheres. It's a nice decorative piece. (Priced around $24)
4. Wine Enthusiast Electric Corkscrew
This electric corkscrew removes the cork from your bottle with a simple press of the button! It's fun to use and easily recharges. ($30)
5. Wine Decanter
You'll find decanters in a wide range of prices. A great economical selection would be the Godinger Dublin Wine Decanter. For around $20 you get a 24% lead crystal decanter that sits 12 inches high. We love the Riedel Amadeo Decanter, which has a unique and elegant shape. Priced around $340 it is hand-made by skilled artisans.
6. Arch Foil Cutter
Removes foil simply and neatly from the wine bottle. More durable than other foil cutters we've used! It's quick and easy to use. ($6.14)
7. Oenophilia Porto Sippers
These unique hand blown glasses are an enjoyable way to savor port, dessert wine, or liquers. They are guaranteed conversation pieces due to their unusual design. You sip the drink through thin glass "straws" built into the glasses. Set of four currently sells for $14.01.
8. Wine Stix
This is the perfect way to hold a bottle of wine and 2 glass while at a picnic, the beach, or outdoor concert. Simply insert the stix into the ground and you're ready to enjoy your wine.
Pinot Noir is the traditional favorite wine to serve for Thanksgiving because it complements a a variety of dishes. Pinot Noir is characterized with aromas and flavors of black cherry or rose petals along with hints of spiciness or herbal qualities. We love the smooth silkiness of these wines. Our recommendations: Hartford Court Lands Edge 2007 ($45) or Gloria Ferrer Carneros 2007 $19).
Sparkling Wine is perfect for celebrating with family and fiends. Make a toast to all that you are thankful for a nice sparkling wine. Our recommendations: Schramsberg Brut Rose 2007 ($34.) or a real bargain from Spain, Seqra Viudas Brut Reserva Cava ($9).
Zinfandel is a great choice for those who prefer a heartier red wine. Aromas and flavors typically include raspberry, jam, black pepper, and licorice. Our recommendations:
Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2009 ($32) or Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2009 ($20).
Gewurtramineris a zesty white wine that goes well with a variety of dishes. This wine has a spicy aroma and fruity flavors of peach, apricot, tropical fruites, and lychee. It can be either a sweet or dry wine. Our recommendations:
Trimback Gewurztraminer 2008 from France ($23) or Columbia Winery Gewurztranminer 2009 from Washington state, a real bargain at $8.49.
Use this search box to find the perfect Thanksgiving wine.
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
Links to Our Newest Coupons
Wild Horse Winery
Address: 1484 Wild Horse Winery Ct., Templeton, CA
Telephone: (805)788-6300
Click on the link to print a complimentary wine tasting coupon.
Balletto Vineyards
Address: 5700 Occidental Rd., Santa Rosa
Telephone: (707) 568-2455
Click on link to print a complimentary tasting coupon good for up to 4 people.
Vine Hill Winery
Address: 2300 Jarvis Rd., Santa Cruz
Telephone: (831) 427-0436
Click on link to print a coupon for complimentary tasting. This Santa Cruz winery is open the third weekend of each month from noon to 5.
Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room
Address: 217 G Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA
Telephone: (805) 618-1185
Click on link to print a coupon for complimentary tasting of their award-winning Chardonnay.
Kenwood Vineyards
Address: 9592 Sonoma Way, Kenwood, CA
Telephone: (707) 833-5891
Click on this link to print a complimentary coupon that is also good for 20% off on any wine purchases.
Follow us on Twitter for updates on the latest wine tasting coupons in the California Wine Country ~ @cheers2winecom
Cooking With Wine Recipes
"I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food."
W.C. Fields
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
This crab stuffed mushrooms recipe creates an elegant appetizer that is perfect to serve for family or friends.
Wine Pairing: A nice dry Pinot Gris would be perfect with these stuffed mushrooms. Consider King Estate Pinot Gris from Oregon's Williamette Valley. This is a delightful Pinot Gris with lively tropical fruit flavors.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons margarine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1 cup cooked crabmeat
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup Italian parsley, chopped
1/2 cup bread crumbs
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
15-24 mushrooms
1/4 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup dry white wine
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with soft margarine on bottom and sides.
3. Combine garlic, green onions, crabmeat, cream cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, pepper and Parmesan.
4. Remove stems from the mushrooms. Rub mushrooms around inside the buttered pan to coat with butter.
5. Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture and top each with a small amount of monterey jack cheese. Pour wine over mushrooms in the pan.
6. Bake until the filling is melted, 15-20 minutes. Serve immediately.
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