5 Minute Friday: Coffee With Friends

Keeping connected with friends near and far is a challenge. Friends afar we link with easily in an increasingly savvy social networking world.

Friends that we see because they are neighbors or share activities and hobbies with us, are natural connections.  We run into them head on, and chat and smile and catch up on a regular basis.

Friends that we just enjoy spending time with, but they live a little outside of our busy path of travel, seem to be the casualties in this day and age.  Unless you have a hard and fast motivating reason, you can keep your head down and your nose to the grindstone without ever moving from your busy path.

This is when coffee, cocktails, and time spent across the table make such a big difference. We can rush through this multi tasking world without ever really connecting, so we need to make the connections.

Grab coffee with a friend today.  It could be an old friend or a new friend.  It can be lemonade instead of coffee, but renew an old connection or form some new ones.

5 Minute Friday: The Cover Drive, Finally an Australian We Can Cuddle Up To

After all of our wine bottle touring of Australia, we finally found a little tasty gem that's a keeper. The Cover Drive, Jim Barry's 2006 South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied without being heavy.  

It's pricey at $17.99 (Bevmo's price, but it seems to sell for less if you shop around) a bottle. However, all you need for a 5 Minute Friday Get-Together is this bottle of wine, a box of crackers (we chose Doctor Kracker's Organic & Artisan-Baked Sunflower Cheddar Snackers) and some good friends.

Enjoy!

Elderflower Champagne Cocktail

There is much to be said for wearing many hats. Yes, there is a time for wine-chugging, vintage slurping, party rocking behavior. And there is also time for refinement and dignity restoration in the form of restrained and elegant cocktails in the late afternoon. While Friday may have spiraled into a wee-hour-close-the-bar-down evening (as rumor has it), Sunday is a new day with spring sunshine on the terrace, some cheese and an Elderflower Champagne Cocktail.

I believe some wise person once said, "You are only as good as your last party." Goodness knows what happened to him.

Elderflower Champagne Cocktail

1 shot St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Champagne
Lemon slices

Pour elderflower liqueur into a champagne flute. Top with Champagne. Garnish with lemon slices.

Filler Wine: Party Picks for March 2009

If you have ever had the pleasure of throwing a party that has depleted your initial wine purchased for said party, you may be aware of the need for filler wine.  Filler wine is wine that is a little cheaper, and comes in handy later in the party when no one can taste the difference anyway.  

The need for filler wine became extremely clear to me as I saw a party spin out of control and the guests helped themselves to the host's wine cellar.  After the wine cellar was cleared out, guests went on to party at a local bar.  

The hosts shook their heads in disbelief when they realized that all of the special vintages saved for future celebrations were now bottles in their recycle bin. Not a single drop had they personally tasted as they rushed about the party trying to control the crowd.  Expensive bottles had been chugged, wasted in unfinished glasses all around the house and under-appreciated. 

When the wine that you bought to go with dinner or appetizers at the party disappears, bring in the filler wine.  This is still good wine, but not costing you $30 or more a bottle.  

Filler wine requirements:

1.  Inexpensive.

2.  Drinkable.  It must taste good enough that you are willing to drink it if you have a whole case leftover.

Here are our March picks for filler wines:

1.  Old Faithful, er, Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2006 or 2007, approx. $10/bottle

2.  Hogue Cabernet Suvignon Columbia Valley 2007, approx. $10/bottle

3.  Snoqualmie Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2007, approx. $10/bottle.

A Cup of Tea, Please

I have had 6 cups of this tea already and it's not even 1 pm. It's also Saturday, and we have dinner plans tonight and tomorrow, not to mention the dinner I made last night for guests from out of town and my friend Anna, who is visiting from Italy and expected for dinner this Tuesday. Cooking and entertaining around food is a win-win situation. You get to share time, food and wine with good friends, create a nice environment in your home, or be a gracious guest in someone else's. I can't think of another way I best like to enjoy my social time. That is, except when I've caught the cold my children had this week while running around like a crazy person with endless tasks, appointments, carpools and deadlines. They don't call us Divas for nothing. Let's hope this tea is as trustworthy as it says it is.

d'Arry's Original McLaren Vale '04: Too Much Money for Too Little Taste

I tried another d'Arenberg--d'Arry's Original McLaren Vale '04.  It cost a hefty $21.99 at BevMo, and I've had a lot better for a lot less.  It tasted o-k straight out of the bottle, but as soon as it sat in my glass and decanted, it was flat.  This is definitely a dump it!

The Divas are having no luck in Australia.  Anyone have any good suggestions?

Divas do Guinness

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, this post is devoted to Guinness Stout, the most widely consumed and exported Irish stout in the world. It's distinctive flavor of unfermented roasted barley gives it a rich taste and dark brown color, and drinking a pint of Guinness has been likened to a "meal in a glass." And here is a fun fact: Guinness stout is high in antioxidants and at 198 calories a pint, has fewer calories than a pint of milk or orange juice. Now that just makes us very happy - apparently you can drink your Guinness and eat it too.

Speaking of eating, the richness of Guinness lends itself well to cooking. It is a wonderful substitute for wine in meat sauces and braises. It also works well in baked goods and with chocolate. This multi-tasking beverage gets a thumbs up from the Divas.

Interested in recipes using Guinness? You might like:
Irish Stew from TasteFood
Guinness Gingerbread from Andrea's Recipes
Chocolate and Guinness Cupcakes from Not Quite Nigella
Guinness and Honey Spareribs from You Say Tomato

Or if you are just in the mood for something light, pour yourself a glass and call it a meal.

Grenache Down Under

OK, I am going to just come out and say it. I have had red wines from Australia over the years and enjoyed many of them. Typically they are big, robust red wines - the Australian swashbuckler of wines - compared to, say, the somewhat more refined wines of France. Don't get me wrong; I love big and robust, and even better with an Australian accent. However, some Australian red wines have a pronounced vanilla flavor which I find unappealing. I know this is a generalization, but it is something I have noticed only with Australian wine.

This brings me to a bottle I tasted this week. It is a 2006 d'Arenberg Grenache "The Custodian." Reasonably priced at $13.99 I had high hopes. Dark ruby-purple in color, it has cherry, raspberry and black currant aromas combined with earthy, spicy smells. It's also heavy with vanilla flavor, and therefore not a personal choice. However, this wine has been well reviewed and rated, so I would recommend it as a well-priced full-bodied, fruity Australian wine that would stand up well to meats and grilled food - perfect Aussie fare. And if you like your swashbucklers with a scent of vanilla, this is your wine.

Wine Bottle Traveler: grab a corkscrew and join us!

Lynda and I have decided that we are going to travel the world without buying tickets, packing our bags, renting a car or a hotel room.  We are going to explore the world of wine with friends in the comfort of our own homes.  No long lines at check in.  No delays.  No lost bags.  Join us!

We will start with wines from Austrailia.  In fact, read on, grab a few bottles of wine, call your friends, rent Australia the movie, and let's hit the road.

Wine production of commercial wines in Australia is some of the most successful in the whole world.  There are many wines to chose from, so much to explore and so much of it is reasonably priced.  What kind of magic is making this happen in Australia?  A reliable climate makes it is easier to craft decent wine year after year.

Lynda is going to pick three wines from Australia and I will pick three.  Watch this space to see which wines we chose and what we thought about them.

Cheers!

New World Tempranillo

We are still in Argentina and loving it. Not only is the signature Malbec wine an affordable varietal from this new world region of wine, Argentina also produces Tempranillo wine which is best known as a Spanish varietal. With its dark fruit flavors, strong and complex aromas, the Tempranillo is a versatile wine that is fruity, full-bodied without too much oak or substantial acidity.

Preludio Vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina produces this wonderful, good value wine. The grapes are hand picked at dawn in order to harness the extraction and early morning freshness of the grape. If a wine could be treated like a diva, this one would be it. In return, we are rewarded with a well balanced wine with dark, fruit flavors, soft attack and strong tannins. At $14.00 a bottle this wine is a winner.

Margaritaville Margarita: Original Concoction Maker Recipe

If you are using the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker, this is the recommended amount and official recipe for your machine.  If not, pop it in your blender and blend away.  Happy Margaritas!

The Best Margarita Recipe (According to Margaritaville)

makes 3 drinks

• 4 oz. Gold Tequila
  
• 1 oz. Triple Sec
  
• 2 oz. Lime Juice
  
• 2 oz. Orange Juice
  
• 4 oz. Margaritaville Margarita Mix
  

Rim glass with lime juice and salt, if preferred.  Mix and blend for a frozen drink.  Shake and serve on ice for an on the rocks Margi.

Malbec: Argentina's Signature Wine

If Merlot is the Labrador Retriever, Malbec is the Afghan Hound of the wine world. It's long, silky fur conjures romance, but it's a hunting hound underneath. No frilly, fou fou dog is this wine. It's taste is a full-bodied, intense, inky black experience.

Malbec is a thin-skinned grape that needs sun and heat to mature. It's wines are dark and juicy, with heady aromas, and licorice flavors. The altitude of Argentina, the old vineyards planted by European immigrants, and the great variation of temperature from the hot days and cool nights, produce a delicious wine.

The Malbec grape was originally introduced by a Hungarian immigrant and grown in southwestern France. It was used in small amounts and blended with other grapes. (Malbec is one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine).

The grape then went to South America and settled in the vineyards of Argentina. With some love and gentle care, it was able to stand on it's own. Enjoyed by peasants and princes alike, it is now shipped all over the world and recognized as Argentina's signature variety.

See our post on Pascual Toso, and give Malbec a try!

Waste Not Want Not

We are all for the simple pleasures in life. One such pleasure is opening a bottle of wine at the end of the day with an evening meal. Nothing fancy, mind you, but a drinkable table wine that doesn't break the bank. However, finishing that bottle of wine in one sitting is not always par for the course, begging the question, What to do with leftover wine?

Everyone is on a budget these days, and dumping wine down the drain does not earn points in frugality. So in the spirit of no waste, here are a few recommendations for those multiplying wine bottles that crowd our refrigerator shelf or kitchen counter:

Drink it! Try making Gløgg or mulled wine. Warm wine with spices is very forgiving, so remnants from numerous bottles are welcome. Heat a pot, light a fire in the fireplace, put out some cheese or salty nibbles. Then enjoy a cosy moment and take pleasure in not letting those last sips go to waste.

Cook it! Wine is an important component of tomato based sauces for pasta, braising liquids for meats, and finishing sauces for meat, fish and poultry. Those last sips are not only going to good use, they're going to delicious use.

Ferment it! Feeling scientific? Try making your own red wine vinegar. Time and patience required, but the results are rumored to be well worth it. For an interesting post on the process of making your own red wine vinegar read An Obsession with Food for guidance and be sure to let us know how it turns out.

Wow Your Valentine: Veuve and Chocolates on Sale at Cost Plus World Market

Want a romantic, fancy treat for your Valentine next week?  Head to Cost Plus World Market now to take advantage of their sale on chocolates and champagne.  Veuve is yummy, romantic and definitely a top shelf way to impress you heart's desire.  

I personally don't know about the chocolates that they are offering, but if one husband of mine is reading this he can just get me a big red heart full of chocolates from See's Candies to enjoy with the Veuve.  Happy Valentine's!

Pascual Toso Malbec 2006--Nice Red, Nice Price at Costco

Shopping alert.  If you are looking to find tasty wine at a tasty price, head to Costco and pick up a bottle of Pascual Toso Malbec.  It scored 91 points and is recommended as a best buy by the Wine Enthusiast.  Great wine under $10.00--go for it!

Trader Joe-san's Sparkling Saki--Instant, Easy Entertaining

If you ever just want to invite the gang over, here's the perfect easy and delicious cocktail and appetizer. Trader Joe-san's Sparkling Saki and Coconut Curry Chicken Stix or Lemongrass Chicken Stix have you entertaining in minutes.

The sparkling saki is delicious. It's bubbly and refreshing with a crisp, clean taste. I know it sounds weird, but even my husband liked it. He's a hard palate to please, so I was thrilled to find something that meets his approval.

Hit the freezer section of Trader Joe's for many frozen appetizers that look and taste fancy. Coconut Curry Stix or Lemongrass Chicken Stix are the perfect pairing for the sparkling saki. Pop them in the oven and off you go. Enjoy!

Pomegranate Power

Pomegranate Sangria

There is nothing more satisfying than having a cocktail and at the same time getting a healthy dose of antioxidants. Pomegranate juice is delicious and rich in vitamins A, C, E and iron. While the fruit itself has an ancient history, its health benefits are making modern headlines. When you combine these benefits with its fruity, tart and delicious taste, pomegranate juice makes for a smart cocktail ingredient. We're all for savvy indulgences.


Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

ice cubes

1/4 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
1-1/4 oz. Citron Vodka
1/4 oz. Cointreau
1/4 oz. Pomegranate Juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain and serve in a chilled glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.


Pomegranate Sangria

1 bottle dry red wine
12 oz. Pomegranate Juice
1 cup Cointreau or Gran Marnier
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 orange, sliced, washed
1 lime, sliced, washed

In a large pitcher or bowl, combine all ingredients. Chill at least 6 hours or overnight.
Serve in glasses with fruit.

VeeV Cocktails: A Refreshing Drink For Warm Weather

One of the perks of writing a little cocktail blog is spending time at the local BevMo looking for new and interesting things. When I read that inside this tall, cool looking bottle is a spirit made from the Acai berry--I had to give it a try. VeeV claims to be a "better way to drink."

Acai (pronounced ah-SIGH-ee) is the Brazilian national fruit. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and E, protein and fiber, Acai is thought to be one of the healthiest fruits on the planet. Research varies on this claim, but we are talking about an alcoholic spirit, not a diet plan. Veev is also blended with all natural ingredients like prickly pear and acerola cherry.

VeeV also gets bonus points for being active in raising awareness, resources and support for the Brazilian Rainforest and the safe harvest of Acai. As an eco-friendly business, Veev's production is carbon neutral and sustainable. All of these things make the this a hip, responsible choice.

We tried Veev cocktails last weekend. With a refreshing and light berry taste, Veev makes a fabulous afternoon cocktail for warm weather.

The Diva Veev Cocktail

• 1 oz Veev
• 1/8 of a lime squeezed
• ice ( two or three cubes)
• sparkling water, club soda or perrier
  

Add Veev, lime juice and ice to champagne glass. Fill with sparkling water and stir to mix. Garnish with a lime slice. Easy, light and refreshing.

Double Affogato

Affogato means drowned in Italian and is the name given to a dessert that consists of vanilla ice cream and a shot of espresso. The ice cream is "drowned" in espresso and you end up with a lovely dessert - or food group, depending on your mood.

Now, if you wish to elevate this dessert even further, this recipe would be considered a Double Affogato. In addition to the espresso, a shot of alcohol is poured over the ice cream, therefore doubly drowning the dessert. Under certain circumstances this could be considered a meal in itself.

Double Affogato
Serves 1

2 scoops of high quality vanilla bean ice cream
1 shot of espresso
Splash of liqueur such as Frangelica, Galliano or Kahlua

Optional garnish: a dollop of whipped cream and/or dark chocolate shavings

To Make:
In a goblet or glass add 2 scoops of ice cream. Pour espresso over. Pour liqueur over.
Top with optional garnishes. Enjoy!

Superbowl Party Drink

Getting ready for the Superbowl? Try serving this drink during the game. Delicious, well-fortified, and guaranteed to wind-up the fans.

Tequila-Spiked Cider with Cranberry and Lime Serves 6-8

5 cups apple cider
1 3-inch cinnamon stick
4 cloves
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup triple sec
Lime slices for garnish

In a medium saucepan, stir together cider, cinnamon and cloves. Simmer covered 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon and cloves. Add cranberry juice and heat until hot, without boiling. Remove from heat. Stir in tequila and triple sec. Pour into mugs or thermoses. Garnish mugs with lime slices.

Pinot Noir Gift List: 6 Sunset Picks for 2008

If Merlot is a Labrador Retriever, than Pinot Noir is Paris Hilton's teacup Chihuahua. A diamond collar, private car and driver is definitely in order.  It is a snobby grape that has to be perfect and handled with skill, or you can immediately taste it. 

My own husband loves Pinot Noir.  I'm often like a deer in the headlights once I'm in the store trying to pick a nice bottle for a gift.  I'm good with our usual everyday wine, but when I do want to spend the extra money for something special, I want it to be just that...special.

So here are Sunset's Pinot Noir Picks for 2008--just so that you and I can have it handy for the Pinot Noir lovers on our lists.

1.  Domaine Caneros Estate Pinot Noir (Caneros, $35)

2.  Elk Cove Pinot Noir 2006 (Willamette Valley, $29)

3.  Erath "Estate Selection" Pinot Noir 2006  (Dundee Hills, $36)

4.  Handley Pinot Noir 2006 (Mendocino County, $25)

5.  J Vineyards & Winery Robert Thomas Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley, $65)

6.  Lynmar Pinot Noir 2006 (Russian River Valley, $40)

Trader Joe's Treasure: Famiglia Marrone

I picked up a bottle of Famiglia Marrone (Piemonte, Barbera) on my last visit to Trader Joe's.  It was on the end of any aisle with TJ's chalkboard hype.  The write up recommended to decant it for an hour to enjoy it to its fullest.  

That night for dinner I decanted the wine early.  I made dinner while I watched it's brilliant deep, red hue tempt me from afar.  After a full hour, it was time to give it a try.  The wine was tasty and full bodied with lots of dark cherry and chocolate.  

Yum, give it a try!

Belated Christmas Cookie Recipe

Hi, just wanted to share this with our Diva friends out there. I know it's too late for Christmas, but, darn, just got my Visa bill and I'm thinking about making these right now!

Jose Cuervo Cookies

serves one

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

To make:
Sample the Cuervo to check quality.
Check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
Add one peastoon of sugar. Beat again.
At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still ok - try a nother cup just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.
Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Pick the frigging fruit off the floor.
Mix on the turner.
If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry it loose with a drewscriver.
Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who geeves a sheet.
Check the Jose Cuervo.
Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table.
Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Wh atever you can find.

Greash the oven.
Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the wishdasher.
Cherry Mistmas !

Substance with Bubbles

Crostini with Fig, Mozzarella, Crispy Prosciutto, Basil

Resolution for 2009:  Drink more bubbly.

Now that we have toasted in the New Year why stop drinking sparkling wine?  Champagne is delicious, but for more everyday drinking try a Prosecco, Italy's version of bubbly.  On average 10-20 dollars a bottle, this sparkling wine is a keeper.  And to keep all those bubbles from going to your head, combine the wine with any number of starters and dishes.  Try a selection of cheese, a platter of crostini, a festive starter of Shrimp Salsa, an elegant Lobster Bisque or a simple platter of Prosciutto and Melon. 

Happy New Year!