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!