tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49938922596488558312024-03-19T11:06:36.014-07:00Vino Vignettes"Wine is bottled poetry." Robert Louis Stevenson. Vignette:a brief evocative description, account, or episode of sipping splendor...Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-58476983694858234722015-08-13T06:06:00.000-07:002015-08-13T06:06:05.823-07:00"Are Those Stars In Your Eyes?" No, just a star in my wine. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b>"There is no need to wait for darkness to appreciate the stars. For even in the brightest day they still twinkle above you. If you have to see to believe, then you don't understand the universe." Mary E. Rapier</b></i></div>
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This wine star was reflected by a nice <a href="http://www.donapaula.com/en/">Dona Paula Malbec </a> last night while enjoying an stellar dinner at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SkipsRestaurant">Skip's</a> located in New Buffalo Michigan. Skip's is a nicer, fine, yet casual dining experience just on the edge of New Buffalo as you are heading up the Red Arrow Highway. You will not want to miss out on their Rib Eye special. Wonderful food, service and atmosphere.<br />
They also have a wonderful outdoor European Market on Saturdays and Sundays from May to October. A great way to spend a weekend. Don't forget to keep exploring up Red Arrow Highway.Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-59082486237308597482015-08-02T08:42:00.000-07:002015-08-02T08:42:52.641-07:00Shady Creek Winery, Michigan City Indiana<h5 class="quote" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px;">
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<span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>“I feast on wine and bread, and feasts they are.”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Michelangelo</span><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">(1475–1564)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">This past weekend Steve and I attended the Taste of Michigan City. It was a nice normal community affair. It did a great job of introducing locals and summer tourists to some of the wonderful things this lakeside community has to offer. One such gem is <a href="http://www.shadycreekwinery.com/Home_Page.html">Shady Creek Winery.</a> I have to admit that I have heard of the winery, but, have never visited as I have found local wineries that offer wine tastings to be a bit of a disappointment. Although they might be nice when you stumble upon them, seeking them out is not my cup of tea, or glass of wine if you will. Also, I have found that Midwestern wines leave me feeling that a great grape was probably wasted in the making of said wine. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Well, all that changed yesterday. Steve wanted to sample a local brew and asked if I would like a red should they have wine. Sure, why not, who am I to pass up on a gentlemen offering me a glass of red? He came back with a local red wine. I found that I really enjoyed it, despite it being served in a plastic Dixie cup. I inquired and discovered that it was from <a href="http://www.shadycreekwinery.com/Home_Page.html">Shady Creek Winery </a>in Michigan City. The volunteer for the Taste clearly loved spending time at Shady Creek and suggested that we pay it a visit. So, we did...right away. We left the Taste and traveled 4 short miles down Highway 12 to Indiana 212 to Tryon Road. A lovely establishment in the middle of the country. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Steve and I found it to be a very friendly, welcoming place. Not only is the venue comfortable and cheery, the staff truly loved what they do. Tyler took over our tasting and entertained us with stories of the Winery. He shared information such as where the grapes come from and how the winery came to be. Most notably, I discovered the reason why I favored Shady Creek wines over other local wines and that is because a predominance of the grapes for the red wine come from California. So, bring together great winemakers and great grapes and you get a great wine. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">Our favorite of the 6 wines tasted was the Syrah, with grapes from <a href="http://www.lodiwine.com/">Lodi.</a></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">So, we lift our glass to Tyler, and the crew for a wonderful Saturday afternoon. We are looking forward to our bottle of Syrah and are certain that Shady Creek will become one of our favorite places to just sit back and relax. We will be back! Cheers! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 27px;"><i>"Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance." --- Benjamin Franklin</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://shadycreekwinery.com/">Shady Creek Winery</a></div>
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2030 Tryon Road</div>
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Michigan City, IN 46360</div>
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-3856886895732418322015-07-20T19:05:00.000-07:002015-07-20T19:07:47.645-07:00Sol y Luna Cabernet es Muy Bueno<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/buddha133884.html?src=t_moon" id="qt_133884" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 26px; text-decoration: none;" title="view quote">Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.</a>" Buddha</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">After a long walk along the Lake Michigan shore and driving up Lake Shore Drive, one cannot help but feel the connection to the earthy reality that Sol Y Luna delivers to the palate. Unexpected connection to the experience of the day. Cathartic really. Watching the sun slowly setting over the west and witnessing the moon rise over the east all before the first glass careened down our throats brought the oak, yet buttery smoothness to rest in the underbelly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Sol Y Luna es muy bueno indeed. This Cabernet Sauvignon was acquired through <a href="https://www.splashwines.com/c-16-cabernet-sauvignon.aspx" target="_blank">Splash </a>Wines and comes to us from <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Curico Valley in Central Chile. </span></span>Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-18906529197965793682015-06-25T13:29:00.000-07:002015-07-05T17:03:54.927-07:00Champagne Reflected In the Glass...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">“There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.” Bette Davis</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">No major words or prose, just a cute little celebration upon our late night arrival to Poughkeepsie to begin yet another chapter in the life of two who found romance in the most unlikely of places. In keeping with the theme of "Vino Vignettes," We lift and toast to Champagne Reflected in the Glass. </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The bottle of LaCantera Carinena Reserva 2006 was the first bottle of wine that we sampled from our Virgin wine club shipment. It was late and we were just looking to wind down after a very long drive. I was ever so delighted to have brought a couple bottles with us on our trip. Immediately after opening the bottle we poured and didn't give it ample time to breathe. The first sip was a bit metallic in taste, but, as my experience shows, that is typically because it needs to breathe. After a few minutes, I resumed my sipping to discover a very fruity, dark fruit, black raspberry with a hint of plum, swirled with a very smokey fine cigar finish in the back of the throat. It was delightful and as you can see by the Champagne reflection that he was in fact very pleased with LaCantera Carinena, Reserva 2006. This wine is rated at 87 points and while some complaints were found online, most were favorable just like ours. </span></i></span><br />
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-83882787480910973652015-06-10T19:31:00.001-07:002015-06-10T20:34:40.053-07:00Geja's Big Bold Red, 2012<div style="line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 10px;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">"A person with increasing knowledge and sensory education may derive infinite enjoyment from wine." - Ernest Hemingway</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Geja's Big Bold Red, comes to us from California. A private reserve, and grown out of a world-famous vineyard guarantees that you will experience over 40 years of wine making expertise with each sip. This hard to fine vintage is of the<i> rare red blend</i> (a blend of unusual, or rarely seen blends of grapes) is a special treat when you happen to come upon it. The average price is around $15 and is typically more affordable as well as available through one or more of the featured wine delivery services that are highlighted in this blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">In the mean time what does this flavorful wine mean for you the wine lover? Well, it brings you a bold, yet light, dry wine. The first sip leaves your tongue tantalized and right on the edge of sensory overload. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">A rich claret color. At first you sense a smooth, caramel, buttery essence, it the bouquet, then it quickly moves into a dry, dark cherry swirl on the palette finishing with a burst of earthy florals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">(Steve's response: <i>¨It isn't like many of the other reds that we have had, it is like being covered with a warm blanket, that cozy feeling, when you just settle in.</i>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Pairing: Personally, I believe this would be perfect with an intense French bread, a variety of cheeses, followed up with high quality dark chocolate. Is it possible that there is a connection between this Bold Red and the world-famous Geja's Fondue Restaurant in Lincoln Park, Chicago Illinois?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Be ready to have your senses awakened and your body, mind and spirit, blanketed in comfort as Geja's Big Bold Red lingers on your tongue and fills up your senses in a very dynamic way. </span></div>
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-77075127355823911262015-06-07T18:30:00.002-07:002015-06-08T19:23:20.374-07:00Wine Has Its Benefits...Cheers! <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">“Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.”</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">From Harvard studies to the American Heart Associations stamp of approval; the benefits of moderate wine drinking can make a difference. So, grab your favorite Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and proclaim, CHEERS!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Benefits for Diabetics: Israeli researchers discovered that when diabetics consumed a glass of red wine every night they reduced bad cholesterol and protected their overall heart health.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Go ahead and Live Longer: A Finnish study over a 29 period of time Wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than those who consume beer or other alcoholic beverages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Reduces the risk of heart attack and heart disease: A 16 year study by Harvard studied 11,711 men. The published research indicates that moderate wine drinkers suffering from high BP are 30% less likely to suffer heart attacks than those who do not imbibe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Where your grapes come from makes a difference so it seems. Red wine tannins provide procyanidins which are prove to protect the human heart from disease. Researchers at Queen Mary University in London published research. Hint: Southwest France and Sardinia has more procyanidins that other wine locals. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Wine drinkers have a lower incident of cataracts. Researchers in Iceland found that moderate drinkers have a 32% lower risk of cataracts than nondrinkers. Those who consume wine are 43% lower incident of cataracts than those who drink beer. uts Risk of Cataracts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lower your risk of developing colon cancer! Moderate consumption of wine, in particular the red varietals cut your risk of colon cancer by as much as 45% according to researchers at Stony Brook University. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Keep that brain active! Columbia researchers discovered that brain function in moderate drinkers does not decline as quickly as nondrinkers. So, go ahead grab a nice pinot noir from the South of France, pick up a little crossword puzzle and keep that brain power going strong. </span></div>
Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-82489609333056495642015-05-25T06:51:00.001-07:002015-05-25T09:23:28.108-07:00Great Glass of Wine: It is reflected in Wine Art<div dir="ltr">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i>“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” Ernest Hemingway </i></span></div>
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How do you tell of it is a great glass of wine? Well, it is all in the reflection, of course. #wineart. Try it, you won't regret the experience. Aside from the glorious images that dance upon the table, you do not experience this until you have imbibed in a few succulent ounces. One, you know you enjoyed the wine because you want to see it dance in the light. Two, you know it was good because you want to linger in the full sensory experience. Wait til you see the rainbows and orbs that white wine creates. </div>
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-23694988715364968112015-05-20T19:29:00.000-07:002015-05-20T19:29:12.675-07:00"Zin-fully Delicious" Fair Oaks Ranch Zinfandel, 2012Let me start off with saying that while Fair Oaks Ranch Zinfandel may not be the absolute best in the world, but, it is quite scrumptious, especially on a rainy Wednesday, Spring night in May. It was also delightful in a warm early Spring night in March. The truth is, this zinfandel is surprisingly perfect for a light toast or simple, sipping, splendor.<br />
Light, with buttery tones merge with a light tannin essence. Breathe in the fruity bouquet, and let the garden hues take you away with just enough oak to bring you back down to earth. Light, gentle, mildly-dry and perfect for one of those nights when you are not in a bold-red mood or seeking something other than a cool-white.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
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<a href="http://www.snooth.com/wine/fair-oaks-reserve-zinfandel-2011/" style="border: 0px; color: #7b0025; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Fair Oaks Reserve Zinfandel</a></div>
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Winery: Fair Oaks Ranch</div>
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Varietal: Zinfandel</div>
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Region: USA » California</div>
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Cost: between $9 and $15</div>
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-73364774644450957052015-05-17T19:45:00.000-07:002015-05-17T19:49:38.708-07:00Online Wine Merchants; A World of Wine at Your Doorstep<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When it comes to loving wine, there is absolutely nothing more fantastical than receiving a shipment of wine to your door. It is like Christmas morning and Santa Claus is a vintner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We have found that <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the opportunities that online wine distributors provide wine lovers with a plethora of opportunities to experience a world of wine in the comfort of their your home. It is very frustrating to stand staring at wall upon wall of wine in stores only to leave even more frustrated over having 1) paid too much 2) dissatisfied 3) wanting to venture out into new varietals but, confused as to what to buy.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> Imagine the fun you could have by hosting your own monthly wine tasting. Invite a few friends or family members over and experience the newest shipment together. What better way to learn the lingo by comparing and contrasting varietals and yes, have fun. Another major plus is that you will not spend more than $50.00 for a great night of wine tasting. I once asked a sommelier "what is the best way to become you?" To which he replied; "Just start experiencing wine." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Thus far, we have enjoyed four different wine merchants. We have acquired a wonderful selection that we will continue to share with you over the next few months. There are a couple wine distributors that we have on a waiting list, but, for now, we are quite pleased with the four that we will share with you. Admittedly, we owe our new wine tasting adventure to Groupon. All but *one* of the wine distributors was through Groupon. The rest is history. Let's explore shall we? The world of wine is right at your doorstep!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.heartwoodandoak.com/" target="_blank">Heartwood & Oak</a> offers either wine by the bottle, specially selected cases of red, white or mixed and also a wine club. Enjoy wine packs from $79 for 6 bottles to $149 for 12. Heartwood and Oak also offer occasional deals whereby you can choose your favorites from the hand-picked mixed cases. The deal that we obtained from Groupon also gave a generous $50 voucher to be used towards your next purchase. The one downside to Heartwood and Oak is that I have yet to see a free shipping offer. The wine selections have been wonderful and we have yet to uncover a distasteful wine yet. <i>Toscana Red, Columbelle French White </i>are a couple of my favorites and we both enjoyed <i>Fair Oaks Zinfandel</i>. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <img alt="Buy Wine online through Splash Wines" height="38" src="https://www.splashwines.com/App_Themes/Skin_3/images/SplashWinesLogo350.png" width="200" /><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.splashwines.com/" target="_blank">Splash</a></span></span><br />
My relationship with Splash Wines began with a Groupon special, 15 bottles of wine for $69 (plus shipping and handling). This particular collection was called the Wine Discovery Pack, and it has been delightful. I recently wrote about the Mare Vine a delightful red from Portugal. As a way to say thank you Splash contacted me and offered an additional special 15 bottles for $98.00 (this was the total price!) For the most part, the second shipment was delightfully different from the first collection.<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span> <img alt=" Wine Insiders" src="http://www.wineinsiders.com/assets/images/logo.png" height="47" width="200" /><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://wineinsiders.com/" target="_blank">Wine Insiders </a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another Groupon deal brought 12 glorious bottles of incredible red wine to my door for the low price of $79 (shipping extra). We have thoroughly enjoyed Burke Family Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2013 Monarch Glen Merlot to name a few. So many wines, such little time. From Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Italy to Argentina and all the way to New Zealand, Wine Insider has a world of wine waiting to tease your tastebuds. </span><br />
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<img alt="Virgin Wines" src="http://www.virginwines.com/images/us/en/brands/virgin/vw_logo.gif" /><br />
*<a href="http://virginwines.com/" target="_blank">Virgin Wines</a>*<br />
Virgin Wines is the one online merchant that was not obtained via Groupon. As I began exploring some of the wine clubs and mixed pack options, I decided to give Virgin a try. There were many others, such as WSJ (Wall Street Journal) and a couple of others, and then I realized that depending upon where you live determines which distributor will be your provider. It is quite okay, as the selections are outstanding. Along with the glorious reds that I ordered through VW, they did something that I think goes along very well with a budding sommelier, they provided wonderful tasting note cards. I have yet to sample any of the delicate reds that came with my order, but, I have this sense that they will be sublime. Imagine receiving award winning wine, delivered to your door for only $69 (plus shipping and handling)? Needless to say, I am really looking forward to a summer of wine tasting parties and sipping through some spectacular summer nights.<br />
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Go ahead and splurge and while you are at it, save yourself some significant dollars on the fruit of the vine. Imagine all the tasteful soiree's or romantic dinners, picnics and yes, cookouts you will enjoy this summer. You will be the most impressive host/hostess on the block.<br />
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Special tip: An additional plus to investing into the variety of online wine merchants is that you always have last minute host/hostess gifts on hand. What better way to say that someone matters than to gift them with a beautiful bottle of wine?<br />
Cheers!Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-73542757387304660602015-05-12T17:34:00.001-07:002015-05-13T09:15:24.330-07:00Mare Viva, Living Water...Portuguese RedHow can I not begin this vignette without making a reference to "Water into Wine." Many Christians believe that He is living water, cool refreshing water. So it is with the Portuguese and their 1,000+ years at perfecting wine. I salute you all with a glass of Mare Viva red wine. Smooth, with a little bite, yet, flavorful, subtle buttery taste, intermingled with fruit and closing with a nice dry finish.<br />
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This is one of my acquisitions through <a href="https://www.splashwines.com/t-about.aspx" target="_blank">Splash Wines </a>a fun family operation that believes in sharing what their family has come to love after many years in the business. What better way to toast with people around the world than vicariously through an online wine distribution, service? I look forward to bringing you more of my Splash collection in coming "vignettes." </div>
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<b style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“his lips drink water, </span></i></b><b style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">but his heart drinks wine” </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: xx-small;"><b><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― e.e. cummings </span></i></b></b></span></div>
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-8868851706634525942015-05-10T15:44:00.001-07:002015-05-10T17:35:09.090-07:00A Mother's Day rose_Franciscan Merlot<div dir="ltr">
A nice <a href="http://www.franciscan.com/2012-Franciscan-Estate-Merlot-Napa-Valley?pageID=52A45EDE-F449-A1E1-614F-6BC699F02A39&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=10&">Franciscan Merlot</a> as only Copper Rock can serve! So much wine... So little time</div>
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-37827040595514812062015-05-10T09:05:00.000-07:002015-05-10T09:35:04.972-07:00Boroda Founder's Wine Cellar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"What is the definition of a good wine? It should start and end with a smile." <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">William Sokolin</span></i></div>
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Cheers from Mary E and Roxanne. The day started out with just a simple, "what shall we do today" and ended with, let's go up Red Arrow Highway! Our travels brought us to the wine trail and Boroda Michigan, home of Boroda Founder's Cellar. It was a great way to kick off a Saturday girl's day. In all honesty, (and this is nothing against the vintners in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana) I cannot make myself really like Midwestern wine. It lacks the fortitude and umph that I have come to appreciate. The quaint aspect of a local winery is the endearing aspect of a wine flight at Boroda, but, aside from that, let's just leave it as "quaint."<br />
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There is one exception to this Michigan winery rule and that is "White Pine Winery." <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"The discovery of a wine is of a greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars. B. Franklin, 1700's"</i></span><br />
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-8971380387848631542015-05-09T09:08:00.001-07:002015-05-09T09:58:47.255-07:00Vino Vignettes<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A vignette is <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14.2400007247925px;">a <i>"brief evocative description, account, or episode."</i> So it is that I invite you on my journey through the vineyard of life and enjoy the escapades through wine, champagne and general </span> sipping splendor. I will bring you a variety of wine as experienced first hand and with grand enjoyment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>By the way, I love to take pictures of light reflecting through the glass...a little eroticism or little wine porn you might say. </i></span>Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4993892259648855831.post-87619794489807328942014-09-28T17:39:00.001-07:002014-09-28T18:25:39.341-07:00Move over Martini, Tini-Apple Pie Is In Season!Steve and I went apple picking yesterday at <a href="http://www.twinmapleorchards.com/">Twin Maple Orchards </a>in Galien Michigan. We had a wonderful time! The weather was absolutely perfect there was an abundance of apples and friendly people all there for one purpose to walk among the apple trees. Whenever I pick apples directly from the tree, I cannot help but think about the poem by Robert Frost, <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173523">¨After Apple Picking</a>.¨ The beautiful sentiment in the poem speaks to the time in our lives and during the year when we settle in and rest by fireside as we slip into our winter slumber.<br />
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There is a wonderful reference in poem where it speaks to the bruising of apples and how basically nothing is wasted. <i>¨<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">No matter if not bruised or spiked with stubble,</span></i><br />
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<i>Went surely to the cider-apple heap.¨ </i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">As we were waiting for our ride back on a hay rack pulled by a small tractor, the string on the bag broke and apples rolled away. Steve refused to let those that bruised to go to waste, so we picked up every apple that rolled away. He kept every apple he picked on his picking journey. As we returned to our house we separated those that were bruised from the perfect ones. I immediately started thinking about all the things I could do to put the bruised, the ones that should be outcast, how could I turn them into glorious treats to be enjoyed by fireside. It is then that I came up with it. Tini-Apple Pie, or Apple-pie-tini. I give you mixology of the year! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">3 apples peeled, (bruised are perfect) cored and sliced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">1 tsp of lemon juice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">1 tsp of simple sugar syrup</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">1 shot of Premium Ketel One Vodka</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">Place all of the aforementioned ingredients into a blender. Puree all of the ingredients until they are as smooth as possible. Slowly separate the juice of the puree from the puree. Set the puree aside for either making a cake, freezing for an apple sorbet, or eat it straight as apple sauce. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">You will attain about 8 ounces of pure, fresh apple juice. That juice will be the very thing that sets the ¨tini¨ into huge! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">Apple pie version or the girlie version: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">3 ounces of premium juice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">1 tsp of simple sugar</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">1/4 tsp vanilla </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">1/8 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">2 oz. Premium Ketel One Vodka</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">Ice for shaking </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">Pour it all into a shaker, shake it as you would a martini, pour into chilled martini glass and serve! OMG! it is liquid apple pie! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">Apple Pie-Tini or should I say a Robert Frost! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">3 ounces of premium juice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">3 shots Premium Ketel One Vodka</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">Ice for shaking </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -1em;">Pour all of the aforementioned ingredients into a shaker. Pour into a chilled martini glass and serve! Just the right fruity taste and enough wow to keep you warm through a cold autumn night! </span><br />
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Mary E. http://www.blogger.com/profile/04578356883575964675noreply@blogger.com0