helenjane's Profile
Best white wine for a white peach sangria?
(Disclaimer: I have worked for both companies.)
I have also made a lot of white sangria in my day and for white sangria I recommend Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc or Beringer Sauv Blanc.
Yes, yes, blah blah family owned winery small production blah -- I will recommend small producers with the best of them -- but when adding rum, sugar and fruit, these wines are simply good enough, economical enough and consistent enough to allow me to perfect my recipe.
Winery Recs Napa Valley
I second the Schramsburg tasting -- very educational as well. It's fun to ride the tram at Sterling Vineyards and Cliff Lede has some amazing artwork -- nothing like a glass of their bubbly on a hot day.
"Inherited" some wine
Sometimes that chunky floaty stuff are just wine proteins that have banded together after exposure to high temperatures. Is it possible that the wine was "cooked?"
wine tasting
Scallops on frisee salad are tasty with Chardonnay.
I seem to remember Food and Wine magazine doing an article about Aubert Chardonnay in their October 2006 issue -- http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/cult-chardonnays-newest-star, maybe that issue will have some pairing ideas for you?
Wine basket gift for Beringer White Zinfandel Fans?
Beringer just released a fairly tasty Riesling as well -- but bubbles may be a more celebratory gift.
Juice box wine at Target
In working to get those packages approved by the TTB, keeping the straw off was one of the few things keeping it legal. The government doesn't want them confused with (ha!) juice boxes.
(The Target sangria is quite tasty as well.)
"House" Wine Recommendations
Matua Sauvignon Blanc : House White
Schramsberg Mirabelle : House Bubbles
Montevina Barbera / Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel : House Red
suggestions for wine newbie
Fortunately, I live in the heart of California's wine country and work in the industry -- I just hate going to retail environments and having to talk about a product that so many folks have such strong (FLABBY! TOOTHSOME! FRUIT BOMB!) opinions on....well, it's still daunting.
My friends and I made a group called cheesewhizzes.com that meets roughly once every two months -- although the focus is cheese, the wine part gets as much time. I've learned so much from friends with my budget that aren't trying to sell to me.
The other two things that have helped oodles are sensory evaluation classes -- UC Davis, local community college-- and the UC Davis Wine Tasting wheel. A homemade online version is here
http://www.goodlifeguy.com/Taste%20Tools/bwwheel.jpg.
$50 Champagne
NV Billecart-Salmon Brut and anything by Schramsburg are my recommendations. Yum.
White and red sangria recipes
This white sangria recipe is my go-to. This recipe makes about one pitcher's worth -- you may need to double.
4 peeled and sliced kiwis
1 bag frozen sliced peaches
1 package of strawberries, sliced thin
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup white rum
1/4 cup Grand Marnier/Cointreau
2 cups white grape juice
1.5 L Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
Lots of ice
Throw all the fruit in bottom of a large pitcher or punchbowl and sprinkle with the sugar. Pour the white rum and Grand Marnier/Cointreau on top of the fruit and sugar. Let it sit and think for about an hour. Pour the big bottle of white wine in there with about 2 cups of white grape juice. Add more sugar if you need it. Stir, add ice cubes and chill. Looks gorgeous in a clear pitcher.
suggestions for wine newbie
As I'm still embarassed to talk to wine store employees or owners, I rely on myself for most of my wine training.
In studying for a wine certification, I found this article -- http://www.wine.gurus.com/marian1.html which includes a standard method for identifying varietals, but also helps you discover some common wine flaws. Wine for Dummies was a great start, Andrea Immer Robinson's wine guide and my local community college offers sensory wine training and wine tasting courses.
Individual Wine Boxes?
I actually liked the Pinot Grigio more than the Cab -- especially really cold.
(As I used to work with them, I've had a lot of it. Also, you might already know that the (mostly tasty) Target wine is made by the same holding company.)
