Drinking The Pink for Spring | Rosé and Food Pairings in Quarantine

If there is one thing I have learned about myself during this time in quarantine, it’s that I reeeeeally love rosé. It’s so satisfying and really tastes fabulous with just about everything. But even more so, it’s nostalgic. No matter what time of year it is, it instantly transports you to the feeling of summer - is there anything better than that? And one of my favorite times of the year is the start of rosé season to ring in all those feels. Even though we are all quarantined at home, that doesn’t mean we can’t kick back and enjoy rosé as we normally would this time of year. In fact, now is the perfect time to experiment with lots of different wines from around the world and pair them with your meal (mine just happens to be brunch)!

Check out this selection of sparkling and still rosé wines from all over the world to pair with your go-to home-cooked meals, sip solo, or enjoy with friends via FaceTime while you practice social distancing.

Wines from California

Napa, California - Chandon Rosé Classic NV- (SRP/750ml bottle: $26.00)

The Signature Sparkling Rosé is made in the traditional method. Dry and elegant, the blend is comprised primarily of Chardonnay with a kiss of Pinot Noir to give it a gorgeously pink hue. This wine offers  ripe strawberry, juicy watermelon, and raspberry notes with a creamy texture and long, fresh finish. Wonderfully versatile, it pairs exceptionally well with seafood, especially grilled salmon and shellfish in paella or gumbo. 

Northern California – Smoke Tree 2019 Rosé (SRP: $16.99)

Featuring a blend of classic California varieties, Smoke Tree’s fresh and vibrant Rosé offers aromas of rose petals, citrus, and passion fruit. The palate continues with flavors of strawberry and citrus woven together with elegant acidity and minerality, for a crisp, refreshing finish. The 2019 vintage is sourced from around 15-25 year-old Grenache vines from Redwood Valley in  Mendocino as well as plots in Lake County. Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel from Mendocino County are also included. Smaller percentages of Grenache, Malbec, and Pinot Noir from Clarksburg complete the blend. The blend breakdown: 40% Grenache, 15% Merlot, 15% Zinfandel, 10% Malbec, 10% Syrah, 10% Pinot Noir. Pairs great with melon and prosciutto skewers and smoked salmon eggs benedict.

Wines from Italy 

Emilia Romagna, Italy – Venturini Baldini Cadelvento Lambrusco Spumante DOP (SRP: $21.99)venturinibaldini.it

This organic brut rosato contains long lasting aromas of rosehip and a ripe peach grove and is produced in the Charmat method. The dry and light bodied structure mirrors the aromas with a bright, bubbly finish. Perfect to pair with seafood, such as fresh mussels, lobster or fish stew. 

Trentino, Italy - Mezza di Mezzacorona Rosé (SRP: $12.99): This wine is made in the northern Italian region of Trentino, and the grapes are grown in estate-owned vineyards at the foothills of the Italian Alps. Mezza di Mezzacorona Rosé is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero in the Charmat-method.  Bright pink in color, this wine is fresh and juicy, with notes of candied strawberry, watermelon and pomegranate. The mousse is creamy and the fruit is concentrated on the palate, leading into a lively, enjoyable finish. Beautiful in a rosé spritz paired with strawberry clafoutis or an egg, bacon and tomato chutney panini.

Wine from Australia

Margaret River, Australia – Cape Mentelle Rosé 2019 (SRP: $17.99)

A Margaret River pioneer since 1970, Cape Mentelle created many of its renowned wine styles and is considered a benchmark for quality today. This Rosé is an Aussie interpretation of the freshness and vibrancy found in traditional dry rosé styles, showcasing delicate color and fresh aromas framed by generous fruit and a refreshing acidity. This dynamic wine features a blend of 65% Shiraz, 15% Grenache, 7% Tempranillo, 4% Sangiovese, 4% Zinfandel, 3% Mourvèdre  and 2% Viognier. Pair with asparagus and cheese tart or spinach and goat cheese frittata.

Wine from France 
 

Champagne, France – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé NV (SRP: $48)

France’s top-selling champagne, Nicolas Feuillatte dazzles the senses with its Réserve Exclusive Rosé NV. Perfect for pairing with light courses, strawberry desserts or enjoying on its own, Réserve Exclusive Rosé NV features refined red fruit aromas, delicate mousse and creamy texture—all leading into a pure raspberry finish. This rosé is a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Meunier and 10% Chardonnay.

Celebrating Galentine's Day with Campo Viejo x Sugarfina | My Signature Cocktail Recipe

Galentine’s Day, which falls on Thursday, February 13th is one of my all time favorite holidays of the year because it’s a celebration of us girlfriends! Whether you’re single or in a relationship, you can really have a lot of fun and creative freedom when it comes to entertaining.  What better way to celebrate with your girlfriends other than with wine and candy? This year, Sugarfina and Campo Viejo have partnered together to create the perfect combo for Galentine's Day! 3 different candies perfectly curated in a bento box with wine? It doesn’t get any better.

Campo Viejo features a blend of traditional Spanish winemaking with modern day style. Campo Viejo offers a fun, vivacious and affordable range of wines – perfect for every occasion from a Galentine's Day celebration or brunch with your friends, which is why I love this brand so much. With vineyards across Rioja, Campo Viejo blends vibrant expressions of Tempranillo – the region’s signature grape – applying modern twists to traditional Spanish winemaking.

DEETS ON THE WINE + CANDY PAIRINGS

Peanut Butter Caramels + Campo Viejo Tempranillo

Softness of the Tempranillo pairs perfectly with the creamy sweetness of the Sugarfina Peanut Butter Caramels. The vanilla and cocoa notes in the candy will further highlight these flavors in the wine. 

Fuji Caramel Apples + Campo Viejo Reserva

The bold Reserva pairs well with rich candies with the Fuji Apple Caramels, these decadent flavors compliment the velvety tannins and fruits found in the Reserva and last through the finish of both the wine and candy. 

Sugar Lips + Cava Brut Rosé

The sour Sugarfina Sugar Lips balance the buttery crisp taste of the Cava Brut Rosé -bringing out the citrus notes with every sip, and balancing the sweetness.

My Signature Cocktail | The Campo Kiss

I wanted to create my own signature cocktail recipe and got some inspiration from the sparkling rosé to create a libation that was flirty, sweet and colorful that would be perfect for entertaining with girlfriends that I know would be universally swooned over. I personally am smitten for a little tart and sour touch to anything that can be, so I played up on the citrus elements and created a Galentine’s cocktail called the Campo Kiss!

Ingredients

Coupe glass

8 oz. Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

3 oz. Elderflower liqueur

Campo Viejo Brut Rosé

Sugarfina Sugar Lips

Method

Fill your coupe glass with 8 oz. of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, or fill the glass halfway.

Pour 3 oz. of elderflower liqueur into the juice.

Lightly swirl the mixture.

Top off with bubbly! Pour Campo Viejo Brut Rosé into the glass.

Garnish with Sugar Lips sitting on the side of the glass. For extra tart, drop in a pair of lips and let fizz in the drink!

For more information, please visit https://www.campoviejo.com/en or follow on Instagram at @campoviejousa. Click here to purchase your own fabulous Campo Viejo x Sugarfina bento box and wine!

Photography by: Grace + Light Photo

HAPPY GALENTINE’S DAY!

Sip into Summer with Wine Slushies

You know I love my rosé in the summer... and I love frosé even more. But let's face it, frosé is so last year. This year, I'm loving fruity summer wine slushies! They're the perfect refreshing sipper fit for summer entertaining. 

Jam Jar, South African wine brand known for fun and refreshing wines, has created three wine slushies with their Sweet White and Sweet Shiraz expressions! For the strawberry lover, the peach lover and the sangria lover, Jam Jar has got us covered with these easy, crowd-pleasing slushie drinks. 

Grab your Jam Jar slushie, lay by the pool and enjoy!

Jam Jar Strawberry Slushie

PREP TIME: 1 hour

SERVING: 1 pitcher (serves 6-8)

Ingredients:

1 bottle Jam Jar Sweet White

2 cups strawberries

½ cup lemonade

¼ cup sugar

1½ cups ice cubes

Directions:

1. Puree strawberries in a blender. Then add the rest of the ingredients (Sweet White, lemonade, sugar and ice) and blend.

2. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid.

3. When ready to serve, puree the ice cubes in a blender to your desired consistency.

4. Garnish the glasses with a strawberry!

Jam Jar Peach Slushie

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

SERVING: 4 stemless wine glasses (serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 bottle Jam Jar Sweet White

1 bag frozen peaches

½ cup sugar

Directions:

1. Combine the Sweet White and peaches in a blender and puree until smooth.

2. Depending upon your consistency preference, freeze for roughly 30 minutes before serving.

3. Garnish with a peach slice!

Jam Jar Sangria Slushie

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

SERVING: 6-8 stemless wine glasses (serves 6-8)

Ingredients:

2 cups Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz

1½ cups frozen berries

3 ounces vodka (optional – we suggest vanilla)

3 ounces triple sec or ¼ cup of sugar to sweeten (optional)

ice to thicken

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth, continuing to add ice to reach your desired consistency. 

2. Optional: add triple sec or sugar to sweeten according to your preference.

3. Garnish your glasses with a strawberry and serve!