Tag Archives: red wine

A History and A Recipe: Sangria

Wine / December 20, 2016 / 1 Comment.

Thank you Spain for inventing Sangria. And thank you United States for making it a national holiday. Which is today by the way. Hoping you and yours have a happy and safe Sangria Day.

A Long History Made Short: Back in the day, water wasn’t safe to drink. So everyone drank wine because the alcohol killed the germs. Even toddlers got in on the action. But drinking the same old thing everyday got boring, so those smarties in Spain started adding other stuff to their wine, like fruit and spices. Then they decided to wow us Americans with the stuff at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Everyone loved it and we still do today. The end.

Make Your Own: There are two types of Sangria: Traditional (made with red wine) and Sangria Blanco (made with white wine). Since it’s the holiday season, here’s a classic, 5-star, red recipe, dubbed “Sangria! Sangria!” from All Recipes to enjoy with your loved ones. Or totally by yourself. No judgement.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of brandy
1/4 cup of lemon juice
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
1/3 cup of orange juice
1 bottle of dry red wine
1/2 cup of triple sec
1 lemon (sliced into rounds)
1 orange (sliced into rounds)
1 lime (sliced into rounds)
1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
8 maraschino cherries
2 cups of carbonated water (optional)

Directions:

In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec and sugar. Flat slices of lemon, orange, lime and maraschino cherries in the mixture.
Refrigerate overnight for the best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.

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Her Shot: The Final Rosé

Her Shot / December 11, 2016 / No Comments.

Okay ladies, get in formation… around the couch – Beyonce + us

With The Bachelor’s 21st season right around the corner, it is with smiles as big as the lucky girl receiving the ‘first impression rose’ that we announce some of the most dramatic news in Bachelor history (isn’t that right, Chris Harrison?).

Only kidding, Bachelor Nation. But it will have you jumping off your seat like you just got your first date card. To celebrate yet another exciting season kickoff on January 2nd, The Bachelor Wine Collection just launched three wine varieties for your Monday night boozing. With names to mirror the show, The Fantasy Suite (Cabernet Sauvignon), One on One (Chardonnay), and, The Final Rosé (Rosé, of course).

Since you should already start setting your bachelor party plans in stone for Episode 1, now is also a perfect time to pre-order your bottles for just $15.95 each. Thanks to The Bachelor Wine Collection for making it even more acceptable to drink on a Monday.

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9 Cheap Red Wines to Drink During the Debate

Wine / October 9, 2016 / No Comments.

This election seems to be one of those tragic events where everyone knows it’s a mess but you can’t look away. And you shouldn’t! Watching the Presidential Debate is important, but we thought we would help you make it a little more fun- in a very cheap way. We have a list of red wine, some a great bargain while some you’re getting what you pay for. It’ll be sure to add some extra entertainment while watching the debate. Here are 9 crappy red wines you can drink while watching a less than perfect presidential debate:

Cherry Blossom Pinot Noir ($3.99) Friendly warning: drink it in tiny sips.

Underwood Pinot Noir ($5.49) Don’t smell it. Just drink it.

Grifone Primitive ($4.49) The taste is stronger with a lingering aftertaste

Trentatre 33 Rosso ($5.99) It’s one of the less drinkable despite not being the cheapest

Jebediah Drinkwells Meritage ($5.99) The cork can be tricky on this one

Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw Shiraz ($2.99) It has a bit off a coffee undertone

Vineyard Creek Merlot ($7.49) Fruity- in a good way

Chateau Diana Cabernet Sauvignon ($6.99) You might want to be a little drunk before trying this one

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Man Cave: a Bottle a Day

Man Cave / February 11, 2016 / No Comments.

Some say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. We’re not going to get into specifics here, but science tells us that this may not necessarily be true. However, science DOES tell us that wine, specifically red wine, has some extensive health benefits. So much so that it allegedly helped a man grow to the old age of 107!

Antonio Docampo Garcia, a Spanish wine maker, recently passed away due to complications from pneumonia. However, after living for over a century, it’s hard not to wonder what his secret was! And when it comes down to it, the answer is simple: wine. Garcia’s winery produced 60,000 bottles of wine each year, but he kept a staggering 3,000 to enjoy with his family and friends. He always had a glass (or five) with lunch and dinner, but only after a shot of brandy with breakfast.

Obviously, this questionable strategy to longevity isn’t proven, but if you’re someone who ends the day with a glass of red, keep on keepin’ on.

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Red Wine Could Slow Dementia

Wine / September 24, 2015 / No Comments.

The many health benefits of red wine have encouraged wine-lovers to pour themselves another glass over the years. Claims have been maid that red wine can help prevent heart disease, reduce inflammation, and extend your lifespan—if you drink it in moderation. A new trial says it can do something else—slow down dementia.

The trial, conducted by Georgetown University’s Dr. Scott Turner, found that a pill containing a concentrated dose of resveratrol—an antioxidant compound found in red wine and dark chocolate—could slow the onset of dementia. The highest does pill that was used in the study is equivalent to the resveratrol in 1,000 bottles of wine. That’s more than even Gerard Depardieu can drink.

Despite the debate about some of the other claims of red wine’s health benefits, the Georgetown University study has the support of several scientists. According to the study, the resveratrol pill stabilizes a biomarker that declines as dementia develops. While this is a single study on the smaller side, and it’s really a call for further research, the results are promising. So pour yourself an extra large glass of red wine tonight. Salut!

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Her Shot: Can we declare red wine a superfood yet?

Her Shot / February 15, 2015 / No Comments.

Excellent news, yet another study has been released which alludes to a health benefit in drinking red wine. Based off previous research a current study is looking into whether or not a specific extract found in grapes, the main ingredient in wine duh, reduces weight gain and burns fat. Years ago studies confirmed that a glass of red wine a day benefits your heart health and now this, hallelujah!

And if you even need an explanation, we’re about to fill you in. Back in the lab scientists have tested human fat and liver cells with a red grape extract and found that it slows fat gain and assisted the liver cells in burning fat faster, yay science! Apparently this little miracle is caused by ellagic acid which is common in a variety of “oaky” red wines. Now, they aren’t exactly saying that a glass of red wine should replace your gym routine, but you know that we’re always looking for an excuse to drink. So cheers to red wine, we believe it will be up there some day with avocados and kale as first superbeverage!

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Her Shot: Wine Milkshake

Cocktails / December 1, 2014 / No Comments.

Red Robin is at it again, making milkshakes out of drinks that never asked to be milkshakes in the first place. This time they’re using Little Black Dress brand Divalicious Red Wine, which sounds like a pretty good time on its own. Add in some raspberry puree, whipped cream vodka, and vanilla soft serve and you’ve got yourself Red Robin’s newest creation.

We still aren’t sure if we’re willing to take the risk, but it certainly looks cute. They even put a little black dress wine charm on the side, so even if you don’t like the shake you won’t be walking away empty-handed.

With the moscato shake and the beer shake behind them, maybe Red Robin has finally figured it out?

This drink won’t be for everyone, but think of it this way: it’s the most efficient heart-break cure ever created.

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Her Shot: Fine Wines with Olivia Pope

Her Shot / November 3, 2014 / No Comments.

Now that the gladiators of Washington D.C. are back in full swing on season 4 of ABC’s hit series Scandal, it’s time that we take a closer look at Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington)’s infamous love of red wine. It’s nearly impossible to get through an episode without seeing a pajama-clad Ms. Pope atop her white sofa, popcorn at the ready and glass in hand. And we’re not talking modest portions here. Olivia goes for full glasses, and gulps more than she sips. It might not be proper, but then again, when you love something that much, who cares about proper?

While Olivia’s favorite wines aren’t necessarily in our price range, we have some killer wines that will pair perfectly with this Thursday’s newest episode.

Bogle Petite Sirah
This fruity combination of blueberry and dark Marion berry mingles with flavors like nutmeg and vanilla to create a bold, full-bodied taste. Sip. Sip. Gulp. Oops.

Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
With a sophisticated touch, this wine brings rich dark fruits and acidity together with espresso and smoke. These intriguing flavors sure have our attention.

Sterling Vineyards Merlot
Due to extensive barrel aging, flavors of caramel, mocha and oak swirl through the body of this wine. Just like the happiness that swirls through it.

Fleur de California Pinot Noir
With subtle hints of cherries, dried cranberries, pepper and spice (and everything nice), this wine’s soft demeanor will make you fall in love. Over and over.

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American Drinkers are Seeing Red

Our Stories / September 18, 2014 / No Comments.

Without overthinking it, answer this question as quickly as you can: Do you think more Americans prefer red wine or white wine? You may not be surprised to hear that more Americans drink red wine, but we actually guessed white wine. Online retailer Naked Wines compiled some interesting data surrounding this discovery, which found 58 percent of Americans prefer red wine (that spans all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds). The Washington Post took a further look at this information:

All but three states – Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa – buy more red wine than white wine.

North Carolina, Mississippi, Michigan, and Pennsylvania residents appear to enjoy red wine the most. They buy red wine about 60 percent of the time, white wine 30 percent of the time, and sparkling or rose the other 10 percent.

Men choose red wine more often than women, but both sexes still tend to choose red more often than white.

Naked Wines says this love of red wine is also found in Australia and the United Kingdom.

International Wine and Spirit Research predicts that red wine consumption will increase by nearly 10 percent between 2011 and 2016. White wine is only expected to grow by 2.8 percent.

This isn’t the first study of its kind and results from past studies just reinforce the fact that red wine is king of the wines. We’d like to see this information broken down even more in the future, though. For example, do regular wine drinkers buy red wine more, while people who only drink occasionally choose white? Is there a difference in whether or not the wine is being purchased for personal consumption versus for a larger group of people? We need answers, researchers! Get on that and let us know what you find…we’ll be here drinking wine in the meantime.

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Exercise + Wine = A Perfect Combination

Our Stories / September 11, 2014 / No Comments.

Wine lovers across the world have often been told that drinking red wine in moderation is good for their heart health. New research, however, was unveiled recently at the European Society of Cardiology and brings some interesting discoveries to light.

A trial named “In Vino Vertas” (In Wine, Truth) studied the effects of introducing wine into people’s lives and then tracking the effects the vino had on their bodies. This is one of the first studies conducted this way, as researchers will typically look at individuals who do or do not already drink wine.

The 146 people involved in this study were instructed to drink moderate amounts of wine five days per week; for men this was about 2 glasses per day, and for women this was about 1 glass per day. Half of the subjects drank pinot noir, and half drank a white chardonnay-pinot. All the alcohol consumption had to be logged in a journal, along with what they ate during the day and any physical activity they participated in.

The results? We thought you’d never ask!

• On it’s own, drinking wine did not seem to affect cholesterol, blood glucose, triglycerides, or levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein.

• In an analysis of people who exercised and drank wine, the researchers found that there was a difference. People who worked out twice per week and drank wine saw significant improvement in cholesterol levels after moderate wine consumption for a year. The other interesting fact? It didn’t matter if it was red or white wine; both had the same positive effect on cholesterol.

We don’t know anything about science, but this is still pretty interesting to hear. Although the scientists saw no change over the course of a year in people who drank moderate amounts of wine and did not exercise, we would be interested to see the results for someone who has been a lifelong wine drinker. Maybe it takes longer for the benefits to take effect if you’re not exercising? We will just keep telling ourselves that as we sip our wine and stay out of the gym.

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