Spring: A fine time for wine time!

Saluto!

Every year after shaking off the relaxed flow of hibernation, we welcome Spring with a realization of the opportunity we have for a re-birth and needed rejuvenation! A season of planning and planting seeds of life’s wish lists. This requires some inner thinking of how to be content and enjoy life while remaining grateful, humble and kind. Also, to evolve in being happier and having a more meaningful life as we age. Like a fine wine….celebrating the welcome of Spring Season.

Wine has a different relation to the seasons, one surprisingly like our own. Wine “grows” seasonally like other foods, starting with the grape-growing cycle, which is subject to the vagaries of nature each year.

That’s why vintners and drinkers began keeping track of years, and distinguishing them.

The memory of some bottles can stay with you for life. While the wine doesn’t have to be old

and rare, a great old bottle can be like a time capsule, capturing flavors and aromas the time

and place of its creation and the details of the tasting! An enjoyed bottle expresses gratitude to

the passion of the Vintners work! How beautiful!

If you feel like you need to have a large space to throw a decent gathering, a small area can work in a very effective way for you. Creating a cozy and festive celebration! Find a small functional area that you can place a beverage cart or small table. Place the food and drinks on the table, if you want to add a themed décor item for a celebration, go for it!!! Fresh herb garnishes or flower petals work perfect! Having this area, frees up the host to also mingle with the guests! What you are doing is creating and suggesting a welcoming, comfy spot for party goers to gather. And they WILL!

A few food suggestions for your table…

• Include a range of cheese, at least one that is soft and mild like brie or goat cheese and a stronger one like Gouda.

• Range of meats, a soft and mild one like prosciutto and a firm strong flavor like a salami.

• Soft bread and a hard, crunchy such as crostini.

• Something with acidity such as pickles.

• Grapes, fresh or dried berries, large dollop of honey.

If don’t feel like food shopping and prepping, call in a catering order to our Mama Lucia’s Pizzeria. You can be confident that our staff will make the food and beverage for your gathering, a festive memory!

Or perhaps you prefer a quick picnic!

Bet we have your attention!

If no time to prepare all kinds of picnic goodies, keep it simple. Have a back pack always on the ready – filled with a blanket, candle, lighter, bottle of water, wine bottle, travel wine glasses and opener, and some cloth napkins. Make a meal in a one pot or crockpot the day or night prior, and when ready to head out, place prepared food in Mason Jars! All kinds of goodies can go in mason jars such as salads, soups, acai bowls, cheeses, smoothies, snacks and desserts… endless possibilities. Drinks that need to be served cold should be refrigerated first then transferred to ice to keep them chilled.

We have perfect pairing wines and our Bella Maria is our featured Wine of the Month currently at 10% off during April. Bella Maria is a semi-sweet Wine Referred to as a rose or a blush, this wine is not as flowery as it looks. The remarkably smooth flavor tastes like biting into an apple and a grapefruit – at the same time! Our Pink Catawba makes the perfect complement to ham, pork tenderloin with apples, jerk seasoned foods, grilled pineapple, and anything with a sweet and sour appeal. Also, try alongside toasted walnuts and brie for a special treat. This is a greater starters well as a finishing wine. Stop in our Tasting Room and give Bella Maria a try. Delightful served chilled!

Try this lovely simple Spring recipe!

Courtesy of Super Model Molly Sims from “Everyday Chic”.

Balsamic Baked Pears – 4 servings

4 Bosc or Anjou pears, halved and cored

3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 Cup honey

8 oz goat cheese, crumbled

Pepper

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Arrange a single layer of pear halves on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes.

• Remove from the oven, drizzle with the vinegar and return to oven.

• Bake for another 5 minutes.

• Transfer the pears to a serving platter and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle the goat cheese evenly over the tops, and finish with a few grinds of pepper. Delish!!!

• 
  

Our next post will highlight a delish easy recipe for Lightning bacon, crepe and tarts. Another is pairing the right wine glass to serve with your wine selections for your gatherings and more topics! If you have any topic of interest, you would like covered or any comments, please do.

Enjoy the newness around you as you welcome in the beauty of Spring. Please stop in and visit us at our Tasting Room and Pizzeria. Come explore our grounds as things start to come into bloom, experience our Spring magic in the air!

Felice primavera!

Happy Spring!

Fino a quando ci incontriamo nuovamente! Until we meet again!