Celebrate National Mulled Wine Day

I’ll make this short and sweet. Tuesday, March 3^rd is National Mulled Wine Day. Sipping a glass of mulled wine is the perfect way to bid winter a final farewell before spring rushes in with warmer temperatures and those wonderful crisp, white wines.

Mulled or warmed wines were first served in Rome during the 2^nd century. As the Romans traveled the continent, they shared the mulled wine recipe with other communities including what is now England, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria.

Mulled wine goes by many names including glögg (Sweden), gløgg (Norwegian), gluhwein (German), vin chaud (French), and vin brulé (Italian). It is usually served during the holiday season as a festive drink at parties or around a bonfire.

Mulled wine recipes abound. Most call for using red wine, usually claret or port, and adding various mulling spices which can include ginger, cloves, cinnamon and anise. Fruit may also be added; the most popular being orange slices, raisins or cranberries. The drink is then served piping hot or warm.

Here is a standard crockpot recipe for mulled wine that will keep you warm all evening as you celebrate the end of winter and anticipate the coming spring.

Mulled Wine Recipe

1 bottle of red wine (your choice)

Up to ½ cup sugar (according to taste)

Slice of ginger root

6 cloves

½ teaspoon aniseed

½ teaspoon allspice

2 cinnamon sticks + one for each mug

1 orange (peeled and sliced)

½ cup raisins or cranberries

¼ to ½ cup brandy (optional)

Pour wine into crockpot, add sugar and stir in spices. Turn dial to medium and let wine begin to simmer (20 minutes). Turn down to low and add fruit to crockpot, along with brandy, if using.  Stir well. Wait 10 minutes, pour wine in mugs (leave spices in crockpot), and enjoy by a roaring fire.

~ Joy

5 Reasons For Celebrating National Drink Wine Day

Today is February 18 and that means it is National Drink Wine Day in the U.S. This annual celebration is a way to tout the health benefits of wine, pay tribute to the ways wine enhances food and lifestyle, and it's just a great reason to enjoy a glass.

1) Wine Is Popular

Archaeological sites that relate to wine date back more than 6,000 years. Today there are over 20-million acres dedicated to grapes across the globe. That’s literally thousands of wines being crafted around the world every day. Bliss!

 

2) Wine Provides Health Benefits

A glass of wine a day has been proven to increase heart health, help in weight reduction, boost immunity, lessen blood clots and reduce forgetfulness. Ideal!

3) You Already Have a Bottle

This is one holiday where you don’t have to buy anything, cause if you’re a true oenophile, you’ll already have some wine stashed away at home ready for celebrating with. Cheers!

4) Wine is a Social Event

Go out with friends to your favorite wine bar or restaurant and celebrate with a glass of red or white, sweet or dry. Maybe a trip to a local winery is in order or a visit to your favorite wine shop. Enjoy!

 

5) Stay In Touch Through Wine

Share the day with friends by sending a “Drink Wine Day” e-card. After all, if you didn't know about it, they might not either. Share!

 Several events are planned across the country, mainly in larger cities. Check out Local Wine Events to see what’s planned for today in your region. You can also keep up with events on the Drink Wine Day FaceBook site.

If, for some reason you can’t partake today, no worries. There are actually over a dozen holidays designated for "adult beverage drinks" including National Scotch Day on July 27, National Moscato Day on May 9, National Martini Day on June 19, and National Wine Day on May 25. (Yes, it is different from today’s celebration, which is National DRINK Wine Day ;)

So pour a glass (or two, it is a celebration) and ponder those esoteric thoughts that wine always brings about ...

Here’s to wine,

Our favorite drink!

A refreshing beverage

That helps you think.

The more you think,

The wittier you feel,

So I want wine at every meal!

(Obviously, I need a glass of wine, right now!)

Cheers!

~ Joy

7 Sexy Wines for Valentine’s

Valentine’s Day is this Saturday. It's a day when many people’s thoughts turn to love, romance and, well let’s face it – sex. And we all know that sex sells, even in the wine business. Especially in the wine business.

If you’re searching for a seductive name or label to get your message across this Valentine’s Day, here are 7 lavish wines with plenty of sex appeal.

1) Slow Dancer Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Crafted in Napa Valley, this Cabernet has a velvety texture with the arresting aromas of raspberries and caramel, and the sensuous flavors of berry, current and plum. Winner of a gold medal at the 2014 San Diego International Wine Competition, this Cab can put the moves on a steak dinner. Afterwards, pour another glass of Slow Dancer and cue up some Marvin Gaye; maybe Let’s Get It On while you step out on the floor for another slow dance … Average price $14 a bottle.

2) Foreplay Chardonnay 2013

Naked Winery is known for wines with naughty names but delightful taste. Foreplay is no different. This crisp Chardonnay has been lightly oaked to enhance the teasing flavors of green apples and ripe pears before delivering a luscious experience with a silky finish. Sells for around $20 a bottle. After Foreplay, you might also consider some other Naked Winery wines like Missionary, Smitten Kitten, Vixen or Penetration. Oh! Orgasmic wines are an option, too.

3) Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir 2012

From Central Coast California, this wine won a gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition last year. With the aroma of cloves and berries, this Pinot offers a tease of pomegranates with a kick of acidity. Although the Cycles Gladiator Winery and brand was sold off to another company last year, you may still be able to find this jewel on store shelves. It’s a tasty romp for an average price of $11 a bottle.

4) Luscious Lips Red Wine Blend 2012

Sweet and seductive, this red blend promises the depth of a kiss. Crafted by Falkner Winery in Temecula California, there is also a sweet White Luscious Lips version along with a mulled wine known as Hot Lips, and a Risqué Riesling that’s more in line with a semi-dry wine. Grab a glass and judge the pucker-factor for yourself. Sells for around $15 a bottle.

5) Quickie! Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Some Young Punks is crafting small estate vinos in Australia with some racy wine names: Naked on Roller Skates, Passion has Red Lips, Double Love Trouble, Lust Collides – you get the picture. In fact, the label is like something off the cover of a pulp fiction serial from the 1950’s. Quickie! is a spirited vino, aged in stainless steel for 6 months to provide that fresh yet flirty Sav Blanc flavor of minerality and citrus with a floral aroma. This one might leave you wanting more.

6) Zin-Phomaniac Zinfandel 2012

A Zinfandel crafted from old-vine Lodi Zinfandel grapes: perfect! This vino offers up the aromas of raspberry, cherry and spice before arousing the palate with lush fruit and sultry spice flavors. Zin-Phomanic has scored two silver medals, one at the 2014 San Francisco International Wine Competition and the other at the 2014 Los Angeles International Wine Competition. Let this full-bodied vino awaken your obsession with Zin.

7) Pro•mis•Q•ous White Wine Blend

A casual white table wine that has a “wanton disregard for convention.” Crafted from an assortment of California grapes including Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer, this crisp white blend has been aged in stainless steel to bring out the bright flavors of lush melon, pear and citrus. Serve with oysters or caviar for a romantic tete-a-tete, or enjoy with omelets the morning after … it’s a decent bang for your buck at $12 a bottle.

They say that wine is one of the best aphrodisiac drinks around, so consider this the perfect the time to do some hands-on research this weekend. Grab your sweetie and enjoy one of these decadent wines for Valentine’s. You never know what might develop …

~ Joy

5 Health Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

February is American Heart Month; the perfect time to remind you that, according to the American Heart Association Journal, a glass of red wine, once a day, has been found to be beneficial to your heart health.

The advantages of red wine have been known for a long time. The Copenhagen City Heart Study began in 1976 to study the benefits of wine, Harvard researchers found that moderate alcohol consumption was one of "eight proven ways to reduce coronary heart disease risk" in 1982, and The French Paradox, dealing with the benefits of resveratrol, was first discussed in the late 1980s.

Red wine is the favored type of vino since research has shown that resveratrol is a key ingredient found in red grape skins.

Four Ounces

While we’re told that moderate consumption of red wine offers several health benefits, we're also told to drink “in moderation.” So how much is considered to be “moderate consumption?”

According to the American Heart Association Journal (AHA), “This means an average of one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. (A drink is one 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits.)”

So what are the health benefits of red wine and resveratrol? Here are just a few:

1) Red wine offers cardiovascular protection by reducing the accumulation of fatty plaques in the blood vessels, thereby helping to reduce cell death. The Mayo Clinic reported that antioxidants in wine might help prevent heart disease “by increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the good Cholesterol and protecting against artery damage.”

Harvard Graphic of Resveratrol

2) Resveratrol, found in red wine may be the key to preventing blood vessel damage and stopping blood clots from forming according to scientists at the University of Ulm in Germany. And that can prevent cardiovascular disease.

3) The University of Missouri School of Medicine said that resveratrol could also 

be useful in treating cancer. More studies are underway.

4) Researchers believe that resveratrol might also decrease obesity and be beneficial in treating Type 2 diabetes.

5) Resveratrol has also proven to be useful in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. 

Although studies have shown that any type of alcoholic beverage can be beneficial, it seems that red wine does offers additional advantages. Again, resveratrol is considered to be the magic component. But besides wine, resveratrol can also be found in dark chocolate, berries and peanuts. Or you can purchase resveratrol supplements and by-pass the wine and food altogether. Americans are currently spending over $30 million per year on these supplements to increase longevity.

Of course, there is always the other side; John Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers reported last year in JAMA Internal Medicine they’d found no evidence that certain foods or wine were better for you just because they contained resveratrol. However, the report did state “any benefits of drinking wine, eating dark chocolate or berries, if they are there, must come from other shared ingredients.” They’re just not sure which ones.

While red wine and chocolate won’t save your life, separately or in combination, they can make your life more pleasurable, and that in turn helps reduce stress. The other benefits may be “the icing on the cake” and that seems like a Wine-Win to me!

~ Joy