Feline Wines

Just when I think things can’t get any weirder – they do. This week, Apollo Peak Wine made news with its cat wines. Under the caption “Why Drink Alone?” this “feline snack wine is designed to entice even the most picky cats.”

MosCATo

Denver-based Apollo Peak reports that the wine is non-alcoholic, (Animal-lover hope so!) and made from a blend of water, beets (for coloring), and catnip - all grown on the Colorado farm where the wine is created. The company began making cat wine in November 2015 to create a niche for wine-loving cats, and their owners.

Pinot Meow

Apollo Peaks currently offers two types of cat wines – Pinot Meow and MosCATo. And yes dog lovers, do not despair. There is also a dog wine in the works.

Walter CronKat

I don’t know about you, but even though I love wine, my cat has never expressed an interest it in. Zilch. Nada. None. So, do we really need a wine for cats? Or dogs?  I’m thinking – no. Cute idea for a gag gift, or for that special cat-lady in our lives, but my Walter CronKat will just have to make due with water and an occasional splash of milk. Some things are best left alone – and wine is one.

~ Joy

Four Sensational Summer Sippers

Summer is almost here! Time to break out those light wines that go so well in hot weather. Here are four suggestions to keep it light this summer.

Muscat Grapes

Moscato

The “Moscato moment “is here to stay! This perky wine is crafted from Muscat Blanc grapes of the Muscat family, and has been used in winemaking for centuries. Despite the fact that over 200 varieties of Muscat grapes exist, only a few are used in wine production.

Moscato has a sweet, honeyed aroma similar to Gewurztraminer, and is usually crafted in a sweeter, light-bodied style making it one of the perfect wines for summer.

Serve a chilled Moscato with spicy Asian food to complement its flavor profile of citrus and white stone fruits.

Pinot Grigio Grapes

Pinot Grigio

This “grey” grape has a huge following, especially during the summer months. Pinot Grigio can be crafted in three different styles: dry with a focus on mineral flavors, dry with a nod to fruitiness, and as a late harvest sweet dessert wine.

Dry – Minerally

This type of Pinto Gris is aged in stainless steel tanks, which lets those more chalky, stone flavors shine through. Fresh and crisp, it goes wonderfully well with mussels and sushi.

Dry – Fruity

This style capitalizes on the flavors of melon, white stone fruits and apples, creating a very fruit-forward wine. Serve chilled with a light buttery or white-sauced pasta dish and seafood.

Sweet – Fruity

This style is prevalent in France and is crafted as a sweet dessert wine with a flavor profile of citrus and honey; an enjoyable late harvest wine for the approaching autumn.

Rosé

This wine has never garnered much respect, thanks to those gallon jugs that were popular back in the 1960s and ‘70s. But today things seem to be changing.

Rosé wines are not made from a specific grape(s). Instead, most are a blend of several grapes with the winemaker deciding what style to craft.  Rosé is usually made in a dry style, and as a semi-sweet. The color of the wine will also vary depending on the types of grapes blended and how long the wine was aged on the skins.

Definitely a wine to enjoy soon after purchasing. Rosé is very approachable and fun for picnics and casual dining during the warmer months ahead.

Gamay Noir

Gamay Noir

If you’re a die-hard red wine lover, those summer whites are just not going to cut it. But a Gamay wine will keep you “in the red” with a flavor profile of fresh berries and tart cherries with a floral nose. Gamay is best known as the grape used to craft Beaujolais. Take a bottle to the next BBQ and watch the reactions.

Summer's almost here - what are you drinking during the hot weather months?

~ Joy