Santa Margherita

Pinot Grigio seems to be a popular choice among many when drinking wine. The delightful taste and the benefit of your teeth not turning purple keeps wine lovers coming back for more and more.

One specific bottle I would like to mention today is Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio. This specific wine was  introduced to America in 1979 and has been popular ever since.

It is a fresh clean citrusy wine that is perfect to pair with chicken, pasta, or seafood dishes. I recommend this Pinot Grigio if you need a quick bottle to bring to a party or enjoy with dinner.

Check out: santamargherita.com for more great info and wine pairings!!

This fettuccine and chicken dish is a perfect pairing

Calamari is a great pairing as well

All my white wine lovers should check this bottle out pronto. Price ranges slightly by year and store but runs roughly around $20-$34.

Until next time......

Stay sexy,

nIcKyC

DECOY

So last weekend I went home to visit my family. It was my aunt's birthday and as usual we celebrated with food and wine. My uncle brought over a bottle we had never tried before....Decoy- Cabernet Sauvignon.

I was pleasantly surprised. It has now become my new favorite affordable wine. Decoy is a part of the Duckhorn Vineyards which was co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976. The company has spent more than 30 years establishing itself as one of North America's premier producers of Bordeaux wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc are included in their collection.

Decoy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, cigar box, and mint with fresh dark berry and red currant flavors and hints of dried herbs. The finish has notes of fruit, caramel, and almond.

Red wine typically goes well with red meat. (Although I usually always choose red haha) Steak is a great choice.

Depending on where you purchase the wine it can run from $21.99-$28.99 a bottle. This a great tasting wine for the price. 

Wine lovers can check out www.decoywines.com, wine.com, www.ultimatewineshop.com 

So go ahead and indulge!!

Until next time.......

Stay sexy,

nIcKyC

The Glass says it All

Before I continue on with different types of wine, I would like to talk about the stemware. Some people call me crazy but I truly believe that the glass sets the precedent for what you are drinking. The glass is the one thing that comes between your mouth and the wine you are drinking. It sets the stage for how wine can taste.

If you are drinking wine out of a plastic solo cup you really have killed the overall enjoyment and decadence of the drink you were about to encounter. I don't care if it was an $80 bottle. The experience and taste has been officially ruined.

Of course where ever you go you cannot demand specific glasses, but the glass really does make a difference. Not only do they improve taste, but they are also visually appealing.


To keep it basic people have White wine Glasses and Red glasses. Of course there are a variety of shapes and sizes for specific reds and whites but its not the end of the world if you just keep it basic and have glasses just for red and just for white.

Wine glasses typically have 3 parts: stem, bowl, and foot. For red wine the bowl (where the wine is poured in to) is typically wider and rounder than other glasses to allow for oxidation to occur.

The two most common red wine glasses include Burgundy and Bordeaux. Bordeaux Glasses are typically used for Cabernets and Burgundy glasses for Pinot Noir.
(Of course there there are glasses made for chianti, Cabernet, etc.)

Spiegelau Willsberger Bordeaux Wine Glass

Riedel Vinum Extreme Pinot Noir Wine Glass

White Wine glasses typically have smaller "mouths" to reduce the rate of oxidation. The bowls are also smaller than red wine glasses. These glasses should be held by their stem to avoid warming the wine from your body temperature. 

Riedel Vinum Extreme Sauvignon Blanc/Pinot Grigio Wine Glass

www.wineenthusiast.com 

My bargain shoppers can check out: 

www.crateandbarrel.com, www.amazon.com, www.overstock.com, www.macys.com, www.potterybarn.com


My label junkies can check out:
www.sparklingstemware.com, macys.com, www.lenox.com, www.wineglasses.com, www.wineenthusiast.com, www.potterybarn.com, www.nordstroms.com


Until next time....


Stay sexy,


nIcKyC

The Great White

Although I am an advocate of Red, White Wine is extremely popular,  I am kicking off an informal post on some white wine history. 


White wine grapes are grown in Europe (specifically Austria, France, Germany, and Italy). They can also be found in CHile, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. In the U.S. they are grown in California, New York, Oregon, and Washington. 

White wines are generally lighter than reds and have less "body." I love the tannin many Cabernets contain which is why I am such an advocate of Red. 


Anyway, the most common whites include: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Viogner.




Today I am going to discuss Chardonnay. Chardonnay is one of the most versatile grapes and produces many complex wines. Chardonnays are "full, golden, and velvety with hints of fruit, nuts, butter, oak, spice, or vanilla and have medium to high acidity" (compliments of basic-wine-knowledge.com).  
Champagne is also made with Chardonnay Grapes.




Chardonnay goes well with poultry dishes, pork, seafood, or dishes cream/butter based. Non-oak Chardonnay can go well with grilled shrimp, salads, garlic, and guacamole. 

Since I have not particularly had many chardonnays myself yet,

Some bottles recommended include: (compliments of Food & Wine Magazine)-both inexpensive and expensive

2005 Carmel Road Monterey Chardonnay ($14) Fog off of Monterey Bay glides up the Salinas Valley each night, helping to cool grapes throughout the Monterey appellation, resulting in graceful whites like this one, with delicate notes of pear and orange. (foodandwine.com)

2005 Patz & Hall Alder Springs Vineyard Mendocino Chardonnay ($55) Perched seven miles from the Pacific on a hillside 2,100 feet above sea level, the Alder Springs vineyard is known for profound Chardonnay (as well as Pinot Noir). In Patz & Hall's bottling, winemaker James Hall balances layered apple and guava flavors against cool, spicy oak notes. (foodandwine.com)

Until next time....

Stay sexy,

nIcKyC

From Grapes to Wine

As many of my awesome readers may know, I am the author of Hot4Fashion.blogspot.com and theitfactors.com. I am someone who truly is obsessed with fashion!! But now I would like to explore and share my other love: WINE!! 

Yes, I have been bitten by the grape and wine has become one of my guilty pleasures. Growing up in a household with a mother who has a love for cooking and baking, and a father with an obsession with wine, it was quite the stupendous up-bringing. Lets just say my brothers and I have quite the spoiled palates. 

I am a firm believer that once you're exposed to the good stuff, you don't want to go back to the crap! (haha)

Wining and Dining is definitely on the list for one of my favorite activities. Yes I love online shopping (fashion) and working out but there is just something about that glass of Vino my mouth waters for when dining out. 

There are so many different types of wine out there. If you are serious about becoming a wine connoisseur professionally or simply among friends and family, I suggest starting to write down all the wines you try and whether or not you enjoyed them. 

Reds, Whites, Sparkling-there is a wine for everyone.

Like father like daughter-my personal favorite Cabernet Sauvignon

Until next time...

Stay sexy,

nIcKyC