Crazy for Yuzu

So over winter break my boyfriend took me to Benihana in NYC. It was my first time and it was just absolutely fabulous! I had been to a hibachi restaurant before but Benihana was quite the experience.

Although I did not have wine, I had one of their specialty drinks. The Yuzu Margarita. 

Yuzu Margarita: Patrón Silver Tequila, Patrón Citrónge and yuzu sour mix


I had never had Yuzu before but I became addicted. Yuzu is a citrus plant originating from East Asia. The fruit looks like a small grapefruit and can be yellow or green in color.  The flavor is tart.

 Benihana

If you get the opportunity to try a Yuzu margarita or dine at Benihana definitely do so!!!

Stay sexy,

nIcKyC

As sweet as Honey

Although this blog is dedicated to wine, I have to mention Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey. The liqueur is 70 proof with almost no alcohol burn when enjoying the beverage. It is best served chilled, allowing for easy consumption. It is a must try and my boyfriend's favorite!!!!

The drink is amber in color with cinnamon notes and a floral undertone. With spice and hints of chocolate note which lingers in the finish.

For the creative daring bunch, pour some over vanilla ice cream for a bang to your dessert!

checkout: winechateau.com, 67wine.com, (or of course your local liquor store), (you can use google.com)

Stay sexy,

nIcKyC

Stuck in the RUDD!!

Ladies and Gents,

My greatest apologies!!! There is no excuse worth telling as to why I have fallen off the blogging bandwagon! All I can say is I apologize and I am back in action!!! Now on to the wine....

Man oh man, if you are the type of person who tastes luxury and cannot go back to a regular lifestyle within your budget than steer clear of RUDD! You will be stuck on the bottle forever ladies and gents!

It was my mother's 50th birthday at a fabulous BYOB Cafe Panache, and yes the food is just as fabulous as the name, when my taste-buds went crazy for this succulent burgundy- purple wine.

(credit to ruddwines.com)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Crossroads. The bottle offers aromas of black currant, blackberry, blueberry, and an oak finish.
Rudd wines can run from $75-$200 bottles.

Typically most enjoy red meat with red wine. I was lucky enough to enjoy pasta filled Fillet Mignon ravioli in a black truffle butter sauce.

By far one of the best restaurants in Ramsey, New Jersey. 

cafepanachenj.com

Eat fabulous, Drink fabulous, and Be fabulous!!!

Stay sexy,

nIcKyC

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