Drink Up, Chow Down

It’s day 3482 of the lockdown and you’re on your 3 rd  virtual happy hour of the day. What are you pouring? Here are the lockdown lovelies that I’m enjoying this week — all from Spain, and all under $20.  If bubbles are called for (and let’s be real when aren’t they?) I’m a big fan of Cava Vilarnau .  Made with traditional cava grapes (Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo) I find this energetic sparkler to be insanely drinkable with hints of pears, apples, grapefruit, brioche and wet pebbles. It’s big, bright and balanced with a refreshing clean finish. Pair with spicy noodles for a rich contrast. Fancy a big red instead? Meet the Ace Kicker , a juicy blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petite Verdot, Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha. This bold beauty is the perfect pairing to a cheese plate or a creamy bowl of carbonara. Gentle tannins give her a lovely chewy quality while notes of bright red fruit, tobacco, vanilla and dark chocolate round out the profile. A long cocoa fini

Congratulations, you’re knocked up! If you’re like me and waiting to tell friends and family until well into your second trimester, you’re going to have to get creative with how you hide that you’re not drinking. Here are some ways that worked for me. 9. The trusty “I’m on antibiotics” excuse will only get you so far. Use it just once per social circle (although, you can use it for about two weeks, so that helps.)  8 I’m hungover! This was my favorite. You can use this one a couple times per social circle. (And if you think of morning sickness as a kind of hangover, you’re not even really lying…)  7. I’m driving! Drive everywhere so nobody can question your abstinence. If people are ride sharing, say you have to leave early so you’ll take your own car.  6. I’ll get this round! Offer to buy the drinks. Order yourself a sparkling water in a short glass with lime. Tell people it’s a vodka and soda. Boom. (If they want a sip, say you have a sore throat.)  5. I’m

What am I drinking this week? It's all about the rich reds at the moment, including the truly spectacular M. Chapoutier 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape "La Bernardine."  I adore the earthy, leathery, dark fruit savoriness on the nose, followed by rich red fruit, spicy tannins and dark chocolate on the palate. This grenache-based wine boasts a velvety-smooth and deliciously long finish. This wine is aged between 12 and 15 months, something that definitely contributes to its elegance. Michel Chapoutier, head of M. Chapoutier, isn't just about making fabulous wines, however - as an avid cook, he believes that wine and food form a marriage, both influencing each other for the better. He therefore aims to make fine wines that are also versatile and that can be an integral part of the dining experience.  So, to make this delightful bottle an integral part of my dining experience, I took a little inspiration from one of Michel's favorite books: The French Bra

If you've read my blog before (hi Mom!) (jk, she doesn't read my blog) you might recall my love of Nino Franco Rustico NV Prosecco . It's a lively and lovely sparkler on its own, but it also makes a mean brunch cocktail, like the cherry-almond-flavored Summer Kir . So, what else can we mix it with? The leaves are turning (except in LA) and the weather is getting cooler (except in LA) so I experimented with a warm fall flavor. Presenting the Maple Cinnamon Sparkler. Grab your favorite sweater and start mixing. You'll need: Sparkling wine Maple Cinnamon simple syrup A Champagne coupe Pour the bubbles into your glass, spoon the syrup (I used a generous two spoonfuls) over it and serve with a cinnamon stick as a stirrer. Fall in a glass Why Nino Franco Rustico NV Prosecco ? It's fresh and elegant with light peach, citrus and honeysuckle notes and a wonderful creamy quality. It finishes tight and clean and it's one of my sparking go-tos.

  The Tokaj wine region is best known for its world-class dessert wines - but that's only half the story. Led by Furmint, Tokaj's dry wines are quickly gaining recognition and respect beyond Hungary's borders. I had the pleasure of tasting a dry Furmint recently: the classy Oremus Tokaji Dry Mandolas 2016. The historic Oremus vineyard has been under Vega Sicilia (swoon!) ownership since 1993 and has been producing a high-quality oak-aged dry wine from the Furmint grape. I thought this wine was a spectacularly elegant and easy sipper. On the nose, you'll find notes of vanilla, apple, white flowers and even a bit of brioche and wet pebbles. On the palate, it's a clean, zesty wine with a rich, round and surprisingly long finish. It has oodles of bright acidity and mouthwatering hints of citrus and stone fruit. Dream pairing: peel-and-eat lemon butter shrimp. Or a scallop risotto. Or a rich piece of goat cheese. Or all of the above. What's yours? Grab

See ya mimosa? Bye bye bellini? Meet your favorite new bubbly cocktail, the Summer Kir. Sip sip hooray! You'll need:  Sparkling wine Cherry almond simple syrup A Champagne coupe For the bubbles, I prefer the mouthwatering Nino Franco Rustico NV Prosecco . It's fresh and elegant with light peach, citrus and honeysuckle notes and a wonderful creamy quality. It finishes tight and clean and it's one of my sparkling go-tos. Founded in 1919, Nino Franco is one of the oldest estates in Valdobbiadene, and they have definitely perfected their prosecco over the last 100 years. (I used Root 23 Cherry Almond simple syrup in this recipe.) Pour a generous splash of the simple syrup into your glass, then top slowly with the wine. Garnish with a cherry or an orange slice. Repeat every day until winter... Cheers!