Drink Up, Chow Down

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.