Mother’s Day Gifts and Royal Wine Top Sellers

Mother’s Day is May 13. So, it’s time to start thinking about mom again – the woman who claims she never needs or wants anything, but actually loves whenever you show the littlest amount of thought.

For the wine-loving mom, look no further than Royal Wine for a wide variety of vintages for every palate.  Royal Wine’s Gabe Geller, a leading sommelier and the company’s Director of Public Relations, suggests these top sellers for those who love their libations.

  • Bartenura Sparkling Moscato Rosé – Slightly sweet, fun and bubbly yet refined and elegant in a beautifully designed bottle. SRP $21.99

This bubbly rose pairs well with desserts such a fruit salad, home-made raspberry ice cream and strawberry shortcake.

 

  • Herzog Late Harvest Orange Muscat – Delightfully sweet dessert wine with notes of candied citrus fruit, ripe apricot, and peaches. For amateurs and connoisseurs alike. SRP $22.99

This Muscat pairs well with hard salty cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Aged Asiago, and Gruyere, as well as apple pie, peach cobbler, and foie gras.

  • Jeunesse Chardonnay – Semi-sweet, medium-bodied and perfectly balanced Chardonnay with amazing notes of Meyer lemons, stone fruits as well as fresh almonds. SRP $14.99

Pair this Chardonnay with soft cheeses such as goat cheese, Camembert, and Brie, as well as spicy tuna sushi or hot BBQ wings.

Adds Geller, “With your gift of wine, add a pretty wine glass or two or better yet, prepare a stand-out dinner and serve the gift of wine with it.  Here’s to moms everywhere – L’Chaim!”

ABOUT ROYAL WINE/KEDEM

Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots go back eight generations to its origin in Czechoslovakia.

Today, Royal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand and Argentina.

Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offer some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas, and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.

The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest, Mediterranean-inspired, contemporary Californian Cuisine.

How To Prevent Tooth Stains from Coffee and Wine: Power White Deep Stain Eraser Fluoride Toothpaste

Let’s talk about ways to prevent and eliminate tooth stains that are often experienced by serial coffee, wine and tea drinkers?  Take a look at the tips below:

  • Rinse your mouth with water right after drinking your morning latte or chai so the pigments don’t sit on your teeth for hours.   Did you know that tea in particular contains tannic acid that makes tooth enamel more porous and thus prone to staining? (Better yet, brush your teeth immediately.)
  • Use a straw – it’s a simple way to drink your coffee without it getting on your teeth
  • And to eliminate stains that are already present:  change your daily toothpaste to a whitening formula that contains fluoride.  That way, you’ll remove stains while still getting the oral care benefits of a traditional dentifrice.  One to try: Luster’s Power White Deep Stain Eraser® Fluoride Toothpaste, a two-in-one whitening toothpaste that cleans and freshens breath with zero tooth sensitivity.  It removes up to 95% of surface stains in only 5 days for a 2X whiter, brighter smile than the leading brand.  The enamel-safe, sulfate free formula is the only toothpaste on the market containing 2% stabilized peroxide.  www.lusterpremiumwhite.com 

Classic White Wines and Seafood Pairings

Warm weather will be here before we know it! With this in mind, we thought we would whet your appetite with some classic white wines and delicious seafood dishes to match.

Featured Photo from Tripadvisor.com

  • Don Olegario Albariño 2015 (SRP $19.99) pronounced “Alvarinho,”  is 100 percent Albariño grapes, a light, elegant varietal with great acidity. The grapes are beautifully aromatic, with white pear, apple and floral undertones. It is late ripening grape that grows in moderately cool to warm climates.  The Bodega Don Olegario Albariño is medium-bodied that shows opulent, powerful aromas and flavors of citrus and flowers, with tropical notes.

o   With the versatility to pair with a wide range of dishes, Albariño is the perfect match. The classic pairing is with various seafood (due to its origin), Albariño’s crisp, clean flavors compliment sushi perfectly, which is commonly known to be difficult to pair with wine.

  • Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (SRP $21.99) is produced in Martinborough Zealand, the higher-elevation of Te Muna Road Vineyard is harvested about a week later than other sites, resulting in grapes with terrific freshness and acidity. The vineyard’s lower terrace has stony soils with limestone, excellent for Sauvignon Blanc. White wines from this vineyard show a distinctive fine, subtle and elegant texture. This pale lemon straw colored wine has complex aromatics of white peach, lime, lemon blossom and Thai basil. The palate is refreshing with nectarine and citrus notes that carry long across the palate to a refined, chalky-dry finish.

o   This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc would pair nicely with citrus dressing or garlic marinated oysters, scallops, crab, clams, or lobster. The flavors will be a crowd pleaser as well as make the flavors of the wine stand out.

  • Fernando Pighin & Figli Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave 2016 (SRP $17.99) is produced in the Friuli region of Italy. Known for its advanced technology in wine making Fernando Pighin Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave shows slightly candied aromas with notes of banana and pear on the nose and palate, with bright acidity and medium body. It is crafted without oak contact or malolactic fermentation in order to retain the grape’s freshness, minerality and bright acidity.

o   This is considered to be the classic “fish” wine. It pairs well with fried or grilled fish, crab or shrimp salads along with light pasta dishes.

  • Maison Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages 2015 (SRP $14.99) is the classic expression of a Chardonnay from Burgundy. Produced from the famous Maison Louis Jadot, this wine embodies traditional style and quality. The wine shows bright white flower, apple and citrus aromas and bracing, fresh, clean fruit on the palate, with mineral notes.

o   It pairs well with shellfish, grilled firm-fleshed fish such as swordfish accompanied by luscious salads.

Valentine’s Day: Get Flirty with Medici Ermete Lambrusco

This Valentine’s Day romance your special someone with fun, flirty Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine that’s not only on trend but delicious. Served slightly chilled, this beautifully versatile wine pairs with your main course, dessert, or can be sipped on its own. A bonus feature is that these wines are incredibly affordable, which means more roses, diamonds and chocolates for your sweetheart.

To save you from heartache, I recommend going straight to the expert, Medici Ermete, one of the oldest Lambrusco producers in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.  For over 120 years, the Medici family has been producing top quality Lambrusco. The winery blends historic winemaking expertise with a modern, original style. Medici Ermete selects grapes exclusively from Lambrusco’s prime vineyards of the Emilia-Romagna region. They use a natural second fermentation process (Charmat method) to make fresh, fruity wines that are easy-drinking and approachable.

 Below is the Medici Ermete portfolio to provide options for every wine lover’s taste:

Concerto Reggiano Lambrusco 2015 –SRP $22.99- Grapes: Salamino Lambrusco

  • Medici Ermete’s flagship wine, Concerto is the world’s first single vineyard vintage Lambrusco. It is a sparkling dry red wine with lively bubbles achieved through natural fermentation.
  • Pairs with a wide variety of foods such as grilled chicken, lamb, steak, lasagna with mixed vegetables and pastas with meat sauce.

Solo Reggiano Rosso 2015 –SRP $19.99- Grapes: Salamino Lambrusco, Ancellotta

  • A vivid, brilliant ruby red, the wine shows classic red fruit aromas. Though dry, the palate is fruity, round and exuberant with fine and persistent bubbles.
  • Enjoy with charcuterie, mortadella or a variety of pasta dishes such as tortellini, tagliatelle with meat sauce or tortelli stuffed with pumpkin and spices.

I Quercioli Secco Reggiano Lambrusco, NV – SRP $13.99- Grapes: Salamino Lambrusco, Marani Lambrusco

  • Bright ruby red in color, the wine has a distinct violet scent. Dry yet fruity with fresh, pleasantly harmonious flavors and a lively effervescence.
  • Delicious with grilled or cured meats and a variety of pasta dishes and cheeses.

I Quercioli Dolce Reggiano Lambrusco, NV – SRP $13.99- Grapes: Salamino Lambrusco, Marani Lambrusco

  • Bright ruby red with persistent bubbles, the wine shows delicate floral notes of violet leading to a luxuriously sweet, fresh, vivacious palate that is pleasantly harmonious.
  • A perfect pairing with dessert, white chocolate or chocolate covered caramels.

 

Great Wine Options For Your Holiday Table

Christmas and New Year’s is just around the corner and it is time to talk about food and wine pairings!

Buying wine for dinner can be a challenge but I have compiled a few delicious options to choose from:

Fernando Pighin & Figli: Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave 2015v (SRP: $17.99)

  • This wine is a great option to start off the evening and drink through dinner. The Old World Italian wine pairs perfectly with seafood, soft cheeses, vegetarian dishes and of course turkey. This medium-bodied Pinot Grigio has aromas of white fruit and minerality from the Friuli Grave terroir. It is produced without oak or malolactic to keep the grape’s freshness and bright acidity. This wine is light and refreshing, leaving room to taste the many dishes served during the holiday.

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Sequoia Grove Winery: Chardonnay 2014v (SRP: $27.99)

  • If guests love a delicious Chardonnay from Napa Valley, Sequoia Grove would be the perfect choice. This 100% food-friendly Chardonnay will pair well with most dishes, from appetizers to soups to main courses. It has aromas of pear, lychee, citrus zest, lightly toasted almonds, and fresh bread. The aroma and palate characteristics are derived from 10 months of oak aging in French oak barrels. Sequoia Grove’s well-integrated oak Chardonnay will refresh the palate and won’t overpower the delicious spices in the Thanksgiving dishes.

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Maison Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2013v  (SRP: $19.99)

  • Louis Jadot’s affordable red Burgundy is a classic holiday wine pairing. It is a versatile wine that complements many meats and soft cheeses like Camembert and Brie. The 2013 vintage produced mature wines with intense aromas of red cherries, black blackberries, blackcurrants. Its well-integrated tannins are supported by a vibrant freshness in the finish.

 

Craggy Range Winery Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2013v  (SRP: $44.99)

  • Craggy Range Winery produces beautiful deep brick red colored, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Martinborough wine region of New Zealand. This New World wine has vibrant aromatics of red and black cherries, rose petal, sandalwood and wet earth. It is fruit forward with fine, dry tannins that provides a soft yet complex finish. This is another delicious wine option to serve throughout your holiday meal.

 

Thanksgiving Dinner Wine Pairing –

This year, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner and served a bottle of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  To make our pairing more festive, I created a cheese platter to enhance the wine flavorings.

Salty – Assortment of Crackers

Protein – Prosciutto & Nuts

Flavor Enhancement – Sharp Cheddar Cheese

next time, I will add a variety of cheese, fruit, and olives 

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The in-home tasting was a fun opportunity for enthusiast to try new flavors and expand their palate!

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Elevate Your Cocktail Bar For Summer – Santa Margherita Wine

Elevate Your Cocktails: Rather than serving up traditional mimosas and bellinis, put a new spin on the classics by serving Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore with seasonal fruit purees. Allow your guests to mix their own cocktails and set up a DIY cocktail bar with various purees, such as honeydew, nectarine, raspberries, watermelon and strawberry, which are seasonal and pair perfectly with Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore. Provide options for garnishes, such as simple mint sprigs, raspberries and sliced strawberries. The additional fruits can make for great décor as well; cut a small groove into citrus fruit to hold place-cards for table if you are hosting a sit down meal at your party.

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Revamp Your Ice Cubes: Warmer weather is here, meaning your favorite cocktail won’t stay chilled for long anymore. To keep your glass chilled without diluting the cocktail and add an extra dash of flavor, fill your ice cube trays with seasonal fruits like strawberries and kiwi and top with Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore.

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Go For Bold Garnishes: Upgrade your classic wine cocktail by rimming the glass in the juice or peel of your citrus of choice (e.g. lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit) and dip into citrus infused sugar. To make this, just grate your favorite citrus into granulated sugar and mix to combine. The same can be done with shaved coconut or minced fresh herbs. For a quick rimming trick, you can opt traditional sugar for gold or colored sugar for rimming your wine cocktail.

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Turn To Your Garden: Impress your guests with your garden’s summer harvest and appeal to the senses of smell and taste by pairing fresh herbs with Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore. Adding fragrant herbs like springs of thyme and lavender or muddling some fresh mint leaves into the bottom of your wine glass will brighten up your traditional wine. You can even tie a small bundle of herbs around the stem of a wine glass and utensils for an added rustic flare – the aromatics also hit your nose as you’re drinking the wine!

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National Drink Wine Day – How To Celebrate

Thursday, February 18th is National Drink Wine Day and what better way to pay tribute to this holiday than to “wine” down and kick off the weekend with a glass (or two) of your favorite wine.

Whether you prefer to honor this holiday with friends, at the office or alone at home-sweet-home, below please find four essentials for your celebration.

The Perfect Sip: Santa Margherita

 

Santa Margherita

Savor Every Drop: Wine Aerator

Celebrate the reason for this holiday with a varietal from Santa Margherita’s collection. Santa Margherita’s Pinot Grigio Alto Adige is a dry white – a wine of great personality and versatility. Chianti Classico Riserva is an intriguing red, absorbing an array of earthly wide-ranging aromatics. Prosecco Superiore is a sparkling wine and the perfect base for a variety of bubbly cocktails. ($17.99 – $26.99)

Krups Wine Aerator

A Toast to Thursday: Stemware

KRUPS 2-Bottle Wine Aerator offers your guests their favorite glass of red or white wine chilled to perfection. The KRUPS Wine Aerator allows you to chill, aerate, serve and preserve wine all at once. With a preserve function that features a vacuum technology and removes oxygen from the bottle, you can preserve wine for up to 10 days making the most out of each bottle. ($499.99)

Stemware

Drink Without Damage: Teeth Whitener

Prep for the evening by decorating your celebration space with sophisticated pieces from Fitz and Floyd. Friends and family will love sipping their favorite varietal out of these glamourous glasses. ($49.99/4-piece set)

Quikees

Supersmile Quikee’s on-the-go instant stain removing formula comes to the rescue after a night of drinking red wine. Their formula with Calprox guarantees whiter teeth, removes stains and freshens breath without brushing or rinsing. A quick swipe of the tongue and smiles and breath is refreshed. The tube is conveniently the same size as a tube of lip balm so you can keep it as discrete as you need. ($18)

Summer 2015 Survival Kit: Skin care, Drink Options, and BBQ Set

Summer is around the corner and we’ve compiled your SUMMER 2015 SURVIVAL KIT!

From the latest in skin care to refreshing drink options, milkshake machines and more, below are summer-perfect items to get you through every last sun shining day.

Coconut Oil For Beauty: While most people associate coconut oil with cooking, Extra Virgin Coconut oil actually has a variety of beauty uses and this trendy item can multipurpose as a moisturizer, hair conditioner, teeth whitener, shaving cream, and natural sunscreen. Moreover, most folks would agree that the right facial mask is one that contains coconut oil. Pure, unrefined, and cold pressed, this Extra Virgin Coconut Oil from Carrington Farms coconut oil comes in convenient, portable Paks, so it’s great for toting to the beach or a pool. As an added bonus, coconut oil has been shown to help prevent breakouts, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted blemishes. Priced at $9.99/8- 0.5 oz packets per box at select retailers and online at www.CarringtonFarms.com

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Organic Beach Towels: In Turkey, where bathing has been raised to an art, khadi is the traditional choice for toweling. Coyuchi’s Mediterranean Beach Towels are traditional lightweight Turkish bath towels with a high/low weave for excellent absorption. Woven from yarn dyed organic cotton and edged in hand-knotted fringe. Cotton is 100% organic, and sourced and woven in Turkey. Priced at $68 at coyuchi.com

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Travel Friendly Wine: VOGA Italia’s Baby Sparkling is a mini sized sparkling wine- perfectly portioned for one! With a unique screw top cap, you can easily open and reseal while enjoying a summer picnic lunch or day at the beach! For extra cute enjoyment, pop in a straw and enjoy. No glass needed. Priced at $5.99 at select retailers nationwide.

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Hydrating Coconut Water: Coco Joy is naturally rich in nutrients and hydrating electrolytes and full of sweet flavor from all natural, pure coconut water made from 100% pure green coconuts that contain no added sugar and no preservatives. It’s gluten, lactose and dairy free and is the perfect cool companion to rejuvenate after a day spent under the sun. It delivers antioxidants, calcium and magnesium and has fewer calories, less sodium and more potassium than sports drinks. Coco Joy is brand new to the US and is available on Amazon.com. Priced at $1.90 for 8.40 fl. oz cans and $3.90 for 42 fl. oz. bottles.

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Portable BBQ Set: You’ve got the beverages, now what about the eats? Prepare a serious BBQ at your local park or favorite outdoor spot with All-Clad Stainless Steel BBQ Set. The set includes 4 grilling tools in a sturdy, metal carrying case for easy transport of tools to the grilling area. Priced at $119 at www.macys.com.

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Milkshake Machine: Nothing’s better on a hot summer day than a creamy milkshake! Now with Omega’s milkshake makers you can bring the fun home! The extra-large Stainless Steel blending cup clicks on and off for ease-of-use and serving. The powerful motor and detachable spindle aerates mixtures into frothy, smooth textures for superior whipping results. Priced at $179.95- 399.95 at www.OmegaJuicers.com

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Hot-Weather Ready Pillow: Get your beauty sleep…even on a hot summer night. JuveRest’s The Sleep Wrinkle Pillow’s contoured shape provides comfortable support and improved air circulation around your head keeping you cooler at night. Plus, its patented design minimizes facial wrinkles by promoting back sleeping and compression-free side sleeping. Priced at $179 at www.juverest.com

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The Still Point Wellness Spa: Girls Spa Night

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On Friday, November 14 from 5:00-8:00 p.m., The Still Point’s Clarksville location (12451 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD) will host a Girls Night Out event with Red, Howard County’s first organic, biodynamic and sustainable wine, beer and spirits retailer.

The event will feature a complimentary wine tasting, a 20% sale off all TOMA Skin Therapies products, a scarf trunk show by 29 Bridges Studio and seated chair and hand massages, courtesy of The Still Point’s highly trained practitioners.

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Guests will also have the exclusive opportunity to book discounted appointments (10% off) at The Still Point’s newest location at Haven On The Lake – opening later this year in downtown, Columbia, MD.

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