Category: Booze

Wine reviews, pairings, events, and getaways

Lamarca Prosecco

What I like about La Marca is that they don’t take themselves so seriously. Yes, this is the Prosecco you see lining the shelves year-round, the one that comes in little “goody-bag” -sized bottles to — what? give away at parties? sneak onto the train? pack in a picnic basket? Answer is, yes, all of the above. The La Marca mark is having a good, fun, sparkly time. Their website is riddled with fun party ideas and — while one can, and many do, drink La Marca on its own — they know that a glass of this stuff is best filled with flavors of the season. In honor of that, let’s enjoy a little Stacy-tail…

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Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Blanc de Blanc

Crémant de Bourgogne – it’s the the designation for the sparkling wines of Burgundy, which is primarily known for single-varietal, still wines only. Here, in this self-proclaimed bubbly “oasis” winemakers can, shall we say, “break the rules,” and combine various varietals to create sparkling wines. Bonus points: because these sparkles aren’t technically Champagne (though most are, indeed, made in the methode champenoise), these come at a much more affordable price point (typically between $15 and $30). So pop the cork in celebration of — what day of the week is it that you’re reading this? Yes, cheers to a random day of the week! 

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Rotari Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine

Let’s face it, sparkling wine is meant to be fun. We pop the cork when we’re celebrating something — even if it’s the minor celebration of another work-week gone by. The problem I had until recently is that the more affordable bubblies are the ones that would give me headaches — the very evening I’d sip them. So I convinced myself that spending big bucks on sparkling wine, even if just for a minor weekday victory, was what I had to do to enjoy myself. Well this study in sparkling wine has taught me more than just how Champagne and Prosecco is made; it’s taught me that well-crafted sparkles can be affordable, you just have to find the right one. Rotari — thank you for making “the right one(s)”…

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Balletto Vineyards 2013 Sparkling Brut Rosé

I like Balletto wines. I like that they are easily accessible in every sense of the word. They’re available at most local shops; they’re affordable; and they’re (most importantly) fun and easy wines to drink. I’ve yet to be disappointed by anything by Balletto — and they have the added perk of still being a family-run business who sources their grapes from their own estate vineyards. So of course after enjoying their classic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay offerings, I was most eager to give their sparkling brut rosé a go in conjunction with my holiday sparkling wine series

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Best Christmas Gifts for Wine Lovers

We’re less than 10 days away from Christmas and if you’re a procrastinator like me, you’re still struggling to find some last minute items for the loved-ones on your list. Well, if they’re into wine, even a little, this Christmas elf is here to help. I’ve got everything from stocking stuffers to big ticket items that wine-lovering novices and pros will appreciate. While you may see some of the same items showcased on Black Friday, read on — I snuck a few extra goodies in here just for you. Take a look, shop around, and have a very happy holiday season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BRISCOEBITES!

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