"No phone, a movie, a glass of wine, and some salad. Perfect!" - Kate Moss
It is officially salad season you guys! Now that the warmer months are here, I typically like to eat a little bit lighter. Since I'm eating a lot more salads lately, I've been enjoying pairing wines with my light and healthy meals. I have been sipping on Rose/Blush wines and Sauvignon Blanc lately! The wines I'm featuring today I've had at some of my favorite restaurants, and fell in love with them. Whenever we find a new wine at a restaurant that is amazing, G will search for them at Total Wine to see if they are in stock. We have been doing this for years, and really like and pick up a few bottles of our faves.
Today I'm pairing two of my easy at home salads with some amazing wines from Total Wine.
Pan Seared Scallops and Bacon Salad
Read More"Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words." - Plautus
This past Saturday, we were able to enjoy a wonderful private tasting at Potomac Point Winery for one of my best friend's birthday. Her husband organized a sweet surprise party and included all of her closest friends. The guests were able to enjoy a tasting in the cellar at the winery as well as enjoy lunch afterwards.
Today, I am sharing my wonderful experience at Potomac Point Winery, in Stafford, Virginia.
Read More"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food." - W. C. Fields
Now that the warmer months are here, I tend to eat a lot of grilled foods and delicious salads! Today, I am pairing my favorite grilled lemon pepper wings and avocado salad to two amazing white wines. Typically, I am a red wine drinker, but when I'm relaxing in my backyard and soaking up the sun - a crisp white wine is my ultimate fave.
Below are my favorite pairings, and I'm matching these two dishes with wines from Total Wine.
Grilled Lemon Pepper Wings
Read More"More important than the food pairing is the person with whom you drink the wine." - Christian Moueix
When I initially started capturing my home recipes, many of you asked how I pair my wine with my meals. Well, today I'm introducing a brand new series to the blog - "Cork & Fork". I'll be taking my popular recipes that you all have loved and pairing them with wines from some of my favorite local wineries.
To kick this series off I'll be featuring a Scallop Risotto - one of my first recipes on the blog. Also, the most recently popular Surf & Turf dish! Also, I'll be pairing these yummy meals with wines from Rosemont Winery, in sourthern Virginia.
Scallop Risotto
Read More"What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others." - Diogenes
G and I love throwing parties at our home. We typically throw a party every year at the beginning or end of Summer. When we have our event, I love serving wines that our guests will enjoy! As you guys know, we really like wine, and it is a treat when we are able to blow away our guests with an amazing selection.
Today I'm sharing some a few tips in choosing wonderful wines for your next party!
- Headcount. Each bottle of wine typically serves about 4 glasses, depending on how you pour. For a point of reference, our guests will have about 2-3 glasses of wine. With that being considered, you'll need to ensure your selection can accommodate your headcount. For example, if you have 10 guests, it's best to have about 8-10 bottles of wine. I always like to get a few extra bottles just in case! Tip: If you will be serving alcohol in addition to wine, feel free to modify the number of bottles!
- White, Rose, Bubbly, or Red? Depending on the event I adjust the type of wine I'll be serving. For brunch, I will serve champagne, rose, and white wine. This is typically a lighter meal and also earlier in the day. For evening events and dinner parties, I will serve red and white wine, and champagne is a must! Tip: If your audience prefers red over white, purchase more red wine since it's a crowd favorite!
- Food pairing. It is really important to make sure you have the appropriate selection of food that pair perfectly with your wine! Whether you are serving spicy, BBQ, savory or sweet dishes, make sure your wine selection accompanies your food. Tip: Whenever I make my lemon pepper wings, I make sure I have Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc available for my guests! They pair perfectly together.
- Budget. I try to stick to a price point for each bottle of wine that I buy. If I'm having a smaller gathering or hosting a dinner, I'll splurge and get some unique bottles from one of our favorite local wine shops, Tinto. Yet, if we are having a larger group, Trader Joe's is my preferred store to get my wine! They have an excellent price point and I set a cap for about $15 a bottle. Tip: Set a budget early. If your budget is $150 get a great variety and ensure the quality is spot on for your guests.
What are some of your favorite wines to share with friends?
XO, Analise
Photo Credit: Shannon Moffit Photography
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