Your Inner Sommelier

Hello and Happy National Wine Day!

Now I love me a made up holiday that's for sure. And you know I won't ignore this one! I wouldn’t be me if I did. As I was thinking about a wine post to do I was thinking about the things I learned about wine and how it would be helpful to those who might not know. Here are three things to know about when drinking your favorite glass of vino.

Check out those legs.

On your wine that is. When you swirl your wine two things happen. First it releases the aromas of the wine so you can better taste it. Second, you can see wine drip down the sides of the glass those are called the legs. The longer they take to fall the better the wine is.  

Smell your wine

but did yo know when you do this your mouth should be open? Try it. Smell it once with your mouth closed and again with it open. Huge difference.  

Get specific

My last tip is to zone in on one region you really like. For myself and MK we really love Spanish and Argentina wines. But out favorite is Rioja wines. So after you find your wine, see what pairs well with it so you always know what to order with it when you’re at a restarunt. Lucky for me tapas goes perfect with this wine. Think Cantaloupe and Prosciutto combo or a Fig Crostini. Yes please!

I hope your Memorial Day weekend is jam packed full of fun and vino! 

In Vino Veritas

Which is Latin for "in wine, truth". 

That's one of my favorite sayings. Ha! Today's "Martini Moment" is all about wine! My typical drink of choice. I'm talking wine because next week is Thanksgiving already! So if you're hosting or just need a few good options to take to the hostess I've made you a cheat sheet. Wine selections can be very complicated which can leave you in the wine aisle blankly staring off into space.   

It's no secret that I am a red wine drinker but more specifically Spanish wine, nothing like a Rioja for me. But if you aren't certain of where to go with a red stick with a Bordeaux or Merlot. They are both in the middle of light and juicy and heavy or full bodied.  

Now for white wines, stick with a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Same goes for these, right in the middle. If all else fails and you still just aren't sure, grab a semi-dry champagne. 

Fast Tip: Sometimes it can be hard to know how much wine to have on hand. If you are hosting Thanksgiving or even just a larger party, buy eight bottles per 12 adults. Four bottles of red and four white.  

Time To Toast

 I truly love a good canapé! Great things surround delicious food and wine. Not only is this very elegant appetizer so easy and fast it's also ecstatically pleasing. Because let's face it, as the hostess you want to be chatting and hanging out too, not slaving away in the kitchen. This is from one of my many cookbooks named "Fun and Festive". Well I'll say.

Spanish Ham and Cheese Toasts

6oz package of goat cheese

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp paprika

24 toasted French bread slices

1/2 cup fresh parsley

8 slices prosciutto or Serrano ham

First put the goat cheese in a small bowl, add cumin and paprika, stir until blended and cover and let sit for 30 minutes. Then all you do is spread the mixture on the bread sprinkle with parsley and top with ham.

It's fast, easy, and chic. Also don't forget to fill that wine basically to the brim like I did! Haha!

Have a wonderful Wednesday! Cheers!

xoxo