Bottoms Up: My Favorite Fall Brew

Every year, when Fall rolls around, I set out to try every single pumpkin ale available. I love to sip the rich flavors of autumnal spices like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg hugging the main flavor among them all- pumpkin. Harris Teeter, Total Wine and Whole Foods seem to have a great variety but what I really love is pumpkin ale fresh from the tap. Cottonwood Pumpkin to be exact. 

I have sipped on many a pumpkin ales, but none seem to compare to my beloved Cottonwood. The flavors are warm and comforting, but not too sweet or overbearing. I may love Cottonwood Pumpkin so much because it was my official tailgate beer of the fall, and that goes back to Boone life, which goes back to all things wonderful. Call me crazy, but I swear there's something special in that mountain air. Any AppState grad will express the same sentiments. 

Three cheers for Pumpkin beer! And an extra cheer to Cottonwood since it's a semi-local product and brewed right up 77-North in Winston-Salem. 

Also? This may be the year I add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and make a Pumpkin Ale float. 

I purchased a 6-pack of Cottonwood Pumpkin Ale at Harris Teeter for $8.99 

Wine of the Week: Espiral Vihno Verde

Vihno Verde is quite the delightful sip! Last week's pick was so perfect for Summer that I decided to look for another bottle to enjoy this week for our outdoor deck dinners. I love this wine chilled, and the bubbles are so refreshing.

This bottle of Espiral  was a steal at the friendly price of $4.99. Trader Joe's, I love you.

Wine of the Week: Gazela Vinho Verde

This is a bright Summer wine that satisfies with every sip! A little bit citrus and a little bit floral, this wine has hints of grapefruit, apricot and the perfect amount of bubbles. The kind sales associate at Total Wine made sure to tell me that Vihno Verde takes on other flavors nicely. She suggested dropping in a few raspberries or mixing with Italian soda for a light and refreshing happy hour treat. I'm thinking weekend brunch would be a fine time to enjoy a Vinho Verde + Italian soda cocktail.

I purchased Gazela Vinho Verde for $7.99 at Total Wine.

Wine of the Week: Middle Sister Drama Queen

My love for Middle Sister wines was professed on my blog here, but this week, I have been reminded just how much I love this stuff. Maybe I'm just subconsciously missing the Middle Sister of the lovie trio who is studying hard in Michigan as she finishes up Physician Assistant school in less than TWO MONTHS. Andi- Cheers! I'm so proud of you. This week's wine is dedicated to you.

I wandered into Harris Teeter to find Middle Sister wines on sale this week for $9.99 a bottle! I usually pick up Middle Sister at Target, where it's $9.99 all the time. This week, I'm sipping on the Drama Queen (Pinot Grigio), but you can't go wrong with any of these. I may be partial to the three sisters on the front, too.


Cheers!

Wine of the Week: Naked Unoaked Chardonnay

Here's a crisp Summer white to add to your rotation. It's refreshing, easy to drink and the lemon on the label was a bonus for me. I love the clean look of this bottle.

I purchased Naked at my local market for $9.99

Corona O'Clock

I'm sure by now you all think I have given up wine but that is not the case. No, I'm just having a seasonal love affair with a different beverage of choice. I make no apologies for my absent Wine of the Week posts...because the truth is, when Summertime hits, this girl likes to cool down with an ice cold beer. And I can't leave Mark to sip alone without a beer buddy, right!? 

Corona Light with extra lime is usually the brew of choice around here. It's light, refreshing and easy to drink. Our fridge is almost always well stocked. 

Our sweet friends came to visit from Georgia last night and Krista taught me a new trick- adding a bit of salt to the mouth of the bottle! I was clearly missing out on something fantastic and now I cannot get enough. Just coat the top of the bottle with lime before you pop it in the bottle and sprinkle some coarse salt on the top. It's a game changer. 

Wishing you all a delightful mid-week Happy Hour and like the Corona commercials say, "find your beach". 

Fresh and Easy + Wine of the Week

Tuesday night's dinner was totally restaurant worthy. And the best part? You don't have to spend hours in the kitchen for a delectable dinner for two- the entire meal came together in about thirty minutes. This dinner incorporated all of the elements to the perfect summertime meal; lean and healthy protein, a creative salad and something from the grill.

Protein: Roasted salmon with lemon, garlic and olive oil. When in doubt, this is how our salmon gets cooked! I top a fillet (a little over 1/2 lb. for the two of us) with some minced garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon slices. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.


Salad: Roasted grape tomatoes, artichokes and red onions on a bed of arugula. I'm really into warm salads lately. I love slightly wilted greens! I tossed halved grape tomatoes, artichoke hearts and red onion together in a small baking dish with some olive oil and Herbs de Provence. I threw these in the oven to roast as the salmon roasted. 20 minutes was perfect. I served this on top of some baby arugula. 


Grill: Eggplant! While the salmon and veggies were roasting, I brushed the eggplant slices on either side with a little olive oil, then sprinkled with salt, pepper and oregano. I turned the grill pan up on medium-high heat and grilled those little guys for about 6 minutes on each side.


Everything was tasty and the variety of color on our crisp white dinner plates made for an extra lovely presentation!

This meal called for a glass of wine! When the weather warms up, I like to add more whites into the wine rotation. Twisted wines are often on sale at the market with a two bottles for $12 price tag. I don't normally buy wines without corks- not because I'm a wine snob- but because I like the save the corks and display them in a clear hurricane in the kitchen. I finally gave Twisted's Pinot Grigio a try and it's pretty good for the price. You can't beat a cool, crisp white when it's warm out. 

Wine of the Week: Dancing Bull Red Zinfandel

This Zinfandel reminds me of drinking with my parents. Dancing Bull is one of their favorites and when I found it at the market, I grabbed a couple of bottles for my wine supply. Dancing Bull Zinfandel was one of my first wine loves when I started to actually enjoy the art of sipping on a nice glass of red.

I purchased Dancing Bull at a special price of $7.99. (I think the normal price is around $10 a bottle)

La Obsession: La Croix Coconut

I'm far more excited about this sparkling beverage than any other thing I'm sipping on this week, so in lieu of Wine of the Week, I bring to you my newest find: La Croix Coconut!

When I was working in the corporate land of cubicles and event planning, I went through a phase where I drank a Diet Coke every day. I actually think that I started drinking Diet Coke in college which, as I think about it, totally perplexes me because growing up, we never had soda in our house. Maybe special movie and popcorn nights or the occasional root beer float or Boston cooler treat but NEVER, EVER on a regular basis. Alas, I somehow developed a love for a crisp Diet Coke (preferably from a can or a fountain). The 3pm D.C. break was a short lived phase. I'm no longer drinking a Diet Coke a day and I'm pretty much convinced that diet soda, or any soda really, is one of the very worst things you can put into your body and the artificial sweetener is the worst of all! (Google it).

I drink water all day long but sometimes, that bubbly goodness is the perfect pick me up in the afternoon. Enter: La Croix! I love the mixed berry and the grapefruit, but I'm LOVING coconut right now and it's perfect for summer! I've fallen in love hard and fast for this stuff. Add in a fresh wedge of lime and you have a little bit of tropical fizz to enjoy on an afternoon break. La Croix contains no artificial sweeteners and no sodium so it's pretty much guilt-free. With bikini season shortly approaching, I would say this is a major WIN.

Check your local market for all of the yummy and refreshing La Croix flavors. I purchased a 12-pack for $4.99

Wine of the Week: Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay

When the weather gets warm, I like to add more whites to mix into my wine rotations. I especially like white wines with hints of bright citrus that aren't overly sweet. This week, I'm drinking one of my staples. Cupcake Vineyard's Chardonnay is an easy favorite that I always have on hand. It's delicious for drinking and not too expensive to use in recipes when I need it. Cupcake wines will always hold a special place in my heart. When Danica came to Charlotte for our wedding, she arrived at our front doorstep with two bottles in hand. I'm getting teary just thinking about it.

Cupcake Vineyard wines are never more than $10 a bottle.

Wine of the Week: Red Decadence

My wine find this week is pretty much life changing. A few weeks ago, my friend Erin told me that she picked up a bottle of chocolate red wine. I have tried some chocolate wines in the past that were thick, opaque, and resemble chocolate milk when poured out of the bottle. There is nothing wrong with this, but those wines were so sweet and tasted more like a liquer than anything. Plus, the milky appearance just didn't sit well with me. When I asked Erin to tell me more, she quickly calmed my nerves and said that this was a red wine that has been infused with chocolate! I was not able to find the brand that she recommended, but I did find something similar, and at the perfect price point! I sipped on a few glasses this week while cooking and with dinner, but this wine would be even better on its own for dessert.

"The combination of deep ruby red wine with a natural chocolate essence is like liquid truffle in a bottle". Need I say more? That back label on the bottle, I assure you, is not lying.

I purchased Red Decadence at my local market for $8.99

Wine of the Week: The Spanish Quarter Tempranillo

I totally judged this wine by the label so I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into. I must say though, this surprise buy now has me wanting to stock up. I mentioned my new love for Tempranillo a few weeks ago and this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo is such a friendly sip! It's slightly sweet, but not too fruity. Perfect to sip on in the warmer weather.

I purchased The Spanish Quarter at my local market on sale for $6.99, regularly priced at $8.99.

Wine of the Week: Bella Sera Pinot Grigio

Have no fear, I wasn't going to leave you all without a featured wine of the week! I have a crisp and bright white for you today, just in time for a "Yay! Tomorrow is Friday" Happy Hour.

Most of the time, I like to pop open a bottle of red, but every so often, white wine seems more appropriate. I opened this on Sunday night to enjoy with our Lemon Shrimp with Broccoli & Peas. Paired with this fresh meal and the dreamy Spring weather, a glass of this pinot grigio was just heavenly.

I purchased Bella Sera Pinot Grigio at a weekly special price of $6.99

Also, don't forget to enter my Thirty-One Giveaway! You have until Monday, March 19, 11:59pm CST.

Wine of the Week: Colores Del Sol Malbec

Malbec is one of my favorite types of red to sip on. I love it so much, in fact, that I purchased bottles of a Trader Joe's Malbec to put in the welcome bags that we left at all of the hotels for our wedding guests. I picked up the Colores Del Sol at my trusty market a few weeks ago and I have been pouring a glass each night this week as I cook dinner and listen to my trusty Lionel Ritchie Pandora station.

From the label on the back of the bottle:

"This memorable Malbec brims with enticing aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, juicy blackberry, and delicate rose petals. Sweet oak and mocha notes, with hints of smoke, glider over rounded tannins for a bold, full bodied wine."

I purchased Colores Del Sol at a featured weekly special price of $7.99

Wine of the Week: The Purple Pig & The Velvet Devil

I enjoyed a glass of both of these last night with my Winesday partner in crime and I must say, they are both excellent sips! If you recall, both Velvet Devil Merlot and The Purple Pig (Lagranja) Tempranillo were featured on my second official Winesday post, Winesday, Volume 2.

The Purple Pig can be purchased at Trader Joe's $3.99. This wine is a steal because it just tastes SO GOOD. The Velvet Devil can be purchased at Target for somewhere around $14.99. I was honored to drink from this bottle as it wasn't supposed to be opened until baby Jack's 18th birthday. Thanks for sharing, Soph!

Wine of the Week: Ergo Tempranillo

I have never sipped on a Tempranillo until this week. Upon pouring myself a glass of this rare sip, I fell in love quickly. Tempranillo is Sophie's weekend wine of choice!

After some reading, I learned that Tempranillos are full-bodied, Spanish wines with hints of berries, vanilla, plum, leather, and spice. Another bottle of Ergo needs to take residence in my wine closet to have on hand for a night of tapas!

I purchased Ergo Tempranillo at my local grocery store for $9.99.

Wine of the Week: Lulu B. Pinot Noir

This week's wine basically jumped into my grocery cart while shopping for the week. I think it goes without saying that this French cafe inspired label is just darling. So is the little note from Lulu on the back of the bottle!

"Pairs well with...chit chat". Lulu sounds like an instant friend! She also has her own label of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec so I will be on the lookout for those as well.

I found Lulu B. Pinot Noir at my grocery store on sale for $6.99

Wine of the Week: Francis Ford Coppola Bianco

I'm tickled that so many of you enjoy wine as much as I do! Last week's list of affordable weeknight wines was a huge hit and I received comments and several e-mails either thanking me for the list or sharing more sips to try. With that being said, I do believe that a wine of the week needs to take up residence on my little slice of the internet. I'll start by posting my weekly sips but if any of you have weeknight wine finds to share, send them my way!

Wine of the Week: Francis Ford Coppola Bianco

I prefer red wines over whites but I needed some white wine for Monday's dinner recipe. I picked up this "Bianco" by Francis Ford Coppola Winery. These wines were a 2 for $12 special at The Fresh Market a few months ago, so I knew it had to be good. This Pinot Grigio was on sale at my grocery for $6.99.

Winesday, Volume 2

As promised last week, I'm back with some treats for my fellow wine lovers. Sophie and I have been working on this list for a little over a week now, narrowing down our favorite sips. All of these bottles can be found for $10 and under. It's always good to pay attention to the sale cycles in your local stores and markets. Some of the wines on this list price at well below the $10 mark when featured as a special for the week. Sophie loves to buy her wine at Trader Joe's and since my little town does not have a Joe's, I pick up my wine at my local grocery store, which happens to have a huge selection. I just discovered that my Fresh Market does a Two for Tuesday on a featured wine of the week! $12 for two bottles and it forces me to pick up something I might not normally buy. Wine shops like Total Wine also do similar weekly programs.

Our list is mostly red, with a little bit of white splashed in for variety. Keep in mind these prices are what we pay at our local stores. Layer Cake and The Velvet Devil are about $5 over the weeknight wine budget but if you keep your eyes peeled, these bottles can often be found for around $10. We are not winemakers a la our current Monday night Bachelor, Ben Flajnik, nor do we consider our palettes that of sophisticated sommeliers, but we do know a good bottle of wine when we sip one.

These are the list of (stemless on weekdays) glasses that we enjoy while cooking dinner and unwinding from the day. Oh, and watching Reality TV.

Nina & Sophie's Weeknight Wines List

Lagranja Temparnillo $3.99
Sugar Pie North Coast $5.99
Spiral Wines Cabernet $5.99
Apothic Red $9.99
Cupcake Red Velvet and Pinot Grigio $8.99
Pinot Evil Pinot Noir $6.99
The Naked Grape Cabernet, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio $6.99
Ravenswood Vitner’s Blend $7.99
Middle Sister Wines $9.99

Layer Cake Shiraz $14.99
The Velvet Devil Merlot $14.99

A final note from my blonde sister:

"Wine advice- Dont be scared to try new things and dont be scared to fail bc at $5-6 a bottle, who cares! You might find one that you really like!"

Cheers!

Winesday, Volume 1

(I cannot take credit for this blog post title. Thank you to The Today Show's ten o' clock hour, a.k.a. Hoda & Kathie Lee)

I'm enjoying some girl time tonight and this bottle of Pinot is too amazing not to share.

I first picked up this bottle from the Fresh Market because the three monkeys on the label were too appropriate! And at a $5.99 price point I couldn't turn it down. Pinot Evil is now one of my favorite weeknight wines.

"...Pinot Evil dances with a lovely ripe cherry nose that cascades into a smooth, velvet finish. Enjoy it with roasted duck, rosemary-garlic pork or with friends when you just monkey around".

Speaking of weeknight wines, Sophie (my blonde sister) and I have been working on a list of our favorite weeknight wines, all $10.00 and under. Some of the very best wines are also very budget friendly. Check back next Wednesday for our list of favorites.

Another thought for this Wednesday evening- I would like access to Jennifer Lopez's lipstick collection.