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Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas Wine Memes

It's Christmas Day! Relax with loved ones, eat, drink a bottle of wine (did we say bottle?! We meant glass *wink*wink), and enjoy these Christmas wine themed memes!

12 snobs sniffing
11 casks a corking
10 crushers crushing
9 vines a winding
8 charming chardonnays
7 sommeliers a-serving
6 corkscrews turning
5 golden sauternes
4 hearty cabernets
3 french blends
2 toasting friends
and a pinot in a pear tree

This is our favorite type of exercise


All the xmas spirit we have is in the liquor cabinet

We may need a few bottles to deal with the difficult relatives

I'm actually really easy to shop for... if you know where to shop

Either or... I'm not picky
 

Not likely

Wine. Yes, definitely wine.

I always dreams of wine, even when it's not the Holidays.

No need for stocking stuffers.

Merry Christmas from AWineryReview.com

Monday, December 18, 2017

How To Remove Red Wine Stains

One of the most popular drink choices for the Holiday Season is red wine, and it's no mystery why. Red wine is delicious! However, the more you drink, the more likely you are to have a little accident and spill some red wine on yourself, the couch, or the carpet. Many people think it's impossible to get out red wine stains, but it's not. The faster you can treat the stain the better chance you have of getting the stain out, but you can still remove it once it's dry. Here are some tips on how to remove red wine stains.


Wet Stains:
• Cover the stain with a thick layer of salt within 2 minutes of the spill
• Pour club soda on top of the salt and the stain
• After an hour of the stain sitting, remove the salt and blot with a paper towel

Dry Stains:
• Pour vodka over the stain
• Blot with a paper towel
• Repeat until the stain fades

Monday, December 11, 2017

Best Holiday Gifts for Wine Lovers

The Holidays are the perfect time to enjoy the company of loved ones and giving gifts is a wonderful way to show others how special they are to you. However, there's only so many times you can give someone a bottle of wine before it becomes mundane. If you want to pleasantly surprise them, give them a wine related gift that isn't just the standard bottle of wine.

A great idea is to save your wine corks throughout the year and make them a homemade gift. Our What To Do With Your Extra Wine Corks blog has some creative ideas for what you can make. But if you didn't save corks or you don't have the time to make a homemade gift, here are some ideas of other wine related gifts that are sure to please your loved one (or yourself! There's nothing wrong with a "To: me, From: me" present!).

Gilded Rim Wine Glass Set
From stemless glasses, to white wine glasses and red wine glasses, these are a beautiful gift for someone who loves to entertain.

• Stemless Glasses - Buy Now
• White Wine Glasses - Buy Now
• Red Wine Glasses - Buy Now


Wine Aerator
Give the gift of a perfect, aerated pour with this beautiful wine Aerator

• Aervana Wine Aerator - Buy Now
• Rabbit Super Wine Aerator - Buy Now


Wine Lover's Card Deck
Not only is this gift great for playing drinking games, it also is a great way to learn wine facts. It's the perfect gift for a host or hostess.

• The Wine Deck - Buy Now


Wine Glass Markers
These markers are great for personalizing your wine glass as to not mix it up with someone else's.

• Wine Glass Writer - Buy Now


Wine Decanter
In addition to the beauty a decanter offers, it's also a wonderful way to let wine breathe. Decanters make stylish, affordable gifts.

• Homestia Wine Decanter - Buy Now
• Vivid Wine Decanter - Buy Now
• Ravenscroft Crystal Wine Decanter - Buy Now


Wine Preservation System
Help your loved one keep a bottle of wine tasting it's best for long with a wine preservation system.

• Coravin Model One Wine System - Buy Now
• Coravin Model Two Wine System - Buy Now

Red Wine Stain Remover
Everyone is clumsy once in a while so this gift is perfect for everyone!

• Red Wine Stain Remover - Buy Now

Monday, December 4, 2017

Sonoma County Holiday Concerts 2017

In addition to the many wineries, craft fairs, Christmas tree farms, and other activities offered around Sonoma County this Holiday season, here is a list of Holiday concerts, performances, and Nutcrackers. For more information on these events, visit www.sonomacounty.com/holiday-concerts


HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Le Cirque de Boheme
Nov. 24-26, Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17
Cornerstone Sonoma
23570 Arnold Drive
Sonoma
707-933-3010

Mannheim Steamroller
Nov. 29
Luther Burbank Center
50 Mark West Springs Road
Santa Rosa
707-546-3600

Transcendence’s Broadway Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 1-3
Luther Burbank Center
50 Mark West Springs Road
Santa Rosa
707-546-3600

Posada Navideña
Dec. 9
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
50 Mark West Springs Road
Santa Rosa
707-546-3600

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale: Handel's Messiah
Dec. 10
Weill Hall at the Green Music Center
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park
866-955-6040

Symphony Pops: A Holly Jolly Pops
Dec. 10
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
50 Mark West Springs Road
Santa Rosa

Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays
Dec. 14
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
50 Mark West Springs Road
Santa Rosa

30th Anniversary of Windham Hill's Winter Solstice
Dec. 15
Weill Hall at the Green Music Center1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park
866-955-6040

Cherish the Ladies – Celtic Christmas
Dec. 16
Weill Hall at the Green Music Center
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park
866-955-6040

Dave Koz 20th Anniversary Christmas Concert
Dec. 17 
Weill Hall at the Green Music Center
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park
866-955-6040

PERFORMING ARTS

Little Women the Musical
Nov. 24 - Dec. 17
Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park
707-588-3400

Inspecting Carol
Nov. 29 - Dec. 10
Sonoma Arts Live, Andrews Hall, Sonoma
866-710-8942

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Dec. 1-23
6th Street Playhouse - G.K. Hardt Theatre, Santa Rosa
707-523-4185

A Vintage Christmas
Dec. 1-10
Raven Theater, Healdsburg
Performed at Trione Vineyards and Winery, Geyserville
707-433-6335

The Nutcracker Musical
Dec. 1-10
Suggested for ages five and up.
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center
707-894-2214

Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge
Dec. 8-23
6th Street Playhouse - Studio Theatre, Santa Rosa
707-523-4185

NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCES

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
Dec. 18
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
50 Mark West Springs Rd
Santa Rosa
707-546-3600

Petaluma School of Ballet
Dec. 15, 16, 17
Evert B. Person Theatre
Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park
707-762-3972

Santa Rosa Dance Theater's Nutcracker
Dec. 15, 16, 17
Spreckels Performing Arts Center
5409 Snyder Lane
Rohnert Park
707-539-0516

Sebastopol Ballet School's Nutcracker
Dec. 22, 23, 24
Complimentary Sugar Plum Party for children before each matinee show. Meet the dancers in costume and enjoy sweet treats.
Analy High School
6950 Analy Ave.
Sebastopol
707-824-8006

Monday, November 27, 2017

California Wineries Owned & Operated by Women

It's a well known fact that most women love wine. They have wine parties, go on wine tasting trips, and are members of wine clubs. So it's obvious that some of the best wines would be produced by women and some of the most successful wineries would be owned by women. Here is a list of some California wineries that are owned and operated by women:


Abiouness Wines - Nicole Abiouness is an American female entrepreneur and winemaker. She owns and operates Abiouness Wines, in Mendocino County, Napa Valley, California where she makes Pinot Noir and Sangiovese wine. [1]







• Carol Shelton Wines - Carol Shelton is an American winemaker and entrepreneur. She has been called the most awarded winemaker in America and was the San Francisco Chronicle's Winemaker of the Year in 2005. [1]










• Kathryn Kennedy Winery - Kathryn Kennedy (July 28, 1927 – August 23, 2009) was a California wine grower, establishing her vineyard during the growth phase in the California wine history known as "The Wine Boom of the early 1970s". While not the first woman winemaker (Zelma Long and others), Kennedy was one of the very first owners of a brand to bear a woman's name in California, and one who came to the scene independent of the young women graduates of the University of California-Davis. [1]



• Lane Tanner Winery - Lane Tanner is an American winemaker and consultant. She was the second woman winemaker in Santa Barbara County when she started working in the industry in 1981. She goes by the nickname "Pinot Czarina." [1]






• Selene Wines - Mia Klein is a Californian winemaker and entrepreneur, founder of Selene Wines in Napa, California. Her career has spanned decades in the food and wine industry in both Northern and Southern California. [1]





References:
[1] Wikipedia

Monday, November 20, 2017

California Wine Club

"Since 1990, we’ve been delivering monthly wine club adventures to thousands of wine club members across the country. The majority of our wine club members have been with us for 7 years or more. There are no membership fees; just pay as you go and cancel any time. Try us for a month or two and see what you think!

With five wine of the month club levels to choose from, we have wine selections and wine gifts to suit all tastes and budgets. Keep in mind, there is no reason you can’t subscribe to all five - many of our members enjoy multiple wine club levels!" - California Wine Club

As a member of the California Wine Club, you will receive hand selected wines from real working family wineries. Your Personal Wine Consultant is available to help you discover delicious wines and if you're not happy, the Love It Guarantee allows you to cancel at any time. Along with the wine, you will get entertaining stories of the wineries that provide them. You can also reorder your favorite wines at up to 50% off!

With 5 different wine club levels, you have option on what kinds of wines, how many bottles per month, and how much you'd like to spend.

Sign up to be a member of the California Wine Club at AWineryReview.com! Just click the icon at the bottom of our page!

Monday, November 13, 2017

Flora Springs - Napa Valley Family Estate

"Flora Springs was founded in 1978, but our legacy dates back to the late 1800s when wine grapes were first planted on the Napa Valley property that is now our estate home. The depth of this history reminds us that as stewards of this land, our family’s commitment to its health and vitality will be felt far into the future." - Flora Springs

Founded by Jerry and Flora Komes nearly 40 years ago, Flora Springs winery in Napa Valley contains over 500 acres, with 300 acres being vineyards. With their high expectations, the family run winery is focused on quality. They use a small percentage of their yield for their own wines and supply other local wineries with the rest of their grapes. Their properties are located all over the area, including Carneros, St. Helena, and Oakville. To find all of their vineyard locations, click here.

"Our family’s goal is to over-deliver on every aspect of our business, particularly when it comes to the quality and consistency of our wines. As farmers and winemakers, our dedication to quality begins in the vineyards and continues through every aspect of winemaking.” - General Manager, Nat Komes


Through listening to customers and tasting wine, Flora Springs has honed their palate to create the best quality wines available. They keep up with new vineyard technology, equipment, and barrels to fulfill their pledge to "over-deliver" wine quality.

For more information on the amazing Flora Springs, visit their website.

Monday, November 6, 2017

Did You Know? Wine Facts

There are so many facts about wine that are little known. For example, did you know that grapes are commonly referred to as "fruit," but they are actually classified as a berry? Here are some more of our favorites facts:



• The earliest known traces of wine are from China (c. 7000 BC), Georgia (c. 6000 BC), Iran (c. 5000 BC), and Sicily (c. 4000 BC) [1]

• In the United States, for a wine to be vintage-dated and labeled with a country of origin or American Viticultural Area (AVA; e.g., Sonoma Valley), 95% of its volume must be from grapes harvested in that year [1]

• The UK was the world's largest importer of wine in 2007 [1]

• Most wines are sold in glass bottles and sealed with corks (50% of which come from Portugal) [1]

• The world’s biggest red wine consumers are the Chinese [2]

• Wine Names Usually Indicate Location or Grape Varieties [2]

• Women get drunk faster from wine because of their water to fat ratio [2]

• Grape skin is especially rich in antioxidants [2]

• Red Wines are well attributed to positive health benefits. It lowers your chances of having a stroke compared to nondrinkers. For men and women who drink moderately, it lessens their chance of developing Type 2 diabetes by 30% [3]

• “Oenophobia” is the fear of wine [3]

• Wine glasses should be held by the stem as to not raise the temperature of the wine with your hand [3]

• Wine bottles are generally stored on their side so the cork doesn't dry out [3]

• Wine contains no fat and no cholesterol [3]

• To get the same amount of antioxidants you find in wine, you would need to drink 20 glasses of apple juice or seven glasses of orange juice [3]

• The Romans are believed to be the first to call different grape varieties by different names [4]

• There are more than 8,000 grape varieties known to scientists, and more than 1,300 varieties are currently used to make wine around the world [4]

• Research shows that white wines keep lung tissues healthy [4]

• White wines generally have less alcohol and fewer calories than reds [4]

• Grapes grown in warmer climates, like the Napa Valley, are usually more ripe when picked, making for sweeter wines [4]

• California is the fourth-largest wine producer in the world, just behind France, Italy, and Spain [4]

• The first aromas to hit the nose are associated with aspects of the grapes, while later aromas are connected to the winemaking process and how the wine aged [4]

• Some wineries will print food suggestions on the wine’s label [4]

References:

Monday, October 30, 2017

Update on California Fires

Our thoughts have been with those effected by the fires in California over the past few weeks. At least 42 people's lives have been claimed by the fires and more than a dozen are still missing. Our hearts go out to their families and friends. 8,900 structures have been destroyed and it will take a lot of support and time to rebuild all that's been lost. Burned out properties are being surveyed for hazardous waste by federal officials. This process was started this week as some of the first steps towards recovery. As Santa Rosa's mayor, Chris Coursey said, "It’s going to be a really long haul."



According to Cal Fire Officials, the Atlas Fire, which is one of the region's four major fires, has fortunately been contained as of Friday night. The other three major fires are 97% contained as of Saturday afternoon. Isolated hot spots are still an issue but the worst is over.

A ceremony honoring the victims was held on Saturday on a Santa Rosa football field. A fire bell was rung 43 times. 42 for those lost and once again for those still missing. “This was an important opportunity for the community to get together and not be talking just about how I get the ash off my property,” Coursey said. “It was a time to pause collectively and just kind of take a breath.” Governor Jerry Brown of Sacramento has proclaimed flags to be flown at half staff over the state capital. 

"As of Saturday, more than 150,000 acres had burned across Sonoma, Napa and Solano Counties: 51,624 acres in the Atlas fire, 56,556 acres in the Nuns fire, 36,807 acres in the Tubbs Fire, and 17,357 acres in the Pocket Fire." - The Mercury News

Please join us in helping those impacted by donating to the fire victims! You can donate here through the American Red Cross. Thank you!


Monday, October 23, 2017

Wine Themed Halloween Costumes

Halloween is fast approaching! With this one-of-a-kind holiday comes parties, events, and dinners with ghosts, goblins, and vampires. You can either buy your costume or make your own; however, some do-it-yourself costumes can take weeks to put together and at this point you're quickly running out of time. Lucky for you, we've put together this list of easy, last minute costumes that also happen to be themed around one of our favorite things... WINE!





Boxed Wine
This awesome costume is super easy to make last minute. Just cut out holes in a box for your waist, head, and arms. Then print out a boxed wine label and tape it to the box. You can go the extra mile by adding a spout!















A Bunch of Grapes
One of our favorite costumes is also one of the easiest to create! Just blow up a bunch of purple or green balloons and voila!... you're a bunch of grapes!










Bacchus
Bacchus was the Roman God of Wine. Re-create his look with a sheet, some leaves and grapes, and a bottle of wine. It doesn't get any easier than that!










A Bottle of Red Wine
This costume is as easy as wearing all burgundy, making a cork hat out of paper, and taping your favorite red wine's label to a piece of cardboard. You can even carry around your inspiration (we won't judge if you drink the whole bottle)!






Be sure to have fun this Halloween and don't drink and drive!