Hello, fellow CorkRulers! As the holiday season approaches, it&#39;s time to dust off your cocktail shakers and wine glasses. Whether you&#39;re hosting a small gathering or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, we&#39;ve got you covered with some fun and festive wine-based cocktails. From spritz to negroni, champagne to ros&eacute; fros&eacute;, let&#39;s dive into the merry world of holiday libations!

1. Aperol Spritz

Let&#39;s start with a classic Italian cocktail, the Aperol Spritz. This vibrant orange drink is a perfect aperitif to kickstart your holiday celebrations.

Ingredients:

- 3 parts Prosecco

- 2 parts Aperol

- 1 part soda water

- Orange slice, for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a wine glass with ice, pour in the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol. Add a splash of soda water and garnish with an orange slice. Simple, yet delicious!

2. Negroni Sbagliato&nbsp;

Next up is the Negroni, a sophisticated cocktail with a bittersweet twist. This ruby-red concoction is sure to warm you up on a chilly winter night.&nbsp;

Ingredients:&nbsp;

- 1 part sparkling wine or prosecco&nbsp;

- 1 part Campari&nbsp;

- 1 part sweet vermouth&nbsp;

- Orange peel, for garnish&nbsp;

Instructions:

Stir the gin, Campari, and vermouth in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange peel. Cheers to that!

3. Champagne Cocktail

No holiday celebration is complete without a bit of sparkle! This classic Champagne cocktail is a timeless choice for any festive occasion.

Ingredients:

- 1 sugar cube

- 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters

- Champagne

- Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

Soak the sugar cube in Angostura bitters and drop it into a Champagne flute. Fill the glass with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist. Let the celebrations begin!

4. Ros&eacute; Fros&eacute;

Last but not least, let&#39;s shake things up with a frozen delight - the Ros&eacute; Fros&eacute;. This icy cocktail is a fun and refreshing twist on traditional ros&eacute; wine.

Ingredients:

- 1 bottle of ros&eacute; wine

- 2 cups of strawberries

- 1 tablespoon of sugar

- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Instructions:

Pour the ros&eacute; into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Blend the strawberries and sugar in a blender until smooth, then add the ros&eacute; cubes and lemon juice. Blend until it&#39;s slushy and serve immediately. It&#39;s a froz&eacute; kind of holiday!

So, there you have it, wine lovers! Four fantastic wine-based cocktails to brighten up your holiday season. Remember, the key to a great cocktail is not just the ingredients, but also the company you share it with. So, raise a glass, share a toast, and enjoy these festive drinks with your loved ones. Happy holidays!

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Hello, fellow CorkRulers! As the holiday season approaches, it's time to dust off your cocktail shakers and wine glasses. Whether you're hosting a small gathering or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, we've got you covered with some fun and festive wine-based cocktails. From spritz to negroni, champagne to rosé frosé, let's dive into the merry world of holiday libations!

Celebrate the Holidays with Wine-Based Cocktails: A Fun Guide

Syrah and Shiraz. Two different names for the same grape variety, but also the name of two different styles of wine. Originally from France but spread around the world today, it has found its own identity in regions far away from the original origin.

The black grape Syrah comes from the French Rhône valley and it’s still very much planted there. Here, it’s the only variety used in Hermitage and Cornas, and also used in blends with other local grapes in areas like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône to mention a few. The grape name won’t appear on the label though since in France, and in Europe in general, the origin is of more importance than the grape variety.

Decoding the wine label: Syrah or Shiraz?

Champagne, the obvious choice for celebrations or holidays in any form for many wine drinkers. Since it’s a fantastic, artisan beverage, why change the tradition? With the holidays coming up, choose to pour something extra special this year – the millésime style champagne.

Decoding the wine label: Millésime

Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world's most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world's best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, our palates yearn for refreshing beverages that embody the essence of summer. For those new to the world of wine, choosing between cider, orange wine, and rosé can be a delightful journey. Each offers unique flavors and experiences perfect for warm weather sipping. In this article, we’ll explore three standout choices: Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139, Cune Viña Rosado 2023, and Spiritus Terrae Malvasia Orange 2021.

Savoring Summer: The Best Rosé Drink Choices from Cider-Orange-Rosé for Beginners

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

Gage & Tollner

Grant Wood

&nbsp;

Gage &amp; Tollner

Hey Robert, glad to be back on and chat about another fabulous list.

To start with this list, I think it is important to point out that on one hand, this truly is a great list but on the other, this is one of the more daunting lists that we&rsquo;ve seen for your average guest looking to dine out. So, I think this is a great opportunity to really help the traditional guest navigate a list that is as compelling as this one.

When coming to a restaurant as compelling and unique as this, it&rsquo;s important for the guest to be armed with questions that help their server or sommelier to better help give them the best road map to finding the right bottles to match what they want to get from their dining experience. On this note, keep in mind that a place that has this type of list also has the staff that is passionate to speak confidently about the selections that they have put on their list.

So right away I noticed a lot of classics on their menu from cocktails to appetizers, to sides, and to the main events and desserts. So, for me, I feel you&rsquo;re safe regarding pre-dinner drinks that suit your fancy. Be it a classic cocktail, a glass of refreshing white, you can really run the gamete of pre-game themes to kick off your evening.

In regards to the wine list, my eyes on their by-the-glass offerings were immediately drawn to the 2020 Getariako Txakolina by Txampian which is a racy, slightly spritzy white from northern Spain that I could drink straight from the bottle or in the classic Galician tradition to drink from a porr&oacute; which is one of my favorite party tricks at home. Otherwise, I have to shout out to Raj Parr&rsquo;s project in Santa Barbara, Sandhi. This is an incredible new-world chardonnay that delivers so much pleasure and drinkability that will change anyone&rsquo;s preconceived notion that Cali chard is another butter-bomb.

For bubbles I would gravitate towards the Champagne Heri-Hodie, Roger Coulon 1er cru, NV extra brut as it is a superb &ldquo;grower&rdquo; Champagne with class and elegance. Or, for a bit better value, consider the Cr&eacute;mant du Jura BBF by St&eacute;phane Tissot which is made in the same fashion as champagne but from the alpine region east of Burgundy.

Moving on to reds, you have some amazing choices at really great values as well. This is a place to really explore your palate at prices that don&rsquo;t make you seek out side-hustles to afford them. The 2017 Palette by Ch&acirc;teau Simone is a revelation. The 2020 Vieilles Vignes (old vines) Beaujolais-Villages by Jean-Claude-Lapalu is a stellar value and so food friendly. If you really want to ball out on an amazing wine from California, then you must go with the 2017 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Easily one of one of my favorite producers of Cabernet in my hometown of Napa Valley. Randy Dunn&rsquo;s son, Mike, has since taken over and he is an absolute hoot to taste with.

Overall, I would consider this as an &ldquo;insiders&rdquo; wine list that really speaks to the wine-lover in me. My best advice? Let your server or sommelier take you on a journey that excites them in the moment and let your wild side take the wheel as this is an engaging list that invites you to relieve yourself from the shackles of the mundane or otherwise &ldquo;safe&rdquo; way of life.

I hope that this is a helpful guide to drinking better and having a more interesting conversation at the table. As always, cheers to you, and cheers to those you love!

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Domaine Faiveley is one of the largest and most respected wine producers in Burgundy, with a history dating back to 1825. They are known for producing high-quality wines that represent the terroir of the region.

Danny Meyer's first restaurant serves seasonal New American fare in a casually refined setting.

Frequently Asked Questions