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!

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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

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

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

Grace Hood, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas go downtown to Brentwood in West Los Angeles to review the wine list at Toscana. 

Wine List Review of Toscana in Brentwood, L.A.

Grace Hood

Toscana

Toscana

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

GH: Hey hey Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. Today Grace and I are reviewing Brentwood hot spot Toscana. Can&rsquo;t wait to hear your thoughts.

GH: Another day, another Italian wine list! Hahah This spot def leans into their Italian roots, and then have some nice selections for French and American wines as well &nbsp;&nbsp;

RT: Love the sound of it. Shall I assume we will be starting with bubbly!

GH: You know me too well Robert! So, under their sparkling category, they have a section dedicated to one Italian vineyard in particular &ndash; Franciacorta. If it was me, I would do with their Ca del Bosco Cuvee Prestige or their Secolo Novo 2008 vintage. &nbsp;

RT: Yum love the sound of either of those.

GH: But if you&rsquo;re not feeling too adventurous then they have some lovely classic champagnes as well. I would go the 2015 Pol Roger brut rose or the Krug Grand Cuvee 170 special Editions 

RT: Great choices. Can&rsquo;t go wrong with any of those. Now how are they looking for whites?

GH: If you&rsquo;re feeling like sticking with the Italian theme, I would choose the 2019 Jermann Friuli Pinot Grigio, the 2019 Pieropan Soave Classico or the 2019 Antinori Chardonnay from Umbria. Gave y&rsquo;all some variety there!

RT: You certainly have. What do they have for non-Italian whites?

GH: We&rsquo;ve got California options! For something lighter you could go with 2018 Grenache Blanc from the Loomis vineyard, or if you wanna go classic California Chardonnay, you could do the 2020 Flowers from Sonoma Coast, or the 2019 Paul Hobbs from Russian River Valley. 

RT: Love those choices. Thanks for that Grace. Can&rsquo;t wait to hear your picks for the reds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

GH: Hahah you got it, Robert. Looking into the Italian reds, wow they have really gotten into details here! Starting off with Barbera &ndash; my pick would be the 2000 from Braida in the Asti region. Then moving right along in my personal favorite, Barolo. I would go with the 2013 Bovio Reserva. &nbsp;

RT: Let me guess&hellip;is Barbaresco next? &nbsp;&nbsp;

GH: It absolutely is Robert! Good guess haha and my pick would be this 2014 Bruno Giacoso which I have had before and is very good.

RT: Love it. How about some Rosso&rsquo;s and Brunello&rsquo;s?

GH: Coming right up! My pick for Rosso di Montalcino would be 2016 Tassi and my Brunello di Montalcino pick would be 2008 Saldero.

RT: Wow those sound superb! Which brings us to super Tuscans?

GH: You know it does Robert! This is definitely the biggest category on the list. But my top two picks for super Tuscans would be 2011 Podere or the 2014 Corte Alla Flora

RT: Love it. And how about a California pick for our non-Italian drinkers?

GH: Oh I&rsquo;m gonna hit you with some personal favorites. The 2006 sine qua non &ldquo;shot in the dark&rdquo;, the 2014 Calera Pinot Noir, and they&rsquo;ve got a 2012 Harlan estate. Thank me later friends! &nbsp;

RT: Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Toscana. &nbsp;To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.&nbsp; If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists. Follow us on social media @CorkRules and @wineswithgrace

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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End

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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

Bertrand-Delespierre is a small family-owned winery in the heart of Champagne that focuses on sustainable and handcrafted winemaking practices. The founders, Xavier Bertrand and Jean-Sebastien Delespierre, have a passion for creating exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.

Grape the Wine Co.

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

MEET OUR SOMMELIER

Daniel
Posner

Related Episodes

#180

Grape the Wine Co.

About Daniel

Want to be a featured Sommelier?

MEET OUR SOMMELIER

Daniel Posner

Related Episodes

#180

Grape the Wine Co.

About Daniel

Want to be a featured Sommelier?

Daniel
Posner