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Who is ready for some Football?!?

We definitely are, AND we have the Big Game Pairings to prove it!

Now, we know you all have been working so hard on the those New Year’s Resolutions and have been eating healthy, but let’s be honest with ourselves… we will ALL be benching those resolutions come Sunday! Super Bowl is the time to indulge in all of those delicious party foods and pair them with some of your favorite Wilson Creek Wines! So grab your favorite bottle, follow our pairing suggestions and watch the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs go head to head!

Along with the smorgasbord of food, don’t forget to treat yourself to a variety of wines too. Trust me the wine will not go to waste!

At kickoff, start with a mouth-watering plate of loaded nachos! The diverse flavors in these nachos will pair great with the soft and fruity flavors of our 2019 Tempranillo. If you’re more of an French Onion Dip person we have you covered! The sweet French oak aromas of our 2021 “Yes Dear” Chardonnay pair great with the caramelized onions in the dip. It wouldn’t be Super Bowl if there wasn’t a tray of buffalo wings out on the table! When it comes to something bold and spicy it is always a good idea to pair it with something light and on the sweeter side. That’s why we HIGHLY suggest pairing this fan favorite appetizer with a chilled glass of our White Cabernet.

During the game, the main dishes are usually passed around. As soon as those pulled pork sliders come out, pour yourself a glass of our 2020 Bourbon Barrel Zinfandel. The smokiness on the nose will compliment your favorite BBQ sauce. Another crowd pleaser is a piping hot pizza. This classic dish of melted cheese and various toppings calls for a red wine that will have you going back for another slice…and glass! We suggest pairing your favorite pizza with our 2020 GSM.

Towards the end of the game while you’re (hopefully) doing your victory dance don’t forget the dessert! You can’t go wrong with a classic platter of chocolate chip cookies. This is the perfect time to pop open a bottle of our award winning Almond Sparkling! The rich chocolate in the cookies pairs great with natural almond flavor of our most popular sparkling wine. Plus it’s time to celebrate another successful Super Bowl Sunday! 

Everyone have a safe and fun time!

A day for celebrating love is St. Valentine’s Day. Here in the U.S. St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14^th,  and is often marked by flowers, chocolate, and little candy hearts. I say forget it, celebrate St. Vincent’s Day January 22 instead. I think it’s a better holiday for celebration. St. Vincent is the patron saint of wine and winemakers, just think of the celebratory possibilities.

So, who wants to trade in the small sugar-heart-shaped Valentine candy with “Be Mine” stamped on one side for a bottle of wine?  Whether you’re toasting your ride-or-die Galentine, gathering your family around a cheese board, or cozying up for a date night with your sweetheart, we’ve got you covered.

Check out these perfect romantic wines and their pairings

Sparkling Wine

Instead of the normal boring Valentine’s lunch, choose a you get a four course-wine-paired meal. This meal can start with a tasty appetizer paired with a sparkling wine. Sparkling Rose is the quintessential Valentines’ Day wine.  From its romantic color to crisp and festival flavors, it sets the mood. Crisp, elegant, and flavorful  Wilson Creek sparkling Rose is refreshing and bursting with aromas and flavors reminiscent of strawberries and melons.  Pair this wine with a variety of cheeses or spicy Asian dishes. Chocolate-covered strawberries are an obvious choice with the sparkling Rose but if you have a yearning for a rich, and decadent dessert, share a molten chocolate cake with raspberry sauce.  

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Chardonnay

Keep the day light but still indulgent with a creamy, lightly sweet depth, Chardonnay. Chardonnays are a great choice for drinking alongside smooth or rich dishes. They often pair naturally with a variety of shellfish because of their soft oak and creamy profile. Our Yes Dear Chardonnay is buttery with aromas of vanilla and sweet French oak, making it a great complement to the sweet flavors and firm texture of shrimp, lobster, and scallops. Craving striped bass, crab, raw oysters? These along with broth-based soup create a perfect pairing for Chardonnay. As the name states, remember to always say “Yes Dear”.

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Red Wine

Red wine is perfect for setting a romantic mood for the perfect date night. Forget the chocolates instead receive a beautiful dessert sauterne. Who wants long stemmed red roses when you can celebrate with a long finished Petite Sirah?  Loved for its deep color and full-bodied flavors of blueberry, chocolate, plum and black pepper. Petite Sirah has high tannins which means you’ll want to match it up with a richer, more fatty food to create a balance. Try big and bold foods such as roasted pork, beef, aged Gouda or stuffed peppers.

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Dessert Wine

This week is the perfect excuse for eating sugary goodies and drinking wine! Choosing a special wine and perfectly paired treat can make your day truly unforgettable.  Have a romantic night sitting next to the fireplace and sip slowly while nibbling on dark chocolate truffles – a winning combination! Wilson Creek Decadencia is a fortified dessert wine make from century-old Zinfandel with a touch of natural chocolate added. Serve in a chocolate cup for extra decadence!

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Wine Cocktails

What about the perfect Valentine’s Day cocktail? Try a light white wine spritzer.  Not only is this valentine’s drink easy to make but, with the addition of raspberries, it turns pink to match the holiday.  Simply combine Riesling wine, sparkling water and Cointreau. Don’t forget to drop in some raspberries or strawberries. Looking for more unique ways to enjoy your wine, try one of our many  wine cocktail recipes.

Romantic Custom Wine Labels

Consider adding a personalized touch by opting for a bottle of wine with a custom label.  With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can create a truly memorable and unforgettable gift by downloading your favorite photo and adding meaningful words to it.  This thoughtful gesture is sure to be treasured for a long time.

Start Designing Your Own Label

Enjoy a Romantic Date

Why not plan a romantic day out and treat your special sweetheart to an unforgettable experience of wine tasting?  Not only is it a great way to spend time together, but it also offers the opportunity to discover new wines.  Plus, it makes for the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and create lasting memories together.

Whatever you decide to drink and eat on this special day, remember that the purpose is to experience new things with the ones you love.  Experimenting with different wines is a great way to dive into a newfound hobby or a tradition between you and your partner. No matter how you are choosing to celebrate, wine and love go together, just like you and your sweetheart.  Have a warm, happy Valentine’s Day!

These Cherry Heart Pies are such a fun and easy Valentine’s Day Dessert for your sweetheart or to even pass out as Valentine’s! We’ve also paired these with some of our wines at the bottom so let’s get to it!

CHERRY HEART PIES

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 box Refrigerated Pie Crust
• 11 oz Cherry Pie Filling
• 1 Egg
• 1 tbsp Milk
• White Sparkling Sugar or Powdered Sugar
• Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Using a 3 to 4″ heart shaped cookie cutter, you should get 8-10 pies from 1 box of crusts.
3. Cut as many shapes as you can get rerolling scraps as needed.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Mix together egg and milk to make an egg wash.
6. Place half of the hearts on prepared pan(s).
7. Use egg wash to wet the edges of the hearts.
8. Place a small amount of the pie filling in the center of each.
9. Make a small x cut in the center of the remaining half of the hearts.

• Place an x heart on top of each filled heart and press and crimp edges.
• Brush sealed pie with egg wash and dust with sparkling sugar.
• Bake for 14-16 minutes until crust is browned.
• Allow to cool.

White Wine Pairing: 2021 Roussanne

Red Wine Pairing: 2020 Family Reserve Zinfandel

February truly is the month of love! Whether you are celebrating Galantine’s Day or Valentines Day, Sparkling wine is always a must! It literally is the definition of Romance & Celebration in a bottle! Now, don’t worry about it pairing with foods, Sparkling Wine and Champagne are very food friendly.

We have the perfect drink to start your evening or end with a treat! Our Cotton Candy Rosé Cocktail is not only gorgeous on your table, it’s easy to make, smells like Cotton Candy & tastes like sweet strawberries & melon with a sugary twist. 

INGREDIENTS

1. 1/2 bottle of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur – chilled
2. 1 bottle of Wilson Creek Rosé Sparkling – chilled
3. Pink Cotton Candy
4. Edible Gold Hearts

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour half a bottle of St. Germain into your pitcher
2. Add in your bottle of Wilson Creek Rosé Sparkling and stir well; Chill until ready to serve
3. Then place your cotton candy on top of your champagne flutes
4. When it’s time to enjoy take their cotton candy flute and pour the Rosé cocktail over the cotton candy to make a beautiful pink drink
5. Sprinkle your edible gold hearts over the top for a beautiful pop of color and detail

Cheers To That!

The countdown to the New Year is officially on! Sparkling Wine cocktails are, of course, perfect for Christmas and also make the ideal New Year’s Eve cocktail. May we suggest our New Year’s Sparkler? It’s the loveliest, tastiest sparkling cocktail for either holiday…or both!