Christmas Cookie & Wine Pairings!

Traditions play a big role in making the holiday season so much fun! Here at Wilson Creek, we have a lot of fun with our traditional Wassail we enjoy every year. It’s definitely a crowd pleaser and very popular with our wine club family.

With Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve and many other reasons to gather with loved ones, having fun & fresh ideas are always a great compliment to those traditions.

Christmas Cookies are almost compulsory when it comes to the holiday season; one of America’s most popular traditions. Another very popular holiday tradition?… Wine, of course! So why not combine the two and make it that much more special!

Here are a few recipes that will delight your guest’s palates and warm their hearts.

SUGAR COOKIES with Vanilla Sparkling Wine or Brut Sparkling Wine

GINGERBREAD COOKIES with Angelica Cream Sherry or Wine Enthusiast Rated 90 Point Zinfandel

SNICKER DOODLE COOKIES with Wine Enthusiast Rated 91 Points & Editor’s Choice Meritage or Golden Jubilee

BUTTER COOKIES COOKIES with Chardonnay or Coconut Sparkling Wine

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES with VS Cabernet-Zinfandel or ZSM

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES with Decadencia Chocolate Port or Almond Sparkling Wine

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES with VS White Cabernet or Wine Enthusiast Rated 90 Points & Editor’s Choice GSM

CHOCOLATE THUMBPRINT COOKIES with Double-Dog Red or Rose Sparkling Wine

The great thing about traditions is that there is always room to make new ones. So while you’re enjoying the holidays with your loved ones, maybe try a few of these pairings and see if any are worthy of a new tradition.

We have a feeling you won’t be disappointed.

All of us at Wilson Creek Winery warmly wish you a Merry Christmas & a very Happy New Year!

We know how stressful the holidays can be, especially when you are the host. You want to be the Hostess with the Mostest, with that perfect Pinterest display! Our must have guide for choosing the perfect wines will leave you feeling confident for your crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving feast!

Rather than selecting one bottle of wine to compliment all of your dishes, we recommend getting a couple options. You have all of those flavors of tart cranberries, creamy mashed potatoes, brown sugared yams, stuffing with a combination of ingredients, white and dark meats, and you can’t forget that spiced pumpkin pie for dessert! As we always say, there are no wrong pairings. We believe that the best pairings are with the wines you enjoy drinking, but for Thanksgiving we recommend lighter bodied wine to compliment the flavors of your dishes.

Sparkling Wines

Bubbles are the perfect celebratory wine! As guests arrive serve Sparkling Wine to get everyone in the holiday spirit! Sparkling is also a great choice to enjoy with salty and cheesy appetizers. The bubbles cut through the salt to cleanse the palate leaving a refreshed feeling. We have 10 Sparkling Wines to choose from and any of them would be a great choice to get your holiday started.

If you plan to serve it with dinner, we recommend going with a dry sparkling such as Brut or Blanc de Blanc Sparkling.

White Wines

When selecting a white wine, think about pairing it with your lighter side dishes and salads. Try white wines with less oak and more flavors that are fruity and refreshing.

Viognier – Full-fruit-forward flavors of peach, green melon and hint of tangerine in the finish.

Roussanne – You’ll love this medium-body wine with exotic flavors of pear, melon, and herbal tea trickling into a citrus peel finish.

Golden Jubilee – The best traits of both a dry and sweet wine. The sweetness is tempered by tropical fruit aromas of mango, pineapple, and guava.

Sauvignon Blanc – Aromas of citrus, citrus blossom and ruby grapefruit followed by delicate fruit flavors of grapefruit and gooseberries.

Red Wines

Yes, Red wines are delicious with Turkey and not forbidden! You definitely want a lighter bodied red with moderate acidity to balance out the richness of your dishes.

Zinfandel  – Supple in flavor yet firm in structure with cascading layers of cherry, blackberry and raspberry.

Malbec – Clean, clear delicate fruit reminiscent of blackberries giving way to a medium bodied wine with jammy characteristics.

ZSM – (Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Malbec) The aromas are very distinctive highlighting Zinfandel’s spicy notes. Flavors of blackberry, plum oak spice and berry jam fill in the mid-palate.

Syrah – Aromas of sweet oak, cherry, and raspberry with flavors reminiscent of cherry, cedar, and spice gives way to a soft tannic finish.

Dessert Wines

Get dessert going with an after dinner celebration of sweet wines! Bubbly is also a great choice to pair with pie if your guests prefer something less sweet.

Moscato – This is a luscious wine! Flavors of honeydew melon, mandarin orange, and a touch of mint.

Decadencia – A fortified dessert wine made from century-old “Old Vine” Zinfandel with a touch of natural chocolate making it even more heavenly delicious.

Angelica Cream Sherry – A truly world-class Sherry. Fortified with brandy. Perfect for sipping by the fire after a long day. Serve room temperature and enjoy!

Make your Thanksgiving Display Pinterest Worthy with our Fall Dinnerware now available in the Tasting Room!

Wedding cakes are the traditional dessert at most weddings, but nowadays, brides and grooms are getting more creative with their tasty sweets they offer their guests. If you are serving an alternative to wedding cake, but want to carry on the sweet tradition of formally cutting the cake – and of course smashing each other with it for that perfect picture, the solution: A Cutting Cake!

What is a “cutting cake?” It’s a very small cake created for the bride and groom to participate in a tradition without spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on something they don’t actually want to serve for dessert. The cake is then whisked away to the kitchen to be wrapped up and put away in the fridge for the Bride and Groom to enjoy later that night or even the next day.

Then your guests can enjoy the tasty treat display you’ve always wanted!

Now we have another treat for you! We have put together our Top 20 favorite songs during the cake cutting to really sweeten up the moment!

1. Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé – Perfect Duet

2. Maroon 5 – Sugar

3. Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This

4. Kane Brown – Heaven

5. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud

6. Taylor Swift – Lover

7. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This

8. OneRepublic – Good Life

9. DNCE – Cake by the ocean

10. Bruno Mars – Marry You

11. Old Dominion – Make It Sweet

12. Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar On Me

13. Jack Johnson – Better Together

14. Sugarland – Stuck like Glue

15. Sara Bareilles – I Choose You

16. Maroon 5 – Girls Like You ft. Cardi B

17. Beyoncé – Love On Top

18. Flo Rida – Sugar

19. Beyoncé – XO

20. Dan + Shay – Speechless

#NationalWildlifeDay focusses on endangered species, preservation, and conservation efforts around the world. Zoos, aviaries and marine sanctuaries provide a variety of ways to get involved, so we want to share some information about our partnership with Global Conservation Force.

Global Conservation Force is dedicated to saving wildlife from extinction through education, anti-poaching and conservation efforts. It is the 11th hour for many species of wildlife and GCF is stepping in to make an impact working with local and international communities to pursue success in its missions.

Here are 2 new articles to read about their Anti-Poaching Units

Learn about the addition of horses to the Anti-Poaching Team

Learn more about their new Team of Puppies training to help track poachers

JOIN US FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL WILDLIFE GALA

Global Conservation Force is hosting their Annual Gala here at Wilson Creek on October 5th. Enjoy a beautiful evening celebrating wildlife protection and conservation efforts around the world. An evening of fine dining, live music, wine, live auction, and a short presentation by the GCF team providing updates on past, current, and future projects. More Information Here

With every purchase of our Special Labeled Global Conservation Force wine, you are supporting “front-line” wildlife conservation efforts to literally protect and defend rhino, elephant, giraffe, vultures, and many other species at risk. See below for a peek at our Wildlife Wines and a little info on the animal it helps protect.

Honey Badger Nectar ~ Almond Sparkling Wine

Honey Badgers are one of the most fierce creatures in Africa, yet they have a sweet tooth. The Ratel, as it is known in Afrikaans, has been known to take down lions and cobras. Although they are not commonly sought after by poachers, we like to symbolize the ferocity of the honey badger as we fight to protect other endangered species within their home range.

Brut But Elegant ~ Brut Sparkling Wine

Elephant tusks are highly sought after by poachers. The social history of ivory has created a deeply sentimental market that is devastating to the elephants of the world. We are currently losing an elephant every 8 hours to poachers. Global Conservation Force works alongside rangers fighting to protect elephants from extinction.

Rhino Crash Crush ~ Rosé Sparkling Wine

Rhinos around the world face the same challenges: poaching for the international rhino horn trade, habitat loss, and civil unrest. Only five species of rhinos remain in the world. Many cultures believe a rhino’s horn has medicinal properties or it is used a status symbol; however, rhino horn is composed of keratin, the same protein that composes human hair and fingernails.

Tall Blonde ~ Chardonnay

Giraffes also face challenges from civil unrest, and human encroachment on their habitat. The main causes of giraffe population decline are habitat degradation and poaching. The giraffe’s global population has declined more than 40% population decline in 15 years.

Old World Red ~ Cabernet Sauvignon

Vultures are natures ‘clean up crew’, ridding the environment of diseases on nearly every continent. Vultures serve as a barrier to prevent diseases from proliferating in dead animals and spreading. No other animal can perform this service quite like a vulture can. They are now the most threatened group of migratory birds on the planet.

Combo Pack ~ Get All 5 Wildlife Wines

Combo Packs are available if you want to collect them all! Get 18% off when purchasing all 5 bottles together (usually a $98.95 value)! Contribute to saving the honey badgers, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and vultures all with one purchase!

For more information on Global Conservation Force, visit their website at www.globalconservationforce.org.

Stay cool this Labor Day Weekend with a huge bowl of Watermelon Sangria! Our new Watermelon Sparkling is bursting with nostalgic mid-summer fruit flavors. A perfect accompaniment to sun-drenched days by the pool or a bbq with friends!

Today we raise a glass to National Mojito Day! We have created two refreshing wine mojito cocktails with unique summer combinations that you will be sippin on all season! Run to your kitchen and start prepping!

STRAWBERRY WINE MOJITO

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• Add the mint leaves, two lime wedges, and strawberries to a highball or collins glass. Use a muddler to gently muddle the mint, lime, and strawberries (but not too much as you don’t want to break apart the mint leaves).
• Add the two remaining lime wedges. Muddle gently to release the lime juice, again being careful not to smash the mint leaves and break them apart.
• Fill the glass with ice and pour the rum and White Cabernet directly over the ice. Top off each glass with club soda and stir just to combine. Serve garnished with a sprig of fresh mint, lime, strawberries, and a straw. Enjoy!

COCONUT WINE MOJITOS

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ounce white rum
• 2 ounces Coconut Sparkling
• 2 1/2 Limes
• Ice
• Bundle of Mint leaves
• Toasted Coconut flakes, if desired

DIRECTIONS

• Dip each glass in water and then roll in toasted coconut. Add 8 mint leaves and two lime wedges (from half of a lime) to a highball or collins glass. Use a muddler to gently muddle the mint and lime (but not too much as you don’t want to break apart the mint leaves).
• Add the rum, Coconut Sparkling, juice of 2 limes.
• Fill the glass with ice and pour the rum and Coconut Sparkling directly over the ice.  Serve garnished with a sprig of fresh mint and lime and a straw. Enjoy!

S’MORES SHOOTERS

Ingredients: 
• Marshmallow
• Graham crackers
• Dark chocolate bars
• 1 bottle of Decadencia

Directions: 
Toast a marshmallow and allow it to cool. Scoop out the center of the marshmallow, pour in your Decadencia, sprinkle on crushed graham crackers and add a mini chocolate bar!

Yea abs are great… but have you tried our donut and wine pairings?? These pairings will definitely Sprinkle your Donut, because National Doughnut Day is this Friday, June 7, 2019! Pick your favorite pairing and celebrate with us!

Make sure to snap a pic enjoying your favorite donut pairing with Wilson Creek Wine, tag us @wilson_creek_winery, and #wilsoncreekwinery #NationalDoughnutDay so we can share your posts on our Instagram Story!

EVERYTHING IS BETTER WITH DONUTS & WINE!

OLD FASHIONED & ALMOND SPARKLING WINE

The old-fashioned donut is less sweet than most, allowing you to pair this with a sweeter wine. Our Almond Sparkling has just a hint of pure almond added to bring out those nutty flavors that you never knew a plain glazed donut had. The bubbles cleansing your palate keeps you ready for that next bite! Ah, the circle of life.

CHOCOLATE FROSTED & 2014 CELLAR SELECT BARBERA – MOURVÈDRE

Barbera-Mourvèdre has flavors of plum, cherry, and spice with modest levels of tannin complimenting the light and airy donut with the right amount of chocolatey sweetness in the frosting. Talk about a well-balanced treat that leaves you wanting more!

JELLY FILLED & 2015 FAMILY RESERVE ZINFANDEL

The Zinfandel being the perfect balance of jam & pepper pairs great with a Jelly donut! The sweetness of the blackberry flavors complimenting the raspberry jelly and the pepper from the wine really cuts through the sweetness of the donut. It’s Zin-fully good!

DEVIL’S FOOD & 2017 CELLAR SELECT ZSM (Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Malbec)

The double deliciousness of the chocolate cake donut plus the chocolate frosting pairs well with the dark jammy fruit-forward flavors of the ZSM. Chocolate dipped berries rolled in alcohol… sign us up!

STRAWBERRY FROSTED & ROSÉ SPARKLING

These two are just so pretty together! I think we can just leave it at that, but we just have so much more to say about this delicious pairing  … Rosé Sparkling being the perfect balance of sweet & dry pairs great with a Strawberry Frosted Donut! The sweetness of the strawberry & melon flavors of the Rosé complimenting the strawberry frosting and the acid from the Rosé really cuts through the sugar of the frosting and sprinkles. We’re obsessed!

APPLE FRITTER & 2017 WINEMAKER’S SELECT MOSCATO

Moscato & Apple Fritters were made for each other! The dynamic flavors of honeydew melon, mandarin orange, and a touch of mint from the Moscato and the tart acidic apples with the caramelized buttery goodness from the fritter will have your taste buds singing Hakuna Moscato!!!

CRUMB GLAZE & 2016 WINEMAKER’S SELECT SYRAH (only a few cases left in the tasting room); also try it with the 2017 WINEMAKER’S SELECT SYRAH or 2015 FAMILY RESERVE SYRAH

The cinnamon glazed donut- flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and hints of toffee, go perfectly with those same flavors in the Syrah. The wine manages to enhance these warm flavors in the donut, rather than mask them. And despite the sweetness of the donut, the Syrah remains smooth and packs that delicious punch of cherry and sour plums on the palate, leaving you completely satisfied as is if you just finished an amazing pie on Thanksgiving!

MAPLE BAR & 2017 FAMILY RESERVE “YES DEAR” CHARDONNAY

The maple bar, with its underlying hints of vanilla, toffee, and butter, go perfectly with flavors of Vanilla & Sweet French Oak Spice, in the Chardonnay. The soft acids giving you those fruity flavors in the wine are the perfect balance to keep this flavor training going! A Chug- a Chug- a Chew- Chew!

HAPPY PAIRING!!!

We had to share this Peach Cobbler Cocktail for two reasons! National Peach Cobbler Day is on Saturday, recognizing the delicious dessert that originated during the 19th century! BONUS our Peach Sparkling is ONLY $10 right now for Wine Club Members! How perfect is that?! Grab a couple bottles and enjoy the weekend!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 peach
• 1 cup of Peach Sparkling Wine
• 2 ounces of Almond Sparkling Wine
• 2 ounces of peach vodka
• 1 cup of ice
• brown sugar (optional)
• cinnamon (optional)
• crushed graham crackers (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make your Brown Sugar Mixture. Mix a small amount of brown sugar, cinnamon, and crushed graham crackers and set aside.
2. Blend all ingredients except brown sugar mixture in blender until smooth.
3. Dip rim of glass with water.
4. Dip glass rim in the brown sugar mixture.
5. Pour in drink mixture.
6. Garnish with a sliced peach.

~ Go On. Celebrate!

Happy National Fruit Cocktail Day Everyone! Many of us have childhood memories of a dish of fruit cocktail served regularly with a meal… which now doesn’t sound so appetizing. I think we can all agree we prefer fresh fruit and as an adult, and alcohol is included. To celebrate this super fun day we are bringing you enough fun fruit cocktails to count as all of your fruit servings for today!

For starters, our fun fruit inspired Sparkling Wines are a great way to celebrate all on their own! Just add some fresh or frozen fruits to any of these sparkling wines for an easy and fun drinking cocktail!

Peach Bellini Sparkling, Orange Mimosa Sparkling, Coconut Sparkling, Sangria Sparkling (currently $10 all month for Wine Club), and our NEWEST Yuzu Lemon Sparkling Wine.

PS Rosie Wilson loves mixing the Peach and Orange Sparkling together!

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT INTO A WINE SLUSHY…. (WHO DOESN’T?!)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour your bottle of wine into a gallon ziplock bag set inside a dish then freeze overnight… wine doesn’t freeze solid so don’t be concerned if yours is a little slushy 
2. Slice up 1 cup chopped fruit of your choice.. strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or pineapple.
3. Add wine and fruit to a blender, then blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

NOW LET’S MOVE ONTO SOME WHITE SANGRIA!

1. Bottle of White Cabernet or Riesling
2. 1/2 cup Peach Sparkling
3. 1/4 cup Orange Sparkling
4. 1 orange sliced
5. 1 lemon sliced
6. 1 cup sliced strawberries
7. 1 cup raspberries

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix together all of the liquid ingredients.
2. Add in the fruit.  Let chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or up to 10 hours (unless wine was previously chilled)
3. Serve cold.

FINISH OFF WITH A RED SUMMER SANGRIA!

1. 2 bottles red wine, Barbera-Mourvedre or VS Cabernet Zinfandel
2. 2 cups strawberries
3. 20 oz can pineapple, including juice (chunks or slices)
4. 2 cups cranberry juice
5. 1 cup fresh blueberries
6. 2 large oranges, sliced into wedges (remove seeds)
7. 1 lemon sliced into wedges (remove seeds)
8. 1 lime sliced into wedges (remove seeds)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large 4 quart pitcher, pour the wine, strawberries, pineapples with their juice, and cranberry juice – mix well.
2. Squeeze the juice from the orange, lemon and lime wedges and toss in the wedges when done. Toss blueberries, stir.
3. Place sangria in fridge for several hours or overnight. When ready, pour over glass filled with ice, garnish with fresh berries and or fruit wedge. Enjoy!

– CHEERS