This year Cinco de Mayo (one of our favorite holidays) happens to fall on our favorite day of the week — Taco Tuesday. It’s like the planets are all aligned for some sort of epic Cinco de Mayo Stay-at-Home Quarantine Party! And we’re ready, with an assortment of tequila recommendations and some can’t miss food pairings that will make your social distancing party one that you will remember for a long, long time!

Tequila — nectar of the Gods!

Skip those awful worm-in-bottom-of-the-bottle stories (that’s actually mezcal, not tequila). Real tequila is distilled from blue Weber agave and is exclusive to the Jalisco region of Mexico. The agava plant takes years to reach maturity—about a dozen to be exact—and is protected by thick leaves and razor-like thorns. To make tequila, the enormous heart of the agave plant is peeled, roasted and crushed to make a sweet juice that is fermented, distilled (often twice) and aged in bourbon casks.

There are actually three major categories of tequila: Blanco, Resposado and Añejo, with each having distinct differences in their production and flavor profiles.

Blanco - The purest flavor of tequila, this white tequila has been aged less than three months.

Reposado - Meaning “restful”, this type of tequila is aged or “rested” in white oak casks from 2 months to a year, giving it a mellow oak flavor combined with the flavor of the blue agave.

Añejo - A sipping tequila, Añejo is aged, in smaller batches, in white oak casks for over a year taking on the flavors of the wood, while mellowing the harshness of the alcohol.

How to drink your favorite tequila:
Blanco tequila is perfect for shots and is our recommendation for making the classic Margarita. Reposado and Añejo tequilas can be sipped like whiskies, enjoyed as shots, or used to create a truly decadent cocktail. 

Cinco de Mayo Food and Drink Essentials!

With your new-found tequila expertise it’s time to select the perfect tequila-pairing foods to really put your celebration into high gear. Obviously a Mexican spirit works best with Mexican foods and flavors, and there are so many options to choose from other than your basic taco. 

A few of our favorites:

Tacos - Blanco tequila works with fish tacos, Reposado for meatier tacos with beef or pork. 

Ceviche - perfect with Blanco tequila (which also happens to work with sushi if Mexican food is not your thing).

Grilled seafood - another great food partner with Blanco tequila.

Avocado - wonderful with Reposado tequila.

Grille Pork or Pork-filled Empanadas - serve with Reposado tequila.

Steak and Burgers - you can choose either Reposado or Añejo. Either way, you can’t go wrong. 

Chocolate - Añejo tequila, like other aged spirits, was practically made to pair with chocolate, both dark and milk varieties.


No Cinco de Mayo Party celebration is complete without Margaritas. Our recipe is wonderfully fresh, simply classic, and so refreshing. Choose the best quality Blanco Tequila you can afford to buy. A few of our favorites are:

1800 Tequila Silver   •   Avion Silver Premium Tequila   •   El Jimador Tequila Blanco

Classic Margarita (serves 2)

Ingredients

• Lime wedge, plus extra lime wedges for garnish
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt, for glass rims
• 4 ounces Blanco Tequila
• 2 ounces Cointreau
• 1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice
• Salt for rimming the glass

Directions

   1. Run lime wedge around the outer rims of glasses and dip rims in salt. Set aside.
   2. Combine combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds.
   3. Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into glasses. Garnish with lime, serve and enjoy!


Happy Cinco de Mayo — Cheers!
 

The latin  translation of "AIREM" is "Air". The air and the wild nature of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain, the  place where this Organic Premium Vodka is elaborated.

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Following artisanal methods, the Vodka made out of organic wheat gets filtered through millenarian peat coal from the valley of Padul, a small village by the mountains. 

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With the purest snow waters of Sierra Nevada the vodka its filtered several times to eliminate any possible impurity so the vodka gets its maximum pureness.

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The handcrafted copper stills attain the distillation process , delivering an exceptional vodka with the highest quality.

You’ve got your holiday list and if it’s anything like ours, it gets bigger every single year! But what about those unexpected guests who show up around the holidays — gift in hand — while you mentally sort through things in your house that could be wrapped up and re-gifted in a pinch? 

This year why not be prepared with special little gifts for last-minute guests, the guy at the parking garage you see every morning, the coffee barista who always gets your order right or your favorite manicurist? A good bottle of wine (really good, in fact), hand-selected by us, and each just $10 or less! Add one of our exclusive single bottle holiday gift boxes (so festive and pretty, you can skip the wrapping paper) and you’ve got an oh-so appropriate gift you’ll be proud to give and they’ll be thrilled to receive. 

We recommend:

Dozen Roses Red
This exceptionally easy-drinking Tempranillo from Spain is perfect for holiday entertaining and one of the smoothest reds we've ever tried (seriously like velvet in a glass). Plus the lush, rose-covered label is practically made for gifting. We've noted some incredible reactions when we've done samplings of this wine in our stores — people absolutely love it (really, really love it) and they are shocked to find it in our $10 & Under section, but it is. Pick this one up, you will not be disappointed.

Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery Shiraz
This is one of those great wine surprises, from a region not traditionally known for its wine production. A hidden gem from the heart of Rahovec Valley in Kosovo, a region with more than 2.000 years of winemaking, and passion you can taste in every bottle.  This full-bodied Shiraz has distinctive flavors of forest blueberries and blackberries, with a long, exotic finish. Out of the ordinary and definitely worth trying.

Eaglestone Winery Pinot Noir 
We love finding truly unique, hard-to-find wines and this is one of our absolute favorites. Before you say something like, “that’s not impossible to find, I’ve had Eaglestone before.” True, you may have had their California Cabernet or their Red Blends (both excellent, we might add), but their Pinot Noir is the unicorn of wines. Practically impossible to find, but we have it  and it’s AWESOME. Fabulous at $30 or more, but you can get this one direct from our $10 & Under collection! No joke.

Adega Grande Reserva Tinto
If you're looking to explore the wines of Portugal, this is a great one to start with. It's fruity, soft, easy drinking and just right for sipping in front of the fireplace, while admiring your Christmas tree. A surpisingly good wine, at an incredibly good price. 

80 Vinho Regional Alentejano
If you like a good red blend, you'll love this one. A soft, balanced mix of Aragonez, Trincadeira, and Castellan grapes from Portugal, it's a uniquely different wine than the typical red blends from California. A find at any price, a steal under $10.

It’s all in the presentation…
Forget gift bags, and don’t even think about trying to wrap a bottle of wine. Pick up a few of our exclusive holiday design gift boxes (two shown above), perfectly sized for holding a single bottle of wine and wonderfully festive without a stitch of wrapping paper! 

Simple — and affordable — gifts for anyone on your Christmas list. See our entire assortment of $10 & Under Wines at your neighborhood Wine Country or Wine & Whiskey Country Store! 

Cheers!
 

Halloween is just for children, right? It’s a time for dressing up as a princess, superhero or
ghoul and going to door-to-door in pursuit of all the candy your plastic pumpkin can hold.

But in recent years, something has happened to Halloween and it’s not just for kids anymore.
In fact some would say that Halloween has been hijacked by adults. And the data
supports it! According to DDB Worldwide, 13% of Americans between the ages of 18-44
claim that Halloween is their favorite holiday, helping to turn this once kid-focused day
into an $8 billion a year industry for young and old alike!

Adults are getting dressed up, we are going to Halloween parties and we are definitely in
the Halloween spirit. So, if you’re hosting a Halloween party, the right wines can help
maintain the spooky mood for the night. And, if you’ve been invited to attend a Halloween
bash, gifting your host or hostess with a Halloween-worthy wine tells them you’re more
than just a great guest…you’re a great guest who knows how to choose the perfect wine.

We’ve pulled together a few bloody good reds for adding the perfect spirit to your Halloween
festivities. Read on…if you dare:

Apothic Dark
Winemaker’s Notes: Seamlessly integrates flavors of blueberry and blackberry with enticing
notes of coffee and dark chocolate for a rich and smooth mouthfeel with layers of texture.

Why We Like It: This limited-edition offering takes everything people love about Apothic
Red and turns it up a notch. A spectacular, mouth-coating blend of zinfandel, merlot, sirrah
and cabernet, it’s incredibly complex and coats the mouth with velvety goodness.

Freakshow Cabernet
Winemaker’s Notes: This 4th incarnation has more of everything…more depth, more ripe
fruit, more pizazz! Nicely balanced with fruit (pomegranate) and oak (showing some
smoke). Warning—it's gulpable!

Why We Like It: If you like classic cabernets, you’ll love this one. No need to aerate, it’s
super smooth upon opening.

7 Deadly Zins
Winemaker’s Notes: Crushed berry, soft oak and cigar box notes create a fragrant appeal
that leaves you wanting more.

Why We Like It: Consistently good. A multi-dimensional, easy-drinking zinfandel that
never fails to please. Buy it for Halloween, but drink it all year long.

The Velvet Devil Merlot
Winemaker’s Notes: This little devil is wrapped in a velvet robe. Full with density and
bursting with flavor. Dark fruit, cherry, blackberry. Brimming with cedar, pipe tobacco and
earth. Truth in a name: Velvet.

Why We Like It: The perfect Halloween wine. As the name implies, it’s velvety smooth,
with bold fruit flavor. We’re partial to Washington state merlots and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Spellbound Petite Sirah
Winemaker’s Notes: Intensity of color, rich black and brambly fruits, vanilla bean and
roasting coffee aromatics are complemented by remarkable approachability.

Why We Like It: Full bodied, highly drinkable, superbly consistent. It’s one of those wines
you can count on to deliver each and every year.

These are a few of our favorites, but there are dozens of wines with spooky names or scary
labels that are still frightfully good enough to please the palates of vampires, ghouls, werewolves…
and the rest of your friends, too.

Visit your local Wine Country Store or Wine & Whiskey Country store and scare up some
bloody good wines for your Monster Mash.

Happy Halloween!

In addition to spending time with loved ones and pausing to reflect on what we are most thankful for, Thanksgiving is all about food. Lots and lots of food. The centerpiece may be the turkey, but it’s your recipes that make your Thanksgiving meal distinctly yours. A reflection of your family, your ancestry, even the region of the country where you are from.

And, all of those dishes need wine (because everything does, doesn’t it?). And there’s no better holiday-worthy wine than Dozen Roses (even the bottles seem dressed for the occasion). After all, holidays call for crowd-pleasing wines, the kind you’ll enjoy just as much as your Great Aunt Mabel and your niece just home on college break.  

Because, whether you choose the red, the white or the rosé, Dozen Roses Wine has the perfect hint of sweetness to work with roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, candied yams, glazed carrots, sweet potato souffle, and of course, homemade apple pie.

But don’t take our word for it, try our Easy Apple Pie recipe, paired with a perfectly chilled glass of Dozen Roses White Wine and get ready for compliments!

Easy Apple Pie

• Store-bought puff pastry pie crust

• 8-10 apples, cored, peeled and sliced (choose your favorite variety, we like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Braeburn)

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon flour

• 1 tsp. Cinnamon

• ½ tsp. Nutmeg

Preheat oven to 425ºF. Roll out dough if needed and place in bottom of pie pan.

Mix apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg in bowl and place in pie shell. Top with second pie crust. Crimp edges together and vent top of crust by making 4-5 slits in top of crust. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 425º for 35-40 minutes. Serve with a chilled glass of Dozen Roses White.

Cheers!

Looking for some colorful drinks to celebrate 4th of July in Style? Here are our top picks to give your holiday celebration some patriotic flair!

Dozen Roses Rosé Sparkler

• 5 ounces Dozen Roses Rosé
• Sliced Fresh Strawberries
• Fresh mint leaves
• San Pelligrino Sparkling Water or club soda

Place 2 tablespoons of fresh strawberries into bottom of wine glass and muddle into juicy pulp.

Fill glass with ice.

Add Dozen Roses Rosé until glass is 3/4 full. 

Top with sparkling water or club soda and add fresh mint leaves for garnish.


White Lady

• 2 oz. Dry Gin
• 1/2 oz. Cointreau
• 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, Cointreau and lemon juice.

Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.


Rockin' Royal Blue

• 1/4 cup cranberry juice cocktail
• 1 oz. Citron Vodka
• 1 oz. Blue Curaco
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Granulated sugar & lime wedge

Sprinkle sugar onto plate. Moisten rim of chilled martini glass with lime wedge and dip moistened rim into the sugar to coat lightly.

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add cranberry juice, vodka, curacao and lime juice; cover and shake. Strain into martini glass.


Whether you’re celebrating at the pool, beach, lake or right in the comfort of your air-conditioned home, they cocktails are easy to make — and easier to drink — so you’ll definitely want to try them all!

Cheers!

It’s officially weddings season! For the brides, grooms, parents and other loved ones who are happily planning for their version of “wedding of the year,” it can be a daunting task. Finding the perfect venue, gorgeous flowers and a mouthwatering menu that will have your guests talking for months is hard enough, but then you have to choose the wine! And, that can be very difficult.

Until now. Introducing Dozen Roses Wine — in white, red and rosé varietals — beautiful-tasting wines in equally beautiful bottles. Bottles pretty enough to take a place of honor at the table on your most special of days.

Crowd-pleasing, semi dulce wines that that are big on taste — small on cost and with white, red and rosé varietals, there’s an option for every course, every menu item, every wine drinker at your wedding. 

Dozen Roses White: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Semi-Dulce

Selecting only the best grapes from the harvest, then gently crushing and destemming, results in first class“free-run” juice. Fermentation, at low temperatures, facilitates a slow sugar consumption and brings out the best aromas and qualities of the varietal. By stopping the wine from complete fermentation, the winemakers preserve a delicate balance of light sweetness that is heaven with every sip.

The result is an ultra-smooth, easy-drinking white that’s best served chilled with your favorite food and your favorite people. Universally appealing, what we call a “crowd pleasing” white. Love from first taste to last.

Dozen Roses Red: 100% Tempranillo
Semi-Dulce

Harvested at the peak of maturation, gently crushed and destemmed, this lush, round fruity red is fermented and pumped over in stainless steel tanks. By carefully monitoring temperatures, the winemakers extract the maximum amount of flavor, color, and inherently rich qualities of the Tempranillo grape, with just the slightest hint of sweetness.

A wine for pairing with food and sharing with the people you love. Unpretentious, friendly,
incredibly smooth, without even a hint of bitterness or bite, get ready to fall in love.

Dozen Roses Rosé: 100% Tempranillo
Semi-Dulce

Through careful monitoring in the vineyard, the grapes are harvested at the optimal point of maturation. After crushing and destemming, the grapes are stored in stainless steel tanks, maintaining a maceration of several hours, giving the wine its rose-pink hue. Low-temperature fermenting ensures a greater extraction of flavors, while the mouth-pleasing fruitiness is a result of knowing exactly when to stop the fermentation process to maintain its pleasant sweetness.

A wine that is made for dining al fresco, or enjoying a sunset with nothing but a wine glass and someone you love. Like summer in a bottle, you can practically taste the warm Spanish sunshine with every sip.

Of course, before you commit—to the wines that is—you really need to sample. That’s where your local Wine Country or Wine & Whiskey Country Store come in. They’re the first in New Jersey to carry Dozen Roses Wine and they’re more than willing to let you take a taste or two. Because once you do, they know you’ll want to Share the Love by making it a part of your once-in-a-lifetime day. 
 

 
Dads come in all shapes and sizes and all different personalities from Relaxed to Sporty, Fun-loving to Serious. And, every dad has a drink of choice that fits his personality to a tee.

Before you disappoint Dad with a necktie this Father’s Day, get him a Gift Box Pro gift box filled with his “spirit animal” beverage. He’ll love it, you’ll become his favorite child.

Has your Dad perfected the fine art of relaxing? Is watching the big game from the comfort of his easy chair his idea of a great day? If so, he’s a Relaxed Dad!

Just for him…

Bourbon Lover Dad Gift Box
For that whisky-loving, TV watching kind of dad, a trio of top selling American whiskies to sip with a remote in one hand, a tumbler in the other. Nothing more, because for a whiskey-lover, nothing more is necessary. 
• Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey - Deep butterscotch and vanilla notes, hints of caramel and dried fruit with a ripened fruit finish.
• Basil Hayden Bourbon Whiskey - Spicy and light-bodied with a gentle bite and a dry, clean, brief finish. 
• Clyde May's Special Reserve Alabama Style Whiskey 110 Proof - Limited edition, ultra smooth whiskey with hints of dried apple on the nose and finish. 
Three distinct interpretations, three incredible whiskies.


Does your Dad like being outdoors & active more than anything? Does he play sports, camp, fish, hike, or chop down trees? Sounds like he’s a Sporty Dad!
Just for him…

Dad You're The Best Sam Adams Seasonal Beer Crate
Does your dad love beer? Your search for the perfect gift ends now. A reusable wooden crate, packed to capacity with an assortment of six seasonal beers from Sam Adams. And since Man does not live by beer alone, we've even included some beer-lover games accessories that will make him smile long after the beer is just a fond memory.


Is your Dad the life of the party? Is he more likely to crack a joke than to discuss the merits of that award-winning foreign film? Sounds like he’s a fun-loving Dady.
Just for him…

Dads Clyde May's Deluxe Gift Box
It's what you get when you combine a serious whiskey, with a whole lot of fun! It's a gift any Dad would love to receive — starting with the exclusive "just for Dads" gift box that's perfect for Father's Day, Dad's birthday, or when you need to get him a little something just for being such a great Dad! Inside, a bottle of Clyde Mays Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a real whiskey-lover's choice if ever we saw one. And, so Dad has something to remember your gift by (after the whiskey is just a fond memory, that is), we've chosen an assortment of fun little extras that will put you straight on his "favorite kid" list. 

Does your Dad read the financial page before breakfast? Does he get excited planning a project that will take all weekend? Is he wearing a tie… right now? You have yourself a Serious Dad!
Just for him…

Our Dad  Gift French Wine Gift Box
Two fabulous French reds that Dad will love sharing with his wine-loving friends and a wheel of epoisse cheese direct from France.
• Chateau Haut-Goujon La Rose Saint Vincent - Notes of ripe fruit and a lingering peppery, spiciness give it freshness; a subtle woodiness and a harmonious structure make this a very elegant, fruity wine.
• Chateau Haut Gravet La Croix Fourche Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Red - This one exceeds its reputation. Savor with a great meal. If you have a decanter, use it, this wine needs time to open up, but your tastebuds will thank you.


Whatever type of Dad you have—or you are—all of us at Wine Country wish you a very Happy Father’s Day!

Cheers!

The weather is warming up and that can only mean one thing…it’s BBQ season! A time for healthy grilling, dining outdoors and of course, great wine! But, what wine should you serve with your favorite BBQ fare?

It depends. Certain wines blend beautifully with burgers, but horribly with grilled fish, so it all comes down to the right pairings.

But, don’t worry about making the wrong choice—we’ll take the guesswork out and give you some great tips on which wines to pair with the most popular BBQ foods.

Burgers & Malbec
Take the all-time American grilling favorite and pair it with the National Grape of Argentina!
Argentinian Malbecs are renowned for their dark fruit flavors and smoky finish. And, if you’re looking for an alternative to higher priced Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this is it. Big juicy burgers are the perfect food for Malbec. And, if the weather is really hot, don’t be afraid to pop your Malbec in the fridge to add a bit of chill—despite what wine snobs might say, red wine needs to be served cooler in hot weather.

We Recommend: King Malbec, Maipe Malbec Reserve Mendoza, and Achaval-Ferrer Malbec.

Sausage & Zinfandel
Sure opposites attract, but sometimes the very best pairings are those that are alike.
With its unique taste, deep dark color and sometimes off-the-charts alcohol content—Zinfandels pack a real punch, with fruit-driven aromas and flavors of berries, black pepper, spice and sometimes even with a hint of chocolate or citrus. Add a spicy grilled sausage to the mix and you’ve found “foodie nirvana.”

We Recommend: Predator Old Vine Zinfandel, 1000 Stories Bourbon-Aged Zinfandel, and Bogle Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel

Portobello Mushrooms & Pinot Noir
You don’t have to grill meat to enjoy a good BBQ and we’ve got the perfect wine to go with that meatiest of all veggies…the mushroom!
Sensuous and silky, Pinot Noir’s enticing sometimes earthy perfume is practically made to pair with mushrooms. Intensely flavored, complex, with incredible longevity—it’s a wine meant to pair with food and since it’s lighter than heavier Cabernets, Pinot Noir  won’t overshadow your meal.

We Recommend: Joel Gott Pinot Noir, Decoy Pinot Noir, and Gloria Ferrer Etesian Pinot Noir

Chicken & Rosé
There’s lots of reasons why Rosé appreciation is on the rise and one is it’s ability to pair with classic summer foods.
Rosé is the absolute perfect hot-weather wine. Poolside, al fresco dining, beach picnics, no wine is a better choice for summer than rosé. Now, add some grilled chicken with your favorite dry rub or tangy BBQ sauce and you have the makings for a memorable summertime feast.

We Recommend: Estesian Pinot Noir Rosé, Crios Rosé of Malbec, Breezette Rosé

Seafood & Chardonnay
Hotter weather sometimes calls for lighter foods and wines and few combinations are lighter and more refreshing than fresh fish and chilled Chardonnay!
One of the few white wines that gets better with age, some Chardonnays won’t reach their peak of flavor for five to eight years. The aging process, done mostly in oak barrels, give buttery and toasty flavors to the wine and a crispness that really enhances the flavor of your favorite grilled seafood.

We Recommend: J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay, Hess Napa Valley Collection Chardonnay,  and Butter California Chardonnay

One last thing about BBQs…
For many, BBQs are a natural setting for bringing out the beer—and with good reason. The carbonation, acidity and coldness of beer acts as a natural palate cleanser. But, fear not, wine lovers you too can experience that same palate-cleansing effect, that same freshness.

How you ask? Sparkling wine. It’s bubbly, it’s cold, it’s the perfect effervescent beverage to kick off a season of outdoor dining, warm nights and good wine.

We Recommend: Contessa Annalisa Lambrusco Rose, and Cantina Montelliana Prosecco


So, cheers to the unofficial start of summer and to a season full of perfect wine and BBQ pairings!

Chardonnay is among the world’s most popular white wines. So popular, in fact, that we celebrate National Chardonnay Day each year on May 24th.

Paired with food or all on its own, Chardonnay is a great wine 12 months a year. While heavier reds can be tough in the heat of summer, Chardonnay knows no season. As comfortable with grilled chicken at a BBQ or turkey at Thanksgiving, Chardonnay is a wine for all seasons and all reasons.

Chardonnay is one of the few whites that actually gets better with age, in fact some Chardonnays won’t reach their peak of flavor for five to eight years after bottling.

But, one of the things that really gets people going about Chardonnay is its “dual-personality” — some chardonnays are crisp, fruity and bright, while others are creamy, buttery and oaky. It’s like they are two entirely different wines. But they’re both Chardonnay. Interesting, right?

Simply put, it’s all in how it’s aged. During the fermentation process, essential to all wines, the barrel that the wine is fermented in has a huge impact on the flavor of the wine.

Steel-aged Chardonnays tend to be fruiter, with lots of bright apple and citrus flavors. You’ll find many European Chardonnays are steel-aged, but there’s one from California that we really like and there’s not a hint of oak in it (not even in its name): Tolosa No Oak Chardonnay.

American Chardonnays are almost exclusively oaked and usually have a rich creaminess their European counterparts do not. Oak-aged Chardonnays are less fruit-forward, and are often described as “buttery.” Some oaked Chardonnays are aged elsewhere and then stored in oak barrels, resulting in a wine that is less oaky than those that are both aged and fermented in oak barrels.

Nothing makes us happier than a “butter bomb” chardonnay and one of our absolute favorites is California Wine Project Chardonnay. It’s smooth, creamy, imminently satisfying and did we mention it’s just $10 a bottle! Don’t miss it!

Whether you like your Chardonnay with or without oak, be sure to have your favorite bottle ready to toast on National Chardonnay Day! 

Cheers!

Who doesn’t LOVE a Mimosa? One part champagne, one part citrus juice, all parts FABULOUS! So fabulous, in fact, that there’s even a day set aside for celebrating this fabled cocktail: National Mimosa Day, celebrated each year on May 16th.

With roots that can be traced back to the Hotel Ritz Paris in the mid 1920s, Mimosa are a staple at brunches, weddings, and with the “ladies who lunch” crowd. 

While we adore the classic Mimosa - a 50/50 mix of sparkling wine and orange juice, served chilled in a tall champagne flute, there are some creative — and delicious — variations that are definitely worth a taste, including a few of our favorites:


Vodka Mimosa (a.k.a. the Champagne Screw)

1/3 Vodka
1/3 Orange Juice
1/3 Chilled Champagne

Pour in glass and garnish with fresh fruit.


Strawberry Mimosa

1 Bottle of Brut Champagne
1/2 Cup Fresh Strawberries
2 Teaspoons Strawberry Juice/Smoothie
Strawberries for Garnish

In a separate container, crush and muddle the strawberries until pureed and then add to a champagne glass. Add strawberry juice/smoothie for added sweetness. 

Fill the rest of the glass with champagne and use the strawberries for garnish.


Cherry Kiss Mimosa

1 Cup Pineapple Juice
1/4 Cup Maraschino Cherry Juice
1 Bottle Champagne
Orange slices, for garnish

Combine pineapple juice and maraschino cherry juice in champagne flutes. Top with champagne and garnish with orange slice.


Pomegranate Mimosa

1 Cup Sweetened Pomegranate Juice
1 Bottle Champagne
Pomegranate Seeds, for garnish

Pour pomegranate juice into a champagne flute, top with champagne and garnish with pomegranate seeds.


Whether you like your Mimosas straight up classic, or with a fresh new twist, they’re easy to make — and easier to drink — so you’ll definitely want to try them all!

Cheers! 

Sure flowers are pretty for Mother’s Day, but what Mom wouldn’t be a whole lot happier with a “bouquet” of a dozen Rosés instead? Beautiful pastel colors, light, refreshing and as necessary for summer as sunscreen and barbecues. 

Lighter and fresher than heavy reds, but with a tinge of color that gives it more personality than white, Rosé wine is actually made when red grapes are lightly crushed and left to soak with their red skins. The longer the skins sit in the wine, anywhere from a few hours to a few days, the “pinker” the finished wine will be and the stronger the tannic characteristics will develop.

Rosé wines are meant to be enjoyed right away, usually within 2-3 years after the label date. And, since they are made from many grape varietals, which can include: Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carigan, Mourvèdre, and Sangiovese to name a few, you’ll be able to find rosé wines that span the taste scale from quite dry to refreshing and fruity. Basically, there’s a Rosé for every taste.

The absolute perfect warm-weather wine. Poolside, al fresco dining, beach picnics, no wine is a better choice for summer than Rosé. And, because they are relatively inexpensive to make and don’t require aging, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a greater value than Rosé wine, so they’re typically as kind to your wallet as they are to your tastebuds.

There are so many Rosé wines available, it can be confusing to know which ones to try, so we’ve pulled together some of our favorites so you can gift your Mom with a Dozen Rosés she’ll absolutely savor… plus, buy any two bottles of wine and get one of our exclusive “Mom” or “Dozen Roses” gift boxes!


Montes Cherub Rosé of Syrah

Why We Like It:
Intense aromas of fresh red fruits, lead to a smooth finish.  Perfect with sushi or other seafood. And the label is pretty awesome, too!


Etesain Pinot Noir Rosé

Why We Like It:

Big and creamy, with tons of strawberry and cherry flavors, but you don’t care about that, you just want a really great Rosé that pairs with all of your favorite foods… well this is it.


Crios Rosé Of Malbec

Why We Like It:

They had us at Malbec — and a rosé version for warmer weather? Sign us up. Great with Chinese take out, make sure you let it breathe a bit before drinking. 


Charles Smith Sangiovese Vino Rosé

Why We Like It:

Washington State winemaker, Charles Smith has a no-nonsense approach we really like. This mouth-watering Rosé has the added bonus of a screw-top cap so there’s no need to bring your wine opener when you’re enjoying it on the beach.


Decoy Rosé - Estate Syrah & Pinot Noir

Why We Like It:

The debut Rosé offering from the premiere vineyard which produces Duckhorn Wines, it’s a truly elegant Rosé in every sense of the word. Vibrantly fruity, beautifully poised, a mix of two outstanding grape varietals.


Flowers Pinot Noir Rosé

Why We Like It:

Another Rosé option for the discriminating wine lover, Flowers version has a brilliant coral hue, aromas of strawberry, grapefruit and rose petals and wonderful complexity.  


Matua Valley Pinot Noir Rosé

Why We Like It:

The first thing you'll notice is the color — somewhere between blush and bubble gum – and it just gets better from there. Really.


Seaglass Rosé - Pinot Noir & Syrah Rosé

Why We Like It:

Got an invite to your friend’s beach house? Bring this one and ensure you’ll be invited back. It’s bright and juicy and everything you want in a summer wine. 


Breezette - Cinsault, Grenache & Mourvedre

Why We Like It:

When we think about Rosé our first thought is always the Rosés from Provence and this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s pale salmon hued blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Mourvedre is in a word: exceptional. 


Hess Rosé - Syrah & Petite Syrah

Why We Like It:

We can’t think of a better varietal blending than Syrah and Petite Sirah. They perfectly complement and enhance each other, resulting in a wine that’s smooth and just fruity enough.


Ferrari-Carano Dry Sangiovese Rosé

Why We Like It:

Don’t like sweeter wines? This California Rosé is dry and fragrant, with refreshing fruit balanced by the perfect level of acidity and an elegant finish.


Juliette Rosé - Grenache & Syrah

Why We Like It:

It works with some of the toughest wine-pairing foods we know — spicy Thai, Indian curry, Tex Mex, even pizza.


There you have it… a dozen Rosés guaranteed to make you the favorite kid this Mother’s Day. Pick up the entire dozen, or just one or two, at your neighborhood Wine Country or Wine & Whiskey Country Store.

And, don’t forget, buy any two bottles and we’ll give you a FREE “Mom” or “Dozen Roses” gift box — so pretty you can skip the wrapping paper.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Wine Country Stores!










 

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the Grand Opening of our brand new location at 124 Maple Avenue, in South Plainfield such an incredible success!

Special thanks to:

• Mayor Anesh and Members of the South Plainfield City Council for being on hand for our official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
• Our incredible customers — both old and new — for stopping in and helping us achieve a banner sales day.
• The many local business leaders for visiting and showing their support.
• Our new neighbors, Ciccio’s Pizza for donating delicious pizza and zeppolis, and Dunkin’ Donuts for the donuts provided for our customers to enjoy.
• Our partner vendors for organizing all-day wine and spirit tastings.
• The most enthusiastic, knowledgeable, professional staff, who helped customers and made expert recommendations throughout the day.

To keep the celebration going, we’ll continue to honor our Grand Opening Sale prices through Sunday, May 6th with 25% OFF every 750ml bottle of wine and 10% OFF all spirits*!

We’re proud to be a part of the South Plainfield community and look forward to being your source for the best selection, pricing and service when you need wine, spirits, beer and even great gifts that you won’t find anywhere else!

Cheers!

Scott Maybaum
President, Wine Country Management

*Excludes sale items.

1. 25% OFF* All 750ml Bottles of Wine

You read that right — 25% OFF every 750 bottle of wine — making it the perfect time to replenish your wine stock, try something new, or splurge on that high-end wine you’ve been dying to buy.

A few of our TOP PICKS:

Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc -  A “treat yourself” wine you need to try, this rich and elegant Sauvignon Blanc is blended with Sémillon for added depth and complexity.  

Breezette Rosé - When we think about Rosé our first thought is always the Rosés from Provence and this one doesn’t disappoint. A pale salmon-hued blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Mourvedre is in a word: exceptional.

Luca Paretti Lovo Prosecco - The hint of fresh fruit and crispness of this effervescent, sparkling wine from Italy makes it ideal for enhancing light summer foods. Bubbly, crisp and so refreshing.

Lolea Sangria - Handcrafted all-natural sangria, in cute polka dot bottles, is perfectly refreshing for parties and available in red, white and rosé varieties. Chilled, fruity, the stuff of celebrations!  

2. 10% OFF* all Spirits

Whether you’re a vodka lover, whiskey aficionado, gin drinker, or all of the above, now is the time to stock up on the spirits you will need to get you ready for a season of cocktail-worthy good times.

A few of our TOP PICKS:

Prohibition Distillery Bootlegger 21 New York Vodka - Not your ordinary vodka, this organic micro distillery vodka from New York is incredibly smooth (one of the smoothest vodkas we’ve ever tried). Hard-to-find, but we have it!

Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky - Looking to try something new? Here’s a whisky you’ll love. Mellow vanilla, with spicy hints. It’s amazing on the rocks or sipped neat.

Dad’s Hat Rye Whiskey - Spicy with a dry finish – not as sweet as bourbon and without the smoky finish found with most scotch whiskies. Should be part of any whiskey collection.
   
3. In-Store Wine & Beer Tastings

We’ll be pouring, you’ll be tasting — all day long! Perfect sips of private-label, best-sellers, and hard-to-find wines, and our favorite craft and microbrew beers.   Plus, our Wine and Beer Pros are always ready, willing and able to help you find the newest, the best, the tastiest items around!


4. FREE Giveaways

Fun gifts, wine and beer accessories and more. All day long and all FREE!   

5. A 1st Look at the Best Wine & Spirit Store in the Area

Bigger and better than we were before, with an expanded selection of the products you asked us to stock and prices that you won’t be able to resist.  Our Wine, Beer and Spirit Pros can help you find the items you are looking for or recommend things we know you’ll come to love. Plus, we have an exclusive collection of gift boxes and baskets for every occasion!


Join us on Saturday, April 28th at 1:00PM for the official ribbon cutting at our brand new location at 124 Maple Avenue in Lakeview Plaza!  Then enjoy special savings, free giveaways, and tastings all day long!

See you then!


*Excludes sale items.




 

Face it. The neighborhood Book Club thing has been done to death. And Bunco? Don’t even get us started. But a Wine Club — a way to share your love of wine (and learn about it), while hanging out with your friends? That sounds like something worth spending a Thursday night doing.

What You’ll Need to Get Started:
• Friends
• Wine
• A Place to Host

Pretty simple, right?

Friends - Put out an All Points Bulletin for friends who enjoy wine. Post on your Facebook page, on your Office Intranet site, do a group text, you’ll be AMAZED at how many people respond when the word “wine” is included.

Wine - The point of a Wine Club is not to spend a fortune, it’s to learn about wine and enjoy doing it with the people you care about. Read up, look for that unknown wine that will blow your friends away (we’ll get to some recommendations later). A Wine Club is not the time to pull out those bottles that can be found anywhere.

A Place to Host - The best place for a Wine Club meeting is in someone’s home. There are no time restrictions, cover charges, or costly food obligations. We always like to do a rotating hosting schedule, so everyone gets a turn to play host. Don’t have a place to host when it’s your turn? Offer to provide the cheese and crackers for someone else to play host on your behalf! 

Now that the basics are covered, it’s time to put your own personal stamp on things. Assign a theme for each night that will make things interesting and help expand the groups’ knowledge and appreciation of wine.

Category Suggestion: $10 & Under Wines

Resist the urge to go for something safe. Yes, Apothic Red is a real crowd pleaser, but just about everyone has tried it. Think outside the box (or in this case outside the bottle) and bring something that most people have never tried. 

Our “can’t miss” recommendation: California Wine Project

Four different varietals to choose from - Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. Whichever one you select, you will not be disappointed. Incredibly smooth, incredibly flavorful wines that come to us exclusively from one of Napa's most recognizable vineyards (but that's our little secret). Our favorites are the Chardonnay and the Cabernet. One sip, you’ll be hooked.

Category Suggestion: Something That’s Nearly Impossible to Find

One of the best things about starting a wine club is discovering wines you (and your friends) may never have tried before. 

Our “can’t miss” recommendation: Eaglestone Winery Pinot Noir

Before you say something like, “that’s not impossible to find, I’ve had Eaglestone before.” True, you may have had their Cabernet or their Red Blends (both excellent, we might add), but their Pinot Noir is the unicorn of wines. Go ahead and Google it. Go on,we’ll wait…

You couldn’t find it, could you? Not even on Eaglestone’s own website. BUT WE HAVE IT (don’t ask).  And it’s AWESOME. Fabulous at $30 or more, but you can get this one direct from our $10 & Under collection! No joke.


Category Suggestion: Something Truly Unique

Select a wine that’s whiskey-bottle aged (for an intensely different flavor profile). Bring a bottle of bubbly, dry, deep red Lambrusco — a colorful alternative to golden sparkling wines. Or break away from the California wine rut and bring a bottle from a place your friends won’t expect

Our “can’t miss” recommendation: Something kosher

Yes, kosher. Some of the hottest new wines are hailing from Israel. And, if you haven’t tried kosher wines before, you really don’t know what you are missing. Old World Style, amazing varietals, today’s kosher wines are a must-try for any wine lover. Try the Cabernet Franc from Alexander Winery, you won’t be disappointed.


Category Suggestion: Rosé All the Way

The fastest growing wine varietal in the United States, rosé is the new favorite wine and an absolute must-drink from Spring to Fall! With so many incredible rosé wines to choose from running the spectrum from blush to magenta, super dry to slightly sweet, there is a rosé wine to suit every taste

Our “can’t miss” recommendation: Dozen Roses Rosé

Not your typical French rosé, this one hails from Portugal and it's sublime. Exceptionally easy drinking 100% tempranillo, with the palest pink hue, it's light and refreshing with just the slightest hint of sweetness in the finish. Like capturing summer in a glass!

One last thing…

While it isn’t necessary to have a prize for the favorite wine of the night, it certainly adds an extra special touch. We suggest a gift of — you guessed it, Wine! 

Pick up one of the special “congratulations” gift boxes from Gift Box Pros, add a bottle or two of your favorite wines, some novelty wine glasses, openers, whatever — or get a pre-made gift box as the evening’s award and cement yourself as the “World’s Best Wine Club Host.”

Cheers!