3 Beers to Prepare Your Palate for Spring

With spring on the verge of springing, it’s time to prepare your palate for the warmer weather. Here are a few of our favorite spring beers for you to enjoy on the sunshiney days ahead. 

Hazy Little Thing 

The Hazy Little Thing is an excellent IPA for a spring day with juicy hops and silky malt. Giving it incredible flavor for any day of the week, but especially the warmer ones that make you want to get outside! 

Style: Indian Pale Ale 

ABV: 6.7%

Bitterness Units: 35

Jekyll Brewing Hop Dang Diggity 

HOP DANG DIGGITY is right with this beer! This Jekyll Brewing IPA is a full-bodied classic with a malty pine and sweet citrus balance perfect for the springtime. 

Style: Indian Pale Ale 

ABV: 6.7%

Goat Island Blood Orange Berliner Weisse 

Goat Island’s Blood Orange Berliner Weisse is a beautiful orange-to-pink beer that is refreshing and drinkable for a gorgeous warm spring day. Go ahead and indulge yourself – you deserve it!

Style: Berliner Weisse/Sour

Color: Pink/Orange

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: 5

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for the Wine Lover

Why buy roses when you can buy rosé? 

For the lover in your life who’s a wine lover, check out our Valentine’s Day gift guide. 

Classy Wine Glasses 

What wine lover doesn’t love a new beautiful set of wine glasses? There are lots of different types of wine glasses to choose from. Whether you select stemless, stemmed, colorful, or clear, your Valentine will love having a new serving method for their wine of choice. 

Electric Wine Opener

Give your Valentine the gift of making opening wine simpler. Gone are the days of manual corks. With an electric wine opener, all you have to do is place it on top of your wine bottle, push a button, and violà – your wine is ready to be served! 

Wine Decanter 

If your wine lover loves to host, then a wine decanter is a great gift idea. A wine decanter enhances the flavor of the wine by exposing it to fresh air and allowing it to breathe.  It also makes a great centerpiece for hosting! 

The Pale by Sacha Lichine 

If you’re looking to get your wine lover a bottle of wine for Valentine’s Day – look no further. If they’re a rosé fan, then a bottle of The Pale by Sacha Lichine is an excellent choice, and the beautiful pink bottle adds to the Valentine’s Day spirit. 

Chocolates for Pairing 

Last but not least, add in a few chocolates to pair with your wine lover’s gift. Maybe even create a basket with wine glasses, a bottle of wine, and a few chocolates? They will be sure to love it! 

Chocolate and Wine Pairings for Valentine’s Day

Who needs a Valentine when you have chocolate and wine? 😉 There’s truly no better duo than chocolate and wine.

Here are some of our favorite pairings for Valentine’s Day: 

Knudsen Vineyards Pinot Noir & Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Duet Hearts

Knudsen Vineyards’ fresh-faced Pinot noir is from the Dundee Hills of Oregon. Red raspberry, spiced cherry, and blood orange emerge from the glass, followed by gentle notes of cola paired perfectly with dark chocolate. To make the pairing even more romantic, grab a bag of Ghirardelli dark chocolate duet hearts! 

Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon & Godiva Dark Chocolate Cherry Cordials

Gran Reserva’s cabernet sauvignon has aromas of toasted cherry, cassis, cedar, blackberry, and slight hints of black pepper. Giving it a delicate and almost silky texture perfect for sipping with a pairing of dark chocolate cherry cordials. 

Unrated Cabernet Sauvignon & Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds

Unrated’s cabernet sauvignon is a deep, bold blend with flavors of dark berries and sweet tannins making it the perfect pairing with dark chocolate sea salt almonds this Valentine’s Day. 

3 Ways to Elevate Your Winter Sangria Recipes

Sangria is the perfect drink to enjoy during the summer and winter months. There are lots of different ways to serve sangria; it can be chilled or at room temperature, with white or red wine, and served with a variety of seasonal fruits. Check out these tips to help you elevate your winter sangria recipes this season.

Make Your Own Simple Syrup 

Making your own simple syrup is a great way to elevate your sangria recipe and control the sweetness of your drink. Your simple syrup can also be modified to the season you are enjoying sangria in. For example, for winter sangria, you can add cinnamon, cloves, and cozy spices. 

Winter sangria simple syrup recipe (serves 4 people): 

Ingredients: 

  • ½ cup water 
  • ½ cup sugar 
  • 2 cinnamon sticks 
  • 2 cloves 

Instructions: 

Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat, reduce to low heat for 3 minutes, let the syrup sit and cool to room temperature, add to sangria, and enjoy.  

Choose the Correct Wine 

When it comes to choosing wine for your winter sangria, it’s best to choose a mid-tier, light, and fruity wine. Red blends or Spanish wines typically pair well and compliment the fruits and simple syrup. Here are a few recommendations: 

  • Chloe Cabernet 
  • Gnarly Head Authentic Harvest Red Blend 
  • Bota Box Red Blend

Garnish With Winter Fruits 

There are lots of delicious winter fruits that you can choose from when garnishing and adding flavor to your sangria. Here are a few suggestions to elevate your sangria: 

  • Oranges 
  • Apples 
  • Cranberries 
  • Pears 
  • Pomegranates 

Winter Sangria Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle Josh Cellars Legacy Red Blend
  • 1 cup brandy
  • 2 cups cranberries
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 apple, cubed
  • 1 pear, cubed
  • 1 bottle sparkling apple cider, chilled
  • Homemade simple syrup recipe (see above) 

Instructions:

  1. Combine red wine, brandy, homemade simple syrup, fruit, and cinnamon sticks.  
  2. For best results, let sit covered in the refrigerator overnight. 
  3. Add sparkling cider before serving.
  4. Serve over ice or at room temperature. 
  5. Enjoy!