Posts Tagged ‘Wedding Wines’

Heavenly Hibiscus Royale cocktail

Part 1: Elegant, chic and reminiscent of 1950’s glamorous affair, champagne (or in this case, sparkling wine via Napa Valley) cocktails instantly makes your Bridal Shower Brunch a special soiree. Tie the venue, cuisine and personality of the bride-to-be with your designated luscious libation.

For example, if the couple is honeymooning in Hawaii the Hibiscus Royale is unique tribute to the getaway. Or if rose colours adorn the upcoming nuptials then that cocktail can showcase the tone of the upcoming festivities. Whatever way you go with your cocktail choosing, one thing is for sure, don’t miss the opportunity to pop a bottle of bubbles and cling your champagne flutes together in celebration of the soon-to-be-bride.

Below are some of my favourite sparkling cocktail recipes provided by Domaine Chandon, a Napa Valley Winery and one of the most romantic wineries featured in my book Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples. Chandon has brilliantly put together beautiful descriptors and charming concoctions that showcase their award-wining sparkling wines.

The Chandon Hibiscus Royale

Throughout history, flowers in winter have always been a luxury. This sparkling cocktail, made with edible hibiscus petals, lends a note of extravagance to any party. Hibiscus has been used to make herb teas for thousands of years, and is safe to mix with foods and beverages. A drop of rose water adds an extra floral note.

Ingredients

1 Hibiscus flower (wild hibiscus flowers in syrup). Made by the Wild Hibiscus Flower Company of Australia; available at Whole Foods.
½ tbsp syrup from the jar of wild hibiscus flowers
1 small drop of rose water
Chandon Blanc de Noirs

Instructions
Combine Hibiscus flower, syrup and rose water in a Champagne flute. Top with Chandon Blanc de Noirs and serve immediately. Suggested glassware: Champagne flute.

About Autumn

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.  Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

 

The East Bay Rocks! What’s not to love about the Oakland A’s, Lois the Pie Queen and urban wineries? Thank you East Bay Vintner’s Alliance and my buddy Rena Ramirez, at 6th Gen Media for getting me wise to what happens on the other side (of the Bay). As much as we adore Crushpad, we also heart the excellent urban wineries in the East Bay – maybe a little more under the radar but every bit as yummy. For a pittance you can get a PhD in East Bay vinology. I have always loved Rosenblum Cellars (and written about them in Here Comes the Guide), and Dashe Cellars, but I can’t wait to meet the rest of the crew at this hip urban collective.

To do list Saturday:

Get up, go to the gym/yoga/Peet’s Coffee
Grocery Shop
Liquid Lunch at East Bay Vintners Alliance!

Saturday, April 10th, 12 Noon

East Bay Vintner’s Alliance Presented by the East Bay Vintner’s Alliance (EBVA), this year’s “Passport to the East Bay Wine Trail” promises to enlighten the senses as twenty urban wineries- many that are not usually open to the public- will pour their wares at seven distinct tasting rooms located in Emeryville, Oakland and Alameda. This years participating wineries include Adams Point, Andrew Lane, Aubin Cellars, Blacksmith Cellars, Ceruitti Cellars, Dashe Cellars, Ehernberg Cellars, Eno Wines, Irish Monkey, JC Cellars, Periscope Cellars, Prospect 772, R&B Cellars, Rock Wall Wine Company, Rosenblum Cellars, Stage Left Cellars, Tayerle Wines, Two Mile, Urban Legend Cellars, and Urbano Cellars.

Tickets can be purchased for $30.00 in advance through www.eastbayvintners.com, or for $45.00 at the door on April 10, 2010. ($10 for designated drivers.)

Each ticket purchased ensures a wristband, which guarantees free access to each of the seven tasting rooms from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, an assortment of appetizers, and also a souvenir Reidel glass. ??Come one, come all and experience the undiscovered urban wine country right in your own back yard with the East Bay Vintner’s Alliance.

Excerpted from the East Bay Vintners Alliance Press Release.

Contact Rena Ramirez at 6th Generation Media: rramirez@6thgenmedia.com