May 15
Posted in:
Bon Vivant, Champagne, Drink Well, Entertaining, Event Planning, Events, Helpful Hints, Porch wine, Rosé, Seasonal Sips, Tried and Trues, Wine Recommendations, Winemakers, Wineries and Vineyards
I recently chatted with Rob Mondavi IV, 4th Generation winemaker, from his beautiful waterfront home in Beaufort, South Carolina. He had some great tips for outdoor entertaining as we come into the summertime entertaining season.
Mondavi pulls inspiration from California wine country, Europe, South America and Southern Coastal traditions, but his tips work well no matter where you live!
Check out some of his outdoor entertaining tips below and click here to see the full interview!
- Green & Eco-friendly are trends that are easy to incorporate. Mondavi recommends recycled materials with longevity like Trex decking materials.
- Make sure your guests have a place to set their drinks- you can even incorporate a cocktail rail into decking! Alternatively, set out cocktail tables or garden stools.
- Plan intimate events, bigger isn’t always better.
- Serve Bubbly! “It can mark a moment at the party.”
- When it comes to food, focus on farm to table and sourcing local, fresh products. I love visiting Eastern Market and Union Market in DC to pick up local, fresh ingredients.
- Mondavi’s go to porch wine: Chardonnay! Aromatic whites and dry Rosés are also great options that are trending.
What are some of your favorite outdoor entertaining tips?
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An ounce of prevention goes a long way to alleviating hangovers. Remember to stay hydrated with water and never drink on an empty stomach!
But, if you happen to be in a bad way, here are 5 tips that can help get you back on your feet:
Re-hydration
My favorites are Blue Gatorade (yes, it has to be blue for me) and Vitamin Water- the kind with Vitamin B. Both are great options for getting fluid and electrolytes back into your system.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B affect how your liver metabolizes toxins and also has a major impact on your energy levels. Check out why Vitamin B can help here!
Advil or Aspirin
Never take Tylenol with alcohol! It is horrible for your liver and can do long term damage. Stick to Advil, Ibuprofin or Aspirin to relieve that headache.
Eggs
Certain studies have shown that the protein and other compounds in eggs can help alleviate a hangover. I like to pair mine with an everything bagel. Not scientific, just a preference;) Check out these other food “remedies” from around the globe! Pickle juice, anyone?
Blowfish for Hangovers*
This little gem can be purchased CVS, Amazon, or your local pharmacy. It’s an Alka-Seltzer like fizzy tablet that dissolves in water containing aspirin and caffeine. Advil can be rough on your stomach, but the bubbles help settle your stomach, while the aspirin takes care of your headache and the caffeine attacks the general malaise. It’s the only “hangover cure” I’ve ever tried that even remotely works. I can also see it being a good solution when you wake up not so feeling great in general. Check them out here.
*Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this product, but the views expressed are entirely my own.
Do you have any preferred hangover “cures”?
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I think we can all agree most bubbly is essentially just “varying levels of delicious,” as my wino friend, Trevor, put it.
Tis the season…for drinking Champagne in front of the fire!
However, there are always choices when it comes to spending your hard earned cash. All too often I see people drinking big, corporate mass-produced wines that are the same price as better, lesser known bottles.
Check out my suggestions below if you want to branch out of your bubbly rut!
If you want to spend…
$10-$12
Steer clear of your grocery store’s Korbel display. It’s tired and mass produced. I saw three TV ads for the brand last night alone! (That’s what you’re paying for, by the way!) Check out a local wine shop for a small production cava or prosecco. I like Dibon Cava for a nice change of pace in the budget bubbly range.
$20-$30
Jansz is an Australian sparkling wine from Tasmania-it’s an outstanding value from a tiny but mighty sparkling wine region!
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs is another favorite from California. Although this is a large producer and widely available they don’t skimp on quality!
Bohigas Semi-Sec Cava is a great bet for those who like their bubbly with just a touch of sweetness.
I’d be remiss not to include a Virginia option, and Thibaut-Janisson is it! Try their FIZZ for $20 or the Blanc de Blanc for $30. The latter was served at a White House State Dinner!
$40-$50
This is the sweet spot for most entry level Champagnes, and while the ubiquitous orange label of Veuve Cliquot seems to be EVERYWHERE, that doesn’t mean it’s the best for the money.
I adore André Clouet Brut Rosé, Pol Roger, Laurent Perrier, and a recent favorite, Aubry. See past the orange label and advertising! Remember, you want a winemaker who puts their money where YOUR mouth is, not into pricey advertising campaigns.
$175-$200
Dom Perignon has the big name, but ask any wino their preference and you’ll get a resounding preference for Krug. If you’re spending big, it’s the only way to go!
Finally, remember to check your local wine store. They are sure to have great options from smaller Champagne houses that offer outstanding value (that’s how I found my latest love, Aubry!).
What’s your favorite Champagne or Sparkling Wine?
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Although we’re coming up on Labor Day weekend, the weather will continue to be warm for the next month or so. Here in DC, we’re looking at a heat wave! Here’s what I’ll be drinking:
Muscadet
A summer favorite, this budget friendly wine from the South of France is light and intensely refreshing. It’s well-known as a great pairing for seafood and is enjoyable for casual patio sipping as well.
Bon Vivant DC’s Pick: 2011 Domaine De La Fruitière Petit M ($13)
The tangy acidity and minerality in this Muscadet will make you a convert to this oft-overlooked variety.
Dry Rosé
Although many drink rosé year round (yours truly, included!), it’s often best enjoyed during warmer months. The most popular region for this type of wine is Provence, although they are increasingly being produced in almost every wine region. They often have red fruit flavors and a bone dry finish.
Bon Vivant DC’s Pick: Montfaucon Domaine Les Gardettes Rosé ($12)
This has been one of my go to summer rosés to enjoy al fresco this summer. This rosé from the Loire Valley has a wonderful bouquet of peach blossom and raspberry.
Bubbly
I know this is a common recommendation on the Bon Vivant Blog, but if you’re anything like me, any excuse will do to enjoy a festive glass of bubbly! It’s refreshing, pairs well with a variety of foods, and is perfectly acceptable to drink before noon on your Monday off!
Bon Vivant DC’s Pick: Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs ($40) & Biutiful Rosé Brut Cava ($13)
In the wake of the recent earthquake, show Napa some love with this superb bottle of bubbly. I’m partial to the Blanc de Noirs, but this established bubbly house produces outstanding bubblies from a variety of grapes.
For a more budget friendly option, look to Cava from Spain- equally delicious and usually lighter on the wallet! I like Biutiful’s brut rosé. Made from 100% Garnacha, this easy drinking bubbly has lovely red fruit notes and a bone dry finish.
Spanish Reds
For those who will be grilling out this weekend, Spanish reds are a great pairing with Barbeque and other grilled meats. They are slightly spicy, fruit forward, and balanced out with an old world, earthy quality.
Bon Vivant DC’s Pick: Ladrón de Guevara ($12-$30)
A spicy Tempranillo from Rioja fits the bill! Their cosecha will set you back a mere $12, while their Reserva can run about $30. The younger the wine, the lighter and more fruit forward it will be. I generally like to drink their middle ground- Crianza, which runs about $17.
California Zinfandel
This is another classic pairing for those who will be manning the grill this Labor Day weekend. California comes through again with this fruit forward and zesty red wine. (Just steer clear of the much maligned white Zinfandel!)
Bon Vivant DC’s Pick: 2012 F. Stephen Millier Angel’s Reserve Zinfandel ($20)
This classic producer from Lodi consistently puts out quality Zinfandel with jammy fruit and a hint of smokiness that will pair great with anything char-grilled.
What are your Labor Day Weekend Plans?
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I am not what you would call an “early adopter”. Recovering technophobe might actually be a more appropriate term.
But wine apps are all the rage these days, and enough of my readers and clients use them that I thought it was high time I finally took the plunge to see what all the fuss was about.
As of last week, I became a featured user on Vivino wine app- the largest in the world. I’m still getting the hang of all of the advanced features, but so far I’ve found it to be really user friendly (a must!). It’s been a great tool to track wines that I enjoy with some simple tasting notes in a matter of minutes.
If you are looking to keep track of the wines you enjoy, I’ve found it to be far more efficient than my old “snap a label shot” method since they are all kept tidily in one spot…not so with my photo stream since I can get a little snap happy!
Oh yes, and it’s FREE to join.
Follow me on Vivino at “Bon Vivant” to see what I’m currently sipping!
Do you use a wine app? If so, which one?
*This post was NOT sponsored by Vivino.
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