Sucker For Labels

When it comes to buying wine, my better half says he is a sucker for labels. What is significant in our lives right now or an intriguing image may be the catalyst for a sometimes costly purchase. This time, award winning Taylor's and their darling seahorse were the winner for our tasting night.

Two Minutes To Wine Skills

Do you have two minutes? Then click play on the video below to learn the most foolproof way of opening a bottle of wine. Epicurious.com presents this video tutorial to either learn a new skill or brush up on the old wine know how.  

In addition to a clean presentation, the video has a few tips, too. For instance did you know...It's best to entirely remove the foil from the top of the bottle as some vintages' may contain lead. Good to know. Click play below and learn.

Le Creuset Waiter's Friend Corkscrew Wine Opener, Wood Handle - wood (Google Affiliate Ad)

Don't feel like messing with it? Click below for wine opening alternatives!

 

The Food Show 2012

We took the family & single size portions were fun for all!

Last weekend we attended The Food Show in Christchurch. We made it a family affair and it was quite the savory event. There was so much to see and sample that we were exhausted after exploring the events offerings for over two hours. 

We were literally stuffed full when we left and only ate dessert when we got home. The $20 ticket got you access to the latest in kitchen gadgets and deals on store bought goods. From ultra high end appliances and gourmet sauces to Vegetarian booths and co-op grocers, there was something for all food lovers to enjoy. Here is our first Food Show experience in photo format. Enjoy! 

Show perk: Sample packets of seasonings.

This fizzy drink is made from elderberry. Snapped up a large bottle at the discounted show price.

Who could resist a candy bar like this? We are still snacking on huge, salty/sweet strings.

These chocolates were displayed beautifully.

Wines abounded & samples, too! So many local vineyards to choose from. 

Avocado oil samples were infused with lime and garlic.

Fair Trade bananas in bins.

Pic's: Best peanut butter I've tasted. So fresh

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Chardonnay Wine Jelly

Just a quick photo share story. Today, I had tea at a friends house. This was one of those rare afternoons that was just pretty perfect. All six, yes 6 children ranging ages 18 months to 8 years played joyously while 3 mothers chatted. The hostess had set all the details and this was mainly why it all worked and also why I am writing this post. In her attention to detail, separate tables were bountifully set. One low table for all the children to reach and one high table for just the mums. It was all very lovely but the stand out for me was this Chardonnay Wine Jelly from New Zealand's Herb & Spice Mill. It was so refreshing and full of flavor. It was a light luxury treat We did as the label said and enjoyed with cheese. Pretty sure it was brie. But it didn't matter, After tasting the Wine Jelly, that is all that we wanted to savor.

Our hostess knew all about the product as her pharmacy shop carries the brand. She raved about it and also shared that there was also a Pinot Noir variety. I bet it is dark and delicious. I am totally sold on both. Read about the history of this specialty food company and their natural and healthy approach to menu planning.You will love it.

Story & Photo: K. Rodriguez

Perfectly Paired Pizza: Trilogy Pizza & Wine Bistro

This past weekend, I participated in a meeting of minds and bellies. I met up with a long time friend and fellow food lover Lena Carpenter at Trilogy Pizza and Wine Bisto. It is located on a very posh side of town and though it is a new eatery, word has spread very quickly that this is the place to be for authentic pizza and delicious wine. Lena is definitely in the know as her pretty ravenous appetite & keen palette keep her seeking the finest fare from town to town. It is a rare occasion that I head out for dinner with friends without my whole crew in tow so we had to go somewhere delicious and somewhere that served wine. We had catching up to do.

Trilogy Pizza and Wine Bistro was the perfect spot. We ordered a half and half pizza that was delicious. Great amount of toppings paired with a crisp crust was just what we were looking for. One side featuring 3 Meats the other with Grilled Chicken, Spinach, and onions all on a thin whole wheat crust. It was delectable and perhaps the pizza of the future. I love that more and more restaurants are open to the trend of splitting not just the check these days. Before this was a no no or would cost extra. Being a bit more relaxed with the menu, especially a pizza menu, shows a restaurants willingness to please the customer. The onions were sweet & juicy and my sausage was hot & spicy. A perfect combo.


We also felt that the offering of whole wheat crust is something that is becoming more common in the pizza world. It seriously allows me to enjoy my pizza bit more, if that is at all possible. The whole wheat offering is a healthful one that we both appreciated this evening. We do live in a world of counting calories and for good reason. We mostly eat too much as a nation and it is not of the good stuff. If we were going to over eat, which we did not this particular night, at least we would be filling our tummies with some of the good stuff. It is a quick & easy decision to a healthier you. Pizza is one of the most commonly enjoyed types of food in the world so a small change to whole wheat could make a big difference.

Besides the wine & company, my favorite detail of the evening was the parmesan and red pepper flake presentation. Tiny spoon and all. Nice feature.