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Bastille Day With Vin Sur Vingt

Photo courtesy of Liana Sonenclar
All photos: Courtesy of Liana Sonenclar

On July 14, New York City celebrated France’s independence holiday; Bastille Day, at Vin Sur Vingt in the West Village.

The intimate and homely French bar designed to mimic the Bar A Vin in France, celebrated the holiday, which honors the storming of the Bastille (France’s royal authority center, located in Paris,) and the unity of the French people with eight of its most exquisite wines, such as Rose and Chardonnay, along with freshly baked bread.

Photo courtesy of Liana Sonenclar

Owner of Vin Sur Vingt, Sebastien Auvet, is committed to making wine a fun experience and as available as possible to his consumers. Auvet infused American living with French values by offering a simplistic and authentic variety of wine choices, and an escape to France after a long day in the city.

Vin Sur Vingt is known for serving its selection of 20 whites and 20 reds by the glass. Here were the top five wine choices of the night:

1. Crémant D’alsace Brut Zero Sans Soufre Ajoute– a blend of mainly Pinot Auxerriois with a splash of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris to give it a mild and subdue after taste.

2. Domaine De Belle Vue Méthode Traditionnelle Brut Nature Rosé Billes De Quarts– a creation that came from Jérôme Brétaudeau in 2005 after taking over portions of his father’s vineyard. Domaine De Belle Vue has a fizzy and sweet undertone, but make a great dry wine to end your working day.

Photo courtesy of Liana Sonenclar

3. Domaine Sébastien Brunet, Petillant Naturel Grolleau– 100% Groelleau, aperitif with apple flavor creating a crisp, sharp and light cider taste.

4. Domaine Des Varinelles, Crémant de Loire Rosé– Pink colored Cabernet Franc with notes of wild strawberry and black currant had a floral champagne taste mixed with a little bit of sweetness. This is a great selection for a lightly sweetened wine.

5. Domaine de Montrieux Boisson Rouge 100% Gamay– Aperitif or dessert wine from an old Gamay vineyard in Loire and its certified organic. The Domaine de Montrieux took on a more sweet and smooth taste. People who don’t typically go for red wine would enjoy this drink.

-by Krissy Lewis

 

Categories
Dining Nutrition

Get Ready for Football Season with Fabulous Food

food

Credit: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi

For those of us who might not entirely understand the sport of football, but still want to be an active part of the festivities, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi is here to help! We all love a good football tailgate party, a common seasonal event known for delicious snacks and appetizers. What classier (and tastier) way to prepare these fall football foods than with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi wine? With the first NFL football game beginning Thursday night at 8:30 p.m, it’s time to get the recipes ready! While there might be rivalries amongst friends and family at your gatherings, these recipes are sure to be loved by all.

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Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Caramelized Onion Dip

 Yield: 4-6 appetizer servings

 Ingredients:

3 tbsp unsalted butter

1 large onion, sliced into half rings

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon pepper

1 tbsp Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

½ cup sour cream

½ cup plain yogurt

2 tbsp chives, chopped

 Directions:

  1. Melt butter over medium-low heat, then add onions, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Slowly caramelize the onions by letting them sit for about 3 minutes, then stirring. Do not allow the onions to burn. If the pan gets too dry, add a small amount of water.
  2. When the onions are a rich brown color (about 30 minutes), add the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon and cook for another three minutes or until the wine is completely absorbed. Remove from heat.
  3. Add cream cheese, sour cream and yogurt to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth on medium low speed. Turn the mixer down to the lowest speed and add the onions. Add seasonings to taste.
  4. Garnish with chives and serve at room temperature.

Entertaining Tip: Make dip up to two days in advance, reserving a tablespoon or so of the caramelized onions for garnish. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to bring to room temperature.

Suggestion: Pair with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

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Credit: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi

Roasted Butternut Squash & Goat Cheese Dip

 Yield: 4-6 appetizer servings

Ingredients:

1 pound butternut squash, cubed

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped into large pieces

3 bulbs garlic, diced

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp pine nuts plus more for garnish

2 tbsp goat cheese plus more for garnish

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir

Zest of 1/2 lemon

Salt and pepper, to taste

Cayenne, to taste

1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)

 Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375º.
  2. Toss first four ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
  3. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake until butternut squash is fork tender, about 30 minutes.
  4. Add all ingredients to food processor and pulse until smooth.
  5. Spoon the dip into a serving bowl and top with extra pine nuts and goat cheese. Serve warm with crackers, pita or Ciabatta bread as pictured, and a glass of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir.

Entertaining Tip: Make the dip up to two days before you plan to serve. Dish it into an oven proof serving dish and heat for 30 minutes at 375º before serving. At the 25-minute mark, take the dip out and sprinkle goat cheese and pine nuts over top. Put back in the oven on broil for the remaining 5 minutes to toast the pine nuts and warm the goat cheese.

Suggestion: Pair with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir

The first game of the NFL is Thursday night at 8:30p.m, Packers vs. Seahawks. So get ready to eat and drink up because football and food fans alike will be content this fall as long as you follow these simple recipes!

-Lauren Price

Categories
Beauty Fashion

Olavie Launch Brings California’s Vineyards Downtown

olavie 2

There’s nothing more relaxing than a glass of Chardonnay after a long day. Now you can bring out the benefits of the vineyard without the bottle with Olavie, a company who has rendered the wine’s refreshing taste into a line of revitalizing spa products.

On Thursday, July 17 DOWNTOWN had the opportunity to attend Olavie’s launch, where we sipped on some of California’s finest wines, tasted sophisticated hors d’oeuvres, and sampled Olavie skincare and spa products; including soaps, moisturizers, candles, and scented reed diffusers.

Olavie products are made from California’s own Chardonnay grapes, with clean and natural ingredients that soothe and repair. The Chardonnay fermentation processes ensures that all antioxidants remain in the finished product; these antioxidants help boost your skin’s health, creating a fresh glow without synthetic chemicals.

You can also complement your Chardonnay skin treatment with Olavie scented candles and diffusers, inspired by the natural aroma of California’s vineyards. These scents are the perfect products to help you unwind after a busy day. We especially love the Tuscan Fig Scented Candle, its fruity, natural fragrance brings the fields of California into your home.

Visit Olavie’s website to order your own spa products today.

– Linda Tell

Categories
Dining

A Wine Glass Guide

wine

Over the past few years drinking less, but better has been a trend of culture and high-living, and wine tastings have become a function of this trend. This past spring New York held La Nuit En Rose, the world’s largest Rose wine tasting, to provide a guide to wine glasses.

Connoisseurs understand the importance of the glass, and so does Riedel, a world renowned wine glass company. Wine glasses have the ability to enhance the wine’s clarity, and intensify its glare and shade. The different shapes are essential for a correct wine tasting; red wine for example, requires a wider glass than white wine in order to let small amounts of wine plunge over the entire surface. As opposed to champagne glasses, so adored in the past, need a larger width to allow the bubbles to the surface in order to scatter and dilute the brisk fragrance of the wine.

The importance of the wine, in terms of structure, aroma, and organoleptic sensation; is equally as important as the glass it’s drank from. Below is a guide to the nine wine glasses you should know to improve your drinking experience.

White Wine

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Red Wine

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Dessert Wine

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-Angelica Gianni

 

Categories
Dining Events

Today’s Epicure Presents Summer Wine Feast

wine

Do you want to spend the summer sipping wine at various New York City restaurants? If so, you’re in luck. Today’s Epicure, the premier, high-end restaurant concierge service, is presenting a Summer Wine Feast.

In the hope of increasing traffic to restaurants during the slower summer months, members who book reservations through the Today’s Epicure App will be treated to a complimentary bottle of wine. This exclusive perk is available at participating restaurants, starting June 12th and continuing on until the end of August.

Pascal Riffaud founded Today’s Epicure in 2010 to help clients dine at NYC’s upscale eateries through a fast and efficient reservation process. Memberships are offered both monthly and yearly, and reservations can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week at restaurants throughout New York City and the Hamptons.

The Summer Wine Feast will be offering a variety of white and red wines, Rosés, sakes and champagnes valued from $75 to $150 per bottle, as a perfect addition to any dining experience. This gratis service provides guests with the opportunity to enjoy their food with a complimentary wine, at no additional cost.

-Jordan Tidwell