Top Non-Alcoholic Wines for All Wine Lovers

We love our wine. It is no secret, and we have no shame in our love for it. But…there are times, whether personal, medical, or whatever, that you may need or want to abstain from alcohol. We found ourselves in this situation when we were preparing for our preventative double mastectomies due to our BRCA2 gene mutation (see this post for more on that). We knew we should abstain from drinking as much as possible leading up to the surgery, and then we would be required to abstain for a while afterward to promote healing and due to some of the medications we would be on. We also knew that the thought of not enjoying a nice glass of wine with family on the patio or a glass with a yummy home-cooked meal sounded grim. So, we challenged ourselves to find and try as many non-alcoholic wines as possible. 

We have all seen non-alcoholic beer widely available for years, and mocktails are popping up in most restaurant drink programs, but non-alcoholic wines are not as widely available, or so we thought! Luckily for us, our home base, Richmond, VA, has several great non-alcoholic-only beverage shops, so our first stop was visiting Point 5, Richmond's first dry bottle shop. We also headed to Total Wine & More and our nearby grocery store, Publix, to search out more nationally available options because, let's face it, it's nice not to make another stop while getting groceries. We have compiled a list of all the non-alcoholic wines we have tried and our tasting notes on each. We think you will all be as surprised as we were that there are actually a LOT of tasty non–alcoholic wines available. We hope this helps anyone searching for a tasty, non-alcoholic wine for whatever reason!

xxx, Ivy & Eve

Good Twin - Sparkling Wine

On the nose, crisp apple dominates the aromas. This is followed by flavors of green apple, ginger and a hint of beeswax on the palate. This wine has big bubbles with just a touch of sweetness to balance the apple-like acidity. 

Surely - Sauvignon blanc

Aromas of tinned peaches and lanolin followed by notes of tart green apple and sour grass on the palate. Zinging acidity overall. 

Rondel Zero - Cava

Scents of sweet apple cider, green apple, violets, honeysuckle, and lychee followed by crisp flavors of tangy nerds candy, and a balanced acidity. 

Josef Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Point Five - Pinot noir

Mild scent of red currant and black tea with tart cherry and rosehip flavors. Nice light tannins. We thought this was the closest tasting to a regular glass of red wine.

Josef Leitz Eins Zwei Zero -Sparkiling Rosé

The nose shows red apple and raspberry with a touch of citrus. The palate has good acidity and minerality with fresh flavors of strawberries, red apple, and lime. This wine has some residual sugar however the bubbles from the CO2 make it appear as a zingy dry wine.

Jøyus - White Sparkling 

Aromas of orange blossom, nectarine, and lanolin on the nose. Flavors of apricot, pear, and a light minerality are found with fine bubbles and a nice acidity on the palate.

Fio Fabelhaft Non-Alc - Riesling

Aromas of lemonade, and green apple followed with a nice minerality and light tropical flavors and a touch of sweetness that helps soften the tart flavors. This was our favorite of the white wines, it had the perfect balance of flavors and was refreshing.

Waterbrook - Clean Chardonnay 

Notes of vanilla and golden delicious apples and moderate oak one the nose with honey baked apple and soft oak flavors. 

Vanish by Magic Box - Red Blend

Earthy aromas of mixed berries with silky smooth notes of blackberry and pomegranate with a touch of sweetness and a featherlight tannin. 

Wölffer Spring in a Bottle - Sparkling Rosé

Aromas of delicate white florals like honeysuckle giveway to tight tart bubbles carrying flavors of freshly picked strawberries and peaches. This is a delightful dry sparkling, accurately named “spring in a bottle”.

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Hand on Heart wines: We were graciously gifted some Hand on Heart wines to try before our first surgeries. We love everything about this winery from their focus on “Wine for a balanced life” to their beautiful labels to their beautifully balanced wines.

Hand on Heart - Cabernet Sauvignon 

Deep aromas of dark berries with flavors of ollaberry pie and dry fruit leather finished with smooth light tannins.

Hand on Heart - Sauvignon Blanc

Scents of white flowers, honeysuckle nectar, and candy peach rings. Nice and dry with pleasant acidity to balance the sweet aromas. 

Hand on Heart - Chardonnay 

Sweet scents of vanilla, oak, and toasted coconut popsicle with a dry mouthfeel and flavors of creamy tropical flavors of coconut and pineapple and medium oak.

Hand on Heart - Rosé

The nose immediately reveals the aroma of sweet tart candy nerds followed by a hint of chalk and stone. Flavors of stonefruit such as peaches and nectarines are throughout this wine, with juicy acidity, followed by a dry minerally finish.

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FRe Wines: These are the most widely available and affordable on the list. You can find them at most grocery stores and we have found them between $10-15 a bottle. You can also find them here online.

FRe - Sparkling Brut 

Bright tight bubbles and aromas of fresh slices of green apple and pear on the nose followed by notes of apple, peach, and strawberries paired with a light sweetness make this non-alc bubbly a go-to for its affordability and easy access at most grocery stores. This tastes great as a mimosa!

FRe - Sauvignon Blanc

Aromas of bell pepper, fresh cut grass and raw carrot. Followed by flavors of ginger and sweet bell pepper. This wine has nice acidity with a touch of sweetness.

FRe - White Zinfandel

On the nose dried fruit leather on the front followed by a hint of sour candy. Baked apples with a touch of raspberry on the palate. Lightly sweet but still has a nice acidity.

FRe - Chardonnay

Enticing aromas of mango and coconut cream followed by creamy apple, and mango flavors. We would compare this with a pinot grigio rather than a classic chardonnay. 

FRe - Cabernet Sauvignon

Strawberry rhubarb jam, and browned apple aromas. A thin texture with flavors of blackberry, rhubarb, and apple. This wine has light tannins and high acidity. We like to serve this slightly chilled. This was our favorite of the Fre wines and one of our most re-purchased wines as it was affordable, and sold at our nearby grocery store.

FRe - Merlot

This deep purple hued wine has an aroma of freshly picked huckleberries followed by a huckleberry jam flavor on the palate. We enjoyed this wine both at room temperature and slightly chilled. 

FRe - Red Blend

Black cherry and raspberry leaf and black tea aromas. Notes of black plum, slightly savory, and a touch of sweetness, smooth, light tannic finish. Tastes good chilled.

Wine Pairings for Summertime Grilling

To us, nothing feels like "summer" more than an evening spent grilling on the patio. Growing up, this meant all of our cousins driving out to our sunny Carmel Valley house to escape the Carmel fog. We've grilled just about everything that comes into season during the summer months and are always trying to find creative yet balanced wine pairings for each dish. Here are some of our go-to pairings featuring wines from one of our all-time favorite wineries from home, Morgan Winery. Now, grab those grilling tongs, a glass of your favorite wine, and let's get grilling!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Be sure to use our code IvyAndEve at checkout on Morgan's website for complimentary shipping on your first order! 

Chicken - Lightly Oaked Chardonnay 

Nothing beats a lightly oaked Chardonnay with grilled marinated chicken. We love using refreshing citrus marinades and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil to keep the flavors light, especially on hot summer evenings. Lightly oaked Chardonnay pairs great as it complements the mild flavor of the chicken and the slightly toasty flavors from the grill!

Veggie Skewers - Sauvignon Blanc

It's not summer without grilled veggie skewers! We love including fresh veggies from Ivy's garden, like summer squash, peppers, and tomatoes. A nice chilled Sauvignon Blanc pairs so well with grilled veggies because of its high levels of vegetal pyrazines, the compound that gives grassy or "bell peppery" notes to some wines. 

Our pick: Morgan Winery 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Salmon - Rosé 

Rosé is the perfect companion to grilled salmon or any seafood, really! The fresh acidity from rosé cuts through the rich fattiness of salmon, while the lightly fruity notes complement (and don't overpower) the delicate flavors of many seafoods. Rosé also pairs well with lighter sides like fresh watermelon salad, pesto pasta salad, and lightly dressed greens! 

Our pick: Morgan Winery 2022 Rosé of Grenache

Burgers - Petit Sirah

A massive juicy burger's bold, beefy flavor deserves to be paired with an equally bold wine like a Petit Sirah. This wine's dark fruit and heavy tannins can handle the fatty meat from a beef burger. Petit Sirah also pairs well with mushrooms, so a portobello mushroom burger works perfectly if you need a vegetarian option.

Steak - GSM

We love a classic tri-tip on the grill, and nothing pairs better than a GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend) or another Southern Rhône-style red blend. GSM blends incorporate a nice balance of brambles, rosemary, and baking spice that enhance the flavors of the steak, while the acidity and rich tannins of the wine cut through the fattiness. 

Our pick: Morgan Winery 2020 Cote Du Crows

Sausages - Syrah

Grilled pork or beef sausages are an excellent pairing for Syrah as the Syrah's punch of dark fruit on the palate and peppery afternotes match the bold flavors and spices in most sausages. We love pairing Syrah with spicy/sweet Italian sausages or something savory like garlic rosemary or cheesy portobello sausages. 

Our pick: Morgan Winery 2021 G17 Syrah

BBQ Meats - Zinfandel

For those of you who love BBQ meats, we suggest pairing your meal with a glass of full-bodied Zinfandel. The Zin's rich and fruity palate balances the intensely smoky flavors of the BBQ. Zin's typically have higher alcohol content (14-17%), allowing them to hold up to the deeply hearty, fatty BBQ meats. 

Mushrooms - Pinot Noir

We love grilling our favorite fungi, as grilling mushrooms enhances their savory, earthy flavors. This is a wonderful food pairing for our favorite varietal, Pinot Noir! A bright and fruit-forward Pinot Noir will lift the savory flavors of mushrooms, while a more terroir-driven Pinot will heighten the umami of the mushroom. Either way, we're game! 

Our Pick: Morgan Winery's 2021 Twelve Clones Pinot 

Fruits - Riesling

You can grill so many great summer fruits, but peaches are definitely our favorite! You can add them to salads, as a side to your grilled chicken and fish, or serve them alongside your favorite ice cream! We think grilled peaches and vanilla ice cream are the perfect ending to our summer meals. Riesling is a good pairing option for grilled fruit since it has harmonious notes of honeysuckle, citrus, and stone fruit. Depending on your mood, food course, or sweet tooth, you can purchase dry, off-dry, or sweet rieslings to pair with your dish. 

The Ultimate Wine and Girl Scout Cookie Pairing Guide

With Girl Scout cookie season in full swing, we wanted to challenge ourselves to pair each cookie with the perfect wine. Sweets in general are super challenging to pair with wine. The intense sugar content of desserts often overpowers the fruity flavors in wines and can make even the most perfectly balanced wine taste off-kilter and overly accentuate the tannins making the wine taste bitter. With this in mind, we looked to find some fruit-forward wines with little to no tannins to pair with each cookie. 

You can find these wine varietals at your own local wine shop or big-name stores like BevMo and Total Wine & More!

If you haven't ordered your Girl Scout cookies yet, or can't find a local troop to buy from, we suggest ordering from Troop 6000 - a Girl Scout program that serves girls in the New York City shelter system. Led by trained Troop leaders also living in the shelter system, this program gives all girls and women in the NYC shelter system the opportunity to enjoy all that the Girls Scouts has to offer.

Online orders start February 27th - March 1st, 2023.

So, grab your favorite box (or several) of Girls Scout cookies, and test out these pairings! Tell us what you think and let us know your favorite pairings!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Thin Mint- Many think that chocolate would pair well with big, heavy reds like cabernet sauvignon or a syrah but it is actually the opposite! Big, heavy reds tend to have a lot of tannins which when combined with chocolate, make the wine taste bitter and the chocolate flat. To avoid this we suggest going with a low-tannin red wine like barbera or grenache.

Tag Along - We like to pair the #1 Girl Scout cookie with a Beaujolais or malbec. The juicy acidity in Beaujolais can help balance the creaminess of the Tag Along. A malbec makes a sweet harmony with its dark fruit and cocoa finish and the peanut butter and chocolate of the Tag Along.

Do-Si-Do - The classic peanut butter cookie. These simple yet flavorful cookies will pair well with zinfandel. Zin’s are known for their higher alcohol content and deep jammy flavors that marry well with this cookie and give off a grown-up PB&J kind of vibe! 

Gluten-free chocolate chip toffee - With such a classic cookie a nice glass of pinot noir will pair perfectly. The light tannins in the pinot combined with vanilla and cherry notes go nicely with the simple, yet delicious, flavors of these chocolate chip cookies. Although we do not have dietary restrictions we still thought these chocolate chip cookies hit the spot! 

Raspberry Rally - 2023’s new addition to the Girl Scout cookie lineup is the perfect partner for a nice chilled glass of bubbly Brachetto d’Acqui! These pretty pink-centered cookies complement and intensify Brachetto d’Acqui’s notes of raspberry, rose, and baking spice, making them a natural pairing for this sweet sparkler. Brachetto d’Acqui is also a low-alcohol wine (5.5-8%) so you won’t run the risk of a hangover from sugar AND alcohol!

Samoa - With something so decadent, try a dessert wine like cream sherry or tawny port, which has enough sweetness to stand up to the cookie and has similar flavors of caramel,  cocoa, and some nice toastiness. For a white pairing, choose something like a sauterne to really bring out the tropical notes of coconut and butterscotch flavors.

Adventurefuls - This newer addition to the Girl Scout cookie family is indulgent! The cookie mimics the flavors of a brownie topped with caramel and sea salt. Because this cookie is so rich we recommend pairing it with an equally rich port wine. 

Trefoil - This delicate shortbread cookie couples well with a champagne-brut nature or brut zero. The acidity, and toasty notes of the bubbly work well with the buttery cookie flavors. Alternatively, the Trefoil will pair perfectly with a Moscato d'Asti as this wine is no stranger to cookies: In Italy, it's common to drink with biscotti! 

Tost-yay - These may be one of our new favorite Girl Scout Cookies! In the fun shape of toast, these cookies taste similar to cinnamon toast crunch cereal. The cinnamon is light enough to pair nicely with a glass (or two) of prosecco.

Lemonades - A delightfully zingy cookie with a light citrus frosting coating the bottom. These cookies will pair well with a sauvignon blanc, a dry riesling, or albariño as these wines all tend to have defined tropical, and citrus flavors.

What pairing did you like best? Have any other pairing suggestions? Let us know in the comments!

Wine and Whisky Cocktail: the Tam O'Shanter

On January 25th, we celebrate our favorite mid-winter holiday, Burns Night, commemorating the birth of Scotland's most famous poet, Robert Burns (I'm sure you've all sung Auld Lang Syne at the strike of 12 o'clock on New Years, well, that's Burns). This holiday dates back to 1801, five years after his death, when some of Burns's best friends decided to celebrate his birthday. For over 220 years, fans of Robert Burns have celebrated his birthday with fantastic dinner parties, serving a traditional Scottish plate of haggis, neeps (rutabagas) and tatties (potatoes), LOTS of Scottish whisky, and recitations of Burns's poetry. Robert Burns's poetry is written in Scots, which is one of the native languages of Scotland. It takes a bit of practice (or a lot of whiskies) to get the hang of reading Scots, but I don't think Burns would mind our terrible pronunciations!

This year, we wanted to make a welcome cocktail to start the party. While Eve loves Scottish whiskies, Ivy is not so much a fan. After a bit of searching, Eve found the perfect cocktail that combined our love of Robert Burns and our truest love: Wine. Enter the Tam O'Shanter. 

The Tam O'Shanter is a whisky and wine cocktail named after one of Burns's most famous narrative poems. It tells the story of a farmer named Tam and a night of drunken adventures, which includes dancing witches and the Devil playing the bagpipes. What's not to like?! We love this cocktail for its exciting combination of whisky and wine, the smooth sweetness of Drambuie, and the freshness from orange zest. 

xxx Ivy & Eve

This recipe makes one cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Scottish Whisky (If you like it smoky/peaty, go for Laphroaig or Lagavulin, for something smoother, try Jura or Glenmorangie)

• 1 oz red wine (we suggest a Bordeaux blend)

• 0.5 oz Drambuie

• 3 dashes of orange bitters

• Cup of ice

• Orange peel garnish

Directions: 

1. Measure out ingredients into a cocktail pitcher with ice.

2. Stir all ingredients well with a cocktail spoon.

3. Strain and serve in a coupe or martini glass. 

4. Garnish with a flamed orange twist. Watch the how-to here.

5. Cheers!

Christmas Market Mulled Wine

It's officially the holiday season, and we couldn't be more excited!  One of our favorite parts about the holiday season is Christmas markets. While we've been to a few Christmas markets in the US (See our posts on the Denver Christmas market and Cambria Christmas market), we don't see these as often as we wish. But, in Europe, they are in almost every city. These markets are the best place to "window shop" and buy little trinkets to bring home from your travels. Our favorite market to date is the Edinburgh Christmas Market. It covers the whole East Princes St Garden area, and it is filled with hundreds of stalls that sell traditional Christmas market trinkets, and local artisan items. There is an unbelievable food section with stalls that sell lobster rolls, salmon cooked on an open fire grill, raclette and potatoes, haggis burgers, cheesy spaetzle, and everything in between! Unsurprisingly, our favorite thing to buy is a nice hot mug of mulled wine. These stalls are dotted throughout the market and sell steaming mugs of mulled wine with the option to spike it often with brandy, Grand Marnier, Amaretto, or Whisky. Ivy likes hers straight, while Eve likes to add something to hers if it's especially nippy outside. 

When we aren't wandering Christmas Markets, we often make mulled wine at home. We love how the rich and warming scent fills our house and gets us into a cozy holiday spirit. We want to share our tried and true mulled wine recipe with you all. We hope it warms you up and gets you in the holiday spirit too! Happy holidays!

xxx Ivy and Eve

Makes 4-6 servings depending on serving mug size.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of dry red wine - Choose a full-bodied red such as a Merlot, Syrah, or Malbec

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 2 cardamom pods

• 4 whole star anise

• 6 whole cloves

• 1 lemon 

• 3 mandarin oranges (or tangerines or easy-peel oranges)

• 3+ tbsp brown sugar

• Optional additions: Grand Marnier, brandy, whisky, or Amaretto
  

Directions:

Mulled wine:

1. Slice the peel off of the lemon.

2. Peel 1 orange.

3. Quarter remaining orange.

4. Add wine, 3 tbsp of brown sugar, spices, lemon peel, quartered orange, and 1 orange peel to a large saucepan and heat on low for around 20 minutes, or until "mulled" enough for your taste.

5. Pour into your most festive mugs, adding 1 oz of your liquor to each mug if you'd wish.

6. Garnish with an orange star or two.

7. Enjoy!

Tip: For a lower alcohol version, add 1 1 /2 cups of water (we do this if we know everyone will want several mugs). For an Alcohol-free version, sub cranberry and/or pomegranate juice for the wine. You can also sub apple cider (alcoholic or not) to make mulled cider!

Orange stars:

1. Carefully peel 1 orange, trying to keep most of the peel intact and in large pieces.

2. Use kitchen scissors (or a tiny star cookie cutter like THIS ONE) to cut out star shapes. 

3. Use as a garnish for your mulled wine.

Tip: You can make a bunch of these and air dry them for a few hours/overnight, and keep them in a jar or baggie to use as garnish whenever! They'd be perfect with mimosas, sangria, or even on top of desserts!

Pair Your Wine with the Perfect Scented Candle

October marks the real beginning of fall in Virginia. The leaves start changing in earnest, and we get (a few) cooler days and evenings creep in earlier and earlier. October is also Virginia Wine Month! For us, celebrating Virginia Wine Month has meant a day-trip to a few Charlottesville area vineyards, local wine tasting events, and making an effort to buy Virginia wines to pair with our nightly meals. It’s been a lot of fun learning more about Virginia wines, and a few may have even found their way into our top ten favorite wines!

Along with celebrating Virginia Wine Month this fall, we have really been having fun connecting with our new home and support local businesses and creators. We recently connected with Kena and Reggie, founders of Hill and River Collection, and instantly fell in love with their candles’ wondrous scents and sophisticated packaging. Hill and River Collection was created out of a love of candles and the frustration of finding that too many candle companies have flashy packaging but no room-filling scent. After receiving a beautiful, yet dully scented candle for their first wedding anniversary, Kena and Reggie took matters into their own hands and created Hill and River Collection (H+R). 

At the heart of each H+R candle are four core elements: the wax, the wick, the vessel, and, of course, the scent. H+R candles are made with a soy blend wax to ensure maximum scent throw (candle term to describe how well the candle’s fragrance circulates throughout a room). One thing we really think makes these candles unique is their wood wicks. This detail really makes lighting each candle special, and the soft sound of crackling wood almost makes us forget the lack of a fireplace in our apartment! Each candle is housed in a warm amber-colored glass, which creates a warm glow every time they are lit. And, of course, each scent has been carefully crafted to have layers that unfold while lit, creating a more complete and enjoyable candle experience.

When connecting with Kena from H+R, we found we all shared an equal love of wine and candles and thought how much fun it would be to pair candles to wine, like you would with food! The more we thought about it, the more this actually makes sense. Like food, a candle’s scent will alter how you experience the wine you are drinking (and vice versa). Some fragrances will enhance your wine drinking experience, while some will clash. 

Below is our guide to pairing wine with your favorite candle scents. Try it out yourselves!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Wine: Peppery and herbaceous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Cabernet Franc.

Scent: Woodsy scents with notes of leather and tobacco. 

We paired the Pollack Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2018 with the H+R Virginia Is For Lovers candle. This Cab Franc’s notes of fresh cracked pepper, dark fruit, and pomegranate, ending with a hint of velvety cocoa mingles perfectly with the aromas of cedar and barn wood with hints of peppercorn, sandalwood, and tobacco from the Virginia Is For Lovers candle.

Tip: If you’re feeling a lighter wine, try an earthy Pinot Noir. Feeling even lighter? Try a Sauvignon Blanc!

Wine: Full/Medium-bodied red wines like Syrah, Merlot, and Meritage blends with notes of baking spices and vanilla. 

Scent: Pumpkin spice and freshly carved pumpkin, with a hint of sweetness.

We paired the Veritas Winery Vintners Reserve 2016 with the H+R Appalachian Autumn candle. This Virginia Meritage blend has notes of black cherry, baking spices, and toasted vanilla, with a hint of tobacco, which works perfectly with the scent of warm pumpkin, warming spices, and a touch of buttercream from the Appalachian Autumn candle.

Tip: Feeling something white? A Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) can stand up to pumpkin spices. Or maybe something sweet? We’d recommend a Vintage Port.

Wine: Full-bodied white wines like Chardonnay and Viognier.

Scent: Lemon, caramel, vanilla with a hint of creaminess.

We paired the Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve 2018 with H+R Lemon Cookies on Main candle. Viognier is a white wine varietal that grows fantastically in Virginia. Its complex notes of citrus, tropical fruits, honeysuckle, and minerals work well with citrusy and creamy foods, so it is an easy match for the scent of lemon, sandalwood, and vanilla with hints of caramel and cream from the Lemon Cookies on Main candle. 

Tip: If you’re feeling something a bit sweeter, try a Sauternes or late harvest Riesling.

Wine: White wines with pronounced notes of tropical fruits, citrus, and minerality.

Scent: Tropical fruits, citrus, and exotic florals.

We paired the Early Mountain Vineyards Petit Manseng 2018 with H+R Reid’s Vacation candle. Outside France, Virginia is the only place on earth that makes notable Petit Manseng. This Petit Manseng, in particular, has notes of tropical fruit, minerality, and a hint of salinity. So, basically, a vacation in a bottle. This wine pairs perfectly with the notes of grapefruit and green mango with hints of melon and jasmine from the Reid’s Vacation candle. We love how H+R describes this candle: “REID’S VACATION is just that... a vacation. When you need to get away for a few, light this candle, and imagine you are exactly where you are destined to be.”

This candle is extra special because it’s only available during October, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. This month, we take time to honor and remember those who have lost a child during pregnancy or lost a child in infancy. 

Tip: This would also go great with a festive White Sangria!

What are some of your favorite wine and candle pairings? Let us know in the comments!

What’s Your Wine Sign?

Both of us have always been dreamers and planners. We can spend hours imagining what our futures may look like and how we can shape it into reality. We are always looking for signs that point us toward our futures and help us better understand ourselves, whether through prayer, careful planning, or looking toward the stars in some instances.

Our affinity for astrology definitely came from our Grammy G. When we were younger, we would get a phone call (or even a faxed newspaper clipping with a note) from her, highlighting our horoscopes on our birthdays or on days she thought our ‘scope seemed especially significant or interesting. Now that she isn’t with us, we both still read our horoscopes to get a glimpse into what could be in store for us. Our favorite astrologists are Ophira and Tali Edut, another sister (identical twins) duo, whose site, Astrostyle, we both consult regularly. We also have to mention one of our favorite books, The Fate of Your Date. Eve picked this book up back in high school, and we would be lying if we said we didn’t look up the sign of each guy before our first dates! We also attribute part of our wine-loving genes to Grammy G, who regarded any glass filled with anything other than Champagne as a glass wasted. Spoiler alert: She was a Taurus. ;)

Combining our love and semi-expertise in both Wine and Astrology, we have perfectly paired each zodiac personality with a wine to match! Enjoy!

xxx Ivy & Eve

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Star Sign: Aries - March 21 - April 19

Ruled by Mars, the planet and god of war. You are full of fiery energy and drive. Full of that fighting spirit, you are competitive and can sometimes be a bit impatient. You are always turning heads with your energetic flair. Being the “Firstborn” of the zodiac, you are a natural-born leader.

Wine Sign: Picpoul

Picpoul translates to “sting the lip,” which is why we paired this zippy white with you, Aries. This straightforward, tart, and refreshing wine pairs with your fiery spirit and just as well with spicy foods!

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Star Sign: Taurus - April 20 - May 20 (Ivy’s and our Grammy G’s sign)

Ruled by Venus, the planet and god of love and beauty. Focused on stimulating all five senses, you look for beauty, luxury, and positive experiences in everything you do. You are also very stubborn and like to do things on your time. You’ve got only two speeds: relaxation or full speed ahead. Your friends enjoy your loyalty and dependability as well the luxe lifestyle you bring them!

Wine Sign: Champagne

The sound of a cork popping, the sight of light reflecting its golden hue, the smell of buttered toast, crisp apples, honey, the feel of bubbles dancing on the tongue, the taste of pure gold. Taurus’ and champagne go together like no other. You both exude sheer luxury. Like yourself, champagne pairs equally well with fancy caviar and comforting fried chicken. And your stubborn side ultimately comes out when someone offers you “champagne,” and you’re poured cava. It’s the real stuff or nothing!

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Star Sign: Gemini - May 21 - June 20

Ruled by Mercury, the planet and god of communication. Your mind and mouth are always busy, little Gemini! You are curious and always the first of our friends to share your thoughts on the newest trend...or even start them! You are always continually 100mph and a magpie for information. You know a little bit about many things which makes it easy for you to find something in common with everyone and also makes you a bit of a gossip. On the flip side, you are gentle, youthful, adaptable, and friendly. You define: double the trouble, double the fun!

Wine Sign: Rosé

You, Gemini, and rosé are twinning in your love for social gatherings and fun! Both are in their element at happy hour, dinner parties, and never-ending poolside soirees. Rosé is adaptable and can be made from practically any red grape varietal and in any style, so it’s hard for someone to not like, much like you!

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Star Sign: Cancer - June 21 - July 22

Ruled by the Moon with its ever-changing phases, making you sensitive and sometimes overly self-protective. You are nurturing and intuitive, reading the people around you, and sensing their needs often before they do. You are also moody and can come off as being a bit cold, which is your way of protecting yourself from harm. You love comfort and enjoy domestic pleasures like home-cooked meals and cozy fires.

Wine Sign: Merlot

Merlot pairs perfectly with Cancer’s ideal night in, surrounded by their loved ones, enjoying a comforting bowl of beef bourguignon and the fire crackling. Merlot’s aromas of dark plum, cocoa, and smooth tannins are as comforting to you as you are to others, making you a perfect match.

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Star Sign: Leo - July 23 - August 22

Ruled by the Sun, you Leo, live to be the center of attention. The world literally revolves around your ruling planet. Loving all that is dramatic, you know how to put on a show. You are a natural-born leader and have a huge heart. Many don’t know, but you are the most generous sign (when you want to be). You’ve got colossal energy and an appetite for life to match. Somebody’s gotta rule. It might as well be you!

Wine Sign: Cabernet Sauvignon

Larger than life Cabernet Sauvignon is a true match for you, Leo. Known as the King of Grapes, you two are assertive and full of personality. Cabernet Sauvignon’s bold, rich flavors and high tannins are a match for your equally bold and dramatic flair. Cab is best paired with food, though, as by itself (not unlike you on your most dramatic days) can be a bit overwhelming.

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Star Sign: Virgo - August 23 - September 22

Ruled by Mercury, the planet and god of the mind and communication. You, Virgo, are a dedicated analyzer. Kindhearted and innocent, but also complex. You don’t miss a detail. Known as the “Helper” of the zodiac, you’re always there to lend a hand to a friend. As an earth sign, you are most at home near nature and love spending time outdoors. Even though you love to help others, you have a hard time opening up and sharing your own hopes, dreams, problems, and secrets.

Wine Sign: Pinot Noir

Your perfect match, earth-loving Virgo, is the silky smooth, savory Pinot Noir. Like you, Pinot is a bit of a puzzle to grow and vint. Let Pinot’s aromas of rose petals, soil, and mushroom transport you to our favorite outdoor haven, even if you’re stuck indoors.

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Star Sign: Libra - September 23 - October 22

Ruled by Venus, the planet and god of beauty and love. Gentle Libra, you exemplify smooth talk, pretty face. Like Taurus, you are a lover of art, culture, and all things beautiful. You enjoy social gatherings, preferably involving good food, and have expensive taste. It’s not your fault; it is in the stars! You may have a sweeter than sweet personality, but man, you are a fighter! You stand up for justice in your cause, and you hate to be rushed. Things need to happen in your own time. You, little social butterfly, need to remember to focus on “me-time” sometimes, or you can get worn out.

Wine Sign: Chardonnay

You and Chardonnay are like two peas in a pod. Like an oaked chardonnay, you are smooth, gentle, and cannot be rushed. Equally, you have a side like the more crisp and zippy Chard, aged in stainless steel barrels. Whichever Chard you choose to pair, both go well with good food, social gatherings, and of course, expensive taste!

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Star Sign: Scorpio October 23 - November 21 (Eve’s sign)

Ruled by Pluto, the planet and god of power and control and the underworld. You are a powerhouse and a mystery to most. You have an incredible memory and file your knowledge to use (for good or evil) later. Although you can be drawn to “dark things,” you are the most misunderstood sign of the zodiac. You, little Scorpio, are a potent presence in any room, even before you speak a word. Also sensitive, you pick up on other’s vibes and can read others like an open book. While you read others easily, you keep yourself shut under lock and key to others most of the time. Fiercely loyal to your chosen few but others better watch out if they betray you! No one holds a grudge like a Scorpio. You are also creative and bring a passion equaled by no one else to anything you deem worthy of your time and attention.

Wine Sign: Petite Sirah

Scorpio’s dark and mysterious nature is perfectly matched with Petite Sirah. So dark that it is almost opaque and has sensuous notes of blueberries, chocolate, and black pepper. With only 10,000 acres of Petite Sirah grown worldwide, it shares your air of mystery. You, Scorp, will also find sisterhood in that this misunderstood wine is often mistaken for another wine, Syrah. Sit back and sip, knowing you both are unique and unlike any other!

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Star Sign: Sagittarius - November 22 - December 21

Ruled by Jupiter, the “happy” planet, you are full of energy and confidence. Known as the “Traveler” of the zodiac, you are free-spirited, optimistic, ambitious. Always juggling a million projects, you seek wisdom and truth. You tell it as it is, but sometimes this bluntness can rub others the wrong way. You enjoy the thrill of starting something new, even if you have no intention of completion. For you, life is truly an adventure!

Wine Sign: Sauvignon Blanc

Bright, energetic, and free-spirited matches both your personality, Sagittarius, and Sauvignon Blanc! Also, a world traveler, Sauv Blanc’s can be found worldwide, and each has its own distinct personalities.

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Star Sign: Capricorn - December 22 - January 19

Ruled by Saturn, the planet of tough lessons and wisdom. Known as the “Old Souls” of the zodiac, you are a lover of rules, traditions, and history. You live life knowing nothing in life is worth having without a struggle, making you ambitious, cautious, and patient. You are incredibly trustworthy and great comfort for others as you stay strong through tough times.

Wine Sign: Nebbiolo

The ancient Nebbiolo is a perfect match for you, Capricorn! Difficult to grow and late to ripen, Nebbiolo shares your view that great things take time and don’t come without a struggle!

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Star Sign: Aquarius - January 20 - February 18

Ruled by Uranus, the planet that spins on its side! You, Aquarius, love doing things your own way and forge your own path through life. Originality, authenticity, eccentricity is your most cherished traits. You are also a people-lover. You’re the life of the party and an instant friend to others. You are also hardworking and secretly competitive. See it, want it, get it, go!

Wine Sign: Vinho Verde

Portuguese blend Vinho Verde is slightly fizzy, mostly dry, full of citrus flavors, and the perfect pairing for you, Aquarius! Vinho Verde is unique just like you, and its lemonade like drinkability is ideal for serving at your pool parties.

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Star Sign: Pisces - February 19 - March 20

Ruled by Neptune, the planet of fantasy, your favorite hide-out Pisces, is your own imagination. You are the “Dreamer” of the zodiac. You are creatively focused, love dancing, movies, and music. You can also be mysterious and intense at times from all that time wandering in your own head. Extremely compassionate and healing to friends, you are fun-loving, loves parties and group events. Also known as the “Tortured Soul” of the zodiac, you can sometimes get overwhelmed and feel a bit helpless. You have a tendency towards guilty feelings. You are a true romantic and would love nothing more than to cozy up with your loved one and imagine the endless possibilities of life. 

Wine Sign: Viognier

Viognier and Pisces are perfectly matched with their similar creative, fun-loving, and people-pleasing personalities. You Pisces will swoon over viognier’s dreamy notes of peach, honeysuckle, and just a hit of vanilla. Viognier may be less known than other white wines, but you, Pisces, know a bit of mystery is always fun!

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Wine On-The-Go: Canned Wine and Wine Accessories

Our (semi-secret) love affair with canned wines began about 5 years ago. It was probably some mid-summer weekend when we were shopping at our local Safeway and came across a cute little pink hexagonal shaped box in the sparkling wine section. Intrigued, we picked up the box and found it was a four pack of cans of Sofia sparkling wine. Perfect for poolside sipping, and with straws attached like they are on kids juice boxes, we were instantly hooked. Ever since we have been on the lookout for new canned wines to try and in the past year, canned wines have really stepped up their game! Here is a list of some of our favorites. We promise there's a canned wine for everyone!

xxx Ivy & Eve

For the eternal wanderer: Nomadica Wines

This California company was created for the nomads, a place to sip wine before resuming their travels. We totally love that! Nomadica cans are also special because each label is different with art designed by various artists. The pink river rosé is bright and crisp. The sparkling white (our favorite) is fresh, citrusy, with a hint of green apple.  The chenin blanc smells and tastes of white peaches is light and refreshing. The red wine blend tastes of chokecherry, plum and slight tannins with a long smooth finish. The Oregon white blend (love the label) is lightly bubbly, dry, and minerally. Pop the top, start the playlist, sit back, and sip...you'll feel like you're away on an adventure even from your couch.

For the anti-canned wine friend: Alloy Wine Works

Alloy canned wines will impress and most likely change the views of all canned wine haters. These wines taste the most like a wine that is produced/bottled in a glass bottle. Honestly, if someone brought us a glass without the can we probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference. This Paso Robles winery has a variety of high-quality canned wines and also does a canned wine club! Their wine club #yeswecan is $30 a month and includes 4 shipments a year, 6 wines per shipment.  We tried their 12 oz tallboy rosé it was delicious. Strawberry, citrus on the nose followed by a crisp, dry rosé that tastes like strawberries, sour patch kids, guava, grapefruit, and rose petals. Their chardonnay smells like it's out of a bottle (none of that tin can smell) tastes of vanilla, citrus, and pears and pie crust (nom). The pinot noir is also delicious with hints of cherry and vanilla, and tastes of those and some earthy mushroom, tree bark, and cola. Our local indie cinema Osio Theater carries them as well which makes us SO happy!

For the health conscious drinker: Social Sparkling Sake Wine

Social is slightly different in that it is a sparkling sake wine (wine made from rice). There are four versatile flavors to choose from toasted coconut almond, pink grapefruit ginger, hibiscus cucumber, and elderflower apple. The great thing about SOCIAL is that they are organic, superfood infused, gluten and sulfite free, have 1 gram of sugar, and ONLY 88 calories!! These cans are ALL about fun without the guilt! 

We teamed up with them to create a cocktail with one of their flavors so stay tuned for that recipe coming soon!

For the party girl: Fiesta Winery

Fiesta Winery located in Texas just recently started dipping their toes in the canned industry. We loved trying this wine since we rarely venture from California wines and the can design is super cute! The Tex Way Rosé is perfect for any summer activity. It smells of pink starburst, rose, and raspberry and tastes of raspberry and rose with a light creaminess to the finish. We recommend it served very chilled with a side of bright sunshine!

For all the bubbly babes: Wine House Rosé Bubbles

House Wines' Rosé Bubbles is a party in a can. Crisp, with notes of citrus, tastes of strawberries and is lightly carbonated, this is an upgrade from the Sofia bubbles in flavor and size! ;) It's perfect to pack for a picnic or a day at the beach. The size is large enough to share (or not) and we LOVE the millennial pink can design.  

For the serious sipper: West Side Wine Co.

The West Side Wine Co. from California is another great option for real wine lovers. The chardonnay had a slightly carbonated taste with hints of toasted vanilla, grapefruit, and green apple. The cabernet sauvignon is jammy with hints of boysenberry, fig, and has light tannins. 

For the cocktail enthusiast: Pampelonne Sparkling Wine Cocktails

One look at these insta-worthy cans and you're transported to the striped umbrella dotted beaches of the French Riviera! These three newly released flavors are perfect for your casual backyard, beach bonfire setting. Since they are "wine cocktails" they taste less of wine and more like a cocktail. We thought they were great straight out of the can but add a little fruit and a tall glass with ice - sangria style - and you've instantly got a vacation in a glass! The Black Cherry Bicicletta is the most flavorful with a nice citrus kick while the Negroni Sbagliato is perfect for the classic cocktail lover (Eve's pick). The Watermelon Americano is the lightest and driest in flavor and tastes the most like wine (Ivy's pick).

For the instafamous (or almost): Ramona Ruby Grapefruit Wine Spritz

We've been seeing these cans all over Instagram lately so when we found them stocked at our local Whole Foods, we decided to test them out. This sparkling wine spritzer is dangerously delicious and perfect for a hot summer day. We wouldn't say it tastes like wine, more like a grapefruit sanpellegrino, but who doesn't love those! We will definitely be stocking up on these all summer long.

For the wine adventurer: Goverre Modern To-Go Cups

We discovered these gems recently and are obsessed. They are perfect for all types of on-the-go wine activities. These glasses are spill-proof with their locking drink-through-lid (also great for keeping sand out of your wine - yuck). These glasses are made of glass (yay!) but have a protective silicon sleeve. They have tons of trendy colors to choose from as well so you won't get confused with what glass is yours!

For the beach babe: Porto Vino Wine Bag

We saw these bags on Instagram a few months back and HAD to test it out. Porto Vino Wine Bags come in a variety of colors and styles. Inside is roomy with an insulated zipper compartment and a wine bladder attached to a spout that discreetly pops out the side for easy pouring. You just chill your favorite wine (or not if its red) fill the bladder, and go! This is the classy way to carry around wine to sporting events, BBQs and beach parties. We love how much room there is for your beach towel, glasses, and snacks while filled up with your favorite rosé.

For the party hostess with the mostest: Wine Glass Writer

We ran a fabulous giveaway with Wine Glass Writer a few months ago and have used these markers for all sorts of parties. Simply pick a color and write on your glass, let it dry for a minute before touching (or filling it with cold wine) and your design will stay on till you wash it off with soap and water. These have been a great addition to our parties, we ask our friends to write their name (or draw something fun) so they know which glass is theirs. It has cut down the number of glasses we have to wash by a dozen or so! These pens are also great for writing on mirrors (wedding seat assignment) and serving plates.

Use our discount code everyonewins10 for a 10% discount on your order!!

10 Things We Learned At The 2018 Pebble Beach Food & Wine

The 2018 Pebble Beach Food and Wine has come and gone and we are SO sad. We had so much fun tasting and nibbling on all the food and wine sent from heaven under one giant white tent.  If you are a lover of food, or wine, or both like us, we highly recommend attending. It is seriously so amazing! 

We learned so many new things during the weekend, we wanted to put together a list of 10 things we learned at this year's event.

Here they are:

1. The Year of Foie Gras - We are calling this years event "The Year of Foie Gras" because so many of the chefs under the big tent on Saturday and Sunday were serving up delicious bites of foie gras. Eve has always adored Foie gras but Ivy, on the other hand, tends to steer away from these dishes because of the earthy liver taste. This year Ivy couldnt help but fall in love with Foie gras though. This year's chefs foie gras dishes all had such distinct tastes- some were fresh like Hudson Valley's brown butter foie gras crumble & strawberry...or the English pea panna cotta with spring vegetables, Meyer lemon and foie gras by Chef Blom. Foie gras can be made in so many ways it really can be delightful to all pallets!

Hudson Valley's brown butter crumble & strawberry foie gras

English pea panna cotta with spring vegetables, meyer lemon and foie gras by Chef Blom

2. Eat Your Invasives - Chef Lofaro had one of our favorite dishes of the weekend. Why? Because it was delicious, the presentation was beautiful, and the concept behind it was so awesome. Lafaro had made his dish out of kiawe bean flour and strawberry and guava plants which are all invasive plants in his home state of Hawaii. He decided to use these invasives for good - eating! As he removes the plants from the landscape, he uses it to create this delicious dish. No waste for the bettering of the ecosystem. SO COOL!

Eat Your Invasives! kiawe, walawf, and white bread poke by Chef Lofaro

3. Time For Vegas - We were invited to the Venetian Hotel happy hour on Saturday evening. This event was held at the fire pits at the Inn at Spanish Bay. The happy hour included a few signature cocktails that were tasty and unique and Chef Lorena Garcia was serving up delicious tacos! Ivy has only been to Vegas overnight on her way back from college and Eve has NEVER been! From what The Venetian did with this event, we know where we're headed next! Vegas Baby! We're planning to go to Vegas in the next several months to get the FULL Vegas experience!

4. There really is no substitute for bubbles - This year we were lucky to catch up with our "spirit sommelier" Kim Beto and attend his Sunday Bubbles Seminar, which is similar to the Big Bottle Bubbles seminar we attended in 2016. If you love champagne like us, you MUST attend this seminar. At 10 am on a Sunday you are greeted with a tasting flight of 9 different champagnes/sparkling wines to taste along with your new best friends (the five champagne experts on the panel).  

This year our favorite quotes from the seminar were:

• Magnums are the perfect size for two if only one is drinking.

• Drink Champagne right out of the bottle! "great on buses when you don't have glasses" - Kim Beto

• Sabering party "If you haven't had one you're not living" - Kim Beto

• England is the new "up and coming" producer of sparkling wines. Two of the nine wines we tasted were from Jolly Old England and we were shocked at how delicious they were! We honestly didn't think good wine could come from such a wet, mild climate. Boy, were we wrong!

Us with "spirit sommelier" Kim Beto at Sunday Bubbles

5. Good bread and butter is one of life's greatest simple pleasures - We are always down to eat fresh bread and homemade butter, but it's not something you are expecting to eat at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine. A day full of foie gras and delectable cheeses is more the norm. However, this year we stumbled upon the Kerrygold butter booth and were pleasantly surprised and instantly comforted by the simplicity of quality bread and butter. After hours of trying new wines and rich bites, the bread and butter was a welcomed change! Such a simple food really can be delicious.

6. Lanson Champagne is still our favorite! - We are always looking for new champagnes to try but we honestly still adore Lanson Champagne the most. #sorrynotsorry

8.  Berries by themselves - Driscoll always makes an appearance at the PBFW event. The berries are served as is and are always one of our favorite snacks in between the richer bites chefs prepare. The acidity and sweetness wake up our pallet so they are ready to try the next thing! We also loved the tasty berry popsicles they handed out as we all left the tent. 

9. Sake for wellness sake - This year we sampled TYKU sake which has a variety of flavors. Tyku is a clean alternative to wine because it has lower acidity, no sulfites which sometimes irritate people, and has no tannins. You can literally "unwine" with TYKU. Our favorite flavor was the refreshing cucumber. We think it may be time to explore the world of sake soon. 

10. There really is NOTHING like PBFW - We haven't been able to attend any of the other Food and Wine events around the world but we have been told by many who have that the Pebble Beach Food and Wine is the BEST. And jousting by the location, the chef and winemakers who attend, and our experience, we can't see how anywhere else can compare!

Avacado, mint and cucumber shooter topped with créme fraîche and wild flowers

Bone marrow, butterscotch, panna cotta with blueberry and bacon relish by Chef Jin from Paws Up Resort

It was our Mom's birthday on Sunday we were so happy to be able to spend the day sipping and tasting with her!

Kona kampachi tartar with shallots, chives, avacado puree, radish, lemon aioli and honey crumble.

Marinated salt spring mussels

Food & Wine Event Tips & Attire

Over the years, some of our favorite food memories together have been at Food and Wine festivals around California and the world. For one price, you get to experience a multitude of different flavors and sample amazing wines from around the world. Our favorite event hands down have always been the Pebble Beach Food & Wine in our hometown (see more HERE, HERE, and HERE). We always start the day with a game plan and want to share with you some tips for you to keep in mind as you prepare to attend all of this year's Food and Wine events. 

xoxo Ivy & Eve

• Make sure you are FULLY hydrated before the event and drink water between each taste. 

• Eat something before the event! Otherwise the alcohol will affect you sooner!

• Make sure you have your designated driver/transportation home figured out before you get to the event. We all want to be responsible imbibers!!!

• Wear darker colors, or patterned clothes. During these types of events, you are walking and standing in tight quarters so spills are very common (at least for clumsy people like us!), Wearing patterned or dark colors will hide spills so you can keep looking flawless. #goals

• Comfy, chic, closed toe shoes are best for such events since there are lots of people and the possibility of being stomped on is high. We recommend wearing shoes you are comfortable in since these events are hours long and you'll be standing/walking around the the whole time.  

• A small yet roomy bag to carry all your personal items (camera, tickets, business cards collected from vendors, etc.). We love using cross body bags because they leave both hands free for carrying our wine glass and small bites. :)

• Wear layers that can be easily carried (you'll need both hands for food/drinks). The weather in Pebble Beach can go from chilly 50's to sunny 75 in a matter on minutes, so layering up is always a good idea. That being said, make sure whatever layers you wear can be either tied around your shoulders/waist or stuffed in your bag.

• Long lasting lip color/no lip color (greasy foods and lots of wine will make it rub off easily). We recommend Lipsense (our favorite brand!) but if you don't have time to get some...our second favorite is Maybelline Super Stay 24 Color. 

• Start with bubbles! Sparkling wine excites your palate and gets you ready for what is to come!

• Go from light to dark wines. Since you wont be guided through the hundreds of wines this guide comes in handy: White before Red, Dry before Sweet. 

• Use the 5 S's - See, Swirl, Smell, Sip,  Savor!

• Bring your sense of adventure! At all food & wine events, we highly recommend keeping away from your favorites and trying something new that you never thought you would like! Last time, we tried Chef Todd Fischer's Bacon Chocolate Covered Chicharrones which Eve was actually addicted to for weeks (we asked the Chef Todd for several take-home bags!!).

Wine of The Month Club: Wine Subscription Service Review

If you didn't already know, subscription services are one of our guilty pleasures. We've love receiving packages in the mail, and what could be better than receiving a package of wine?! Last year we reviewed the WINC wine subscription HERE. Now we want to share with you the Wine Of The Month Club!

So why join Wine Of The Month Club? Well, being the original wine shipping subscription service (started in 1972), they have had time to perfect. Why do we love WOTMC so much? They offer 10 different club levels to choose from, ranging from the classic membership to the more specific rosé only club.  You can be as picky or nonchalant as you wish with shipments. We subscribe to the "Classic" Cellar Series club which ships six bottles (4 red, 2 white) to our door every other month. We love this club because we try amazing value wines from around the world. All wines have a 100% guarantee so if you don't like the wine, you don't pay for it. Also, if you like something, they have fantastic reorder prices! Take a look at one of our most recent shipments!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Rockus Bockus Proprietary Red Wine / 2013 / Sonoma, CA

This mega red-blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Zinfandel has a deep crimson color with blackberry and spice notes acommpanied by intense fruit flavors and a hint of bright strawberry at the finish. We would pair this bold red with and equally big flavored dish and red meats. 

Pietra Santa Sangiovese / 2013 / Monterey, CA

This dark ruby colored classic Italian varietal has a slightly "hot" alcoholic smell with subtle scents of damp soil and dark fruit - bursting flavors on the tongue of black cherries and licorice. Nice long finish. We would serve this up with steak or game!

 Pietra Santa Merlot / 2013 / Monterey, CA

This lush merlot was our favorite out of the shipment. With an intoxicating aroma of dark fruits, spice, and leather. On the palate we tasted dark fruit and berries, vanilla, and a hint of tobacco. This wine had a nice smooth finish with silky tannins. We would happily sip on this alone or pair it with a great cheese board. 

 Pietra Santa Zinfandel / 2012 / Monterey, CA

While completely drinkable this was our least favorite of the shipment. This Zin had a dark rusty red color, smelled a bit like straw and had dry, dusty tannins. We would recommend decanting it (which we did after our first taste) giving it a chance to open up a bit.

Back Story Sauvignon Blanc / 2015 / CA

This Sauv Blanc had a very pale yellow color with a citrusy nose and a hint of green bell peppers. Pleasingly, it tasted much less acidic than what the scent hinted. We would recommend drinking this wine with a nice light veggie dish or fish. 

Kunza Sauvignon Blanc / 2015 / Maule Valley, Chile

This wine had a bright yellow color and aromas of grapefruit and pineapple. The taste was tropical with a nice mineral finish - very crisp and refreshing. We would suggest pairing this wine with fish or a fresh salad!

Whole Foods Wine Sale + Food Pairings!

Who loves a great wine sale? We sure do! Whole Foods Market is holding an awesome wine sale ONE DAY only-Friday, September 8th. For that one day only, you will get 30% off any 6 or more bottles purchase (excluding wines with prices ending in .98). We have partnered with our favorite grocery store to share with you some of our wine sale recommendations as well as some great food pairings so you can make the most of this great sale. 

Everyone also knows we LOVEEE wine tasting. Be sure to stop by the store this week for some of exactly that! There will be wine tasting going on Aug. 29th & 30th (4pm-7pm). This will is a great way to try out some of the wines on sale before purchasing them. And if you do find something you love we suggest pre-ordering to ensure you get the wines you want. Plus you will receive a coupon for 50% off your olive bar purchases when you come to pickup your wines on the 8th! We know we'll be heading over to our local Whole Foods to sample before we buy!

xxx Ivy & Eve

**Sale excludes Three Wishes & wines ending in .98 cents.**

Here are just a few wines we sampled that will be included in the wine sale: 

AVA Grace Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc / 2016 / CA / $9.99 each

Tasting notes: Pale straw color, notes of grapefruit, grass, and melon. Crisp.

Pairing: We love to pair Sauvignon Blancs with briny things like olives and oysters (YUM!). 

Le Galantin Bandol Rosé / 2016 / France / $22.99 each

Tasting notes: Light salmon color, notes of rose, strawberries, summer fruits, with a slight minerality. Dry.

Pairing: We tend to pair dry rosé with goat cheese, prosciutto and other cured meats, and our ultimate favorite...pizza!!

Lan Reserva Rioja Tempranillo / 2010 / Spain / $14.99

Tasting notes: Inky color, notes of subtle spices, jammy, black berry, black cherry, and slight tobacco. Light tannins.

Pairing: We love to pair our favorite Spanish red with a great Spanish sheep's cheese like a Manchego! We suggest the Mitica 3-month aged Manchego alongside some 34° Crisps crackers (Ivy's absolute fave) and Guayeco Guava Paste all from Whole Foods! This is seriously the ultimate single bite!

Domaine Allimant-Laugner Sparkiling Rosè / Nonvintage / France / $21.99

Tasting notes: Pale peach color, notes of strawberries and cream and lightly toasted brioche. Small, tight bubbles and nice acidity. 

Pairing: We would totally love to nosh on some brie and baguette with this sparkling rosé, but we could also see this pairing perfectly with brunch (eggs benedict anyone?!?) or even enjoying sans food poolside!

Do you have any Whole Foods wine recommendations or food pairing suggestions? Let us know!

Rosé Punch

Rosé season has arrived! WOOHOO!!! We are so happy to be enjoying the sunshine and warmth of summer after such a wet winter here in California. With rosé season upon us, we wanted to create a tasty cocktail worthy of sipping poolside. This rosé punch is just that: light, refreshing, and low in alcohol compared to other cocktails. It's the perfect drink for your #roséallday festivities!!! 

Ingredients:

• 3 bottles Rosé- We used Gruet Rosé

• 3 cups lemonade (freshly squeezed or just not from concentrate)

• 3 cups citrus flavored sparkling water- We used La Croix Grapefruit

• 3 grapefruits

• 3 lemons

• Ice

• Edible flowers for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Squeeze 2 grapefruits and 2 lemons. Slice the last grapefruit and lemon into thin slices for garnishing glasses and adding to the punchbowl. 

2. In a large punch bowl or drink dispenser add the rosé, lemonade, grapefruit juice and lemon juice. Stir.

3. Add grapefruit and lemon slices.

4. Fill the punch bowl or drink dispenser most of the rest of the way with ice and stir. 

5. Add the sparkling water and gently stir. 

6. Top the punchbowl with edible flowers and serve. 

7. Enjoy!

Staves and Steel

Last Saturday, April 8th, Cima Collina Winery threw their second annual Staves & Steel party. This  gathering - held at their warehouse winery in Marina, CA - offers a unique experience featuring new release artisan wines, barrel tastings, and of course delicious food! 

This year was this first year we had the opportunity to attend the event, and we had such a great time! It was also our Mom's birthday and we couldn't think of a better way to begin her birthday celebration than to start at this awesome party! This event had live music by the band the Hovering Breadcat Folk Ensemble, who were so fun and lively, and the local ate3one food truck which provided delicious bites available for purchase. We ordered the shrimp taco and two pork sliders...YUM! 

An awesome part about attending the event was the discounted prices off the wines for sale: 10% off any bottle, 15% off cases, and 25% off everything if you were a club member. We loved their "mystery case" deal which was filled with an assortment of wines: some reserve wines, some new wines, and some older wines too. Not to mention you were getting the case for basically half off the retail value!

Our personal favorite part of the event was tasting wines from the barrel. Barrel tastings give you the opportunity to try wines that are still aging and gives you a completely unique sneak peek of the wine to come! They had two wines to taste, the first was their 2016 Argyle Petit Syrah and the second was a 2016 Chalome Petit Syrah. It's crazy how different they tasted! The 2016 Argyle was totally drinkable now, where the 2016 Chalome tasted very young. We spoke to the winemaker, and she said that while the Argyle tasted great now, the Chalome is a much more complex wine and will turn into the more superb wine in the long run. 

In the end, we purchased a few bottles of their newly released Rosé Pét-Nat. A Pét-Nat is a naturally bubbly wine, similar to a sparkling rosé. We highly recommend this one on a warm summer's day, or for a Sunday brunch party. The color and taste will win over anyone! 

If you want to hear more about Cima Collina, check out our previous post here!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Top 5 Sparkling Wines to Toast the New Year

This year, we are hosting a small New Years Eve party for some of our friends and family. We will be snacking on tasty Italian antipasti, making wood-fired pizzas, and sipping tasty drinks throughout the night. The most important task on our party planning list is finding the perfect bubbles to celebrate with! Here is a quick round-up of our favorite affordable sparkling wines that will go well with any dish you serve this NYE. 

1. Domain Chandon Sparkling Wine- $15

2. Gruet Sparkling Wine Brut- $16

3. Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico NV- $20

4. Domain Carneros Sparkling Brut- $30

5. Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne- $40

Check out this fun video from our friends at Winc for some fun sparkling wine trivia that will surely amaze your party guests!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Cranberry-Rosemary Champagne Cocktail

The holidays go with champagne like Christmas goes with Santa. So naturally we drink champagne during the holidays...a lot. With all of the festivities surrounding the season, it is one of the busiest times for everyone, so many parties to attend and to host. We decided to create a holiday cocktail that is simple, festive, and almost entirely effortless. This drink combines our favorite drink champagne, festive cranberries, (we recommend making our Sugar Dusted Cranberries, but plain works too), rosemary (basically the tasty version of a Christmas tree), a splash of simple syrup or bitters. Put them together and you get a drink that will simply WOW your guests and leave you time to actually enjoy your party! You're welcome. 

xxx Ivy & Eve

Ingredients:

• Cranberries 2-3 for each cocktail (see how to make these pretty & tasty Sugar Dusted Cranberries HERE)
• Sprigs of rosemary 1 for each cocktail (length depends on champagne glass 3-4" should work)
• 1 bottle of Champagne
• Simple syrup left over from the Sugar Dusted Cranberries (optional)
•  Your favorite bottle of bitters (optional)

Directions:

1. Remove leaves off the bottom half of the rosemary sprigs.
2. Slowly poke the stem through each cranberry one at a time.
3. Pour champagne in glass. (add simple syrup from the Sugar Dusted Cranberries recipe for a touch of sweetness and/or a dash of bitters)
4. Place cranberry-rosemary garnish on each glass.
5. Serve!

Cheers!

Cotton Candy Champagne Cocktail

We love sweet things and cotton candy has always been one of our favorite treats to buy at fairs and carnivals as kids. 

We have seen similar cocktail on Pinterest and always wanted to try but we could NEVER seem to find cotton candy in our hometown. So when we happened to find a shop that sold the real deal, we bought some for our carnival themed Halloween party we decided we must take full advantage of the opportunity. 

Our recipe is different to others in that they all let you dip the cotton candy into the glass of champagne, where we pour the champagne on top of the cotton candy. This recipe is much quicker to make then our Autumn Champagne Cocktail recipe since it only has two ingredients. Surprisingly, we found that the cotton candy did not make the cocktail super sweet. If you want it to be sweeter, just keep adding more cotton candy! The cotton candy melts within seconds so be sure to serve it in front of your guests so they can see the magic. We loved the bright color we got from the blue cotton candy but feel free to test out all the different colors! We are definitely planning to make for our next girls night or brunch.

xxx Ivy & Eve

Makes 4 cocktails.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of brut champagne
• 1 bag of cotton candy

Directions:

1. Place a small pinch of cotton candy in glass.
2. Pour bubbly in glass over cotton candy
3. Enjoy!

Red Wine Sangria

Sangria is one of our all time favorite drinks. It's cool and refreshing and has yummy fruit snacks to munch on while you enjoy it. We have put together one of our favorite red wine sangria recipes for you using Pacificana Zinfandel from our second Winc shipment (we will be reviewing it shortly). We hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Ingredients:

1 bottle of chilled red wine, like this Pacificana Zinfandel from Winc

1/2 cup brandy

1/2 cup orange juice

1 cup club soda

1 orange (cut into thin round slices)

1/2 Meyer lemon (cut into thin round slices)

1/2 lime (cut into thin round slices)

1 apple (sliced into 1/2 inch chunks

10 Maraschino cherries

2 tablespoons Maraschino cherry juice

Directions:

1. Slice and dice fruit and place all in a pitcher.
2. Pour orange juice and brandy into the pitcher, mix, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 15 or more minutes.
3. Add club soda and wine into the pitcher and mix.
4. Place pitcher back in refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes or more. (optional step)
5. Add ice cubes to serving glasses and scoop out sangria fruit as you pour.
6. Serve! 

Cheers!

Winc: Wine Subscription Service Review & Free Bottle Code!

We love to get mail. Who doesn't? We also love wine. Also, who doesn't? We recently wondered why we had not tried out one of the many wine subscription services, we really had no good explanation. We are members of many Carmel Valley wine clubs and get most of our wine locally but we rarely try wines that aren't local let alone produced outside of California. We decided that trying out a wine subscription would be a great way to try something new, and have the excitement of waiting for the mail to arrive as well!

First up on our quest to find the best wine subscription service is Winc (formerly known as Club W). 

Winc is a L.A. based start-up winery who's mission is to provide the world with stellar wines at reasonable prices. Working directly with vineyards and winemakers, and distributing directly to the consumer (us), they keep prices down so we get these wines at a great price!

To get started, you sign up and take a quick quiz to identify your palate profile. Then they suggest several wines for you based on your profile and you can either keep the selections or pick from the ever changing range of wines on offer.  

We ended up selecting our own wines, some of them were matched to us from our profile, and some were not. We were SO excited to get the package...we actually ran right out to the delivery man when he came. The package includes the wines and cards with a description and a recipe to pair with each bottle. You can also get these recipes on the Winc website. 

First up: 

2015 Copycat Barbera

Paso Robles, CA

We adore this label! A cat in a triceratops costume, what could be cuter?! We thought the wine was very light for the color of wine and had no lingering finish. It tasted of red cherry and raspberry with a touch of herbs. Overall we would drink it again but we wouldn't go out of our way to purchase it. 

2015 Cocomero Rosé of Barbera

California

The label is fun and definitely eye catching. It grabs our attention but it also makes us a bit weary since fun girly labels tend to be on the sweet side. In this case it was not sweet. This was definitely a darker rosé in color. The flavor matched the color, it was a very flavorful rosé. It really tasted like drinking a bowl of fruit salad (a lot of things going on). Overall we thought it wasn't that great of a rosé. We like our rosés on the lighter side with less complexity. 

2015 Wildest Dreams White Blend

Central Coast, CA

We really love the labeling on this wine. Ivy also like the name because it reminds her of Taylor Swifts song "Wildest Dreams". The label is definitely "trendy' and has a really cute heart stamped on the top and bottom of the cork. The wine itself was our favorite of the four. We liked its crisp acidity, and that it was pretty dry. Their were flavors of peach and honeysuckle with a little bit of lemon. We could see ourselves drinking this with our nectarine and burrata salad or even a thin crust veggie pizza. It's a great all around white wine. 

2015 PYT Malvasia Bianca Pétillant Naturel (called Pét-Nat for short) 

Paso Robles, CA

This wine style has recently become popular in the wine industry although its one of the oldest ways to make sparkling wine. The reason its becoming more readily available is for two reasons, the first being sparkling wine is becoming really popular to all wine consumers, second being this is the simplest and most cost effective way to make a sparkling wine (more on this at a later time). 

Being sparkling wine lovers we decided we should give it a try and see what the rage is all about. The label itself is pretty and would stand out well on a shelf. When we opened it, as warned on Winc, the bottle fizzed out the top of the bottle all over our hands and counter. We quickly poured it into our glasses. The color of the wine was straw yellow and hazy because there's no filtering involved. The taste was a little tart with a lot of melon, honey, and lychee flavors. While this isn't our typical favorite sparkling wine we thought it was fun and festive to drink.  We are looking forward to trying a few more Pét-Nats in the near future. 

Overall we thought this wine shipment was good, we will likely try it again once more to see if we find wines that better fit our personal preferences. We would recommend this wine subscription to new wine drinkers or people looking to try something different. We wish they would give a bit more background on where they source their grapes from. One of the wines just said it was sourced from California. Bonus: Winc definitely wins for having the cutest wine branding. 

If you are interested in trying Winc out for yourself use our code to get a free bottle of wine with your shipment (worth $13!). 

Use the code: https://www.clubw.com/iqabcrvz0wi

xxx Ivy & Eve