Yes, the holidays are here.  And, Apple knows it.

The surge of "Food & Drink" app downloads by iPhone users is in full effect, as shoppers use their smartphones to get some holiday dinner inspiration, keep track of their gift lists, and of course, get recommendations for a few killer bottles of vino.

This is where the free Hello Vino app comes in.

Apple has hand-picked the newly updated Hello Vino app as a "New & Noteworthy" pick in the App Store.  We'll toast to that!

Psst... Android users... we love you, too.  You can download the app from Google Play / Android Market.

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Hat tip to the iaxb.com blog for the photo.

Sing with us:

 Summertime... and the livin's easy. (Sublime covering Gershwin & Ella)

Or, do you prefer:

Summer, Summer, Summertime... Summertime (Will Smith)

Or, even:

Summerteeth (yeah, the whole Wilco album)

But, we digress... Here's the update!

We just published a new "Summer Grilling Season" section to the Hello Vino apps (free on both iPhone and Android). Now you can get the perfect wine recommendation for your grilled chicken, sizzlin' steaks and even seafood and salad options.

How to Update: Simply open the Hello Vino app on your phone, then tap the button to "Download the latest" recommendations and wine pairings.  Here's a screenshot to help you out:

Enjoy your Summer grilling - Cheers!!

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The witty, funny and charming Laura Lawson was kind enough to invite Rick Breslin from Hello Vino to her Wine Crush Radio Show, which airs on several stations across the county.

"Wouldn't that be a cool app ... If I like chocolate chip cookies. I like Big Mac wraps. I like lemon chicken off the grill. I like BBQ. ... And by putting in these flavor profiles and putting in these foods that I like, the "computer" has an idea of what wines it might steer you toward."

Yes, Laura. That would be cool. And that app is called Hello Vino.

Grab Some Vino & Listen In
(Interview at 27-minute mark):

winecrush_051612_Hello_Vino_Interview.mp3 Listen on Posterous

During the show, Laura asks Rick several questions about the inspiration for creating the Hello Vino app, the strangest food & wine pairings, and the most popular wines according to shoppers using the app.

If you love learning about wine in a fun, down-to-earth and totally approachable way, Laura is the perfect host. You can download this episode or listen to the show online.

Cheers!

The Hello Vino Team

www.hellovino.com

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You asked, we answered.

For the past three-and-a-half years, we've added several features and content to the free Hello Vino app based on user feedback.  We love our community.  And we get all fuzzy when we get a little love back:

Y'all. There is an app called @hellovino. I am in love.

— Katie Ennis (@katierennis) March 28, 2012

Enough of the lovefest, what's new?!

One of the most popular requests we receive from Hello Vino users is the ability to quickly get wine recommendations based on their favorite type or variety of wine.

"Is there a way to do a straightforward search on a wine type, such as recommendations for Rioja or Pinot Noir?"

For example, if you know you love Pinot Noir, simply tap into the new "Wine by Type / Variety" section of the app to get some inspiration for your next shopping trip:

So, how do you get the new recommendations?

It's super easy.  Simply open the Hello Vino app on your iPhone or Android phone, then tap the button to download the latest wines and recommendations.  Here are screenshots to help you out:

Special Thanks to Kevin Quass

When we say that we listen to our community of wine shoppers, we really listen.  Sometimes, we ask questions right back.  In the case of this new update, we'd like to thank Kevin Quass for helping us with the naming convention for the new "Wine by Type / Variety" section.  Kevin originally reached out with the question above, then we asked his advice on which verbiage would help direct wine shoppers into this new section.  Thanks, Kev.

Happy Wine Shopping!

Here's the link to download the free Hello Vino app.

Cheers,

The Hello Vino Team

www.hellovino.com

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iPhone Life Magazine published a 3-page feature on Hello Vino in their May/June 2012 issue. Author Steve Boss (also host of the Great Taste radio program on KRUU-LP 100.1 FM) was kind enough to provide a free PDF download of the piece.

It's the first location-based recommendation app in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, let alone the wine industry.

iPhone Life Magazine is available at newsstands across the world, and is #2 in Apple Newsstand for the iPad. The "Wine Apps Uncorked" article is found on page 64.

The article gives a few hints about the future of Hello Vino, and also profiles a few other wine apps.

Cheers!

The Hello Vino Team

www.hellovino.com

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It's a holiday weekend!

You're probably starting to run errands to get ingredients for your holiday dinner, and of course, those killer bottles of wine that you're looking forward to sharing with friends and family.

We're Here to Help

In the old days, people were left stranded in the wine aisle.  Now, we have these newfangled gadgets called smartphones that make us, well, smarter.  That's where the free Hello Vino app comes in - the app gives you wine recommendations for meals, taste preferences, and for special occasions like Easter.  Here's a sneak peek:

Wine with Dinner... AND Dessert

Right now, the wine pairing requests for Ham and Lamb preparations within the Hello Vino app are off the charts.  But, what about the candy?  Yep, how could we ignore the guilty pleasure of raiding Easter baskets for those (ahem) once-a-year indulgences?  The free app even makes wine pairing suggestions for all your favorite candies:

Why Are You Still Reading This?

Download the free app and grab some vino!

P.S. Don't forget to tap the big green button when you open the app to download the latest Easter and Candy pairings.

Cheers,

The Hello Vino Team

www.hellovino.com

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Tuscan. Pork. Wine. Go!

Tuscan Pork Stir-Fry 

Ingredients (credit: AllRecipes.com)

• 1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into strips
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups frozen cut Italian green beans, thawed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small white onion, cut into 1/2-inch-wide wedges and separated
• 6 ounces sliced cremini OR sliced portabella mushrooms, halved
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 (16 ounce) tube refrigerated plain-flavored polenta, cut into 1/2-inch slices and quartered
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over high heat; stir-fry pork for 3-5 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove pork from skillet with slotted spoon; cover to keep warm.

Add beans to skillet; stir-fry for 1 minute. Push beans to side of skillet; add 1 tablespoon oil to center of skillet. Add onion and mushrooms; stir-fry all vegetables for 2 minutes. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.

Stir together tomatoes, cornstarch, sugar, salt and basil. Add to skillet; bring to boil. Add polenta. Cook, stirring gently, over high heat for 1 minute. Return all to skillet; cook, stirring gently, for 1 minute. Transfer to shallow pasta serving bowl; sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately with a side of garlic bread.

What wine pairs with pork stir-fry?

Riesling: a semi-dry version with peach, orange, and citrus

Pinot Gris: a nice, zippy white wine with flavors of honeydew melon and kiwi

Cheers!

Hello Vino

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Looking back at 2011, there are many trends with wine, but some will most likely be around for a while. 

Here are some topics that should swirl around for a bit.

Eye on Organic

Folks are increasingly keeping a close eye on the source for their food, and so goes the wine. Natural wines are becoming better and better, and some consumers are making an effort to seek out organic, biodynamic and sustainable winemaking. 

Knock, Knock. Here's Your Wine.

The state of Maryland joined 37 others in allowing direct to consumer shipments. There's a ways to go here…but it's a start. Here's a fun little site to learn more about the movement: http://www.freethegrapes.com/

Celebrity Juice

In 2011, Donald Trump bought Kluge winery (who was bankrupt). Actor Stanley Tucci has a new show called 'Vine Talk' where other famous faces sit around a table sipping and shooting the breeze about wine. Most recently, Drew Barrymore entered the wine business offering the Barrymore Pinot Grigio with a label designed by the famous street artist, Shepard Fairey (the one behind the Obama "Hope" poster).

Millenialls are Adventurous

This segment of wine drinkers want to expand their horizons, and will be willing to toss a few more bucks toward a new glass or bottle of wine. Interestingly, within the free Hello Vino wine apps, we offer your common "go-to" varietals, however, we also make it a point to recommend wines like Torrontes, Nero d'Avola, and Gewürztraminer to please everyones palates.

Wine with Dinner in America

Let's face it, wine has become much more popular over the years in the U.S. With resources such as Hello Vino, or recipe websites attaching a type of wine that may match well with the meal, food and wine pairing will continue it's upward trend. If you have travelled to Europe, wine on the dinner table is second-nature. American dinner tables are being peppered with more and more table wine, and it creates a great social atmosphere. Do you need to know what wine to pair with dinner…theres a free app for that

What do you think will happen in 2012?

Cheers!

Hello Vino

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The wine aisles have grown up over the years, especially in places where you shop for food.

Small sections and shelves that were simply labeled "wine" have exploded into rows of bottles that are appropriately categorized into types, styles, varietals, regions of the world, imports, jugs, boxes, 4-packs, and more.

The shelves also pepper you with endless coupons, deals to purchase a food item in another part of the store to get $2 off the wine, and passively ask you if you're interested in some wine charms, gift bags, or some fluorescent bottle stoppers?

The aisle suddenly has a lot of personality.

We know you have an overwhelming amount of options when shopping for wine, but realize you're not looking to spend a half hour searching for something. In fact, you may be missing out on some interesting wine you'd dig based on your taste preferences, or a meal you may be having because you have to get a move on!

We created our free wine app Hello Vino to demystify the wine aisle and help you select or discover great wine you can enjoy, remember, and share with friends.

Here's a little diddy explaining how we can help in an instant:

Simple Supermarket Wine-Buying Tips

Use the Hello Vino Wine App

• Wine recommendations for food, specific occasions, regions, and your personal taste preference
• Save your wines, create a wishlist or future shopping list, and give them your own ratings
• Search for wines like you would on Google, or try our wine label image recognition (point and shoot with your smartphone camera)
• Listen to audio reviews of wines you can easily find in stores
• Sign up for 'Wine Picks for You' and we'll send you deals based on your history and items you like
• Share your pairings and wines with friends through Twitter and Facebook

» Download the free app for iPhone or Android

Check That Rating or Score
We've seen great industry scores on the bottle-necker or shelf-talker promoting a particular vintage, but the one for sale, or in your hand is a different vintage!

Move Beyond California Wines
Explore some the of excellent wines from other regions. In fact, some bottles from regions located in Argentina, Portugal, and Spain provide killer deals (roughly $10 and taste like $30)

Check The Vintage
Most wines for sale at a supermarket are meant to be consumed immediately and are best when they're young and fresh

Where do you like to buy wine...your local supermarket, wine shops, Trader Joe's, drug stores...sound off!

Cheers,
Hello Vino

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Rosés are not red. Violets are not blue. In fact, colors of pink, purple, or orange in your glass will smile back at you.

If you, or your significant other enjoy sweeter Rosés (the 1970's U.S. surge of "blush wines"), or you like the drier versions (more European), we have a great list below.

To quote William Shakespeare, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." 

A Dozen Rosés For Your Wine Lover

Crios de Susana Balbo Rose of Malbec 2009

89 Points: Robert Parker 

"The 2009 Rose of Malbec is dark pink in color with an enticing nose of strawberry and cherry. Ripe, dry, and full-flavored"

Price: $11.29

**Buy the 2009 Crios de Susana Balbo Rose of Malbec

Cataldi Madonna Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo 2008

90 Points

"One of the more overt, fruit-driven roses of the vintage. Medium in body, the wine possesses gorgeous depth and richness, with a long, polished close"

Price: $17.99

**Buy the 2008 Cerasuolo by Cataldi Madonna

Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rose 2009

88 Points

"Bright pink. Raspberry and blood orange on the nose, with notes of white pepper and fresh bay adding complexity. Spicy red fruit flavors show a refreshingly bitter quality"

Price: $15.99

**Buy the 2009 Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rose

Terredora Rosaenovae Rosato 2009 

90 Points

"Dried roses, berries, spices, minerals and licorice are some of the notes that emerge from this ethereal, deceptively medium-bodied wine"

Price: $16.49

**Buy the 2009 Terredora Rosaenovae Rosato

Domaines Ott Les Domaniers Cotes de Provence Rose 2009 

88 Points

"Rich and minerally, with slate and pepper accents to the dried cherry and plum flavors. Features dried mango and citrus on the zesty finish"

Price: $ 19.99

**Buy 2009 Domaines Ott Les Domaniers Cotes de Provence Rose

Yalumba Y Series Sangiovese Rose 2010  

"The mouth feel is succulent, with strawberry, rhubarb and cinnamon flavors. It opens to a fine dense body of wine with a soft texture that is long and beautifully balanced"

Price: $ 11.29

**Buy the 2010 Yalumba Y Series Sangiovese Rose

Trenza Rosado 2009

"There is bright strawberry and cherry, along with rich banana, and a hint of rose petals. It finishes nice and surprisingly dry"

Price: $ 15.29

**Buy the 2009 Trenza Rosado

Folie a Deux Menage a Trois Rose 2009 

"Fruit-laden roller coaster ride of raspberries, strawberries, lychee nuts and flowers with a silky smooth finish"

Price: $ 10.99

**Buy 2009 Folie a Deux Menage a Trois Rose

Francis Ford Coppola Winery Sofia Rose 2009  

"A luminous magenta hue and beautiful perfume of wild strawberries, tea leaves and violets. Luscious flavors of raspberries, cherries, candied orange and cloves enliven the palate"

Price: $ 16.79

**Buy the 2009 Francis Ford Coppola Winery Sofia Rose

Muga Rioja Rosado 2009  

"Vivid pink. Complex, highly aromatic bouquet of pink grapefruit, strawberry, rhubarb and white flowers, with a strong mineral undertone"

Price: $ 13.29

**Buy the 2009 Muga Rioja Rosado

Mulderbosch Rose 2009 

"A dry rosé (made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) with a beautifully fragrant nose, offering alluring aromas of rose petal, strawberry, and cherry"

Price: $ 9.99

**Buy the 2009 Mulderbosch Rose

Ch. Campuget Costieres de Nimes Rose 2009  

"Scents of small red fruits such as raspberries or blackcurrants, and the final taste is very long, leaving an delicate impression of fruitiness"

Price: $ 11.49

**Buy the 2009 Ch. Campuget Costieres de Nimes Rose

With Love,

Hello Vino

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Do you want to have a pre-Valentine's Day night of fun? Dazzle your date and inject some goofy fun?

I'll proudly shout that I love chocolate strawberries. And, I love lamp (Brick Tamland voice)!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces milk chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves

Not That You Need Directions…but here you go:

Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.

In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.

Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.

Lava Lamps 

Ingredients

• 1 (3 ounce) package red or blue colored instant gelatin mix
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water until completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in vodka. Pour the liquid into small paper cups or portion cups. Chill until set, at least 2 hours.

Pour champagne into glasses. Break up the gelatin with a fork, and pour into a glass of champagne. A little stir gives it some 'lava' action. Drink with caution, these will sneak up on you.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Hello Vino

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Superbowl snacks coming at ya!

Restaurant-Style Potato Skins 

Ingredients (credit: AllRecipes)

• 6 potatoes
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/8 cup bacon bits
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

Pierce potatoes with a fork. Microwave the potatoes on high until they are soft; approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

Cut the potatoes in half vertically. Scoop the inside out of the potatoes, until 1/4 inch of the potato shell remains.

Heat oil to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C) in a deep fryer or a deep saucepan. Place the potatoes in hot oil, fry for 5 minutes. Drain potatoes on paper towels.

Fill the potato shells with cheese and bacon bits. Arrange them in the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve hot with sour cream.

Wine Pairing:
Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients (credit: AllRecipes)

• 2 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup Ranch dressing
• 3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot®)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces
• 1 (8 ounce) box chicken-flavored crackers

Directions

Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and crackers.

Wine Pairing:
Dry Riesling or a jammy Zinfandel

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the Superbowl!

Cheers,

Hello Vino

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Do you have a couple bottles of wine stored away for a special occasion? Maybe a friend of yours is a bit of a collector and has a treasure trove of legit juice.

Have you been shown a bottle at dinner, given the delicious back story, and then watch the bottle go right back in the basement, fridge, or cellar?

It happens, and yes, some bottles are meant to be enjoyed later. This is true for various reasons.

Without digging into crazy facts, we know the majority of Hello Vino users classify themselves as general wine consumers, who consume wine more than 3 times per week, and typically spend between $10 and $20. Many of us pick up a bottle, open the bottle, and drink the bottle (with company of course)!

We recently came across an old, but amazing fact about wine shared by DWSmg.com which stated, "A person who constantly talks about wine that she/he will open but never does, is popularly known as a “cork-tease”.

Hilarious stuff right there. This made us smile, but also got our wheels turning about what wines you may want to purchase now, and enjoy later.

So, in the spirit of holding out, here are 5 Wine.com wines worth tucking away for a while so you can be a "cork-tease"

5 Wine.com Wines Worth Saving
 

Mount Veeder Winery Reserve Red 2006 
Bordeaux Red Blend from Napa Valley, California

Wine Enthusiast: 93

"A big, big wine, showing hard mountain tannins and extraordinary concentration of fruit. Made from a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend of the five classic Bordeaux varieties, it's massive in blackberry, cherry, creme de cassis, mineral and smoky oak flavors that finish dry and long. A serious cellar contender, it should start to come into its own after 2014."

Price: $39.99

*** Buy Mount Veeder Winery Reserve Red 2006 

Tardieu-Laurent Crozes-Hermitage Vielles Vignes 2007 
Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France

Wine Spectator: 91
Wine Enthusiast: 90

"Typical for Tardieu-Laurent, this wine is strongly marked by its barrel treatment, which may be enough to put off traditionalists. But the quality and concentration levels of the black cherry fruit underneath are high, and this rather full-bodied, muscular Crozes should develop nicely over the next 5–7 years."

Price: $29.99

*** Buy Tardieu-Laurent Crozes-Hermitage Vielles Vignes 2007

Hartford Court Lands Edge Pinot Noir 2007 
Pinot Noir from Sonoma County, California

Wine Enthusiast: 94
Robert Parker: 93

"A blend of various vineyards from the far or "true" Sonoma Coast, and also Hartford Court's highest-production Pinot Noir. Always beautiful and balanced, the ’07 in particular is remarkable for its silky tannins and overall seamless quality. Really excites for the complexity of currant, cola, licorice and cedar flavors. Now through 2013. "

Price: $44.99

*** Buy Hartford Court Lands Edge Pinot Noir 2007 

Peter Lehmann Eden Valley Riesling 2009 
Riesling from Barossa Valley, Australia

Wine Spectator: 90

"Bright and jazzy, a taut style that delivers pineapple, grapefruit and lime blossom flavors, lingering easily on the refreshing finish. Drink now through 2019."

Price: $14.99

*** Buy Peter Lehmann Eden Valley Riesling 2009

Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2004 
Vintage from Champagne, France

Robert Parker: 97
Wine Enthusiast: 97
Wine & Spirits: 97

"The 2004 Brut Cristal has put on quite a bit of weight since I first tasted it earlier this year. It is a powerful, structured Cristal layered with considerable fruit. Chardonnay seems to play the leading role in 2004, at least today. Cristal is often accessible young, but that is far from the case here. This is a serious, painfully young Cristal that will require considerable patience. Readers who are willing to spend some time with the wine today will find a super-impressive, complete Cristal. The 2004 Cristal is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. This is Lot L033331E100008, disgorged January, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034."

Price: $189.99

*** Buy Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2004

Cheers!

Hello Vino

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Let's face it - it's hard to beat chocolate cake. This recipe below would be an awesome surprise for a birthday.

This cake is easy to make and comes out perfect with no special effort. The frosting is excellent (some folks used cream instead of milk).

Balloons...chocolate cake...party. Check. Check. Check.

From a reviewer:
"I bake a lot and this is the BEST chocolate cake recipe I have ever tried! Instead of butter icing, try a chocolate glaze over the cake just before its completely cool so the glaze soaks in YUM! Glaze: 1 cup sifted icing sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 2 tablespoons milk ½ teaspoon vanilla"

Extreme Chocolate Cake 

Ingredients (credit: AllRecipes)

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 5 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans.

Use the first set of ingredients to make the cake. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, mix for 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Stir in the boiling water by hand. Pour evenly into the two prepared pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely.

To make the frosting, use the second set of ingredients. Cream butter until light and fluffy. Stir in the cocoa and confectioners' sugar alternately with the milk and vanilla. Beat to a spreading consistency.

Split the layers of cooled cake horizontally, cover the top of each layer with frosting, then stack them onto a serving plate. Frost the outside of the cake.

What wine goes with chocolate cake?

Cabernet Sauvignon: a rich red wine with red fruit mixed with spice

or

Madeira: a sweet wine with caramel, almonds, and hazelnuts

Cheers!

Hello Vino

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Have you wanted to try different Italian wine? Maybe you'd like to host a big dinner, or simply try a bottle you normally can't find in stores near you. 

This little package below is great because it gives you a variety of wine. In addition, enjoy the Greet Sheet that includes descriptions of the regions from which the six featured wines hail. The description cards are perforated as 4x5 index cards to be torn off for future reference. Invite some friends over, pour some vino, and show off you wine skills as if you just got back from the old country!

You can also use the free Hello Vino wine app to pair some great food with your Italian wine gift. 

• From our home screen, choose Food Pairings for Your Wine
• Select the type of wine you are opening (color, sparkling, etc.)
• Scroll to the name of your wine
• Viola…recommended food pairings!

Visit Italy for Under $100

Viva Italia! Italian Wine Gift Collection 
Mixed Collection
Price $89.99

From Prosecco to Chianti, Viva Italia combines six bottles representing the best wine growing regions and varieties of Italy. A diverse collection for the Italian wine lover.

Wine Gift Collection Includes:
 

Veneto: Allegrini Palazzo della Torre
Deep ruby-red in color, this wine is brimming with notes of dark, dried cherries, blackberries and hints of dates and mocha. Pairs well with full-flavored pasta and risotto dishes, roast poultry and chorizo.

Sardinia: Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino
Lemon-green in color with intense yet delicate aromas of citrus, pineapple, tropical fruits and honey. On the palate, the wine shows a delightfully zesty acidity, which makes it the wine of choice for many dishes.

Basilicata: Azienda Bisceglia Aglianico del Vulture Gudarrà
Deep ruby-red in color with enticing notes of red cherries, cassis, blackberries, sweet spice and a hint of licorice. This is an accessible, versatile red that pairs beautifully with southern Italian pasta dishes, lamb and grilled or roasted game.

Trentino-Alto Adige: Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio
Pale yellow in color with green reflections. It has the pleasant aroma that characterizes the variety, with exotic fruit notes and a trace of meadow flowers. Slightly spicy, well-structured and full in the mouth.

Tuscany: Castellare Chianti Classico
Brilliant ruby red with generous aromas of ripe black cherry, violets and vanilla followed by elegant layers of dark fruit, tobacco and sweet spice on the palate. Dry, full-bodied and firmly structured, this wine makes a great pairing with roast beef.

Veneto: Zardetto Prosecco Brut
Crystal clear with a hearty white foam and fine perlage. Fresh fragrant aromas and a delicately soft and harmonious taste are the hallmarks of this quintessential aperitif wine.

------ Buy Viva Italia! Italian Wine Gift Collection ------

Please note that due to the popularity of this product, Wine.com reserve the right to substitute like wines and vintages of equal or greater value.

Salute!

Hello Vino

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The creator of this recipe states "Pork simmered in root beer makes all the difference. Topped with your favorite BBQ sauce, it's sure to bring rave reviews."

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is so easy, so good. Set it and forget it. This recipe has roughly 2,000 reviews and is rocking the house with 4 1/2 stars.

I'll tell you what...I already pulled out the crock pot for this Sunday, and this is what I'm going after now! Awesome-indoor-tailgate food for the football games too.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients (credit: AllRecipes.com)

• 1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle root beer
• 1 (18 ounce) bottle your favorite barbecue sauce
• 8 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted

Directions

Place the pork tenderloin in a slow cooker; pour the root beer over the meat. Cover and cook on low until well cooked and the pork shreds easily, 6 to 7 hours. Note: the actual length of time may vary according to individual slow cooker. Drain well. Stir in barbecue sauce. Serve over hamburger buns.

What wine goes with pulled pork?

Syrah/Shiraz: a great red wine with blackberry, plum, and some jamminess

If you're more of a white wine person, we recommend Chenin Blanc.

Cheers!

Hello Vino

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The AFC and NFC Championship games are going to be lighting up TV's this Sunday, and you can throw a tailgate party in your living room. Many folks would argue that you don't hold a wine glass in the stadium parking lot (but they secretly love wine). So, in the comfort of your own living room, take the bottles of wine off the bench and pair them with some regional foods in honor of the 4 teams still standing.

Here are some food choices, recommended wine, and bottles you can order online if you're interested for this Sunday or maybe the Superbowl!

New England: Well, Clam Chowder (of course)

The Wine:

Sebastiani Sonoma Chardonnay 2009 
Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California

This player has a helmet full of flavor. It's delicious and zesty, filled with pineapple, pear, green apple, honey and oak, wrapped into a texture of buttercream and with a long, spicy finish.

Price: $12.99

Buy Sebastiani Sonoma Chardonnay 2009 

Baltimore: Crab Cakes

The Wine:

Castello del Poggio Moscato d'Asti 
Non-Vintage from Piedmont, Italy

Castello del Poggio is a long name for the back of a jersey, but this spicy mos­cato tastes fresh and cool. It feels full and rich, but not sugary—the fruit is what lasts, with hints of nectarine and kumquat. 

Price: $15.99

Buy Castello del Poggio Moscato d'Asti

New York: A Serious Slice of Cheese Pizza

The Wine:

Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti 2009 
Barbera from Piedmont, Italy

The blue shirts roster reads that this wine is ruby red with violet hues. Elegant, with good intensity - you can feel the fruits of berries, and mint leaves. Well structured, fruity and dry.

Price: $14.99

Buy Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti 2009 

San Francisco: Chicken Tetrazzini
(named for famed Italian opera soprano Luisa Tetrazzini)

The Wine:

Castello D'Albola Chianti Classico 2007 
Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy

This is a "drink now" wine (aka…playoff ready!). This Chianti has plenty of dark cherry and floral aromas and flavors that say Sangiovese. Fresh and fruity.

Price: $13.99

Buy Castello D'Albola Chianti Classico 2007 

Cheers!

Hello Vino

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When you have a serious, comfort food - pasta craving...chicken parm is mighty enticing.

The cool thing about this recipe is that there is no frying pan, and no grease-splatttering. This dish is simple carbs, sauce, and a delightful craving killer casserole.

Easy Chicken Parm Bake

Ingredients (Credit: AllRecipes.com)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 cups prepared marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 (5 ounce) package garlic croutons

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Coat the bottom of a 9x13 inch casserole dish with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic and hot red pepper flakes. Arrange the chicken breasts in bottom of the dish, and pour marinara sauce over chicken. Sprinkle basil over marinara sauce, and top with the mozzarella cheese, followed by half the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on the croutons, then top with remaining half of the Parmesan cheese.

Bake in preheated oven until cheese and croutons are golden brown and the chicken is no longer pink inside, about 35 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken breast should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

What Wine Goes With Chicken Parmigiana? 

Sangiovese: a red wine with tart cherry, plum, and some spice

Pinot Noir: a nice wine with red berry, cherry and truffles

Merlot: Another red that is lush with plum, black cherry, and caramel

Cheers!

Hello Vino

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Have you been soaked with shipping charges when sending some wine to your home, a friend, or a family member? Maybe you tried to stuff your suitcase with a couple bottles of juice hoping they wouldn't break and ruin your clothes. Perhaps you purposely purchased only a couple bottles when you would have loved to bring a case back home with you.

Well, if you're purchasing wine after visiting a winery, while on vacation, or you want to bring some vino with you on a trip…here's a simple way to travel with your favorite bottles.

We just stumbled upon The Wine Check, and I have to say, I may use this thing (and it's a FAA-approved package).

Don't Ship It......Check It!

The Wine Check is a safe, convenient, and economical way to transport up to one case (12 bottles) of wine to and from the airport, and check the bag with a full 12 bottles intact, while staying under the 50lb airline weight limit for luggage!

When full, The Wine Check weighs in under the typical 50-pound airline weight limit for checked bags. Obviously, if this is an extra checked bag when hopping a flight, odds are the airline with charge you. I guess you'll have to determine if it's better to pay for an extra checked bag, or ship the package to your house. Also, when The Wine Check is empty, you can collapse it for storage or easy transport. Not bad.

This seems so simple…just curious what costs you more - standard shipping to your door, or drop $59.00 for The Wine Check, and pay to check it at an airport.

We are curious, would you use a wine carrier like this?

Cheers!

Hello Vino

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