How Sip Better Works Behind The Scenes

So, how does Sip Better work behind the scenes?

Our founder and sommelier, Leslee Miller, spends hours tasting (sometimes 30-40 wines a week) with distributors who focus on small, family-owned, responsibly farmed, additive-free wines. Leslee also travels extensively (she's in New Zealand right now!), seeking out new, international wineries with the same mindset to introduce to U.S. importers and distributors who will represent them. Once a wine meets Sip Better's standards for quality, affordable price point, and our *better-for-all* philosophy, Leslee begins the process of entering it into the Sip Better wine club.

Between writing her own notes on each wine and combining them with the winemakers’ notes, Leslee formulates a description that includes winery information, tasting notes, winemaking attributes, vintage information and more.  From there, she tacks on her best tips for enjoying that wine: which glass to serve it in, serving temperature, cellar recommendations and pairing...

5 Winter Cocktails to Warm You Up

Photo: Emily Rentsch

Adding winter twists to cocktails is a fun way to keep the drink rotation unique and fresh, whether it's for your home bar or your next cocktail party.

By following these simple recipes based on tried-and-true classics, you'll enjoy drinks with loads of layers, complexitity, and notable winter flavors like cinnamon, allspice, and coffee, that will surely delight you and your guests. All ingredients are available at Sip Better's flagship shop in Minneapolis!

BITTER, SWEET COFFEE

A coffee cocktail is perfect in the winter to not only stave off the early sunsets but to add roasted notes of chocolate and vanilla bean to stirred cocktails. Bitter, Sweet Coffee is a cocktail that uses the structure of an Old Pal cocktail with the added twist of Two James Coffee Liqueur and St. Agrestis Brooklyn Amaro for an additional layer of complexity.

1.5 oz Dampfwerk London Dry Gin
0.75 oz Bordiga Apertivo
0.75 oz St. Agrestis Amaro
1 oz Two James Coffee Liqueur

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a...

Horror Movie Wine Pairings for Halloween

'Tis the season to feel frightened!

One of our team's favorite movie genres is Horror, so October is practically like Christmas here at Sip Better. Below, we've paired wine to a few of our favorite horror films (though it was agony trying to choose just six!). Now grab your wine, some salty snacks, and settle in with someone who will squeeze your hand during the creepy parts.

Happy Halloween!

Scream + Clay Shannon Chardonnay

What's the '90s greatest contribution to pop culture? The Scream franchise, of course! Besides the teenage eye candy and delicious jump scares, we love that each film in the series gives dedicated space to POPCORN. In fact, if Drew Barrymore's character hadn't gotten that fateful phone call in the very first scene of the very first movie, she'd be kicking back with a perpetual bowl of buttery Jiffy Pop. Our favorite thing to drink with popcorn and a scary movie is this luscious Chardonnay laced with peach, pear, and notes of vanilla and crème brûlée.



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We're One! Thank You for Supporting our Flagship Wine Shop

Our flagship wine shop in Minneapolis is one year old today!

We've come a long way from our IndieGoGo fundraiser in 2022 and we wanted to share a quick update on how The Sip Better Wine Club has grown:

— Club membership has grown by 25%
— Overall sales have grown by 30% 
— We have expanded our portfolio with 140 new wines
— We introduced our members to 30 new family owned international wineries
— We have hosted over 50 events + wine tastings in our private event space at Sip Better and inside of our shop with winemakers + wine representatives worldwide
— We have been introduced to countless new enthusiastic neighbors + friends -- thank you!!
 
As ever, we are so grateful to our club members, local patrons, and to our IndieGoGo fundraiser supporters for galvanizing the work we do. We are so happy to continue sharing healthy, international, family-owned wine growers with YOU!

Become A Better Taster // Cabernet Sauvignon

This is part of an ongoing series called Become A Better Taster! Each post will illustrate the essential aromas and tasting notes associated with a specific grape varietal. Use this post as a baseline when tasting your next Cabernet!

 

What do you smell and taste when you're swirling a dark red Cabernet Sauvignon in your glass? Not sure?

Below is a handy visual guide to the classic aromas and tasting notes you might find in any Cabernet Sauvignon. There will be differences and nuances in texture and flavor depending on the origin of the wine, how it was grown, fermented, and stored (more on that below).  Did you know, by the way, that Cabernet Saugivnon is a product of crossing two popular grapes: Cabernet Franc + Sauvignon Blanc?  Cabernet Sauvignon carries a touch of both grapes aromatically and on the palate - due to its parentage. 

Here are a few more basics to help you find your footing when exploring a new-to-you Cabernet. Clink, clink!

SOME NUANCES YOU MIGHT TASTE

Old World...

The Sip Better wine club is all about

  • Truly awesome wines.
    No re-packaged bulk juice here!
  • Introducing you to new wines,
    hand-picked by me, just for YOU
  • Supporting boutique,
    family-owned wineries
  • Fun & Education! You'll become an
    expert with our videos and tips