Photo: Taylor Simpson via Unsplash
Good Friday morning! I hope you're gearing up for a warm and sunny weekend! Let's send you off in the right direction with these lovely things:
FRIDAY FAVES - 3.12.21
- If you want to really feel something, check out this fantastic musical collaboration between Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic. I am TELLING YOU, this retro-style jam session will have you swaying in your seat and fanning your face. These boys are true heartthrobs.
- Loving this long list of creative popcorn toppings. The salty and cheesy options would pair perfectly to this sparkling Furmint.
- This week I tried the non-alcoholic aperitif, Ghia. It's lovely, and makes a perfect mocktail mixer. Just the right combination of bitter, aromatic and complex.
- If you're looking to explore more unconventional beverages, check out our Sommelier's virtual wine class all about Ancient Grapes. This class will clue you in to some beautiful, old-school (but lesser known) styles of wine that'll delight your palate!
- This...
Photo: Jennifer Pallian via Unsplash
I hope you're having a lovely, balmy week! We've been enjoying the sun and the following list of delightful things. Hope you enjoy it too!
FRIDAY FAVES - 3.5.21
- Two extremely good cookie recipes you should try: the New York Times' Rye Chocolate Chip Cookies and Claire Saffitz's buttery Thrice Baked Rye Cookies. Don't let the rye flour dissuade you! The results are impossibly nutty and delicious.
- Excited to try this full-body mineral peel from Org Skincare. When you can't go to a spa, get the spa delivered to you in a bottle!
- We just added an ORANGE section to our SHOP! It features six exciting skin contact wines that'll brighten your glass. And if you're curious about the term skin contact, go check out our quick primer on the subject.
- Speaking of wine curiousity, our somm, Leslee, just posted a bunch of new virtual wine classes for the spring. Tickets available here!
- Cadbury and Goose Island have teamed up to make a gooey-licious beer inspired by the creme-filled Easter...
Photo: Ana Gabriel via Unsplash
To celebrate Women's History Month, we're highlighting a few exceptional women winemakers we love.
Isn't it silly that we have to put the word woman before the word winemaker, like it's an alien concept? But truthfully, the wine making business continues to be dominated by men, from farming to production to marketing to selling. A woman hoping to succeed in the field has to work much harder for the same recognition, and it helps if she's born into a family that's already established in the industry. It's more important than ever to recognize women succeeding in wine making, so that one day it won't seem so remarkable. It will just make sense.
MARTA CASAS + MARIA ELENA JIMENEZ
of Parés Baltá
Parés Baltá—just east of Barcelona, Spain—has been in the business of making cavas (and more) for over 200 years. For the last 20 years, the winery has been managed by brothers Joan and Josep Cusiné Carol. But the wine is up to their wives, Maria Elena Jimenez and Marta Casas.
Marta grew up playing...
Photo: Rafael Leao via Unsplash
It's Friday! Time to relax! Here's a little list of things we loved this week.
FRIDAY FAVES - 2.26.21
- If you're one of those people with a teetering stack of unread books on your nightstand (me!), check out comedian Chelsea Devantez's podcast, Celebrity Book Club. Each episode is a delectable re-cap of a different female celebrity's memoir. I recommend starting with the Demi Moore episode.
- We're loving on this perfect weeknight wine: Domaine de Pallus 'Mesanges' Rouge, a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley that's under $20! Get a load of Leslee's lovely description of it: Rich, with intense notes of savory olive tapenade, roasted hatch chile, spiced blackberry + freshly dried tobacco leaf all wrapped up in a silky, dark purplely package. Swoon!
- Now THESE are the barrettes I have been searching for! What do you think?
- Check out this ultimate guide to building the coziest, aromatic fire in your fireplace. Just in time for the weekend!
Have a great day!
Photo: Brook Lark via Unsplash
Congratulations on not freezing to death this week! Minnesota has been rocking negative temps for days now, so let's reward ourselves with a little internet warmth. Please enjoy!
FRIDAY FAVES 2.19.21
- Dying for this creamy cauliflower soup recipe over at the New York Times, that just so happens to be vegan! It would be great with a light-bodied white wine, or you could pop open a bottle of supple, grapefruity Zlatan Pošip to sip alongside it.
- Perusing the beauties made by Nimble Ceramics is bringing me extreme joy right now. Those mugs!
- A lovely list of skincare goodies, all from Black-owned businesses.
- Podcaster (and husband to the lovable Kristin Bell!) Dax Shepherd has a new monthly series called Armchaired and Dangerous, where he and David Farrier discusses the bizarre world of conspiracy theories. It's fascinating and lighthearted at the same time! [Can you tell I love podcasts??]
- I love this post on Wit & Delight, chronicling one writer's favorite bits of advice she's...
