Flux Red Wine

2009 Mark Herold Wines "Flux" Red Wine
SKU #1112925
93 points Wine Spectator
  Deliciously pure and refreshing, with snappy, vibrant red berry, pomegranate, subtle dusty earth, road tar and dried herbal flavors that are all well-proportioned. Ends with crisp tannins that give the flavors traction. Grenache, Syrah, Carignane and Petite Sirah. Drink now through 2023. 1,250 cases made.   (9/ 2012)

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The Grenache-based 2009 Flux is a little more perfumed and lighter in body than the 2008 tasted alongside it, but just as compelling a wine. Sweet roses, red berries, spices and licorice are some of the nuances that flow from this layered, silky red. This is a beautiful wine from Mark Herold. Flux is Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Carignan. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. This lineup from Mark Herold is full of delicious, bold wines that deliver tons of pleasure. The focus is on Rhone and Spanish varieties.    (2/ 2012)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
  Good red-ruby. Spicy black cherry and licorice on the nose, with truffle and earth nuances emerging with air. Spicy, silky and mouthdusting, with good sweetness to its dark berry and spice flavors; hints of slightly jammy grenache. Finishes nicely broad, smooth and persistent, with substantial dusty tannins.   (5/ 2012)

Primo Amore Riesling

Most of us are used to Rieslings from Germany or Alsace. But Italy has done a great job making a Riesling that may make you forget about Germany... At least while you're having a bottle of this slightly sweet and really well balanced wine.  "Primo Amore, or "First Love", represents the joy of discovery experienced when unlocking its tropical fruitiness and delicate balanced Flavor. This Riesling evokes flavors of fresh apple, melon, and citrus. It pairs well with chicken, seafood, and spicy dishes." ~winery notes

Game Day Snacks

Cheesy Corn Dip

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups corn kernels (from 2 ears corn)
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup yellow onion (chopped)
1/4 cup red bell pepper (chopped)
1/4 cup chopped green onions (green and white parts)
1 jalapeno (chopped)
2 teaspoons garlic (chopped)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 handful monterey jack (grated)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 handful sharp cheddar (grated)

Directions:
1. Melt the butter in a pan.
2. Add the corn, season with salt and pepper and saute until the corn starts to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. Melt the butter in a pan.
4. Add the onion, and pepper and saute until the onions are soft, about 2 minutes.
5. Add the green onions, jalapeno and garlic and saute until softened, about 2 minutes.
6. Mix the corn, onions, peppers, mayonnaise, monterey jack and cayenne in a bowl.
7. Pour the mixture into an 8x8 inch baking pan and top with the cheddar cheese.
8. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until bubbling and golden brown on top, about 10-20 minutes
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Pizza Dip

Ingredients:
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
1 cup pizza sauce
1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
2 ounces pepperoni, sliced
2 tablespoons green pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons black olives, sliced

Directions:
Mix the cream cheese, sour cream mayonnaise, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano and spread it across the bottom of a pie plate.
Spread the pizza sauce on top and sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni, green pepper and olives.
Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the sides are bubbling and the cheese cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top, about 20 minutes.

Longboard Point Break

This is a great blend. Lots of dark fruit, smooth tannins with a bit of spice. I enjoyed this wine without food but would easily pair with anything from steak to cheese and crackers. Could use air, I suggest using on aerator for fast readiness. Will buy again.
"A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and a bit of Zinfandel, and Malbec join the fun in some years. I call this our "Regional Blend" a mix of some of the varieties that do best in the North Coast and especially Sonoma. Predictable and seamless, like the wave in your favorite California Coast surf point." ~ Winery notes

Labor Day Cocktails

Jalisco Sweet Heat

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces El Amo Silver Tequila

4 Large Pieces Watermelon (1" x 1 1/2")

1 tablespoon Hot Pepper Jelly

1/2 ounce Lemon Juice

Watermelon Slice for Garnish

Directions:

Muddle watermelon, jelly and lemon juice in mixing glass. Add tequila and ice. Shake vigorously to completely blend mixture. Double strain into large rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a watermelon slice.

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Ginger Crush

Ingredients:

2 ounces El Amo Silver Tequila

1/2 ounce Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

2 coins of Ginger

6 Mint Leaves

2 ounce Ginger Beer

Directions:

Muddle mint, ginger and simple syrup in a mixing glass. Add tequila, lemon juice and ice. Shake and strain into a tall glass with ice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint leaves.

No Label Brewery Ridgeback

This is a really nice looking beer. Beautiful, thick, creamy head that sticks around a while, then laces the glass. I wanted to be a little clearer, but the color is right on.

I'm getting floral hops and some roastiness in the nose. Tastes like slight caramel with some bittering that doesn't over power. Quite roasty. The body is excellent. The malts stick to the roof of my mouth.

This is a very nice beer. Feels much hardier than most Ambers. Also, with more flavor than most. Find it in our beer cooler.

*beer advocate

Raspberries and Cream Cocktail

Raspberries and Cream Cocktail
(makes 2 drinks)

3 oz. vanilla vodka*

1.5 oz. Tuaca

1.5 oz. fresh lime juice

1 oz. simple syrup

4 dashes of Angostura Bitters

About a cup of fresh raspberries

Heavy cream

In a mixing glass, muddle all the ingredients except for heavy cream together until the raspberries are pulverized. Strain the seeds out of the mixture. Shake with ice and strain into glasses packed with ice. Top with about a tablespoon of heavy cream in each drink.

Dylan Reviews Beer

Blaecorn Unidragon by Clown Shoes Ipswich, MARussian Imperial Stout
12.5% ABV
Looking for a great beer to bring to a party? Well look no further than Blaecorn Unidragon from Clown Shoes. With a very interesting name (a combination of Black Unicorn and Soul Dragon) and label, this beer is sure to impress anyone who hasn't heard of it. The other reason it's a great beer for a party is that it's a massive russian imperial stout, coming in at a whopping 12.5% ABV, and comes exclusively in 22oz bottles. The taste is nothing to shake a stick at either, extremely roasty and boozey, it almost tastes like a cappuccino with a shot of bourbon in it  This beer was made for sharing with friends. Note: If you enjoy this brew, check out it's "big brother" Porcine Unidragon, Clown Shoes uses the same recipe as Blaecorn, but the smoke the malt with beechwood and age the final beer in bourbon barrels.

Tank 7 by Boulevard Brewing CompanyKansas City, MO
Farmhouse Ale8.0% ABV38 IBU
Another one of the Boulevard Smokestack Series, Tank 7 is a wonderful representation of a farmhouse ale or saison. The beer is very refreshing, and pairs well with cheeses, Boulevard suggests taleggio. Pouring straw colored, with a fluffy white head, the aroma of the beer is very prominently grapefruit with some subtle pepper overtones. The taste follows the nose with a grapefruit and citrus flavor coming from the amarillo hops. The dry finish leaves your palate clean. If you have never tried a saison or farmhouse ale, before, I would definitely recommend you give this one a shot.

UFO White by Harpoon BreweryBoston, MA and Windsor, VT American White Ale
4.8% ABV11 IBU
Harpoon is the Spec's craft brewery of the month for the month of August, and with this lingering hot weather, nothing will satisfy better than a refreshing American white ale. This wheat beer uses a coriander and orange to create an extremely quenching brew, top it off with an orange slice, and this becomes a beer that everyone can appreciate on a scorching Texas day. With these six packs (and all of the other Harpoon six packs) at a special sale price this month only at Spec's, pick one up and give it a shot. Even the most inexperienced craft beer drinker can appreciate the light body, and refreshing taste of this great beer.

Prosecco...On hot days!

Try this summer cocktail, its refreshing and helps you feel cool inside or outside at the pool.

Sunny Weather

Ingredients

8 oz. chilled Zonin Prosecco
1 ½ oz Grapefruit Juice
½ oz St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
½ oz Campari
Preparation: Pour Zonin Prosecco over ice in a collins glass until half way full. Add Grapefruit juice, St-Germain and Campari. Top off with more Ruffino Prosecco. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Margarita...HOMEMADE

Making a margarita came be harder than it seems. Here's an easy but great margarita you can make in a minute.

ingredients
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 wedge lime
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) fresh lime juice
2 heaping teaspoons superfine sugar
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) Cointreau or other triple sec orange liqueur
1/4 cup (2 ounces) reposado tequila
About 2 cups ice cubes

preparation
Spread salt on small plate. Rub lime wedge halfway around rim of 10-ounce glass (such as double old-fashioned). Dip moistened side of glass in salt to lightly coat. Set aside.
In cocktail shaker, stir together lime juice and sugar until sugar partially dissolves (about 5 seconds). Add Cointreau, tequila, and 1 cup ice cubes. Shake vigorously for 25 seconds, then strain into prepared glass. Fill glass with remaining ice cubes.

Layered Chicken Salad with Coriander-Yogurt Dressing

TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
SERVINGS: 4
BASIC-EASY
FAST
MAKE-AHEAD
Taking a cue from French verrines, these portable, layered chicken salads could also be assembled in one big glass bowl.
Slideshow: Salads with Chicken
RELATED RECIPES
F&W Handbook: Best August Recipes
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain fat-free Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped dill
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds, crushed
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
4 roasted red bell peppers from a jar, drained and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 pound mixed tomatoes, chopped into bite-size pieces
2 Hass avocados, diced
One 3 1/2- to 4-pound rotisserie chicken, meat shredded (4 cups)
1 cup mixed fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, tarragon and dill
In a bowl, combine the yogurt, dill, coriander and 3 tablespoons of water; whisk until smooth. Whisk in the oil in a steady stream. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
Layer the remaining ingredients in 4 jars. Serve the salads with the yogurt dressing.
MAKE AHEAD The salads can be refrigerated for 4 hours before serving; drizzle the avocado with lemon juice to prevent browning. The dressing can be refrigerated for 2 days.
SUGGESTED PAIRING
Lively, strawberry-inflected rosé.
From Food and Wine magazine

Longboard Sauvignon Blanc

So I just opened this wine and am loving the nose! Lemon, lime zest...lots of fruit. My first sip tells me lemon, second sip says Meyer lemons. So I pour a whole glass. I could just drink this wine all day! Its dry but not really, the fruit and citrus notes hint at sweetness and the overall taste is amazing.  At $15 you won't go wrong!

Here is a more technical breakdown of this wine:

This lively Sauvignon Blanc comes from the sustainably farmed O'Neel Vineyard near the town of Sebastapol in the Russian River Valley. It has bright aromas of grapefruit, Meyer lemon, grilled pineapple and lime zest, and juicy flavors of lychee, white grapefruit, lemongrass and passion fruit that finish crisp and clean.

Honeydew Hefeweizen Smoothie

Honeydew Hefeweizen Smoothie

Putting her own spin on a cocktail offered by a local restaurant, food blogger Eva Marie Kosmas came up with her own beer smoothie that uses honeydew melon pieces, vanilla ice cream, No Label El Hefe (or any hefeweizen-style beer) and some vanilla extract.

Ingredients:
1/2 of a Honeydew Melon
3 and 1/3 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream
1 Cup Hefeweizen
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Small and Thin Honeydew Slices for Garnish

Some different, but yummy sangrias

Lillet Sangria

Makes 2 pitchers

2 bottles Spanish white wine
1 bottle Lillet Blanc
4 cans San Pellegrino Blood Orange Soda
1 apple, chopped
1 peach, chopped
1 orange, sliced

Begin your Sangria adventures with all the chopped fruit and half the liquids. Throw chopped fruit into the bottom of your pitcher and pour over 1/2 the Lillet Blanc and 1 bottle of wine. Refrigerate for at least two hours. Top off the wine with 1/2 the Blood Orange Soda (2 cans of the San Pellegrino, or 1 1/2 bottles of small Lorina). Serve over ice and some of the fruit. When the first pitcher is finished, refill with the remaining Lillet, wine, and soda. Let it chill as long as you can.

Ice wine Sangria
How about Icewine sangria? This flavorful cocktail combines one and a half ounces of Icewine, half an ounce of brandy, two ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice, juice from half a lime, a splash of grenadine, two ounces of soda water, seedless grapes, and a slice of fresh mango for the garnish. I always add fresh mint. It adds color and harmonizes extremely well with fruit flavors. Fill a Collins glass with ice, and then add the sangria....
Or try Moscato..nice and sweet too.

Peach Bellini's

Peach Bellini's are a refreshing drink to have any time, especially on a hot day! Try this with Zonin Rose Prosecco or Alan Christopher Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine. Check the display at the front of the store to find everything you need to make this today!

Ingredients:
6 ounces Sparking wine or prosecco
1 ounce peach schnapps
1/2 cup frozen peaches
2 ounces peach purée
Directions:
Place all ingredients in the blender, blend until combined. The drink should be a thick consistency. Add more frozen peaches if too thin, add more peach purée if too thick.