{"id":6777,"date":"2019-12-01T22:08:24","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T04:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/?p=6777"},"modified":"2019-12-04T07:50:30","modified_gmt":"2019-12-04T13:50:30","slug":"essential-wine-spirits-snacks-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/2019\/12\/essential-wine-spirits-snacks-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential Wine Spirits, Wine Snacks & Yes! Wine for Your Holiday Festivities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s par-tay time! I don\u2019t know about you, but the holidays always seem to fly by with multiple events every week beginning with Thanksgiving all the way to New Years. Included in the madness are some events that we host ourselves. And while it\u2019s easy to grab a few bottles of wine for the festivities, I (shockingly) know many who aren\u2019t big fans of wine or alternatively want something super sweet that I don’t usually keep on hand. But even more, I always think it\u2019s fun to mix things up as well as stretch my cash. In that vine, here are a few wine-based essentials for your next gathering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

*This post contains affiliate links as well as items submitted for review as disclosed below. All opinions are my own.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

White Port<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just like its red sibling, white port is a fortified wine spirit from the Douro region of Portugal. There are several permitted varieties that can be used in white port production, but some of the most common include C\u00f3digo, Rabigato, Viosinho, Esgana C\u00e3o (aka Sercial) and Malvasia Fina. But unlike red port which is usually a great candidate for aging (sometimes decades), white ports are generally meant to be consumed young. White port is commonly consumed chilled as an aperitif, but also makes an excellent base for a cocktail. In fact, there is much to love about this under the radar wine-based spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While certainly delicious on its own, my personal favorite is mixed with tonic (2 parts tonic to 1 part white port) with an orange slice. Similar to champagne, I like to begin a meal with this delicious concoction. But it also goes the distance at a party. I made this for a Portuguese wine class and it was a big hit. And for festive holiday parties, I like to garnish with a lime wedge and added a few frozen cranberries. Other popular cocktails for white port include the White Port Paloma<\/a>, the Robert Frost cocktail<\/a>, and whatever your imagination comes up with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cocktails with Warre\u2019s White Porto <\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recommendation: Warre\u2019s<\/a> White Port ($17)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Comprised of Arinto, C\u00f3digo, Malvasia Fina, Rabigato, and Viosinho is it delicate and smooth with nutty and fruity flavors. And widely available so the hunt should be easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vermouth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally made in Italy and France, vermouth is a flavored, aromatized fortified wine. That\u2019s a mouthful, but it is all of those things. Fortified (typically with brandy) and flavored with a variety of herbs, spices, and botanicals. Like White Porto, this wine spirit is full of versatility. It is an essential component of some old classics such as Manhattans, Martinis, Negronis, Gibsons, and Rob Roys to name a few, but today it is so much more. State of the art craft distilling techniques as well cocktail culture being as popular as ever, has led to a renewed interest in this classic mixer. And while historically a European creation, American vermouth is finally having its overdue moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommendation: T.W. Hollister<\/a> Vermouth<\/span><\/strong><\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

California-based T.W. Hollister company is at the forefront of the American vermouth movement and is tapping into a whole new American market with its sustainably-sourced and locally fortified vermouth.<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span> They produce two types of vermouth \u2013 a dry vermouth and a sweet red vermouth. Both begin life as a white wine and then are infused with local botanicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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