Mezzacorona Wine

A Salad That Tastes as Good As it Looks

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:30:49 -0700

The month of May: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, the heart of Spring, warm nights, long days. What do you think of when you think of May?

If a refreshing salad happens to creep into your mind, you know more about this month than you may think. Because it just so happens that May is also “National Salad Month!”

In honor of this “healthy” celebration, we’ve dug up the recipe for a delicious, nutritious, (and good-looking! Check out those hearts …) salad that we’re sure you and your family will be enjoying comes Memorial Day weekend. Ladies and gentlemen, we present the Fried Goat Cheese and Roasted Beet Salad.

Ingredients:

3 cups salad greens (mixed, spinach, arugula, or baby kale)
1 large roasted beet, sliced and cut into hearts with a cookie cutter
1 tablespoon scallion, finely diced
Salt and pepper to taste
2/3 cup goat cheese
2/3 cup Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs
2 tablespoons corn starch
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 egg, well beaten
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Ingredients for the dressing:

3 tablespoons orange juice
1 1/4 cup extra-light olive oil
1/4 cup scallions, diced
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Arrange salad greens and beets in two serving bowls. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, scallion, and apple cider vinegar. Set aside.
Prepare to fry the goat cheese by rolling the goat cheese into tablespoon-sized balls. Place beaten egg in a small bowl. Mix together Progresso bread crumbs, cornstarch and garlic salt. Heat 1 cup of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Roll goat cheese in egg, then bread crumb mixture, then egg mixture again, then in the breadcrumb mixture. Fry in hot oil until golden brown around all sides. Transfer immediately on top of salad greens.
Drizzle dressing over salad greens. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and scallions. Serve immediately, with a glass of chilled Mezzaocorna Pinot Grigio… . and enjoy!!

Mother's Day!

Sat, 11 May 2013 11:01:28 -0700

“The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children.” —Elaine Heffner

Mother’s Day is mere hours away, and we know all of you are trying to figure out how, exactly, you can show your appreciation for all your Mother has taught you over the years. Well, word on the street is if there’s one thing Moms world-wide can’t resist, it’s BRUNCH! But why leave it to a restaurant when you can plan the perfect brunch for Mom from the comfort of your own home? (and of course, STILL ensure that she feels like a queen!) We have some ideas for you, complete with photos to help you imagine how your spread can look. Thanks to B. Lovely Events, for sharing with us these unique ideas!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Have a vegetarian mama, or perhaps just want to keep brunch light to make sure everyone’s still hungry for your big dinner plans later? Fruit pizzas, made with your choice of fruit, creme cheese spread, and bagel slices are the perfect option!

If you have access to a chalk or white board of some sort, this is the perfect way to utilize it! Pull at her heart strings by writing out a quote that reflects your feelings for her —the perfect centerpiece to what, in this case, is a brunch full of sweet treats!

Is it officially Spring in your neck of the woods? Then take the party outside! This shabby-chic/vintage inspired brunch, complete with cutout butterflies (can be made simple from construction paper) will take your Mom to a dreamy place.

Be The Life of the Party this Cinco De Mayo with These Fun Facts!

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:51:31 -0700

The weekend is soon upon us, and like every weekend, we know each of you are looking forward to it with anticipation, whether it be because you plan to spend those 48 hours out on the town with friends or resting in bed with a good book.

No matter what your plans entail though, we suspect many of you will be integrating into those plans the fact that this Sunday is Cinco De Mayo! Will you be enjoying a taco or two? Or perhaps you’ll be bringing a sampling of wine over to share with your friends during their Cinco De Mayo party… (hey, wine goes with Mexican food too!)

Whatever you’ll be doing, we’d like to share our tips on which of our wine varietals pair best with popular Mexican dishes, as well as some fun Cinco De Mayo facts you can use to impress your fellow guests —it’s our goal, after all, to ensure our fans are the life of ANY party!

What type of dishes do you think of enjoying when celebrating Cinco De Mayo? Burritos, tamales, and tacos all can come to mind. And the meat that can be found those options —chicken, pork, beef, or fish, cooked alongside onions, veggies, and above all: Chiles!

The complex flavors and distinct spice of many Mexican dishes yield themselves to our Pinot Noir, while those who need something a bit cooler to “put out the fire” so to speak may most enjoy our Pinot Grigio or Moscato. All three of the varietals stand up to the complex flavors and vibrant spices of traditional Mexican fare!

Now, for some fun facts to woo your counterparts with …Cheers!

1. Cinco de Mayo - the fifth of May - is not Mexico’s Independence Day (celebrated on September 16th.)

2. Rather, it was May 5, 1862 that the Mexican army defeated Napoleon’s French army which was twice it’s size.

3. The Battle of Puebla was a major victory for the Mexican people as only 4,000 Mexican soldiers battled and defeated 6,500 French soldiers. The entire war took 6 more years to finish, but the victory at Puebla was a huge win for the Mexican people.

4. Then United States President Abraham Lincoln and President of Mexico Bonito Juarez were close friends- a role that was a major key to Mexico’s victory.

5. The biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration is held in…yep…you guessed it, Puebla, Mexico.

6. Wearing Western costumes is part of the celebration in Puebla.

7. Los Angeles has the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world called Fiesta Broadway, with over half a million people attending this massive street party. (I would not want clean up on this one.)

8. Cinco de Mayo is also celebrated in the Carribbean, Australia, and Canada, as well as in Latin countries, and of course, The United States.

Counting Down The Hours. . .

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:30:27 -0700

What time is it?

If you’re anything like us here at Mezzacorona, then the answer is usually “Wine Time.” Unfortunately, more often than not, we find our hours being filled with things like work, household chores, errands, school, and the like. We hope to make your countdown to “Wine o’Clock” a bit easier with this Do-It-Yourself project, a clock themed around everyone’s favorite pastime: Wine!

What You’ll Need

12”x12”x3/8” plywood piece (clock face)

1”x1”x4’ wood trim (clock sides)

Selection of corks cut in half lengthwise

Clock movement with ¾” shaft

Set of novelty clock hands (optional, available at craft stores)

4 mini champagne bottle

4 mini corks (optional, available at dollar discount stores or crafts stores)

4 printable self adhesive mailing labels

Packing Tape

Glue sticks

Clear, matte Varathane (optional)

Suspension hardware

1 ¼ ” finishing nails

Tools

Utility knife

Jigsaw/handsaw

Drill and 5/32” drill bit

Hammer

Pencil

Measure tape

Glue gun

Steps

1. Cut 1”x1” trim to fit perimeter of plywood and affix with nails.

2. Glue Corks to the sides and back of trim

3. Empty mini bottles (if filled with liquid) and remove existing labels. Computer generate and print custom labels. Laminate labels with packing tape to protect surfaces and top with mini corks if desired. Divide clock face into quarters.

4. Place longest clock hand on center of unit and mark for bottle placement. This will ensure that the bottles will not interfere with the sweeping of the hands.

5. Adhere bottles on demarcations and tile clock face with corks. Spray with Varathane if desired.

6. Drill hole in the center of the clock for movement.

7. Attach movement per package instructions.

8. Add novelty hands if desired. Install suspension hardware and required battery.

Hang in desired space on wall.

Now… . is it “time” to pop that bottle yet? You tell us!

Cheers, Mezzacorona fans!

A Reason to Celebrate: Zucchini Bread Sandwich Cookies

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:03:31 -0700

You know what they say —everyday is a holiday! And at Mezzacorona, we sure do enjoy our celebrations. We also enjoy our food. So in honor of this week’s National Zucchini Day (April 25th, if you must know), we’re sharing with you a recipe that puts a delicious twist on your normal zucchini bread go-to, and that will surely leave your guests fighting for the last cookie.

Yes, we said cookie. Ladies and gentleman, may we present to you …Zucchini Bread Sandwich Cookies. You’ll never look at zucchini bread the same after this!

Thanks to Mary of the blog “Sifting Focus” for sharing this delectable recipe.

Zucchini Bread Sandwich Cookies

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup finely grated zucchini – pressed between paper towels to extract some of the moisture

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Filling (see recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Have ready two baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a small bowl.

With an electric mixer beat together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until combined. Mix in the zucchini, oats, and walnuts. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. The dough can be prepared to this stage and refrigerated over-night.

Using a 1 or 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop (Mary used the 1-inch and liked the smaller size for this cookie), drop dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden , about 14 to 17 minutes depending on the size ice cream scoop used. Let rest a few minutes before removing them to a rack to cool. When completely cooled, spread 1 heaping tablespoon of filling on flat side of 1 cookie and then sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with remaining filling and cookies.

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter, room temperature

1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Pinch of salt

Beat together all ingredients until smooth.

We think this recipe would be a great dessert to enjoy during a Springtime picnic or at the end of an evening dinner on a warm Summer’s eve. Toast with a glass of Mezzacorona Moscato, and we’d say you just perfected the art of celebrating National Zucchini Day! Cheers, everyone!

Delectable Chicken Lasagna

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:19:19 -0800

When you think of classic italian dishes, the first that comes is usually spaghetti and meatballs. However, close on its heels is certainly lasagna. Who doesn’t enjoy coming home after a long day to find their house filled with the delicious aroma of a lasagna cooking in the oven? Well, we are getting back to the basics with this recipe. Give it a try and let us know how it turned out.

Chicken Lasagna
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
3 cups diced chicken
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
8 ounces cooked lasagna noodles

Sauce:
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
6 ounces chopped mushrooms
1 (4-ounce) jar pimiento pieces
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Sauce: Saute onion and green pepper in olive oil; stir in remaining ingredients. Heat through, stirring as needed to prevent scorching. Spoon a little sauce in bottom of a 9-by-13-inch pan. Layer half of the noodles, sauce, ricotta, chicken and cheddar. Repeat layer; top with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 45 minutes and pair with your favorite glass of Mezzacorona wine. Cheers!

Sangria Claus is Coming to Town

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:02:39 -0800

The holidays are a great time to eat, drink, and be merry. We have no doubt that you will be going to your fair share of holiday parties with friends, family, and co-workers. Instead of forcing yourself to drink eggnog, which will weigh down your stomach and your tastebuds, opt for something lighter and crisper. May we suggest this delicious, fruity White Sangria holiday recipe, infused with your favorite brand of Chardonnay? Take ten minutes to whip this up before your gathering, and prepare to be the hit of the party. You may want to make more, just in case. Cheers, and happy holidays!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons sugar
3 shots Calvados or other apple liquor
1 lime, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
2 ripe peaches, cut into wedges
3 ripe green apples seeded and cut into wedges
1 bottle of Mezzacorona Chardonnay
1 pint raspberries
Sparkling soda water, for topping off glasses of sangria at table

Directions

Combine sugar, Calvados, lime, lemon, peaches and apples in a large pitcher. Cover with 1 bottle of Rioja wine and chill sangria several hours. To serve, spoon fruits into glasses or goblets, adding a few fresh raspberries in each glass, pour wine over top of the fruit. Top glasses of sangria off with a splash of soda water and serve.

Deck The Halls With These Tips From Mezzacorona

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:02:32 -0800

Hate to see the Holiday season come and go without hosting a holiday soirée of your own? We know the feeling! Here at Mezzaocorna, we love having our wine-loving friends over to help us deck the halls. But we know —the perfect holiday party is rarely thrown together on a whim! Attention to detail and planning ahead is key, and can be stressful when done all by yourself. Good thing you have our handy checklist below to ensure that your party is the toast of the town this Winter season!

You’re Guests Aren’t Sardines

Meaning: They will quickly show themselves the door if they feel like they have to crawl over a thousand people just to get to the bar. You want your guests to mingle, but you don’t want them literally rubbing against people they don’t know. Here’s tip for determining the perfect number of guests for a cocktail party: Divide the square footage of your home by five (the approximate number of feet each guest needs in personal space). That number equals how many people can comfortably fit in your home.

Your Guests WILL Show Up Hungry (And Thirsty!!)

Especially within the first hour, when all the mixing and mingling usually occurs. Plan on devoting some area of your space to wine and other libations. To avoid any traffic jams, stick the bar in the corner of the room. Or, if you can’t find any furniture to act as a makeshift bar, make some room on your kitchen counter. At your party, anticipate your guests will sip down two drinks a person in the first hour, and then one drink per hour for the remainder of the party. When it comes to food, average 10 appetizers per person for cocktail parties and six per person for dinner parties. Get it? Got it? Good! Your guests’ bellies will thank you.

Give Party-Goers The Best View Possible

Centerpieces and table decorations are a must, obviously. But a mistake party hosts often make is placing these decorations at the expense of their guests view of the people across from them. If you’re adamant about placing a dramatic centerpiece on your table, at least move it to a nearby table when guests begin seating. Everyone will then still have a view of your beautiful decoration AND each other!

Toast the Beginning of Dinner with a Large Glass of Mezzacorona

Does this one really need any explanation? We raise our glasses to you as you play party-planning King or Queen this season! Cheers!

Where Did the Day Go?

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:41:15 -0800

Hello everyone! Is it Daylight Savings time already? Of course it is, why else would were you arguing with the owner at your favorite wine bar on Saturday night because he refused to stay open an extra hour? We know that lovers of Mezzacorona wine are active, and may not love being robbed of sunlight as the days are already getting shorter thanks to cosmic forces and other scientific things. However, we have a few reasons why you should enjoy “falling back.”

Reason 1: Long weekend. Okay, it was only an extra hour, but think of all the things you could do in an hour. You could do your dishes, or put together a 200 piece puzzle, or watch an episode of “The Walking Dead,” or do “8 Minute Abs” 7.5 times. You probably just slept in, but still, think of the possibilities.

Reason 2: More darkness: There are many people who like the dark. Such individuals include those who are easily sunburned, nocturnal pet owners, superheroes, spelunkers, candle-makers, and ninjas. Plus, there are a multitude of activities that are better suited for night time. You can play laser tag, build a fire, go star-gazing, spend some time with a special someone, or simply get some much needed sleep.

Reason 3: Wine: This one could have fit somewhere in reason 2, but you can’t blame us for thinking it needed its own category. Let’s face it, most of us don’t live in a tropical climate. As the cold of winter sets in, is there anything better than bundling up with a bottle of Mezzacorona Moscato next to a crackling fireplace, putting on some Van Morrison Pandora and just unwinding? We think not.

Clearly, there’s always a silver lining at Mezzacorona. So we encourage you to find the lighter side of Daylight Savings. Cheers everyone!

How Do YOU Pop Your Top?

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:15:22 -0700

As party guests, many of us don’t care too much about how a wine bottle is opened —just so long as its contents get in our glass. But one can only be a guest for so long! Weekly (sometimes daily!) we are forced to pop our own bottles, pour our own glass, and let’s face it…we want to make it easiest for ourselves when that time comes. Lucky for you, we at Mezzacorona have compiled a list of few of the most popular types of bottle openers —and why each may be the best option for YOU!

The Waiter’s Friend Corkscrew

This small and inexpensive corkscrew is popular among waitstaff at restaurants, as it’s compact size makes slipping it into a pocket easy and efficient. As well as a corkscrew, this opener also comes equipped with a knife blade at one end which is useful for removing the foil off the bottle’s neck first. On the opposite end is a can opener, which doubles as the support for the opener.

Cost: $5-$15

Is It For You?

In terms of reliability, durability and portability, the ‘Waiter’s Friend’ is the best cork puller to own. Inexpensive, portable, and multi-functioning (you can use it to open your faovirt beer, too!), once you get the hang of it, they are relatively easy to use. But on that note, the are NOT intuitive to use. If you get the corkscrew in crooked, you could end up breaking the cork (a wine-lover’s worst nightmare!)

Butterfly Wine Opener

The butterfly corkscrew consists of a lever on either side of a mechanical corkscrew. When the screw is embedded in the cork, you can push down both levers to pull out the cork.

Is It For You?

Butterfly wine openers are almost always easier to use to open wine bottles with than regular corkscrews. Like the Waiter’s Friend, they are easy to store and very portable. But You may have to “re-drill” before the cork will come out. Positioning is key and can at times be tricky. The least expensive model is probably not your best bet.

Cost: $10-40

Lever Wine Opener

The Lever Wine Opener is sometimes nicknamed “The Rabbit” as it’s side profile bears an uncanny resemblance to the cute creature! To use, simply Position over the top of the cork, lift the lever down and the screw will drive down into the cork. Press the lever up and the cork comes out. Depending on the tightness of the cork, you may have to grip the bottle tightly.

Is It For You?

Once positioned over the top of the bottle neck, there is no speedier cork removal device available; it requires a bit of arm strength, but cork removal becomes very much of a show (WOW your guests!). Position over the top of the cork, lift the lever down and the screw will drive down into the cork. Press the lever up and the cork comes out. Depending on the tightness of the cork, you may have to grip the bottle tightly.

Cost: Around $40

Which of these three options will you use the next time you crave a new bottle of Mezzacorona? Here’s to a fantastic weekend —Cheers!

Diamonds and Wine

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:30:00 -0700

The month of October is synonymous with the beginning of Fall, Halloween and the Major League Baseball postseason. The crisp Autumn air invites one to reflect upon the grueling 162 game, six month season as 32 teams were whittled down to 10 playoff survivors. Finally, after an eventful and unpredictable postseason, we are down to the Detroit Tigers who swept a reeling and uninspired Yankees team. Over in the National League, it took the San Francisco Giants 7 games and a roaring comeback down 3-1 to overtake the equally gritty St. Louis Cardinals.

Who knows what to expect in the World Series. Detroit will have the best pitcher on the planet, Justin Verlander, hurling two (possibly three) games for the Motor City Kitties. The Giants will most likely need even better hitting than they had in their World Series championship season two years ago if they want to knock off the Tigers. Stars like Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval will have to perform like stars, but they’ll still need help from guys like the resurgent Marco Scutaro and Hunter Pence.

Though this matchup could go either way, so we predict an exciting 7 game series with the real winners being the fans who get to enjoy the final two weeks of baseball, perhaps often with a glass of Mezzacorona in hand. One would be hard pressed to find a more pleasant combination than the Fall Classic and a classic wine.

The Only Equation that Matters: Wine + Chocolate = Heaven.

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:35:36 -0700

Chocolate. Wine.

Wine. Chocolate.

No matter the order, these two words always seem to pair perfectly with each other. And we don’t know about you, but we’re willing to bet you’re a lot like us here at Mezzacorona —any excuse to pair these two delicious things together in real life, and you’re going to take it!

We do a lot of boasting about our Pinot Grigio, but did you know that we also produce an equally tantalizing Merlot? And with the winter winds soon approaching, what sounds more comforting than a soothing red paired with a “fresh-from-the-oven” chocolate cake?! Now, there’s many-a good chocolate cake recipe out there, but we wanted to find something that was a little out of the ordinary but that didn’t sacrifice the gooey deliciousness that we’ve all grown to love when it comes to chocolate cake. After searching far and wide on the interwebs, we finally came across just what we were looking for, courtesy of WhippedTheBlog.com: Chocolate Beet Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. Yes, you read that right. But Caroline, the woman behind Whipped swears by it —and we believe her! Let us know what you think of this unique recipe!

Chocolate Beet Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Makes 3 – 8 inch layers OR 2 – 9 inch layers with a few cupcakes.
2 1/2 cups cooked beets, pureed and then cooled
6 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 3/4 cups sugar
3 3/4 cups flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together beets and eggs and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine cocoa, vanilla and oil. Mix well. In another separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients into the oil and cocoa mixture, mixing together. Finally, add the beet and egg mixture mixing until well incorporated. Stop and marvel at the gorgeous color of this cake batter. Pour into greased and floured pans. Or, line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper. Bake cakes for 30-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and top of cake springs back to the touch. (Try 18-20 minutes for cupcakes) Cook cakes in the pan for 10 minutes then turn out to a rack. Wait until completely cool to frost the cake.

For the Frosting:
(double this for a 3 layer cake)
1/4 pound butter
4 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
Mix together butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla. Sift together sugar and cocoa in a separate bowl. Add the sugar mixture to the butter mixture little by little until stiff. If needed, refrigerate to reach firmer consistency for frosting.

Tips From Caroline Herself:
-Cake layers freeze well if wrapped tightly.
-Beets can be made and pureed in advance and kept in the refrigerator a few days.
-Put a dab of frosting on your cake plate or stand to hold the cake in place while frosting.

Missing Links

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:28:58 -0700

Greetings all! Did you know that yesterday was National Golf Day? Some people may argue that National Golf Day is April 18th, but we can assure you that those people are either misinformed, or they are trying to trick you. This makes us wonder, what other myths have you heard about golf? Well we’re here to dispel any falsities or misconceptions you hold about the game.

Golf is a man’s game: This is a common one, and we see how you may think this. The word “Golf” is actually said to be an acronym for “Gentlemen Only. Ladies Forbidden.” Luckily the times have changed, and women now represent 25% of all golfers. So fear not ladies, you are more than welcome on the links.

Golf is not a sport: While golf may not be the most physically demanding of activities, it still takes an extremely high level of developed skill, power, and coordination to play effectively. You’ll notice that many of today’s top golfers benefit from being in much better shape than competitors of past generations. Also, if you want a nice workout, forego the golf cart, put your bag on your back, and walk 18 holes. You’ll likely feel more than a little worn out by the end.

Golf is only for rich people: While golf is a staple of plush, upper crust country clubs, it is not purely for the doctors and CEO’s of the world. If you’re lucky to live in the U.S., which is home to over 15,000 golf facilities, you’ll be happy to know that over 11,000 of those are open to the public. Furthermore, nine out of ten golfers play on public courses. So if you can locate a set of clubs and twenty to thirty dollars, you can probably find a place to play a round of golf.

Golf is slow and boring: You will usually hear this statement from people who have only seen golf on television but never played. While playing golf isn’t action-packed, the joy of hitting a good shot is truly scintillating, and is that thrill is what keeps golfers (even bad ones) coming back. Also, what’s not to enjoy about a day spent outside with your buddies. You may even be compelled to bring a little Mezzacorona wine out to the course to enjoy between shots. That sounds like a great way to spend the day to us.
Golfers dress silly:

Okay well you caught us on that one.

We hope we’ve helped warm you up to golf if you have been apprehensive about playing, or that we reminded those who play what a great sport/hobby that it can be. So if you didn’t get to play yesterday, cut out of work a little early today, play the back nine or at least hit a few balls on the driving range, and feel free to add some Mezzacorona wine to enhance your experience. Cheers guys.

When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:11:46 -0700

Now that Fall is in full swing, you may find yourself tailgating on the weekends. And the weather is finally cooling down so that warm foods sound appetizing again. While chips and salsa are always a staple, artichoke dip will always trump salsa at a party. So if nothing makes you happier than seeing your dish devoured first, try this delicious artichoke dip recipe compliments of Cooking Light. Just make sure you don’t spill your glass of Mezzacorona wine jostling for dipping position around the bowl. Cheers!

Ingredients
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream $
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened $
1 (8-ounce) block fat-free cream cheese, softened $
1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
1 (13.5-ounce) package baked tortilla chips (about 16 cups)

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, sour cream, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and next 6 ingredients (2 tablespoons Parmesan through spinach) in a large bowl, and stir until well-blended. Spoon mixture into a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella and 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Serve with tortilla chips.

What’s in a Photo? Perhaps a Trip to Italy!

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:09:55 -0700

We haven’t done a “Photo Of The Week” in some time, but with the surge of interest in our Mezzacorona Moments contest we thought this is as good of a time as ever!

The photo above comes from us courtesy of Leslie Bailey, who manages the fabulous blog “The Adventures of Leslina.” If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out! From Food & Drink to Health & Fitness to Travel, Miss Leslie covers all the hot topics. So you can bet we couldn’t have been more thrilled when this week, she released her latest blog, and you can bet we jumped for joy we we came across the title of it: Mezzacorona Moments.

As you most likely know, we are currently well into our latest contest —and this isn’t just any ‘ole contest, mind. This contest —The Mezzacorona Moment Contest— to be exact, will see TWO lucky winners each receive a trip for two to Italy. One winner will come from those who have submitted their Mezzacorona Moment on our Facebook page (Haven’t submitted yours yet? GO NOW! https://www.facebook.com/Mezzacorona ) And the next will be pulled at random from those who have at least once “voted” on the entrees. (Which also can only be done on our Facebook page).

Long story short (we know you all have to get back to that glass of wine teetering on the edge of your coffee table), Leslie had a beautiful, relaxing Mezzacorona Moment of her own last weekend. A romantic “carpet picnic” for two, or as she puts it: “an escape from the world.”
We could have given ourselves no better compliment. If, even for a second, a glass or bottle of one of our wines takes you away from the hustle real-world and transfers you into a place of stillness and serenity, then we can very confidently say: We’ve done our job.

Does Leslie’s photo have what it takes to win her and a guest to visit us in Italy? Or do you think that you can one-up her? We can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Here’s to the hope of toasting YOU in person when you WIN! Cheers!

Enter the Mezzacorona Moments Contest Now: https://www.facebook.com/Mezzacorona

Cheers to Grandparents

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:42:00 -0700

“If nothing is going well, call your grandmother” ~Italian Proverb

“Great fathers get promoted to grandfathers”

With another Labor Day in the books and football season in full swing, it’s easy for Grandparents’ Day to get lost in the shuffle. In general, when we grow up and our lives become filled with bills, errands, work, and all the other trappings that accompany adulthood, we may sometimes neglect our grandparents. We promise ourselves we’ll call or stop by, but we can’t always come through. It’s okay though, grandparents can generally be a forgiving and loving lot, but this Sunday we should all make time to see or call any grandparents we are lucky enough to have in our lives.
If your grandparents had a strong presence in your childhood, we challenge you to take some time on Sunday to reflect back on the good times you had with them. Were they always eager to throw you some loose change? Did your grandfather tell you old stories about a time when a gallon of gas cost a nickel and kids played basketball in peach baskets? Perhaps your grandmother was always cooking up delicious casseroles and tasty desserts. Or maybe it was just a few times when you were so tired of squabbling with your parents, and you just wanted an adult to take your side for once. That’s why grandparents can be so great, they can provide a much needed pause in the parent/child relationship. They show up and remind you both that they too had times like these as both parents and children, and things aren’t so bad. So this Sunday, Mezzacorona salutes all you grandparents out there for spoiling us when we’re young, and remaining unconditionally proud of us as we grow older. Cheers!

All The Flavors of Fall -Pork & Pear Pasta

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:28:40 -0700

It may not be obvious yet, but soon there will be a chill in the wind and a quickness in your step as you no longer care for the outdoors as much as you do your cozy living room. You’ll find yourself whipping out your favorite soft blanket that only saw the inside of your closet during these recent summer months, and you’ll also find yourself choosing a warm bowl of pasta over a cool cup of ice cream.

But you can whip up chicken noodle soup any old time. What we want to give you is the recipe to a pasta that encompasses all the flavors of fall. Ladies and Gentleman, may we present to you: The Pork & Pear Pasta (Which, coincidently enough, pairs perfectly with our pinot grigio!)

Ingredients

1 pound mostaccioli, ziti or other medium pasta shape, uncooked
1 29-ounce can pear halves packed in heavy syrup, undrained
(or, substitute 4 fresh, ripe pears and 12 ounces of canned or bottled
pear juice or pear nectar)
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 pound lean boneless pork, cut julienne
¼ teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (optional)
½ teaspoon fresh whole thyme
2 cups fresh uncooked spinach, sliced thinly
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, drain and chop the pears, reserving 1½ cups of juice. If using fresh pears, peel and poach them prior to chopping.
Blend cornstarch and soy sauce until smooth. Sprinkle the pork with ground red pepper.
In a large non-stick skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the pork and stir-fry until thoroughly cooked. Remove pork from the skillet and set aside. Add the bell pepper to the skillet and sauté 1 minute. Add pears and thyme. Cook until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.
Add pork, reserved juice, cornstarch mixture, sesame oil and vinegar, if desired. Cook until thickened and bubbly, stirring occasionally.
Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl. Add the pork mixture and toss. Add the spinach and toss well. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. Serve with a glass of Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio. Have another glass once you realize how deliciously our wine pairs with the pasta!

Here’s to cozy nights in with loved ones this upcoming fall! Cheers!

Labor Day: Summer’s Last Gasp

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:29:22 -0700

What will you be doing this weekend? Besides relaxing and laughing with friends over a bottle or three of your favorite Mezzacorona wine, we hope you’ll be decking yourself out in the best of your “white” colored wardrobe! Because in just a few days it will be the first Monday in September. And you know what they say … “Never wear white after Labor Day!”

Whether you choose to follow that mantra or not, one thing is for certain: Labor Day, and with it, the start of Fall, football season, and cooler weather, is just a few days away (Well, the “cooler weather” we’ll have to cross our fingers for!). And you know us at Mezzacorona. We always want you to enjoy your holidays, but we also like reminding you why they’re there to begin with! So grab your glass, kick up your feet, and throw on your favorite comfy white attire as your read why, exactly, we are graced with this upcoming three-day weekend.

Always observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became an official federal holiday in 1894.

In the late 1800s, the average American worked 12-hour days, 7 days a week in order to make even the smallest of livings. It was not uncommon for children as young as 5 to work alongside their grownup counterparts in mines, factories, and mills throughout the country. Working conditions were unsafe and unsanitary, and lunch breaks? What lunch breaks?!

Yet as manufacturing continued to supplant agriculture as the main form of employment for Americans, the labor unions which first appeared in the late 18th century began to use their collective voices to change the shape of the workplace. They organized strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and to inspire employers to re-think their employees hours and pay.

And then: On September 5th, 1882, 10,000 employees took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day Parade in U.S. history. The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, began to catch on in other industrial cities across the country, and many states began passing legislation recognizing it as an official holiday.

Congress would not legalize Labor Day until 12 years later, when on May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. On June 26, the American Railroad Union called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. The federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers. In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

For many Americans, Labor Day symbolizes summer’s last gasp —the last chance to fit in the BBQs, the picnics, the music under the stars, and the bare feet in the long grass on a warm summer’s night. Just around the corner is the excitement of back-to-school shopping, an increase in the number of layers of clothing one must wear, and the gentle transition of summer into fall.

We hope you welcome that transition with a smile and a glass of Mezzacorona. Summer may soon be over, but the good times shall keep on rolling! Cheers!

First and Zin

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:57:03 -0700

It’s September and we’re almost out of the dog days of Summer, which for many Americans can only mean one thing… football season. As the 21st century American pastime makes its triumphant return, your mind inevitably drifts towards Sundays replete with pigskinned goodness. Whether tailgating outside the stadium, watching at your favorite local watering hole, or enjoying from the comforts of your home, football makes everything better. While football, with its violent and brutish reputation, may not always be synonymous with wine, we at Mezzacorona can divine many similarities. Certain NFL teams remind us of a few of our own varietals. So we present to you a handy pairing guide so that you’re prepared for the season.

Pinot Grigio = Green Bay Packers: Noted for its finesse, elegance and consistency, Pinot Grigio is always a safe bet. Similarly, the high-powered offense of the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers never disappoints. Like the Pinot Grigio, the passing game is always crisp and is often best at colder temperatures a la Lambeau Field.

Cabernet Sauvignon = Pittsburgh Steelers: A hardy, tough grape, Cabernet Sauvignon can thrive in a multitude of climates. The Steelers are known for their blue collar players and hard-nosed defense. Playing on one of the sloppiest fields in the NFL, they still manage to flourish year after year, and much like the Cab Sauvignon, the Steelers are the most popular team nationwide.

Merlot = Dallas Cowboys = Merlot rose to prominence in the 1990’s as its acreage and popularity soared, much the same as the Dallas Cowboys won 3 Superbowls during the decade and gained the moniker of “America’s Team.” However, Merlot can be a finicky grape that will often ripen too early. This characteristic is befitting of the Cowboys of late, as their many high-priced superstars are prone to cause distractions and derail the team’s focus. Furthermore, the Cowboys often hit their peak earlier in the mid-season, only to falter later in the playoffs.

Pinot Noir = New York Giants – Sometimes great, sometimes not, both are to be evaluated on a year by year basis. Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult wine to evaluate, as are the Giants. Twice in the past 5 years they have had mediocre regular seasons, only to run the table in the playoffs. Other seasons, the Giants flip the script, going from “team to beat” to missing the playoffs during the course of a season. Moral of the story: don’t be surprised if either Pinot Noir or the New York Giants are fantastic, but don’t be surprised if they aren’t.

Chardonnay = New England Patriots – Chardonnay is commonly known as “The King of Whites” which is why we have paired it with the team that has dominated the AFC for the past decade. However, both needed time to rise to its current throne. Chardonnay was first commonly planted in the 1930’s but didn’t gain popularity until the 1970’s. Coincidentally, the Patriots, established in 1960, also took four decades to ascend to greatness, winning their first Superbowl in 2001 and never looking back. Chardonnay is a remarkably consistent and high-yielding grape like their Patriot counterpart’s offense, putting racking up yards and points at will every season thanks quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots and Chardonnay have been at the top of their respective games for a while, and neither show signs of slowing down.

Hopefully this Mezzacorona NFL/wine rundown has pleased both your football and wine palates. We’d also love to know if you see any similarities between your team and your favorite wine. But first and foremost, enjoy the games and the wine everyone. Cheers.

Night in with the Ladies

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 11:00:04 -0700

   “Girls’ Night Out” tends to get most of the most publicity, with its high heels, fruity libations, and female comaraderie. However, we would remiss if we did not show some love for “Girls Night Out’s” laid back, less glamourous cousin, “Girls’ Night In.” After all, everyone needs the occasional low key evening, so let’s all put on our pajamas, get comfy, and discuss the wonders of “Girls’ Night in.”
   GNI usually begins with a group of girls who have been hitting the town constantly for the past few nights or weekends and are collectively burned out. Other times, one or more of these ladies have become exasperated with dating life, and would just like a break to catch up with old friends. Multiple snacks and appetizers are a must. Ladies, you may want to take this opportunity to indulge in your favorite guilty pleasures like spinach dip, garlic bread, taquitos, cupcakes, ice cream, etc. There are no guys around to impress, so treat yourselves.
   For entertainment purposes, movies or TV shows are almost always required. This is an opportune time to watch a movie that no reasonable guy would ever want to watch with you, unless he is trying to make up for a mistake, or is trying to impress you. These movies are called “chick flicks” and almost always star either Kate Hudson and/or Matthew McConnaughey. Everyone in the group will have seen this movie at least 14 times, but familiarity means that there will be ample opportunity to talk during the movie, as it will serve as background entertainment. Furthermore, reruns of popular shows like “Friends” and “How I Met Your Mother” will also suffice.
   While male language doesn’t have any other words for “talking,” ladies enjoy this activity so much that they have developed multiple monikers. At GNI, girls do not just talk. They chit-chat, dish, and gossip. This is the main attraction of the evening when all of the latest rumors and speculation are divulged about people within the group’s social sphere. Also, perhaps after a few glasses of Mezzacorona wine, discussions may go deeper towards life or work. Or perhaps it will just stay on guys and clothes.
   Regardless of food, movie choice, or discussion topics a night in with the girls is almost always a fun idea. And a few glasses of Mezzacorona wine never hurts. Enjoy the night in.