Some Bold Flavor

     A popular red wine, known as the “King of Red Wine Grapes”, is Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine originated in Bordeaux but is also found in California. Cabernet Sauvignon can be combined with other grapes to mellow its flavor. Grapes such as Merlot can be blended to soften this wine without taking away it’s character. Although this wine can be found with high tannin content, it ranges from medium-bodied to full.
    Cabernet Sauvignon has great fruit flavors from plums and cherries to blueberries. Aromas such as tobacco and even leather can be present creating an amazing bold flavor. This wine will pair well with red meats and lamb.

***Recipe for thought***   Grilled Rib-eye Steak w/ Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Cabernet Sauvignon

2 (8 ounce) rib-eye steak                                    1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup chopped onion                                         6 medium russet potatoes peeled & cubed
1 tsp crushed garlic                                           ½ cup sour cream
pepper to taste                                                   ¼ cup butter melted
1 ⅔ cups Worcestershire sauce                          salt & pepper to taste
⅓ cup of dark brown sugar                               1 tsp garlic powder

    In a large resealable bag, combine Worcestershire sauce, dark brown sugar, pepper, crushed garlic, onions and steak coating well. Marinate for at least 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator. Grill steaks on medium to high heat for 10 minutes on each side or until desired doneness. Place potatoes in saucepan and cover with water. Boil potatoes for 25 to 30 minutes until potatoes are very tender. Drain potatoes well and add sour cream, butter, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mash until potatoes are fluffy then, stir in cheddar cheese. Enjoy with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or two!

For Your Valentine

     For this Valentine’s Day, take the opportunity to definitely lighten things up. Another versatile red wine is Pinot Noir. It is a lighter-bodied red wine which comes from France but can be found in many regions around the world including parts of the U.S. and New Zealand. The Pinot Noir grape is tough to grow but once it has been accomplished, you will know this wine as “Red Burgundy”. This wine will make your Valentine’s Day very delightful with many memorable essence.
    Pinot Noir has a range of flavors from sweet berries and cherries to earth-like flavors. It is important to know that flavors are all dependent on growing conditions. This wine pairs well with many dishes. Whether your craving lamb, poultry or seafood, the combinations are endless.

***Recipe for Thought***            Baked Dill Tilapia with Garlic Alfredo Cream Sauce with Pinot Noir

2 (8 ounce) tilapia fillets                             ½  tsp dried dill
½ tsp obey seasoning                                  2 tbsp butter
½ tsp garlic powder                                   pinch pepper
pinch salt                                                   1 cup Ragu Garlic Alfredo Sauce
2 tbsp lemon juice                                     1 cup farfalle pasta

   Preheat your oven for 375 degrees. Season tilapia  with obey seasoning, dill and garlic powder. Layer fish in baking pan and top with butter and lemon juice. Bake fish for 20 to 30 minutes until well done. While fish is baking, prepare farfalle pasta as directed and set aside to cool. In a small saucepan, mix garlic Alfredo sauce, pinch of salt & pepper and heat on low for about 10 minutes. Once fish is done, top pasta with tilapia and garlic Alfredo sauce and serve.
    Pinot Noir also matches well with spicy seasonings and creamy pasta dishes. Although you may have to be willing to pay a little more for this wine than most, this grape will be well worth it.

Wine & Football

     Nothing says football like great food and drinks. If your looking to do a little something different this year for the super bowl, try some wine pairing with some game-day favorites. There are so many approachable reds out there for those new to wine. Villa Neri Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is a great, simple Red wine with an amazing taste. Originating in Italy, this dry red wine is consumed at a young age and gentle on the palate. Carrying irresistible flavors like, concord grape, soft blackberries and even strawberries. .

    Celebrate your winning team with great food and wine. Villa Neri Montepulciano D’Abruzzo wine can pair well with steak and grilled poultry .

***Recipe for thought***       BBQ Kabobs with Villa Neri Montepulciano D’Abruzzo


1 pound cubed chicken breast                                  ½ tsp garlic powder
1 pound cubed beef sirloin                                        ½ tsp ground ginger
1 large sweet onion cut into 2 inch pieces                1 ½ cup bourbon bbq sauce
1 large red pepper cut into 2 inch pieces                  pinch black pepper
Skewers                                                                    1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

    In a large bowl, combine bourbon BBQ sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger, black pepper and soy sauce. In a large resealable plastic bag, add about ¼ cup of marinade with chicken, beef, onions and red peppers. Seal bag and turn to coat meat and veggies, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight; cover and store remaining marinade. Drain marinade and thread meat and veggies randomly onto skewers. Grill skewers on medium to high heat or broil in oven for about 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until meats are to your preferred doneness.
    Bast skewers with remaining marinade as they cook. If your using wood skewers, make sure that you soak them in water for about 30 minutes to 1 hour so they will not burn while your kabobs are cooking. Villa Neri Montepulciano D’Abruzzo will be great served at room temperature or slightly chilled with your kabobs. Serve with bread, basmati rice or just with your wine.