Best Wines to Pair with Turkey this Holiday Season

18 Monday Nov 2019

Posted by in Food, Thanksgiving, Wine

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Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Time for yummy food, family, friends, and fun. This holiday season we thought we’d help you out with a list of our favorite wines to pair with the delicious Turkey you’re cooking up this year.

Red Wine and Turkey Pairings

Let’s start of with a list for our red wine lovers.

  1. Olema Pinot Noir Sonoma County, 2017
    This delicious red wine filled with notes of vanilla and spice will complement the Turkey any which way you cook it! From the makers of our 2018 #1 Wine of the Year, this bottle is a must have wine this holiday season.
  2. Iter Pinot Noir California
    This red wine will have people begging for another glass. It is a solid, oak aged California Pinot with plenty of fruit that is a necessity to have on the dinner table this holiday season.
  3. Kudos Pinot Noir Willamette, 2017
    This Pinot Noir has plenty of red plum and cherry notes to pair with any and everything at your table this holiday season. You and your loved ones must give Oregon Pinot Noir a try this holiday!

White Wine and Food Pairings

Don’t worry lovers of white wine, we didn’t forget about you!

  1. Grey Rock Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
    For the white wine drinkers who need to wet their palate before the main dish arrives, make sure your glass is full of Sauvy B. This bottle, a light and acidic Sauvignon Blanc, will not only pair fantastically with your big Thanksgiving dinner, but it will keep you from feeling weighed down before you get to the main course.
  2. Luquet St Veran Vers les Monts
    You must save a spot at the dinner table for this unoaked, fruity Chardonnay this year. Before, during, or after dinner – it’s good at any point with soft cheeses or to help enhance any fruity flavors on the table!
  3. Neethlingshof Chenin Blanc
    Our final white wine we recommend at your table this year, this South African white is full of peach and apricot and hints it will add a refreshing twist to your turkey, especially if you have other glazed dishes on the table (like ham).

Looking for even MORE wine pairing insporation for the holidays? Head over to our holiday entertaining page to make sure you’re prepared for the best holiday season yet!

Peanut Butter with Whiskey? Yep, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is all the craze.

17 Thursday Oct 2019

Posted by in Cocktails, New Product, Spirits, Whiskey

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Just when we thought there would never be a better pairing than Peanut Butter and Jelly…Skrewball comes out with Peanut Butter Whiskey.

Peanut butter lovers everywhere are in for a treat with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, a trend that has been popular for Southern Californians for awhile but is now gaining more distribution across the nation.

Who would have thought the bold taste of whiskey would pair so well with the taste of rich, creamy peanut butter. If you haven’t had a chance to try this surprisingly good and sweet treat, not only do we recommend it but we recommend doing it fast, before they run out.

We will advise you that a night with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is likely to get a little nutty… it is 70 proof after all.

Our customers are even giving feedback on what to do with this whiskey:

” This is the best! Try it with cranberry or grape juce for a “peanut butter & jelly drink” or a chocolate liquor for a peanut butter cup treat.”
~Facebook Fan Eve

” It is Yummy! Thought it sounded weird, but we added Rumchada and we also tried adding Kahlua.”
~Facebook Fan Dorothy

” Y’all. Use this to make a White Russian. You won’t regret it I promise.”
~FB Fan Juli

Looking for even MORE information on this hot new trend? Check out our Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey page on our website to purchase your own bottle today!

Tailgating with Total Wine… Game plan for the Total Tailgate!

12 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by in Beer, Cocktails, Food, Tailgating, Uncategorized

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Football season is finally HERE! We have all the spirits to boost your team spirit. Game plan: draft us in your tailgate supply starting lineup, and read on for the ultimate side dish recipe

MVPs – Most Valuable Products

There’s no better pairing than that of football and beer. Make sure you pack your coolers and fill them with your favorite classic drafts to get you through game day.

Whether you’re tailgating with friends at the stadium, or from the comfort of your own home, if your crowd is large enough – you might want to grab a keg! Take a look at our Guide to Kegs to learn everything you’ll need to grab the right keg of beer for football season.

Meet the New Tailgating Choice in 2019: Hard Seltzers

Hard seltzers weren’t just all the rage for summer. We’re predicting they’re going to be popular all year long – and that includes tailgating season! But many people are still asking “Why are they becoming so popular?”

Well, most hard seltzer options are actually a healthy alternative to other beverages! Many products in this category actually have lower calories and carbs than other drink options. And have you been scared by the news saying there were shortages on your favorite hard seltzer brand? Don’t worry! Our teams are constantly restocking your favorite flavors of White Claws at Total Wine & More!

A New Spin on the Classic Football Recipe: The Bloody Maria

Get up: It’s Game day! Most people would say a Bloody Mary is the perfect tailgating choice. Well, we have a second option to consider. A tangy and refreshing Bloody Maria is sure to awaken your senses. Watch this quick clip and learn how to mix it!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Spread Bloody Mary Rimmer on a small plate.
  2. Wet rim of glass with a lime wedge or water, then dip rim of mug into rimmer.
  3. Fill glass with ice and pour in Bloody Mary mix and lime juice.
  4. Add tequila and Mexican beer.
  5. Add hot sauce to taste, if desired.
  6. Stir well, then garnish with your favorite Bloody Mary toppings.

Easy and Tasty Tailgating Foods

I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t go crazy over this beer dip but don’t worry we’ve left you the delicious recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup beer or nonalcoholic beer
  • 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Pretzels

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, beer and dressing mix until smooth. Stir in cheddar cheese. Serve with pretzels and enjoy!

Prefer Salsa over cheese dip? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with this amazing Spicy Tequila Spiked Salsa.

Ingredients

  • 4 serrano chilies (chopped with stems and seeds removed)
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 large tomatoes (chopped)
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp.  cilantro (fresh, chopped)
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/3 cup tequila herradura

Directions

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. Mix tomatoes, onions, chilies, garlic, cilantro, and oil until all items are coated in the oil.
  3. Mix in lime, water, and tequila.
  4. Leave as is for a chunky style of salsa or puree in a blender or food processor for a smooth, paste style.
  5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Looking for even MORE inspiration for tailgating this season? Head to our Tailgating HQ page on our website to find even more ideas, and to get stocked up and ready for game day!

Tequila & Tacos: Coconut Tequila Lime Fish Tacos for Cinco de Mayo

02 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by in Cinco de Mayo, Cocktails, Food, holiday, Tequila

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Tacos. They make us happy. It’s a proven fact!

Plus, if you’re hosting Cinco de Mayo at your home, tacos happen to pair perfectly with tequila for the ultimate fiesta nibbles to have on hand this year. So make your celebration a hit with your guests by whipping up this yummy Coconut Tequila Lime Fish Taco recipe thanks to Altos Tequila and Grilled Cheese Social!

TACO PREPARATION
INGREDIENTS:
• Tomatillos – 2
• Garlic – 1/2 clove
• jalapeno pepper (remove seeds if you don’t want it too spicy) -1/2
• Cilantro – 1 bunch, divided
• Avocados – 2
• juice of 2 limes, divided
• salt to taste
• purple cabbage, roughly chopped – 1/2 head
• raw sugar – 1/2 tbsp
• corn tortillas
• cooked fish (from below)

DIRECTIONS:
1) Bring a pot of water to a boil and add tomatillos, garlic, jalapeno pepper and
salt. Cook until soft.
2) Strain and reserve a half cup cooking liquid.
3) Add those ingredients to a blender along with the meat from two avocados, the juice of 1 lime and a handful of cilantro.
4) Add cooking liquid until a creamy consistency is reached. Salt to taste.
5) Meanwhile, add chopped purple cabbage to a bowl and toss with lime juice, sugar, and salt.
6) Let sit you cook the fish component of the tacos below.

FISH PREPARATION
INGREDIENTS:
• garlic powder – 1 tsp
• chili powder – 1 tsp
• Cumin -1/4 tsp
• Salt – 1/4 tsp
• fresh mahi, cut into 2.5″ fillets -1 lb
• Altos Tequila Plata – 1/3 cup
• fresh jalapeno, seeds removed – 1/2
• juice of half a lime
• coconut oil – 1 tbsp

DIRECTIONS:
1) Combine garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, lime, jalapeno and Altos Tequila Plata in a small bowl and whisk until combined.
2) Add the mahi and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
3) Add coconut oil to a pan and turn the heat to medium-high.
4) When it’s hot, add the fish with the liquid that it is marinated in.
5) Let the fish cook on one side until golden brown and then flip and sauté until the fish is fully cooked through.

That’s it! Once it’s all ready, pour yourself a Tequila Paloma cocktail to pair with the tacos (trust us, it’s a win-win pairing), and enjoy!

Tequila & Tacos: Tropical Shrimp Taco Recipe for Cinco de Mayo

01 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by in Cinco de Mayo, holiday, Recipe, Tequila

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Tequila is just part of the equation for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration. The other part is food. Like delicious, homemade shrimp tacos!

Our friends at Altos Tequila teamed up with author Rebeca Hubbel of Sugar & Soul to come up with this tropical shrimp taco recipe to pair with the Altos Fresh cocktail recipe.

This post is brought to you by Altos Tequila. The content and opinions
expressed below are that of Sugar & Soul.

Sauce Ingredients:
• Sour Cream – 1/2 cup
• Tequila Altos Plata – 2 tbsp.
• Lime Juice – 1 tbsp
• Lime Zest – 1 tsp
• Cumin – 1 tsp
• Minced garlic – 1 tbsp
• Chopped Cilantro – 1 tbsp

Sauce Directions:
Stir all ingredients together and place in the fridge to set while
you prep and cook the other components of the dish.

Shrimp Ingredients:
• Oil for frying
• All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups
• Salt – 3 tbsp
• Black pepper – 1 tbsp
• Cayenne pepper – 1 tsp
• Cumin – 1 ½ tsp
• Paprika – 2 tbps
• Frozen shrimp, thawed – 30 pieces

Shrimp Direction:
Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer on medium high heat, drops of water should sizzle when added to the oil, that’s how you know it’s ready. Combine the flour, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, and paprika in a medium bowl. Pat the thawed shrimp dry, and toss them in the flour mixture one by one, shaking a little to remove any excess, then adding to the hot oil. I usually cook 10 shrimp at a time, 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Repeat with the rest of the shrimp, switch out oil if
necessary. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to rest for a few minutes after cooking.

Salsa Ingredients:
• Pineapple, finely chopped – ½ cup
• Mango, finely chopped – ¼ cup
• Chopped mint – 2 tbsp

Salsa Directions:
Stir all ingredients together and place in the fridge to set while you prep and cook the other components of the dish.

Taco Assembly Ingredients:
• Pea shoots or watercress
• Kumquats, thinly sliced – 3
• Pickled onions – 6 tbsp
• Small flour tortillas – 6

Taco Assembly Ingredients:
Spoon a tsp of the sauce down the middle of the tortillas, top with 3 shrimp. Top shrimp with a small bunch of pea shoots or watercress. Spoon on some of the fruit salsa, followed by 3 or 4 slices of kumquat, and a tbsp of pickled onions, and 2 more shrimp each. Top with more tequila lime sauce and enjoy!

Don’t forget to pair it with the perfect cocktail – the Altos Fresh Cocktail!

Big Game Planning and Baked Chicken Wings Recipe

30 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Food, Recipe, Tailgating

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The Big Game is almost upon us. Whether you’re cheering on Philadelphia or New England, we’ve got plenty of tips to help you throw the best football viewing party of the year. Wondering what you’ll need to prepare? Here’s a quick checklist.

  1. Beer, wine, and spirits – scientifically proven to make football better
  2. A keg – for the viewing party with more than 15-20 guests
  3. The perfect snacks for pairing with beer – nachos, wings, and chili, oh my!
  4. Cocktails – the Big Game calls for the perfect cocktail, like this Spike D Lemonade or Sweet Tea Touchdown
  5. Boozy Tailgating Food Recipes – alcohol makes tasty foods even tastier

Speaking of boozy food recipes, our friends over at [ yellow tail ] have a great way for you to start your Big Game planning with this delicious recipe for baked chicken wings in a savory merlot sauce.

Baked Chicken Wings in a Savory Merlot Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons [ yellow tail ] Merlot
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1-1/2 lbs chicken wings
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the [ yellow tail ] Merlot, soy sauce, garlic, honey, and ground ginger. Add the chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Allow dish to marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a large shallow baking dish with nonstick spray and arrange the chicken in a single layer. Brush remaining marinade evenly over the chicken and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the oven and reduce the heat to 300°F. Baste the chicken with any accumulated juices, return to the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the juices run clear.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Live from Napa: 2015 Caymus Tasting with the Wagners

01 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Class, Live, Wine

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Broadcast live from Napa Valley, sample the newest release of Caymus Vineyards Cabernet in select stores (or at home) along with Chuck, Charlie and Jenny Wagner on Sept. 8th from 4-5 p.m. EST (1-2 p.m. PST)!

That’s right, you’ve got two ways to enjoy this live broadcast!

You’ll also be able to engage with Chuck, Charlie, and Jenny and ask them questions by using the hashtag #TWMlive on Twitter and Instagram. Ask a question, and it could be sent over to them to be answered live during the event!

What can you expect at this live stream event in store?
Attendees in our stores can taste the newly released 2015 Caymus, along with five other acclaimed wines, during this live stream event from the Caymus barrel room. The additional wines include Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, Red Schooner Red Blend, Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Conundrum Red, plus a special surprise for our in store attendees! In 1972, Chuck Wagner and his parents created Caymus Vineyards, world-renowned for highly rated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, he and his children Charlie and Jenny are proud to showcase wines that have earned a reputation for quality and consistency, sourced from premier regions of California.

Tickets for the in store event are $20 per person.
Click this ticket link to see if your local store is holding this event and still has tickets. 

How do I participate at home? Keep scrolling!

To participate at home, just head to your local Total Wine & More store to grab the wines being tasted at the event! Or you can click the links below to add them cart online and select express in store pickup for just 1 hour from now.

Once you have the wines to taste, just call some friends, and bookmark this blog post to host your very own view party. The embedded video below will showcase the event so everyone can join in on the experience!

  1. Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc
  2. Emmolo Merlot
  3. Red Schooner Red Blend
  4. Mer Soleil Chardonnay
  5. Conundrum Red

*Note – the above products may not be available in all stores.

 

Don’t want to wait for September 8th? Click here to watch another one of our previous live stream events with producers and brands like Joe Wagner of Copper Cane, David Stewart of Balvenie Distillery, Dr. Bill Lumsden of Glenmorangie, Karl Wente of Wente, and more!

We hope to see you participating in the next Caymus live tasting at one of our stores, or joining us from home. Cheers!

4 Top Drinks for the Fourth of July

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Cocktails, Independence Day, Wine

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We’ve curated our top drink picks for July 4th thanks to the help of our blogger friends This Silly Girl’s Kitchen, Shabbyfufu, and Busy Wife Busy Life. Serve these delicious drinks at your summer gatherings and take your entertaining to a whole new level!

Strawberry Limoncello Slush

Our friend at This Silly Girl’s Kitchen has put together a delicious, refreshing and easy to make Strawberry Limoncello Slush made with our Bellini Limoncello and Cruse Demi Sec Sparkling Wine. Find all you need to recreate this recipe at our Sparkling Cocktails and Recipe Page!

limoncello

 

Limoncello Watermelon Spritzer

Blogger Shabbyfufu shows us how to make a fresh and delightful Limoncello Watermelon Spritzer. With this recipe, your party is sure to be the hit of the summer and have your guests coming back for more!

styled girls luncheon pink shabbyfufublog.com-2

 

Sparkling Rosé Punch with Strawberry & Lime

Busy Wife Busy Life walks us through a simple, but cool and delicious, cocktail to serve at your summer gatherings. Because let’s face it, entertaining during the summer is meant to be easy and stress free. This light and refreshing Sparkling Rosé Punch recipe can be found here.

Rose-cocktail-1140x1377

 

Moscow Mule

Shabbyfufu introduces us to her moscow mule which is a staple for summer refreshments. Served in a chilled copper moscow mule mug, this beverage will keep you cool and refreshed while entertaining outside during the warm weather.

styled girls luncheon pink shabbyfufublog.com-1

To discover more delicious drink ideas head to our Cocktail Corner !

Featured Wine of the Week: Buttercream Chardonnay

23 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by in New Product, Wine

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Our featured wine this week is a new arrival at our stores. With spring in bloom, it’s time for flavorful wines to take center stage during all of your seasonal activities. If you enjoy a Chardonnay that tastes like silken butter dripped over a fresh croissant, this one is for you.

Buttercream Chardonnay
750ml, California
Butter, butter, butter, Buttercream Chardonnay packs in butter with every sip, along with notes of oak, vanilla, pear and apple. This wine is delicious on its own, but pairs wonderfully with shellfish, such as lobster, cheeses and any dish with a rich, creamy sauce.

Stop in and pick up our newest Winery Direct arrival during your next visit, or order it online and have it ready in one-hour with our express in-store pickup option.

What is Winery Direct?

Total Wine & More’s buying teams travel across the United States and the world, looking for new and exciting wines. They forge meaningful relationships with the best producers, providing us with exclusive access to world-class products and the ability to offer these exceptional products at incredible prices. Most importantly, they allow us to streamline the process of bringing wines from the producer to you – slashing costs and letting us showcase the best of the best on our shelves.

Winery Direct items are identified in our stores by the yellow shelf tags. We offer more than 8,000 wines in a typical store – including more than 2,000 Winery Direct items, many exclusive to Total Wine & More.

Accessories for under the tree

22 Thursday Dec 2016

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Are you making a list, checking it twice and still finding yourself in need of some inspiration? At Total Wine & More, we have beer, cocktail and wine accessories that can satisfy friends and family of all stripes, from the hopivore to the cocktail master.

libbey-craft-beer-set

When it comes to enjoying beer, one of the most important elements (besides the beer itself) is the glass in which it’s served. Our Libbey Craft Brews Set features six different glass styles, including the classic Pilsner, English pub, Belgian Ale, craft pub, Porter/Stout and wheat beer glasses. While some may dismiss the importance of the beer glass, aficionados will tell you it’s an integral part of the drinking experience. Take the famed Pilsner glass: Its long, tapered shape shows off the color and carbonation of a good Lager, while helping maintain the beer head for a nice, frothy top. The same can be said for the tulip-shaped Belgian Ale glass and its narrow, flared top, which keeps the head frothy and locks in aroma.

moscow-mule-2

For any mixologist in the making, a set of copper mugs is essential. To many, the Moscow Mule is the cocktail of the moment, and with its rise, the copper mug has exploded in popularity. Though the mug may have started as a marketing gimmick to sell vodka stateside in the 1940s, it has become a beloved part of cocktail culture. So it makes a great gift, which is made even better when coupled with a good vodka. For those who wish to up their gift game, we recommend Summum and Knight’s Hall, our two top vodkas for 2016.

rabbit-corkscrew

While it may seem daunting to shop for dedicated wine lovers, our great selection of accessories makes it easy. The Original Rabbit Corkscrew is the standard-bearer in the corkscrew department. Famous for its ability to remove a cork in less than three seconds, this award-winning corkscrew can face off against the most difficult corks. In addition to corkscrews that help get celebrations started, we also offer accessories to keep them going. Our Champagne Re-corker keeps bottles fresh and bubbly, and also gives red and white wines an extra two to four days of life after opening.

So let us help you check items off your list before your family comes to town. Stop by your local store and pick up some fun accessories tonight, or find the gifts you want to give online, and we’ll have them ready for you to pick up in just one hour with in-store express pickup.