585-235-1090 [email protected]
New: Honey Sale 2016

New: Honey Sale 2016

New: Honey Sale 2016

Honey Sale 2016

Mead (or honey wine) is the oldest alcoholic drink known to man. It is made from honey and water via fermentation with yeast.

It may be still, carbonated, or sparkling; it may be dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. Unlike beers and cider, meads (being wines) are drunk in small quantities.

This year, we’d like to try something new. In addition to our offering fresh grape juice, we’d like to offer honey (from a local honey farmer) for you to try your hand in making honey wine, better known as mead!

Mead has been found in numerous ancient cultures, from China (as early as 6500-7000 BC) to Europe (2800-1800 BC). Mead has been made (and drunk) in China, India, and Rome. It has been part of the heritage in Russia, Poland, Eastern Europe, and the Baltic states. Finally, numerous Celtic and Germanic cultures, as well as some African cultures (like Ethiopia) have enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) mead.

Interested in trying your hand at making mead?  We are currently finalizing details with our local supplier/honey farmer.  Details should be available for you after Labor day, so check back with us after September 5th.  We’ll post details on the Wines By Design web site!

WOTM – August 2016:

WOTM – August 2016:

WOTM (Wine of the Month) – August 2016
Carménère

This month, our Wine of the Month (WOTM) is a delicious Carménère from Chile.  

Along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, Carménère is considered part of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux, France.

(That said, there are others who indicate that it originated in Spain, then was brought to Italy by the Romans, and eventually made its way to France, but we’ll leave the origin stories to the movies.)

Regardless of its origin, everyone agrees that the Carménère grape eventually made its way to Chile, where it flourishes to this day. The climate and soil in Chile allow the Carménère grapes to grow and thrive.

Carménère wine has a deep red color and aromas found in red fruits, spices and berries. The tannins are gentler and softer than those in Cabernet Sauvignon and it is a medium body wine. Carménère imparts a cherry-like, fruity flavor with smoky, spicy and earthy notes and a deep crimson color. Its taste might also be reminiscent of dark chocolate, tobacco, and leather. The wine drinks very well while it is young and continues to improve with age.

The Winexpert Selection kit is described as a “Deep crimson, with dark cherry aroma, red fruits and berry notes running to a smoky, spicy finish with notes of dark chocolate and tobacco. With medium body and moderate tannins, Carménère drinks well young and improves with age. Drink with grilled beef, pizza, or dark chocolate”.

Interested in trying your hand at a Carménère, this month’s WOTM? We have lots of the Winexpert Selection kits in stock.

Stop on by!

Sign of the Times – 4

Sign of the Times – 4

Awesome
Sign of the Times – 4

It’s another “Sign of the Times” entry!

This month: Awesome!

(WBD Translation: Wine can sometimes help make you feel better, other times, better than better!)

Check out some of our other graphics.

Note: A number of these are created on Canva and/or using Avery label software. You can check out our post on creating your own labels .

Got a “sign” you’d like to suggest or one you’ve created and don’t mind us sharing? Drop us a note on our Contact page.