It’s our second “Sign of the Times” entry! We’ll use this series to highlight some of our favorite wine graphics, posters and labels. We’ll share some popular ones that we’ve come across as well as some favorites that you share with us!
This month: Just what the doctor ordered!
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 .
It’s official! The 2016 Wine Tasting Event (WBD version) is on!
Wine tasting
The store will be closed for “normal” business, the day is devoted to the event!
Special bonus: All attendees will receive an Owners discount of 15% off all wine kits during the event.
You are allowed to submit up to 3 bottles per person for the 3 entry categories: Red, White and Dessert/Fruit. Your wine will be moved into numbered bottles and you will be the judge in the blind tasting. The highest scored wines will be the winner in each category and the highest scoring of those will be named Best of Show. Best of Show wins a $100 gift certificate at WBD and the other two winners will each receive a $50 gift certificate to WBD.
To enter, turn in your bottles at the store before Friday, April 8 (contest closing time is 7p).
For the day of the event: there will be a $5 fee for those not contributing a bottle of their finest vino. (Contest entrants are free!)
Note: This is limited to wine made in the Wines By Design store (from our kits). This does not include wine made from fresh juice.
A quick recap:
An oldie, but a goodie! It’s still winter and still time to snuggle by a fire. Not everyone knows that we carry dessert wines and ports as well as our white, red and fruit wines. This month, a quick look at one of our best sellers!
Coffee Dessert Wine (another wine from RJ Spagnols)
The coffee dessert wine has been a big hit this winter season at WBD: Typical of medium roast coffee, aromas of toffee, burnt marshmallow, and chocolate will entice you and follow through to a palate which finishes with lingering notes of vanilla.
This kit is part of the Cru Specialty lineup from RJ Spagnols. One of several port and dessert wines we have available, coffee port is nice by a fire or just to curl up under a blanket with on a cold evening.
Like all of the ports and dessert wines, this is drinkable immediately!
What better day to introduce our first “Sign of the Times” entry! We’ll highlight some of our favorite wine graphics, posters and labels. We’ll share some popular ones that we’ve come across as well as some favorites that you share with us!
Note: A lot of these are created on Canva and/or using Avery label software. You can check out our post on creating your own labels here.
Regardless of today’s “sign”, enjoy the day! The sun is out and it’s a great day to enjoy a glass of your favorite vino! Whether it’s a nice Chardonnay, a deep rich Nebbiolo or an after dinner Coffee port, Happy National Drink Wine Day!
Well, THAT went fast! It’s hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since we took over Wines By Design! We just wanted to take a quick moment to look at the past year.
It’s been a busy year and we’re not regretting a thing… OK, maybe ONE or two things… (Like wishing we had a chiropractor appointment set up for the day after Fresh Juice day!)
One of the best parts of this “gig” has been the opportunity to meet all of the wonderful people who share with us a fondness for the fruit of the vine! We’ve met some wonderful folks. It’s been great to make new friends and we enjoy sharing a laugh or two with them.
We’ve introduced a couple of small changes to WBD: this website, our newsletter, and updating our computer and POS system. We have also recently (re)introduced some favorites from the past. Some of you have been requesting “oldies but goodies” from the RJ Spagnols line. Favorites like: Super Tuscan, Russo Grande Eccellente, and a couple of new blends – Winemaker’s Trio (Red and White) are (back) in the house!
We have a couple of ideas for the upcoming year as well. We’ll share more details as they become more solidified. Hint: A lot of them have to do with additional education about wine: more articles on the website, expanding the “class” concept, and/or having some “guests” visit us/write for us. But we’re not close enough to announce anything yet, so please, be patient!
We hope that you’ve found that we haven’t changed TOO much though; like we indicated last year, “If it AIN’T broke, don’t fix it it“!
It’s been some hard work and sometimes, long hours, but we’re (still) pleased that we have this opportunity to continue helping the greater Rochester area make some of their very own delicious wine!
Remember: You can sign up for our newsletter here!
BTW: We’d love to hear from you too! Feel free to stop by and chat. Or, you can use the contact form (above) to drop us a note if you have an idea or question for the website or newsletter!
From all of us at Wines By Design: Happy New Year!
Marty and Cheryl Zess
Dan and Kathy Hartwig
Introducing a new column for us! It’s our first ever Wine of the Month post!
Our plan is to highlight one of the kits we have to offer each month. We’ll jump around a little, so make sure to check-in throughout the year.
We’ve had a lot of requests for some old favorites, but along with the old, sometimes you need to bring in the new!
So, without further adieu: Winemaker’s Trio (Red) (from RJ Spagnols)
Winemaker’s Trio has already been quite a hit! A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Zinfandel, this wine has a nicely integrated balance of tannins and acidity. It features an inviting blend of vanilla, red berries, and black cherry on the nose and it combines the sweet flavors of ripe raspberry, chocolate, and cherry on the palate.
This kit is part of the Cellar Classic Winery Series from RJ Spagnols. Red wines in the Cellar Classic Winery Series (18L) are produced by fermenting grape juice on crushed grape skins, seeds and stems. This allows the winemaker to extract deep color, chewy tannins, tantalizing flavors and complex aromas to produce richly structured wines.
We have found that a lot of people have thought this to be drinkable very quickly. But, of course, with patience (and aging) comes even greater wine!
From the RJ Spagnols website:
| Category | Red |
| Size | 18 L |
| Yield | 23 L |
| Ready Time | 6 Weeks |
| Oak | 2 |
| Body | 3 |
| Sweetness | 0 |