It’s our next “Sign of the Times” entry!
This month: Enjoy the Journey
(WBD Translation: We think it speaks for itself.)
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.
We can’t believe that it’s that time of year (again)!
Once again, it almost time for football, apples, grapes, and… school!
Whether you are an educator, or a parent, school can be a stressful thing. Maybe we can help!
10% off of all kits, now until September 2nd! For those educators out there, we’ll make it 15%.
(Just our way of saying thank you for all you do!)
It’s our next “Sign of the Times” entry!
This month: WINOS!
(WBD Translation: Maybe it should be *We’re*? Wine’s not just for the ladies any more!)
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.
Just a quick note to let you know that we’ll be closed Saturday, July 1st and Tuesday July 4th. Our parking lot is getting resurfaced!
Enjoy your holiday weekend and have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
You’ve worked hard perfecting your wines here at Wines By Design and once again, you have a chance to show it off. This Saturday, April 29 from 11a – 3p we are holding our annual competitive tasting event.
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. (Excludes our very limited supply Winexpert LE2016 wine kits.)
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 28 (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 (TL;DR):
We’ll provide: palate cleansing crackers, snacks, appetizers, munchies, and more!
Welcome to LE16, a showcase of five outstanding limited edition wines from some of the world’s most renowned regions.
Winexpert has begun to release their 2016 limited edition wines. This year, we have brought in all five options. See below for Winexpert’s descriptions.
Please note: Winexpert are releasing these gradually. As a result, we don’t have all of them yet (but we WILL!), so please drop us a note or give us a call if you’d like to check on availability.
Blanc de Noirs is a French term that translates to a white wine made from dark grapes. Pinot Noir, which many wine experts argue is the greatest red wine grape in the world, is used for this particular wine. By quickly removing the skins from the juice after the grapes have been pressed, the pigment from the skins is not transferred to the juice and you have all the beautiful complexities of Pinot Noir while keeping the colour light and the tannins at bay. This wine, with its crab apple and strawberry driven nose and white peach and grapefruit palate pairs well with delicate dishes. Splurge on poached lobster or enjoy with eggs benedict for your next Sunday brunch.
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Cabernet Franc is a grape with so much to offer, yet most of the winemaking world blends it with other varieties to make a ‘Bordeaux’ style blend. There’s good reason to celebrate this grape on its own. It can tread the line between fruit and spice notes magnificently with ripe raspberry and red currant dancing around with black pepper and fresh mint leaf. There is a solid backbone of tannin to provide mouth-feel and structure, and it can pair with a range of foods due to its medium-full body status. Play up the herbaceous elements and enjoy it with rosemary-crusted lamb or cozy up in the winter with a paprika-rich bowl of Goulash stew.
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Cabernet Sauvignon, the undisputed “king” of grapes, is a big, bold character that has strong tannins in his youth, yet unwinds himself with age to a smooth, velvety texture that is worth waiting for. Flavours like black currant (cassis) jam, cigar box and black olive. Grenache is the yin to Cabernet Sauvignon’s yang. It’s both soft and jammy to balance out the powerful structure of Cabernet, yet rich and spicy enough to stand up to him. Flavours like red licorice, black cherry and raspberry combine with warm vanilla and spice that rounds out the blend perfectly. Enjoy this wine with bold protein-rich dishes like grilled steak on the barbecue or wild mushroom risotto if meat is not on the menu.
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Blending grapes together is an art, with of course a bit of science, and the grapes here are perfectly suited. Three of Spain’s great red varieties, Tempranillo, Garnacha and Bobal bring their lush and hedonistic qualities to pair the full-bodied and well-structured friends Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Together, you have a wine with a range of black and red fruit characteristics, cherry cola, anise and white pepper and a powerful yet supple mouthful. Pair this with braised beef, a big wedge of Manchego cheese, or the region’s famous specialty, Paella.
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Although rare in North America, in Italy the Vermentino grape is a white star. Think of flavours like white peach, green apple, fresh lime and even a bit of dried tarragon on the finish. On the palate, it has a quenching acidity that makes your mouth water with delight and a delicate weight that allows this wine to be sip-worthy on its own. Although perfect on its own on a warm summer day, this wine also pairs beautifully with regional Italian cuisine like pasta tossed in olive oil with fresh shellfish or simply with grilled Mediterranean vegetables.
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