Sweethearts! Don’t Miss Cabaret d’Amour!

When I receive information about upcoming events, I am always glad to spread the word. I’ve been to the beautiful Sugar Grove Vineyards & Gatheringplace in Newton and if you like a warm heritage ambiance, a marvelous meal and entertainment by the go-fo-the-funny bone Sugar Grove Players, you’ll love this Valentine event.

 

They have created an all-new music and comedy show, Cabaret d’Amour, where deepest desires, worth causes and conflicting objectives converge.

 

You’ll be entertained with jazz vocals by Des Moines’ Hannah Brez and dinner music preformed by The Grange Cats!

 

Here’s the soup and entrée from the 4-course served meal featuring Colette’s Custom Cuisine: Tomato Basil with “Crème de Coeur” adornment and Melt-in-Your-Mouth Smoked and Sliced Beef Brisket on a Bed of Dressed Greens with accompaniments of Herbed and Roasted Potatoes and Julienned Hone-Orange Glazed Carrots. Enjoy tasty appetizers and desserts and a glass of your choice of selected wine from Tassel Rige Winery, Summerset Winery, Jasper Winery or Snuss Hill Winery. Millstream Amana Beers are available as well as alcohol-free options.

 

To top it all off, you can win a prize if you Name that Lovey Dovey Tune!

 

You can attend this Midwest Wine Country event either Friday, February 13^th or Saturday, February 14^th. Call for more information and the required reservations, 641-840-0972.

 

Have fun!

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

 

 

 

 

Ground Hog Shadow, Snow, and Cabin Fever Cure: Winery Fun

Yes, the snow is expected to fall for days, and winter is not likely to turn to spring anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean you are doomed to boredom. Your local wineries are prepared to show you a good time.

 

Start by making reservations for one of these Valentine Day and weekend events: February 14^th – the 5-course dinner with wine, hosted by Tony and Sue Putz, and catered by Man with a Pan Catering, at La Vida Loca Winery, or February 16^th – The Valentine’s Day Ball hosted by Ron and Linda Mark at Summerset Winery, or February 16 & 17^th – The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail’s Sweethearts and Wine Event.

 

Do you prefer dinner theater? Sugar Grove Vineyard’s Call of The Wild is an all-new fast-paced comedy and music revue for lovers of the Great Outdoors—and everyone else.  The dates are February 9^th and 16^th, and the menu is:

Appetizer: Marinated Elk Tenders (beef-like), skewered and marinated with vegetables (this elk was raised right at Sugar Grove!)
Salad: Mixed Greens with Toasted Pecans, Dried Blueberries and Poppyseed Dressing
Entrée: Choose Smoked Amana Chop in Maple Bourbon Glaze OR Encrusted and Baked Catfish; both accompanied by Wild Carrots and Wild Rice Mushroom Bisque
Dessert: Hazelnut Torte
Beverage: Coffee, tea, water and one complimentary glass of Sugar Grove wine or sparkling beverage. Reservations required. $55 per person includes meal, wine, show, and gratuity. Call 641-787-9463 for more information. 

Check the Events and Festivals list on www.makeminewinemagazine.com for Valentine Day’s events at other Midwest Wine Country wineries in Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Award-Winning Tassel Ridge Wines Key to Smiles and Relaxation on Valentine’s Day

When I ask people if they enjoy a glass of wine, faces brighten with smiles, and I hear sighs anticipating relaxation. Women especially welcome a glass of wine signaling it’s time to quit working, sit down, relax and enjoy.

 

If the special someone you love likes wine, you know exactly what I mean.

 

So, if you want a smiling, relaxed Valentine, I suggest you bring home beautiful bottles of award-winning wine from Tassel Ridge Winery.

 

Red, White, and Blue is a traditional, sweet Concord-based blend and is best served chilled. This award-winner won Gold at both the 2007 Tasters Guild Wine Lovers International Consumer Competition and the 2007 Mid-American Wine Competition.

 

Fruit Stand Blackberry Wine, think old-fashioned blackberry jam, has won five International awards: Chairman’s Best of Class 2007 and Gold 2007 Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition, Double Gold 2007 Tasters Guild Wine Lovers International Consumer Competition, and Gold 2007 International Wine Competition.

 

For pre-dinner sipping, chill Prelude, a semi-sweet wine offering fruit notes. It is made from Iowa St. Pepin grapes and Muscat grapes grown in California. Prelude won several awards including Gold at 2007 Tasters Guild International Wine Competition, and Bronze at the National Women’s Wine Competition.

 

Stop in the Tasting Room or check the Tassel Ridge Web site for a complete list of their winning wines. Read the descriptions and pairing tips to find the ones you want to try.

 

You will also find a wonderful collection of treats at Tassel Ridge. Gourmet truffles are the perfect companion to the fine Tassel Ridge dessert wines. Surprise with wine-flavored pop-corn! Try Catawba, Concord or Vignole. I love the Candlelight Caramel Sauce – yes it is flavored with Tassel Ridge Candlelight wine – and is fabulous over ice cream. You might also like the cheese toppers and dipping oils.

 

I love to browse in the Tassel Ridge Gift Shop and if you like all things wine, you will too!  (The gift shop and tasting room is done in green marble!).  I love sparkling glass, so of course, I love the stunning bottle stoppers. Wine books, set-the mood music, caps, t-shirts, note cards, as well as bottle openers, chillers, charms and trivets make this a wonderful place to find unique gifts.

 

Spend some time tasting the Tassel Ridge wines to find your favorites. Maybe it will be Brett’s Blush, from Zinfandel grapes, or the oak-aged Twilight, from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Think about creating a personalized label (birthday, anniversary, etc.) and have it placed on your favorite bottle of Tassel Ridge Wine – minimum order is 1 case – it’s a fun and memorable gift!

 

One more suggestion: do you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a romantic dinner at home? Make delicious Grilled Scallops and Saffron Rice (paired with Tassel Ridge Candleglow White) or Pan Fried Jerk Seasoned Pork Loin Medallions (paired with Tassel Ridge White Blossom (dry) or Iowa Edelweiss (semi-sweet). The recipes are on the Web site, too.  Enjoy!

 

It’s easy to get to Tassel Ridge, but if you don’t care to make the trip, you can view all of their delightful wines and gifts in their new on-line catalog. Click on the Tassel Ridge Catalog at www.tasselridge.com. Enjoy!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Sweethearts and Wine … Together on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail

What is a natural companion to both sweethearts and wine? Chocolate, of course!

 

You and your sweetheart can partake of quality chocolate and fine wine during the Sweethearts and Chocolate event on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail over two weekends – February 2 & 3, and February 16 & 17.

 

The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail covers the central one- third of the state from North to South. For just $15 each, you can buy a ticket and enjoy the wine and chocolate pairings both weekends – one visit per winery. You can also build a Chocolate and Wine recipe file with your free recipe from each winery.

 

The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail is featured in the Holiday 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine magazine. Issues will be available at most of the wineries on the trail. If you don’t find one there, call 515-962-5515.

 

Discover the fine wine and the fun at these Heart of Iowa Wine Trail wineries: Dale Valley Vineyard, Stuart; Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls; The Grape Escape Vineyard and Winery, Pleasantville; Jasper Winery, Newton; John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama; La Vida Loca Winery, Indianola; Penoach Vineyard & Winery, Adel; Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards, Ames; Rosey Acres Winery, Runnells; Snus Hill Winery, Madrid; Southern Hills Winery, Osceola; Summerset Winery, Indianola; Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton; Two Saints Winery, St. Charles; White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge.

Have fun — and try a couple of my favorites with chocolate! Tassel Ridge Winery’s Finale Raspberry and Rosey Acres’ Winery’s Paradise Mist (which won the People’s Choice Award for “Best Tasting Wine” at the 2007 Iowa Wine Festival) Let me know your favorite!

Before you go, check the hours for each winery. Then hit the trail and have a great time! www.HeartofIowaWineTrail.com.

Cheers and Chocolate!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com