Lambrusco

Clear, Sweet, with Bubbles White Lambrusco
Lambrusco is from the regions around Modena and Parma in Central Italy. The wine is produced primarily from grapes of the same name and the best examples are described as frothy red and young. However, this particular bottle is a white version of the red -- processed without the skins. This wine is delicious. strong honey sweetness, fig, kiwi, tart apple and a solid kirsch component on the nose. The color is nice and clear, and the bubbles are very fine. To me, this fizzy wine made my list of easy-drinking summer wines.

My friend, Lynne, served this wine with her lovely dinner. Ravioli from Trader Joe's was very delicious, with peppery olive oil and the wonderful flavor of freshly-grated Parmigiano Reggiano - the king of Italian cheeses. Lively jazz music from her husband's collection made a great ambiance.

Coffee & Pastry

I am a little weak when it comes to coffee and pastry. They just amazingly go so well together! Here are some of my favorite pairs, from local coffee shops and restaurants. What about you, do you have your favorite??..

Caramel Marvel & Tiramisu @ Biggby Coffee
(the most delicious cafeinated beverage and the yummiest tiramisu ever!)

Latte & Blueberry Crumb Pie @ GT Pie Company

Latte & Lemon Pound Cake @ Starbuck


Latte & Raisin Pastry @ Chapelure


Latte & Lemon Bar @ GT Pie Company


Latte & Tiramisu @ Chapelure

Cocktail Time: Hpnotiq

My drink for the evening: Hypnotiq and tonic. I guess I just wanted something fruity and refreshing. I love the blue of this drink! Hypnotiq is a mix of French premium vodka, tropical fruit juices, and cognac. The eye catching frosted blue color has become its signature, and made the bottle easy to spot on the shelve. It's great alone on the rock, as well as mixed with fruit juices, especially pineapple juice. Sipping the drink by the pool is almost like being in a tropical paradise..

Sunday Italian Wine Dinner

It all began when my friend, Beth, found another great wine - this time; Italian wine - to share with us wine lover girlfriends. Her invitation couldn't have been any better.. She stated, "how about puttanesca and wine at my house?"

Long story short, the moms, the boys, and Joe, Beth's lots-of-fun (and sweet) husband, we all got together and enjoyed her delicious home-cooked pasta puttanesca. The sauce was loaded with black olives, capers, chili peppers, anchovies, tomatoes, and garlics. With the final touch of chopped parsley, it was served with al dente spaghetti. The dish was a perfect marriage of tangy, spicy, and salty flavors - as well as the garlics' fragrance.

The highlight; the wine.. Falesco Sangiovese 2007 Umbria. ... Now I've learned why she bought them by a case! And I believe I've found my new favorite. This 100% Sangiovese is intense and bright ruby red in color, with aromas of ripe cherry and strawberry. I love the great balance between fruit and acidity, as well as the slightly spicy notes on the finish. Its full-bodied and beautiful texture is a perfect pair with Italian dishes. And I am sure it's great enjoyed alone by the glass!

Our dinner was also served with crusty bread, prosciutto, and roasted garlic. I always love roasted garlic. I mashed it up and ate it plain on bread, it's so sweet, creamy, and delicious! Lynne brought a refreshingly beautiful salad - very lovely with the raspberries - which went so well with pasta. The meal ended with cherry pies, from Grand Traverse Pie Company, together with vanilla ice cream, and nice cups of coffee. Nothing could beat that..

And the end of the evening was even more fun for the boys when Joe started making fire, ... for them to gather around. Great dinner and perfect companies - well.. almost, except that we were missing one girlfriend and her boy. Sounded like a good excuse to plan the next gathering anytime soon!