Wine Pairing For Memorable Holiday Feasts

Okay, we know summer isn't even over yet, but you can never be too early when it comes to planning wine for the Holiday Season - especially if you are ordering your own batch for private label.               

Which wines to have on-hand during the Holidays is a question that comes up often. Selecting the best wine to serve with a variety of foods can be simple if you are armed with a bit of knowledge.

Chances are, you will have turkey and/or beef planned for your holiday meals. If beef, is going to be served, consider Carafe's rich and complex Cabernet Sauvignon or our fruit-forward Merlot.

To please guests who normally prefer white wines, you may want to select one of our lighter red wines. For Example, Pinot Noir doesn't have the tannins found in hearty reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and it is often served slightly chilled. This makes Pinot Noir a good transition wine for white wine drinkers who are just starting to enjoy red wines.

When it comes to serving turkey, ask yourself these simple questions: "Do you prefer red or white wines? Do you prefer dry wines or wines with a little sweetness? If you prefer dry white wines, Chardonnay is a natural choice for turkey. And if you like your white wine a little off-dry, we recommend our Gewurztraminer. It is a fruity, slightly sweet white with hints of spice.

If red wines are your preference, again, consider serving Carafe's Pinot Noir with your turkey.

And, last but not least, let's not forget about one of the best parts of the holiday feast - dessert! Carafe can offer you delicious Ice Wine at a very reasonable price. Why not surprise and pamper yourself and your guests this year by serving Ice Wine with your dessert course? Sweet and intensely fruity, it makes a memorable finish to a great meal.

So, come see us or give us a call soon, to select your wines to enjoy with friends and family throughout the Holiday Season!

Tasting Parties

As you know, we offer wine tasting on a regular basis. If you would like to bring a group of friends over for a private tasting just give us a call to arrange a booking. Together, we can select the styles of wine and snacks that everyone will be sure to enjoy!

A Quick Reminder...

We have gift certificates available in your choice of denomination - honored at all Carafe locations. Great gift idea for wine-lovers!

Save $10.00 Each

By Referring a Friend!

By clipping out this referral coupon and bringing it back to Carafe, you and your friend can save  $10.00 each on a batch of wine! And you simply can't go wrong. All wines made at Carafe are UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED!

Celebrate & Commemorate!

Private Label Wines

Most Cost-Effective Gifts

Private labeled wines are gaining in popularity throughout America. Many movie starts, celebrity Chefs and big name Corporations now have their own wines made for them. As the first of its kind in our area, Carafe Micro-Winery offers you a unique way to purchase and present your own wine. Our specialty is handcrafting custom ordered wines in small (30 bottle) batches using ingredients from the finest growing regions in the world.

Your label can include any photo or logo you supply, and your own words. What a great way to send your special message for:

• Special holiday gatherings
• Hostess gifts
• Customer gifts
• Weddings

Come in and taste some of the many varieties we offer before placing your private label order.

Your satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed!

PUT A CORK IN IT!

Immediately after filling, your wine bottles must be closed. The most popular method used is a cork.

Cork is the outer bark of the cork tree that is grown in certain parts of the world - mainly Portugal and Spain. The bark possesses a unique combination of properties that make it an ideal bottle closure. It is easily compressed and the smooth surface allows for easy insertion. It is elastic and returns to its original shape sealing the bottle. Cork material is impermeable to liquids and gas.

Cork tree tissue is composed of cells with a unique shape. They are bound together by a connective substance called suberin. When the cork is cut out of the sheets of bark, millions of these cells are opened. Each opening acts as a powerful suction cup against the smooth glass surface of a wine bottle. This creates an air-tight and long lasting seal.

The pieces generated from cutting out the corks are used to make what are called agglomerate corks. Agglomerate corks are bound together under pressure and heat by the natural suberin in the cork. Carafe purchases the best agglomerate corks available- using different sizes to accommodate the variety of neck openings now on the market.

With the popularity of wines growing throughout the world, wine producers are experiencing a shortage in this renewable resource. Although corks remain universally popular, you have probably noticed the many alternatives to corks now being used such as screw-tops and synthetic "reusable" corks.

"Wine cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires the young, makes weariness forget its toil."

Lord Byron (1788-1824)