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Sponsored Post: Barware Bridal Shower from Bottlenotes!

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Tired of attending the same-old bridal or baby showers…where you sit around, drinking tea, eating crumpets, and watch someone open gifts? So were we.  So we came up with the concept of a “barware bridal shower,” where you attend a shower where the bride (or happy couple) receives gifts related to their bar or starter wine cellar- such as gifts from their Bottlenotes Wine Registry- and where guests get to enjoy a wine and cheese tasting. Cheers!

10 Easy Steps Describing How to Host a Barware Bridal Shower

1. 10-12 weeks in advance: Decide on a date for the shower.
2. 8-10 weeks in advance: Make sure the happy couple has registered for ample “barware” items for the shower (wine, stemware, decanter, wine accessories, tumblers, martini glasses and shakers, margarita glasses & pitcher, etc.) as well as a lavish starter wine cellar at www.bottlenotes.com/registry!
3. 6-8 weeks in advance: Send out invitations. Include personalized registry URLs on the invite (e.g. All Bottlenotes registrants receive a personalized URL for their registry such as www.bottlenotes.com/sarah&john)
4. 3-4 weeks in advance: Order enough Around the World in 80 Sips® tasting kits (find it here) or another assortment of 4-6 wines from around the world! (www.bottlenotes.com/barwarebridal). Note: 6 bottles will serve 10-14 people. Email info@bottlenotes.com if you’d like us to send you our tasting mat template and help you put together tasting notes for your guests for free!
5. 1-2 weeks in advance: Make sure you have enough Champagne flutes and wine glasses for the tasting (1 flute and 4 wine glasses per person is optimal, but 1 wine glass per person is required at a minimum. Ikea has both for about $1.00/stem).
6. 1 day- 1 week in advance: Purchase the cheese, grapes, crackers and/or bread for the party. We highly recommend that you label the cheeses on the cheese board on the day of the party. (If you’re “on it,” we recommend ordering your cheese from Artisanal Premium Cheese  www.artisanalpremiumcheese.com).
7. Day before the party: Photocopy 1 copy of the tasting mat and tasting notes for each guest. Prepare each guest’s place setting with one tasting mat, one set of tasting notes, one glass of each wine being tasted (if you have enough, otherwise, one glass per person for wine, one for water), and a pen.
8. Day of the party: Chill the sparkling wine at least 12 hours before the event in a wine fridge, or for 15 minutes in an ice bath (bin of ice in a little bit of water).
9. 45 minutes before the party: If you have enough stemware, pre-pour one taste of each still wine at each person’s place setting, pouring approximately 1.5 oz (2 fingers high) of each wine, for each person.  (Worst case, pre-pour the first wine and pour the rest throughout the tasting.)
10. Then, you can enjoy the Barware Bridal Shower! We suggest welcoming guests with a half-glass of pre-poured sparkling wine and passed hot or cold hors d’oeuvres.

After 20 minutes of mingling, you can encourage guests to be seated and begin the wine tasting. We recommend that the host is the “wine tasting leader,” describing each wine from the notes on the wine lists, and highlighting the cheese pairing recommendations for the guests. When the wine tasting is underway, the guest of honor can start opening presents…and the guests can keep on tasting.

Author bio: Alyssa J. Rapp is the founder & CEO of Bottlenotes, Inc., the leading new media company in the wine space dedicated to educating and entertaining wine enthusiasts via The Daily Sip®, Around the World in 80 Sips® events, social media and mobile applications. Alyssa is also the author of Bottlenotes Guide to Wine: Around the World in 80 Sips.

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by Sarah on April 4, 2012 in Pre-Wedding Events, Sponsored Posts
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Sponsored Post: Consider a Unique Wine Registry with Bottlenotes

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Today’s weddings are a collage of individual styles, backgrounds, and unions.  The traditional rules and expectations for weddings are no longer so strict.  The same is true for wedding registries.  A registry once meant a bride dragging a groom to a department store or small town gift shop to choose china and flatware patterns, and to pick all the kitchenware, glassware and serving pieces to start a home.

But today, many couples are getting married later or have already lived together, so they have accumulated many of the household items.  So couples are now getting more creative with their registries, focusing not only on collecting things for posterity but also for things that will educate them, entertain them and build a hobby together. 

One of the most exciting new types of registries is the wine registry. The Bottlenotes Wine Registry, powered by the country’s top wine shop, Sherry-Lehmann, is a first of its kind.  Many couples have learned about wine together, entertained with it, enjoyed it when out socializing, and maybe even collected it.  They can now register for wine as wedding gifts.  There are thousands of wines to choose from, so couples can choose the bottles themselves, choose a pre-selected “starter cellar,” or get advice from Sherry-Lehmann registry associate. 

A wine registry can consist of bottles from all over the world, some to enjoy now and some to hold for the future.  Couples can try wines from France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, California, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and many more emerging wine regions.  There can even be specific bottles to enjoy on first, fifth and tenth year anniversaries. 

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The best part of a wine registry is that instead of having gifts that are rarely used, wine is a part of a couple’s everyday life.  Whether that is a bottle of wine with dinner, or a very special bottle to celebrate a personal or professional victory, it becomes part of the fabric of a couple’s life.

Wine is also something that is a never-ending source of education.  The more you experience wine, the more you realize how much there is to learn.  And that is a wonderful hobby for a couple to pursue throughout their life together.  It can include wine tastings at home or out, wine classes, and trips to wine regions around the world.

So as useful as formal china and a fondue pot are, wine provides a much richer experience for a couple that is getting married.  The Bottlenotes Wine Registry is the perfect place to begin the journey. 

Register now, and the first 10 registrants each receive a signed copy of Bottlenotes Guide to Wine: Around the World in 80 Sips®.

Fine print: email registry@bottlenotes.com once registry is complete to request your complimentary copy of the book (value: $14.95).

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by Sarah on March 14, 2012 in Registries, Sponsored Posts
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Kristen and Jason’s British-Inspired Seattle Real Wedding by Laurel McConnell Photography

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When Laurel McConnell sent me this wedding, I practically squealed when I saw the details. From the bobblehead cake toppers to the fun wedding favors, I was hooked. Kristen and Jason are originally from Seattle, but recently moved to London, so this wedding is infused with not only beautiful Northwest elements, but also plenty of British accents to celebrate their new UK life. What a perfect way to start the week!

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I’d love to hear about your vision for the day…

I wanted the day to be fun for everyone involved and was looking for a down to earth but classy wedding that incorporated our personalities. We are both Seattle natives but are living in London so we wanted to make sure there was a little bit of London incorporated into the wedding. We hired a London taxi to take me to the ceremony and for the party favours we gave velum envelopes with scratch tickets and a 2 pence coin to scratch them. I stamped a crown and wrote on all of the party favours – For richer or poorer… Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone won anything except my cousin from Belfast who went around the reception and asked everyone if she could have their coin as she could bring them home and spend them! We also had a few traditional aspects including the cake knife which has been in my family for over 100 years, my grandmother’s handkerchief that was wrapped around my bouquet and an antique English coin tucked into my dress from a friend in England.

Did your wedding location hold a specific significance to you?

We both love the mountains and the water and wanted a venue with a view of both. I am in marketing and do a lot of events in hotel ballrooms so I definitely didn’t want that. We looked at a lot of loft options in Seattle and one day on a bike ride we ended up at Golden Gardens and knew we found our dream location. The only challenge was that they only released the venue one year ahead of time and it was on a first come, first serve basis so I made my fiancé camp outside the Seattle Parks and Recreation offices on the day the dates in August were released so we could get the day we wanted. We arrived at 2am and slept on the sidewalk until the office opened at 8am. We were the first in line and got the date we wanted!

What was the most meaningful part of your day?

Having our family and friends in one place, together!

Did anything funny or out of the ordinary happen?

My cousins were sailing up from San Francisco and unfortunately had engine problems so they didn’t make it for the wedding but they tracked the whole thing through the Facebook updates from the guests – practically in real time!

Tell us details of the events surrounding the wedding.

We had a great rehearsal dinner and the day after the wedding we had a picnic in the park for a more casual and relaxed get together for our family and friends from out of town. Jason had two bachelor parties – one in Vegas and a Buck’s night in England. I had three bachelorette parties – one in Seattle, one in Warsaw, Poland and a Hen’s night in London.

How did you know your partner was “the one”?

The first time we went out (10+ years before we got married) I don’t think either of us would have ever thought we would eventually get married. After the first date, we went our separate ways but have a lot of mutual friends and our paths crossed again several years later. We began dating and I knew he was the one when I realised he had become my best friend and we really complemented each other.

Any advice you’d give new brides who are just getting started?

I have the same advise as I received. Enjoy the day because it goes too fast and plan a wedding that will make you happy, not everyone else (except your fiancé of course).

Vendors:

Photographer: Laurel McConnell Photography
Event Planner:  Very Important Events
Hair Stylist:  Salon Maison
Caterer:  City Catering Company
Floral Designer:  Bella Rugosa
Reception Venue:  Golden Gardens Park Bathhouse
Dress Store:  A Princess Bride
Dress Designer:  Pronovias of Barcelona
DJ:  Wave Link Music, Inc.
Jewelry:  Foxfire Jewelers
Groom’s Attire:  Joseph A Banks
Groomsmen’s Attire: Joseph A Banks
Bridesmaid’s Attire: David’s Bridal
Bakery:  Hoffman’s Fine Cakes and Pastries
Taxi: British Motor Coach

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by Sarah on February 20, 2012 in Real Weddings
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Sponsored Post: Ways to Romance Your Special Someone for Valentine’s Day…At Any Budget

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There are numerous ways to jazz up your Valentine’s Day with wine- and something sparkling or something red are the obvious go-to’s. But if you’re looking for more than just a wine recommendation, but rather, a wine-themed Valentine’s Day experience to enjoy with your fiancé, here are my favorite two. Most important, these wine evenings work on any budget- as I’ve offered “on a budget” and “big spender” wine recommendations for each. Happy cupid-ing!                                              

1)      Romance your special someone with a fondue dinner paired with sparkling wine

Sparkling wine is a great pairing for all fondue; could open just one bottle and enjoy it with your special someone as you prepare an all-fondue Valentine’s Day: cheese, meat/vegetable, and chocolate fondue.

 

Why Sparkling Wine and Cheese Fondue:

The bright acidity and fine bubbles of sparkling wine sweep fat from the palate, refreshing it for the next bite- making it a perfect choice for cheese fondue

 

Why Sparkling Wine and Meat Fondue:

The richness of many sparkling wines complements rich foods, like meat fondue.

 

Why Sparkling Wine and Chocolate Fondue:

Fruit notes (such as strawberry and raspberries) and creamy character of someone sparkling wines make it a perfect pairing for chocolate fondue. (You could even add a strawberry or a few raspberries to your glass of bubbles while enjoying it with your dessert.)

On a budget? No problem. Sparkling Wine recommendations that won’t break the bank:

 

  • Australia: Greg Norman Estates non-vintage Sparkling Wine (Australia, $16.79). Find it here. The famed golfer does it again. A great fruit salad of flavors (apricot, mango, and passion fruit) is well-balanced with bright acidity, making it a terrific wine to pair with a wide range of food flavors.
  • California: J Vineyards “20 Cuvee Brut” non-vintage (Sonoma County, California, $22.95). Named the “20″ to celebrate 20 years of winemaking by J Vineyards. Slightly nutty and toasty with a creamy mouthfeel with millions of tiny dancing bubbles. Find it here.

 

Ready to splurge? Even better. You can’t go wrong with the real deal, French Champagne, for this special occasion or any other:

 

  • Ayala Brut Majeur Non-Vintage Champagne (France, $39.95). Find it here. Owned by the same family that owns Bollinger, Ayala Brut Majeur is just as good at James Bond’s favorite champagne…at half the price. Notes of brioche on the nose and hints of baking spice make it a delicious yet affordable sparkler.

 

High-rolling? The grand-daddy of champagne, Dom Perignon, is truly worth it.

 

  • Dom Perignon- Andy Warhol Collection- 2002 (France, $179.95). Find it here. There are few things in life that consistently live up to the hype. Dom Perignon is one of them. With superbly fine beads, a beautifully perfumed bouquet, silky smooth finish, if you want pure class and money is no object, go with Dom. More, the Andy Warhol collection bottles are perfect collectibles- and would make a great memento of the special holiday.

2)      Chocolate lover’s delight

Red wine and chocolate on Valentine’s Day are like birds of a feather, they just go together. So romance your special someone with a great bottle of red wine this Valentine’s Day, and wow ‘em with a great chocolate finale.

 

Valentine’s Day Chocolate and Wine Pairing Tips:

  • The % cocoa in the chocolate will determine what to pair it with. For example, we wouldn’t recommend pairing a light, milk chocolate with a heavy Napa Cabernet, as the wine will drown out the chocolate. We also wouldn’t recommend pairing a 90% cacao chocolate with sauvignon blanc, as the flavors will clash dramatically. So think about your wine choice and how bold, rich and powerful the wine is it is, and then make your chocolate choice. White chocolate pairs nicely with Champagne, as does very light milk chocolate. If you like pinot noir, get a slightly darker chocolate. Merlot, darker still. Cabernet or zinfandel, super dark and rich. At the most decadent end of the spectrum, pair a nice Port with dark chocolate truffles.
  • Alyssa’s hint: Chocolate that is made with a hint of wine, or that has some savory notes in it (like sea salt, curry powder, other funky flavors) often pairs best with wine, as the savory notes provide an awesome contrast to the chocolate and complement the wine.

 

Valentine’s Day Red Wine Picks:

On a budget?

  • Cannonball Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon (California, $12.99). Find it here.
  • Swanson Vineyards, “With Love” or Lucky Night” Merlot (California, $25.00). Find it here. They even have a “Please forgive me” if necessary. J

 

In the mood for a minor splurge?

  • Fisher Vineyards UNITY Bordeaux Blend (California, $39.99). A world-class winemaking family offers an alternative to their $90+, 90+ points in their UNITY Bordeaux blend. Sourced from Sonoma and Napa Vineyards, made with the same luscious and velvety style as their flagship Wedding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, UNITY would be the perfect pairing for steak dinner…followed by a dark chocolate dessert. Find it here.

 

Ready for a major splurge?

  • Corison Kronos Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California, $98.00). Find it here. Cathy Corison was the San Francisco Chronicle’s Winemaker of the Year in 2011- for good reason: her feminine-style, smooth, elegant, fruit and cocoa-driven cabernets are supple, structured, and really as consistently good year over year as any Napa Valley cabernet.  Cathy Her Kronos Vineyard Cabernet harkens from the vineyard just outside her back door; its 100+ year old, craggy vines have such low-yield, the grapes- thus wine- that they produce is literally a labor of love. Cathy herself calls the 2007 vintage “spicy and brooding.” Seemingly apropos for Valentine’s Day, no?

 

Chocolate Picks:

  • Clarke’s Bark (3 oz, $8.50): “old fashioned toffee soaked in Swanson Vineyards’ Merlot, sprinkled with pink salt and then drenched in dark chocolate.” Find it here.
  • TCHO Chocolate: The chocolate is made like wine, based upon the varietal of cocoa/the intrinsic flavor of the beans. Fun Valentine’s Day idea: taste four flavors (nutty, citrus, chocolaty, and fruity) which you prefer with wine. Find it here. 

 

Have any questions about your Valentine’s Day game plan? Email editor@bottlenotes.com and we’d be happy to answer your questions. Cheers!

For more wine tips go to Bottlenotes!

Photo Credit: Avery House Photography

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by guest blogger on February 3, 2012 in Guest Bloggers, Staying sane
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Green Wedding Ideas for Wine Lovers from the Green Bride Guide

Traditionally, wine is a staple at a wedding reception. Just like any other element of wedding planning, there are ways to green your wine choices and have your guests raving about it, too!

In recent years, eco-friendly organic wine production is on the rise. While many conventional grapes used for wine have been treated with pesticides and other harmful chemicals in order to generate a higher yield, organic wines do not contain the same chemicals, making them a delicious green choice for your reception.

1-wine-table-wedding-bottles-glassesAccording to Organic Vinters, an organic wine importer located in Boulder, Colorado, wine labels that boast “made with organic grapes” mean that no toxic synthetic pesticides or fertilizers have been used. Wines labeled “organic” also have no added sulfites during the wine-making process. Check out Organic Vintners for more information on eco-friendly wines, or look into local organic vintners to start researching your options.

wine-homemade-label-outdoor-wedding-meadLove DIY projects? Consider making your own wine like Cary and James, an eco-conscious couple featured in a Real Green Wedding story called Farm Friendly Romance . They served their own homemade wine with dinner at their reception, and purchased other local wines from Sharpe Hill Vineyard

Another Real Green Wedding couple, Jackie and Pete, chose to make their own special brew for their Home Brewed Wedding Celebration. The bride and groom made eighty bottles of what they dubbed Three Generations Mead, a carbonated honey wine. They crafted the labels themselves as well, printing the wedding years of the bride’s parents and grandparents, along with their own.

wine-favors-wine-barrelReal wine enthusiasts may want to consider a local vineyard as a wedding venue. Not only can a vineyard provide a beautiful natural backdrop for your ceremony and reception, but having a vineyard wedding can also inspire you to incorporate wine-related earth-friendly details such as wine-cork place card holders and bottles of organic wine as favors. Edible – or, in this case, drinkable – favors, like wine, are sure to delight your guests and avoid the fate of so many kitschy wedding favors: the trash can.

wine-stoppers-unique-non-traditional-greenTrue wine lovers may even consider gifting their bridal party members with related items. Any groomsman would love these great Pool Ball Wine Stoppers, and a Rustic Rose Wine Stopper is the perfect choice for an oenophile bridesmaid. Both are made of upcycled materials, resulting in unique green gifts.

Whether its vineyard venues, favors and gifts, or reception beverages, focusing on wine as a theme can add an elegant and earth-friendly style to your green wedding.

Photo Credits:

Wine bottles on table: Sandra Kress
Wine at place settings: Chyna Darner Photography
Wine on wine barrels: Mindy Bean Photography, from Vineyard Wedding Photo Shoot.

Kate runs one of the most comprehensive guides to planning a Green wedding out there. Her site is chock-full of great tips on how to create an eco-friendly wedding, whether you’re just looking to go paper-free or taking it all the way with a carbon-free day.

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by Kate on November 17, 2011 in Favors, Guest Bloggers, Pre-Party Food & Drink, Rehearsal Dinner Food & Drink, Wedding
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Classic Invites with a Graphic Twist from Three Little Words

A lot of times when I’m researching cool finds (my job is so hard, I know) there is one item that stands out and catches my eye that leads me to a fully realized collection of fabulousness. In the case of Three Little Words, it was a save the date close to the heart of designer Emily – her own. Printed on cork and paired with a wine glass stained envelope, it has a classic aesthetic with a splash of fun (see what I did there?).

The rest of her designs have a similar feel – elegantly designed with touches of color and subtle detailing that give each invite a distinct personality (I am curiously drawn to the “Kara,” which has a touch of glamour and a whole lotta hot pink. Hmm…).

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Charliewedding-invite-graphic-words-save-date

Karawedding-invite-black-white-pink-dramapink-wedding-envelopes-vintage-drama

Billiewedding-invite-clean-puffs-flower-squareyellow-clean-wedding-invite-puff-ball

Charlottewedding-invite-waves-simple-classic

Jenniferwedding-invite-green-preppy-clean

Sarinawedding-invite-black-white-polka-dot-classic-retroBe sure to check out the rest of Three Little Words’ collection, including their custom designs.

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by Kara on August 30, 2011 in Invitations
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