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The warmer weather is slowly arriving and the Sophora NV Cuvee Sparkling Wine and crab salad (see below for recipe) combo is the perfect combo to welcome spring!
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Sophora NV Cuvee Sparkling Wine Tasting Notes: Don’t confuse NV – non-vintage – with lower quality.  Non-vintage just means that the wine in the bottle has been blended with a “reserve wine” during the second fermentation to create a house style.  This wine is scrumptious.  When the distributor came by with it for a tasting, I was blown away and asked to take it home that evening to share with my true love.  And even my beloved, who for the past 23 years has professed indifference to sparkling wines, loved it.  It is rich and full-bodied, being a combination of 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir, with the best of both grapes.  Crisp acidity, fruit forward off-dry taste and a round, soft mouthfeel aided by the very fine bubbles.  Had I not known better, I might have guessed it was a champagne and twice the price.  This wine will pair perfectly with an endive and crab salad.

Crab Salad in Endive Leaves

  • 1/2 lb. crab meat, all cartilage removed
  • Dressing: 
    • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
    • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/3 finely diced celery
    • Grated zest of 1 lemon plus 1 or 2 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
    • 1 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
    • Salt, ground black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste
  • 12 to 18 Belgian endive leaves
  • To Make:
    • In a large bowl, combine the mustard, mayonnaise, celery, lemon juice, chives and parsley. Add the crab meat and mix in gently. Season to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready, scoop some crab salad into individual endive leaves and arrange on a platter.

New to Mystic Wine Shoppe is the fancy and oh so drinkable, Pommery POP Rose Champagne 4-Pack. These fun champagne bottles make a lovely Mother’s Day gift as well as the perfect addition to any spring celebration. We love these little Pommery Pop bottles not just because they’re adorable, but they’re also delicious, bright and lively.

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Host a Mother’s Day Brunch with POP!

We think Pommery Pop Rose Champagne would make a killer addition to your Mother’s Day brunch… So, this month’s cocktail is more of a ‘make-your-own’ cocktail bar. Check it out and get some inspiration for your Mother’s Day gifts and celebrations.

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What you need:

  • Setting up a Pommery Pop Champagne Bar is really one of the easiest options you can offer your guests. Not only do you not have to make the drink, but guests can customize their drink the way they want it.
  • We purchased fresh juices (OJ and apple juice) and fresh fruit (strawberries and blackberries) to create a nice display for our guests to choose from. You can use whatever juice or fruit you would like at your bar!
  • Thinking about feeding your guests? We recommend some delicious baked french toast and/or quiche to go with the champagne bar.

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Feeling inspired for Mother’s Day?!  Enjoy your day and don’t forget to stop into Mystic Wine Shoppe to grab all your champagne, rose, beer and liquor needs.

Thanks for reading –

Mystic Wine Shoppe

We’re choosing to ignore the snow on the ground and celebrate the arrival of spring!  All we can think about is fresh bananas, coconuts, pineapples, tropical music and of course, delicious cocktails. Join us in ignoring the New England weather and say “hello” to our April Cocktail of the Month – The Banana Bacardi Cocktail.

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Want to make it yourself… um, of course, you do.  Keep reading for the recipe and just make sure to set your Pandora Station to Beach Radio for the full tropical effect.

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Ingredients:

  • Fresh Fruit:
    • 5 Pineapple slices
    • 2 Strawberries
    • 1 Blood Orange/Orange
  • 2 Ounces of BACARDÍ Banana:  Aroma notes of fruit and candy banana, sweet brown, caramel and vanilla with an aftertaste of sweet banana with burnt sugar, sweet brown notes, and butterscotch
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup coconut water

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Directions:

  • Use a blender to mix fruit, juice, coconut water, ice cubes and Bacardi Banana
  • Blend until frothy
  • Pour and enjoy

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Do you have a favorite summertime cocktail? Head into Mystic Wine Shoppe and grab a bottle of your favorite liquor and get mixing!

Thanks for reading,

The Mystic Wine Shoppe Team

 

St. Patties Day isn’t just about chugging Guinness, it’s about enjoying delicious creamy cocktails too.  We wanted to give boring iced coffee a spin and create something unique, drinkable and fun. Behold the Green & Dreamy Iced Coffee Cocktail!  This cocktail is beyond easy to make and boy is it good!

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Ingredients:

  • The Irishman Irish Cream – We love this award-winning Irish Cream Liqueur for this tasty cocktail
  • Milk (just a splash)
  • Coffee ice cubes (prep in advance)
  • Green food coloring

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Directions:

  • Prep coffee ice cubes ahead of time by freezing the coffee of your choice into an ice cube tray
  • Once cubes are frozen place 5-6 into cocktail shaker
  • Pour 4 oz of The Irishman Irish Cream into the shaker
  • Add a splash, or more, of milk
  • Add in 4-5 drops of green food coloring and shake all together
  • Pour into a festive glass cup and enjoy!!!
  • We topped off our drink with a few more drops of food coloring to make it more festive looking.

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This drink was absolutely devine! You can pick-up all your liquer needs at Mystic Wine Shoppe.

We hope you enjoy it this month and remember to drink safely on St. Patties Day!

Thanks for reading!

 

We know that Valentine’s Day can be a tad bit stressful. From not knowing if flowers, candy, or champagne are the right gift to knowing if you should plan for a night-in or a night-out, there are a lot of decisions to make. We can’t help you with all the details, but we can help you find a great bottle of champagne or sparkling wine to cheers your loved one to. Check out our recommendations (below) that will impress any valentine out there.

We also have great gift baskets for sale too!

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  • Gruet Brut Rosé: A beautiful garnet in color, this Rose NV has a delicate, fine mousse and rich, fruit flavors. This full-bodied sparkler starts with floral and berry aromas which introduce flavors of cherry. raspberry and wild strawberry, finishing delicately with zesty acidity.
  • Francis Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs: Fruity and refreshing, Sofia Blanc de Blancs is a rare blend of Pinot Blanc, Muscat, and Riesling. Mellow flavors of apples and pears are topped by a hint of citrus and honeysuckle. Elegant in character, this wine is lightly textured and vibrant through the finish.
  • Royal Provence RivaRose: A gorgeous bottle of Provence rosé with a fine and elegant sparkle. The nose offers up a fresh, soft scent of strawberry, raspberry and a little cherry. The mousse is mouth filling and fine. Flavors of red berries and a little spice. Delicious and refreshing.
  • Flama D’Or brut: Fresh and pleasant. Well balanced, good structure and well integrated carbonic elements. Pleasant aftertaste of medium intensity, where the aromas of nose and mouth are repeated harmoniously.
  • Li Veli PRIMEROSE: Bright pink with salmon and raspberry reflex; fruity bouquet, with delicate red fruit and flower notes; in the mouth it is balanced, pleasant and full, with a fresh acidity. Fruity aftertaste.

Looking to make Valentine’s Day extra special with a certain little question? Pick-up an extra special bottle to celebrate with –

  • Cristal Brut: White peach and acacia blossom aromas accent the flavors of poached apple, gingersnap biscuit, pastry cream and spun honey in this harmonious Champagne. The satinlike mousse caresses the palate, while firm, focusing acidity drives the lasting finish. Drink now through 2030.
  • Dom Perignon: Dom Perignon only creates vintage wines; it is an absolute commitment. Only the best grapes of the most exceptional years are used, making each vintage distinct. It is the perfect embodiment of the Power of Creation – an act of creation that elevates the mind and enlightens the world.

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Stop by our Champagne Tasting on Feb. 13th and try a few of these delicious champagnes. Thanks for reading!

Valentine’s Day is just next week!  What are you treating your sweetie too? We suggest making our special concoction that is SO EASY to mix up, yet has a very special feel to it. We used Flama D’Or Rosé Brut in our drink, as it’s reasonably priced and has notes of dark red fruits on the nose with a beautiful, dry finish.  Affordable and delicious =perfection!

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Ingredients:

  • Flama D’Or Rosé Brut
  • Frozen Cherries
  • Sugar and honey for the rim

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Directions: This one’s an easy one!

  • Choose a fancy glass
  • Dip rim of glass into honey and then into sugar (see photos below to see how to do it)
  • Drop in 3-4 frozen cherries (or berry of your choice)
  • Poor in Flama D’Or Rosé Brut to the top
  • Make a glass for you and your sweetie and enjoy!

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We wish a lovely Valentine’s Day,

Your friends at  Mystic Wine Shoppe

 

Let’s face it, we have three more long months of cold weather.  Yes, it’s cold out but there is plenty to celebrate this winter! To start with, the Patriot’s could be in the Superbowl (fingers crossed), secondly, the Winter Olympics start in February and lastly, cold weather equals more snuggle time with your loved ones.   Yup… our (wine) glass is definitely half-full and we hope yours is too!

To help you fill that cold winter glass we’re sharing some great winter wines that are not only affordable, they’re delicious.  Enjoy!

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  • Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva:  A limpid, full ruby red color. The nose is fine, wide, with excellent fruity notes on a sweet and spicy background. A vigorous body with excellent tannins well in balance with the freshness given by the acidulous nerve. Fine, elegant and complex.
    • Pairing perfect with roasted red meats rich in spices, game with rich sauces; interesting with aged cheese.
  • Bogle Phantom: Phantom, Bogle’s mysterious apparition of ripe berry and relentless spice, returns to haunt wine lovers. Full of concentration and intensity, this wine will tease, tantalize and linger long after the last sip is gone. Wild berries and black pepper are framed by the influence of oak aging with baking spices and a hint of toasty vanilla.
  • Rombauer Zinfandel: This classic California Zinfandel is dark purple-ruby, with a bright crimson hue. On the nose, concentrated aromas of blackberry and raspberry meld with clove and spice. Lush flavors of blackberry, cherry, licorice and vanilla flood the palate, followed by touches of pepper in the background. Plush and round tannins and great length make for a fresh and enticing finish.
  • The Prisoner: Features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla linger harmoniously, for a smooth and luscious finish.
  • LAB Red Wine: Very aromatic with notes of ripe black and red fruits. In the palate, juicy plums and dark berry fruit flavour with plenty of fresh yet fine tannins that take over at the finish, along with flavours of spice and liquorice.
  • Dry Creek Vineyard, Olde Vine Zinfandel: During harvest, their Old Vine Zinfandel lots always show a distinct aroma and flavor profile. Once bottled, the perfumed nuances and dried herbal components shine through. At first swirl, bay leaf and white pepper leap from the glass balanced by deep layers of plum and cocoa. The complexity of our Old Vine Zinfandel lies in the spicy notes that are unique to these historic properties. Refined and balanced, the wine integrates seamlessly on the palate offering a broad array of currants, black cherry, raspberry and toasty oak notes.
    • Blend: 78% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 3% Carignane
  • Broquel Malbec: Intense purple red color with ruby hues. Aromas of fresh red and black fruits, floral notes, and earthy minerals, with an elegant touch of smoke. Rich and spicy on the palate providing a long and pleasant finish.
    • Ideal to serve with grilled red meats, stews, pasta with mushroom sauce and cheeses.
  • Decoy Merlot: This lovely expression of Sonoma County Merlot offers lush layers of black cherry, cassis, and cranberry, along with notes of cocoa and leather. On the palate, refined tannins underscore the wine’s velvety mouthfeel, while excellent acidity adds poise and length to the vibrant red berry flavors.
    • Blend: 92% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petite Sirah
  • Crios Malbec: Has a beautiful reddish/purple color as most good Malbecs do. The aromas are a mix of freshly crushed black cherries and toasty/smoky oak—just enough to frame the exuberant fruit. On the palate, the flavors of cherries and spice are obvious, and the jammy fruit quality just keeps coming on strong, with hints of spice and sandalwood lurking in the background.

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We hope you get a chance to stop into Mystic Wine Shoppe to enjoy these lovely winter wines.  Cheers to three more months of winter!  Don’t forget to join us for our weekly beer and wine tastings.

~ Your friends at Mystic Wine Shoppe

The weather this past weekend could not be COLDER! So naturally, we wanted to make this month’s cocktail a warm and toasty concoction. The Hot Toddy is a cocktail that people have come to love, especially since it’s supposed to help reduce cold symptoms. Our team loves making their Hot Toddy with Rowan’s Creek Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, which has notes of sweet caramel and vanilla to round out the cocktail.

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Hot Toddy Ingredients:

  • Hot water (3/4 cup)
  • Lemon slices or lemon juice (2 tbsp)
  • Honey (2 spoonfuls is a good amount)
  • Rowan’s Creek Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (1 1/2 ounces)
  • Cinnamon sticks (optional)

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How to make:

  • Heat up water in a teapot
  • Blend together Whiskey, honey, lemon and hot water in a safe mug
  • Add in cinnamon sticks
  • Enjoy!

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How do you make your Hot Toddy?  Here is another great recipe using tea and another using apples.

Thanks for reading, The Mystic Wine Shoppe Team