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One of the things I learned in my wine training (and, hey, I’m now officially WSET-2 certified with honors – wow!) Was learning the basics of how to combine wine with food.
But what about combining wine with mood?
For me, I know that I often choose a bottle of wine (or other beverage) based not only on what I eat, but also on how I feel.
Here are some fun examples…
- Sun and smiles? Rose time.
- Festive mood after work? Give me bubbles.
- A cold and rainy night? Big bold red to warm up.
- A light airy lunch on the weekend? Mocktail, please.
I eat and train intuitively and consciously (I ask myself and my body what I really want and need) and I find that such an approach to choosing wine and other drinks really brings a lot of joy in my life.
And I choose joy when I can!
If you want to add a little joy to the drink to your life, read about some of my recent favorite combinations with drinks and mood!
Mood: I feel refined, but it’s a cool week and you don’t want to leave the house.
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Pairing: Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserve Carménère 2019
Why dig this pairing: Carmenère is a large, bold grape that just warms your soul. This bottle also shows it beautifully. There are blackberry, plum and black cherry, plus notes of white pepper and grassy notes. The tannins are soft and silky, with wonderful acidity that balances everything. Which is no surprise, because Los Vascos wines are made with the same care as Bordeaux Grand Crus and are from Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Yes, fantastic – but at about $ 20 a bottle (disclosure: we’re an affiliate of Vivino), it won’t break the bank.
Mood: When your true loving friends come and you want to introduce them to something new.
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Combination: Owl’s Brew Spiced Chai & Cranberry Boozy Tea
Why dig this pairing: This fun and festive drink is (in our opinion) not only tastier than your usual hard celery, but is also made with good things like freshly brewed tea blends flavored with real fruits and plant products. In flavors like Spiced Chai & Cranberry, Darjeeling Tea & Hibiscus Flowers and White Tea, Raspberry, & Lemon, they are never boring. We also welcome that Owl’s Brew is gluten free, vegan and owned by women!
Mood: You want to give back, but you are not yet ready to go on a fantastic fundraiser with a large crowd.
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Pairing: A bottle of Humanity Wine Co
Why dig this pairing: Recently sent us a shipment from Humanity Wine Co. and it was not only a great way to donate to a good cause, but it was also a fun way to try some new wines. You can see our full tasting experience and thoughts in our Insta story here, but they sent us four delicious bottles from family wineries and boutique vineyards. And the best part? The company donates 50 percent of its net income back to philanthropy, so with every nice sip you return to these amazing causes.
Oh, and if you’re looking for a fun game to play while while tasting some of these wines, try SipperParty! It does not require previous knowledge of wine and allows anyone who wishes to drink and appreciate to play through the app, plus the above extras. Take a few pimples and try!
Mood: When you want a few beers but don’t want to feel like you’ve just had a few beers.
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Pairing: Box (or two) Bravus.
The good thing about Bravus is that it’s not an alternative to beer – actually is real beer, with just under .5 percent ABC. Using a patented brewing process, they taste like kraft beer, but are vegan, dairy-free, low-calorie, low in sugar and gluten. Our favorite was IPA!
Mood: You want to have a really nice drink … but you’re at the back door.
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Pairing: Clean and cool NEFT
Created with just two ingredients (ancient, non-GMO rye grains grown in Lower Saxony and spring water from the Austrian Alps for the curious), NEFT is a premium drinking vodka that you can take anywhere – and it stays cold! Packed in a portable and unbreakable barrel that closely resembles a small oil drum, it stays cold for hours.
Mood: You want something fun to drink, but you stay sober.
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Pairing: And so on. a lot. Settings!
Really good and interesting soft drinks were few, but in the last few years the sober market has cured this! Recently in our office came a number of mixers and drinks that are interesting, delicious and completely complex. Which we love!
Curious Elixirs are non-alcoholic cocktails, saturated with adaptogens and complex flavors, without being too sweet (hurray!). Created by bartenders, herbalists and world-class scientists with quality ingredients, each blend is geared towards its own goal, ranging from lifting to relaxation. In fun culinary flavors like Blood Orange Spritz Holy Basil + Gingseng and Juniper Cucumber Collins Lemon + Ashwagandha + Angelica, you won’t feel like you missed the party.
For wine drinkers, Oddbird non-alcoholic wine is not like anything we have drunk before (and in a good way). In order to create world-class wines, traditionally made wines, these wines are produced from the best vineyards in France and Italy and mature for up to 12 months before the alcohol is removed by a unique method that preserves the flavors. We found that Oddbird Low Intervention Organic White No. 1 – which is a natural white wine made from the local grapes Vespaiola and Garganega – is a little sweet with pear, crispy apple with honey, honeycomb and candied lemon, as well as Oddbird Low Intervention Organic Red No. 1 – which is a natural red wine from Merlot and Pinot Noir – to taste like apple cinnamon, cranberry and barely ripe blackberry. Undoubtedly the most interesting NA wines we have drunk so far!
For those looking for something little bubble and sweet, you can’t go wrong with Mingle Mocktails. Made from natural ingredients and without chemical additives, you can get festive flavors such as Cranberry Cosmo, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Cucumber Melon Mojito, Moscow Mule and Blood Orange Beastflower Mimosa. Available in standard 750 ml bottles or 12 ounce cans, there is a size for every occasion.
Some delicious options, right? Now all we need to know is: what is YOUR mood? And what will you combine it with? – Jen
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