The Easiest Oscar Punch Recipe

Oscar Champagne Punch Recipe

Having an Oscars party? Take it up a notch with a champagne punch! There are many variations on the champagne cocktail; think of this recipe as a wild departure from a mimosa. We’ve combined Framboise Lambic, sparkling wine, and a splash of orange juice to create a brilliant, delicious punch that will take only five minutes to make.

Champagne Punch Idea

Refreshing and fizzy, this Oscar punch gets its tart-fruit flavor and lovely red-pink color from Framboise Lambic, an ale which is flavored with raspberries instead of hops. Grandial Brut is one of our new favorite sparkling wines. A tremendous value at $9.99, this dry style Brut loves to party! Swing by Bottles for the ingredients you need!

Framboise Lambic and Sparkling Wine Cocktail

 

The Easiest Oscar Punch Recipe

Ingredients
1 small bottle Framboise Lambic (355mL small bottle)
1 bottle Grandial Brut sparkling wine
Splash of orange juice
Ice
Orange slices and wedges for a garnish

Directions
Combine Framboise Lambic, Grandial, and a splash of orange juice in a punch bowl or pitcher with plenty of ice. Garnish with orange slices. Serve with plenty of ice and an orange wedge. Makes about 6-8 champagne flute sized servings.

Sparkling WIne Punch Recipe
Cheers!
 

Bottles for the Cause: RI Community Food Bank’s "Taste of the Flower Show"

Bottles was proud to sponsor Rhode Island Community Food Bank‘s “Taste of the Flower Show” a preview of the Rhode Island Flower Show. There were gorgeous flowers, fantastic local restaurants and food and of course, we brought three of our favorite wines to share! The evening was a great success and helped raise $30,000 for the RI Food Bank!

Check out more Bottles for the Cause events here>

Meet the Guys at Bucket Brewery!

Bucket Brewery - Pawtucket RI

Bucket Brewery is one of Rhode Island’s newest craft breweries. Watch Liam’s visit to their new Pawtucket brewery, learn how they got started and what beers they’re currently brewing. You’ll also be happy to find Bucket Brewery Growlers in our beer coolers!

Learn about Beer
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel >

Bucket Brewery
http://bucketbrewery.com/
Tastings Saturdays 10-5
Tours Saturdays 2, 3, and 4

Bucket Brewery Bucket Brewery Growlers Bucket Brewery Bucket Brewery

Cheers! Get the backstage tour at other local breweries >

Rhode Island Quahogs Taste Great with Vinho Verde

quahogs_vinhoverde

Summer in the winter! We’ve paired Muralhas Vinho Verde with a Rhode Island classic: Quahogs. Known to some as hard-shell clams, or as the mythical town in Family Guy, the Quahog is not only the official State Shell but was once used by the Narragansett Indians to make beads that were used as money, called wampum. Now consumed as a savory local food, Rhode Island is right in the middle of “quahog country” and has supplied a quarter of the nation’s annual catch for years. They are typically served in clam chowder, clam cakes or stuffed.

Muralhas Vinho Verde

Richer than most, and made primarily of Alvarinho, the Muralhas Vinho Verde from Portugal will pair perfectly with a delicious Quahog dish. A predominance of peach and apricot aromas hit the nose with a good structure, well-balanced, smooth and dry palate. According to The Wines & Vineyards of Portugal “‘Muralhas’ wine is one of the most reliable and best known Vinho Verdes in the thousands of fish restaurants that line the coast of Portugal, from Lisbon to the Minho.” One of Portugal’s best co-ops, Adega de Moncao is the single largest grower of Alvarinho and has grown from 25 growers in 1958 to over 1,700.

Stuffed Quahogs

There are many variations on Stuffies within Li’l Rhody; some add green peppers and chorizo, while other swear by chorizo, or add plenty of spicy hot peppers. 

Ingredients
15 Quahogs, shucked then chopped
2 loaves of day-old Italian bread
1 Tbsp oil
2 medium onions
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 Tbsp crushed red pepper
2 Tbsp parsley, chopped
Paprika

Directions
Open Quahogs, placing meat and juice in separate bowls. Save shells. Break bread into small pieces in large bowl and add enough juice to just moisten. Add chopped quahogs.

In oil, sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add along with crushed red pepper to bread mixture. Mix well.

Wash shells and separate. Mound stuffing into shells. Sprinkle tops with parsley and paprika. Set in a pan and bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until heated through. Serves 10-15.

Optional: Add ground chorizo sausage or green bell pepper to onion when sautéing.

source

 

Trinity’s Rep’s Red, White & Groove!

This year, Bottles was once again proud to sponsor Trinity Rep’s 3rd annual wine-tasting fundraiser, Red White & Groove! The event was a wonderful celebration at the Pell Chafee Performance Center in Downtown Providence with live music provided by The Superchief Trio and third year students in the MFA Acting program at Brown/Trinity Rep, 3Pile. We also enjoyed wonderful food from local Providence restaurants, including Chez Pascal, The Grange, Nick’s on Broadway, Russell Morrin, and of course, delicious Walrus & Carpenter Oysters!

The fundraiser was a big success with 20% of wine sales going toward Trinity Rep’s artistic and education programming!

Check out photos from the event below and see you there next year!

Delicious cheese and fruit platters paired perfectly with wine!
The guys from Chez Pascal cook up some delicious appetizers! 
The Grange using fresh local eggs in their dish tonight!
Eric Taylor loves The Grange!
Opening act, 3Pile serenades the crowd!
So many great wines…a tough choice!
Gil enjoys some tasty oysters (with a drop of fine scotch!) from Walrus & Carpenter Oysters
Superchief Trio takes the stage and rocks out!
The crowd ends the night with plenty of grooves!
And visit our store!
Bottles Fine Wine – 141 Pitman Street, Providence, RI
www.bottlesfinewine.com

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: Custom Engraved Wine & Glassware

Custom Etched Wine Bottles
Rhody Heart design with 3 lines of custom text.

Looking for a unique Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetie this year? Etch your personalized message directly on a wine, champagne, or whiskey bottle! We can even engrave their monogram on mugs, flasks, and wine glasses, or you can choose from our selection of Valentine’s Day glassware. For ordering details, please visit www.bottlesfinewine.com/engraving.

Order Now!
Personalized Glass Flask
Love Potion No.9 design on Glass Flask
Rhode Island Beer Mug
Rhody Heart design on beer mug.
Mason Jar Mug for Valentine's Day Gift
Doily Heart design on mason jar.
XOXO Shot Glasses - Custom Engrave a Monogram or Letter
Single letter monogram on shot glasses.
Moustache, Lips Beer Glass - Add a Personalized Message
Moustache and Lips design on pub glass.

Oaxaca Tequila Hot Chocolate & Bourbon Latte!

It’s cold outside today so we took a trip (do we really need an excuse?) to New Harvest Coffee & Spirits located in the newly restored Arcade in downtown Providence, RI. We met with Assistant Manager, Erick Ambrust who mixed up a couple of delicious hot cocktails to warm us up; Bourbon Latte and Oaxaca Tequila Hot Chocolate. (Pronunciation video here>)If you’re ever wandering around DownCity in the cold then definitely drop in and give these a try!Check out their recipes below and stop by our store to grab all the ingredients you need when those single-digit temperatures get truly terrifying…

new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
Oaxaca Tequila Hot Chocolate 
 
8 oz Steamed milk
1.5 oz Dark chocolate syrup
1.5 oz Casamigas Blanco Tequila
Top with whipped cream (homemade & delicious at New Harvest!)
Garnish with chili powder and dark chocolate shavings
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
Bourbon Latte
8 oz Steamed Milk
2 oz Espresso
.5 oz Cinnamon simple syrup
1.5 oz Your Favorite Bourbon
*We used Evan Williams Single Barrel, but also recommend Redemption High Rye!

new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
Their artisanal coffee beans are harvested, milled, roasted and brewed sustainably.
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca

Mixing up their homemade whipped cream!

new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
new harvest coffee, bottles fine wine, winter cocktails, bourbon latte, tequila hot chocolate, bourbon, tequila, oaxaca
Stay warm, folks!
Bottles Fine Wine – 141 Pitman Street, Providence, RI
www.bottlesfinewine.com

New Harvest Coffee & Spirits – The Arcade Providence 130 Westminster Street, Providence, RI
www.newharvestcoffee.com

 

New Year, New Wines! The Bottles Noble Grape Wine Challenge

Bottles is challenging you to drink wine. Sounds awesome, right? If your hand gravitates toward the same bottle of wine each time you shop, well, here’s a chance to try something new. To help you out, the wine pros at Bottles have created of list of under $20 wines at our shop, representing the major types of wines, the Noble Grapes. Make it through this list and you’ll learn how each major varietal tastes, and try wines you might have never considered before.

What is a noble grape? It is an international grape variety that you’ll find in almost all major wine producing regions. Inspired by Wine Folly’s 18 Noble Grapes Wine Challenge, we’ve chosen a great value, quality wine for each major grape. Wine Folly is a website and blog dedicated to helping you learn about wine. Check out their article, “The 18 Noble Grapes Wine Challenge,” to more read about the characteristics of each noble grape.

DOWNLOAD & PRINT
WINE CHALLENGE CHECKLIST

Now, go exploring!

REDS
WHITES
 
Stop by our store to shop all of these wines!
Bottles – 141 Pitman St., Providence, RI
www.bottlesfinewine.com
 
 

9 Winter Wine Picks Under $20

winter wine list

Winter is the time to enjoy hearty beef stews, tuck into your favorite spaghetti recipe, or savor a pork shoulder roast. We’ve paired these classic winter foods with complementary red and white wines. Keep reading for our list of under $20 wines, and stop by our store to shop our winter wine display.

Visit our store and shop these wines & much more! 141 Pitman Street, Providence, RI

Looking for delicious beef, pasta, or pork recipe ideas? Our friends at Edible Rhody Magazine have a dazzling variety of dishes to choose from. We’ve selected three of our favorites: Braised Aquidneck Farm Beef Short Ribs, Linguine and Clams, and Pan-Seared Pork Chops Over Cheese Grits & Pickled Cranberry. CLICK HERE to download and print the recipe card for each, and visit the Edible Rhody website at www.ediblerhody.com.

BEEF

La Flor de Pulenta Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

La Flor de Pulenta Wines Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina, 2008

From Argentina, where Malbec is King, this engaging Cabernet has spicy plum and dark cherry notes but also lots of interesting graphite and savory herb flavors and aromas. $18.99

Chateau Fage, Graves de Vayres

Chateau Fage, Graves de Vayres
France, 2010

This beautiful Cabernet/Merlot red blend has a solid core of plum and black cherry fruit flavors, but what really makes it special are the delicious vanilla and mineral elements lurking in the background.  A great choice with rich beef dishes. $11.99

Bousquet Malbec

Bousquet Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina, 2011

Grown at an altitude of 4000 feet, one of the highest in Argentina, this smashing Malbec is 100% organic and delicious.  Dark and intense in color with aromas and has flavors of blackberry, black currant and plum.  Very well made with an excellent balance of powerful fruit and elegant structure. $13.99

PASTA

Palazzone Orvietto

Palazzone Orvietto
Umbria, Italy, 2012

Made from a blend of obscure grapes that are indigenous to Italy, this dry and zippy white is perfect to add a splash to the pan to brighten up a pasta sauce, but even better to drink! $12.99

Zeni Ripasso Valpolicella

Zeni Ripasso Valpolicella
Italy, 2011

Ripasso are often called baby Amarone because they have many of the same flavors and aromas, but at a fraction of the price.  This beautiful example has flavors and aromas of chocolate, mocha, fig, raison and other dried fruits.  Enjoy with rich, meaty, pasta entrees. $17.99

A solid, well built, no nonsense Chianti that’s very dry and a bit rustic – just like inexpensive Chianti should be.  Look for bright and vibrant aromas of black cherry, cinnamon and red flowers.  A perfect match with any red sauce pasta dish. $11.99

 

PORK

Firesteed Pinot

Firesteed Pinot Noir
Oregon, 2011

A delicious lighter style Pinot Noir from the beautiful Willamette (rhymes with Dammit) Valley, Oregon.  Medium bodied red wine with exuberant wild blueberry and ripe raspberry flavors with hints of cocoa powder and espresso.  A really great match with pork dishes, especially ones with rich and flavorful sauces. $14.99

Willm Riesling

Willm Riesling
Alsace, France – 2012

Rieslings are not always sweet – see my video!  This stunning gem is super dry with crackling bright acidity that can cut through the richest of pork dishes.  Loaded with personality, look for flavors of green apple, peach, blood orange and anise.  Lip smacking delicious! $13.99

Chateau Pesquie 'Terrasses'

Chateau Pesquie ‘Terrasses’
Cotes du Ventoux, France, 2011

In Latin, Terrasses means “Lump of Earth” and refers to gravelly vineyard soil, rich in iron and clay.  A blend of Grenache and Syrah, look for an intense aroma of black pepper and red berries followed by yummy flavors of plum, cherry and red currants. A match made in heaven with roast pork dishes, especially with lots of garlic and black pepper. $16.99

 

Great Bourbon for a Bargain!

Bourbons for a Bargain

Who doesn’t love bourbon? If you’ve indulged during the holidays, you may be looking for a whiskey that doesn’t decimate your wallet. That’s why we’ve put together a list of great bourbons, all of which are under $20. Stop by our store, shop our bourbon display, and treat yo’ self!

Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey
First distilled by Basil Hayden himself, Old Grand Dad is a high -rye bourbon with a spicy, robust finish. $18.99


Evan Williams Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Full of juicy grain & vanilla notes with a long, dry finish. $17.99
Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey
Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond – 100 proof
A wheated bourbon with a lighter, more floral finish than it’s high-rye cousins. $11.99

What does Bottled-in-Bond mean?
Bottled-in-bond refers to American spirits that have been aged and bottled according to a set of specific US regulations. The spirit must be the product of one distillation season and one distiller at one distillery and stored in a government warehouse for at least 4 years. The purpose of the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act was to create a standard of quality for Bourbon whiskey. The Act created incentive by allowing distilleries to delay tax payment until the aging of their whiskey was complete.

Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon Whiskey
Produced by blending Four Roses proprietary 10 recipes of bourbon for a full, round, & lush experience. $19.99
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon Whiskey
A Bottles favorite! A wheated bourbon perfect for mixing; light & floral. $16.99

Watch Liam, our whiskey expert, talk about W.L. Weller Bourbon: http://youtu.be/XNc4LbbEpOw

Old Heaven Hill Very Rare Old 8 yr Bourbon Whiskey
Old Heaven Hill Very Rare Old 8 yr (Liter) – 86 proof
Rare, out of production, and crazy cheap. Get it while you can! $14.99
Rebel Yell Bourbon Whiskey
Rebel Yell – 80 proof
Based on W.L. Weller’s original wheat recipe – it’s long & smooth with a clean finish. $14.99
Hochstadter's Slow and Low Rock and Rye Whiskey
Ok…so this isn’t Bourbon. But, it’s a cocktail in a bottle that uses Rye Whiskey. Basically, an Old Fashioned in a bottle! Serve over ice.  $19.999 – 750ml, $11.99 – 375ml

 
Looking for Bourbon Cocktail Ideas? Click below: