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Frose Recipe Courtesy Wine of the Month Club!

August 20, 2021 by evebushman

Scrolling through Instagram and what do I see? A little teaser from Wine of the Month for an easy peasy recipe for Frose. I had all of the ingredients at home so I whipped up my own batch.

It’s not what I usually drink but I do believe that it’s one of the most refreshing ways to enjoy wine during a hot summer.

Photo: Ed Bushman

Now, of course, the wine club offers an inexpensive Rose wine perfect for it too. Check it all out via this link. Also asked if I could re-post the article in full here for Eve Wine 101ers and Paul Kalemkiarian, president of the long-running club, immediately replied yes!

##

Wine of the Month Club Frose

Wine is for sipping, but slushies are for slurping. And that’s just what you’ll get if you freeze rosé wine – frosé – a frosty pink wine slushie that practically exudes summer vibes. We guarantee this recipe will have you saying, “Frosé all day” all summer long.
The McFaddens crafted this dry rosé from 100% Pinot Noir. It packs all the flavor and complexity that the grape can muster in a bottle. From the rose petals, cherry and cotton candy to the slight peach in the finish, it delivers on all levels and is ready to crush a fresh albacore steak with lemon zest and thyme.
Ingredients:
  • Bottle of rosé wine (Rosé, 2020 Fontaine.)
  • 1/2 cup simple syrup
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 ounces elderflower liqueur
  • Lemon wedge (for garnish)
Directions:
  1. First, pour the rose´ into ice cube trays. A standard bottle of wine should fill up two trays. Place the ice cube trays in the freezer and allow the wine to freeze. It’ll take about four hours or so.
  2. Add the frozen wine cubes to a blender as well as the simple syrup, lemon juice and elderflower liqueur. Blend, pour and garnish each glass with a lemon wedge.
https://www.wineofthemonthclub.com/category/froze-rose-recipe

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: cocktail, dry, finish, frose, grape, Pinot Noir, recipe, recipes with wine, wine of the month club

THE ORIGINAL WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB® LAUNCHES THE PURE WINE SERIES

March 18, 2020 by evebushman

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The original Wine of the Month Club®, the nation’s first wine subscription company founded in Los Angeles in 1972, has just launched its Pure Wine Series featuring the purest wines on the planet with a selection of wines that are organic, biodynamic, sustainably produced and more.

Paul Kalemkiarian talks wine with evewine101.com founder Eve Bushman.

With a movement toward more natural wine, where little interference or manipulation is done by the winemaker, the demand for such wines is growing in the marketplace. But, as Paul Kalemkiarian, second-generation owner of Wine of the Month Club, is quick to point out, not all natural wines are ones you’d want to drink.  Buzzwords–such as sustainable, organic and biodynamic–require stringent definitions and certifications to be included on a wine label; however, a wine that markets itself as a natural wine–inferring that it’s held to a higher standard– offers a false sense of credence as no such certification exists for “natural wines.”

“This is where I come in,” explains Paul. “Just because a wine label says it’s ‘natural,’ ‘organic,’ or ‘certified sustainable,’ doesn’t mean it tastes good. I have created the Pure Wine Series to highlight the best wines I find in these categories and send them directly to those who are as interested as I am in exploring this subject.”

Bottles from the Pure Wine Series represent several attributes, from sustainable practices such as dry farming and certified organic farming to wines with no added sugar, low sulfur, and those approved by various diets, including vegan, keto and paleo.  Members can choose to have two or three bottles shipped to their home or office every 1-3 months, and shipping is always free.

Kalemkiarian has tasted more than 100,000 wines in his lifetime. Every week he conducts his own Tuesday Tasting where he’ll taste up to 70 wines from all over the world.  Only the very best will be selected and shipped to his members, including those that make the cut for the Pure Wine Series.

“My dad, who started Wine of the Month Club nearly 50 years ago and still enjoys a glass of wine at age 91, taught me the importance of tasting every wine,” says Kalemkirian. “Whether it smells like vinegar or rotten eggs, you still need to taste it and learn from its flaws. I taste a lot of bad wines that we end up tossing in the garbage,  and it pains me when I see that same wine emerge in the marketplace. But that’s what sets us apart from other wine clubs. We don’t rely on algorithms or buy overproduced wine from Europe, we taste each and every wine that will eventually be uncorked by our thousands of members. It may seem old-fashioned, but it’s how we’ve done things for nearly half a century.”

For more information on Wine of the Month Club and its various membership options, visit wineofthemonthclub.com or call 800.949.WINE (9463) Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PST).

About Wine of the Month Club

Founded in 1972, the Original Wine of the Month Club® began in Los Angeles, California as the creation of innovative wine shop owner and first-generation immigrant, Paul Kalemkiarian Sr.  “Paul Sr.,” as he’s now known, owned and operated Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits, a premier wine shop in the LA/Malibu area. Kalemkiarian initially conceived of the idea of a monthly wine subscription service to fulfill the needs of loyal Palos Verdes Peninsula customers who had moved out of the area. This idea quickly evolved into Wine of the Month Club, the first wine-by-mail company in the country.

Nearly 50 years later, Wine of the Month Club is owned and operated by Kalemkiarian’s son, Paul Kalemkiarian Jr, known as “Paul K.”  Paul K hand selects the wines for each club every month, just as his father did before him. While the quality and value have remained consistent throughout the company’s history, customers can now conveniently order and customize their subscriptions online, choosing from a variety of clubs such as the Classic Series, Vintners Series, Limited Series or regional and varietal-specific clubs such as Napa, Bordeaux and pinot noir. Each shipment comes with a newsletter including information on wine history, food pairing tips, and more, and is backed by a money-back satisfaction guarantee. More information is available online at wineofthemonthclub.com.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: biodynamic, Bordeaux, bottles, California, farming, label, los angeles, Napa, organic, Pinot Noir, sulfite, sustainable, vintner, wine club, wine of the month club, Wine tasting, winemaker

SWIRL IN THE HOLIDAYS! POPULAR WINE CLUB OFFERS UNBEATABLE PRICES ON POPULAR WINE SELECTIONS + GIFTS SETS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

November 10, 2018 by evebushman

ARCADIA, CALIF.—With the 2018 holiday season at our doorstep, wine lovers are turning to the Original Wine of the Month Club® for their holiday gift giving ideas—from high-quality wine assortment gift collections to gift-giving wine club memberships. Original Wine of the Month Club®’s unique, hand-picked selections of robust and flavorful wines create the ultimate holiday gift-giving experience. With convenient online ordering, free shipping and gift-giving ideas starting at $24.99, holiday shoppers are only a click or call away from the perfect gift for family members, friends and clients. To view our Top Holiday Wine Gifts Delivered, please visit www.wineclubgifts.com.

Paul Kalemkiarian talks wine with evewine101.com founder Eve Bushman.

For the gift that keeps giving throughout the year—wine lovers are discovering the added value and instant gratification they provide friends and relatives with Original Wine of the Month Club® Monthly Gift Clubs, which start at $152 for a four-month membership and features two bottles per delivery of exquisite wine and a signature monthly newsletter. New members receive a free wine accessory with wine gifts delivered.

Give friends and family a wine subscription gift they will savor throughout the year! The Original Wine of the Month Club® also offers a 6-bottle “Cellar Series,” which includes a wine shipment every other month of six extraordinary wine selections for as low as $185.

The Original Wine of the Month Club® Monthly Gift Club is a gift that keeps giving! Order a one-year membership for your friends and loved ones and they will receive a wine delivery every one- to- three months—your recipient will be reminded of your generosity with each flavorful wine selection! With free shipping for every order, each package is gift-wrapped and comes with a personalized, hand-written greeting. www.wineofthemonthclub.com

A perfect gift for wine connoisseurs or the wine novice, each of the featured holiday wine gifts delivered come with an attractive case or basket filled with the best quality wines from around the globe.

2018 Holiday Gift Ideas Under $150 include:

• Treasure Vintages–Our treasured treasure map fine wine gift box. One bottle of hand selected Classic, Vintners or Limited Series wines makes this a great grab and go wine gift bottle. (Starting at $46)

• Wine Elegance–Send your gift recipient on a tour of the world’s great vineyards with a wine gift delivery of one bottle of recent Wine of the Month Club Selections. Inspired by travel from city to bustling city, our chestnut-colored faux leather bottle carrier replaces flimsy bottle bags with something that will stand up to a tireless lifestyle. Featuring a magnetic closure and two sturdy metal handles. ($51)

• Keep Cool–Send your gift recipient on a tour of the world’s great vineyards with a wine gift delivery of 3 assorted bottles of recent Wine of the Month Club Selections. Keep drinks cold on the go with this large insulated tote, sporting an ample front pocket and removable shoulder strap. Lined with food-safe PEVA, it holds up to three standard wine bottles. ($89 to $135)

• Say Cheese—Two of your favorite wine selections are shipped in a bamboo wooden gift box that transforms into a cheese board. Three cheese tools are included: Chisel, Knife, Spreader ($90 to $140)

• Treasure Trove of Wine–This is one of our most popular wine gift packs that we offer! Our 6-bottle “Treasure Trove of Wine” of found vintages not only shows your creative taste, our wood box adorned with ancient sailing routes is a great accent for any would-be interior designer. Brass studs accent this treasure chest of our most interesting finds. The gift box set includes: Six bottles of Classic, Vintners or Limited Series wines. ($135)ABOUT THE ORIGINAL WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB®

Serving both the novice and educated wine enthusiasts nationally since 1972, the Original Wine of the Month Club® is a highly-rated mail order wine service that offers its members hand-picked selections of fine wines from the world’s finest growing regions in such diverse areas as California, Oregon, Washington, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Australia. Each month more than 400 wines are tasted and evaluated for club selection and brought to the members at extraordinary prices. Wine subscription gift packages are popular for any special occasion. Members may shop online from a full selection of wines in the “Wine Shoppe,” a collection of gourmet gifts and wine accessories. Original Wine of the Month Club® newsletter contains fascinating insights into the featured wines, gourmet recipes and serving tips for wine lovers. The club is FREE and you never pay for a wine you do not like. The original Wine of the Month Club® houses a wide selection of award-winning wines at a retail space/warehouse in Arcadia, California. For more information, please visit www.wineofthemonthclub.com

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Australia, California, cellar, cheese, France, Germany, Italy, Oregon, spain, vineyards, vintage, washington, wine club, wine of the month club

Vintage Eve Circa 12/2014: Tasting Autumn and Oak

March 20, 2018 by evebushman

Reviewing two Wine Of the Month Club samples for you today I found myself once again marveling at owner Paul Kalemkiarian’s remarkable palate. He samples more wine than anyone I know, has a great 3-part rating system, and over the years has supplied his club members with the most incredible deals. And, since this wine101er is not a wine snob that bases her purchases on well-known labels or price alone…I always look forward to seeing what bargains Paul has discovered for his members.

Eve and Paul filming at Wine of the Month Club.

Eve and Paul filming at Wine of the Month Club.

Red Autumn

2012 California Chardonnay

Vinted and Bottled by Red Autumn, Napa, CA.

13.9% alcohol

 

Appearance – Pale yellow, clear and clean.

Aroma – Crisp Granny Smith apples, anise, buttered popcorn, toasted rye bread, coconut, a whiff of white pepper, aromatic and perfumy.

Taste – Buttery, oak, sliced pears in light syrup, grassy, nice creamy mouthfeel, pale acid with a medium length.

Conclusion – Wholly pleasant. Would enjoy with soft cheeses, seafood salad, and to cut through the cream in clam chowder or pasta in an Alfredo sauce.

 

Oak Grove

2012 California Reserve Petite Sirah

San Martin, Santa Clara County, CA

13.0% alcohol

 

Appearance – Opaque, black.

Aroma – Crushed blueberry, blackberry, cracked black pepper, eucalyptus, both milk and dark chocolate.

Taste – Same berry profile, nice balance for young Petite Sirah, back palate is rich with tannin and lingering fruit. Nice long peppery finish.

Conclusion – This would stand up to grilled game as well as steaks with Béarnaise sauce to grilled mushrooms, but it also makes me crave pepperoni pizza.

 

About Wine of the Month

Wine of the Month Club™ is the oldest mail order wine club in America. Specializing in value-oriented wines, the Wine of the Month Club is open to anyone who has an appreciation of fine wine and is interested in a monthly wine club service. Quality wine delivered to your door, guaranteed!

Our search for our wine club selections never ends. Each month I taste over 400 Italian wines, German wines, California wines, Argentinean wine, Chilean wines, and wines from all the other regions of the world—and I only select 2 to represent the best wine values in the world.

Website: http://www.wineofthemonthclub.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WineoftheMonthClub

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years.  She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition.  You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: alcohol, appearance, aroma, California, Chardonnay, Napa, Petite Sirah, Reserve, taste, wine club, wine of the month club, Wine tasting

The Original Wine of the Month Club Announces New Additions

January 3, 2018 by evebushman

MONROVIA, Calif. (PRWEB) – Wine of the Month Club is pleased to announce 4 brand new additions to club offerings. These additions include the Napa, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux, and Rosé Series.

Eve and Paul filming at Wine of the Month Club.

Eve and Paul filming at Wine of the Month Club.

The new offerings are in response to the growing demand for quality curated wines. These additions are available to its existing membership, as well as to new members seeking guaranteed wines at a great value.

Napa: Legendary wines from the iconic makers are featured here as well as boutique start- ups with their new offerings.

Pinot Noir: This is one of the more finicky grapes, and can produce a variety of styles as it takes in what the soil and growing conditions have to offer and expresses it back through the wine.

Bordeaux: From the most well known wine district in the world, we select the most interesting and indicative that the area has to offer.

Rosé: From the Provence in the south of France to Chile, Napa and Australia, Rosé is captivating the palates of wine drinkers all over and is one of the hottest categories in the wine world,

“All of the wines we sell are available somewhere other than just on our site; it’s my job to find wines of quality and value and send them to members. And, you never pay for a wine you don’t like in our club,” shares second generation owner, Paul Kalemkiarian.

Specializing in value-oriented wines, the Wine of the Month Club is open to anyone who has an appreciation of fine wine and is interested in a monthly wine club service.
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Each and every selection from the Wine of the Month Club is guaranteed for its character and value. A newsletter accompanies each shipment with interesting facts about each wine, storage suggestions, serving suggestions and meal pairings. Each wine also comes with a reorder guarantee of 90 days and no less than a 20% discount.

Paul Kalemkiarian is the second-generation owner of the original WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB™ that brought wine to America’s door. It is the oldest mail order wine club in the United States He personally tastes over 400 wines a month to make the club selections, and sources them across the globe.
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You never pay for a wine you do not like.

For more information on The Wine of the Month Club or their products, please visit https://www.wineofthemonthclub.com or call 800-949-9463

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Australia, Bordeaux, Chile, France, Napa, Pinot Noir, Rose, wine of the month club

Vintage Eve Circa 1/14: High Desert Cellars Tasting with Chavez Cellars

August 22, 2017 by evebushman

After I tasted wines from the California High Desert AVA with Wine of the Month Club’s president Paul Kalemkiarian via YouTube, I got an email a few weeks later from another winery in the high desert, High Desert Cellars Chavez Vineyards. They wanted me to taste their award winning wines (see “From the Winery” below) and write up some tasting notes for you, our Dear Wine Friends.

287643_206126379442118_82428_oNot one to turn down a bottle, err, I mean an opportunity to try a new bottle of wine, I readily agreed to the tasting. (If you want to try them they have a tasting room open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.: 3045 90th Street West, Rosamond, CA, 93560, 661-256-6203.)

Tasting

2010 Tempranillo, 13.9% alcohol

Stewed mushroom, green bell peppers cooking in fajita seasonings, black pepper, leather, blackberry; lovely dark peppery fruit, juicy blackberry, black pepper again, good tannins. Pair with grilled steak or any meat-based dish in my humble opinion. Drink now.

2010 Zinfandel, 13.9% alcohol

Floral rose petals, plum, dark chocolate, leaves, wet earth and leather; red fruit, tannic, black pepper, smoke, bark. I could steadily sip this wine alone – and I did – or enjoy with food. Drink now or up to 5 years of down time.

I liked the alcohol content and didn’t get any of the heat accompanied with high alcohol percentages. With that said, for a Zinfandel, it was fairly easy drinking with only a mild amount of pepper and spice.

2010 California Syrah, 15.6% alcohol

The color of seedless blackberry jam; dark fruit, plum, plump raisins, tobacco, milk chocolate, leather, mint; dried black fruits, juicy yet palate-drying on the finish, smoke, and firm tannins. Very pleasant, may be strong without food for some but not for me. Drink now or up to 5 to 7 years of down time. (Note from my Contributing Editor Michael Perlis: High Desert Cellars’ Syrah is from the same vineyard that was used for Golden Star’s.)

From the Winery

Three of our wines have won medals from the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! Our 2010 Syrah won GOLD. Our 2010 Merlot won SILVER. And our Zinfandel won BRONZE. We are thrilled to receive this honor!

The 2014 SFCWC had a record number of 5,825 entries from over 1,500 wineries from 25 states in America – the largest competition of wines in America. The Public Tasting Event will be held at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco on Saturday, February 15, beginning at 1:30PM, and we are making plans to attend and pour our wonderful wines.

Efren Chavez is the proud owner of High Desert Cellars – Chavez Vineyards and he has been in the grape growing business since 1978, starting in Sonoma County in the Russian River Appellation, Alexander Valley. In 1999 Efren started Chavez Vineyards on 20 acres located in east Palmdale, in the Antelope Valley of the California High Desert. Producing wine from grapes of uncompromised quality, including red varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Malbec, Barbera, Alicante Bouchet, and white varietals of Chardonnay, Semillon, Viognier, Muscato, as well as rose wines of Merlot and Syrah. The first bottles of wine under the Chavez Cellars label were bottled in 2009.

Efren’s ambition of opening a tasting room for his wines became reality in June 2011 – High Desert Cellars Winery and Tasting Room held its grand opening. The beautiful tasting room offers fines wines for tasting, as well as beer, soda, water, snacks and unique gifts. Our wines can also be enjoyed in the outdoor garden area, along with a picnic lunch if desired.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: alcohol, Alicante Bouchet, barbera, bottling, cabernet sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, chocolate, floral, food pairing, fruit, gold medal, grapes, Malbec, medal, Merlot, muscat, palate, petit verdot, Rose, san francisco, semillon, silver medal, smoke, Syrah, tannins, tasting notes, tasting room, Tempranillo, vineyard, Viognier, wine of the month club, Wine tasting, Zinfandel

Vintage Eve Circa 12/2013: Wine of the Month Club Wine Tasting and Podcast

July 25, 2017 by evebushman

We have so many options for wine clubs these days! Our favorite wineries, wine stores, even newspapers offer clubs. So why Wine Of the Month Club it? Lemme tell ya what I learned during a recent visit, tour and podcast taping with owner Paul Kalemkiarian.   (Direct YouTube link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzdbgQI9Gk8)

eve and paul largeFirst of all Paul is Paul the second, his father started the company. And this Paul is doing it all: tasting, rating, negotiating and selecting every wine for their three different monthly clubs. Where that would be it for me, Paul sends a monthly magazine – two-dozen pages – about all of the wines he selected, gifts, recipes and tasting notes. This is the part that got my attention on the cover of the December 2013 issue: Wines evaluated last month: 287; Rejected: 243; Approved: 44; Selected:12. Sounds like Paul has a highly developed palate!

Before we did our video Paul wanted to know more (we had admitted to trolling each other’s websites!) about me. Of course, this was because we would soon appear on film together, but the way he spoke with me showed a real interest. Where I might have expected to meet a salesman, I met a warm, open, compassionate, hard-working business owner. It was an eye-opener for those of us that should never judge a wine by its label. Paul is the real deal, and only provides the real deal.

So let’s see what he sent me home with to taste:

Tasting

2012 Grange Des Dames

Grapes: Clairette and Grenache

Appellation: Ventoux, Rhone

Pale gold in color with aromas of freshly cut sweet pineapple, juicy pear, red Delicious apple, hay and a cool breeze passing over a lush flowerbed; in the mouth I was rewarded with a decent amount of acid – sometimes this characteristic is too bold for me – as well as pineapple juice, a hint of lemon and green honeydew melon. Very pleasant.

 

2010 Domaine de Poulvarel

Grapes: Syrah and Grenache

Appellation: Costieres de Nimes, France

A full glass elicited a more purple color; aromas of rich dark blueberry, toasted oak, wet stones, pomegranate seeds, and flavors that included blue to black berries, plums, dry, with a very balanced fruit and tannic structure, medium length.

 

2011 Hermoso Hermosa

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Valle del Moule, Chile

Greeted by a dark garnet color, followed by pungent aromas of stewing dark fruit, plums, menthol and a lit cigar. On the mouth it was slightly astringent, bright red fruit, smoke, dry and light tannins. Good for the club price.

 

2010 Prahova Valley

Grapes: Feteasca Neagra

Appellation: Romania

Romania? This was one of the wines that I tasted during the taping with Paul. Never had the Romanian grape, roughly translated as “Black Maiden”, before. And it was good. Now that I had time to linger over it I found the color to be garnet with a ribbon of browner red on the edge, aromas of fresh raspberry, strawberry, mushroom, simmering spaghetti sauce and a hint of red licorice. Once tasted I got the same bright fruit, including cherry, spice, good tannins and a nice round mouthfeel. Another good club bargain.

From the Website

Wine of the Month Club™ is the oldest mail order wine club in America. Specializing in value-oriented wines, the Wine of the Month Club is open to anyone who has an appreciation of fine wine and is interested in a monthly wine club service. Quality wine delivered to your door, guaranteed!

Our search for our wine club selections never ends. Each month I taste over 400 Italian wines, German wines, California wines, Argentinean wine, Chilean wines, and wines from all the other regions of the world—and I only select 2 to represent the best wine values in the world.

Join the Wine of the Month Club™, America’s favorite wine club. See where it all began…

http://www.wineofthemonthclub.com/

Wine Discovery of the Week: Something from Romania? At a Wine of the Month Club tasting I got to try ’10 Prahova Valley made from Feteasca Neagra (Black Maiden) grapes. Aromas alone included fresh raspberry, strawberry, mushroom, simmering spaghetti sauce and a hint of red licorice.

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: aroma, cabernet sauvignon, Chile, color, France, Grenache, length, magazine, palate, Rhone, Syrah, tannic, wine of the month club, wine store, winery

The Original Wine of the Month Club® Offers Holiday Varietals Paired with Delectable Delights – Reviewed by Yours Truly

December 4, 2015 by evebushman

From the original Wine of the Month Club®

With the 2015 holiday season at our doorstep, wine lovers are turning to the Original Wine of the Month Club® for their holiday gift giving ideas—from gift baskets with a fine selection of delectable treats to gift-giving wine club memberships.

Original Wine of the Month Club®’s unique, handpicked selections of robust and flavorful wines are paired with savory gourmet snacks and sinfully sweet accouterments to create the ultimate holiday gift-giving experience. With convenient online ordering, free shipping and gift-giving ideas starting at $24.99, holiday shoppers are only a click or call away from the perfect gift for family members, friends and clients.

IMG_5156Eve’s Review

Death by Chocolate—Each of these chocolate delicacies are delivered in a modern faux-leather box that can be used as a letterbox or kitchen accent. Be sure your recipient loves chocolate; they will die over this one. Gift includes: One bottle of Matchbook Syrah (California), Vina Albali Tempranillo (Spain), Jack Allen Chocolate Chip Cookies, chocolate wafers, Almond Roca, Lindt Chocolate Truffles, Godiva Chocolate Bar, Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares, and Godiva Chocolate Covered Almonds. ($89)

Death By Chocolate was the one I was sent for review and it did not disappoint! First of all I LOVED all of the brand names that were nestled under the cellophane. Who doesn’t appreciate Almond Roca, Lindt, Godiva or Ghirardelli??? With a lovely California Syrah and Spanish Tempranillo, that, if aren’t absolutely great on their own, will be bettered with chocolate. (That’s actually a trick I learned. If you or a guest doesn’t appreciate a red wine then pop just the tiniest bit of chocolate onto your tongue and swish your red wine over that. Guaranteed success!)

New to me in this box were the soft chocolate wafers and Jack Allen Chocolate chip cookies. I loved the wafers, and my husband, a card-carrying chocoholic declared, the cookies both buttery and chocolaty.

One more thing: Loved that this basket has plenty of both milk and dark chocolate varieties as said husband is a fan of the former, I’m a fan of the latter, and there was enough of each for us and to share with others. EB

Other 2015 Holiday Gift Ideas Under $100 include:

Bring on the Festivities—Filled with fun and joy, our red basket filled with everything red is sure to tame the rising crowd. Use as a corporate gift or as a hostess gift for your favorite holiday party. Wheelhouse Cabernet Sauvignon (California) Brie cheese spread, dried apricots, herb marinated olives, water crackers and dried fruit and nut mix. ($79)

Elegant Gold Highlights—A gift basket that lights up any room and features tasty treats fit for royalty. Our gold tin and elegant fabric liner shows your style and grace. Gift includes: One bottle of Painted Van Chardonnay (California), Cebada Pinot Noir (California), Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate, cheese knife, Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate, water crackers, fruit and nut mix, Almond Roca cookies, marinated olives, cashew roca, and Brie cheese spread delivered in a gold tin and adorned with European-style trim. ($89)

Vintner’s Own—Want to impress? Elegance meets rustic in this loaded tin gift basket. Two-hand selected California wines supply the fun and variety of top shelf goodies finish it off.

Gift includes One bottle Wheelhouse Cabernet Sauvignon (California), Backstory Merlot (California), herb-marinated olives, cheese knife, Bustetto Salami, bruschetta mix, fruit and nut mix, dried apricots, Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares, Brie cheese spread, marinated olives, Almond Roca Cookies and water crackers. ($89)

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB®

Serving both the novice and educated wine enthusiasts nationally for more than three decades, the Original Wine of the Month Club® is a highly-rated mail order wine service that offers its members hand-picked selections of fine wines from the world’s finest growing regions in such diverse areas as California, Oregon, Washington, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Australia. Each month more than 400 wines are tasted and evaluated for club selection and brought to the members at extraordinary prices.  Wine subscription gift packages are popular for any special occasion.  Members may shop online from a full selection of wines in the “Wine Shoppe,” a collection of gourmet gifts and wine accessories. Original Wine of the Month Club® newsletter contains fascinating insights into the featured wines, gourmet recipes and serving tips for wine lovers. The club is FREE and you never pay for a wine you do not like. The original Wine of the Month Club® houses a wide selection of award-winning wines at a 10,000 square-foot retail space/warehouse in Monrovia, California. For more information, please visit www.wineofthemonthclub.com or www.wineofthemonthclub.tv.

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years.  She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: cheese, chocolate, Syrah, Tempranillo, wine of the month club, wine pairing

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Eve Bushman

Eve Bushman, owner Eve’s Wine 101 and Eve Bushman Consulting.

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