November 30th

Pederzana, Sparkling Lambrusco

Only $12.99

This week we have one of the coolest (and probably most geeky) wines we have done for our wine of the week series. This is Lambrusco, which a sparkling DRY red wine from Italy. Most of us think of Riunite Lambrusco, which is a sweet red wine (usually drank by our Grandfathers). If you love Prosecco and red wines than this is your new favorite wine that is perfect for every occasion (especially the end of a long work week)! 

This is Tenuta Pederzana's most feminine and elegant wine, in which the freshness and vibrant fruit that one finds in the Grasparossa grape are highlighted to the full. The morello cherry note is joined by an intriguing sensation of wild strawberries and raspberries. The brief maceration at fairly low temperatures has made it ideal for drinking as an aperitif and in summer, thanks to the smoothness of its very delicate tannins which, besides, always leave the palate fresh and clean, making it ready to taste the next mouthful.

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: This is one of my favorite wines to turn people on to when they want to try something new and exciting. This of the best qualities of Pinot Noir and Prosecco combined to form a dry but fruit forward sparkling wine. It's definitely not like anything you have probably had before but for $13 bucks its well worth the leap of faith. Enjoy!

Grape Varietals:  Grasparossa (100%)

Wine Region: Emilia, Italy

Alcohol Content: 11%

White Horse Wine Color Code System:       LIGHT RED WINES      

Food Pairings: Try pairing this wine with typical food from the Emilia region of Italy such as tortellini, tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce or fried gnocchi. It is also ideal with delicately flavored foods such as herb crusted turkey or pork loin but shines with salmon and lamb. 

Cheese Pairings: 

Drunken Goat Cheese- A mild, soft cheese aged in red wine

Spain $8.49 (8oz)

Gouda Ewephoria- A mild Gouda with a smooth, sweet flavor.

Netherlands $9.49 (8oz)

Emmenthaler- A swiss cheese with a sharp, nutty flavor

Switzerland $8.49 (8oz) 

Calories in Wine

The holidays are here and with them comes the endless parties, holiday food trays and dangerously delicious cookies. With all of these holiday hazards being the cause of ballooning waist lines this time of year it helps to also remember that all those drinks (yes wine included) can add to the slowly growing calorie count each day. Since the FDA does not mandate labeling of nutrition facts on the back of wine bottles we have borrowed some great information from our friends over at Wine Folly.

Alcohol is Very High in Calories Per Gram

The highest calorie wines tend have the highest alcohol content. Alcohol has 7 calories per gram versus carbohydrates (sugar) which have 4 calories per gram. This means some sweet wines have less calories than some dry wines! Dry wines are commonly considered to range from around 11% alcohol to around 14%. However, a quick check of alcohol percentages of wines at the grocery store shows that many dry wines often exceed 15%. A standard 6 oz glass of dry wine with 15% alcohol has 175 calories.

Warm regions make higher alcohol wine!

Wines with typically higher alcohol content come from warmer growing regions where higher sugar content in grapes converts to higher alcohol content in wine. Dry wines with typically higher alcohol percentages are Zinfandel, Amarone, Shiraz and Grenache-Syrah-Mouvedre (GSM).

Super high alcohol sweet wines wines like Port, Tawny Port & Banyuls are a double whammy of sugar carb calories plus alcohol calories. To make Port wine, neutral grape spirits are added in order to inoculate (kill) the yeasts and leave sweetness in the wine. Port has 20% ABV and around 100 g/L of residual sugar. A standard 2oz glass of port has 103 calories.

Sugar in Champagne & Sparkling Wines

Champagnes and sparkling wines have added sugar and alcohol. The added amount is called “le dosage” and it’s added during the champagne making process. The dosage can range from nothing (aka “Brut Nature” or “Brut Zero”) to sweet (aka “Doux”) with up to 50 g/L of sugar. The laws on the Champagne region require the wines to be no more than 12.5% alcohol, however non-Champagne bubbly ranges from very light at around 9% alcohol to high at 15%. For a standard 5 oz pour, Champagne ranges from 124 calories (Brut Zero) to 175 calories (Doux).

Wine Calories Comparison Chart

Wine Calories From Least to Most (6 oz pours)

German Spatlese Riesling (Dr. Hermann “H” 2009)

110 calories, bottle 495 calories

Slightly Sweet Lambrusco (Lini 910)

140 calories, bottle 630 calories

Cabernet Sauvignon from France

160 calories, bottle 720 calories

German Auclese Riesling

160 calories, bottle 720 calories

Cabernet Sauvignon from California

175 calories, bottle 788 calories

California 16% Zinfandel (Bob Biale)

190 calories, bottle 855 calories

Australian Shiraz (Mollydooker The Boxer)

190 calories, bottle 855 calories

Chateau Y’quem

270 calories, bottle 1215 calories (note: standard serving size is only 2oz which is 90 calories)

Ruby Port

310 calories, bottle 1395 calories (note: standard serving size is only 2oz which is 103 calories)

Tawny Port

320 calories, bottle 1440 calories (note: standard serving size is only 2oz which is 106 calories)

Calories in Wine Come From Carbs and Alcohol

Wine is made of mostly water, alcohol, carbohydrates and trace minerals(1). The carbohydrates come from residual sugar left in wine. Dry wines have less than 3 grams/Liter and sweet wines typically range from 20-150 g/L (some can have up to 300 g/L!). A late harvest dessert wine may have about 150 g/L of sugar compared to Coca-Cola at 111 g/L and Maple Syrup at 700 g/L(2). To determine the total calories in a wine add the calories of alcohol with the calories of carbs.

Conclusion From a Wine Geek

Sweet wines like riesling and lambrusco actually have less calories per glass than most cabernet sauvignon. However you may be enticed to drink more because they are also lighter in alcohol!

Even though a late harvest dessert wine like Chateau Y’quem has much more residual sugar than a can of Coca-Cola, you’re not likely to drink as much because the serving size is about six times less.

If you’re on a diet, don’t despair with just one glass of wine. You can skip dessert and use the same amount of calories for 2-3 servings of dessert wine. Oh... and... I’m not your doctor, so check with him/her first if you have serious health issues. Yep!

Enjoy Your Holidays (with Wine of Course),

Your Friends at White Horse Wine & Spirits

Red, White and Booze

What to Eat and Drink this 4th of July

This weekend is July 4th and there's no better way to celebrate America's 239th birthday than by eating and drinking! Here's our quick guide to what you should be feasting on this weekend.

Fresh Food from the Market:

Classic Potato Salad
Mango Chicken Salad
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Roasted Red Peppers
White Bean Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad

Snacks for the BBQ:

Yucatan Organic Guacamole, Emerald Valley Organic Salsa, Food Should Taste Good Blue Corn Chips, Uncle Harold's Blue Corn Chips, and Grateful Harvest Caesar Dressing




The Perfect Cheese Plate:

Four Fat Fowl St. Stephen Triple Cream, Mike's Hot Honey, Rosemary Cranberry Pure Flats, Manchego, Prima Donna, and Dalmatia Fig Spread 

Great Drinks:

Blueberry Mint Mojito

Try our take on this classic Mojito for a refreshing, fruity twist on an old favorite! 

Blueberry Mint Mojito

8 Blueberries

1 Slice of Lime

4 Mint Leaves

6 Ounces of Txakolina or Vinho Verde Wine (You Can Substitute Pinot Grigio)

Crush the blueberries, lime and mint and then add in the wine. Enjoy over ice!

Mija, Sangria (Closest to Homemade)

Mija Sangria is a fresh and natural bottled sangria made with 100% real fruit juice for a true homemade taste. Crafted without artificial additives or preservatives, it's packed with antioxidants from the juice of popular super fruits including pomegranate, açaí and blood orange. Mija comes in a reusable flip-top bottle, making it the perfect on-the-go beverage.

Red, White and Blue Prosecco

Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than Prosecco. For a fun 4th of July variation, try these red, white and blue ideas.

Red: 1oz Monin Watermelon Syrup, 4oz Villa Chiara Prosecco

White: 1oz Monin Mojito Syrup, 4oz Villa Chiara Prosecco

Blue: 1oz Monin Blueberry Syrup, 4oz Villa Chiara Prosecco

Artisanal Premixed Gin & Tonic and Vodka & Tonic

Relax this weekend with these delicious premixed cocktails. Don't work this weekend, drink! Berkshire Distillery makes their own artisanal tonic water and then mixes it with either their Gin or their Vodka to make a super smooth treat. Just serve over ice with a lime!

Good Wine in a Can?

Yes, I know what everyone is thinking, we are crazy to recommend a wine in a can. However, not only is this the first wine to be put in a can, but it is also delicious. The only caveat is that you have to put your pinky in the air when you sip from the can! Absolutely perfect for camping, the beach and the boat!