Give Thanks for Free Wine

As corks are being popped all over the country, and toasts are being made by grateful people everywhere, it’s important to take a moment to recognize wine’s rightful place at the holiday table. When one raises their glass on Thanksgiving and speaks to what they’re most thankful for—their health, their family and friends, the bounty of food at the ready—they wouldn’t be making that toast without the wine that’s in their glass. 

Ok, it’s not apple pie, and it’s not even Amercian, but really, what wine pairs better with a food holiday than one whose name literally means a gathering of close friends over casual fare (Tapeña = tapas + peña)? And since these wines are Spanish, you can drink them with pride, knowing the first Thanksgiving holiday celebrated in the U.S. was actually by Spanish settlers in Florida in the year 1565 (not Plymouth, as you may have learned in school). 

Rooted in tradition, and a blend of camaraderie and good taste, Tapeña wines are food-, people- and wallet-friendly. Priced at $9.99, you’ll find their Tempranillo, Garnacha, Verdejo and Rosé available for purchase in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. And nothing says dig in to your holiday dinner better than Tapeña, the wine with the little fork on the label.

So, in honor of the bottle, and in thanks for your readership, I’ve created this fun contest and a chance for you to win a whole collection of Tapeña wines as well as some other cool swag (think cookbook, corkscrews wine charms…) that will have you speaking Spanish in no time… or at least saying “gracias”.

Simply add a comment to this blogpost by Sunday, November 27^th about what you’re most thankful for and I’ll select the lucky winner at random, announcing the results on Monday, November 28^th (sorry kiddies, you must be 21 or over to enter).  

THEN (if you so desire):

Visit the Tapeña website for delicious recipe ideas, useful trivia, Spanish music downloads or even to learn how to pick up a woman like a real Latin lover (seriously!). Join Tapeña on their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, check out their blog and don’t miss their awesome customer rewards program!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Who's Going to the Ball?

Drumroll please…

Congratulations to Robert Frost! You've won yourself 2 tickets to this Sunday's Southern Oregon Wine Tasting on November 13th, from 4-7pm at the Portland Art Museum.

Enjoy yourself as you taste the wines from famed Southern Oregon producers like Abacela, Del Rio and Quady, and discover the lessor known brands that are guaranteed to not be lessor known for long!

Expect an education and a good time, just don't expect Pinot Noir.

I wish I had tickets for all my readers! Please keep checking back for other fun wine promotions!

Win Tickets to Taste Southern Oregon Wineries in Portland

I imagine Southern Oregon wineries often feel much like the Cinderella sister, forgotten to be invited to all the grand tasting events and always overlooked in favor of the Gorge and Willamette Valley stepsisters. This time however, the glass slipper’s on the other foot as the entire Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area (AVA) becomes the Belle of the Ball at the upcoming Southern Oregon Wine Tasting on Sunday, November 13th, from 4-7pm at the Portland Art Museum.

“Go now, before the word gets out!”

One of the fastest growing wine regions in the country, the Southern Oregon AVA has grown from a mere 23 wineries just six years ago to more than 70 wineries today, and on this rare occasion, Portland will enjoy the experience of being able to sample the entire region in one very chic room, conveniently and accessibly located in downtown Portland. Showcasing unusual varietals unique to the region like Albarino, Viognier, Roussane, Tempranillo, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and other exciting blends, this town is in for a real tasting treat, Southern Oregon winery-style.

Participating wineries you can expect to sip include Abacela, Agate Ridge Vineyard, Brandborg Winery, Bridgeview Winery, Cliff Creek Cellars, Deer Creek Vineyards, Del RioVinyeards, Folin Cellars, Foris Winery, Henry Estate Winery, LaBrasseur Vineyard, Melrose Vineyard, Pyranees Vineyard & Cellars, Quady North, RoxyAnn Winery, Slagle Creek Vineyard, Spangler Vineyards, TeSo’Aria, TroonVineyard, Vadai Wines, Valley View Winery and Wooldridge Creek.

WIN, WIN, WINE! 

Let me send you to the ball! I get to be Fairy Godmother for a night…I have a pair of tickets (valued at $78) that I’d like to share with one very lucky reader, the shoe doesn't have to fit and your chances of winning are pretty darn good. Simply leave a comment here on this blogpost about why you’d like to attend the Southern Oregon Wine Tasting by midnight November 10^th, after which time, I’ll randomly select a winner – hopefully it will be you!

Tickets cost $39 per guest and the Portland Art Museum is located at 1219 SW Park Avenue. For more information and to purchase tickets for this comprehensive tasting extravaganza, call (800) 781-9463 or visit sorwa.org.

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** A trade tasting event is scheduled for the following day on Monday, November 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Davis Street Tavern, located at 500 NW Davis Street. The event is free to media members, restaurant buyers, wine distributors and other members of the wine industry. For more information, and to RSVP contact regina.vaccari@gmail.com or call (541) 282-3041.

Win 2 Tickets to the Dundee Hills Wine Experience

The wines of the celebrated Dundee Hills, known for their bright red fruit and complexity, are going to take Portland by storm at this year's upcoming Dundee Hills Wine Experience — and one very lucky reader will win two complimentary tickets to taste it all! 

This fabulous event features three generations; the founders who put the Dundee Hills on the world stage in the 70s and 80s, the legends who continued to build the reputation of the Dundee Hills in the 90s and the rising stars who have made their mark over the last decade.

Thursday, August 26

6:00 - 9:00 PM

Left Bank Annex in The Rose Quarter

101 N Weidler, Portland OR

Hurry, tickets are $45 before August 15th or $50 at the door (includes Pinot Noir glass). Visit Dundee Hills for additional information or to purchase your tickets before they're sold out.

For your chance to win two tickets, just leave a comment below or on my Facebook page about how much you'd like to attend this event (and please take a moment to "Like" me while you're there). I will randomly select one person on Friday, August 20th, 2010 and will announce the winner in a blog post on Saturday, August 21st. Good luck and get commenting!!