Posts Tagged ‘Wines’

 

Wine Tasting – The Basics

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

winetastingblog1Guest Blogger: Charlie Moavero, Assistant Beverage Manager 

There are a lot of things which connect M Resort with wine – Hostile Grape, our wine bar with more than 160 wines-by-the-glass through our super-cool Enomatic dispensing systems; the Marnell family’s vineyard in California which produces six different labels we serve here at M; the some 250,000 bottles we give away as gifts to iMagine Rewards members every year and of course the fabulous events we host like Rock ‘N Roll Wine’s Reggae Pool Party

With so much here relating to wine in one way or another, we thought it might be helpful to pass along some wine tasting basics that may help you enjoy your wine a little more and possibly discover a new wine you love. Here are some great tips and wine tasting basics from our Assistant Beverage Manager here at M – Charlie Moavero: 

  1. Start with a clear wine glass. The rim of the glass should end inwards to help funnel aromas to the nose and allow you to swirl without spilling.
  2. Now pour a little wine into your glass – an inch or less is best. If you are tasting several wines, begin with the lightest (sparkling wines, roses, then light whites followed by full-bodied whites) and progress to the heaviest (light reds to more full-bodied reds followed by dessert wines). This will help keep your taste buds more sensitive so you can better appreciate each wine in the series. A sip of water between wines can also help preserve your palate.
  3. winetastingblog2Notice the color of the wine. It often helps to hold the glass up to light or hold it against a white background like a white napkin. The color can give you a clue as to the age of the wine. White wines generally gain color as they age. Red wines generally lose color. That is, young red wines are more red or burgundy while older wines tend to show a hint of tawny brown around the rim. Regardless of age, the colors of wine are just fun to see, ranging from pale yellow-green to ruby red to brick red-brown.
  4. Swirl the wine a couple of times by moving the glass in a circular motion. Holding the glass by its stem, instead of the bowl, allows you to swirl more easily. Swirling is done to aerate the wine and release vapors, evaporating from the sides of the glass, allowing you to better smell the wine.
  5. winetastingblog3Put your nose right over the rim of the wine glass and breathe in. Take note of the wine’s aromas and bouquet (the range of smells a particular wine possesses).
  6. Take a sip, letting the wine spread across the tongue from front to back and side to side before swallowing. Notice the flavors and acidity of the wine. How silky or rough does the wine feel?
  7. Swallow a small amount if you wish to note any lingering “finish,” but if you’re tasting a number of wines – in a winery tasting room, for example – your host will usually provide a large container for you to spit out the wine instead of swallowing. (Don’t worry, this isn’t rude!) Everyone in the wine trade is accustomed to the swirl-sniff-sip-slosh-spit routine. No one wants an intoxicated taster or worse, an intoxicated driver. 

The bottom line is that a good wine should always give pleasure. It should smell good, taste even better and be smooth and satisfying by itself or with whatever food you’re pairing it with.

 
 

Enjoy some wine in the sunshine

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

PoolWineblogWhile we think any time of year is a great time to drink wine, there’s something particularly wonderful about drinking a perfectly chilled glass of white while enjoying the sunshine. Whether it’s by the pool, at a backyard barbecue or at your favorite restaurant or wine bar at M Resort (wink, wink), summer is a particularly good time to enjoy some wine. We asked sommelier Sam Bennett from Hostile Grape for a few of his summer recommendations and here’s what he had to say: 

Drylands Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc is always a good choice for summertime. Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand has racy acidity, with grapefruit dominated citrus notes and is very crisp and refreshing. This wine and other New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs pair well with shellfish (especially oysters) and salads. The acidity present makes them very food friendly. One must be careful with acidic salad dressings though because clashing acids can be unpleasant. 

Mönchhof Robert Eymael Slate Riesling Spätlese Mosel, Germany
Riesling is a good choice as well because it is normally lower in alcohol which leads to balance.  Notes of stone fruits dominated by peach, lemon zest and sometimes a little sweetness makes it a good patio wine that pairs well with some Roots Reggae like Peter Tosh and Bob Marley. 

Perrier-Jouët “Grand Brut” Champagne Epernay, France
Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Sparkling Wine 2001 Sonoma Valley, California
Sparkling wines and champagne are great for the summer as well. The bubbles cleanse your palate and that makes these wines very refreshing. Real champagne from the Champagne region of France will normally have toasty oak notes and “yeasty” and “bready” characteristics. Sparkling wines from California will tend to have more tropical fruit notes and less of the yeasty/bready characteristics. 

Remember these are very general characteristics and individual wines may vary. And don’t forget that wine pairs great with food from the grill – backyard barbecues aren’t just for beer lovers!

 
 

Rock ‘N Roll Wine – Reggae Pool Party

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

RNRWblog2RNRWblog3Perhaps you wouldn’t think of them as the likeliest of partners, but something pretty special is happening here at M Resort when wine, reggae and the fantastic Villaggio Del Sole pool and entertainment piazza all come together. Once again, we’ll be hosting Rock ‘N Roll Wine’s annual Reggae Pool Party on Saturday, May 15 beginning at 7 p.m. If you missed it last year you’ll definitely want to get your tickets now. And if you were lucky enough to catch it before, we know you’ll want to come back out again. 

RNRWblog1This is a truly great night for wine and music lovers, where you can sip more than 50 wines under the stars, and oh yes poolside, while enjoying the live reggae sounds of Michael Black and Jah Guide band and Los Angeles sensation Peter Goetz with his festival band. More than 25 wineries will be represented so don’t forget to sample selections from Rodney Strong, Jus Soli, Davis Bynum, George Wines, Wilson Creek, Kim Crawford, and Rock ‘n Roll Wine’s own award-winning wines “Reggae Rhapsody” and “The Grotto”.  

RNRWblog4If you haven’t had the chance to see what the pool and entertainment piazza here at M Resort has to offer, this is the perfect excuse to get down here and check it out. Tickets are $39.95 in advance and $45 at the door plus Live Entertainment Tax. Ticket price includes all wine sampling and live entertainment as well as a Rock ‘n Roll Wine Bucks voucher for $10 toward the purchase of any of the evening’s featured wine at local retailers. To purchase tickets, visit www.rocknrollwine.com or call the Rock ‘n Roll Wine office Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 702-240-3066. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

 
 

“As Single As You Wanna Be” Saturdays at Hostile Grape

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Many of you attended, and many more of you may have seen or heard about our “As Single As I Wanna Be” party for this past Valentine’s Day at M Resort. It was held down in our wine bar, Hostile Grape, which has one of the coolest, sexiest atmospheres of any venue in Las Vegas. We decided to give ladies who
HG-Val-Red-Heels2blogshowed up in their sexiest red stilettos a free bottle of wine and wow did that party turn into a hit! With a $20 cover getting you two specialty cocktails or a $20 wine card (and in the door too by the way) the party offered a really good time and great value for the money. 

We received a ton of comments about how there weren’t any good singles nights and events here in Las Vegas and could we, maybe, possibly, pretty please have more of these parties at Hostile Grape? Well the “pretty pleases” have been answered.

HGLounge4blog 
We’re making the “As Single As I Wanna Be” parties a regular Saturday experience at Hostile Grape and we’re giving you a new theme every week so you can do something a little fun, a little different, and get yourself a free bottle of wine* while you’re at it! 

We’re starting this Saturday (March 13) and the theme is “Little Black Dress.” So ladies, if you wear yours we’ll give you a free bottle of wine*! JC of MIX 94.1 FM will be hosting and you’ll find details below for the next four Saturday parties. Don’t worry, we’ve already got more planned out after that. Don’t miss March 20 where we’re giving firefighters and EMTs a little love! Single-Sat-Logo

 

Every Saturday* – the party starts at 8 p.m.

$20 cover includes:

  • Two Complimentary Specialty Cocktails or a $20 Wine Card
  • Chocolate Tasting from our Spectacular Fountain
  • Live DJ Entertainment Spinning Hot Dance Club Hits
  • Hosted by JC of MIX 94.1

SCHEDULED EVENTS:

MARCH 13LITTLE BLACK DRESS – Ladies wear your sexiest little black dress and receive a complimentary bottle of wine.*

MARCH 20SATURDAY GETS HOT – Firefighters and EMTs are invited to come rescue us inside Las Vegas’ hottest wine bar. Show your firefighter/EMT ID and receive a complimentary bottle of wine.*

MARCH 27COUGAR SAFARI – Ladies on the hunt, wear your sexiest animal print and receive a complimentary bottle of wine.*

APRIL 3BLAME IT ON THE BOA – Ladies, wanna tame our grape? Wear your favorite feather boa and receive a complimentary bottle of wine.*

*While supplies last. Management reserves the right to alter or cancel this promotion at any time. Not valid on holidays or special events or in conjunction with any other offer or discount.

 
 

New Hostile Grape Specials – Get Social & Get to the Grape

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Why is the grape hostile? Wouldn’t you be a little angry if you were being crushed to produce a beverage? (Albeit a spectacular beverage!) Maybe you’d be happy though, since you’d be providing the world with something wondrous. 

While the grape may be hostile, the Hostile Grape is anything but. It’s inviting. It’s sexy. It’s chic. It’s happy. That’s right, things just got a little happier in our stunning wine bar with a new array of great happy hours. For you bloggers, Tweeps, Facebook Fans and social media mavens in general, we’re having a couple nights right up your alley…or cellar as the case may be. Did I mention $5 all-you-can-eat appetizers? 160 wines by the glass?

 *****

The new happy hour specials begin Tuesday, February 16:

HG Tuesdays

Tuesday’s Turned Social
Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.

Get social on Tuesdays for great wine deals, those delicious all-you-can-eat appetizers for just $5 and hip tunes at HG. Twitter users can enter to win special wine giveaways just by following @mresort on Twitter. (Requires log in)

 

Twitter Followers: We have something special for you. Here’s how it works:
1. Start following @mresort on Twitter if you’re not doing so already.
2. To enter to win for a free bottle of wine: using Twitter, re-tweet SOCIAL TUESDAYS at the Hostile Grape @mresort $1 selected wines & all u can eat appetizers for $5 from 6-8 pm #HG
3. Every Monday, we’ll randomly select five (5) winners and notify them via Direct Message (DM) from @mresort with a phone number to call. Details (name, phone number, email address) will be requested from winners via phone and instructions will be given to claim the bottle of wine at the Hostile Grape.
4. Winners must present valid ID at Hostile Grape to claim their bottle of wine.
5. Bottles of wine will be available for pick up at the Hostile Grape  only on the Tuesday after Monday’s selection between 6-8 pm.

Must be 21 or older. Management reserves all rights to alter or cancel this promotion at any time.

 HG Wednesdays
M Fantasy Night
Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE Martinis, all-you-can-eat apps for just $5 and sexy mayhem every Wednesday night. The ultra sultry scene is set by a live DJ and great wine specials.

 

HG Thursdays

Sips and Smooth Grooves
Thursdays, 6-8 p.m.

Felling like something sparkly? Buy one, get one free Bellinis or Mimosas, wine specials and all-you-can-eat appetizers for just $5. Smooth sax sounds create a sexy groove every Thursday night.

 

 HG Fridays
All Things “F”
Fridays, 6-8 p.m.

Take flight to Hostile Grape every Friday during our end-of-the-week happy hour celebration including everything “F”. Wine Flight specials and yes, all-you-can-eat appetizers for just $5. M Resort Spa Casino Facebook Fans can win weekly wine giveaways just by being a fan. Meet JC of MIX 94.1 for flight specials, fun and a DJ spinning the hot house sounds that will make this your new Friday retreat.

 

Facebook Fans we’ve got a Friday special for you! Here’s how it works:
1. Be a fan of the M Resort Spa Casino on Facebook  if you aren’t already.
2. Every Friday, we’ll randomly select 10 of our fans to receive a bottle of wine when they come to Hostile Grape that night.
3. We’ll post the names on our status update to notify the lucky 10 fans that they have a bottle of wine for them at the Hostile Grape. We’ll include a phone number for winners to call. Details (name, phone number, email address) will be requested from winners via phone and instructions will be given to claim the bottle of wine at the Hostile Grape.
4. Bottles of wine will only be available for pick-up from the Hostile Grape on that Friday between 6-8 pm.

Must be 21 or older. Management reserves all rights to alter or cancel this promotion at any time.

***** 

I can almost taste the Prosciutto Wrapped Melon, that delightful Sonoma County Pinot Noir, the Grilled Veggies Skewers….But nobody likes “almost,” so why don’t you join us next week at the Hostile Grape at M Resort – get a real taste, get social and get happy.

 
 

Turkey Day Wine Picks

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

When it comes to wine and Thanksgiving dinner – relax! There’s no one wine you SHOULD have with this special dinner, but rather, there are many opportunities that lend themselves to pair different wines based on each course and your tastes. On the other hand, if you want to make it simple, provide a red and a white variety and go for a lighter, fruity style such as Pinot Grigio or a Pinot Noir. They work with both turkey and traditional Thanksgiving side dishes. The Hostile Grape Wine Cellar here at the M Resort offers many for you to choose.

Here are four wine recommendations from Agi Toth, Sommelier at the M Resort:

Jeio Prosecco, NV, Italy

This light, refreshing bubbly is a great way to start off the Thanksgiving holiday.  It’s bright acidity and soft fruity flavors will bring on an appetite for your turkey feast.

Dillmann Delight, 2007 Riesling

A slightly sweet riesling with citrus, tropical fruit and mineral aromas, this light-bodied, un-oaked wine complements creamy sauces and balances the spicier dishes.

Drouhin, 2007 Beaujolais Villages

A classic fruity red wine from France, this wine is a soft easy-drinking option for those red wine lovers.

Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo, Carmenere 2007

If you’re looking for something richer, spicier and brimming with darker luscious fruit, try a little Chilean carmenere, an old-world variety with a new-world twist that will stand up to your rich gravies and roasted turkeys.

Remember, you don’t have to serve the same wine throughout the meal. Just include an additional glass or two to the place setting and let your guests try different wines with each dish. Stop in and talk to one of the Hostile Grape’s sommeliers and they’ll steer you in the direction that suites your taste and your pocketbook!  Hostile Grape is also offering 10 percent off a bottle when you purchase it at Hostile Grape!