What to Offer Mom to Drink for Mother's Day
Sandra Gasbarro, Guest Contributor
What to Offer Mom to Drink for Mother's Day
Lower calorie, organic, less sugar, low carb, gluten free have now become buzz words (no pun intended) in the world of adult beverages. With many producers voluntarily adding nutritional facts to their packaging today’s consumer is becoming more and more aware of how their choice of adult beverage affects their dietary concerns.
Without compromising quality or taste there are several wines and alternative beverages that are setting the standard for the more health conscious consumer. New to our market are the lifestyle sparkling wines from SYLTBAR (pronounced Zut bar.) Claus Blohm and his wife Regina have partnered with great Italian producers to make a delightful DOC Prosecco and sparkling rosé which they brought to Miami several years ago. The wines are naturally low in sugar due to a double fermentation process. The grapes start in a thermal-controlled stainless steel tanks for 10 days where the fermentation turns the grapes into wine. Next, the wine moves to pressurized tanks for the 25-day sparkling process. This is where the process ends for many Proseccos. The SYLTBAR Premium Prosecco is held for another 60 days in stainless steel tanks, allowing the yeast to work their magic.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis leaves only fruit sugar behind from the 100% Glera in the prosecco and the 100% Merlot grapes in the sparkling rosé. Dr. Camillo Ricordi at the University of Miami Diabetes Research Institute has certified that SYLTBAR has the lowest amount of glucose, only 166mg of Glucose per 100ml glass compared to an average of four times more in other Proseccos. The sugar content in SYLTBAR is meant to be low enough for some diabetics to enjoy. SYLTBAR is also, vegan, low in carbs with no added sulfites and the prosecco has only 49 calories in a 6-oz. glass.
These healthy qualities would be meaningless to a true sparkling wine enthusiast if the wines weren’t good, however both the prosecco and sparkling rosé over deliver in the glass. The prosecco has lovely flavors of pear, golden apple, white peach and hints of lemon. Perfect for brunch, lunch, as an aperitif or for dinner. The 100% Merlot sparkling rosé has a gorgeous powder rose hue with a lovely fruit nose and perfect flirty bubbles. The absence of additional sugar makes these wines much more enjoyable on a warm, sunny afternoon on the boat, at the beach or by the pool.
The newest addition to beverage in the can category is the innovative Sparkling Saké line SOCIAL Enjoyments. USDA organic, gluten-free, sulfite free with no artificial sweeteners. 1 gram of sugar per can and only 88 calories. The brand claims to provide the most health-conscious alcoholic beverage possible. It is made using reverse osmosis water, organic sake made from brown rice, organic erythritol and citric acid. The all natural flavors currently available are Pink Grapefruit Ginger, Hibiscus Cucumber and Toasted Coconut Almond.
So here you have a few new ideas for Mom this year. Let her enjoy her love for wine and show your care for her continued good health. Cheers!
Sandra Gasbarro is President of Chris Gasbarro's Fine Wine & Spirits
10 New England Wine Getaways
Newport Vineyards
Newport Vineyards is the perfect Rhode Island destination for wine lovers year round. Visit the winery this weekend for tastings and tours, featuring an array of award winning wines.
909 E Main Road, Middletown, RI. (401) 848-5161.
Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineya
Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton is much more than just a winery—it is a place to get away from the stresses of life and indulge your senses, a place to try new things, a place to focus on you. The vineyard is open every day, and invites you to come for a tasting and tour. Try their Petite Red, Vidal Blanc, and many more of their distinctive wines.
162 W Main Road, Little Compton, RI. (401) 635-8486.
Greenvale Vineyards
Visit Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth to sample their estate grown and produced wine, made in small batches. While at the estate, try seven different wines and keep the wine glass for only $12. While you are tasting, take in the gorgeous views of both the vineyard and river. Besides tasting the wines, Greenvale also invites customers to tour the winery and learn about the history and process of winemaking at the vineyard.
582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth, RI. (401) 847-3777.
Maugle Sierra Vineyards
For a trip to a vineyard that includes much more than just wine, hop over the border to Ledyard, CT, to check out Maugle Sierra Vineyards. The vineyard hosts live music on Fridays and Sundays to compliment your wine tasting experience. Pack a dinner or light fare and enjoy a tasting session in the Sierra Room while you take in the sunset.
825 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT. (860) 464-2987.
Nickle Creek Vineyards
Nickle Creek Vineyard is a family owned and operated Rhode Island wine treasure. The winery, located in Foster, makes it their mission to handcraft the most unique, high quality wines in the business. All wines are created in small batches, giving them a distinctly unique taste. This weekend, visit their tasting room to try their variety of wines. On your way out, be sure to pick up a bottle of Foster Nights to get you through those chilly New England evenings.
12 King Road, Foster, RI. (401) 369-3694.
Nashoba Valley Winery
Take the bite off the winter chill this weekend and take a drive to Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. The winery hosts tasting events everyday from 10am-4:30pm For $5, receive a free tasting glass and samples of up to five different wines. Some favorites include Strawberry Rhubarb Wine, Holiday Special Cranberry Apple (a new release in November 2013), and New English Cider. If you are in the mood for something other than wine (if that’s possible), check out their beer selection as well!
100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA. (978) 779-5521.
Bishop’s Orchards Winery
The wines from Bishop’s Orchards Winery and Farm Market in Guilford, CT, have won over 179 medals since the winery opened in 2005. The tasting room at Bishop’s is open seven days a week year round, so no time is off-limits for wine tasting. Head over on the weekend to enjoy a winery tour pre or post tasting session. While visiting the winery, also be sure to check out the market for fresh baked goodies.
1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT. (203) 453-2338.
Diamond Hill Vineyards
For a cool twist on classic wine labels, look no further than Diamond Hill Vineyard in Cumberland. At Diamond Hill, you can get custom designed wine labels perfect for any occasion. If you’re interested in tasting the wines, visit their elegant tasting room for samples of their high quality wines such as Cranberry Apple, Estate Pinot Noir, or Blackberry.
3145 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI. (401) 333-2751.
Westport Rivers
Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery
Tucked away on the southern coast of Massachusetts, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, located about an hour’s drive from Worcester, is worth the trip. For only $10, you can take home a special edition etched wine glass and enjoy a tasting of up to six of their award-winning wines. While the tasting room is open Monday-Saturday, free winery tours are also offered to the public every Saturday from 1-3pm.
417 Hixbridge Rd, Westport, MA. (508) 636-3423.
Travessia Winery
Found on the southern Massachusetts coast about 30 minutes outside of Providence, is Travessia Winery in New Bedford. This micro-winery puts a twist on traditional wine culture with its cool urban flair. Travessia is open for sales and tastings Wednesday-Sunday, and invites customers to come in and enjoy their unique variety of wines.
760 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. (774) 929-6534.
