Wine
Wine Mixolology
Making Cocktails with Virginia Wines By Linda Barrett
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lthough Virginia wines are fabulous on their own, we’re enjoying them in new and creative ways, with wine slushies, Frozés, and wine cocktails making their way onto the scene. Wine-based cocktails have been gaining in popularity—especially among the millennial crowd. They can act as an introduction to wine in younger (but of legal drinking age) consumers and because of their often fruity base, they are instantly familiar. Two of the most popular and recognizable wine cocktails are the Sangria and Mimosa.
A Demand for Something New The traditional definition of a cocktail is the combination of a distilled spirit, sugar and a bitter. Substitution can be made by using an aged or fortified wine as the distilled spirit, sparking wine as the sweetener and vermouth as the bitter. The addition of fruits, infusions, and flavorings leads to any number of combinations. Bartenders and mixologists who seek to create new experiences for their patrons can create a new experience for their cus-
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tomers by using unexpected ingredients in their craft cocktail. Or consumers looking for a change from their usual favorites can turn to wine as a lower-alcohol alternative to higher-alcohol-content spirits. What’s interesting is that the creativity in mixology has actually created a demand for something better and new. Enhanced flavor profiles and higher-quality cocktails are the result.
Wine Mixology Recipes
The Variety is Wide Wine mixology can range from the simple, like a light wine spritzer, to the complex, incorporating spirits, botanicals, aromatics and syrups. Using a sparkling wine like a Champagne, Prosecco or Cava can result in a lovely wine spritzer-type cocktail that tickles the nose with its tiny bubbles, while whiskeys and bitters add sophistication. Even Port-style wines and Sherries can help concoct a delightful wine cocktail. The next time you visit one of our beautiful Virginia wineries, see if they have a wine cocktail on the menu. In the meanwhile, try some of these wine mixology recipes at home.
Sun Kissed Ingredients: • 4 Ice cubes • 1 ¼ cups orange mango frozen concentrate • ¾ cup Gewürztraminer • ¼ cup Sprite • Orange peel Place ice in glass. Add orange mango frozen concentrate. Pour in Gewürztraminer, then add Sprite. Stir and garnish with orange peel. Makes 1 drink. VIVARESTON.COM
