3 Perfect Wines for Date Night and Girls’ Night In

Choosing wine for date night just got easy!

Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a fun girls’ night in, there’s one must-have: the perfect bottle of wine. No excuses!

You may be wondering if it really matters which variety you choose. In fact, it does! You could have any random bottle of wine, but why think so small? Your choice says a lot about what you expect of the evening. It’s these subtle details that contribute to a romantic evening with your partner or a fun night with the girls. Besides, there’s nothing more special than opening a bottle of wine with your date! We’ve come up with a list of 3 sophisticated wines that tend to appeal to the masses (and exceed expectations).

1. Brut Rosé

It’s hard to go wrong with Sparkling. Add the Rosé factor into the mix and we have the duchess of wines (*cough cough* subtle shoutout to our girl Meghan Markle). Needless to say, popping a cork signifies that you’ve gathered to celebrate. If you’ve opened Brut Rosé with your date or girl gang, the message is clear.

McBride Sisters Collection Brut Rosé is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that possesses gentle floral notes of rose petals––the universal flower of love. This is complemented by strawberries and cream, a romantic fruit if there ever was one. Strawberries dipped in chocolate, anyone? This refreshing Brut Rosé is delicately structured and generous with a dry finish.

Fun fact: Carbonation stimulates the salivary glands so you don’t need to worry about your mouth going dry from date nerves!

Pairing suggestion: Roasted Oysters

2. Rosé

Similar to Brut Rosé, a Rosé’s color is key. That gorgeous pink has our mouths watering and reminds us of love. If you’re ever unsure of what your girls or date drinks, Rosé is generally a crowd-pleaser. 

Black Girl Magic Rosé is a sophisticated dry Rosé. This Rosé has aromas of raspberry and orange blossom with delightful acidity and delectable fresh stone fruit and citrus palate.

Pairing suggestion: Chicken with Creamy Mushrooms

3. Red Blend

Deep, rich reds are usually a date night go-to. The beautiful red color screams romance. It is also a great wine to have in-hand while you chat with the girls. Picking a red wine can be daunting if you don’t know which grape your date prefers. That’s where a Red Blend comes into play. A Red Blend is a wine that encourages meaningful conversations. Just remember not to wear a white shirt ;)!

McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) has a lovely rich garnet color. This complex wine has tobacco and vanilla bean notes alongside generous plum, cherry, and blackberry. Ripe and juicy in the mouth, the soft tannins offer just enough velvety texture to round out the full body. Peppery spice and a hint of herb show up on the finish, encouraging another sip and cheers.

Pairing suggestion: Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna (and Chocolate Fondue for dessert)

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Visit our Wine Shop to prepare stress-free for your next date or girls’ night. Enjoy!

Must-Try Wines for this Fall

Fall *wink* in Love with These Favs

We’re putting away our flip flops and bringing out the tall boots. Red, yellow, and orange leaves have begun to fall, leaving branches bare. It’s pumpkin season, y’all!

As much as our Pride loves the light and fruity wines that did us wonders in the summer heat, fall’s wines warm the palette so well. Maybe we’re biased, but we would argue it does it better than a pumpkin spice latte ever could; are we right, ladies?! ;)

You might not be quite ready for full-bodied, rich reds that tend to be associated with winter. Not a problem! There are plenty of lighter reds, aromatic whites, and even Rosés to choose from. Typically, when we hear “Rosé” we associate this pink wine with the sweltering summer. Let’s not limit this wine’s potential. Think of Rosé as the perfect transition wine. In fact, Rosé season never has to end!

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Rosé for the Win

McBride Sisters Collection Brut Rosé is a blend of Pinot and Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir was mainly sourced from Kelly’s Creek Vineyard in Spring Creek, Marlborough. (Fun fact: Andréa helped plant these vines as a child!) This beautifully salmon-colored wine is delicately structured with gentle notes of rose petals and strawberries and cream. The red fruits carry through the palate with cranberry, peach, strawberry, and raspberry notes taking center stage. There is a hint of toasty complexity and creamy richness that makes this versatile wine work so well in the cooler months. There is a dry finish with lingering hints of spice, giving the mouth a kick. 

Pair with Bouillabaisse.

Black Girl Magic Rosé is a sophisticated take on the classic Rosé. The raspberry and orange blossom aromas play with the delightful acidity and counteract the chilly weather outside. Meanwhile, the delectable fresh stone fruit and citrus palette encourage sip after sip. 

Pair with Ratatouille.

Are You RED-y?

McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend is perfect for those late, rainy evenings. This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is a garnet gem. Let’s get complex. This wine has flavors of plum, cherry, and blackberry, alongside tobacco and vanilla. That’s not all! Peppery spice and a hint of blackberry show up on the finish—so rich; so luxurious. 

Pair with Butternut Squash and Kale Salad.

Dessert and White Wine

Black Girl Magic Riesling is an intensely aromatic white. Its characteristics are typical of a Riesling: honey, apricot, and white flowers. Tangerine, jasmine, and coriander seed appear in the nose. The palette then turns to tropical flavors of guava and pineapple. It doesn’t stop there! Mild sweetness is balanced by tangy citrus for a sweet and sour finish. No one ever said that fall flavors need to be savory!

Pair with the ultimate fall dessert, Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler! Check out the recipe below. 

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler (via Lauren’s Latest)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Serves 8

Ingredients:

Cobbler –

• 1 cup and 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

• ½ teaspoon cloves

• ½ cup pumpkin puree

• ¼ cup milk

• ¼ cup melted butter or vegetable oil

• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

Topping –

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup chopped pecans

• 1 ½ cups very hot water

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and spices. Set aside.

3. In a smaller bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, melted butter, and vanilla together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix. Pour into a small 8-inch casserole dish with high sides.

4. In a separate bowl, stir sugar, brown sugar, and pecans together. Spread over the top of the batter evenly. Pour hot water over the entire thing without stirring, and bake for 40 minutes or once the middle is set. Be sure to place it on a baking sheet in case it bubbles over. Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with more pecans, vanilla ice cream, and a tall glass of Black Girl Magic Riesling!

Visit our Wine Shop to try all our fall favorites. Happy sipping!

The Essential Guide to Sauvignon Blanc

Put down your glass of Sauvignon Blanc…now pick it back up.

If you’re like us, you like to know the facts about what you’re consuming. Well, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get to know everyone’s favorite white wine: Sauvignon Blanc!

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Back to Basics

Sauvignon Blanc, a green-skinned grape variety, originates from the Bordeaux region of France and produces a dry, crisp white wine. In the 1880s, the first Sauvignon Blanc cuttings were brought to California, the location of McBride Sisters Collection headquarters. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the grape was first introduced to New Zealand, where the McBride Sisters Collection Sauvignon Blanc and SHE CAN Sauvignon Blanc are cultivated. In 1979, Sauvignon Blanc was first commercially produced on New Zealand shores, and is now the country’s most widely planted variety.

Besides California and New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc is also cultivated in France, Chile, Romania, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Washington state. Can you get any more worldly?!

Let’s Acclimatize

Did you know that the Sauvignon Blanc vine often buds late but ripens early? Therefore, it performs best in sunny climates, as long as it’s not exposed to overwhelming heat. In warm regions––for example, South Africa, Australia, and California––the grape thrives in cooler climates. High heat causes the grape to over-ripen and produce dull-flavored wine. 

Both of our Sauvignon Blancs are cultivated in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand. The region’s sandy soils over slate shingles makes for great soil drainage. It also has poor fertility, which encourages the vine to focus its flavors in lower yields. Climate determines if the wine’s flavor is more tropical or grassy. 

Flavors of the Month

Warmer climates produce a wine with tropical fruit notes. Over-ripeness is a risk, and leaves faint grapefruit and tree fruit notes. On the other end of the spectrum, cooler climates produce wine with noticeable acidity and flavors of grass, green bell peppers, passion fruit, and floral notes. An unripe grape is high in malic acid. As it ripens, it develops bell pepper flavors, achieving a balance of sugars. Sauvignon Blanc’s primary flavors are lime, green apple, passion fruit and white peach. The flavor palette ranges from zippy lime to flowery peach. 

What makes Sauvignon Blanc unique from other white wines? Well, its aromatic organic compounds called “pyrazines” give the wine its herbaceous flavors of bell pepper, jalapeño, gooseberry, and grass. Sauvignon Blanc’s acidity level is medium to medium-high. 

Similar varieties include: Verdejo, Albariño, Colombard, Grüner Veltliner, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Tocai Friulano, Savignan (rare), Traminer, and Sauvignon Vert (rare).

Via Wine Folly.

Tu Parle en Français?

“Sauvage” is the French word for “wild,” and “Blanc” is the French word for “white.” Therefore, Sauvignon Blanc translates to “wild white.” So, guess we’re gettin’ wild with a glass of “wild white!”

Pour to Enjoy

Sauvignon Blanc does not particularly benefit from aging, so there’s no need to wait to open a bottle. Lighter, crisp wines like Sauvignon Blanc shouldn’t be oxidized as much to preserve the clean flavor. When it comes to using the right wine glass shape, look for wine glasses with a smaller mouth.* These glasses reduce the surface area of the wine. Use these glasses to enjoy our delicate McBride Sisters Collection Sauvignon Blanc.

*Psst! Visit our blog post “Why the Shape of a Wine Glass Shapes the Taste of Your Wine” for more information.

Another trick of the trade is to serve Sauvignon Blanc at “cellar temp” (about 50 to 60 degrees). When it comes to chilling white wine, there are two options. You can either leave it in the fridge for several hours, or you can put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes. If the girls are on their way, pop that bottle in the freezer and you’re good to go. 

Pair Away!

Luckily for us, Sauvignon Blanc has a variety of foods that mutually compliment each other. 

• Seafood lovers, this one’s for you! Sauvignon Blanc’s zing enhances the citrus and garlic-based sauces used for seafood, shellfish, and white fish. It is also one of the only wines that works well with sushi.

• By now you know that Sauvignon Blanc has herbaceous notes. These pair well with similar green herbs like parsley, rosemary, basil, cilantro, mint, tarragon, thyme, fennel, dill, and chives. Other “non-green” spices include white pepper, coriander, turmeric, and saffron.

• Meat lovers, unite! Perfect white meat pairings are chicken and turkey. 

• We love a delectable cheese board. Try Sauvignon Blanc with softer, briny, and sour cheeses like goat’s milk cheese.

• Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the veggies! Pair these vegetarian dishes with Sauvignon Blanc: asparagus quiche, cucumber dill yogurt salad, white bean casserole with zucchini, and green hummus.

Now that you’re a Sauvignon Blanc expert, put your knowledge to the test. Kick back with a bottle (or two) of crisp, clean Sauvignon Blanc! Visit our Wine Shop to explore our wines. 

Cheers to you!

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Sources:

https://winefolly.com/review/sauvignon-blanc-wine-taste-food-pairing/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauvignon_blanc
https://www.nzwine.com/en/our-winestyles/sauvignon-blanc/

Why The Shape Of A Glass Shapes The Taste Of Your Wine

Are you a glass-half-full or half-empty kind of person?

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If you’ve ever wondered why wine glass shapes are a big deal, we’re here to help clarify. Through a number of testings and experiments, experts have found that the shape of the glass has the ability to concentrate the wine’s aroma, further intensifying the varietal characteristics. How can we say no to that?!

Typically, glasses are composed of three parts: the bowl, stem, and foot. Key factors that drive the shape of the bowl are the release of aromas, the collection of aromas, and the lip. As the alcohol volatilizes at the wine’s surface, aromas are released. The space between the wine and the glass’s lip is where aromas are collected. Generally, red wines have larger bowls to highlight their aromas. To maintain their temperature, white wines have smaller bowls. The lip of the glass is usually made quite thin so it’s out of the way and doesn’t affect the drinker’s experience. 

Now that we’ve discussed the general guidelines, let’s get down to the specific, nitty-gritty differences in wine glass shapes!

View fullsize

Via Wine Folly.

Let’s break it down!

Red Wine Glasses

By now you know that red wine glasses have wider, rounder bowls. You may not know that these bowls are intended to increase the rate of oxidation. Oxidation allows the complex flavors found in red wines to be smoothed. (Psst! Visit our blog post for information about decanting wine!) Some examples of red wine glasses include:

• Bordeaux glass: This tall, broad bowled glass is designed for bold, full-bodied red wines like our Black Girl Magic Red Blend, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wide opening helps smooth the flavor and allows the ethanol to evaporate. 

• “Standard” red wine glass: This glass is ideal for medium to full-bodied reds, especially those with spicy notes. Use this glass to sip on Zinfandel, Malbec, Syrah (Shiraz), and Petite Sirah.

• Burgundy glass: The Burgundy glass is broader than the Bordeaux glass. It’s bigger bowl accumulates delicate aromas, like from Pinot Noir. 
  

White Wine Glasses

Compared to red wine glasses, white wine glasses vary quite a bit in shape and size, from the tapered Champagne flute to the wide and shallow glasses used to enjoy Chardonnay. 

Similar to red wine glasses, wide-mouthed glasses promote rapid oxidation. Chardonnays, like McBride Sisters Collection Chardonnay, are best served slightly oxidized.

Lighter, crisp wines shouldn’t be oxidized as much, in order to preserve the clean flavor. Look for wine glasses with a smaller mouth intended to reduce the surface area of the wine. Use these glasses for our delicate McBride Sisters Collection Sauvignon Blanc, a summer favorite. 

Sparkling Wine Glasses

When you think of sparkling wine glass, you think “Champagne flute.” This tall, narrow-bowled, long-stemmed design is meant to be held by the stem to prevent your hand from heating the wine. The narrow bowl helps to retain that scrumptious carbonation. Also, we can’t deny the Instagrammable quality of the flute! Add a strawberry slice to a glass of McBride Sisters Collection Brut Rosé and get snapping! It also helps to preserve the wine’s floral aromas, express more acidity, and deliver the aromas to the nose. 

However, a “universal” or white wine glass is also a great option to enjoy a celebratory glass of sparkling wine or Prosecco. These wider-mouthed glasses allow the aromas to pop out of the glass, which can be muted with the traditional Champagne flute. 

“Universal” Wine Glass

This is probably the handiest invention to benefit the wine world. “Universal” glasses are suited for drinking any kind of wine. If you’re a drink-outta-any-glass kind of gal, then the universal wine glass is the shape for you. There’s no need to collect specific glasses for varietals if you classify yourself as a “casual wine fan.” Of course, if you want to step it up a notch, use a standard red wine glass for all reds and a Chardonnay glass for whites. 

Go Stemless

Stemless glasses are great for everyday enjoyment. They’re an easy choice if you’re collapsing wine-in-hand after a long workday. However, we don’t recommend using them for higher-quality wines. Without the stem, you're forced to hold the bowl, which warms the wine⁠—a white wine lover's nightmare. 

Are your glasses clean and need to be filled? Visit our Wine Shop to make your flavor palette and glasses happy with a number of our sophisticated wines. We’ll drink to that!

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Sources:

https://winefolly.com/tutorial/the-importance-of-a-proper-wine-glass/

https://winefolly.com/tutorial/importance-wine-glass/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_glass

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/examining-the-science-of-wineglass-shapes/

https://www.winemag.com/2018/10/30/how-to-select-the-right-wine-glass/

Does Wine Really Get Better With Age?

To Age or Not to Age, That Is the Question.

Does wine get better with age? Many people lead you to believe that’s true. Let’s get to the bottom of that age-old question!

We’re coming to you straight from the McBride Sisters HQ with hard facts! No doubt you’ve heard that wine always improves with age and that you can age any bottle. Au contraire! Age doesn’t improve or worsen wine but changes the flavor, mouthfeel, and color. It’s important to note that wine has more aging potential if the grapes contain less water before harvest.

However, not all wines are made to age. Luckily for us and you, there’s no need to wait to open McBride Sisters Collection wines! Why wait 20 years to open a bottle you love! We appreciate the wine that was intended to be aged, like White Burgundy (Chardonnay) or Bordeaux (which is similar to our Red Blend), but unlike those wines, we've made it so that the wines you love can be consumed now, like our wines in can and under screw cap. Now, for all you age-curious wine connoisseurs, let’s debunk the varieties that have the ability to be aged...and well!

Red Wines 

Wines with a low pH have a greater ability to age. Red wines have a higher level of flavor compounds, like tannins. This increases the likelihood that a wine will be able to age. 

White Wines

White wines with a high amount of extract and acidity have the longest aging potential because acidity acts as a preservative and because white wines have a lower amount of phenolic compounds. These wines have good aging potential: most Chardonnays can be aged for 2–6 years and Rieslings can be aged for 2–30 years, which is great news for all you white wine-lovers out there!

Rosé and Sparkling Wines 

Generally, Rosé’s aging potential is limited through skin contact. After chilling Black Girl Magic Rosé, get pouring! There’s no need to wait. Similar can be said of our McBride Sisters Collection Brut Rosé. Sparkling wines are typically bottled ready-to-enjoy, so pop those bottles! 

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Put Your Palette to the Test

When wines are young, we taste their primary and secondary notes associated with winemaking techniques, like the creamy nuances in our McBride Sisters Collection Chardonnay from Malolactic fermentation. As wines age, we notice tertiary flavors developing. We also notice that fruit flavors deteriorate rapidly. For example, bold notions of fresh fruit gradually become more subdued and reminiscent of dried fruit. 

Acids and alcohols are constantly reacting to form new compounds. The proportion of alcohol, acids, and sugars stay the same, while the flavors continue to change. 

Texture, Darling

Texturally, the lines also change. It is said that dry, aged white wines can become almost viscous and oily, while reds tend to feel smoother. Over time, phenolic compounds like tannins become sediment, which changes the texture. We love a full-bodied, smooth Black Girl Magic Red Blend paired alongside Blue Cheese Steak Crostini, a McBride Sisters favorite. Scroll down to grab the recipe! 

Color You Impressed? 

Color change is the result of slow oxidation. You can tell how young wine is by its color. For example, ruby-red wine is quite young, and as it ages, it will adapt a tawny hue. The amount of air left in the neck of the sealed bottle and how permeable the closure affects the oxidation rate.

(via Wine Enthusiast)

Stop by our online Wine Shop to fulfil all your wine wishes. Store a McBride Sisters Collection Chardonnay for later in the year or pop a bottle of our Sparkling Brut Rosé as a fun way to beat the heat! Cheers to that!

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And now, without further ado, let’s take a peek at Chef Mark’s latest recipe…

Blue Cheese Steak Crostini

Yield: 15

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf French baguette

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 pound New York strip

• 1 cup crumbled blue cheese

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic powder

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar

• salt and pepper

• fresh basil for garnish

• fresh grape tomatoes cut in half

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Slice the baguette into 1/2 inch slices on the diagonal, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic.

3. Place bread on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

4. Pour balsamic vinegar into a small sauce pot, bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer until the vinegar has halved and thickened. It will coat the back of a spoon when done. Turn off heat and set aside.

5. Heat a greased grill pan over medium-high heat.

6. Season the steak with salt and pepper and grill or pan sear 3-5 minutes per side for rare to medium-rare.

7. To assemble the crostini, top with a piece of steak, blue cheese crumble, and grape tomato. Drizzle the balsamic reduction and top with fresh basil.

Pair with McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend or Black Girl Magic Red Blend!

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Calling All Women in the Wine Industry...

ACT NOW! The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund closes TOMORROW at 11:59 pm, PST.

Ladies––we’re talking to YOU! This spring, we announced The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund to promote the professional advancement of women in the wine industry. As a women-run business, it is inspiring to see other women making waves in this industry. 

“Balance is not a women's issue, it's a business issue.” -International Women’s Day

The SHE CAN Professional Development Fund is our way of showing our support for the empowerment of women who strive to make change and create opportunities for themselves in the wine industry. Why? Well, while wine is no longer a boy’s club, the playing field is certainly not a level one. Women make up less than 10% of head winemakers and winery owners. It’s time to close the gap because we know SHE CAN!

We are grateful for the incredible amount of support we have received over the years so we want to show our appreciation through scholarships, ensuring that we continue to overcome gender biases within the industry. We are accepting applications for scholarships until tomorrow (Wednesday), July 31st 2019! 

Empower yourself and your business. 

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#SHECAN’s Road to Empowerment

Let’s take a look at the inspiration behind The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund. This spring, we toasted women’s empowerment with the introduction of the new wine in a can, made for women, by women. Our Pride welcomed SHE CAN Wines into the McBride Sisters Collection. SHE CAN Wines includes a tropical Sauvignon Blanc and a sophisticated dry Rosé!

You can enjoy these wines where bottles can’t go—at the pool, at a sports game, on a hike, or at a summer backyard BBQ—pass the ribs! SHE CAN Wines reminds women that SHE CAN do anything (PS, check out our #SHECANChaseHerDreams hashtag on Instagram here). 

As an environmentally conscious business, we look for ways to cut down on carbon emissions. Because aluminum cans are a lightweight material compared to glass, the carbon footprint to transport SHE CAN is substantially smaller. Since SHE CAN Wines’ launch, we’re excited to see it sold in CA, AZ, LA, OR, and WA.

SHE CAN Make a Difference

Scholarships from The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund will be awarded in Fall 2019. The application deadline is SUPER soon (aka TOMORROW)! Get your application in by July 31st for your chance to win! For more information about the application process, please visit the official application page.   

Guidelines

Each application requires a 1,000-word essay that describes your professional goals and how this scholarship will help you change the wine and spirits industry. Applications also must submit two letters of recommendation, as well as a completed and signed scholarship application that meets the criteria and includes all required attachments. This must be postmarked or electronically submitted by no later than 11:59 PM PST on July 31st, 2019 to be considered for the scholarship.

Good luck to all applicants!* We’re excited to review your applications and we thank you for submitting. 

Remember, ladies, SHE CAN do anything! 

*Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and a US Resident. Applicants must also have a minimum of three years of active employment within the wine and spirits industry or a related industry.

Apply now!

Our Road to Essence

The 4th of July weekend is always full of fireworks, picnics, and bonfires. This year, it was also the weekend of the 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana! We had ourselves a BALL, let me tell you. ESSENCE Magazine’s “Party with a Purpose” has grown over 25 years to one of the premiere gatherings for Black music, entertainment and culture, drawing averages of 500,000 attendees annually. Pretty insane, right?!

This year and in the past, ESSENCE Fest has featured some true icons. We’re talkin’ Beyoncé, Barack Obama, Diana Ross, and many more. This year, we joined women and men from all over the U.S. to watch Missy Elliott shake it on stage and hear Michelle Obama speak her truth. Pharrell Williams, Mary J. Blige, Timbaland, Normani, City Girls—the list goes on!

ESSENCE Fest wasn’t just limited to the daytime hours. ESSENCE After Dark had fantastic comedy shows, late night jam sessions, live podcast recordings, and underground performances. As Billboard put it, the After Dark series gives “an opportunity for those not willing (or able) to commit to the nightly concert ticket price to enjoy smaller, niche-genre shows.” We couldn’t have been more psyched to attend again!

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While we’re relishing in the 2019 ESSENCE experience, let’s rewind a bit to give you the full #EssenceFest picture…

“ESSENCE is where Black Women Come First for news, entertainment, and motivation.” –ESSENCE

Founded in 1968, Essence Communications Inc. introduced ESSENCE, forever changing the magazine industry. With a monthly circulation of 1,050,000 and a readership of 8.5 million, they seek to inspire and empower their readers––male and female. Essence Communications Inc. has extended its influence to now include music, through the ESSENCE Festival. The 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival celebrated the empowerment of African Americans from all walks of life. As our friends at ESSENCE say, “it’s a party with a purpose.” 

ESSENCE Fest is particularly special to us because we launched Black Girl Magic Riesling at ESSENCE Fest 2018 (view more 2018 ESSENCE Festival throwbacks here, here, and here). Since then, we’ve welcomed Black Girl Magic Red Blend and Rosé, making the Black Girl Magic family a badass trio of flavorful wines (visit our Wine Shop for more details)! This year, you better believe we brought the whole Black Girl Magic #GirlGang to NOLA.

Last year, we hosted an impromptu Midnight Brunch. Take a peek at last year’s brunch here! This year, we hosted our very first SHE CAN Chase Her Dreams Midnight Brunch, co-hosted with Chase Consumer Bank (and their fabulous CEO, Thasunda Duckett). Of course, we were also excited to include our favorite "Queen of the Kitchen,” Chef Mimi.

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This year, we were also pleased to announce our sponsorship of The Jane Club Signature Work Space. The Jane Club is a co-working space for women in Los Angeles. They empower working mothers by providing 24/7 childcare, on-site spa treatments, and other much needed benefits. The Jane Club had an amazing pop-up at Melrose Mansion in Northern LA for the duration of the festival.

And last but not least, we were thrilled to see those of you who made it out to The Black Wine Experience from July 5th-6th, presented by Hue Society. The Black Wine Experience featured a number of celebrated multicultural brands, events, and our fellow vintners over the span of three days. Guests were offered to experience exclusive tastings, pairings, live demos, and awards.

We felt so grateful to have the opportunity to support other amazing Black-owned businesses at the 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival. We’re already counting down the days till next year’s festival, and we hope you are too! :)

Until next time…

Chardonnay-A-Day

Chardonnay’s adaptability to a range of climates allows it to flourish in almost every wine region in the world. This makes it an international grape variety! Originating from Burgundy in eastern France, the Chardonnay grape is neutral in flavor, so it gets its kick from the fermentation process.

Celebrate International Chardonnay Day in McBride Sisters fashion! Follow these easy steps to guarantee a fun-filled evening.

Put your fave artist on blast. We love us some Ciara, new and old! Girl Gang (feat. Kelly Rowland) is golden.

1. Crack a bottle of McBride Sisters Collection 2017 Chardonnay. Chilled, crisp wine is a great post-work way to wind down. Ask anyone.

2. Throw together Chef Mark’s Butter Lemon Pepper Cornish Hens (see recipe below) for a gorgeously simple dinner that pairs well with our 2017 Chardonnay.

3. Jam out while the hens roast!

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Just What the Doctor Ordered

The McBride Sisters Collection 2017 Chardonnay reigns from the Central Coast of California. We classify all of our wines, including our Chardonnay, of being an old world style with new world finesse. Our 2017 Chardonnay is full of fresh, fruit-driven aromas. Ripe pear merges with crisp apple, pineapple, and zesty citrus fruit to dance on the tongue. When people hear “Chardonnay,” they tend to associate it with a buttery, heavy flavor. Ours, however, has a balanced creamy mid-palate. This has nothing to do with the grape itself and everything to do with the winemaker’s style choices—sense the McBride flare?

Get to Know the Process

Like for each of our wines, time and care went into every step of the bottling process. Chardonnay clusters were tightly pressed then moved to a settling tank, where they remained for 24 hours. Afterwards, the juice was racked to tank or barrel where fermentation commences. For added depth and complexity, 15% of the wine was barrel fermented to create the classic Chardonnay texture and very subtle oak notes. To conserve fresh and crisp fruit notes, the balance of the wine (85%) was fermented in stainless steel. Uniquely, only 75% of the wine was put through Malolactic fermentation (where the creamy texture comes from). Following 8 months of aging, the wine was blended before being filtered and bottled.

As we like to say, a glass of Chardonnay a day keeps the doctor away!

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Chef Mark’s Butter Lemon Pepper Cornish Hens

Serves: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 Cornish game hens patted dry with paper towels

• 4 tablespoons salted butter (room temperature)

• 3 large cloves garlic, peeled & chopped

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (keep 3 halves of lemons to stuff in hens)

• Extra virgin olive oil

• 3 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 cup McBride Sisters Chardonnay

• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Pat the hens dry with a paper towel.

3. Mix the butter, garlic, lemon juice, pepper, and salt (set aside).

4. Use your index finger to loosen the skin on the top of the hen and slip the lemon pepper butter under the skin on top of each breast. Repeat for each hen. Put a quarter of a lemon in the cavity of each hen. Truss the hens by tying the wings and legs.

5. Rub each hen with the remaining lemon pepper butter. Sprinkle extra salt and pepper on the skin then drizzle with olive oil. Place the hens on the rack of a roasting pan lined with aluminum foil, spacing them out so they are far apart from each other. This will enable their skins to get browned and crispy.

6. Place the hens in the preheated oven and roast for 25 minutes.

7. While the hens are roasting, combine the chicken broth and wine in a bowl.

8. After the hens have been roasting for 25 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.  Pour the broth/wine mixture over the hens and continue to roast for 30 minutes, basting the hens with the juices at the bottom of the pan every 10 minutes or less. The hens are done when internal temperature reaches 165°F and the juices run clear. If you prefer darker skins, turn up the temperature once cooked to broil for a couple of minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

9. Carefully remove the hens and pour the juices from their cavities into the roasting pan. Transfer the hens to a warmed platter, remove the trussing and tent with aluminum foil to week warm. Pour the juices from the roasting pan into a saucepan and boil for about 5 minutes until the liquid is a thin sauce-like consistency.

10. Serve the hens whole per guest or cut in half lengthwise. Drizzle the sauce over the hens and serve immediately alongside McBride Sisters Collection 2017 Chardonnay.

Love this recipe as much as we do? Learn more about the creative genius behind this dish. Visit www.southerntemptation.com to get to know Chef Mark Phillips and his culinary expertise.

Facebook: Southern Temptation

Instagram: @ChefSouthernTemp

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** The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund is accepting scholarship applications until July 31st. **

SHE CAN’s Family Roots

The McBride Sisters logo is so much more than just a logo. The crest reflects our Sisterly bond and is designed with our shared father, represented as a proud peacock (he was known to be quite cocky) over the initials “MS” for McBride Sisters. The “S” is styled to look like a loc of our curly hair.

The two lionesses represent each of our mothers, supporting us from each side, the strongest women we know. They were the first to tell us that SHE CAN do anything. After all, lionesses are the true leaders of a pride. Matriarchies all the way!

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Attention, class:

Raise your hand if you would like some backstory behind the SHE CAN can designs!

We've decided to honor our mothers in the packaging for the SHE CAN line. The strong and empowered lionesses on the sides of the Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé cans pays tribute to the women who encouraged and inspired us throughout our lives. Our mothers led us to where we are today, and for that, we are so grateful! They told us we CAN do anything we set our minds to because they knew that no goal or dream is too big.

We (Robin and Andréa) consider ourselves to be a pride. That’s why we have “join the fearless pride” printed on the cans. We took the lionesses from our McBride Sisters Collection logo and placed an enlarged version on each SHE CAN. Sauvignon Blanc is dedicated to Andréa's mums (birth mother and foster mother) so their initials are by the lioness (P.J. & D.H.H.). Meanwhile, Rosé is dedicated to Robin's mom, and her nickname is by the lioness (KOKO). Design is a wonderful way to express a message through illustration, and we’re glad we had the creative opportunity to pay tribute to three extra special women. Love you, Mom and Mums!

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DRINKING: A single can of SHE CAN is equivalent to two and a half glasses of wine (or half of a bottle). Therefore, it’s much more than a single serving. Quality and quantity! Please enjoy responsibly!

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Gettin’ figgy wit it!

Out west, we love to keep things local. That’s why California dried fig is the star of Chef Mark Phillips’ latest gourmet appetizer. That, and, of course, the fig’s unique sweet and savory palette.

A gourmet dish such as this one demands to be partnered with a sophisticated wine. This tangtastic but sweet appetizer is matched perfectly with 2018 SHE CAN Rosé by The McBride Sisters, a drier wine that teases us with white raspberry and orange zest with an earthy undertone. Cocktail hour is for the gourmand in us all.

Chef Mark Phillips’ Fig & Gorgonzola Toast

Servings: Makes 6

Ingredients:

• 1 cup California dried figs

• 6 thick sliced rustic ciabatta bread

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• ½ cup gorgonzola cheese

• Balsamic glaze

• ¼ cup chopped basil

• Cracked pepper
  

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Brush bread slices with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool.

2. Slice figs horizontally or vertically and crumble on gorgonzola cheese. Take the toasted bread and arrange equal portions of fig and cheese on top. Drizzle the balsamic glaze and then garnish with finely chopped basil. Crack pepper to taste (optional).

Open a couple of cans of SHE CAN Rosé and bite down on this crunchy cocktail hour appetizer. You’ll be saying yes to SHE CAN and no to “she can’t.”

Love this recipe as much as we do? Learn more about the creative genius behind this dish. Visit www.southerntemptation.com to get to know Chef Mark Phillips and his culinary expertise.

Facebook: Southern Temptation

Instagram: @ChefSouthernTemp

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** The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund is now accepting scholarship applications until July 31st. **

Californian Wine is Thicker Than Water

Let’s throw it back 20 years. In 1999, Andréa and I met for the first time. No longer were we separated by the 7,000 miles between California and New Zealand. In 2005, Andréa and I began importing wine from New Zealand and then we moved our focus on different aspects in the wine industry. It was a long journey, and it wasn’t until 2016 when we started McBride Sisters Wines, proving that blood (and wine) is thicker than water.

Monterey, California has always been my home and is a source of my love of wine. As you probably know, California makes about 90% of all American wine. The state’s ideal growing conditions are determined by its size and diversity of soils and climates. Over 110 varieties of wine grapes are grown in California, including the flavorful fruit used to make our 2016 McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend. This 2016 Red Blend is a mix of Merlot, Zinfandel, Malbec and Petite Sirah from vineyards in Paso Robles and Monterey County.

McBride Sisters Collection 2016 Red Blend

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Get snacking!

A Californian spring is the best spring. The sun is out and so are the lupines and poppies. It’s also the beginning of the backyard BBQ-ing season. Open a bottle of our 2016 McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend, the perfect wine that has a peppery and herbal finish to pair with a juicy steak.

Try Chef Mimi’s Wontons Stuffed with Flank Steak, Mushrooms and Goat Cheese Garnished with Red Bell Peppers recipe paired with our McBride Sisters Collection 2016 Red Blend. The earthy flavor of the mushrooms, tender steak, and creamy goat cheese compliment the velvety, richness of the Red Blend. Why limit this dish to the appetizer portion of the evening? Honestly, it could be a full meal!

Visit our Wine Shop to purchase a bottle of McBride Sisters Collection 2016 Red Blend.

Chef Mimi’s Wontons Stuffed with Flank Steak, Mushrooms and Goat Cheese Garnished with Red Bell Peppers

• 24 wonton wrappers

• 1 cup of goat cheese,

• 1 lb mushrooms

• 1 lb flank steak

• Red bell pepper

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit  

Preparation

1. Spray a mini muffin pan with olive oil spray.

2. Place the small wonton wrappers in the muffin pan cups. Line the cups against the wall of the muffin cups with your fingers. Spray oil on wontons.

3. Place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and cups are formed.

4. Let cool for 5 or more minutes then remove the cups.

Goat Cheese Mixture

1. Mix the goat cheese with mushrooms, garlic salt, and pepper to taste, then place in the refrigerator until the steak is done.

The Steak

1. Sear flank steak to your liking (preferably medium) and season with salt to taste.

2. Thinly slice the flank steak and set aside.

Assemble

1. Fill the cups with the goat cheese mixture, then top with flank steak.

2. Garnish with red bell peppers.

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We work best in pairs.

It can be daunting to choose a complementary pairing that heightens both the wine and dish. Don’t worry, we got you! Red Blends comprised of Merlot, Zinfandel, Malbec, and Petite Sirah like our 2016 Red Blend work fabulously with the following:

• Red meat (steak, lamb, pork, duck)

• Cured meat (chorizo, prosciutto, pancetta)

• Roasted root vegetables

• Dessert (dark chocolate, berries)

Now get creating!

SHE CAN: Embrace the can, empower her path!

You’ve seen our Instagram teasers and read our Wine Down Wednesday newsletter, but in case you missed it, we’re excited to welcome our newest Sisters, SHE CAN Wines, into the family!

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2018 SHE CAN Sauvignon Blanc by The McBride Sisters comes from Marlborough, New Zealand. This Sauvignon Blanc is perfect if you’re in the mood for a crisp, tropical bevvy. You’ll notice a careful balance of passion fruit, fresh kiwi, and white fig. Juicy citrus notes tie the flavors together and linger on the tongue.

Our 2018 SHE CAN Rosé by the McBride Sisters is a blend of  Pinot Noir (45%), Merlot (32%), and Zinfandel (23%) from the Central Coast of California.  We’ve created a dry wine with the refreshing flavors of white raspberry, orange and mandarin zests compliment the chalky earth notes. This Rosé has us feeling ever so sophisticated.

Try our cans on their own or mix it up with wine cocktails. See our recipe below!

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SHE CAN…And She Does!

We’ve created “The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund” to promote the advancement of women in the wine industry.  Our fund will provide scholarships to women across the industry whose career goals can be advanced by professional development programs in any sector of our industry. Why? Because the wine industry is no longer a boy’s club, but it’s still not a level playing field.  Women make up less than 10% of head winemakers and winery owners, even though there are more women with enology degrees than men. Let’s close this gap because we know #SHECAN!

We will begin accepting applications for scholarships on April 1st, 2019! Yes, SHE CAN!

Picnic weather is finally here and we’re SO relieved. There couldn’t be a better way to celebrate spring than to sit on a sun-warmed blanket with wine-in-hand.  Icy cocktails pair perfectly with warm weather. Want to change up your sangria game? Give our fresh SHE CAN Rosé Sangria a try!

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SHE CAN Rosé Sangria (makes 1 pitcher)

2 cans of SHE CAN Rosé

1 1/2 cups elderflower liqueur

1 pack raspberries

6 lemon wheels

6 grapefruit slices

1 bottle club soda

•••

Serve over ice and start sippin’!

Brownie points if you create ice cubes from our SHE CAN Rosé!

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** The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund Scholarship Applications will be open on April 1st, 2019. **

Introducing Black Girl Magic Red Blend!

In honor of Black History Month (and all the #BlackGirlMagic that has been going on in Hollywood), we’re so excited to announce the release of McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Red Blend (find it online here). The Red Blend joins her Sister Black Girl Magic Riesling, the first in the collection, which we launched at Essence Festival in New Orleans in July 2018.

#BlackGirlMagic

Black Girl Magic Red Blend, from the Central Coast of California, is comprised of Merlot from Monterey (67%) and Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles (33%). The blend is fermented and matured in oak barrels for 18 months, which adds richness to this gorgeous garnet-colored blend with notes of tobacco and warm vanilla bean, complemented by notes of plum, raspberry, and blackberry. The rich Cabernet and luscious chocolate-cherry of Merlot makes this a wine you can’t help but adore!

Our Black Girl Magic Collection was inspired by the movement, #BlackGirlMagic, popularized by CaShawn Thompson in 2013 which was created to "celebrate the beauty, power and resilience of black women," this movement is also intended to commemorate black women on their accomplishments. Thompson refers to a speech made by Michelle Obama (Remarks by the First Lady at BET's "Black Girls Rock!" Event) when she explains that black women around the world persevering, despite adversity, motivated her to spread the concept of Black Girl Magic. In the hopes of counteracting the negativity society places on black women, Thompson created the social media hashtag and rallying cry "Black Girl Magic.” She is GOALS -- can we get an amen?!

Even though we are at the close of Black History Month, we know we continue to celebrate Black History anytime with Black Girl Magic Red Blend. Here are some ways to create your perfect wine experience!

1. Solidify the menu.

   If you like to cook, try our BBQ Wings with Jerk Red Wine Sauce! If you want a break from the kitchen, order yourself some take-out. I’ve never met a pizza I couldn’t pair with wine...just sayin’ ;)

2. Get mixing.

   Loosen your mixologist fingers and make a Black Girl Magic Red Blend cocktail. If you’re in the mood for a sweeter, citrusy tang, try the Queen Charlotte Punch. The Kitty Highball has a sharp snap of ginger that is cooled by the full flavors of the Black Girl Magic Red Blend. Of course, you can keep it simple and elegant with a glass (or 2, we’re not judging) of Black Girl Magic Red Blend. Make sure to give your wine room to breathe by filling your glass no more than halfway.

3. Break it down.

   Hit play on our Black History Month Playlist so you can eat, drink, and dance the night away with your squad! Who run this muthaaaa (cue Beyoncé scream)!

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Side note...

As a proud black-owned business, we’d be remiss not to mention the 2019 Oscars, since it was a historic night for people, especially women, of color. We’re particularly proud of Ruth Carter, who won for costume design for Black Panther. She is the first African-American woman to win in that category. Her award was made even more powerful by her acceptance speech in which she said, “Thank you for honoring African royalty and the empowered way women can look and lead on screen.” We’re lifting a glass of our Black Girl Magic Red Blend in your honor, Ruth!

Last but certainly not least, after 34 years as an actress, we saw some major #BlackGirlMagic vibes shine through when Regina King won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk! SUCH a queen, if there ever was one.