RED (wine) WHITE (wine) and BLUE (berries) McBride Sisters 4th of July Cupcake Recipe

Happy Independence Day Weekend!  In the spirit of celebrating all things Red, White and Blue we're bringing back our recipe for our scrumptious cupcakes that your family and besties will swoon over this holiday weekend! 

eco.love Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 8-ounce cans crushed pineapple in juice, drained
1 cup grated peeled carrots
3/4 cup (lightly packed) sweetened flaked coconut
1/4 cup chopped pecans

FROSTING INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 ounces imported white chocolate, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 cup powdered sugar

GARNISH (not optional!)

Fresh blueberries and sliced strawberries, one bottle of Truvée Chardonnay and one bottle of Truvée Red Blend!

PREP

For cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12-cup muffin tin with muffin papers. Whisk sugar, oil, and eggs in large bowl to blend. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in medium bowl to blend. Stir pineapple, carrots, coconut, and pecans in another medium bowl to blend. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture until just blended. Fold in carrot mixture. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, dividing equally. Bake cupcakes until tops are golden brown and tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely on rack.

For frosting:
Melt white chocolate in top of double boiler over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Using on/off turns, blend cream cheese, butter, lemon peel, and melted white chocolate in processor until smooth. Add powdered sugar; process until smooth. Spread frosting on cupcakes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Cover in fresh berries and make a toast over a chilled glass of McBride Sisters Truvée Wine!

ENJOY!

Chardonnay vs. Sauvignon Blanc…

It’s hard to manage two BFF’s. Favor one more than the other and drama is guaranteed.  

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are a similar situation. It’s hard to say which we love more and no doubt are two of the most popular white wines in the world, with each wine taking on a different style and approach. Without playing favorites, here are our favorite styles and characteristics of each variety.  

Tropical fruit, rich, buttery and nutty  

Considered the “Queen” of white grape varieties, the style of Chardonnay we love is smooth and rich with dominating fruit flavors of apple, peach, melon and balanced with good citrus and acidity. Winemakers particularly love Chardonnay for its blank canvas quality, which is perfect for discovering new ways to deliver varying flavors and styles. It is one of the few white wines that age well in an oak barrel, which can add unique creamy, buttery, nutty, vanilla-like flavors. Though not as popular as the oaked version, unoaked Chardonnay is quickly developing a following amidst the Chard drinkers who prefer the wine’s more stripped-down crisp fruit driven characteristics (no oak), somewhat similar to a Sauvignon Blanc.

Still, regardless of different variations and styles, Chardonnay tends to be made in a bolder, richer style influenced by oak. The best and priciest come from Burgundy in France, in addition to more affordable and high quality options from Russian River and the Central Coast of California. Chardonnay pairs deliciously well with a wide assortment of foods, especially creamy dishes, soft cheeses, and richer fish such as salmon and swordfish.

...Or crisp, dry and zesty?

 By contrast, Sauvignon Blanc is more refreshing, higher in acidity and lighter than Chardonnay with aromatics ranging from fresh cut grass, gooseberry and grapefruit to fruitier notes of peach passion fruit and melon. Though some Sauvignon Blanc wines see the inside of an oak barrel, it’s less likely for it to have as strong of an oak influence as Chardonnay.

Sauvignon Blanc is produced in a variety of styles with the best made in Marlborough, New Zealand and Sancerre, in France. This wine is the perfect to enjoy underneath the sun, also making it a great choice for any barbecue. Because of its great citrus flavors, the wine pairs well with foods such as grilled summer vegetables, fish, seafood and sushi. It is also a great wine for green salads in vinaigrette dressing and other tart foods.

Whether you prefer the crispness of Sauvignon Blanc or the rich tropical taste of Chardonnay, both are exceptional white wines certainly worthy of a pour.

To learn more about our eco. love Sauvignon Blanc and Truvée Chardonnay; please visit the ‘Wine’ section of our website. Cheers!

7 Wines You Need To Know

The surprising thing about wine is that there are 1000’s of varieties, but only a few are grown commonly around the world. Whether you’re an expert or just beginning your journey, exploring different types of wine is an essential part of figuring out what you like. Let’s be honest, half the fun is in the drinking…ehem, learning right? So let’s take a look at seven common wines you need to know.

Cabernet Sauvignon --- one of the more popular full-bodied dry red wines recognized for its deep color, bold tannins, blackberry, blueberry and eucalyptus aromas. Cab is best enjoyed with a great lamb or beef dish, and is for the drinker who has a love for big substantial drinks e.g. Johnnie Walker Blue

Pinot Noir --- This is one of our favorite varieties, why you ask? It’s simple, this wine can be paired with nearly everything in perfect harmony. Its dry, medium body, medium tannins and has fruity aromas of black cherry, sweet spice and vanilla that WERK! Our eco.love Pinot Noir is our go-to, everyday drinking wine.

Syrah --- the red wine responsible for some of the darkest full-bodied dry red wines in the world and can also be found in our very own, Truvée Red Blend. Known for its blackberry, plum and peppery aromas and flavors, Syrah is a perfect accompaniment to smoked meats and pairs well with feta, white cheddar and Manchego cheese.

Zinfandel --- the most widely planted red grape variety in California and extremely popular amidst those who prefer a more fruit-forward, jammy style of wine with aromas and flavors of plums, blackberries and sweet spices.  Zinfandel pairs deliciously with spiced barbecue dishes and curry.

Chardonnay --- arguably the best old world white wine grape, this wine has a wide range of aromas and flavors from fresh citrus to peach, nectarine and melon. Depending on the winemakers style, there can also be strong oak and butter flavors to no oak at all. Our Truvée Chardonnay tends to be on the crisper side with aromas of peaches and nectarines and with some French oak barrel aging, that adds additional layers of creamy, nutty, vanilla and spice aromas and flavors. This style of wine can be paired with nearly every savoury dish you can imagine!

Sauvignon Blanc ---  This wine packs a punch, especially when made in New Zealand. The aromas are filled with layers of tropical fruit, citrus and floral aromas like our eco.love Sauvignon Blanc which showcases flavors of nectarines, peaches, passion fruit, and grapefruit with delicate floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. This wine is like a cocktail, less the calories and perfect for happy hour, grilling season and of course shellfish and seafood.

Riesling --- a highly aromatic and fruity grape variety that produces wine known for its crisp aromas and sweet flavors. Our Riesling features floral scents on top of citrus, white peach, root ginger and spice flavors that can easily enhance the best fish or pork cuisine. But if you have something else in mind…go for it! Riesling is an extremely versatile and food-friendly wine.

To Decant Or Not To Decant Red Wine…And For How Long?

Do you notice when you open a bottle of red wine and pour a glass, the wine gets better over time, especially the second glass (not a trick question!)? You start to notice the wine smells better, the fruit flavors become pronounced and the tannins are softer? That’s because the wine has “opened up” due to the increased contact with the air. Decanting introduces oxygen, which releases aromas and flavors in all red wine.

So how long should you decant wine?

Most tannic red wines will take about 2-3 hours and typically last 12–18 hours after being decanted.

Red Wines

• · Zinfandel: 30 minutes
• · Pinot Noir: 30 minutes
• · Malbec: 1 hour
• · Grenache Blend: 1 hour
• · Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot: 2 hours
• · Petite Sirah: 2 hours
• · Tempranillo: 2 hours
• · Sangiovese: 2 hours
• · Syrah/Shiraz: 2–3 hours
• · Nebbiolo: 3+ hours

DO NOT DECANT 20+ YEAR OLD RED WINE!

Chances are you probably dropped some serious dough for an 20+ year old, dry, bottle of red wine. These types of  wines show best decanted immediately before serving. If you wait to long, all the amazing aromas and flavors would have disappeared!

What happens if you decant a wine for too long?

High levels of acetic acid (the same acid found in vinegar) increases and a repugnant, vinegar-like smell then emerges, which is a very good indicator that the wine has gone bad.

Trick of the trade: You don’t need to spend top dollar on your house party wines. Decant the cheap bottles of red before your guests come over, we promise you they will taste double the price you paid!  

Vive la France, Happy Bastille Day!

The fourth of July festivities may be over, but today we commemorate the end of another monarchy. It’s the day we remember the storming of the Bastille and the start of French Independence. It’s a celebration of French culture and a perfect excuse to take a break from, well everything and indulge in lots, and lots of French wine. 

Paying homage to French Chardonnay with our very own Truvée Chardonnay, we’ve created a wine that showcases the beautiful fruit flavors developed in the vineyards, supported by a touch of French oak. There’s no denying the love and appreciation we have for the French and their wine…I mean after all, Truvée in French means “to find.”

And with so many amazing French wines yet to be discovered, this holiday couldn’t be a better time to explore. So try breaking away from the traditional celebratory glass of Champagne and let your palate lead the way. If you’re up for the challenge, get a little adventurous with a glass of Crémant de Bourgogne and for our red wine drinkers, maybe a yummy pour of Cotes du Rhone or Chinon.

If you can’t make it to France for Bastille Day this year, no worries, there are tons of fun parades, festivals, and special events honoring the French national holiday that do not require a passport.

In fact, if you’re in the Bay Area, don your most festive French wear and swing by Belden Place, our mini French Quarter in San Francisco and enjoy a day filled with good libations, delicious foods, live music and more!

So with our glasses raised high...Joyeux Quatorze Juillet!

Belden Place, San Francisco

6 Common Myths About Wine

Truvée Red Blend

Does expensive mean better? I heard that sweet wines are for rookies? With so many common misconceptions going around, it’s hard to decipher between fact and fiction these days. Because unquestioned truths can hinder a person from exploring a world of new wines, let’s take a moment to debunk some of these ridiculous myths.

1. Starting with; Blended Wines Are Not As Good As Non-Blended Wines. Well, we can certainly tell you first-hand that this one is definitely a myth. Sure the obvious choice for most people is to go with a single grape wine, but there are Blends that are just as exciting. Some people prefer a mix of their favorite wines as opposed to drinking one on its own. Blends are definitely worth exploring. Try our Truvée Red Blend, a mixture of Grenache, Syrah, Merlot and Zinfandel, and see just what we mean.

Opus One is an example of another Red Blend 

2. Another common misconception is that Expensive Wines Are Better Wines. Truth is, the price of wine is influenced by many factors other than quality, such as location, image, supply and demand, just to name a few. Besides, everyone has a different palate, so go for what YOU like.

3. Sweet Wines Are For Beginners, Not Educated Palates. Actually, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the greatest wines in the world are sweet, flavorful and ageworthy, and appeal to a large majority of seasoned drinkers.

4. Did you know that Only Red Wine Has Health Benefits? No? Good, because this one isn’t true either. Although red wine does have more health benefits, mainly due to the antioxidants and phytochemicals in the grape skins, both red and white wines are linked to a decrease in heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

5. You should always Serve Red Wine at Room Temperature. Well, this really depends on what room temperature is. Most red wine is best served between 57-65ºF (14-18°C) depending on grape variety.

6. And the last misconception on our list is that Wine Sealed With a Cork Is Better than wine sealed with a screw cap. Actually, screwcapped wines age just as well as corked wines, but the reason so many wineries have yet to make the transition is simply because they’re concerned with their wine being perceived as cheap.

Missed any myths you’d like to debunk? Let us know … Sound off.

Robin + Andrea

Sparkling Margarita Sangria That Will Give You Life!

Cinco de Mayo let’s go!

In a large punch bowl (or similar container) mix McBride Sisters Truvée Chardonnay, Don Julio Blanco tequila, lime juice, and agave syrup; stir gently.  

Gently lay in sliced citrus fruits and refrigerate (covered) at least 2- 4 hours; overnight is even better. 

When you are ready to serve, pour in chilled Moet & Chandon "Nectar Imperial" Demi-Sec Champagne and sparkling mineral water.  Use a ladle to fill individual glasses and add in slices of citrus fruit.  

Add a mint leaf for garnish, and if your guest like salted glass rims, make sure to rub with lime and dip in margarita salt before filling up your glasses!

Cheers!

Robin & Andréa 

Today We Launch Truvée Wines

It was all a dream...we'd drive past wineries and vineyards and say to ourselves, "one day". So, without further adieu, today is that day that we're officially launching our second wine brand from the McBride Sisters - Truvée [True-Vay] Wines from the Central Coast of California. We've crafted a lightly oaked Chardonnay and a Grenache/Syrah based Red Blend from prestigious vineyards within the Chalone, Monterey, Edna Valley, Paso Robles and Santa Maria AVA's (American Viticulture Area's).    

None of this would be possible without the support, love and encouragement from our family and friends - THANK YOU! None of this would be possible without our mentors and colleagues in the wine industry that understood our vision - THANK YOU! None of this would be possible without our distributors aka "the soldiers" that work hard every single day - THANK YOU! None of this would be possible without the sommeliers, restaurateurs, retail buyers and liquor store owners purchasing our wine - THANK YOU! And last, but not least our wine lovers, you have thousands of wines to choose from and you continue to support us - THANK YOU!   

As a young, next generation wine company we don't see McBride Sisters' wines as ours. Every person that has helped, sold, stocked and purchased our wines, this is your wine also. We might have had the vision, but it takes a COMMUNITY of people to make a brand successful and everlasting.

So being that this is your wine too, we'd like to take the opportunity on this special day and ask of you two things. The first, always expect from us the very best and hold us to that. Know that your vineyards will always be sustainably farmed, your wines will always be delicious and your packaging always stunning. Tell us what you like, what you don't like, how you think we can improve and we'll do our best to meet your expectations. We are human and this is agriculture, so any changes we might have to make, give us time, but we'll get there!  

Second, tell 5 of your friends about Truvée and ask them to tell 5 of their friends and so on. Ask for Truvée at your local bars, restaurants and stores where you buy your wine. The more people asking for McBride Sisters Truvée, the better we can do in making sure its conveniently available in your neighborhood and that's our goal!  

So...Let's go #TeamMcBrideSisters #TeamTruvéeWines

Much love, cheers for now, and again ... THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Robin + Andréa