Wine Buzz: Toast your mom with a mimosa
We've just about landed on Mother's Day, and Wine Buzz has mimosas on the mind. It's that combination of sparkling wine and juice that'll be served at many a brunch table this Mother's Day weekend and beyond, especially as the weather gets warmer. Or you can just whip up a batch at home before digging into some Saturday morning eggs and bacon.
The recipe generally calls for equal parts orange juice to sparkling wine, but easily can be tweaked for strength. You can also gussy up a mimosa with a little grenadine or Cointreau, but we're happy to stick with a simple blend of freshly squeezed orange juice – especially cara cara or blood orange – with a domestic sparkling wine.
Using a bottle of Krug or some other kind of high-end Champagne for mimosas is simply for showoffs. A bottle of budget bubbly will work just fine, but just make sure the sparkling wine is on the dry side (brut or extra brut). A sweeter sparkling wine – "sec" or "demi sec" – combined with orange juice will just make for a mimosa that's too cloying.
Spanish cava is always a solid option for mimosas. Freixenet Cordon Negro Extra Dry is widely available and generally costs under $10. For those who want an extra fruity touch, look into a bottle of prosecco. This Italian sparkling wine often comes with overtones of pear flavors and a nice fizziness, and we've always been fond of Riondo Prosecco, which costs about $16 per bottle.
Cheers, Mom!
Art and wine mix well
Art meets wine in El Dorado Hills: If your mom fancies both art and wine, you can cover both those bases with one event this weekend. The ninth annual El Dorado Hills Art & Wine Affaire will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Town Center (4364 Town Center Blvd. No. 212, El Dorado Hills).
More than two dozen Sierra foothills wineries will be featured, including Boeger Winery, Mount Aukum Winery and Perry Creek Winery. Not all wineries will be pouring both days, so check the schedule at www.eldorado hillsartaffaire.com for the schedule.
The art program features works of photography, sculptures, jewelry, watercolors and more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Entry is free, and wine tasting is $20 daily. For more information: (916) 802-6924.