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“We came by night to the Fortunate Isles, And lay like fish Under the net of our kisses.” — Pablo Neruda
The color on the Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé is stunning salmon-rose, like a sunset on the Cape. The wine is well integrated, with pin-point bubbles, with a citrus notes with minerality and toasty finish. A really elegant wine. The perfect pairing would be Poached Salmon.
The details: 12.4% alcohol. The grapes are 90% pinotage and 10% pinot noir from Stellenbosch, South Africa. The suggested retail is $30 USD. The importer is Quintessential Wines. This was a media sample generously provided by Quintessential.
The music match “Kissing a Fool” by George Michael from the album Faith.
“Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essense.” — Vincent van Gogh
 “The perfect love affair is one which is conducted entirely by post.” — George Bernard Shaw
Wine Harlots love a good story. And Henry’s Drive Vignerons tells a good tale. The brand is named after the proprietor of the mail coach service which ran through the property in the 1800’s. The wines are thematically named to highlight aspects of the mail service. The Postmistress Blanc de Blanc is a fruity, bubbly, tart, sassy quaff, the Henry’s Drive folks describe her thusly: “A woman of unimpeachable rectitude, The Postmistress is trusted to preserve the town’s mail affairs. Her nimble fingers sort carefully wrapped parcels; letters from distant places and a single postcard, written in a familiar hand. Whilst eager young men queue daily for her attention, for the Postmistress there is only one man who always delivers.” Sounds like a harlot to me. A perfect food pairing for this refreshing sparkler would be Bacon Wrapped Scallops.
The details: 11.5% alcohol. Crown cap closure. The wines is 100% chardonnay from Padthaway, Australia. The suggested retail is $20 USD and is imported by Quintessential Wines. This was a media sample kindly provided by Quintessential.
The music match is “Such Great Heights” by the Postal Service from the album Give Up. Wine Harlots suggest beginning a love affair with The Postmistress.
“The important thing was to love rather than to be loved.” – W. Somerset Maugham
Wine Harlots love the Valdo. This spumante prosecco is a dry sparkler with hints of peaches and pear, with a toasty finish. The perfect pairing would be Prosciutto Wrapped Melon with Balsamic & Mint.
The details: 11.5% alcohol. This spumante was made with 100% prosecco grapes from Valdobbiadene in Italy. The suggested retail is $15 USD. Imported by Pasternak Wine Imports. This was received as a media sample, generously provided by Pasternak.
The music match is “Always Love” by Nada Surf from the album The Weight is a Gift. Wine Harlots love Valdo, Maugham and Nada Surf. Whether they love us back, is unimportant.
 “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
This was a delicious bottle of cava. It’s had a fruity, yeasty flavor, with a slightly metallic finish. The perfect pairing would be Oysters Rockefeller.
The details: 12% alcohol. The sparkler is made in the méthode traditional with a blend of macebeo, xarel-lo and parellada grapes from the Pendés region in Spain. The suggested retail is $17 USD. The importer is Pasternak Wine Imports. This was a media sample generously provided by Pasternak.
The music match is “The Weakness in Me” by the phenomenal Joan Armatrading from the album Walk Under Ladders. Whether you are feeling strong or weak, cowardly or couragous, open a bottle of bubbles and consider your options. It worked for Winston Churchill, and I think Lao Tzu would approve.
“Take hold lightly; let go lightly. This is one of the great secrets of felicity in love.” – Spanish Proverb
First off, we love the bottle shape of the Codorníu Pinot Noir Rosé Brut cava. In photos it looks a little cheesy, but in person it’s impressive and looks more expensive than a $15 bottle. The color is a dark pink with gentle flavors of strawberries and raspberries. Splurge and pair this cava with fresh strawberries.
The details: 12% alcohol. Appellation: Penedés, in Spain. Varietal 100% pinot noir. Suggested retail is $15 USD. Imported by Aveníu Brands. The wine was a media sample kindly provided by Gregory White.
The music match is “I Love You” by Sarah McLachlan from the album Surfacing. Codorníu is one of the great secrets of felicity in wine. I love you, Codorníu.
 “Love is like a friendship caught on fire: In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.” – Bruce Lee
To slake the Wine Harlots unquenchable thirst we enjoy Casalnova Prosecco. This is a very refined sparkler, a pale yellow with delicate flavor of wildflowers. Pair it with Fettuccine Alfredo and your sweetie, and you’re set. (No sweetie? Make a second helping of Alfredo. Carbs help. Trust us.)
The details: 11% alcohol. Appellation: Conegliano in Veneto, Italy. Varietal: Prosecco. The suggested retail is $18 USD and also is available in the mini 187ml bottle. Imported by Quintessential. This was a media sample generously provided by Quintessential.
The music match is “I Need Nothing Else” by Sophie B. Hawkins from the album Whaler. Love, prosecco, pasta and song. Wine Harlots need nothing else.
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever.” — Lord Alfred Tennyson
Wine Harlots are in love! The Valdo Cuvee del Fondatore Prosecco di Valdobbiadene rocked our world. Crisp, bright, lively; with notes of apple, pineapple and a bit of citrus. Try pairing it with Fish & Chips. The acidity and the bubbles cuts through the oil, and it’s a brilliant (if unexpected) match.
The details: 12.5% alcohol. Country of origin: Italy, baby! The suggested retail is $20 USD. Imported by Pasternak Wine Imports. This wine was a media sample kindly provided by Pasternak Wine Imports.
The music match is “Love Walks In” from Van Halen from the album 5150. Crank up some classic rock and pop open a bottle that rocks. Who knows? Maybe love will walk in too. Stranger things have happened.
“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
Wine Harlots are mad about Lucien Albrecht Brut Blanc de Blancs. The color is pale straw, a light, crisp effervesant quaff with a flavor profile of soft citrus and yeast. A subtle, elegant crémant. The perfect pairing this with would be spicy Thai food.
The details: 12% alcohol. The varietal is pinot blanc from the Alsace region in France. Suggested retail is $23 USD. Imported by Pasternak Wine Imports. This wine was a media sample generously provided by Pasternak Wine Imports.
The music match is “Mad About You” by Sting from the album Soul Cages. Whether you are madly in love or reasonably mad, this is sparkler for you.
 In the doom and gloom in the dead of winter, what better than a sparkling wine to lighten up the grey days and dark nights waiting for the hope of spring and the rescue of the dawn?
For your drinking pleasure, Wine Harlots have procured sparkling wine from around the world. We’ll begin and end in France, first with a crémant and will conclude with Champagne. In between we will have a cava cavalcade, a procession of proseccos and a strong showing from the Southern Hemisphere.
Nothing is more festive or romantic than sparkling wine, and nothing is as effervescent as the Wine Harlots. Join us on the globetrotting adventure, a carbonated carnival, if you will.
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