Wine Pairings for Christmas Dinner

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Christmas dinner presents a time to try some new wines with your favorite recipes. If you're looking for a new wine to compliment this year's holiday meal, see below for some pairing suggestions:

Wines to serve with Ham: baked, smoked, or honeyed hams beg for wines with a dash of sweet
Red: Beajolais Nouveau, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Tempranillo
White: Riesling and Gewurztraminer
 
Wines to serve with Turkey: Turkey on its own presents a pretty straight forward pairing partner, its the side dishes one must take into account.
Red: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah/Shiraz, Beajolais Nouveau
White: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer
 
Wines to serve with Prime Rib: Red meats and red wines go hand in hand to bring out bold or subtle flavors
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Tempranillo
 
Wine to serve with Fish: Opposite from the above, white wines are favored for fish pairings.
White: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
Red: Pinot Noir can pair nicely with salmon 

Looking for something more specific? Wine Enthusiast Magazine put together a great 'Twelve Wines of Christmas' list featuring their favorit gift worthy bottles. So whether you are hosting dinner or heading to a loved ones, check out some of these suggestions of bottles to bring:

Excerpt from Wine Enthusiast Magazine:

Bottle: Alain Voge 2009 Vieilles Vignes (Cornas), $70
“When I think of wines I like to drink, share and gift during the holidays, I immediately go to wines that pull at my sensory heartstrings,” says Shelley Lindgren, co-owner and beverage director at A16, SPQR, and A16 Rockridge in San Francisco and Oakland. “Cornas has long been one of these special wines.”

Bottle: Robert Sinskey Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir (Carneros), $38
“This Pinot Noir is incredibly versatile, and as Christmas parties can be a smorgasbord of dishes and flavors, a wine like this is necessary,” says Cappie Peete, beverage director at McCraddy’s Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. “Robert Sinskey believes in producing elegant wines with bright acidity so that they can age beautifully. This gives the recipient the freedom to decide whether to share the wine during the holidays or tuck it away for another special occasion."

Bottle: Grosjean 2005 Fumin (Vallée d’Aoste), $40
“Instead of defaulting to a cult Cabernet or—even though we love Champagne—a predictable bubble this holiday season, explore the wines of Vallée d'Aoste,” says Charlie Berg, assistant sommelier at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, New York. “There is something about [the region’s] snow-covered Alpine slopes and the spicy varietals that evoke a wonderful sense of the yuletide.”  ...continue reading here!

 Share your favorite bottle with us on our Facebook page ~ Happy Holidays!

Tips for Hosting Christmas Dinner

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Pulling off a dinner party doesn't have to be daunting, nor do you need to be a gourmet chef to qualify. If you're hosting Christmas dinner this year, see below for some simple tips to prepare for the big day: 

1. Plan the menu around your kitchen - Why choose multiple oven baked dishes if you only have one? Use stove tops, portable burners, ovens, microwaves for a complete meal that works in and around your kitchen.
2. Choose recipes that can be made ahead of time - All you have to do on Christmas day is pop them in the oven to reheat. This will save you kitchen time and thus give you more relaxation time.
3. Keep the guest list doable - See how big your space is, how many chairs you have, how big the table is - over packing your apartment will cause more chaos than necessary. Have family coming in from out of town? Reserve them a room at Hotel Zero Degrees and get 10% off the best available rates with the promo code = Holiday (available 12/22 - 12/30)
4. Don't do it alone! - When family is around you (hopefully) will be getting offers to help, don't turn them away. Assign different tasks (cutting veggies, watching the stove) to different people, even if there is no cooking to be done having someone wash whatever dishes accumulate in the sink will be a huge help.

And finally, the food is not important. Christmas is a joyous occasion and gives you the chance to spend it with the people you love. So prepare the meal as best you can, don't stress, smile and enjoy yourself this year!

Big thanks to MasterChef Adam Liaw for some of the above tips! Are you a master host? Share your tips with us on our Facebook page!

Ring in the New Year in Stamford!

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December is flying by and though we haven't reached Christmas yet groups are already planning their New Years Eve celebrations! Have you and your group decided on a place to ring in the New Year? Why not try some of our favorite bars and restaurants in Stamford:

• Bar Rosso: Offering a delicious menu, complimentary champagne toast at midnight and DJ Matt until 3am. After 11pm there is a $30 cover charge, call 203.388.8640 to make your reservations
• Eos Greek Cuisine: Offering a $75 Prix-fixe 4 course menu, champagne toast at midnight and DJ entertainment. Call 203.569.6250 to make your reservations!
• Pinot's Palette: Paint in the New Year! Pinot's Palette is hosting a New Years party complete with nibbles and a champagne toast included in the painting package for $65 per painter
• BUtterfield 8: Offering gourmet passed hors d'oeuvres, full dinner buffet, top shelf bar, and champagne toast at midnight with a live DJ. Group rates, table reservations and private rooms are available, call Jessica at 203.504.8123 for more information
• Hudson Grille: Enjoy a four course New Year's Eve Menu for $65 per person or $85 per person including a wine pairing! Now accepting reservations!
• Dolce Cubano: Enjoy a waterfront New Year's Eve! 4 course dinner, champagne toast, DJ & dancing. Call 203.817.0700 for reservations!

 Where are you planning to celebrate the New Year? Share with us on our Facebook page!

Rappelling Santa, Fireworks, and a Tree Lighting - This Weekend!

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Santa and his elves are kicking off Christmas early - this coming Sunday to be exact.  It's time for the annual Heights and Lights celebration in Stamford Downtown!

Starting at 5pm, from 22 stories high above Stamford Downtown, watch and cheer for Santa Claus and guest rappellers Brian Cashman and Bobby Valentine, as they make a daredevil descent, twisting and flying from the top of one of Stamford’s tallest buildings, Landmark Square.

Then follow Santa up Bedford Street to Latham Park for an evening of holiday fun with live music with the Swingset Mamas and join in the countdown of the annual lighting of Stamford’s Holiday Tree.

For more information, visit Hey Stamford.

Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Stamford Parade of Lights

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Once you've got all your holiday shopping done, head down to the Stamford Harbor Parade of Lights! Kick off the holiday season by decorating your boat and joining the fun.

The parade begins at 6pm with an after party and awards ceremony at Crab Shell. WABC-TV's Dr. Bill Evans, LHD will be the ceremony's MC!

Please bring an unwrapped gift to donate to Toys For Tots. For more information click here. Will you be attending? Share with us on our Facebook page.

Photos courtesy of Stamford Boat Parade

Holiday Shopping in Stamford!

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Thanksgiving sales, Black Friday Deals, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday - all in the next few days. If you are one of those with a black belt in Black Friday shopping, listen up! This year, some retailers are opening their doors even earlier - starting as early as 8pm on Thanksgiving Day!

See our list below for some places around Stamford to hit for all your holiday shopping needs:

The Stamford Town Center:

Shop at Stamford Town Center on Black Friday beginning at 7am. Select retailers will open as early as 8pm on Thanksgiving Day. For special deals click here and for hours see below:
Thanksgiving Day, 8pm Openings: Macy's, Armani Exchange, As Seen On TV, Charlotte Russe, Foot Locker, GAP, Great Wraps, Gusnova Gelato(8pm -12am), Journeys, Temptation, Victoria's Secret
Black Friday, 12am Openings: American Eagle, Claire's, Express, H&M, Starbucks, The Children's Place

Want to avoid the holiday shopping mega-crowds altogether? Look for Cyber Monday deals on December 2nd or visit your local mom and pop retailers on Small Business Saturday on November 30th!

Do you participate in any of these major shopping days? If so, where do you find the best deals? Share with us on our Facebook page!

Memorable Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is around the corner and there are so many ways to celebrate around Connecticut. Right here in Stamford, see one of the largest helium balloon parades in the country at Connecticut's annual Thanksgiving parade, UBS Parade Spectacular on November 24th! Or come by the day prior to watch the balloons inflate!

Looking for a more active Thanksgiving? Sign up for the annual Harbor Point Turkey Trot! It's a FREE, timed event, open to ALL - joggers and walkers are welcome! Located at the Coastal Gardens in Stamford, on November 28th. Click here for more information.

And for those who prefer a mini getaway for the holiday - CTVisit.com offers these great suggestions perfect for friends and family:

• Explore the charming town of Essex. Stay at the historic Griswold Inn, located on the banks of the Connecticut River. Your family will fall in love with this extraordinary inn and its delightful town filled with wonderful shops along Main Street. Plus, take advantage of the Inn’s Holiday Head Start deal, where you can stay in one of their guest rooms from Sun. – Thurs. for just $130!
• Does your ideal Thanksgiving include you not cooking this year? The Inn at Middletown’s Home Away from Home deal takes care of everything for you. In addition to overnight accommodations and breakfast in the morning, you’ll enjoy a Thanksgiving Dinner prepared by their award-winning chef in the Inn’s colonial-style Tavern at the Armory restaurant.
• Thanksgiving in Mystic! Celebrate Thanksgiving in Mystic, where your kids will fall in love with the aquatic creatures at Mystic Aquarium and can experience the days of seafaring yore at Mystic Seaport.Take advantage of the holiday special at Whaler’s Inn – located in the heart of historic downtown Mystic – and get a complimentary dinner if you stay one night (from Sunday through Friday) and $50 off if you stay two nights. And of course, while you’re in the area, don’t forget to visit Olde Mistick Village for a one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experience that the whole family can enjoy – Santa and Mrs. Claus are even in town on Nov. 29 – 30!

 Do you have suggestions for celebrating Thanksgiving in Connecticut? We'd love to hear from you on our Facebook page!