Montreal Turkey Burgers

Specially created for pairing with Mariana Vineyard 2007 Petite Sirah

Ingredients:
1 pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning
4 hamburger rolls

Directions:
Mix ground turkey and Chicken Seasoning in medium bowl until well blended. Shape into 4 patties.

Grill over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes per side or until burgers are cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees). Toast rolls on the grill, open-side down, about 30 seconds.

Serve burgers on toasted rolls. Garnish with desired toppings and condiments.

Makes 4 servings.

*Recipe Courtesy of McCormick & Company, Inc.

Pumpkin and Apple Soup

Specially created for pairing with the Mariana Vineyard 2008 Chardonnay

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons McCormick Ginger Ground
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1 cup chunky applesauce
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup heavy cream

Directions:
Melt butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in pumpkin pie spice and ginger.
Stir in pumpkin, applesauce and broth until well blended and smooth. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. (If a smoother soup is desired, place mixture in batches in blender container; cover and blend until smooth.)
Stir in cream. Heat gently before serving, if necessary.

Makes 6 (1-cup) servings.

Recipe courtesy of McCormick & Company, Inc. Photo courtesy of Taste of Home.

Roasted Garlic-Crusted Beef Rib Roast

Specially created for pairing with the De Beaumont Cellars 2007 Red Meritage.


Ingredients:
1 beef rib roast (2 to 4 ribs), small end, chine (back) bone removed (6 to 8 lbs.)
2 tsp. cracked black pepper
2 medium heads garlic
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. white pepper

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place roast, fat side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Rub all sides of roast with cracked black pepper. Cut about 1/4 inch off from the stem end of each garlic head, exposing the cloves. Remove the outer papery skin, leaving the head intact. Place garlic in center of a 12-inch squire of heavy-duty aluminum foil; drizzle with oil and fold up edges to seal tightly. Place garlic packet alongside roast in pan.

Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat or touching bone. Do not add water or cover. Roast beef and garlic head in 350 degrees oven. Remove garlic from oven after 45 minutes; cool slightly. Continue roasting beef 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours for medium rare; 1 3/4 to 2 hours for medium doneness.

Meanwhile, squeeze garlic cloves from husks into medium bowl. Mash garlic with fork until smooth. Stir in thyme, salt and white pepper; set aside.

Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135 degrees for medium rare; 150 degrees for medium. Transfer roast to carving board. Rub roast with garlic mixture; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10 degrees) Sprinkle roast with reserved leeks and carve into slices. Serve with sauce.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

*Recipe Courtesy of The Texas Beef Council

Rosemary Roasted Chicken

Specially created for pairing with the De Beaumont Cellars 2008 White Meritage.


Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (about 3 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons McCormick Rosemary Leaves, crushed
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Thyme Leaves

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken on rack in foil-lined roasting pan. Brush with oil.

Mix rosemary, seasoned salt and thyme in small bowl. Rub evenly over entire chicken.

Roast 1 to 1 1/2 hours until chicken is cooked through. Serve with Perfect Chciken Gravy, if desired.

Makes 6 servings.

*Recipe Courtesy of McCormick & Company, Inc.

Southwest Beef Pizza

Specially created for pairing with the Fleur Bleu 2006 Zinfandel

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1/4 tsp. salt
1 large (16oz) prepared pizza crust
1-1/4 cups mild, thick and chunky salsa
1-1/2 cups (6oz) shredded Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack cheese
1 can (4oz) diced green chiles, drained well
2 medium plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
1/3 cup thin red onion slivers
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

In large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until no longer pink. Pour off drippings. Season with 1/4-tsp salt.

Place bread shell on ungreased baking sheet.

Spread salsa over shell. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top with beef, chilies, tomatoes, and red onion. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake in oven 11-13 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Sprinkle with cilantro. Cut into 8 wedges and serve hot.

Makes 4 servings.

*Recipe Courtesy of Texas Beef Council

Bavarian Chops

Pairs great with the Pied Violet 2007 Reserve Merlot

Ingredients:
4 boneless pork loin chops, about 1/2-inch thick
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon butter
1/2 cup chopped green onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1/2 teaspoon thyme
8 ounces beer, room temperature
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Butter noodles (optional)
Minced fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:
Lightly flour chops. Melt butter in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until foaming. Brown chops quickly on both sides. Remove, reserve.

Add green onion, garlic, mushrooms and thyme; saute for 2-3 minutes, until onion is soft.

Return chops to skillet, add beer; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with buttered noodles, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

*Recipe Courtesy of National Pork Board

Slow Cookers Beef Stroganoff

Specially created for pairing with the Pied Violet 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.



Ingredients:

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 package (8 oz) mushrooms, halved or sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 package McCormick Slow Cookers Beef Stroganoff Seasoning
1 cup water
1 cup sour cream

Directions:

Place beef, mushrooms and onion in slow cooker.

Mix seasoning and water until blended. Pour over beef and vegetables; toss to coat well. Cover.

Cook 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Cover. Cook 10 minutes longer on LOW. Serve over cooked egg noodles, if desired.

Makes 10 (2/3 cup) servings.

Recipe Courtesy of McCormick & Company, Inc.

Apple-Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Specially created for pairing with the Fleur Bleu 2008 Chardonnay

Ingredients

4 chicken drumsticks, skin-on or skinless
2 apples, cored and sliced into eighths

Marinade:
1/4 cup apple butter
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In medium bowl, stir together all ingredients for the marinade. Add the drumsticks and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Preheat the broiler. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil and then set the drumsticks in it. Broil for 20-30 minutes, turning the drumsticks occasionally and brushing them with marinade.

*Can also be cooked on the grill.

Serve with apple slices. Makes 4 servings.

Recipe Courtesy of National Chicken Council

Announcing our new Recipe Club!

If you love new recipes, especially those that pair well with wine, then stay tuned with us for some great recipes and wine pairing suggestions.

New Orleans wine lovers! We're having an opportunity event 8/7. Tell your friends! http://ping.fm/GRCXd

Next Wine Consultant Opportunity Meeting in Lafayette, LA 8/5 http://ping.fm/lzYEG

Getting ready for my Wine Consultant Opportunity event in San Antonio, TX 8/4 http://ping.fm/bYfyo

Getting ready for my Wine Consultant Opportunity Event in Las Cruces, NM 8/2. Pass on this info! http://ping.fm/uAxUP

"Wine gives courage and makes men more apt for passion." - Ovid, Roman poet

Did you know we have a wine club? It's like having a personal wine tasting in your home every month! (Trying another link)

Did you know we have a wine club? It's like having a personal wine tasting in your home every month! http://ping.fm/lRE95?v=1127511842297&ref=mf

Having a wine tasting today at 3:00pm in Fullerton. Everyone is welcome, just RSVP for address.

Who do u know in Las Cruces, NM that might like to drink wine for a living? Will be there Aug 2 talking to wine lovers.

Off to Napa for WineShop At Home National Convention! Will be available June 30th.

"Wine rejoices the heart of man, and joy is the mother of all virtues." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Learn how to drink wine for a living, Sat June 20 at 9:30am. RSVP for conference call number.

Come join me for a chat about wine or fitness, 6/5/09, 9:30-11:30am, Fullerton Panera, Chapman/State College

Last call for Spring Fever Case Special. If you like the Frisch Riesling, Fog Zin, or Nouveau Muse Rosato, nows that time to stock up on 4 of each and save 15%. Visit http://www.ocwineparties.com to order!

"Wine in itself is an excellent thing." - Pope Pius XII

Get 2 Complimentary Bottles When You Host a June Wine Tasting!

When you host a wine tasting in June, you will receive 2 complimentary bottles of wine. One of our Talmage Cellars Wines and the New Limited Edition Napa Valley Late Harvest Dessert Wine will be yours to share with your guests at your tasting or to save and savor later. Reserve your tasting date today, they are going FAST!!! Wine tastings are only $59 plus tax for up to 16 people.

Saturday, June 6
Sunday, June 7
Monday, June 8
Thursday, June 11
Tuesday, June 16
Thursday, June 18
Saturday, June 20 (7:00pm or later)
Monday, June 22
Tuesday, June 23
Thursday, June 25
Friday, June 26
Tuesday, June 30

Email christy@ocwineparties.com
Note: Exact date, time, and credit card number is required to reserve your date!

Announcing the release of the Limited Edition Napa Valley Late Harvest Dessert Wine, yours complimentary when you host a June Wine Tasting!

Follow Us!

There are many ways you can follow us and what we are doing. If you are following this blog, that is number 1. Number 2 is our fan page on facebook, and number 3 you can also follow our twitter, search ocwineparties. Thanks for your support!

We are still looking to schedule 2 or 3 more wine tastings between now and June 22nd. Please let me know if you can help us win a contest.

You're Invited to Ladies' Night Out - Mother's Day Boutique

Join Friends Forever Boutique for a night of fun, fellowship and friendship! http://www.friendsforeverboutique.com/

Friends Forever Boutique is hosting a "Ladies Night Out Boutique"
Great time to finish your Mother's Day shopping... or get some treats for yourself!!!

ALSO... Friends Forever Boutique is giving away a $25 gift certificate to help benefit The Sheepfold. Just bring baby wipes... you will receive 1 raffle ticket per box of baby wipes. All boxes of baby wipes will be donated to The Sheepfold. The purpose of The Sheepfold is to help mothers in abuse situations become independent. http://www.thesheepfold.org/

Joining our blessed event is a few of our great friends!!!

Natalie with Tendencies Boutique
Fashionable and AFFORDABLE clothing and accessories

Jodie with Glamgirl Handbags
Great styles and great prices!!!

Jada and Trisha with Gold Canyon Candles
Long lasting candles!

Kristie with Clients Kneaded
Who needs a massage? Kristie is offering chair massages for $1/minute. You can book a 1-30 minute massage.

Lisa with Natural Lathers
Handmade soaps, lotions and bath products. Great for sensitive skins!

Also...come by to taste some fabulous wines with Christy of WineShop At Home. Wine Tasting presentation will be from 6-7pm! You don't want to miss it...!!!

During these stressful times, treat yourself to a fun night with friends! Enjoy some pasta and drinks, affordable shopping and taste some great wines!! Hope you can make it!

To RSVP, please contact Friends Forever Boutique and let them know that Christy Carter invited you!

Schedule your wine tasting - help me win a contest!

I am attending Convention in Napa at the end of June. They are having a special reception for those that have 10 qualified tastings between now and June 22nd. I need to schedule just a few more tastings to win an invitation to this special event. Please look at the following dates and let me know which one works best for you:

Sunday, May 17th (pm only, must book by May 7th)
Friday, May 22nd
Saturday, May 23rd
Sunday, May 24th
Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day)
Saturday, May 30th (start time of 12 or 1pm)
Sunday, May 31st
Friday, June 5th
Saturday, June 6th
Sunday, June 7th

I also have weeknight dates available.

Spring Fever Case Special

Save Over 15% Plus FREE Shipping as a Wine Club Member or when you purchase this case special at a Tasting. Expires May 31st, 2009. Our mixed case includes four bottles each of our Fog 2007 Zinfandel, our Nouveau Muse 2008 Rosato and our Frisch 2008 Riesling.

Spring Boutique

Come visit me at:

Lil' Lighthouse Preschool's First Annual

Spring Boutique

Saturday, May 2
10:00am - 2:00pm

Lighthouse Coastal Community Church
Fellowship Hall
301 Magnolia Street - Costa Mesa
(corner of Santa Ana Ave & Magnolia St)

Door Prizes, Silent Auction Baskets & Teacher Donations!

Refreshments Onsite:
El Sabor de la Vida (soft tacos)
Big Jim & Marcial's Smokin BBQ & Mexican Grill (slider sandwich)
Coda Kettle Korn
Bakery Corner

Featured Boutique Vendors:
31 Bits, Arbonne International Skin Care, Bag This, Bodega Chocolates, Bow Creations, Build-A-Bear Rescue, C Perez Designs, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Designs by Tara, Discovery Toys, Donny & Fern, Earth Tones by Kathleen, Friends Forever Boutique, Glitz N Glamour, Gold Canyon Candles, Gurrlie Girl Jewelry, Hold Yo Place Bookmarks, Ipo Ink, Jafra Skin Care, Little Black Dress Jewelry, Little Fit, Luna + Reece, Pampered Chef, Riley Grace Designs, Rolie Polie, Shellhaus, Southern Living At Home, Tastefully Simple, WineShop At Home

All proceeds from this event will be used towards new playground equipment, educational carpets for classrooms, and the Lil' Lighthouse Scholarship Fund (to help support local families in need).

Now Scheduling Wine Tastings Through end of July!

If you have been waiting to have a summer wine tasting, now is your time! I am currently scheduling wine tastings through the end of July. I only have one more Saturday open in June (the 6th) so call me if you want to reserve this date or another one in the month of June or July!

Garden Spring Boutique

"My Favorite Things"

Come taste a sampling of our wines and shop from some great vendors.

1570 Dominguez Ranch Rd., Corona, CA 92882 951-733-8766

Sunday, April 19th
Open House 11:00am to 4:00pm

Shop from:
Little Black Dress Jewelry
MaryKay Cosmetics
Footprints Int. Shoes
Donna's Purses
WineShop At Home
Dove Chocolate Discoveries
Tastefully Simple
Juice Plus+ Whole Food Nutrition

Come Experience WineShop At Home

Here are five really good reasons to come "Experience WineShop At Home" on Thursday, April 2nd at 7:00pm:

1. Taste some great handcrafted, artisan wines
2. Experience what it is like to host a wine tasting
3. See an example of our personalized labels
4. Find out more about our wine club
5. Discover the possibilities of being a consultant

Please RSVP to get the address in Fullerton
christy@ocwineparties.com

Special Events! You're Invited!

Come visit me and OCWINEPARTIES at these upcoming events:

Orange County's Largest Mixer
Wednesday, March 11
5:00 - 9:00pm
Come visit me at the Team Women Booth from 5:30-6:30pm.

Silverado Children's Center Chili Cook-off
Sunday, March 15
11:00 - 4:00pm
Come visit our WineShop At Home table

Spring Business Mixer
Wednesday, March 25
6:00 - 9:00pm
Yorba Linda Community Center
Network with other business individuals and be sure to taste some great wines!

Experience WineShop At Home
Thursday, April 2
7:00pm
Carter's Home
Come experience what it is like to host an in-home wine tasting or be a wine consultant. Plus, taste some fabulous wines!

Join the OCWINEPARTIES Team!

Ever wonder what it takes to be a wine consultant managing your own wine business? Come find out how much fun it is to be in the wine industry, where sales are sky-rocketing! This is a free event, no obligation, and of course we serve wine!

When: Thursday, February 26th at 7:00pm
Where: Santa Ana, CA

There are also events in:
Temecula (2/25), Carlsbad (3/2), San Diego (3/3)

To find out exact location and to RSVP, please contact me at christy@ocwineparties.com

Now Scheduling Wine Tastings Through end of May

I have opened my calendar up for wine tastings through the end of May. If you would like to schedule your tasting please let me know.

I have the following dates still available in March:

Sunday, March 8th
Monday, March 9th
Friday, March 13th
Monday, March 16th
Friday, March 20th
Sunday, March 22nd
Monday, March 23rd
Friday, March 27th
Saturday, March 28th
Sunday, March 29th
Monday, March 30th

www.ocwineparties.com

The Edward Ban Cancer Fundraising Event

Sunday, February 8th, 2:00-7:00pm
709 E. 2nd Street, Santa Ana, CA

Come and Enjoy....
* Silent Auction
* Live Band
* Massage Treatments by Sarah Marks
* Baked Goods and Refreshment Stand
* Raffle Drawing
* Shopping from local vendors

Edward Ban is a father of 3, husband to Stacie and small business owner. He is suffering from a relapse of malignant melanoma inlcuding spots on his lungs, liver, adrenal gland and back. Money raised will help support his high medical bills and family support.

ROAD TRIP

I will be traveling to Santa Cruz County in February. I would love to introduce the wine business to anyone interested. If you or anyone you know in the area would like to host a wine tasting or meet to learn more about the business opportunity, please contact me. I will be in the area from Friday, February 27 through Monday, March 2.

Now Scheduling Through April

I have opened my calendar for wine tastings through the end of April. If you would like to schedule a wine tasting between now and the end of April, let me know so we can reserve your date!

I have the following dates available in Janaury (available only until Thursday, January 15th):
Sunday, January 25th
Monday, January 26th
Wednesday, January 28th

I currently have the following weekend dates available in February (I have more weeknight dates available):
Friday, February 6th
Sunday, February 8th
Friday, February 13th
Saturday, February 14th
Sunday, February 15th
Friday, February 20th

New Emails and New Office Hours

If you currently receive my monthly newsletters, you have been receiving them through Constant Contact. Now that WineShop At Home has perfected their own newsletter, I've decided to go ahead and give it a try. So please bear with me as you may be receiving more than one email from me for a couple of months. If you don't currently receive my newsletter, and would like to, please visit my website and join! www.ocwineparties.com

I have also decided to have set office hours this year. Right now, as I'm still trying to get my youngest one potty-trained so she can go to school, I will have minimal set hours, but will check my emails and work on orders as I can fit it in. Right now my office hours will be Wednesdays from 9:30am - 11:30am. During this time, I will answer emails and phone calls, as well as making phone calls and working on orders and host packets. Let me know if I can help you with any wine needs.

Come experience a wine tasting

We will be hosting a wine tasting at our house on Saturday, January 10th at 6:45pm. If you or anyone you know would like to come check out our wines and how an in-home wine tasting works, please let me know.

Looking forward to providing great wine in 2009!

Happy New Year

I decided for 2009 I would start a blog to keep everyone up to date on all the happenings of OCWINEPARTIES. I will keep you informed of all the latest specials, discounts and wine status. Stay tuned as I learn how to use this!

Christy
www.ocwineparties.com