Special Celebration Gifts

Wine Careers -

2010-06-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

Your Career Is Calling
Become a Wine Consultant Today!

Come join the Wine Revolution. Our revolution is about the Wine Tasting experience – about laughter, the clinking of glasses, good food and learning together about the wonderful world of wine. Come reap the rewards of a wine business and help us revolutionize the world of wine.

There’s no place to hide in corporate America today! From the corner office to the cubicle there’s no longer the promise of a gold watch at the end of a long tenure. In the retail sales market, you’ll be lucky to earn minimum wage and little, if any, commission on your sales. Moreover, with the holidays just around the corner and there’s no better time to start your new wine career to build your business so you can earn right now. Wine sales soar during the holidays and you can join us today and enjoy significant income from the get-go. It is easy to get started. Talk to your Wine Consultant today about our lucrative business opportunity.

Join The Wine Revolution Today!

My Vine Spot: On Cork�d: �Terroir� A Term Misused, or am I just Wrong?

2010-02-23T12:31:00.000-08:00

My Vine Spot: On Cork�d: �Terroir� A Term Misused, or am I just Wrong?

Zhu Zhu Pet Wins Toy of the Year Award

2010-02-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

Zhu Zhu Pet Wins Toy of the Year Award

The winners are in. Toy of the Year, The Toy Industry Association handed out the awards last Saturday, February 13, as part of the kickoff of the American International Toy Fair in New York City.

The Zhu Zhu Pet, manufactured by the Clayton-based toy company Cepia LLC, won Toy of the Year and also took home the top award in two categories:

Recognizing an outstanding toy that combines innovation and play value, the Innovative Toy of the Year was presented to Zhu Zhu Pets by Cepia

Recognizing an outstanding toy developed for girls of any age, the Girl Toy of the Year was presented to Zhu Zhu Pets by Cepia

Zhu Zhu Pets were the right toy at the right time at the right price. The Toy of the Year award is a great honor and one we share with our retail partners, as well as the millions of parents and kids that have brought Zhu Zhu Pets into their homes. But by no means will we be a one-hit wonder -- there's even more exciting things coming from Zhu Zhu Pets in 2010.

Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters are now in stock and available at http://www.specialcelebrationgifts.com/

Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two

2010-02-06T09:45:00.000-08:00

Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two

Set the Stage:
It can be simple to set the stage for a romantic dinner for two. Literally think of your table as your stage set. A white or red table cloth or place mats can make a perfect background for romance. Unfurl some red ribbon and let it flutter naturally on the cloth. Small votives, or candles will add a sense of mystery, and a bunch of red roses – or a single rose placed at each setting, will add the scent of romance. Sprinkle candy hearts or wrapped candy kisses all around and you’ve got it going on for the beginnings of a fabulous evening. Don’t forget to download your favorite love songs – the ones you loved when you first met!

Show your Fondness with a Fabulous Fondue:

Fondue is a romantic’s favorite! Savoring and sharing the creamy concoction is a sheer delight. Bring out the fondue pot, or pick up a new one…or a used one in garage sales or antique stores. No fondue pot? Use a heavy saucepan instead. You can substitute the Gruyere if it is hard to find, using Baby Swiss or regular Swiss. You must use white wine in this recipe; the acid in the wine is what helps the cheese stay dreamily creamy as it melts.

Ingredients:
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
2 Tbsp. Flour
1 clove garlic, cut in half
1-1/2 cups dry white wine such as our Sun Fish Chardonnay
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice OR 2 Tbsp. Kirsch, if desired

Preparation:
Coat cheeses with flour by tossing together in a large bowl. Rub garlic on the bottom and sides of the fondue dish and discard, or rub garlic on bottom and sides of heavy saucepan. Pour wine into fondue dish and heat just until bubbles rise to the surface. Stir in lemon juice or kirsch, if using.

Gradually add floured cheese, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly over low heat, until cheeses are melted. You may add more cheese or wine, as needed, to reach the desired consistency. If you made the fondue in a regular saucepan, pour the hot fondue into a round pan you can keep warm over a hot plate on the table.

Cut French bread or a round rustic loaf into cubes. Dip the cubed bread into the fondue and enjoy!

For the perfect wine pairing for this luscious recipe, try one of these wines:

Sun Fish 2008 Mendocino Chardonnay
This 2008 Sun Fish Mendocino Chardonnay has fresh ripe aromas of apple and peach with hints of citrus and golden raspberry. The flavors are light and lively with medium acidity, fruity flavors and nice round mouth-feel. The finish is fruity and mellow with hints of acidity.

De Beaumont Cellars 2008 Alexander Valley White Meritage
This 2008 De Beaumont Cellars Alexander Valley White Meritage has deep and complex fruit aromas. The citrus, green apple and tropical aromas are framed with a mild honey character and light spiciness. The flavor is silky smooth and a wonderful compliment to the aroma.

The perfect end to a romantic evening has got to be chocolate covered strawberries. These can be made in a flash. Pair them with these wines:

Mariana Vineyard 2007 Mendocino Zinfandel
This 2007 Mariana Vineyard Mendocino Zinfandel has aromas of plum, blackberry and sandalwood with hints of moist tobacco and spice. This is a big mouthwatering wine with medium tannin. The finish is long and juicy with underlying oak.

Mariana Vineyard 2007 Mendocino Petite Sirah
This 2007 Mariana Vineyard Mendocino Petite Sirah has aromas of blackberry, blueberry and anise with hints of cherry and spice. The tannin is light giving the wine a medium-weight on the palate and allowing the fruit to shine through. The finish is medium to long and focused on the fruit with the smooth tannin acting as a platter to showcase the ripe flavors.

Super Easy CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES (MICROWAVE):
Ingredients:
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 pt. fresh strawberries, hulls intact, washed & dried

Preparation:
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. In a 1-quart microwave proof bowl, place the chocolate, then adding the butter on top in center. Microwave on medium for 2 minutes, then stir. Continue microwaving on medium for 30 seconds to 1 minute more, until chocolate and butter are all melted, stirring frequently.

Using the strawberry hulls as handles, partially dip the strawberries into chocolate, twirling the strawberries in the chocolate to cover berries. Then place berries, hull side down, on the wax paper lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes before serving.

Published by WineShop At Home
Copyright © 2010 WineShop At Home. All rights reserved.

Here comes Cupid

2010-01-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

Here comes Cupid!

Valentine's Day is Coming and we want to help you make it a sweetheart of a day!

Valentine's Day Wine Club Special - Give a special someone an open-ended wine club membership for Valentine's day.

You can select to give reds, whites or one of each. They will receive two exceptional wines from California's best boutique wineries delivered right to their door for the duration of the membership. It's a perfect way to share the wine country with your loved one.

3 Month gift membership $89.85

6 Month gift membership $171.70

12 Month gift membership $359.40

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

2010-01-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

Though there are various traditions and customs associated with the festival, the most popular way of celebrating Valentines Day is by expressing love to sweethearts and dear ones with an exchange of gifts.

Some of the most traditional Valentine's Day gifts exchanged between lovers are fresh flowers, chocolates and cards. Jewelry is also fast emerging as the most sought after Valentine's Day gift for women. In the modern technologically advanced age, exchange of text messages between friends and loved ones has become a norm.

Going on dates with beloved is the other major way of celebrating Valentine's Day Festival. Restaurants see a busy time as people celebrate the day of romance with a candle light dinner.

People also participate in Valentine's Day wine parties and balls organized by various clubs and hotels. Private parties are also organized in homes and farmhouses where young and the old have a blast.

Some couple use the occasion to propose their beloved while some chose to get engaged on the festival that celebrates love and lovers.

How to approve wine at a restaurant

2010-01-12T22:46:00.000-08:00

How to approve wine at a restaurant

Mark Phillips is one of the nation’s most popular wine speakers.

Here is a clip from his PBS show

Taste Wine

2010-01-12T22:40:00.000-08:00

Mark Phillips is one of the nation’s most popular wine speakers. The main reason for his popularity is that he has such a humorous, non-snobby approach to wine that resonates with the wine consumer. He is the founder of the Progressive Approach to wine which is a modern and practical approach to wine vs. the Traditional Approach that other wine experts espouse. Because of Phillips’s approach, PBS asked him to host a wine special which made its debut in March 2006. The show, “Enjoying Wine with Mark Phillips” shattered all records by being picked up by over 300 stations. The show was originally scheduled to air for just two years but it’s been continued for another two years, through 2010.

Here is a clip from his PBS show:

An Exclusive Wine Tasting of Napa Valley Wines!

2010-01-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

An Exclusive Wine Tasting of Napa Valley Wines!

OUR MOST POPULAR EVENT!
"A Trip to Napa Valley"

An Exclusive Wine Shop at Home Event @ your home

Only $59.00! (plus tax, shipping included)
With Wine Shop at Home you can have an exceptional day with your friends. An independent wine consultant will showcase our new releases and show you what makes the Napa Valley so special! We will pour 5 different wines plus you get a complimentary bottle of wine for you to keep or to share.

No air travel needed: The Napa Valley comes to you! You provide the hors d'oeurves and an array of fine cheeses to complement the wines.
Discount Pricing for the host on wines purchased and on a gift item or 50% off your 1st payment when you join the wine club.

ONLY $59
Call Norma Serrano,
Wine Shop at Home Consultant
at (323) 974 - 5231
visit our website: www.wineshopathome.com/normaserrano

How to Chill and Open Sparkling Wine

2009-12-30T15:37:00.000-08:00

Chill Out

Some folks make the mistake of serving sparkling wine at room temperature. Sparklers are definitely a treat to be served cool – poured from the bottle at a temperature between 43 and 48 degrees Farenheit. Cool it in the fridge (but make sure that you don’t store it so long there that it begins to taste like other food you have stored) or, preferably, in a bucket filled with a mixture of water and ice. If you want to speed up the chilling process, throw a little rock salt in the bucket to reduce the temperature of the ice to below zero. Brrr. Your sparkling wine will love it!

Here’s a big don’t!

Don’t try to speed up the chilling by putting the sparkler in the freezer. You don’t want to hear the explosion or clean up the mess. If you have a room temperature bottle, just place it in the fridge for 45 minutes and it should be perfect to serve.

Opening the Sparkler

Removing a sparkler cork is easy if you use some simple common sense. But, first you’ve got to remove some layers before actually reaching the cork.
First remove enough foil from the top of the bottle to reveal the cork. You’ll see that a wire cage covers the cork. On the side of the cage you’ll see a little section of wire twisted into a little handle. Pull that handle away from the side of the cage and untwist the wire. Point the bottle away from yourself and anyone else, too! Yes, indeed, there is a reason that little wire is there! It is holding that cork in the bottle and it could pop and release at any time – at a very high speed, too! Once the cage has been removed, continue to keep a firm hold of the bottle while gripping the cork with the other hand. Slowly twist the bottle round (not the cork), remember the goal is for the cork to emerge from the bottle with a small sigh (ah, yes) not a large and loud explosion. The louder the pop, the fewer bubbles you will enjoy. Go for the “quiet pop”.

The Pour

Select your sparkling glasses carefully. Flutes are just perfect! Make sure they are clean and sparkling!Hold the bottle placing your thumb into the dimple at the bottom of the bottle (this is known as the punt) and splay your fingers across the barrel of the bottle. It may feel a little strange at first but you will soon see that you can maintain a firm grip on the bottle in this way.Grasping the bottle, take a clean white napkin and wipe the rim of the bottle removing any natural dirt, then pour a small splash into the bottom of each glass. Then return to each glass, filling it three quarters full with sparkling wine. This will keep any of those beautiful bubbles from escaping over the side of the glass.
Relax. Savor. Enjoy. You may find yourself agreeing with that French cellar master and Benedictine monk named Dom Perignon, when he said, “I am drinking stars”.

Virtual Wine Tasting on Facebook

2009-12-27T13:52:00.000-08:00

Learn About Wine on my First Ever Virtual Wine Tasting. I have tasting tips, characteristics about the wine. Where to buy Wine. How to Join a Wine Club and much, much more.

click here: http://bit.ly/virtualwinetasting

See you there. Norma Serrano, Independent Wine Shop at Home Wine Consultant.

www.wineshopathome.com/normaserrano

New Arrivals - Mariana Zinfandel

2009-12-16T11:25:00.000-08:00

New Arrivals from www.wineshopathome.com/normaserrano

Our new Mariana Vineyard Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are exceptional handcrafted, artisan wines. Perfect for holiday season and the new year. Whatever your palate, one of the Marianas should be just the right fit!Mariana Vineyard 2007 Mendocino Zinfandel
This 2007 Mariana Vineyard Mendocino Zinfandel has aromas of plum, blackberry and sandalwood with hints of moist tobacco and spice. This is a big mouthwatering wine with medium tannin. The finish is long and juicy with underlying oak. Enjoy this wine with fried chicken, barbecued beef, veggie pizza or smoked mozzarella.

This Mariana Vineyard Zinfandel pairs beautifully with this recipe for Barbecued Beef and Corn Muffins.Click here to view the Vintner's Notes & Recipe

News/Video

2009-12-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

News/Video

2009-12-01T21:29:00.000-08:00

Hello I'm
norma serrano

Welcome to my WineShop At Home website. As your personal consultant I can help "bring the wine country to you" and provide you with service you deserve.

How does a Wine Shop at Home wine party work? The host of the party, buys a tasting sample pack of six bottles of wine at $59.00 (plus tax, shipping included) which is less then $10.00 a bottle. The host invites friends, and on the day the wine tasting party provides several appetizers such as cheese, grapes, crackers and of course the glasses. I show up, pour the wine and talk to you and your guests about the Wine shop at Home's varieties and best food pairings.

"Fun and easy way to entertain friends. Access to handcrafted wines not available in stores. Invitations for up to 16 guests provided. Generous discounts on your favorite wines. Learn helpful tips on wine and food pairing. Have fun sampling wines in a comfortable setting before you buy. Convenient home delivery (hosts do not have to receive shipments!) " As a host of a wine party you can get:

Select a special gift of your choice from a seasonally available variety.
Choose up to three select items at half-price.
Six limited production wines valued at $120 for you and your guests to experience for just $59.00.
Also join the Club Select or Club Elite Wine Club and receive a "Bonus" bottle of wine in the first shipment."

If this sounds of interest to you, call me at 888-523-7970 or email me noserrano@sbcglobal.net. then go to the Wine Shop at Home's website http://www.wineshopathome.com/normaserrano. Click on request a tasting. It's that easy!