People say we don't have seasons here in Florida, but as a native Floridian I must disagree. In fact, we have two: "season" and "off-season." And there's only one word that adequately describes South Florida during “season” and that’s…PARADISE! These precious months spoil us with gloriously sun-kissed days, balmy nights and just enough chilly weather to break out our boots and sweaters a few times.
One of my favorite places to experience during our season that really captures the natural beauty and relaxed glamour of South Florida is the Eau Palm Beach Resort + Spa. Located in tony Manalapan, just a skosh south of Palm Beach proper, this former Ritz-Carlton is known for its posh ambiance and luxurious service standards. The property's enduring Forbes Five-Star status serves as reliable testament to this.
While I've raved about the hotel's truly amazing Spa before (a MUST for you spa-lovers!), I recently had the opportunity to experience one of the resort's newly renovated Jonathan Adler suites. This special property provides the perfect canvas for the part-time Palm Beach resident's signature style which incorporates vibrant, sun-drenched colors, bold, patterns and whimsical details in a chic, yet playful way.
Set against the vibrant azure of the stunning ocean view visible from each room, Adler's concept truly pops. The ambiance transforms the luxe design elements into an approachable, comfortable seaside refuge. I was equally comfortable whether I was ensconced in one of the cozy, royal blue sofas, relaxing out on the balcony or soaking in the generously sized, free standing bath tub. Hey, I take my research VERY seriously!
Personally, I also appreciate Adler's nod to South Florida's enduring history and local character. Thoughtful decor details include a vintage Slim Aarons photo of socialite Lady Daphne Cameron astride a tiger skin rug taken in a historic Palm Beach home; beachy, cabana-inspired canopies and window-treatments; as well as a radiant, sunburst chandelier. A sassy, colorful, crewel-work pillow emblazoned with "Palm Beach" provided the cherry on top of the design experience.
And after a delicious al fresco dinner at the hotel's casually chic, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Temple Orange, I couldn't think of a better place to retire to than our luxurious, yet cozy room. The sumptuous beds lulled us into a sound sleep only to be awoken by the rising sun and the sound of the waves softly lapping at the shore.
Bravo to designer Jonathan Adler for imbuing the Eau Palm Beach Resort + Spa with a true "sense of place" and capturing Florida's unique "merroir" in his brilliant design. For more information on the resort, please see below and to check out even more destinations featured in Glamorous Getaways, please click here.
Eau Palm Beach Resort + Spa | 100 South Ocean Boulevard | Manalapan, Florida 33462 | 561.533.6000 | www.eaupalmbeach.com
Looking to really spice things up this Valentine’s Day? Then why not incorporate wines that can really heighten the mood for l'amour? But I’m not talking about just ANY wines, my fellow wine lover, I’m talking about Aphrodisiac Wines!
But before you think I’m going to have you ordering some hokey wines from an illicit website, let me stop you. I’m simply talking about using some specific criteria to select some perfectly normal, delicious wines from your local retail store.
Research has shown that red wines rule as far as increasing arousal so these four selections feature three different incarnations of red wine: sparkling, still and fortified. One to two glasses was found to optimally enhance desire, too much more than that can actually have the adverse effect, leaving your romantic encounter, um, LESS than satisfying.
1.) Moët & Chandon Moet Rosé Imperial, Champagne, France ($60)
2.) Domaines Barons de Rothschild Légende Médoc, Bordeaux, France ($18)
3.) Domaines Barons de Rothschild Légende Pauillac, Bordeaux, France ($50)
4.) Ramos Pinto Quinta do Bom Retiro 20 year Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal ($75)
I hope these delicious wine selections inspire you and your Valentine to get in the mood for l’amour this year and be sure to check out the video below for all the details. Once you know what to look for, you can use these scientifically proven criteria to suss out other wines that might meet the Valentine’s Day aphrodisiac requirements.
- I've got TWO delicious Valentine's Day menus here on the GG (1) Steak a Poivre a Deux with Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes and (2) Mustard Roasted Fish with Roasted Vegetables + Coeur à la Crème with Raspberries for Dessert!
- For more information on Fortified Wine like the Port mentioned in today's show, please click here.
I hope you enjoy my Aphrodisiac Wines selections and I'd like to wish you all of you fabulous lovers a very Happy and Delicious Valentine's Day! xo
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Hello, Wine Lovers! My Facebook LIVE "Wines of the Week" series continues with a special Saturday episode entitled, Wine Collecting 101, a topic I'm very passionate about! Nothing is more magical than the way a wine transforms over time. Acid, tannins, sugar and alcohol converge in a dynamic, alchemical dance which ultimately creates something greater and more complex than the sum of its parts.And while many people are used to consuming wine shortly after purchasing it, I hope this episode inspires your curiosity and patience. Think of wine collecting as delayed gratification that will reward you many times over. In today's episode I debunk some commonly held myths about aging and collectingwine and feature some stellar selections to add to either your existing collection or inspire you to start one. The first myth I'd like to debunk is that you need some custom built, 5,000 bottle cellar to collect wine - you absolutely do NOT!All you need is a cool, quiet, dark place on your home free from vibration, light or widely fluctuating temperatures and you are good to go. Please see below for the featured wines & resources mentioned in this episode as well as the full Facebook LIVE video. Even if you watch it after the live broadcast, please feel free to ask questions or make comments - I PROMISE to get back to you!TODAY'S FEATURED WINES:1.) Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Rhone Valley, France, 2010 ($120)[To purchase the current release of this wine, please click the following link: Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Rhone Valley, France, 2015 ($80)]2.) Marchesi Antinori Tignanello IGT, Tuscany, Italy, 2001 ($90)[To purchase the current release of this wine, please click the following link:Marchesi Antinori Tignanello IGT, Tuscany, Italy, 2014 ($90)]3.) Darioush Shahpar Late Harvest, Napa Valley, California, 2004 ($140 - 375 mL)[To purchase the current release of this wine, please click the following link: Darioush Shahpar Late Harvest, Napa Valley, California, 2011 ($70 - 375mL)]4.) Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port, Douro, Portugal, 2005 ($28)[To purchase the current release of this wine, please click the following link: Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port, Douro, Portugal, 2012 ($20)]<span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:- Coravin Model Two Wine System ($290) - One of my FAVORITE wine accessories which uses a super thin, surgical grade needle to pierce the porous cork of a bottle, allowing you to extract some wine without affecting the wine's aging process. This way you can see if a wine is ready to drink without committing to the entire bottle. If it's not quite ready, simply return the bottle to its resting place and sample again at a later date. For info on purchasing, please click here.- Suggested Age-Worthy Wines:(1) White Wines: White Rioja, German Riesling, White Burgundy, high-acid white Greek wines & Champagne(2) Red Wines: Bordeaux, Burgundy, California Cabernets & Spanish reds(3) Late Harvest/Dessert Wines: Sauternes from Bordeaux, Quarts de Chaume from the Loire Valley, Hungarian Tokaji & German Riesling(4) Fortified Wines: Various styles of Port, Sherry, Madeira & Marsala- Photo of grapes affected by Botrytis Cinerea (aka Noble Rot) used to make Sauternes, the legendary, sweet wines of Bordeaux.To view the full "Wine Collecting 101" Facebook LIVE episode please play the video above and for information or questions regarding my Cellar Consulting Services, please e-mail me at Stephanie [at] theglamorousgourmet [dot] com. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.Also, to view previous episodes of “Wines of the Week,” please click here. Thanks so much for tuning in and if you'd like to share any of your own experiences with ageing or collecting wines – I’d LOVE to hear about them! Please let me know in the Comments section below and be sure to join me next Friday, February 9th at 5pm EST on Facebook LIVE for some special Valentine's Day wine selections.Cheers,
I'm NO baker - but I do LOVE wine! So any recipe I discover that's even remotely related to wine...well, I feel a responsibility to explore it further. Especially when it looks outrageously delicious!
Such was the case with the Canelé, a delightful French pastry known for its mahogany, burnt sugar crust and contrasting decadent, custardy center. Typically flavored with rum and vanilla, these beauties are baked in a special Canelé mold to achieve their hallmark striated, cylindrical shape.
Are you wondering where the wine comes in yet?
The Canelé originated in Bordeaux, a region many wine lovers adore due to its legendary full-bodied, age worthy red wines. Well, critical to the production of these wines is a process called "fining" in which a compound, usually egg whites, is added to the wine which binds to any potentially harmful chemicals. To get geeky, the positively charged albumin in the egg whites binds to negatively charged, undesirable polyphenols in the wine which then congeal and settle to the bottom of the barrel where they can be easily removed.
Since only the egg whites are used to "fine" the wine, the Canelé was born as a way to utilize all the leftover yolks. And personally, I can't think of a better place for them than the delightfully eggy, dense custard center of these glorious pastries!
On our first visit to Bordeaux we noticed Canelés everywhere, usually in miniature form. But this amazing recipe is for the standard size, which are bigger and allow for a better contrast between the caramelized outer crust and tender center.
Plus, there's just more Canelé to enjoy - what's not to love about that?
Now, if you're like me and not the most proficient baker, you might be a little intimidated by this recipe at first glance. I know I was, BUT I also love a challenge, especially one that leaves you with fabulous French pastries at the end. And, I'm here to tell you, Erin McDowell, food stylist and Food52 Baking Consultant, has written a brilliant recipe here. As a food blogger for almost 10 years now, I'm a stickler for a well-written recipe and this one is so well-written you actually feel like McDowell's in the kitchen with you, offering helpful advice at every step.
In addition to a few basic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry (i.e. eggs, flour, sugar, vanilla and butter) the only additional things you need to make this recipe are: (1) time and (2) a Canelé mold. This is the perfect weekend project since you need to let the batter rest overnight in the fridge before baking, which will also take a few hours. And, forget the elaborate and difficult to care for copper molds of the days of yore, McDowell recommends this brilliant silicone Canelé mold which can be found on Amazon for under ten dollars!
Now, the Canelés do require a little babysitting during the baking process. The mold needs to be generously buttered and pre-heated before adding the batter which aids in the caramelization process. The oven temperature also needs to be dropped after the first thirty minutes as well.
And, perhaps the ONLY thing McDowell doesn't prepare you for is the flipping of the Canelés in the mold for the final stage of baking. You might end up with some scorched fingertips but again, these beauties are so delicious you won't even notice those minor burns as you sink your teeth into these lovely confections!
Also, if you'd like a little something to sip with your Canelés, a Sauternes would be a positively exquisite pairing. This dessert wine also hails from the Bordeaux region of France and I'm a fan of the tenet, "If it grows together, it goes together." This special wine owes its delightful honeyed citrus, floral, peach and ginger notes to a very special type of mold, botrytis cinerea, which imparts unique flavors and a delightful viscosity to the wine which would complement these pastries beautifully.
I especially like the Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes ($40/half-bottle), a delightful blend of 95% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc, the two main grapes used to make Sauternes. I also adore the Chateau Climens Barsac ($80/750mL bottle) a rare 100% Semillon wine from the Sauternes sub-region of Barsac helmed by the wonderful Bérénice Lurton. Both embody the hallmark tension between honeyed viscosity and fabulous acidity which makes these wines so incredibly special.
Rather than include McDowell'sCanelé recipe in this post, I'm linking to it on the Food52 website where I discovered it. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have and I'd also love to encourage any established or aspiring bakers out there to check out McDowell's brand new cookbook, The Fearless Baker ($17.50). Her website is also chock full of gorgeous food photos as well.
After experiencing such success with these Canelés, it has definitely inspired me to bake more. Plus, I can't wait to pair these sweet treats with even more amazing wines as well.
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On this special Holiday edition of Wines of the Week on FB LIVE I'm sharing some of my favorite wines AND wine-related gifts perfect for the wine lover in your life. So in this episode I've got you covered with creative ideas for everyone from: (1) The Holiday Hostess, (2) The Red Wine Lover, (3) The Collector and (4) The ChampagneLover.1.) THE HOLIDAY HOSTESS: Nobody wants to show up to a holiday party empty handed but what to bring? Flowers? Another lame candle? How about something sparkling that won't break the bank? In all the years I've hosted holiday parties I've always been happy to receive bubbles which are universally appealing and super festive. I especially like these delicious bottles:Mionetto Prosecco Brut Treviso, Veneto, Italy, NV ($14): Hailing from Veneto region of Italy, this delightful Prosecco is light, crisp and refreshing with notes of white flowers, apples and citrus. While delicious on its own, this wine is also perfect for sparkling wine based drinks such as Mimosas, Bellinis and one of my faves: Rosemary Pomegranate Royales!Mumm Napa Brut Prestige, Napa Valley, California, NV ($20): Made in the same method as Champagne, this delightful domestic sparkler is a blend of 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris. It has lovely notes of citrus, apple, vanilla, with hints of toast, honey and gingerbread spice with ith a fine acidity and rich, lingering finish.And since your Hostess went through lots of effort to create a magical evening (even if she won't admit it) why not surprise her with one of these stylish and unique accessories:"Bring on the Bubbly" Flutes:$32 - set of two; $70 - set of fourRose Gold Jewel Wine Glasses ($25 - set of two)Both sets of glasses are available on Amazin (simply click respective links) or locally at Linen Closet boutique in downtown Delray Beach (303 NE 4th Street, Delray Beach, FL 33444 (561)266-0766. Ask for Christina or Carolann & tell them The Glamorous Gourmet sent ya!2.) THE RED WINE LOVER: This is the time of year to sip and savor those big, bold red wines and what's better than a Cabernet Sauvignon? I especially adore these two California Cabernets available at two different price points to suit your budget:Fortress Knight's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, California, 2013 ($35): This wine is an interesting blend of grape varieties including 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc. It's aged in a mixture of French and American oak and has delicious notes of dark fruit, mocha & spice.Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, Napa, California, 2012 ($60): This wine is from one of my FAVE producers in the Napa Valley who make exceptional wines from the acclaimed Rutherford AVA of California's Napa Valley.One potential problem when drinking red wine can be those pesky tannins which can make a wine taste too astringent. In order to tame those tannins you need to aerate the wine and I especially love these two accessories which should be in every red wine lover's repertoire:Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator ($20): This handy aerator is perfect for when you don’t feel like indulging in a whole bottle of wine.Riedel Ultra Wine Decanter ($170): This beautiful and functional crystal decanter is perfect for decanting an entire bottle of wine. It is easy to use and clean and can also be used in conjunction with the Vinturi for extra aeration!3.) THE WINE COLLECTOR: People collect wine to observe and enjoy how it ages over time. All types of wine can benefit from aging including sparkling, red, white and even dessert wine as long as it has the right combination of acid, tannin and/or sugar. Here are two of my favorites:Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy, 2014 ($75): From the famed Ornellaia estate’s younger vineyards, this true, imminently ageable “second wine” is a delicious blend of 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot.Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes, Bordeaux, France, 2014 ($40/375mL bottle): This delightful blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc gets its magical flavor profile from a mold known as "Noble Rot" which shrivels the grapes on the vine which then produce a heavenly viscous sweet juice. Sauternes are some of the most ageable wines on the planet and would be a welcome surprise to any wine collector!How do you know when those special bottles are ready to open? If ONLY there was a way to sample a wine so you could tell when it was JUST perfect without opening the entire bottle too early or too late. Well, friends, the Coravin is the answer to your vinous prayers. The device's thin needle allows wine to be siphoned out of the bottle without removing the cork and spoiling the wine. While initially only found in restaurants, consumer models are now available and, for the wine collector, - money well spent!Coravin Model One Starter Wine System ($230): If you're a budding oenophile this model is perfect with easy to use, convenient silicone, soft touch grips.Coravin Model Two Elite Wine System ($349): The Ferrari of the Coravin models with a graphite body and chrome clamps and trigger. You can also get it in custom colors to match your home as well as bundle it with other accessories.4.) THE CHAMPAGNE LOVER: There's no better time to indulge in decadence than the holidays and if you really want to dazzle the Champagne lover in your life, here are a few of my favorite bottles.Taittinger Brut La Francaise, Reims, France, NV ($45): I love this spectacular sparkler from one of the few remaining family owned and run Champagne houses in France. This wine is predominantly Chardonnay, the signature grape of the House, which produces a light, crisp and elegant wine with aromas and flavors of citrus, apple and toasted brioche.Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne, Reims, France, NV ($80): This unique bottle was inspired by King Henri IV and the fabulous wine inside is 100% Pinot Noir. The wine gains it's gorgeous deep pink color from a 48-72 hour maceration with the grape skins which imparts added body and tannin structure to the wine. The wine has gorgeous aromas and flavors of raspberry, red currant, black cherry and spice.Pair of Juliska Amalia Champagne Flutes ($150): These exquisite hand blown flutes of lead-free glass are made in the hills outside of Prague by Capucine and Dave Gooding.Laguiole en Aubrac Champagne Saber ($200): Handcrafted in France, this special saber is used to perform the traditional ritual of Sabrage in which the top of a Champagne bottle is removed as the dull edge of the blade hits the neck of the bottle. This saber come in a beautiful display box and features a stainless blade complete with the "Laguiole en Aubrac" insignia and a beautiful horn handle.Kate Spade Finer Things Champagne Bucket Bag ($358): If the Champagne lover in your life also happens to like fashion, this whimsical bag is a must! It features a cross-body strap and a silver glitter-encrusted bucket complete with faux Champagne bottle and ice cubes. The bag opens with a discrete magnetic closure and comes with a stylish dust bag as well – FABULOUS!To view the entire Facebook Live Holiday Episode, please see FULL video below:
In the second episode of The Wine Atelier 101 Series, we'll talk about Red Wine. And I think French writer and poet Henri Murger really captured people's great passion for red wines when he said, "The first duty of wine is to be red. Don't talk to me of your white wines!"In today's episode, I'll be going over the process of making red wine, potential health benefits, terms associated with red wines, and many other must-know details so you can dazzle everyone with your red wine knowledge and gain vinous street cred among your wine-loving friends! I'm also answering a question from a red wine-living listener regarding those dreaded red wine headaches - BIG hint: they're NOT from the sulfites!Please click the link below to listen to the full episode and all resources promised in this episode are listed below as well. Thanks so much for listening - I greatly appreciate it!RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:Please e-mail me your wine-related questions to: stephanie [at] theglamorousgourmet [dot] comTo sign up for my WONDERFULWeekly Newsletter (you'll NEVER hear from me more than once a week - pinky swear!) please click here and follow the prompts.RIEDEL WINE DECANTER ($37): I love the shape of this practical decanter which makes it easy to pour AND easy to clean. It's perfect for infusing those young red wines with oxygen or removing older red wines from their sediment. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!MY FAVORITE CAUDALIE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS:1.) Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser Fleur de Vigne ($24.94):This light, gentle, soap-free cleanser removes even the most stubborn eye makeup while leaving your skin cleansed, bright & refreshed. It is formulated WITHOUT Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs and Triclosan. It also does NOT contain animal ingredients and is NOT tested on animals.2.) Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($52.49): This highly concentrated, oil-free serum improves the appearance of dark spots, promotes even skin tone & boosts radiance. It is formulated WITHOUT Parabens, Sulfates & Phthalates3.) Caudalie Divine Oil 100ml/3.4 oz ($42): This delightfully versatile, delicately scented dry oil has a weightless, rapid-penetrating texture that you will fall in love with! It contains 4 natural oils including (1) grape oil, (2) extra-virgin argan oil, (3) extra-virgin hibiscus oil & (4) sesame oil. It can be used anywhere and helps deeply nourish hair, nails, skin or enhance baths & massages. It is subtly, yet divinely, scented with rose, grapefruit, spicy pink pepper & warm cedar to awaken your senses.4.) Caudalie Lip Conditioner Lip Balm - .15oz ($11): This delightful product features a subtle vanilla flavor and is crafted from grape-seed polyphenols, shea butter & castor oil. It is extremely versatile and can be used for purposes ranging from nourishing & moisturizing lips, reducing furrow & lip lines and moisturizing dry cuticles. I always have it on hand when traveling, especially to dry climates.STEVE MARTIN "THE JERK" FRESH WINE SCENE:<span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>
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If you've ever stood with clammy hands looking up at the 10-foot tall "Wall of Wine" in the grocery store wondering how the heck you're going to pick wines to pair with all the crazy flavors of the Thanksgiving meal, not to mention satisfy your crazy family members, this episode of "Wines of the Week" is for you! In it, I recommend wines that will alleviate your Wine PairingParalysis and pair beautifully with EVERYTHING and EVERYONE at your holiday table.This week's episode features 4 All-American Thanksgiving Wines from some of my favorite producers to pair with this most All-American holiday. These wines are all relatively easy to find, but if you can't locate them, simply ask your local wine retailer to recommend a similar wine.These wines are also crafted from grape varieties which are legendary for "playing nicely" with a wide variety of flavors. You definitely want to avoid wines with lots of oak or harsh, aggressive tannins that'll clash with many of the flavors commonly found in a Thanksgiving meal.4 Fabulous All-American Thanksgiving Wines(Please watch full episode below for detailed tasting notes & MORE helpful advice):1.) Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour, Carneros, California, NV ($42)*SHOW NOTE: To read more about sparkling wine & Champagne production, please read my "Champagne 101" post by clicking here.2.) King Estate Backbone Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2015 ($28)*SHOW NOTE: This wine was aged "sur lie" a French term that means "on the lees" and to find out what the heck that means, simply click here.3.) Résonance Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2015 ($45)4.) Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley, California, 2014 ($50)For ALL the details on this week's All-American Thanksgiving Wines please watch the Facebook LIVE video above. To view previous episodes of “Wines of the Week” on Facebook LIVE, please click here. And if YOU have any favorite wines you're looking forward to enjoying next week, I’d LOVE to hear about them! Please let me know in the Comments section below.Wishing you a Happy & Delicious Thanksgiving,
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