Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases

Bertolli Wine and Food Pairing Giveaway Winner: Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Bertolli and Spatulas & Corkscrews "Into The Heart of Italy"  Winner! You'll be receiving a Food & Wine Pairing Kit drop-shipped directly to you from Bertolli! There were 33 comments (a few duplicates, so I had to delete those to make it fair), and you all seemed really, really excited to win this HUGE box from Bertolli. Unfortunately, only one lucky reader could win. 

"Into The Heart of Italy" with Bertolli
Thanks for watching Bertolli's webisode and commenting on my blog. If you didn't win this time, please try Bertolli's awesome meals. We had a tasting party (I'll be sharing those photos soon in another post) and the food was delicious, easy to prepare, and inexpensive. I will definitely keep Bertolli's frozen entrees on my shopping list!

Who Won the Bertolli Giveaway?
Milisa, author of the blog, "Miss In The Kitchen" won the giveaway. She was #24, randomly chosen by the trusty Mr. Random Generator. Here's a screen shot of Melisa's comment and the time stamp of her entry. Congrats Melisa! I'll be emailing you as well. And if you could... Bertolli would REALLY love it if you posted your winning photos for them as well! When you get your box of goodies, make sure to do up a nice blog post for all of us to see and drool over too! All I need now is for you to email me with your mailing address and Bertolli will ship it out next week. WOO HOO!

BERTOLLI GIVEAWAY Reminder: $175.00 Food and Wine Tasting Kit

The giveaway for BERTOLLI's 'Into the Heart of Italy' Food and Wine Pairing Kit Valued at $175 ends at midnight, Tuesday, June 1st, so make sure you get your comments in for the drawing before time runs out. This is a fantastic tasting kit with pasta bowls, serving plates, wine carafe, wine cooler, coupons for Bertolli's frozen entrees, and a $50.00 Visa Card to take to your local wine shop and pick out complimentary wines.

Giveaway Ends Midnight EST, June 1, 2010

Make sure you read all the instructions first, and leave your comment on the original post. What are you waiting for? Go enter the Bertolli Into the Heart of Italy Food and Wine Pairing Kit Valued at $175 giveaway! Continental U.S. entries only.

GIVEAWAY: Bertolli Into the Heart of Italy Food and Wine Pairing Kit Valued at $175

 
  

Bertolli emailed me a few days ago asking if I was interested in hosting an at-home Food and Wine Pairing Party. Of course I would! I love food and wine - hence the blog name, Spatulas & Corkscrews. This giveaway was made for me! I emailed her  as soon as I could wrap my head around it. You see, Bertolli was offering to overnight me a package worth $175.00. Yes, you read that right! So I quickly emailed them and said, "Yes, Yes, YES! Send me your Food and Wine Pairing Kit!" Emily, the sweet girl from Bertolli, emailed me right back with some instructions, and told me to expect the package the very next day.

I was busy writing all day (did you know I'm writing The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking for Penguin Publishing?), and thought about the package on and off, thinking... is this real? $175.00 worth of goodies from Bertolli? I saw the Fed Ex truck come into the marina and ran into the office. I could not believe how BIG that box was! I had trouble getting it down the steps and into the car. Did I say the box was BIG?

When I opened it, I was stunned. In the Food and Wine Pairing Party kit were:

• VIP coupons for four Bertolli Frozen Meals for two that will transport you to Italy in just 10 minutes: I have yet to go shopping for them as I just got the box this afternoon.
• Two, CB2 Verona Pasta Serving Bowls: BIG, BIG, BIG Beautiful White Pasta Serving Bowls!
• Four, Crate & Barrel Rotate Plates: Four cute square and stylish white plates to match the bowls.
• Crate & Barrel Marble Wine Chiller: This wine chiller is really nice. I've always wanted one, but never bought one for myself.
• Crate & Barrel Wine Decanter: Another beautifully elegant item I never thought to buy for myself. I can't wait to use it!
• Bertolli Wine Pairing Guide and $50 of gift cards to purchase wines complimentary to the meals: Who sends a $50.00 Visa card to a freelance writer and blogger to buy wine with? I was blown away with Bertolli's generosity. A classy company indeed! I already have the wine in mind I want to purchase. Marc the Wine Guy at People's Liquor Warehouse in Warwick, R.I. will help me choose just the right wine if I'm not thinking clearly.
  

 


Introducing "Into the Heart of Italy" Webisodes 

Bertolli has introduced a series of fun and informative videos to watch and learn by. I was excited to learn something new, and did I already say I love food and wine? Anyway... to kick off their line of frozen entrees, they've added loads of new meals that I can't wait to try.

Soooo, it's off to the grocery store and liquor store to redeem my coupons. Next, I'll be excited to invite a few choice guests to have a 'Heart of Italy Food & Wine Pairing Party' with. Good thing we're house sitting and can spread out!

 

To Enter the Giveaway:

• Here's the deal. Bertolli wants me to have a GIVEAWAY for an identical 'Into the Heart of  Italy' Food & Wine Pairing Kit.
• One BIG prize worth $175.00 to one lucky reader. They'll drop ship the box right to your doorstep for you. Then, you can have your own Food & Wine Pairing Party. Give it lots of BUZZ for them, take pictures, blog the wine and food party for them, they're a generous company!

Entry Requirements:

• All entries for the giveaway must be located in the United States. They cannot ship outside the U.S.
  
• Watch the video carefully, you'll have to answer the episode’s clue.
• In your comment, tell me what was your favorite scene in the video?
• Don't forget the clue!
• Make sure I know  how to get in touch with you should you win.
• The giveaway starts now, and will end on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at midnight EST.

"Into the Heart of Italy" Webisode #5

In this episode, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito and actors Marisa Tomei and Dan Cortese explore Italian wine cellars, learn how to taste wine, visit Montepulciano and prepare Chicken Marsala. But you don’t need to search a wine cellar to enjoy the authentic taste of a slow-simmered wine sauce in your Chicken Marsala. With Bertolli Frozen meals you’re just minutes away from a luscious Italian experience in the comfort of your own home.

Earth Friendly Wine Seminar - People's Liquor Warehouse

 


Wine Tasting
Looking to go green with your wine? Join People's Liquor Warehouse and Marc "the Wine Guy" on Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:00pm for their fun and informative Earth Friendly Wine Seminar. The discussion will include Organic and Biodynamic Wines and local, farm fresh organic foods.

As always, the seminar is free and open to the public. Please reserve your seat in advance by calling People's Liquor Warehouse at 737-0900.

People's Liquor Warehouse
1350 Greenwich Ave
Warwick, RI 02886
401-737-0900

Easter Wine Tasting - People's Liquor Warehouse

                                    

Wines for Easter
Ever wonder what wine to serve for Easter dinner? Which wine pairs with ham or lamb? What type of wine would you serve with the Quiche Lorriane for an Easter Brunch? Marc, "The Wine Guy" has a seminar - and a nice selection of wines to taste- already planned to educate and train our palettes in anticipation of Easter!



What is Kosher Wine?
I've always wondered this myself. What makes a wine Kosher, and why would you serve Kosher wine? Again, "The Wine Guy" will explain all these mysteries to us, so we'll be even more wine savvy the next time a Jewish holiday comes up.

The Wines for Easter Seminar is being held on Wednesday, April 8th at 6:00 pm. As always, the seminar and tasting are free and open to the public. People's does ask that you call (401-737-0900) and reserve a spot so they have enough chairs and glasses set up. Plus, you don't want them to run out of wine when they get around to you!

People's Liquor Warehouse
1350 Greenwich Ave
Warwick, RI 02866
(401) 737-0900

WINE DINNER - SOPHIA'S TUSCAN GRILLE & People's Liquor Warehouse - Warwick, RI

                                          

Chef Chris & The Wine Guy
Chef Chris Palios and Marc Guillotte, the Wine Guy, will once again pair up for what promises to be another amazing 4 course wine dinner on  Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 at 6:30pm.

San Joseph's Festivita Wine Dinner
Hosted by People's Liquor Warehouse of Warwick, Rhode Island, and served at Sophia's Tuscan Grille, Chef Chris Palios and Marc Guillotte, the Wine Guy, will be presenting a spectacular wine dinner not to be missed! While Chef Chris is in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the San Joseph's Festivita Wine Dinner, Marc will start to pour his selection of wines, each expertly paired for the matching course. 

I did a pretty cool slide show using Chef Chris' photos. Check it out by going here to my Sophia's Tuscan Grille Wine Dinner post. Scroll down past the menu until you get to "View Slideshow".

                                                                         

First Course

• Shaved Fennel Salad w/Orange Supremes, Grilled Prawns, Calabrian Chilies & White Balsamic Reduction
• Paired w/ Fattoria San Lorenzo Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi

Second Course

• Lasagnette Del San Giuseppe (Homemade Peasant Style Pappardelle Pasta w/Almonds, Tomatoes, Basil & Bread Crumbs)
• Paired w/Les Trois Chemin Cote du Rhone Blanc & Fresco Baldidaldo Nipozzano Chianti Reserva

                                                          

Third Course

• Bruschetts Con Le Fave ( Fava Bean Bruschetta w/Cod Fish Cake & Sicilian Olive Oil)
• Paired w/Attems Pinot Grigio & Vina Lancianno Single Vineyard

Fourth Course

• Sfinge di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph's Cream Puffs)
• Paired w/Quady Essencia Orange Muscat or a Caffe Italiano

                                                        

$50.00 per person includes tax & tip - Please call People's Liquor Warehouse for more information and to purchase tickets.

Wine Dinner - Sophia's Tuscan Grille - Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 at 6:30pm
Sophia's Tuscan Grille, 1729 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI (401-732-6656)
People's Liquor Warehouse, 1350 Greenwich Ave., Warwick, RI (401-737-0900)

                                                          

Irish Beer Tasting - People's Liquor Warehouse

Irish Beer Tasting & Seminar
Let's start off St. Patrick's Day a little early! People's Liquor Warehouse, 1350 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI, is hosting an Irish Beer Seminar on Wednesday, March 11th at 6pm.

 

The Luck of the Irish!
Marc, "The Wine Guy", and People's Liquor Warehouse,  is brewing up a great event with an Irish Beer Tasting. Meet their special guest speaker who will join Marc in presenting what promises to be a very lively discussion of Irish brewing and Irish Pub Fare. Maybe with a little Irish luck, we'll be kissing the Blarney Stone on St. Patrick's Day!

 

People's Liquor Warehouse
The seminar is free and open to the public, and People's Liquor Warehouse asks that you reserve your spot by calling 401-737-0900. We'll see you there on Wednesday, March 11th at 6:00pm!

1350 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI 02886
peoplesliquorwarehouse.com 
(401) 737-0900

photo by sxc

WINE TASTING - Sauvignon Blanc - People's Liquor Warehouse, Rhode Island

                                            

We took this photo while we were in Amador County, California. It was crush time!

Wine Seminar & Artisan Cheeses
It's that time again! Time for a Wine Seminar at People's Liquor Warehouse in Warwick, Rhode Island! This Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 6:00pm, Marc, the Wine Guy is planning to take us on an in-store wine tasting trip through New Zealand, France, Chile & the United States, tasting Sauvignon Blanc - the "other white wine".

                         
Narragansett Creamery
Joining him in this one hour seminar, will be Louella Hill of Narragansett Creamery. She'll be bringing a wonderful selection of their Artisan cheeses, specially paired with Marc's choice of Sauvignon Blanc wine. Narragansett Creamery is currently the only producer of cheeses in Rhode Island. Living in Vermont for almost 10 years spoiled us. Having an abundance of local artisan cheeses and our daily bread in our backyard was second nature to us. Not that we took it for granted, but it was an almost spiritual thing. Cows. Milk. Cheese. How much simpler can it get? Can't wait!

                                  

People's wine tasting & seminar are free, but please call ahead (401-737-0900) to confirm your spot. It's been so well attended the last few months, that there were people standing!  Seriously, I think there were more than 45 that came to the Valentine's Wine & Chocolate seminar! It's that good! You won't want to miss it!

See you there! Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 6:00pm.

People's Liquor Warehouse, 1350 Greenwich Ave, (Apponaug) Warwick, RI, 02886, 401-737-0900

Permission to use copyrighted photos granted by Narragansett Creamery, Dearborn Street, Providence, RI, 02909, 401-272-4944 

WINE TASTING & SEMINAR - People's Liquor Warehouse, Rhode Island

                                                          

Fine Wine & Chocolate Seminar

What could be more romantic on Valentine's Day than gourmet chocolates and  sparkling fruity red wine, a full-bodied Amarone, or a fun Muscato d'Asti? Impress someone special this holiday by showing off your wine smarts!

Marc the Wine Guy and People's Liquor Warehouse are trying to seduce us again with something really special for Valentine's Day. They've invited Jennifer's Chocolates of Wakefield, RI to tempt us with a sinful assortment of her luscious hand crafted chocolates.  Marc will then pair 4 specially selected wines with the chocolates for the occasion.

The fabulous Valentine Wine Line-up Includes:

• De Forville Muscato d'Asti
• Quinta des Bacaladas
• Banfi Rosa Regale - I've personally enjoyed this sparkling red wine myself, usually during the holidays. With its hint of fruity raspberries, this very romantic wine is perfect when paired with gourmet chocolate. You're sure to get lucky on Valentine's Day with this fun red bubbly!
• Rengo's 2004 Amarone - I've only been fortunate enough to taste this voluptuous, full-bodied Amarone twice (although I'm not sure of the vintage) and each time, I was enamored with it! If you truly want to impress someone on Valentine's Day, this deep, ruby red Amarone will not disappoint!
  

When, Where & Why
The Fine Wine & Chocolate Seminar is being held on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 6:00pm. Please call People's Liquor Warehouse, at 401-737-0900 so they have a seat waiting for you. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this wine & chocolate tasting!

People's Liquor Warehouse (Apponaug), 1350 Greenwich Ave, Warwick RI 02886, 401-737-0900

Photo, courtesy of Jennifer's Chocolates

WINE TASTING - People's Liquor Warehouse, Rhode Island

                                                   

Wine Seminar
People's Liquor Warehouse is having a wine tasting this Wednesday night, January 14th, 2009 at 6:00pm.  Marc, "The Wine Guy", will be conducting a seminar and sampling four different Tempranillos.  These luscious, full-bodied red wines will be paired with Tapas and cheese. The seminar is free, but they would appreciate an RSVP to reserve your place.

                                                                                                                                                  

Tempranillo Wine
Originally from Spain, the blue-black Tempranillo is also grown in Argentina, Chile, California and a few other countries. In fact, we had some of the best Tempranillo wine from a vineyard named Frog's Tooth Vineyard in Murphy's, California. We brought a few bottles home with us before the bad law made it impossible to transport wines in carry-on luggage. The last time we went to Murphy's, we sent a number of bottles home by UPS. It was that good!

California Wine Collection - We brought all this back with us and then some!

                                                                        

We've been to many of Marc's wine seminars and tastings over the past year, the crowd is lively, and we always learn something new. If you live in or near Rhode Island, come meet us for a wine-filled hour at People's Liquor Warehouse in the Apponaug section of Warwick, RI.
 
People's Liquor Warehouse, 1/14/2009
1350 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886
RSVP - 401-737-0900