Skip to main content

Music and Great Wine Go Hand in Hand

19029 dreaming trees wine
Image used with permission by copyright holder
As you are gearing up for holiday parties, we’ve found some wines that are sure to be a hit with your crowd. Even better, these selections are a natural conversation starter because they combine the worlds of wine and music.

You can tell your friends how musician Dave Matthews is now in the wine business. He teamed up with award-winning winemaker Steve Reeder to create The Dreaming Tree wine collection, named after his song ‘The Dreaming Tree” from the 1998 album “Before These Crowded Streets.” “These are wines you’re going to want to share with your favorite people,” says Reeder.

The newest addition to their offerings is one we especially like. It’s the newly-released 2012 Central Coast Everyday white blend. It joins new vintages of 2011 Central Coast Chardonnay, 2011 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 North Coast Crush, and 2009 Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The pricing ranges from $15 to $35.

Matthews and Reeder concentrated on producing wines that have serious soul along with being affordable enough to appeal to a wide range of wine drinkers.

“There’s this kind of funny snobbery around wine that makes it seem exclusive, but it’s not true. Wine is for everyone and it’s fantastic stuff,” says Matthews.

Along with attention to wine quality, they are motivated to be equally environmentally conscious. The natural cork is sustainably grown and recyclable. The label is made with 100% recycled Kraft brown paper and the bottles, which are a quarter pound lighter than the average, are sealed with an eco-friendly sealant.

Marla Milling
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Marla Hardee Milling is a full-time freelance writer living in a place often called the Paris of the South, Sante Fe of the…
Prime Day is next week, but this Pit Boss grill has a sweet deal today
The Pit Boss Ultimate Outdoor Gas 2-Burner Griddle on a white background.

Amazon will officially launch its Prime Big Deal Days deals next week, but if you can't wait to buy a new grill, you should check out this offer from Best Buy -- $45 off the popular Pit Boss Ultimate 2-Burner Lift-Off Griddle. The discount slashes its price from $499 to $454, which is a steal considering all of the features of this cooking machine. You're going to have to hurry with your purchase if you're interested though, as we're not sure how much time is remaining before the bargain ends.

Why you should buy the Pit Boss Ultimate 2-Burner Lift-Off Griddle
The Pit Boss Ultimate 2-Burner Lift-Off Griddle is a unique grilling machine because it's extremely portable. The brand's Lift-Off technology will let you remove the entire griddle top for easier transportation, so you can bring it to your favorite campsite or any outdoor event. It's also easy to clean up because of the griddle's non-stick ceramic cooking surface, which also provides protection against scratches and rust, and a grease management system that collects all the excess oil in a tray.

Read more
Home bar hack: How to make French press cocktails
Use your French press to make a drink to imbibe in
Man using a French press

You might be procrastinating on getting the cocktail shaker you deserve, or perhaps you just want to try a new approach to making cocktails. Either way, French press cocktails are about to transform the way you tend your home bar. Who said this device has to be only for coffee beverages? This trend has been percolating for quite some time, as seasoned mixologists have developed airtight methods for creating hot and cold drinks.

Hot cocktail lovers can enjoy a simpler technique that yields more complex flavors, while cold/room-temperature cocktails can be improved through a better infusion process. Either way, you’ll be able to yield multiple drinks by using a French press for cocktails and maybe even enough for a dinner party, depending on the size of your press. While some insist on buying a new French press specifically for cocktails, your everyday press will work just fine if you wash it well and regularly. Below, discover the best French press cocktail recipes, both hot and iced.
French press Boulevardier recipe

Read more
Swiss Miss, Hotel Tango Distillery made a hot chocolate whiskey, your new favorite drink
Who wouldn't want a hot chocolate bourbon?
Hotel Tango

Fall is here and it’s only a matter of time before the weather turns colder. This means that hot chocolate season is right around the corner. But if you love this warming, chocolate-centric drink, but you wish it had a little boozy kick, you’re in luck. This is because the famed hot chocolate brand Swiss Miss folks are partnering with Hotel Tango Distillery to make your whiskey, marshmallow, and sweet chocolate dreams come true.
Swiss Miss 'Shmallow

It’s called Swiss Miss 'Shmallow and there just might not be a better whiskey to drink as you head into the holiday season. It starts as a flavorful, balanced bourbon which is then flavored with toasted marshmallow and cocoa. The result is complex, indulgent bourbon whiskey with notes of toffee, toasted marshmallows, and just hint of smoke. It’s the equivalent of a warming, seasonal sweater in whiskey form.

Read more