Autumn 🍂. Fall’s stripper name. Another season, means another sangria. But not just any season, the season that blesses us with a plethora of entertaining television shows; shows both network and cable, scripted and reality. This year, this season brings the series finale of our favorite #TGIT show, Scandal. I’m devastated and I know many of you are as well.
Like any true “Gladiator”, despite my devastation I must carry on. Carry on I shall, as I’ve been doing every season for the last few years. As per usual, I only use fresh fruit that is currently in season. Seasonal fresh fruit and complimentary wine is key for amazing Sangria. This fall I’ve decided to use black figs and fennel with a Chardonnay wine base. I wanted to use brown figs but they weren’t readily available yet. Feel free to sub out the black figs for brown later in the season if you so choose. If you’re not a fan of fennel, you can sub it out for 10 or so dried apricots.
FIG AND FENNEL CHARDONNAY SANGRIA
1 btl Chardonnay (or other full bodied white)
1c limoncello
1/4c agave nectar
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/2 fennel bulb
10 fresh black figs halved
Dried mission figs for garnish
Cut the half fennel bulb into quarters and layer on the bottom of a large pitcher along with black figs cut in halves. Add the limoncello, agave and lemon juice. Place in refrigerator at least 2 hours (but its best overnight). Remove fennel quarters (if using dried apricot substitute or if you love the flavor of fennel you may leave it in) and add the Chardonnay. Taste for sweetness, if more is desired add up to 1/4 cup more agave nectar. Sangria will last up to a week in your refrigerator.
About countessrose
SIP.WATCH.TWEET™
Born and bred New Yorker I now reside in the Los Angeles area. I was a debutante at age 18, Countess at 30, and despite having a bachelors degree in law, I ditched that profession and became a certified wine sommelier. Certified by both WSET Level 4 and the Court of Masters. I am a self-proclaimed connoisseur of California Zinfandel and all Primitivo. Although an actual Italian wine specialist I have an ongoing love affair with Sauternes and insist it’s an aphrodisiac. I’m serious about wine but don’t take wine seriously.
I started a wine tasting company, Vino CaPisco [loosely translated in Italian means, I understand wine] in 2004 and began private in-home wine tastings for those who wanted a fun way to learn about wine. We made Sopranos Sangiovese Lovers, Sex and the Bubbly, etc themed tastings. I did that successfully and happily, until I found an urge to cover more than wine. To learn, experience and discover spirits and cocktails around town...and beyond.
An occasional wine blogger for Wine Portfolio and Wine Library, I happened upon pairing wine and spirits with television shows and film in 2009 but I've recently began taking it on the road. Drinking and tweeting (and instagramming) from hotels, bars, speakeasys... I'm not a mixologist or bartender, I don't purport to have an education in cocktails or been to bar tending school. But I've been a certified sommelier since 2002 and a cocktail enthusiast and self-taught cocktail connoisseur seriously since 2012. I check out hotel bars, speciality bars, and local favorites. I talk to the mixologists/bartenders, get them to make me an original "off menu" cocktail and then give that recipe to you. If it fits, I'll also pair if with a T.V. show and tweet about it...Sometimes with a drinking game to match.
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