Author Archives: countessrose

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. Follow me on Instagram: sipwatchtweet #SipWatchTweet with me on Twitter: @VinoCapisco

Sip (Watch Tweet) Summer with my Rosé Blackberry Watermelon Sangria

Summer means summer TV shows and sangria Continue reading

Posted in Brandy, Cocktails, Grenache, Reality TV, Rosé, Sangria, SipWatchTweet, Social Media, Summer, summer cocktails, Television, Television, TV, Uncategorized, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spring into my Strawberry Fennel Sangria

This spring Sip Watch Tweet with strawberry fennel white wine sangria: I can’t believe it’s another season already! Spring is my favorite time of year. The weather is not too hot, not too cold. Sure, my favorite fruits are in … Continue reading

Posted in Brandy, cocktail, Cocktails, Pisco, Sangria, Sauvignon Blanc, Sip, SipWatchTweet, Social Media, Television, TV, Uncategorized, white wine, Wine, wine wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sip Winter in a Glass with my Clementine Persimmon Sangria

Seems like just yesterday I was working on perfecting my fall sangria. Now here it is the beginning of winter and I’ve perfected a sangria to fit the season. Admittedly, here in Southern California it’s more like a chilly version … Continue reading

Posted in Italian, Italian Wine, Red Wine, Sangria, SipWatchTweet, Television, TV, Uncategorized, Wine, wine wednesday, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sip Watch Tweet in Autumn with my Pomegranate and Black Grape Fall Sangria

Another season, another sangria and a plethora of returning favorites as well as new fall television shows to sip watch tweet with. Whether you call it fall or autumn, you’ll love this sangria all season long. To reiterate as I … Continue reading

Posted in Autumn, Cocktails, Dolcetto, Fall, Italian, Italian Wine, Red Wine, Sangria, Sip, SipWatchTweet, Social Media, Television, Television, TV, Uncategorized, Wine, wine wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sip in Summer with my Plum Raspberry Sangria

Summer means longer days, warm  breezy nights and of course for me, Big Brother. As you know, each season I make a seasonal sangria and share it with you. Why a different sangria every season? Because the key ingredient in any sangria is fresh, seasonal … Continue reading

Posted in Brandy, Dolcetto, Italian, Italian Wine, Red Wine, sexy, SipWatchTweet, Social Media, Summer, summer cocktails, Television, Television, TV, Uncategorized, Wine, wine wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spring into Spring with my Apricot Pineapple Sangria

Fruit. Wine. Brandy. Sangria is as simple as that, yet it is butchered all across America. Seasonal fresh fruit is the key to successful sangria. So as we enter a new season, I give you a new sangria…as long as … Continue reading

Posted in Sangria, Sauvignon Blanc, SipWatchTweet, Spring, Uncategorized, white wine, Wine | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

#SipWatchTweet the #Oscars with Piper Heidsieck, Sterling Vineyards and Official Signature Cocktails

Drink what the stars are on #Oscars night! Just because you weren’t invited to the 88th Annual Academy Awards doesn’t mean you can’t sip what the stars will be. That evening they will be pouring Piper Heidsieck extra dry and … Continue reading

Posted in Academy Awards, Cocktails, Craft cocktails, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Mixology, Oscars, Scotch, SipWatchTweet, Uncategorized, whiskey, Whisky | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#SipWatchTweet with Warmed Winter Sangria

Another season, another sangria…Sort of. It’s actually my hybrid of white wine sangria and mulled wine; with a hint of spiced cider.  I couldn’t come up with a creative name so I’m just calling it, warmed white sangria. I hope … Continue reading

Posted in Cocktails, Sangria, Sip, SipWatchTweet, Television, Television, TV, Uncategorized, Wine, wine wednesday, winter | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sip in the Holidays at Bar Toscana

The holiday season nipping at our heels means our favorite shows on hiatus,  that means more sipping, less watching for me. Which leads me scouting for you the best sipping to get you in the mood. Once again, I put … Continue reading

Posted in Autumn, bourbon, Brentwood, classic cocktails, Cocktails, Craft cocktails, Fall, Gin, Grappa, Italian, Mixology, Rum, Scotch, SipWatchTweet, Social Media, Uncategorized, whiskey, Whisky, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fall into the season with these Autumn Cocktails

When Autumn falls (see what I did there?) upon us, I’m always thrilled. It brings back the best T.V., it’s wine harvest season and all the best cocktail lounges and bars present their speciality fall cocktails. Here are my favorite … Continue reading

Posted in Autumn, Bars, bourbon, classic cocktails, Cocktails, Craft cocktails, Gin, Hollywood, Italian, Los Angeles, Mixology, rye, sexy, SipWatchTweet, Television, Television, TV, Uncategorized, whiskey, Whisky | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment