Strawberry Banana Vine Smoothie Recipe

  I've noticed many people find this blog after searching for "Vine Smoothie Recipes".  Realizing what a huge disappointment this blog must be to those searchers I've decided to add a recipe. First I should say there are real recipes listed on Vine Smoothie's website.  I chose not to look there...actually making my evening drink kinda came upon me in a different way.

  I originally planned on having a simple glass of wine.  I have this chardonnay that I've been wanting to taste.  The warm weather today...well, it just seemed like a chard kinda day.  I was all set to pop open the chardonnay, when the bottle of Strawberry Vine Smoothie appeared.  Originally, I was just going to drink it over ice, but changed my mind and decided to try it blended over ice.

Some Ice

 As I was about to pour the strawberry vine smoothie into the blender, I spotted a banana on the counter.  Then I blended until smooth.

Banana!

Guesstimate I added 8oz of Strawberry Wine Smoothie

  Once completed I took an apprehensive sip and was pleasantly surprised.  I find vine smoothies can be a bit strong, even over a few ice cubes.  Adding the banana and blending over ice, softened the taste.  It was actually perfect.  If you prefer more of a strawberry taste, add more smoothie, prefer more of a banana taste, add more banana or maybe use less ice...play around with it

TA DAH!!! My Strawberry Banana Wine Smoothie

Van Ruiten Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay

This week I decided I'd try a white wine. I've noticed that I have been drinking a lot of red and I needed to switch it up. It also didn't hurt that I had just received a shipment from one of my wine clubs (Gold Medal Wine Club), that contained a white wine.

Van Ruiten Vineyard 2008 Chardonnay

What is a Chardonnay? In general, Chardonnay produces wines which are dry to medium dry with pear, apple, tropical or citrus fruit flavors. When little to no oak aging occurs, Chardonnay tends to be more crisp and fresh. With extensive oak aging, they become creamy and buttery with vanilla, spice and oak flowers. It is the world's most popular white wine grape and it is grown in virtually every wine-producing region.

I read another review of this wine:
Lush and round on the palate, the Van Ruiten 2008 "Double Barrel" Reserve Chardonnay displays intense fruit and spicy oak aromas with notes of creamy lemon bar, apple, papaya, and hazelnut. While the finish is long and clean, the flavors become increasingly full and complex with time. Bright acidity and nice tannins give a wonderful balance to the Chardonnay and allows for a multitude of food pairings. Try pairing the Van Ruiten 2008 Reserve Chardonnay with fettuccine or chicken with cream butter sauces.

My thoughts- I wasn't sure what to expect. I decided I'd open the bottle and have a glass with some leftover Chinese food, Sweet and Sour shrimp. Since it was a pretty sweet meal to begin with I thought I'd have a few sips while my plate warmed in the microwave. I was worried that the sweetness of the sweet and sour sauce would wash out the wine. My first sip, really shocked me. I found it crisp, smooth, juicy and not too sweet at all. The flavor held up, even with the sugary sauce. I probably would not drink it again with this type of meal, but the wine still held it's own. To be certain about the wine I tried it again the next evening (that's a valid excuse). ;-) It was just as fantastic as I thought. I would definitely buy this to keep around when friends stop by. A perfect, light, easy wine for drinking with friends!