Month: June 2023

If you’re planning a fancy dinner party, wine selection is an art that can truly enhance the dining experience. Choosing the right wine not only complements the flavors of your dishes but also sets the tone for the evening. Here are some of the best wines to serve at your next sophisticated soirée.

Start With a Sparkle – Champagne or Prosecco

Begin the evening with a bit of sparkle to excite your guests’ palates. A well-chilled glass of Champagne or Prosecco sets a festive mood and pairs wonderfully with a range of appetizers.

Crisp Whites – Seyval Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc

White wines like Seyval Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc are excellent choices for serving with your first course, particularly if you’re serving seafood or light vegetarian dishes. Our Bogati Seyval Blanc, with its floral notes followed by fruity hints of melon and a touch of citrus, is an excellent palate pleaser.

Versatile Reds – Pinot Noir or Malbec

For the main course, the wine should match the weight and intensity of the dish. A Pinot Noir, with its light body and rich, fruity notes, is perfect for poultry and mushroom dishes. Alternatively, a full-bodied Malbec like our award-winning Bogati Malbec, with its bold tannins and notes of dark fruit and spice, pairs excellently with red meat dishes.

After Dinner Delights – Dessert Wines

To wrap up the dinner, serve a sweet dessert wine. A rich Port or a late-harvest Riesling can be a lovely match with decadent chocolate desserts or a cheese board.

Bonus Tip – Temperature Matters

Remember, the serving temperature can significantly impact how a wine tastes. Lighter-bodied white wines are best served cold (around 45-50°F), while full-bodied white wines and light red wines should be a bit warmer (50-60°F). Full-bodied red wines, like our Bogati Malbec, taste best at ‘room temperature’ (60-65°F).

Choosing the right wine can truly transform a meal and elevate a fancy dinner party to the next level. Your guests will appreciate the thought and care put into the wine selection, enhancing the overall dining experience. Cheers to a memorable evening! ????????

Hello, wine enthusiasts and foodies alike! We have exciting news for you – Bogati Winery is pleased to announce the start of our ‘Bottle and Board’ Fridays beginning July 7, 2023. Say goodbye to ordinary Friday nights and welcome the weekend in style with this fantastic offer!

What’s in Store?

Every Friday from noon till closing, join us for our exclusive Bottle and Board Specials at a tempting $38, and even better, our club members can enjoy this offer at a discounted price of $32.30!

Our board features mouth-watering empanadas from Gringo Gordo. These gourmet empanadas, packed with delicious fillings, make the perfect companion to a relaxing evening of wine sipping. But it gets better – you get to pair these tasty empanadas with your choice of any of our classic wines.

On your plate you’ll receive one Argentine Beef Empanada, one Black Bean & Corn Empanada, and one Onion & Cheese Empanada. They will come with two dipping sauces: Savory Chimichurri and Spicy Chipotle Ranch!

A Sip of Our Classics

Choose from our elegant Seyval Blanc, with its delicate structure and firm acidity, the Tango Blu, a blend of Seyval Blanc and Vidal Blanc, the fun and fruity Bogati Blush, or our full-bodied, award-winning Malbec. And let’s not forget our intriguing Fat Ass Red, a complex red blend with a rich profile of spices and fruit sensations.

These are wines that have been loved for their unique profiles and the rich, authentic taste of Virginia they offer.

A Friday-Only Special

Remember, our Bottle and Board special is a Friday-only offer. It’s a perfect excuse to wind down after a long week, immerse yourself in the ambiance of our winery, and savor the pairing of fantastic local cuisine with our exquisite wines.

So, mark your calendars for July 7, and every Friday after that! Bring a friend, a loved one, or just a good book, and join us at Bogati Winery for a delightful gastronomic experience. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Find us open from noon till closing, and let’s make every Friday unforgettable with Bogati’s Bottle and Board! Cheers! ????????????

Whether you’re at a formal dinner, a casual wine tasting, or simply enjoying a glass of vino with friends, there’s a certain level of decorum associated with drinking wine. Mastering these subtleties not only enhances your own appreciation of wine but can also impress your companions. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the world of wine etiquette with panache.

1. Choosing the Right Glass: Different styles of wine are best served in specific types of glasses to enhance their characteristics. For example, red wines generally benefit from a larger, rounder bowl to allow the wine to breathe, while white wines are often served in smaller, narrower glasses to maintain their cooler temperature.

2. Holding the Glass: Avoid holding the bowl of the glass as it can warm the wine and leave smudges. Instead, grip the stem or the base of the glass. This ensures the wine stays at the ideal temperature and your glass remains clear and smudge-free.

3. Pouring the Wine: As a general rule, pour red wines up to the widest diameter of the glass to allow the wine to breathe. White wines should be poured less to keep them cooler for longer. Sparkling wines should be poured down the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles.

4. Swirling the Wine: Swirling allows the wine to interact with the air, releasing its bouquet. Keep the base of the glass on the table if you’re not confident with swirling – it’s just as effective and reduces the chance of spillage!

5. Sniffing the Wine: Smelling the wine provides clues about its character and quality. Take a moment to appreciate the wine’s aroma before you take your first sip.

6. Sipping the Wine: When tasting wine, draw some air through your lips to vaporize the wine and spread it throughout your mouth. This can highlight flavors and aromas you might otherwise miss.

7. Wine Pairing: Pairing wine with the right food can enhance both the meal and the wine. While there are no fixed rules, a common guideline is to match the weight of the wine with the weight of the food.

8. Storing the Wine: If you don’t finish the bottle, replace the cork or cap and store the wine upright in the fridge to slow down oxidation. While it’s generally best to consume it within 2-3 days, some wines may last longer.

9. The Toast: During a toast, make eye contact when clinking glasses. It’s considered polite and can create a moment of connection.

Proper wine etiquette can enhance your wine-drinking experience and make a favorable impression on others. Remember, though, that wine is primarily about enjoyment. So, while it’s great to know these guidelines, don’t let them overshadow the sheer pleasure of tasting and sharing good wine!

The next time you’re at Bogati, impress your companions by showing off your newly acquired wine etiquette. Cheers to your enhanced wine-drinking journey!

Decanting wine might seem like an elaborate ritual reserved for sommeliers and wine connoisseurs. However, understanding the process and benefits can greatly enhance your wine-drinking experience. Let’s dive into the world of decanting and discover the difference it can make to your favorite wines.

What is Decanting?

Decanting is the process of slowly pouring wine from its bottle into a separate container, called a decanter. The main reasons to decant are to separate the wine from any sediment that has formed and to aerate the wine, allowing it to breathe and open up its flavors.

Benefits of Decanting

1. Separating Sediment:

Sediment is natural and harmless but can impart a gritty texture and bitter taste. Older wines, especially reds, often produce sediment as tannins and pigments bond over time. Decanting allows you to separate the clear wine from the sediment, ensuring a smoother taste.

2. Aeration:

When wine is exposed to air, it interacts with oxygen, triggering the release of its aromas and softening its flavors. This process, known as aeration, can make wine more expressive and enjoyable to drink.

Ways to Decant Wine

1. Traditional Decanting:

This is the classic method, involving a slow and steady pour of the wine into a decanter. Hold the bottle at an angle, pour slowly, and watch for sediment reaching the bottle’s neck. Stop pouring when you see this. The key is patience, as rushing can mix the sediment back into the wine.

2. Splash Decanting:

Also known as “shock decanting,” this involves pouring the wine vigorously into the decanter to maximize its exposure to oxygen. This method is often used for younger wines, which can benefit from the aggressive aeration.

3. Double Decanting:

This process involves decanting the wine into a decanter, then cleaning the original bottle to remove any sediment, and decanting the wine back into its original bottle. This method can be useful when you want to serve wine in its original bottle, but still want the benefits of decanting.

When to Decant

While decanting can benefit most wines, it is particularly useful for young, tannic reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec or Bogati Winery’s Fat Ass Red blend. These wines often benefit from an hour or two of decanting.

Older wines with sediment should be decanted right before serving. As they have already aged, their flavors have developed and they don’t need as much time to breathe.

Lighter, delicate wines, like Bogati Winery’s Seyval Blanc or the 2021 Blush, typically don’t require decanting. However, a brief decanting can sometimes enhance their aromas.

In conclusion, decanting can elevate your wine-drinking experience, highlighting the complex aromas and flavors of the wine. Like most things in the world of wine, the best guide is your personal preference, so don’t hesitate to experiment and discover what you enjoy the most.

What happens when you pair two of life’s greatest pleasures – chocolate and red wine? Well, your taste buds are taken on an exquisite journey, an experience that is sensory, emotional, and almost magical. But why is this pairing so special? Let’s dive into the scientific and sensory wonders behind this match made in heaven.

The Chemical Romance

The allure of wine and chocolate lies in their shared chemical profiles. Both contain flavonoids, natural compounds associated with health benefits like heart health and antioxidant properties. These compounds impart bitterness to both wine and chocolate, which helps create a unique balance of flavors.

Furthermore, both chocolate and red wine contain tannins, compounds that are astringent and give a sense of dryness or bitterness. When combined, the tannins in the wine and chocolate soften each other, allowing the other flavors to shine through.

The Sensory Experience

When you bite into a piece of chocolate and sip on red wine, several delightful things happen in your mouth. The fat in the chocolate coats your palate, acting as a primer for the wine. The wine, in turn, cuts through this fat, allowing the flavors of the chocolate to reset with each sip.

Chocolate’s sweetness can also contrast with the wine’s acidity, creating a harmonious balance in your mouth. The fruit flavors in the wine are accentuated, while the chocolate’s bitterness is softened, allowing for more nuanced cocoa flavors to emerge.

Perfect Pairs

Dark chocolate with high cocoa content pairs well with bold red wines like Bogati’s Fat Ass Red blend. This wine’s rich flavors of black cherry and spicy tobacco stand up to the intensity of dark chocolate.

Milk chocolate, with its creamy, sweet character, pairs beautifully with a lighter, fruity red like Bogati’s 2021 JB Merlot. The wine’s blueberry and cacao notes harmonize with the chocolate, creating an incredibly indulgent experience.

In conclusion, the interplay of flavors, textures, and aromas make the combination of chocolate and red wine a sensory delight. So, next time you’re enjoying your favorite chocolate, pour yourself a glass of red wine, sit back, and savor the symphony of flavors dancing on your palate.

Please remember to consume alcohol responsibly and enjoy the magical pairing of wine and chocolate in moderation.

Summer is right around the corner and with it comes warm nights, good company, and the irresistible aroma of BBQ wafting through the air. But a good BBQ isn’t complete without the perfect wine to complement your grilled goodies. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of scrumptious BBQ dishes paired with some of our favorite Bogati wines. And to sweeten the deal, we’ve included some mouthwatering recipes to try at your next cookout!

1. BBQ Chicken and Bogati’s 2021 Seyval Blanc

BBQ chicken, with its rich, smoky flavor, pairs wonderfully with our crisp 2021 Seyval Blanc. This wine’s delicate structure, hints of melon and tones of citrus beautifully balance the tangy BBQ sauce.

Recipe: Season your chicken with salt, pepper, and your favorite BBQ sauce. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Grilled Vegetables and Bogati’s 2021 Tango Blu

Our Tango Blu, a blend of Seyval Blanc and Vidal Blanc, compliments grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. Its fruity character and firm acidity cut through the charred flavors perfectly.

Recipe: Toss your chosen vegetables in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill until they are tender and have beautiful grill marks.

3. Grilled Steak and Bogati’s Fat Ass Red

For grilled steak, we recommend our Fat Ass Red. This complex red blend, with its rich flavors of black cherry and spicy tobacco, complements the deep, savory flavors of a well-grilled steak.

Recipe: Season your steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill to your desired doneness. Let it rest before slicing against the grain.

4. BBQ Ribs and Bogati’s 2021 JB Merlot

Our 2021 JB Merlot, with its notes of blueberries, espresso, cacao, and tobacco, pairs perfectly with slow-cooked, BBQ ribs. The wine’s full and firm structure can stand up to the richness of the ribs.

Recipe: Rub your ribs with a mix of brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Slow cook them on the grill, regularly basting with BBQ sauce, until tender.

5. Grilled Shrimp and Bogati’s 2021 Blush

The 2021 Bogati Blush is a fantastic match for grilled shrimp. Its fruity notes of strawberry and black cherry, paired with its slight sweetness, complement the sweet, delicate flavor of the shrimp.

Recipe: Marinate your shrimp in a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and chopped fresh herbs. Grill until they’re pink and opaque.

Remember, the best wine pairing is one that you enjoy. These suggestions are just a starting point to inspire your culinary adventures. So fire up the grill, uncork your favorite Bogati wine, and let the BBQ begin! Cheers!