{#WineWednesday} Looking for a Sparkling #Wine to start your #FourthofJuly2018 with a pop of apple crisp goodness that will carry you into fall? Check out @drinksauvage

Happy Fourth of July Butterflies!

Compensated Post Sponsored By: Sauvage Comsi Comsa Apple Crisp Sparkling Wine

June was a BIG month at Ascending Butterfly, it marked the 10 year anniversary of this blog. I normally do a 'it's our birthday, you get the gifts' month of giveaways, but things got super busy so I will sprinkle some giveaway goodness into your life throughout the summer.

Something about Independence day and the expression "As American as Apple Pie" made me want to work on this post today. And while I am not presenting actual Apple Pie, I am talking about 'Apple Crisp', of a LIQUID variety.

Above: Sauvage Comsi Comsa 'Apple Crisp' Sparkling Wine

You guys have no idea just how long it took to get this flat overlay shot to work, then I used Ribbet (my fave online Photo Editing Software) to get this matte effect!

For some odd reason my wine tasting experiences have leaned heavily on the international side, and when I got to cover the Tropicana Winter Wine Fest in Atlantic City, New Jersey, it was the first time I had a chance to try wines produced closer to home.

Today I am proud to share a wine that is produced in Oneonta, New York and has only TWO ingredients - apples and champagne yeast. This wine is natural, gluten-free and kosher and made with dozens of apple varieties sourced from local farms surrounding the distillery.

Sauvage's distillery and tasting room is in Oneonta, New York in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains along the banks of the Susquehanna River and has direct access to 24 varieties of apple's growing in the nearby region's orchards.

It is 12% alcohol by volume with an Amber-Caramel color and a 'full-bodied nose' and is that intersection where bubbly meets cider (cider is only 6% alcohol by volume, Comsi Comsa 'Apple Crisp' is 12%).

It has the refreshing taste of a crisp green apple, not a sweet, crumbly dessert, I tend to lean toward brut and dry palate wines and love that this is crisp, surprisingly full-bodied and well-balanced.

Above: I was so inspired I even started exploring fun filters - this filter is called "True Vintage" and I love everything about it, I want to enlarge this one and put it in my kitchen!

MY TAKE:

Sauvage Comsi Comsa Sparkling Wine is affordable luxury at $14.99 per bottle and pairs so perfectly with cheeses that you will want to make it the star of your summer and fall. I'm a Brie Cheese lover and the pairing of this wine with Brie is literally a match made in heaven.

If an 'Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away' surely stocking my bar with Comsi Comsa Apple Crisp will help me live forever right?

So be sure to pick up a bottle to go along with your backyard barbecues and fireworks today!

Please drink responsibly butterflies, do NOT drink and drive!

Readers Sound Off: What is your favorite way to enjoy Apples?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is both a compensated and a sponsored Post, but the love is real. Ascending Butterfly is not just my passion project, it's my business/brand. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

A #FoodieFriday from @brasserie812 with @fmg_nyc + @WinesofCroatia #Wine! Because it is #NationalWineDay

NOT SPONSORED!

Today is National Wine Day!

Happy National Wine Day Butterflies! Hope you have some fun plans for Memorial Day Weekend!

Does your Memorial Day Weekend include Wine and Good Times?

Grab an Ice Bucket and start chilling your wine!

I meant to serve this up for #WineWednesday on the interwebs (and will admit this recap is LONG overdue) but I am glad it worked out for both #FoodieFriday and #NationalWine Day as it includes a nice mix of BOTH.

When my friends at FMGNYC PR invite me to an event I make every effort to attend, and considering I haven't been attending nearly a quarter of the amount of events I have been invited to this year that is saying A LOT.

My wine posts have tended to be heavier on international wines - what can I say, I am well heeled and so is my choice in wines. I like events that expose me to something different and this dinner held by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce at Midtown’s Brasserie 8 ½ gave me a taste of what the Croatian wine region has to offer.

Above: Menu + Place Card - look my name is spelled correctly! It never fails that I attend an event and the place card botches my FIRST name by sticking an 'E' where it does NOT belong. So I am always happy for a place card with my name spelled right. We are off to a great start. CHEERS to this!

Above: I was seated at Table 5 and nabbed a shot before the rest of the guests hit the table.

The Menu:

Appetizer: Grilled Jumbo Shrimp Salad with Couscous Citrus Vinaigrette, Peppercress Lettuce

Entree: Filet Mignon Au Poivre - Chive Whipped Bintjee Potatoes, Haricots Verts, Black Truffle Sauce

or

Roasted Rack of Lamb - Potato Dauphine, Haricorts Verts, Au Jus

Dessert: Warm Pear Financier - Maple Ice Cream

Above: Appetizer: Grilled Jumbo Shrimp Salad with Couscous Citrus Vinaigrette, Peppercress Lettuce - the touch of Citrus gave these Jumbo Shrimp the perfect hint of summer loving and would be perfect for your memorial day entertaining this weekend.

Above: I chose the Filet Mignon Au Poivre with Chive Whipped Bintjee Potatoes, Haricots Verts, and Black Truffle Sauce! It was so GOOD!!! There was no one close enough for me to nab a shot of the rack of lamb but it looked great also.

Dessert: Warm Pear Financier - Maple Ice Cream - This was such a well balanced dessert!

This white wine fom the Slavonia region, the Vezak Graševina was a great example of Croatia’s principal grape variety, the Graševina. The color of this dry white is similar to the colors of the golden fields characteristic of  Croatian valleys. It offers a flowery aroma mixed with a fruity bouquet and a slight mineral aftertaste. This wine will compliment seafood or a white meats.

Above: This dry robust  red wine, Ivan Dolac Barrique, was named for the aforementioned French barrel it matures in and hails from Hvar. It offers a berry and slightly  floral aroma. It is quite smooth, easy on the palette and  compliments any roast game or grilled fish.

Above: The award-winning Plavac, the Zlatan Plavac Grand Cru is made from grapes that are organically grown in the picturesque slopes of the island of Hvar.  From 35 to 50-year-old vines! The wine is then aged in French barrique barrels for two years and 6-12 months in the bottle. It is a dry red with hints of leather, pepper, chocolate, and prunes. This earthy wine is best paired with steaks and lobsters and as you can see there is a bottle size to suit pretty much any size party!

Above: The final Croatian wine was the Kabola Muškat Momjanski. It perfectly complimented the warm pear and maple ice cream dessert. A refreshing and medium-bodied white with notes of peaches, rose, and honey with a slight mineral quality. This white had a slight lingering taste that I normally associate with red wines. Definitely a great summer white to enjoy during memorial day weekend.

Above: Sorry to bounce you around so much from whites to reds, but I actually saved the one I loved most for last on purpose. The Erdutski Rosé is made from the Pinot Black grapes of the Slavonia region and has a warm blush pink color. This is literally THE MOST  BALANCED Rosé I have tasted in a LONG time. There were some folks at my table who do not like Rosé and tried this one at my urging and asked for another glass. It is perfect - not sweet or overly dry - the balance on this Rosé makes it one I will be reaching for year round, but it is definitely perfect for these upcoming summer nights and this long memorial day weekend. This one is my stand out from the tasting for sure.

Above: Monika Elling, FMGNYC Public Relations

Above: And guess who I spotted at Table 4? (Former) Governor George Pataki, NYC! (Seated Center)

MY TAKE

The selection of wines was quite impressive and the pairings were excellent, this is a wine tasting I definitely want to recreate for friends and family and hope it inspires you too. I say a visit to Croatia is next on my list as well.

Readers: What are your plans for Memorial Day? What wines are you drinking this weekend and where are you travelling to?

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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, this was a media tasting, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{21+ Only} Happy New Year Butterflies! Here's a peek into my New Years Eve celebration with @cinzanoofficial #Cinzano #Prosecco and #Asti and @BottegaGold Prosecco and Sparkling #Moscato

All things bubbly/sparkling provided by Palm Bay Imports!

HAPPY NEW YEAR BUTTERFLIES!

I hope 2018 is treating you well, I will be back soon with an inspirational post and to share my "word/phrase" for this new year, the theme is actually a personal one that will cross over into the blog as I will post monthly to hold myself accountable for truly living my word this year, don't tell me yours yet, we will share them together on an upcoming post (more than likely on Monday for "Motivation Monday" on the interwebs).

Remember that EPIC BabbleBoxx Holiday Party where I got a chance to meet the nice folks at Cinzano Prosecco? ICYMI - In Case You Missed It - here is a link to that post: BabbleBoxx Holiday Party New York City

They were nice enough to hook me up on New Year's Eve, I usually share a shot on social media with a picture of what I am sipping leading up to midnight, but this year things were pretty festive so I thought I would share my sparkling sips with you in a full blog post.

Above: Bottega Il Vino Poeti Gold Prosecco

Bottega Gold - Prosecco Doc Brut Sparkling Wine, Glera Grapes grown close to the Venetian Prealps. Stainless Steel containers at low temps to preserve freshness and the golden bottle also protects the wine from any source of light helping to also preserve aroma and freshness. Alcohol Content: 11% - and it just plain looks cool on your bar!

Above: SWEET DECISIONS! From Left to Right: Bottega Platinum, Sparkling Moscato, Cinzano Cuvee Storica Prosecco, Dry Sparkling Wine, Cinzano Asti D.O.C.G. Sparkling Sweet Wine and Far Right: is the Bottega Gold Prosecco. Also featured in the close up photo above with the two glasses.

My Take:

I already raved about Cinzano Prosecco when I got to try it at the BabbleBox Holiday Party in NYC, it tastes amazing and won't break the bank, and is really well balanced, not sweet yet not overly dry.

Bottega Prosecco is just slightly sweeter than Cinzano but also very well balanced and the bottles are such a beautiful presentation in addition to blocking light to preserve freshness.

Quite frankly any of these would make lovely hostess gifts!

And I have no idea where I have been, but this was my first time trying a sparkling moscato! YES to that! Yes to all things sparkling and bubbly!

I had a lovely start to my new year and hope you all did too!

Butterflies What Did you do for New Year's Eve? Did you got out or stay in? What were you drinking?

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FTC Disclosure: Wine provided for Editorial Consideration, all opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway & Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Things that lure this butterfly out of her cocoon: Technology, Travel, Fashion, Beauty, Spirits (Sparkling, Champagne, Prosecco, Sake, Bourbon, Craft Brews), Foodie Fun - really I'm such a *simple girl*.

{#WineWednesday} Let's discuss the White Table #Wine 'Julia-Marie' from @SalemOakWinery & my blinged out Glass too!

When I cover Wine Tastings sometimes individual glimpses can get lost as I try to present an event as a whole. I feel with Wine Events actual *feedback* or at least my perceptions on the wines I was introduced to was getting lost in covering the magnitude of an event.

I thought with the interwebs offering two choices for Wednesday - #WordlessWednesday or #WineWednesday I would try to use my Wednesdays for Wine Wednesdays as we all know I am NOT good at going totally Wordless.

Here is this week's 'Wine Wednesday' -  Salem Oak's Winery 'Julia-Marie' White Table Wine:

MY TAKE:

I first met 'Julia-Marie' during Tropicana's Winter Wine Festival which in case you missed it I covered HERE. Local Wineries were featured prominently at this Tasting Event and I really enjoyed learning more about Local Wines and Wineries. I hope to visit Salem Oak Winery in person and I greatly appreciated getting a sample of what they have to offer.

I am all about trying out a wide variety and when I attend a wine tasting event I 'taste through' starting with Whites and moving to Reds. (And needless to say Sparkling Wines which are my personal favorite). While I am open to trying out as many as I can to develop my palate and learn, I do tend to lean toward Sparkling Wine like Champagne and Prosecco, then White Wine, Rosé, Moscato then Reds. I also seem to have a 'dry palate' and am attracted to slightly drier wines (which is why my affinity for Moscato surprises even me) - Julia-Marie leans slightly dry to me which is probably why I found myself so drawn to this particular white during my Salem Oak Winery 'taste through'. The wines are actually named after real people - employees in fact, which I found fun! (I want a Champagne named after my blog - just think about that for a minute - Ascending Butterfly the Bubbly! YAS!!!!)

I think all wines take on extra flair when consumed from my favorite animal print painted blinged out to the max wine glass, don't you agree?

I like this one for a Seafood Meal, Shellfish Dishes etc (I tend to prefer a white that is not overly fruity when I am using it for a Seafood Pairing). Remember butterflies - it is not about how much the wine costs, learn your palate and buy what makes you happy!

Readers Sound Off: Have you visited any local wineries recently? Which one?

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FTC Disclosure:  Wine was provided for Editorial Consideration and my pure enjoyment, and as always ALL opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Photo Highlights from Official Taste of #AtlanticCity #RestaurantWeek Exclusive Preview Event @BorgataAC #DOAC

Above: Atlantic City Restaurant Week Ice Sculpture at Exclusive Preview Event held at Borgata Atlantic City

With things finally looking more like Spring in my neck of the woods I thought I would share a reco for those of you wanting to shed that 'cabin fever' and find something foodie and fun to do to lure yourself out the bat cave!

I had the chance to hit an Exclusive Preview Kickoff Event for Atlantic City Restaurant Week at the Borgata in Atlantic City and thought I would share the photo highlights from the event and give you the lo down because you are not going to want to miss this!

From March 6th - March 12th, participating restaurants from the best of Atlantic City's culinary scene will offer three-course lunches for $15.14 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and three-course dinners for only $33.14 person (plus tax and gratuity), check out the Atlantic City Restaurant Week Website for more info.

Here are my Photo Highlights:

Above: The Preview Event was held in the Event Center of The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa

Above: I knew there would be an interesting backstory to these tables, and I was right, at the end of the evening the 'table decor' was donated to a local food pantry. I loved the clever way that they incorporated the donations into the table settings. 'Decor with a cause' gotta love that!

Restaurants (in the same order the room was set up from front to back):

Above: Il Verdi Restaurant, Tropicana Casino and Resort will be participating in Atlantic City Restaurant Week, you can check out their exclusive to Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Above: Cavatelli Bolognese prepared by Il Verdi Restaurant, Tropicana Casino and Resort

Above: This Lobster Bisque Shooter from Fin Restaurant, Tropicana Resort and Casino Atlantic City was creatively staged by me to nab this killer shot! Check out FIN's Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Above: Tropicana Resort and Casino Restaurant Chefs hamming it up for the press cameras! Far Left, FIN's Head Chef, Demetrios Haronis - read more about him HERE or HERE (press where it reads 'meet the chef')

Above: The Melting Pot offered Chocolate Covered Strawberries - their proximity to Tanger Outlets aka "The Walk" in Atlantic City make it the perfect place to pop in after a grueling afternoon of shopping while in Atlantic City! Check out their special Restaurant Week Only Menu HERE

Above: Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse, Golden Nugget Atlantic City served up Caesar Salad (gotta get those greens in!) And can I just add just how much smiling, happy chefs make me happy?  Check out the Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Above: Grotto Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City served us 'Arancini Balls' and I couldn't resist getting a close up of them, see below:

Above: Arancini Balls prepared by Grotto Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City - this photo might just be 'award winning' just saying.....(and you know Golden Nugget has been featured on Ascending Butterfly often - they are always nice to us bloggers! Look for past coverage HERE and HERE and HERE) - You can check out their Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Above: Lillie's Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City offered a very simple but sweet dessert! I wish they had brought us the sushi they are so famous for though! I haven't had the chance to try Lillie's yet but would like too, this dessert was a fun start! You can see Lillie's Restaurant Week Menu HERE.

Above: Sammy D's Restaurant, Harrah's Atlantic City, you can check out various menus for the restaurant HERE

Above: Hell's Kitchen Season 14 Winner Chef Meghan Gill presents Mini Beef Wellington a specialty of Gordon Ramsey Pub & Grill at Caesar's Atlantic City. Check out their Menu HERE

Above: The Sashimi Tuna Tacos were FANTASTIC! I dug the laid back approachable vibe and now I really want to check out the restaurant the next time I visit AC! Like me, most of the folks we shared a table with went back up for more of these, they are totally addictive! I only wish I could have met Guy in person and thanked him for these! Check out the menu for Guy Fieri's ChopHouse, Bally's Atlantic City HERE

Above: Nizam's II is a second location that is a short distance away from Atlantic City right off the Garden State Parkway where you can enjoy Authentic Indian Cuisine check out their Restaurant Week Menu HERE we got to taste their Dahi Puri, Chicken Seekh Kebab Dish

Above: The Historic Smithville Inn of Smithville, New Jersey prepared a Braised Short Rib Quesadilla and served it with honey chipotle aioli, you can check out their Atlantic City Restaurant Menu for Lunch and Dinner HERE

Above: Breadsticks Restaurant at Resorts Atlantic City will also be offering a Restaurant Week Menu which you can peruse HERE (sorry I can't be more chatty but this is my least fave restaurant not only at Resorts but in Atlantic City as a whole, I am hoping that things there have drastically changed since my last visit)

Above: Prime Rib from Gallagher's Steak House at Resorts Casino, you can check out their Atlantic City Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Above: I love that Gallagher's Displayed the Prime Rib with an assortment of Wines ready for pairing!

Above: The team at Broadway Burger Bar from Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City served up Pan Seared Salmon Served with Mashed Potatoes, while only Il Verdi and FIN are doing something official for Restaurant Week you can check out Broadway Burger Bar's Menu HERE (you may remember them being featured on Ascending Butterfly in December of 2015 when I attended the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Tropicana, they hosted the Press for a bite to eat afterwards, if you missed that coverage see it HERE)

Above: The Twenties Restaurant at Claridge Hotel presented Meatball Al Forno, check out their full Atlantic City Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Above: The Academy of Culinary Arts, Atlantic Cape Community College served up Roasted Cornish Game Hen with Farro Pilaf and Dates, Fancy!

Above: Last and certainly not least, not to be outdone was the event venue host - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa who prepared Smoked Duck with Fresh Vegetable Lumpia in the most adorable 'mini pails' - you can check out which of their restaurants are participating and their respective menus HERE

Above: There was an amazing Dessert Bar and you know I had to get creative with my cupcake staging!

Above: So many great sponsors were involved in bringing the event together, my tummy can't thank them all enough! :)

MY TAKE:

Not only is this is a great way to 'eat your way through Atlantic City', but it gives you the chance to experience fine dining at many popular venues well below cost! I can't say enough about the dishes I got to try and I got to experience a few other amazing things during this trip that I will share later this week. 

Tomorrow check out my post where I share a full tasting experience with the menu items offered from FIN Restaurant at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City! (Many of the items are on the Restaurant Week Menu by the way!)

I am also going to share about the Tropicana Winter Wine Festival this week as well so stay tuned my foodie and 'spirits' loving friends, there is much more in store!

Which of the above Restaurants is calling your name? Are you going to hit Atlantic City Restaurant Week this week? If so, please share your finds and picks! Do you love prix fixe menus too?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a monetarily compensated Post, passes to the Exclusive Preview Event were provided for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.