2021 Vision Board Guide: Helpful Templates & Printouts

Own Your Year

We are coming to the end of what has been quite a year. At the close of 2020 we are taking in some self care and appreciation for the good things that came from this year; like our interview with NPR’s Guy Raz on “How I built this''. Thank you to everyone who listened, shared, and responded to both episodes! We’re so grateful for the love & support we’ve had on our journey; which is why we want to celebrate you, your strength, and the lessons we’ve all learned going into 2021. So as we start reflecting and manifesting the year to come with a bottle of our favorite Sparkling Brut, (or two, maybe three, ...) let us cheers to closing 2020 with style!

Our 2021 vision boards both personally and professionally act as affirmations that remind us to live our best lives, every day. Creating visual reminders of our daily mantras has helped us turn our wildest dreams and innermost desires into reality; and can help you do the same! Whether you’re a vision board goddess or a first timer, we've created a vision board guide to help organize your goals and dreams while leading you through the creative process, every step of the way. Now it’s time to manifest your best year to date!

What You’ll Need:

Your very own McBride Sisters Vision Boarding Template 2021 - download here!

• A physical Vision Board  — we’ve ordered this set in the past
• Computer 
• Printer
• Magazines & Prints (we love a good vintage)
• Scissors
• Glue/Thumbtacks
• A bottle of Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut

 

Step One: Center the Future with Past & Present

First off, make sure you have a full glass of wine! 

• Then take some time to deeply reflect on your accomplishments, milestones and events from this past year. It’s also important to think of any areas where you see room for improvement in your life. Reflection can be done alone, but also presents a sweet opportunity to check in with friends and family at the start of the New Year.
• Next, focus on building the future of your dreams. Start to envision your life a year from now: dream up what you hope to accomplish and any changes or steps that might be necessary to make those accomplishments happen.
  • When conceptualizing your board, think deeply about what you want to invite into your life on a daily basis. 
• If it helps, write it all down! Think of your vision board as a kind of photo journal, that will make a habit of actually journaling your past, present and future. This will continue to help you map out your ideas and track your progress. 

Step Two: Attract Positive Energy

• Decide on one or several related themes to set the mood for your board.
  • We like to center our content around values such as quality, creativity, gratitude, etc. (but you can also get specific: professional, health & wellness, relationships… ).
• Find messages and symbols that you make you feel inspired, excited, and alive. You want this vision board to carry you through the entire year, so it has to be amazing.
• Pull a mix of imagery, art work, words, and quotes from anywhere that you can cut and paste. 
  • We like to use blogs and magazines to get us started.
    • Our go tos for this year are: Essence, Forbes, Refinery29, Wine Enthusiast, Well+Good, The Every Girl, Time Magazine, Vanity Fair, and so many more!

Tip: Pinterest is a great start for inspo; in fact, the whole site is kind of like a huge, digital vision board. This is the perfect platform to keep up your vision boarding throughout the year. But for now, print out your favorite pins and focus on a physical vision board that you can hang on your wall. It’s important that you are reminded every day of your hopes, dreams and inspiration.

• After you’ve exhausted the internet and your magazines/articles/etc., print out, cut out, and gather all of the content that you’ve collected.
• Content can be any and everything that you want to manifest for this upcoming year: magazine cut outs, printouts from your favorite blogs, postcards you’ve collected from traveling, the business card from your favorite restaurant…

Step Three: Design the Reality of Your Dreams

Start the crafting process and pour more wine! (Check out our wine club for more!)

• It's a great idea to share your research and goals with friends and communicating your ideas is a rewarding way to start your relationship with your vision board and your future. 
• Take your vision board, content, glue or thumbtacks, and begin turning your dreams into an expression of your best year yet!
• Your board can be minimal and focused or sprawling and energetic, it’s about whatever works best for you and your goals. This is your vision for 2021 and you have the full freedom to manifest it however you please.
  • Placement is where your imagination and creativity can run free. The design of the vision board is completely up to you. It can mirror the ebb and flow of your life or have no pattern at all; just be sure that it does reflect the inspiring theme(s) you chose to keep yourself motivated and on task! 

Step Four: Start Manifesting

(Did we say pour more wine yet? Crafts should never be done on an empty glass!)

• Place or hang your vision board somewhere that you can visually access on a daily basis. Where and when, is your vision board able to best reach you? Are you a morning person that does your best thinking while getting ready in the bathroom mirror, or while warming up your coffee? Maybe you’re a night owl that does your finest work late in the gym, or at the end of the day with a tall glass of Black Girl Magic Rosé. Either/or, give your vision board a home in a place where you elevate: in the bathroom by the mirror, in the kitchen on the fridge, at the office over your desk, etc..
• Thinking about your ambitions daily will make a habit of them. So make sure you pass by your vision board at least 3 times a day!
• Take a deep breath (and a big sip) to get ready for a new year. Embrace an attitude of gratitude for yourself, your ambition, and the friends and family that will help build you, and your dreams for 2021.
• You couldn’t have envisioned a brilliant future without loved ones you’d like to share it with, so double-check to make sure they’re somehow included in the messages on your board.

Now Get Ready For An Amazing New Year + Download our Vision Board Prints Here!

We can’t stress the importance of quality time with your dreams and aspirations. Above all else, we hope this vision board inspires you to live this next year to the fullest; and to celebrate every accomplishment, moment of happiness, and hardship. We are all strong enough to get through anything, especially as a community! When we were vision boarding for 2020, we never could have anticipated the highs and lows of this year. Not even in our wildest dreams could we have imagined being supported by your strength, style, and grace through it all. You are at the center of our vision board for 2021; because we would not be where we are today without you. Your encouragement inspires us to cultivate a better world for women, and to shine an especial light on beautiful examples of Black women being loved and uplifted. Thank you for helping us grow our Black Girl Magic Wines collection throughout this past year. This brand has been welcomed by an exceptional amount of excitement by this community. You have all showered these brands with so much love and enthusiasm, that the passion for these wines and the message that they serve, is the true magic of 2020.

Thank you again for one of our best years yet. It is our wish to bring quality, love, and celebration into your life for many more years to come! Cheers to the New Year!

Xo,

A Tale of Two Hemispheres

Holiday Celebrations Across The Northern & Southern Hemisphere

Fuzzy seasonal sweaters, hot cider by a warm fire, scarves, Christmas markets, and even snow playgrounds. Comforting festive visuals are what some of us know Christmas to be all about. For those of us who grew up in the Northern Hemisphere this warming visual may be spot on, however, for those residing in the Southern Hemisphere, a very different picture is likely to come to mind. So many of the Christmas traditions in the Northern Hemisphere revolve around the cold season, so a change in climate is sure to be reflected in the way the holidays are celebrated. 

One of the things that make the McBride Sisters Collection unique is the story of how we came together as sisters from opposite sides of the world. With Andrea growing up in New Zealand, and Robin coming from Monterey, we were connected after years of not knowing the other existed following a family event that brought us together. As a result, both hemispheres are very important to us and hold a special place in our hearts.

The holiday season is a time for celebration. No matter where in the world you are located you’re bound to have certain traditions that you follow and take part in when the holidays come around. To celebrate diversity and unity of the two hemispheres, we have put together a guide highlighting how both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres celebrate the holidays in their own unique ways.

What Do The Decorations Look Like in Different Hemispheres?

Traditionally, certain countries that experience colder climates during the holiday season, such as America and Europe, tend to decorate grand trees with lavish ornaments typically in gold, white and red colors. These colors are associated with warmth during a season when most of the Northern Hemisphere wants to be rugged up somewhere cozy, escaping the harsh winter cold. In Japan, the customary Christmas tree is adorned with handcrafted decorations such as paper lanterns and origami, with the origami swan being one of the most popular Christmas ornaments.

In a majority of countries in the Southern Hemisphere, the holiday decorations typically reflect the traditions of their Northern Hemisphere counterparts, with large Christmas trees and opulent ornaments lining the trees. This could be because of the way in which Hollywood’s perception of an American Christmas has shaped many other countries worldwide. Australia and New Zealand are two countries who follow such traditions, albeit, occasionally with a twist. In either of these countries you might find decorations that reflect the island life, such as seashells, native plants and flowers, and more. New Zealanders actually have their own version of a “Christmas tree”, the Pōhutukawa, which is a native tree that grows vibrant red bauble-like flowers during the holiday season. 

In many parts of South America it is common to find a nativity scene, or pesebre, accompanying the traditional Christmas tree, while in Mexico, piñatas decorations are filled with toys and candy to be a fun and interactive treat for the children.

Festive Meals

Every individual country does have its own unique customs and traditions, however, there are some similarities that connect each region. Meals in the Northern Hemisphere winter months are typically based around hearty, warming dishes. In the United States, a holiday spread is likely to consist of a variety of roast meats, accompanied by gravy, stuffing, and lots of delicious sides, with hot apple pies and Christmas puddings following for dessert. In parts of Europe soups and stews are traditionally served to keep the winter chills away. In Poland, a homely soup called Bigos (“Hunters Stew”) is enjoyed around Christmas, while in Slovakia they serve one of their most celebrated dishes, a cabbage stew.

Holiday dishes in the Southern Hemisphere countries typically reflect the warmer climate, however, there can still be somewhat of a British influence seen in certain holiday spreads. In Australia and New Zealand, hot summer Christmas days are celebrated with spreads of fresh local seafood, salads, and often barbeques are cooked outside, typically accompanied by fresh fruit and a dessert called pavlova. In South Africa, it is also common to celebrate the holidays with a braai (barbeque), while in Argentina they serve their own version of pigs in a blanket, called niños envueltos, which is typically stuffed with cabbage and meat.

Drinks

No matter where in the world you are, wine is a universal beverage that unites us all. At our Christmas table you’re bound to find bottles of our McBride Sisters Wine. For celebrations and holidays, we always like to have a bottle of McBride Sisters Collection NV Hawke's Bay Sparkling Brut Rosé readily available. Grown sustainably in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand and enjoyed by us in California, we’re merging the two hemispheres with every sip! Check out our store locator to find a bottle of these bubbles near you for last minute shopping.

Our favorite holiday wines from our wine club? Reds of course. There is nothing cozier than a warm fire and a delicious bottle of red wine. This holiday season we'd recommend opening up a bottle of the McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend. The Red Blend will pair perfectly with your Northern Hemisphere holiday feast and it makes a delicious mulled wine using one of the recipes here or paired with your favorite pie. 

Champagne and wine are festive staples in both hemispheres, with delicious wine-based recipes, such as mulled wine, being enjoyed in the colder climates. Other traditional holiday beverages served include cola de mono, a Chilean alternative to Eggnog that is served cold, while Italy’s own Eggnog alternative is the festive favorite Bombardino.

Holiday Activities 

Festive activities in the Northern Hemisphere tend to revolve around winter sports, such as ice-skating, skiing, or snowboarding, or attending traditional Christmas markets where hot beverages and artisanal items are sold. Visiting tree lighting ceremonies and Christmas lights displays are other popular activities among those looking to be dazzled by impressive festive decorations. 

Many Southern Hemisphere folk like to spend their time outside over Christmas, making the most of the hot weather and taking advantage of one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most frequented summer locations: the beach. Spending Christmas Day at the beach is a tradition for many, and you’re likely to find a majority of the popular beaches, such as Bondi Beach, packed with families, friends and tourists.

Old world style, new world finesse. Taste through our collections and new wine releases with our McBride Sisters Wine Club! Find out more here about our hand curated wine shipments, delivered to you quarterly.

 

Happy Holidays!

Xo, 

Robin & Andréa

 

MSC Gift Guide: Small Business Saturday

Black-Owned Wine Shops To Visit Across The Country

Give the gift of wine this season. This Small Business Saturday we've created an ever growing list of Black-owned wine shops across the country for your last minute Feast shopping, holiday gifting or just for when you need a good bottle of wine. Black-owned businesses have been disproportionally impacted this year and we want to make sure these businesses can not only stay in business but thrive in 2021. 

Enjoy the instant gratification of having a bottle of wine without waiting for shipping! We will continue adding to this list so please let us know if we've forgotten any wine shops to include in the comments. Shop local, shop small and spend your money with a purpose this holiday season and beyond. 

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California

SIP Wine and Beer | Escondido, CA
Boutique Vino | San Diego, CA

Colorado

Stapleton Wines & Spirits | Denver, CO

District of Columbia

Georgia

3 Parks Wine Shop | Atlanta, GA
Cynthia Bailey's Wine Room | Atlanta, GA
Corks and Cuvee Wine and Gift Shoppe | Conyers, GA

 

Illinois

Kimbark Beverage | Chicago, IL
1340 Beer Wine Spirits | Chicago, IL

 

Louisiana

Second Vine | New Orleans, LA

 

Massachusetts

Urban Grape | Boston, MA

 

Michigan

House of Pure Vin | Detroit, MI

 

North Carolina

New York

 

 

Tennessee

Pyramid | Memphis, TN
Moffitt's Wine & Spirits | Milan, TN

 

Texas

711 | Austin, TX
711 | Dallas, TX
OST Liquor Store | Houston, TX

 

Washington

Downtown Spirits | Seattle, WA

Pop The Bubbly With Your Bubble

It's the best time of the year! Usually the holidays are a time to travel and see family, friends and loved ones. But with everything that is going on in the world at the moment, this may not be a typical holiday season. This is, however, your chance to make new traditions. Through it all, we are still here and that is something to celebrate! 

So grab your Sparkling Brut and get ready to pop the bubbly with your bubble! Gather with the friends that you know are being COVID safe & smart, the group you’ve been with since the beginning of this year, and plan a feast to remember! This Friendsgiving is going to be better than the rest because this season, your friends are your family. 

So how does one plan a feast? What if you’ve never made an entire turkey before? To ease your mind, we’ve compiled a full guide on how to celebrate Friendsgiving so that you can focus on what’s important - friends, food and WINE. 

It’s Time to Celebrate

Since the holiday landscape does look a little different this year, Friendsgiving can be celebrated in a variety of ways, some traditional, others more creative. Whether you decide to attend or host an event in person or virtually, make the right decision for you, but just make sure you have a bottle of wine ready at the waiting. The Friendsgiving tips we provide can be done both virtually and in-person, so choose what you’re comfortable with and let’s party!

Host a potluck. Potlucks are always a fun way to see which of your friends can cook! Each person invited brings their favorite dish, often leading to a smorgasbord of exciting foods. Indulging is the game here, and we’re all for it. 

Virtual tip: Gather on zoom and have all your friends make a smaller, single serving size of their dish and share the recipes!

Throw a virtual party. This is great for the current time as you can invite as many people as you want. Tell your friends to invite their friends and you can even organize a talent show where people can sign up and showcase their chosen skill to the party. The talent show will get better as you drink!

Holiday movie marathon. Grab a group of your closest friends, prep a few dishes, organize some holiday drinks and pull out the cushions for a night at the movies (at home). 

Social distancing tip: There are a few fun ways to have a socially distanced movie night. Google Chrome extension Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) allows you to watch synchronized flicks with your friends all around the world, with a group chat feature added to Netflix, Disney, Hulu and HBO. Alternatively, if you live in an apartment block with a rooftop, you could see if your building can arrange a socially-distanced movie night with your neighbors. 

The Wine List

The refreshments that will accompany all the delicious food are just as important as the food itself. We all know how a great bottle of wine can level up a fabulous meal! 

For a more formal sit-down dinner, the Black Girl Magic Wines will pair well with your fancy attire & delicious food! The Black Girl Magic Fall Vibes 6-pack is perfect for this occasion and will provide you with an entire wine list in one order. It’s also a great time to taste through the collection with your favorite holiday dishes to find the best pairings!

The Food

Now for the best part of the holidays (apart from the great company, of course). The food. If you are hosting then typically you will supply the main meal and have your friends bring all the supporting side dishes. However, if it’s a potluck you can coordinate with all the guests to bring a different dish of their choosing. To mix things up a bit and get into the Autumn spirit, add a pie bar and ask everyone to bring their favorite pie and toppings. Your party will end up with a range of delicious pie options such as pumpkin, pecan, apple and more!

If your Friendsgiving bubble is more of a brunch crowd, try a range of lighter options that can satisfy your sweet tooth such as pumpkin-spiced waffles, homemade cinnamon buns or croissant french toast with soft caramel apples. 

The Decor

The key to making these new traditions into lasting memories? The decor! You may want to pick a theme or even have everyone dress up, when was the last time we wore our high heels? Turn wine corks into place card holders, stop by the store and get festive! Make your space feel like the home you may not be able to go visit this year. Facetime your mom or grandmother and get decorating tips from them, too. Virtual tip: If you’re hosting a virtual event, set a theme for everyone to dress up and put on a fun background. Or even have everyone put their background as one of their favorite photos of the group! 

Let the Games Begin!

Once the feasting is over, it’s time for the entertainment to begin. Friendsgiving is the time to reconnect with the people you love, and have fun together in person or virtually. It’s so important to be surrounded by your loved ones but this year that might just be a long Facetime call! Be safe this holiday week but also, treat yourself. You deserve a safe night surrounded by the friends in your bubble and the wines you love. Cheers!

 

P.S. While celebrating the holiday season with your families and friends, don't forget to cheers for the tiny little happiness in your daily life. Try out our Wine Club specials and share with your special ones. 

6 Ways to Celebrate a Socially-Distant Labor Day

A Socially-Distant Labor Day While Sheltering in Place

Wow. If someone had told us how the first 8 months of 2020 would pan out we probably wouldn’t have believed them. Yet here we are, heading up to Labor Day in the midst of a pandemic and like us, we’re sure most of you are eager to find ways to let loose. Labor Day is about taking a break; it has been a wild year for all of us, and we all deserve some time off. Due to social distancing, we won’t be doing most of the typical things we’re used to doing to celebrate the long weekend, such as throwing massive cookouts with our family and friends or heading to our favorite busy hot spots, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun! There are numerous ways for us to get creative, so gather up your quarantine crew and try out these exciting ideas for Labor Day. 

Mix Up a Summery Cocktail 

Release your inner mixologist and show off your newfound skills. You’ll be sure to impress your friends with these delicious cocktails that will officially mark the start of cocktail o’clock.

McBride Sisters Sparkling Summer Rosé Margarita

Ingredients

• 10 oz Mezcal
• 1 bottle of McBride Sisters New Zealand Sparkling Brut Rosé
• 5 oz fresh lime juice
• 4 oz Agave syrup
• A handful of sliced strawberries
• A bunch of basil
• Garnish: sliced strawberries, lime wheels and salt

Method

1. Combine the mezcal, lime juice and agave syrup in a punch bowl. 
2. Add the sliced strawberries and basil.
3. Sit in the fridge for half an hour to infuse.
4. Add cubed ice and stir to mix.
5. Top with the sparkling rosé.
6. Garnish with lime wheels, strawberries and salt and serve.

Tip: The bottle of mezcal can be infused for 3-5 days prior with the strawberries and basil for a stronger flavor. 

McBride Sisters Red Wine Sangria

Ingredients

• 1 bottle of McBride Sisters Central Coast California Red Blend, chilled.
• ½ cup of brandy 
• 1 large orange
• 1 cup of sliced mixed seasonal fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, peaches, nectarines), prepared and cut as desired
• 1 lemon sliced into thin rounds
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• Ice for serving

Method

1. Squeeze the juice from half of the orange into a pitcher. Thinly slice the remaining orange and add the slices to the pitcher.
2. Add the prepared seasonal fruit and lemon and remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Taste and add additional brown sugar until the flavors have reached your preferred sweetness.

Note: this sangria can be served immediately or let sit to marinate for a few hours to enhance the flavors. 

Serve in wine glasses with a few ice cubes to keep chilled. Enjoy!

Host a Wine Tasting Party with Your Squad

There’s nothing like indulging in some refreshing wines and delicious snacks to cool you off during the summer heat! Tell everyone to bring their own bottle of wine, and you can assign a theme such as favorite Californian wineries, family-run wineries and Black-owned wineries. (Hint: McBride Sisters fit into all three categories). We recommend pairing the elegant McBride Sisters Central Coast California Chardonnay with a buttery or nutty cheese such as Camembert or Tête de Moine. If you’re craving a red, pair the sultry McBride Sisters Central Coast California Red Blend with a sharp or smoked cheese such as a smoked Gouda or sharp Cheddar. 

Throw a Virtual Zoom Party (BYO wine)

If a small gathering with a few of your closest friends just isn’t cutting it for a national holiday, round up your extended family, friends and entire Facebook list for a virtual Labor Day celebration. The best thing about a virtual party is that you can connect with your friends and relatives on the other side of the country (or in another continent) without having to leave your own living room. Nothing says party like a cold canned beverage, so grab your favorite She Can flavor (they’re all delicious but with tropical notes of guava, grapefruit and golden kiwi the Island Citrus Dry Rosé really says let’s party), throw on an outfit that slays and get the good times rolling. 

Get Creative

Always wanted to check out a paint and sip wine party but never had the chance? Well, here’s your opportunity to host your own. Pick up a canvas, a set of acrylic or watercolor paints and an easel and turn your living room into the artist’s studio you’ve always dreamed of. You can invite a few of your closest friends over to join you (beware: things may get a little messy), or live stream the painting fun over Zoom. Tell your friends to pick up a bottle of their favorite McBride Sisters wine and get ready to unleash your inner Frida Kahlo. To mix things up a bit you can play with different themes or art periods, set a timer for 20-minute intervals and see what you come up with!

 

Have a Picnic in Your Backyard (or Rooftop, or Living Room)

One of the best things about summer is having outdoor picnics with delicious snacks, great wine and your besties. You don’t have to let the restrictions in your state hold you back from getting outdoors, with a little imagination and creativity you can turn your backyard, rooftop or living room into a magical retreat. Set up hanging fairy lights, large cushions and soft blankets and surround your space with plants for an instant, easy transformation. Our ideal way to kick off a picnic is with a can of She Can Rosé, the perfect pairing for any picnic spread. Turn up your summer playlist, like this 90s summer hip hop playlist on Spotify and slide right into picnic mode.

Get Your Game On

It’s time to dust off the box of Pictionary and gather up your crew. Or is Cards Against Humanity more your style? Whatever your game of choice is, pick it up and get ready for the best games night of your adult life. It’s not a real games night without drinks, so pick up a bottle or two of McBride Sisters Sauvignon Blanc, throw on some tunes and let the games begin. 

Have Fun and Stay Safe!

 

No matter what you decide to do for Labor Day remember to celebrate and have fun while staying safe. This isn’t only referring to COVID-19, but also keeping in mind to wear sunscreen on hot days, stay hydrated if you’re outside and keep social distancing rules in place where possible. Try out our seasonal Wine Club collections and enjoy your Labor Day weekend with your beloved families and friends. 

 

Xoxo

 

McBride Sisters Family Recipe: Chocolate & Jalapeño Short Ribs with McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend

Servings: 6

Total Time: 3 hr. 30 min

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Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 pounds boneless short ribs
• 2 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. canola oil
• 1/2 yellow onion diced
• 1 carrot diced
• 1 celery stalk diced
• 1 tsp. chopped garlic
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, minced
• 3 tsp. tomato paste
• 3 tsp. ketchup
• 1 1/2 tbsp. smoked paprika
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
• 1 cup McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend
• 2 cups beef stock
• 6 dried mixed chilies (Chipotle, arbol, ancho)
• 1 disc Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate chopped
• 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

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Directions:

1. Preheat a Le Creuset Grill Pan over medium heat; brush lightly with canola oil. Pat the short ribs dry and season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Grill short ribs in batches on all sides until grill marks appear, remove from grill and repeat with remaining short ribs.
2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
3. Heat olive oil in the Le Creuset Braiser over medium heat; add the onion, carrot, and celery to skillet. Sauté until they achieve color. Stir in garlic and jalapeño, cooking for one minute, and then add tomato paste and ketchup. Cook and stir until the paste starts to darken, scraping the bottom of the braiser to prevent burning. Stir in Paprika and Cumin, thyme, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook and stir to toast spices. Deglaze with McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend wine and scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan; allow wine to reduce by half. Add dried chilies and beef stock and heat mixture to a rolling simmer; add chocolate and stir to melt.
4. Place short ribs into braiser, cover with lid, and place in oven for 30 hours. The ribs should be very tender and almost fall off the bone. Carefully remove ribs to a serving platter and keep warm.
5. Remove whole Chile pieces from sauce and skim fat from the surface. Stir in 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar. If the sauce is too thin, mix 1/2 tbsp. flour 1tbsp. water together to form a slurry and whisk into sauce. Bring sauce to a boil and serve over ribs.  

While enjoying our family recipe, don’t forget to share with your beloved ones. Try out our seasonal Wine Club and enjoy with your families and friends! 

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SHE CAN Wines: Let’s Celebrate Us!

/SHE-CAN

Ladies, it’s our time to shine: It’s Women’s History Month! Embrace your inner Sasha Fierce and raise a glass to all of the impactful women who have paved the way for us to live our best lives. After all, we know #SHECAN do anything. 

A Boundless Sisterhood

When we entered the winemaking business, we knew we would face adversity––breaking into a male-dominated industry as two Black women is NOT easy. Taking inspiration from our two strong mothers and combining our determined, fearless personalities, our mission became clear: we would transform the industry through leading by example and cultivating community, one great wine at a time. We envisioned a true Sisterhood where women could bond over their achievements and a good bottle of Rosé.

The McBride Sisters Collection was born in 2010, and we can proudly say we are the first Black Sisters to create and grow a wine company. We didn’t do it on our own, though––from Coco Chanel to Oprah, Andréa and I looked up to many resilient women throughout history to turn our shared dream of making wine into a reality. (On a side note, Coco is definitely a Brut Rosé kind of girl.) 

Chasing a dream is a never-ending marathon that takes dedication and support. Each day we think about how we can create uplifting, positive experiences for women. We want to encourage women to color outside the lines, to never settle, and to empower each other, because, as we always say, empowered women empower women. Hopefully, Andréa and I will help open doors for other women, just as women before us have done. 

Check out this inspirational gallery of women who are changing the game.

#SHECAN, So She Does

This March, we are showcasing our SHE CAN canned wines. Designed to motivate and encourage all women to go after what we want––no matter what obstacles we encounter––our SHE CAN packaging is a roar, not a whisper. We hope it reminds you to be unafraid of your powerful voice and unique story. You are automatically a part of our Fearless Pride when you crack open a can of Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc!

To ride the wave of International Women’s Day (did you know there’s a theme each year? This year is #EachforEqual, encouraging us to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, and celebrate women's achievements), we have finally announced details for the 2020 SHE CAN Professional Development Fund! Founded in 2019, our scholarship program initially promoted the professional advancement of women in the winemaking industry. But, to celebrate a new decade, we are now supporting women who are overcoming gender biases in all industries. Applications will go live on June 1st, but you can click here for more info––get pumped, ladies!

Last year, we awarded scholarships of nearly $40,000. We can’t wait to help a new round of fierce go-getters knock down barriers. June 1st, hurry up!

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Spring is in the Air

Flowers are beginning to bloom, spring fashions are emerging, and it’s getting warm enough to start thinking about chilled wines and picnics. Our SHE CAN Canned Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing––the perfect complement to a gorgeous spring day! Pair it with this colorful, vegetarian-friendly Spring Panzanella with Asparagus, a recipe we LOVE from Food&Wine.

Spring Panzanella with Asparagus

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• Four thin slices of peasant bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
•  2 pounds fat asparagus, peeled
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 2 cups packed young mustard greens or chicory
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 pound ricotta salata, thinly sliced and crumbled
• 1 watermelon radish or 2 large red radishes, very thinly sliced

Preparation:

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°. Put the eggs in a saucepan of water and bring to a simmer over moderately high heat. Simmer for 6 minutes. Drain the saucepan and fill it with cold water. Crack the eggs all over and let stand in the water for 1 minute. Peel and thickly slice the eggs; the yolks will be barely cooked but not runny.
• Step 2: Spread the bread pieces on a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil. Bake for about 12 minutes, until crisp.
• Step 3: Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the asparagus until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain, cool and cut the asparagus in half lengthwise.
• Step 4: In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of oil with the vinegar; season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus, toasted bread, greens, onion and cheese. Drizzle with the dressing and toss. Garnish with the eggs and radish and serve. 

Let's have a toast and follow Sauvignon Blanc’s Essential Guide to celebrate we, Women's History Month!

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Visit our Wine Shop to stock up for the remainder of Women's History Month. Enjoy!

 

3 Perfect Wines for Date Night and Girls' Night In

Choosing Wine for Date Night Just Got Easy!

Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a fun girls’ night in, there’s one must-have: the perfect bottle of wine. No excuses!

You may be wondering if it really matters which variety you choose. In fact, it does! You could have any random bottle of wine, but why think so small? Your choice says a lot about what you expect of the evening. It’s these subtle details that contribute to a romantic evening with your partner or a fun night with the girls. Besides, there’s nothing more special than opening a bottle of wine with your date! We’ve come up with a list of 3 sophisticated wines that tend to appeal to the masses (and exceed expectations).

1. BRUT ROSÉ

It’s hard to go wrong with Sparkling. Add the Rosé factor into the mix and we have the duchess of wines (*cough cough* subtle shoutout to our girl Meghan Markle). Needless to say, popping a cork signifies that you’ve gathered to celebrate. If you’ve opened Brut Rosé with your date or girl gang, the message is clear.

McBride Sisters Collection Brut Rosé is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that possesses gentle floral notes of rose petals––the universal flower of love. This is complemented by strawberries and cream, a romantic fruit if there ever was one. Strawberries dipped in chocolate, anyone? This refreshing Brut Rosé is delicately structured and generous with a dry finish.

Fun fact: Carbonation stimulates the salivary glands so you don’t need to worry about your mouth going dry from date nerves!

Pairing suggestion: Roasted Oysters

2. ROSÉ

Similar to Brut Rosé, a Rosé’s color is key. That gorgeous pink has our mouths watering and reminds us of love. If you’re ever unsure of what your girls or date drinks, Rosé is generally a crowd-pleaser. 

Black Girl Magic Rosé is a sophisticated dry Rosé. This Rosé has aromas of raspberry and orange blossom with delightful acidity and delectable fresh stone fruit and citrus palate.

Pairing suggestion: Chicken with Creamy Mushrooms

3. RED BLEND

Deep, rich reds are usually a date night go-to. The beautiful red color screams romance. It is also a great wine to have in-hand while you chat with the girls. Picking a red wine can be daunting if you don’t know which grape your date prefers. That’s where a Red Blend comes into play. A Red Blend is a wine that encourages meaningful conversations. Just remember not to wear a white shirt ;)!

McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) has a lovely rich garnet color. This complex wine has tobacco and vanilla bean notes alongside generous plum, cherry, and blackberry. Ripe and juicy in the mouth, the soft tannins offer just enough velvety texture to round out the full body. Peppery spice and a hint of herb show up on the finish, encouraging another sip and cheers.

Pairing suggestion: Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna (and Chocolate Fondue for dessert)

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Visit our Wine Club to prepare stress-free for your next date or girls’ night. Enjoy & Cheers ladies!

Must-Try Wines for this Fall

Fall *wink* in Love with These Favs

We’re putting away our flip-flops and bringing out the tall boots. Red, yellow, and orange leaves have begun to fall, leaving branches bare. It’s pumpkin season, y’all!

As much as our Pride loves the light and fruity wines that did us wonders in the summer heat, fall’s wines warm the palette so well. Maybe we’re biased, but we would argue it does it better than a pumpkin spice latte ever could; are we right, ladies?! ;)

You might not be quite ready for full-bodied, rich reds that tend to be associated with winter. Not a problem! There are plenty of lighter reds, aromatic whites, and even Rosés to choose from. Typically, when we hear “Rosé” we associate this pink wine with the sweltering summer. Let’s not limit this wine’s potential. Think of Rosé as the perfect transition wine. In fact, Rosé season never has to end!

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Rosé For The Wine

McBride Sisters Collection Brut Rosé is a blend of Pinot and Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir was mainly sourced from Kelly’s Creek Vineyard in Spring Creek, Marlborough. (Fun fact: Andréa helped plant these vines as a child!) This beautifully salmon-colored wine is delicately structured with gentle notes of rose petals and strawberries and cream. The red fruits carry through the palate with cranberry, peach, strawberry, and raspberry notes taking center stage. There is a hint of toasty complexity and creamy richness that makes this versatile wine work so well in the cooler months. There is a dry finish with lingering hints of spice, giving the mouth a kick. 

Pair with Bouillabaisse.

 

Are You Red-y?

McBride Sisters Collection Red Blend is perfect for those late, rainy evenings. This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is a garnet gem. Let’s get complex. This wine has flavors of plum, cherry, and blackberry, alongside tobacco and vanilla. That’s not all! Peppery spice and a hint of blackberry show up on the finish—so rich; so luxurious. 

Pair with Butternut Squash and Kale Salad.

Dessert and White Wine

Black Girl Magic Riesling is an intensely aromatic white. Its characteristics are typical of a Riesling: honey, apricot, and white flowers. Tangerine, jasmine, and coriander seed appear in the nose. The palette then turns to tropical flavors of guava and pineapple. It doesn’t stop there! Mild sweetness is balanced by tangy citrus for a sweet and sour finish. No one ever said that fall flavors need to be savory!

Pair with the ultimate fall dessert, Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler! Check out the recipe below. 

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler (via Lauren's Latest)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Serves 8

Ingredients:

Cobbler –

• 1 cup and 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon cloves
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup milk
• ¼ cup melted butter or vegetable oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

Topping –

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup chopped pecans
• 1 ½ cups very hot water

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    
2. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and spices. Set aside.
    
3. In a smaller bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, melted butter, and vanilla together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix. Pour into a small 8-inch casserole dish with high sides.
    
4. In a separate bowl, stir sugar, brown sugar, and pecans together. Spread over the top of the batter evenly. Pour hot water over the entire thing without stirring, and bake for 40 minutes or once the middle is set. Be sure to place it on a baking sheet in case it bubbles over. Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with more pecans, vanilla ice cream, and a tall glass of Black Girl Magic Riesling!

Here comes Fall, what could be better than some Sauvignon Blanc. Follow our Sauvignon Blanc’s Essential Guide and taste the best out of it. 

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Visit our Wine Shop to try all our fall favorites. Happy sipping!

Wine Glass Shapes: Does Wine Glass Shape Affect Taste?

Are you a glass-half-full or half-empty kind of person?

If you’ve ever wondered why wine glass shape is such a big deal, we’re here to help clarify. So, why are wine glasses different shapes? Through a number of testings and experiments, experts have found that the shape of the glass has the ability to concentrate the wine’s aroma, further intensifying the varietal characteristics. How can we say no to that?!

For starters, have you ever wondered why are wine glasses shaped like that or does wine glass shape affect the taste? Typically, glasses are composed of three parts: the bowl, stem, and foot. Key factors that drive the shape of the bowl are the release of aromas, the collection of aromas, and the lip. As the alcohol volatilizes at the wine’s surface, aromas are released. The space between the wine and the glass’s lip is where aromas are collected, this process can also simultaneously impact the tasting profile of the wine as it opens up. Wondering why wine glasses are so big? Generally, red wines have larger bowls to highlight their aromas. To maintain their temperature, white wines have smaller bowls. The lip of the glass is usually made quite thin so it’s out of the way and doesn’t affect the drinker’s experience. 

Now that we’ve discussed the general guidelines, let’s get down to the specific, nitty-gritty differences in wine glass shapes!

Via Wine Folly.

Let’s break it down!

Red Wine Glasses

By now you know that red wine glasses have wider, rounder bowls. You may not know that these bowls are intended to increase the rate of oxidation. Oxidation allows the complex flavors found in red wines to be smoothed. (Psst! Visit our blog post for information about decanting wine!) Some examples of red wine glasses include:

• Bordeaux glass: This tall, broad bowled glass is designed for bold, full-bodied red wines like our Black Girl Magic Red Blend, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wide opening helps smooth the flavor and allows the ethanol to evaporate. 
• “Standard” red wine glass: This glass is ideal for medium to full-bodied reds, especially those with spicy notes. Use this glass to sip on Zinfandel, Malbec, Syrah (Shiraz), and Petite Sirah.
• Burgundy glass: The Burgundy glass is broader than the Bordeaux glass. It’s bigger bowl accumulates delicate aromas, like from Pinot Noir. 

White Wine Glasses

Compared to red wine glasses, white wine glasses vary quite a bit in shape and size, from the tapered Champagne flute to the wide and shallow glasses used to enjoy Chardonnay. 

Similar to red wine glasses, wide-mouthed glasses promote rapid oxidation. Chardonnays, like McBride Sisters Collection Chardonnay, are best served slightly oxidized.

Lighter, crisp wines shouldn’t be oxidized as much, in order to preserve the clean flavor. Look for wine glasses with a smaller mouth intended to reduce the surface area of the wine. Use these glasses for our delicate McBride Sisters Collection Sauvignon Blanc, a summer favorite. 

Sparkling Wine Glasses

When you think of sparkling wine glass, you think “Champagne flute.” This tall, narrow-bowled, long-stemmed design is meant to be held by the stem to prevent your hand from heating the wine. The narrow bowl helps to retain that scrumptious carbonation. Also, we can’t deny the Instagrammable quality of the flute! Add a strawberry slice to a glass of McBride Sisters Collection Brut Rosé and get snapping! It also helps to preserve the wine’s floral aromas, express more acidity, and deliver the aromas to the nose. 

However, a “universal” or white wine glass is also a great option to enjoy a celebratory glass of sparkling wine or Prosecco. These wider-mouthed glasses allow the aromas to pop out of the glass, which can be muted with the traditional Champagne flute. 

“Universal” Wine Glass

This is probably the handiest invention to benefit the wine world. “Universal” glasses are suited for drinking any kind of wine. If you’re a drink-outta-any-glass kind of gal, then the universal wine glass is the shape for you. There’s no need to collect specific glasses for varietals if you classify yourself as a “casual wine fan.” Of course, if you want to step it up a notch, use a standard red wine glass for all reds and a Chardonnay glass for whites. 

Go Stemless

Stemless glasses are great for everyday enjoyment. They’re an easy choice if you’re collapsing wine-in-hand after a long workday. However, we don’t recommend using them for higher-quality wines. Without the stem, you're forced to hold the bowl, which warms the wine⁠—a white wine lover's nightmare. 

Are your glasses clean and need to be filled? Visit our Wine Club to make your flavor palette and glasses happy with a number of our sophisticated wines. We’ll drink to that! Cheers!

Sources:

https://winefolly.com/tutorial/the-importance-of-a-proper-wine-glass/
https://winefolly.com/tutorial/importance-wine-glass/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_glass
https://daily.sevenfifty.com/examining-the-science-of-wineglass-shapes/
https://www.winemag.com/2018/10/30/how-to-select-the-right-wine-glass/

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