I’m super excited about this week’s posts. One of my girlfriends threw a great summer party this past weekend and I baked up cupcakes for the celebration. If you saw my last post, you know I’ve had cupcakes on my mind. And not just any cupcakes, summery ones. All week long, I’ll be posting different cupcake recipes that reflect some of my favorite things about summer. I’ll also include a yummy cocktail with the same summer flavor so you can have your choice – cupcake, cocktail, or both (I think you know what I’m choosing!).  

“cupcake” defined…

1. a small cake, baked in a cup-shaped mold.

2. a beloved girl or woman

3. a chardonnay from the Central Coast of California that tastes great and is priced right.

Have you ever found yourself in the wine aisle lost amongst the sea of different labels (maybe it’s just me)? I guess the advice – “Don’t judge a book by its cover” can apply to wines…”Don’t judge a wine by its clever label.”. But if we’re being honest, when overwhelmed by options we are often swayed by the packaging.  So a wine with the label “Cupcake” on it naturally screams out “Pick me! Pick me!” to all of the cupcake connisseurs. A few months ago, I heard the pleas of one of those Cupcake wine bottles on the grocery store shelf and had to rescue it.

Does it taste like a cupcake? No…but I didn’t think it would. Since it’s a chardonnay, it will always be measured to my beloved…Kendall Jackson. Don’t get nervous Kendall, Cupcake Vineyards is a definite winner in my book, but you and I will never part ways. Cupcake Vineyards is flavorful and is similar in price - on sale for around $10.00. Costco had it not too long ago for $7.99 a bottle. James Laube of Wine Spectator recently gave it an excellent rating, 88 points on the commonly used wine scale (which means its a good, bordering on great choice). This is also a perfect bottle to bring as a hostess gift when visiting friends.

Cheers to cupcakes and cocktails all week long. I can tell it’s going to be a sweet week ahead!