Wow – August already! It seems like the summers go by faster each year. My sister and I hope you were able to get outside and make some fun memories. However, summer is not over yet! The warmer temperatures should still be here for a few more weeks. In Italy, it is custom to take a few days or weeks off to spend time with family during ‘Ferragosto’ before the busy harvest season.
While August is usually a relaxing season for us in Italy, we know it’s quite the opposite in the States. Many of you are preparing for a back to school schedule, or going back to school yourself. Before the busy-ness starts back, we encourage you to take one evening and devote it to yourself. You’ve worked hard and deserve a night of what makes you happy! Cancel your plans or call the babysitter. You’re treating yourself in the near future!
How To Best Enjoy Summer Wine Drinks
It’s important to remember that to be the best version of yourself, you have to make time for yourself. Caterina and I believe this whole-heartedly. Below, we’ve crafted up the ways we prefer to “wine” down and relax after a long week, or even a long day, if we’re being honest! We hope you enjoy these tips for treating yourself, and that you LOVE our end of summer cocktail recipe.
Choose your Location
The first step to treating yourself to some peace is to select a place you feel the most at home. For us, that’s in the vineyards-where we’ve spent most of our years, as children and adults.So many precious memories are recollected there, from grape stomping to secret-telling, and more. To us, it reminds us of our childhood and simpler times. It purely brings us peace.
When you think of the place you’d like to enjoy a summer wine drink, or even a summer red wine, where do you see yourself? Is it on your balcony overlooking the city? Maybe your family cabin or beach house enjoying the view? Or maybe just your front porch or back patio? For the best night of composure and tranquility, make sure you select your location wisely.
Choose your Company
Next, choose your company. Caterina and I are very blessed to be sisters so close in age, yet have a strong relationship as well. They say a sister is your first and closest friend, and we agree! Who else has known you your whole life, been there through your accomplishments and failures, and understands you better than a sister?
Maybe you don’t have a sister, and that’s okay! Do you feel the most relaxed when you are with family and friends? Maybe by yourself in a warm, luxurious bubble bath? Plan an evening with your favorite people (even if that’s no people!), a spread of your favorite foods, and we’ll take care of the drink ideas, made with our best summer wines.
Choose your Flavor
Do you think “fruity and sweet” when you think of summer wines? That’s exactly what Caterina and I were envisioning when we created Ricco Premium Moscatos. While with some of our close friends and family at our beach house sharing a bottle of Candoni Moscato, we suddenly had the idea to add all natural fruit flavors such as peaches and mango.
After experimenting in the kitchen, we presented our guests with our summer wine cocktail, and everyone said “Che Ricco Che Buono!” (how rich and good!)”. It was then when we realized we wanted to create a new collection of sweet wine flavors to help others create sweet moments like we had that afternoon at the beach.
Meet Our Best Summer Wines
Our Ricco Collection now includes five fruity and refreshingly sweet flavors, made with all natural ingredients and no added sugar. Each of the following flavors are gluten-free and vegan. Ricco, our best summer wines, can be enjoyed by themselves, paired with food, or mixed into a sweet wine cocktail.
Ricco Peach Moscato – Our most popular summer wine, Ricco Peach is ideal as an aperitif. Our family also enjoys it paired with salads, soft cheeses, spicy dishes and desserts.
Ricco Mango Moscato – Another popular choice for summer wine drinks, Ricco Mango is great on its own, and also pairs well with fruits, salads, spicy foods and desserts.
Ricco Cherry Moscato – The perfect base to many wine cocktails, Ricco Cherry also pairs well with chocolate desserts, goat cheese, pork ribs, and tuna burgers.
Ricco Dolce – A semi-sweet summer red wine, Ricco Dolce is great on its own, mixed into red wine Sangria, or with cheesecake, crème brûlée, fruit tarts, fruit salad and chocolate.
NEW! Ricco Blueberry – A perfect summer red wine, Ricco Blueberry is full of flavor, yet soft and deliciously sweet. We love pairing it with fresh fruit, charcuterie, chicken, and seafood.
Try Our Best Summer Wine Cocktails
Our hope is that you are able to make more time for yourself not just this week, but as many times as you need. Our sweet and fruity summer wines are perfect for soaking in the warm weather, but can be enjoyed any time of the year to bring you back to your happy place, like Caterina and I with our friends at the beach.
Below, we list our favorite wine cocktail recipe, but many more recipes can be found in our Ricco Cocktail Ebook. Some of my personal favorites are our Mango Margherita, White Peach Sangria, Cherry Estate, and Red Wine Sangria.
One of our Favorite Wine Cocktail Recipes
Our family is looking forward to the ‘Ferragosto’ August vacation, as my sister and I are planning to make our favorite wine cocktail recipe: our white peach giardino cocktail. We thought we’d share the recipe with you in case your taste preferences match ours! This summer wine cocktail recipe is delicious, easy, and super refreshing, especially on a hot day near the pool or beach.
If you make the recipe, be sure to tag us on social media (@candoniwines) so we can see the fun!
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ peach (white; peeled, pitted, and diced)
- 7 mint springs (fresh)
- 2 ½ oz bourbon whiskey
- 2 oz Ricco Peach Moscato
- Garnish: mint spring
DIRECTIONS:
- Gather the ingredients
- In a cocktail shaker, add the diced peach and mint sprigs.
- Muddle until fragrant
- Add the bourbon, Ricco Peach Moscato. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
- Strain into a highball glass with fresh ice and garnish with a mint sprig.
- Serve and enjoy!
Find our Summer Wines Near You
As you plan your night to yourself, gathering your favorite foods, shopping for a new outfit, or maybe even buying party decorations, you will likely be able to find our Ricco wines near you. Use our Where to Buy feature, and sort by our Ricco category. If you can’t find a store in your area, you can have our Ricco Peach Moscato or Ricco Dolce shipped straight to your home through our online e-tailer.
We hope you are able to relax, let loose, and celebrate yourself, even if just for a few hours. Remember to download our ebook and tag us in on the fun, @candoniwines on Facebook and Instagram!
Cheers and happy summer!
-Barbara and Caterina