Learning to be a wine connoisseur. Choosing the Right Bottle The US produced over 800 million gallons of wine last year. There are almost 10,000 wineries in the US generating 18% of alcohol sales and $665 million in revenue. We consume, on average, almost 3 gallons a year per person. […]

Gewürztraminer’s (pronounced guh-voo rts-truh-mee-ner) pink-skinned berries produce an aromatic, slightly dry, distinctive, white wine. Often underestimated and overlooked, Gewürztraminer is surprisingly versatile with a remarkable range of pairings, still complex enough to stand alone. Gewürztraminer History “Gewürz” means herb or spice so Gewürztraminer literally translated is “spiced Traminer.” Gewürztraminer is also […]

Have you ever noticed that a lot of guys get super intimidated by Valentine’s Day? Many will go on this rant about it being a Hallmark holiday and that they don’t want to celebrate it. They feel pressure to provide a personal, thoughtful and romantic gift and experience. They’d rather […]

You had good intentions of getting your shopping completed early, but here we are just days before Christmas and you haven’t finished. What can you do to knock it out successfully and not spend a fortune? Make A List Make a list of who you need to shop for. Note […]

Should you give Christmas gifts to your neighbors or people you are friendly with? Not your immediate family, but that cousin you only see once a year. Not your close friend, but that thoughtful neighbor who looks after your home when you’re away. What about the dedicated caregiver to your […]

Self-proclaimed foodies look for variety, quality products, and delicious flavors in the foods they eat. Presentation and taste are equally important. A gift basket with high-quality food items that you can’t get anywhere, make great gifts for the foodies in your life. Heart of the Desert products and gift baskets […]

With temperatures dropping and the holidays approaching, it’s the perfect time for a great mulled wine recipe. What is mulled wine? Mulled wine is simply wine that has been spiced, sweetened, and served warm, often with a shot of hard liquor. In the USA, that liquor is often Brandy. In […]

If you are buying gifts for multiple-people households this holiday season, a gift basket may be a great option. Especially, if you don’t know everyone’s likes, need to save a buck and want to save yourself from running all over town trying to find just the perfect gift for everyone. […]

It might be easier to shop at a giant online retailer or a big box store, but the impact your purchases have at a small, independent store, heavily out way that convenience. Not only will you be helping a real person and community thrive, you’ll be giving a much more […]

Giving wine over the holidays is a popular option especially as a host/hostess gift. It can be a great gift for a boss or friend as well, if, you know enough about them to choose wisely. Wine really isn’t your best option as a generic gift, but we’ll get into […]