6 Great Red Wines Under $50 That Make Tasty Gifts Any Time of Year

Looking for great red wine options but have a budget between $30 and $50? You can’t go wrong with these 6 releases that will leave you and your fellow wine tasters giddy for more, and your wallet not feeling empty.

Herzog Variations Be-Leaf 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

The 2019 Herzog Cab is not only Kosher, it’s also certified organic and made with no added sulfites. It’s a lighter Cab, which suits many tastes for a less robust red.

Drink it any time of day, and definitely not just for the holidays

Find it Here

 

Avaline Red Wine

Celebrity wines are getting better and better, probably because the celebrities who make them now are actual Wine lovers who want to drink their own vintages. Avaline comes from a partnership between Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power

The red wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. Made with handpicked organic grapes from Europe, and is vegan friendly, with no added artificial ingredients or sugars.

We love the taste!

Find it Here

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by AVALINE (@avaline)

 

San Simeon Vineyards 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

The 2017 San Simeon Cab benefited from a long growing season, with the vineyards situated on California’s Central Coast in the Paso Robles appellation of San Luis Obispo County. Aged in Oak Barrels, and mixed with a bit of Petit Verdot, this Cabernet is robust yet velvety. We consider it like comfort food in the form of wine.

Find it Here

 

Alder Springs Vineyard, 2013 Kinesis

Alder Springs Vineyard, 2013 Syrah

Alder Springs has been making wine for about 30 years, since Stu Bewley bought a former 6,000 acre cattle operation in northern Mendocino County and started growing grapes instead.

If you love deep reds, you’ll find both their 2013 Kinesis and 2013 Syrah attractive additions to your tasting palate. The Kinesis is a blend of 49% Grenache 32% Counoise 19% Mourvédre. A choice that goes well with meats and smoked foods, but it is also quite versatile whatever the dish. The Syrah is made from 100% Syrah at an elevation of 2600 feet, and contains tantalizing notes of leather and dark fruits.

Find it Here

San Simeon 2017 Pinot Noir Monterey

This Monterey Pinot Noir is a blend of grapes sourced from the Riboli Family farms estate vineyards in Monterey and the Loma Vista and Sarmento Vineyards. Well-priced and well structured, any Pinot lover would find this a fun tasting experience.

Find it Here.

 

TasteTV Gift Guide: 3 Gourmet Spice Sets You Will Love

Happiness is the spice of life is a truism. What is also true is that spice is a source of happiness. Especially when cooking and eating your meals. If you want to give someone an ongoing source of happiness, giving them (or yourself), a few great spice sets will never steer you wrong.

Without a well stocked spice collection, the home chef is like a painter with just one color. Sounds rather bland, doesn’t it?

Fortunately, we’ve taken a look at several, and here are some of our favorites: SpiceWalla, Nielsen-Massey, and Mola Foods.

SpiceWalla 18 Pack Kitchen Essentials Spice & Seasonings Pack

This kit has everything an experienced or novice home chef could want for most meals, hence the name “essential.” Eighteen different tins contain a variety of spices and seasonings, each packaged in a nice container that looks good on its own or in your spice rack.

The kit includes: Cumin Seed – Kashmiri Chilli Powder – Granulated Garlic -Granulated Onion – Dark Chilli Powder – Ground Yellow Mustard – Crushed Red Pepper – Smoked Paprika – Green Cardamom Powder – Cinnamon Powder – Cloves – Ground Turmeric – Coriander Seed – Mediterranean Oregano – Rosemary – Herbs de Provence – Fennel Seed – Ground Ginger.

What also makes it a great gift is that it will take quite a while for someone to get through all of these ingredients, and each time they use them they will think of you.

Find it Here

Nielsen Massey Extracts: Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract, Peppermint Extract

Nielsen-Massey has long been the industry standard for high quality Pure Vanilla Extract. This is impressive, considering the competition from the artificial vanilla ‘flavoring’ brands, plus the amount of time and effort it takes to grow a real vanilla plant to fruit. Vanilla comes from an orchid vine, and the flowers produce seed pods from which the vanilla beans and essence are extracted. Anyone who has ever tried to grow orchids know that it is a labor and time intensive enterprise that gives us this fantastic taste.

Nielsen-Massey puts the same care into their other extracts, including one for Pure Almond and another for Pure Peppermint. Used together, you can imagine the feast of cookies and cakes that you can bring to the table!

Find them Here.

Mola Foods, Culture in a Bottle

Mola Foods has a range of spice blends, and each is inspired by a particular culture or region of the World. Founded by Jeannette Bryant, her spices are vegan friendly and vibrant.

One thing you will find once you start using any of these spice blends is that it doesn’t really matter what it was originally intended to elicit. It could say Indian, it could say Ethiopian, it could say Spicy or General. You are going to use it on EVERYTHING. Eggs, steak, chicken, vegetables, stews, fish… The list goes on, because it turns out that they are not just fresh, they are also extremely versatile. The basic ingredients of garlic power, onion powder, salt, perhaps some turmeric, etc., can be used as a general seasoning, and they are used in exactly that way.

Prepare for heavy duty usage and happiness.

Find it Here.

TasteTV’s Dog Surfing Gift Guide for Pet Lovers

YAPPY HOLIDAYS! SURFS UP, PAWS DOWN

 

The World Dog Surfing Championships and TasteTV would like to wish you a Yappy Holiday Season!

To help you find great Holiday gifts, plus to support small businesses, we’ve created our first ever

WORLD DOG SURFING GIFT GUIDE

 

Enjoy!

 

WDSC SWEATSHIRT: SURF DOG ON WAVE PORTRAIT #1

This live shot of an awesome surf dog has been recreated as a piece of watercolor art, on a warm and snug 50% cotton sweatshirt.
Show you have taste in dogs, cool sports, and modern art. On Your Chest!

DERBY CALIFORNIA HOODIES

World Dog Surfing Champs Derby & California are not only appearing now in Amazon Prime’s new series, The Pack, they also have a new line of groovy hoodies and t-shirts.
Be part of their fan pawparazzi!

A WDSC SURF PACK T-SHIRT

Speaking of Packs, you can form your own when wearing this WDSC Surf Pack long-sleeve t-shirt
You can call your pack whatever you want, BTW. Just not “Sam”

PET RENU SHAMPOO FOR CLEAN DOGS

Keep your (or a friend’s) pup clean, fresh, and flea free with this line of dog shampoos from Pet Renu.
A clean dog is a happy dog (owner).

FUN PET SERVICES AT WAG HOTELS

Wag Hotels is a great place to board your pet while on a trip away, but even if you stay in town it’s also great for daycare, training, and even stylish grooming.
Makes a nice gift certificate for 2021 too.

HANKS DOG STUFF POOP TRANSPORTER

Because when “someone’s got to go” someone else has to clean it up.
At least look stylish and prepared while doing it.

KEEP THEM DRY AND WARM IN A STUNT PUPPY JACKET

In the winter it’s colder and usually wetter… even if you have fur.
Stunt Puppy jackets will take care of that problem for the dog in your life. And, they look pretty cool too.

PET CBD FROM VETCBD

If your dog or cat has any issues like these then VETCBD can:
-Support joint mobility
-Support normal brain function
-Help maintain normal GI health
-Help promote calmness
BTW, not officially tested on humans, in case you have any bright ideas.

URBAN DENIM LOUNGE BED FROM PET P.L.A.Y.

You might want to curl up on this lounge bed yourself, but you’ll just have to stay on your sad old couch.
Lead-free zippers for chewers, Eco-friendly all around, and machine washable.

TASTY DOG-THEMED WINE FROM MUTT LYNCH WINERY

A long-time partner of the WDSC, Muttlynch is based in Sonoma County, and you know what that means.
Yup, It means that their wine is delicious.
Also, all of their bottles have dogs on them.

A COLD BOTTLE OF ALE FROM PEDRO POINT BREWING

OK, maybe it’s not just Ale.
It’s “Ale-armingly“ good! LOL
They also have Pilsners, IPAs, and Sour and Fruit beers too. And they LOVE dogs

A HIP NEW COLLAR FROM DOOG

What self-respecting pooch wants to wear the collar you have on them now? The answer, none! Or maybe, let’s say, a very small number.
DOOG has collars that your friends will stop you and say, “Dude, where did you get that cool collar, and why didn’t you get me one for the Holidays?” And you’ll be like, “Dude, I did!”

DOG FOOD AT PET FOOD EXPRESS

Because a dog’s gotta eat, so you might as well make it the best “eatings” they can get, from a wide selection and with the help of a knowledgeable and friendly staff.
They can also give that pup a good Holiday wash and trim, now or in 2021.

A DOG BANDANA FROM CALIFORNIA CANINE

You know the old saying, “If you really love someone, you’ll give them a cool dog bandana.” So, how much love do you have? That bandana needs to be on someone special’s gift list.
BTW, California Canine has other cool accessories too.

WORLD DOG SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS V2 COTTON CAP

We guarantee, you wear this hat, people will talk to you. Or at least give you great service. And a smile.
In 2020, that’s a lot.

THE GOUGHNUTS DOG TOY, YOU CAN THROW IT AND THEY CAN CHEW IT. EVERYONE IS HAPPY

You throw, they bring it back, then they chew on it. Maybe they don’t even bring it back, maybe they just sit down and have a good gnaw. A very good, happy, healthy, satisfying gnaw. That’s what a dog really wants. You can tell, this gift idea is just gnawing at you

SUPPORT ROCKET DOG RESCUE

A nice donation or adoption goes a long way to changing a life.

SUPPORT PENINSULA HUMANE SOCIETY

Saying it twice, because it’s still true.
A nice donation or adoption goes a long way to changing a life.

TASTY CREATIONS: The 6 Best Artisan Chocolate Bars of the Year for Chocolate Lovers

Each year the International Chocolate Salon tastes scores of artisan chocolate bars from around the world. The goal is to discover the Best Chocolate Bars of the Year. Even though this has been a challenging time due to COVID-19, the judges were able to make their choices, mostly because they say that the bar selections were so amazing.

If you have a taste for great chocolate, and possibly even for a little luxurious edible gold on top of it, then these 6 top-ranked award-winning bars should be on the top of your list.

The 6 Best Artisan Chocolate Bars of the Year

GOLD MEDAL

  • Michael’s Chocolates Bourbon Caramel Pecan Barre

SILVER MEDAL

  • Panache Chocolatier Columbian Gold Bar
  • Wildwood Chocolate Honey Cardamom Caramel

BRONZE MEDAL

Baetz Chocolates Return of the Bison

HONORABLE MENTION

Michael’s Chocolates Hazelnut Crunch Bar
Delysia Chocolatier Wine & Cherries Chocolate Bark

 

The Conair Fabric Defuzzer is a Small but Mighty addition to your Fashion Accessories

Do you ever get fuzz balls and pills on your favorite sweaters, sweatshirts, scarves, coats, socks, or even furniture? Yes, it’s a big problem, because it makes you not want to wear them anymore, or at the least to not feel as great as you did when they were brand new.

Well guess what? You can make them as good as new by using a small electronic device that removes those pills in minutes.

The Conair Fabric Defuzzer Is lightweight, runs on just two batteries, and only costs around $12. Despite this low price, it can make hundreds of dollars of clothing look like you just bought them. It’s a great investment.

The Defuzzer has two settings, one for close contact with the fabric, and one with slightly less contact. To make it work you basically run it in a gentle circle across the affected area, and Voila, the pills are removed.

Unlike past versions of these pill remover devices, this one has a nice long battery life. Which means you can go through a lot of clothes before it starts slowing down and needs to have them replaced. This is really great, because once you start removing pills you’re going to find it to be an oddly addicting of activity. You’re going to not only want to do your clothes, but everyone else’s as well. And once you finish with the clothes, you’ll start with the armrest on your couch. (When you get to the rug, you know it’s time to stop)

Also makes a small but popular holiday or birthday gift.

Find the Conair Fabric Defuzzer on Amazon here.

(Maybe your stay at home fashion sweats could look as good as J. Lo’s if you remove the pills and fuzz.)

J Lo getting coffee in her fashion sweats