House Wines Recipe

1. Blend and Adjust

Chill both bottles of red (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) to about 14–16°C (57–61°F). Pour both 0.75 l bottles into a clean 2-liter (or larger) pitcher or demijohn so they combine into approximately 1.5 liters total. If you prefer a slightly lighter body and lower alcohol, stir in up to 100 ml cold water, tasting after adding 25–50 ml to avoid over-dilution. If the blend tastes overly tannic or sharp, add up to 30 ml simple syrup, one teaspoon (5 ml) at a time, tasting after each addition until balanced.

2. Once blended and adjusted, decant the wine into a labeled bottle or carafe and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to allow flavors to marry. Serve chilled at 14–16°C in red wine glasses. For each serving, garnish with a small twist of orange peel placed on the glass rim or floated briefly in the glass (use one orange peel per 2 servings; the ingredient list provides 6 pieces).

3. If serving straight from the bottle, swirl gently before pouring. Pour approximately 125 ml per glass to yield 12 glasses from the 1.5 l blended batch.

4. Blend and Chill

Chill the Sauvignon Blanc and the unoaked Chardonnay to 8–10°C (46–50°F). Combine 0.75 l of each into a clean chilled 2-liter pitcher or carafe. Taste the blend; if a lighter, more refreshing profile is desired, gently stir in up to 100 ml cold filtered water in 25–50 ml increments, tasting between additions.

5. After achieving the desired balance, refrigerate the blended white for at least 30 minutes. Serve very cold (8–10°C) in white wine glasses. Pour approximately 125 ml per glass to yield 12 glasses. Garnish each pour with a thin lemon slice on the rim or floated in the glass (one slice per glass).

6. Chill and Optional Spritz

Chill the rosé to 6–8°C (43–46°F). Pour the full 1.5 l bottle into a pitcher. For a lighter, spritz-style offering, gently stir in up to 250 ml chilled sparkling water just before service (add more or less to taste; add only immediately before serving to retain effervescence).

7. Serve in large white or stemless wine glasses over one or two ice cubes if desired (ice is optional and listed). Garnish with a halved or sliced fresh strawberry floated in each glass (one strawberry per two servings; 6 pieces provided). Pour approximately 125 ml per glass to yield 12 glasses.

8. Glassware: Use clean wine glasses appropriate to each style (red: larger bowl; white/rosé: narrower bowl). Pre-chill glasses briefly for whites and rosé if ambient temperature is warm.

9. Storage & Safety: Keep blended house wines refrigerated and consume within 3–5 days for best flavor. Re-cork bottled blends tightly or use a vacuum wine preserver. Do not pre-sparkle whites or rosé more than a few minutes before serving to preserve bubbles.

10. Yield & Serving Size: Each blended batch yields approximately 1.5 liters, which provides about twelve 125-ml servings. Adjust proportions linearly to make smaller or larger batches.