Med Bag of Chips

Ham, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, and arugula.

Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Sliced turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustard in a whole wheat wrap.

Fit Turkey Wrap

Intensely fruity with smooth tannins. Perfectly sustained medium.

Pour 1 cup of red wine into a small saucepan over low heat. If using brandy, add 1/4 cup now. Warm gently — do not boil — to about 60–70°C (warm to touch) for about 3–4 minutes to open the aromas and help integrate the spirits. Keep heat low to avoid evaporating alcohol and bitterness.

Warm and combine base

Place 1/2 cup blackberries and 1/4 cup raspberries in a small bowl and lightly crush with the back of a spoon to release juice. Add this crushed fruit to the warmed wine in the saucepan.

Macerate fruit

Zest and squeeze the fresh orange to yield about 1/2 cup of juice and add both zest and juice to the saucepan. Add 2 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1/2 star anise to the mixture. Stir to combine.

Add citrus and spices

Keep the mixture on low heat and let it gently steep for 8–10 minutes, maintaining a temperature where small bubbles do not form (warm but not simmering). This extracts fruity esters and spice oils while keeping tannins smooth.

Simmer gently

Stir in 1 tablespoon demerara sugar and 1 teaspoon honey. Taste after 1–2 minutes and adjust: add up to 1 additional teaspoon sugar or honey if you prefer a sweeter profile, or a squeeze more orange if you want higher acidity. Remove from heat once balanced.

Sweeten and balance

Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the warmed mixture into a heatproof pitcher to remove fruit solids and whole spices. Let it cool for 5–10 minutes. If you prefer served chilled or slightly diluted, stir in 1/2 cup ice or refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Strain and chill

Pour into a wine glass. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and an orange slice on the rim. Sip slowly to appreciate the intensely fruity profile with smooth tannins and perfectly sustained medium body.

Serve

Red wine (preferably a fruity Turkish red or Cabernet/Öküzgözü blend)

Brandy (optional, for added depth)

Blackberries (fresh or thawed frozen)

Raspberries

Fresh orange (zest and juice)

Whole cloves

Cinnamon stick

Star anise

Demerara or brown sugar

Honey

Fresh mint sprig

Orange slice

Ice (optional)

Yakut, Kavaklidere

Make Yakut, Kavaklidere Recipe in just 30m. Intensely fruity with smooth tannins. Perfectly sustained medium.

Yakut, Kavaklidere

Descriptors

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings

You might also like