Bonanza Recipe

Chill and open

Chill the bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to 55–60°F (13–16°C) if not already chilled. This is a moderately cool serving temperature that highlights fruit and structure. When ready, remove capsule and use a corkscrew to open the bottle.

Decant (optional)

If the wine is young and tannic or you want a rounder expression, decant for 20–30 minutes by pouring gently into a decanter to allow some aeration. For older, delicate bottles, skip decanting or swirl gently in the glass.

Prepare glassware

Fill large red-wine glasses halfway with the ice if you prefer a slightly chilled glass for warmer weather. Otherwise, omit ice and use room-temperature stemware. Place one orange slice and three blackberries in each glass.

Pour and finish

Pour 5 oz (about 150 ml) of Cabernet Sauvignon into each prepared glass (yields approximately 5 glasses per bottle). If you prefer a slightly lighter, spritz-style drink, add 24 ml (about 1 oz) club soda to each glass and stir gently once. Optionally add 1/2 tsp simple syrup per glass if you want a touch of sweetness. Garnish each glass with a rosemary sprig for aroma and a final blackberry on the rim.

Adjust sweetness and effervescence: taste a sample glass before adding syrup or soda. Add simple syrup 1/2 tsp at a time to reach desired sweetness. Add club soda sparingly to keep the wine’s structure; too much will dilute flavors. If serving a group, prepare a small pitcher with 1 bottle wine + 120 ml club soda + 2 tsp simple syrup chilled and let guests pour to preference.