11/15/05 Holiday punch recipe

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today we are going to talk about a Holiday Punch Recipe made with sparkling wine. Well the holidays are upon us and we are always looking for new ways to make the punch bowl more interesting. Recently I have been going through the holiday magazines with a few specific things in mind  one of which is finding a new punch recipe for my holiday open house. Well just when I thought that I was going to have to wait for the December issues I saw an ad for Freixenet, the Spanish Cava, made in the Methode Champenoise. There it was; a recipe for Classic Punch using sparkling wine! Preferably, Freixenet Cordon Negro in this recipe. You've probably seen it in the sexy black bottle. In this recipe, it is mixed with fresh fruit, brandy and club soda or mineral water, and served in chilled wine glasses or punch cups. If you like, it sweeter the recipe recommends adding maraschino cherry juice. I personally stay as far away from those cherries as possible and I recommend that you use simple syrup or a sweetened fruit juice along with the fresh fruit. If you want to find the recipe pick up the November issue of Food & Wine magazine or visit the website freixenetusa.com  Freixenet is spelled f-r-e-i-x-e-n-e-t. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.