The One where Disney Princesses Meet their Match
Welcome back, Corkers!
When Mickey Mouse's birthday falls on National Princess Day, there's only one logical thing to do...pair Disney Princesses with their wine equivalents, of course!
This blog is extra memorable, not only because I have a special place in my heart for all things Disney, but because I've partnered with Chrissie, founder of Summer Orchard Designs, to bring you 25% off any of her stunning hand-made creations using coupon code CORKER25 at checkout!
While Chrissie created all of the Disney princesses you'll see in this blog, you can view the full line-up of her hand-made creations in her Etsy store here. Her digital prints bring any subject come to life - even custom made renditions of your pet! Her artwork makes the perfect gift for anyone on your shopping list, so if you're looking for something they will treasure forever, look nor further, Corkers! Summer Orchard Designs has you covered!
Before we dive right into the pairings fit for a princess, I'd like to briefly explain how I selected the wines, since, well, the process was obviously a bit different than selecting wines to pair with food. Just as Disney characters have distinct personality traits, so too does each wine. For example, some varietals are soft and delicate, others are bold and statement-making. As I thought about each Disney princess, I considered the traits that make them who they are, then paired them with a wine that exemplifies those same characteristics. With that, pour yourself a glass of the good stuff and don your best crown; we're about to get started!
Cinderella with Sweet Rose
“If there’s any chance to set things right, I’ve simply got to try.”
Cinderella is a young, sweet dreamer with a kind heart and a hopeful spirit. For these reasons, she most resembles a sweet, fruity Rose. The beautiful blush color is produced when the juice of red wine grapes ferment with the skins in a vessel for a short period of time. The resulting flavors are young, sweet, and crisp notes of cherry, raspberry, strawberry, watermelon, peach and hibiscus.
Try: Chemin des Sables ($9.99), Almost Zero Ravishing Rose ($10.99) or Il Duca Imperiale Rose ($15.99)
Mulan with Petite Sirah
“I know my place. And it is my duty to fight for the kingdom and protect the emperor.”
Mulan is a badass: courageous, bold, brave, and loyal; so it's fitting for her to be paired with Petite Sirah- a wine equally as bold. The wine also has an intriguing depth to it, making it a nice representation for this complex character: she’s funny and adventurous, courageous but calm – and not afraid to speak out for what she believes in. Petite Sirah is also exceptionally rare, with less than 10,000 acres growing worldwide. Don’t let the “petite” in either Mulan or the wine fool you: both portray a boldness and strength worth recognizing. The wine features notes of blackberry, brambles, and pepper, complimented by bold tannins and sweet berry-like flavors.
Try: Oak Ridge Petite Sirah Estate Grown($14.99), Macchia Petite Sirah Dubious ($29.99)
Elsa with Chocolate Wine
“I don’t care what they’re going to say. Let the storm rage on; the cold never bothered me anyway.”
Elsa is elegant, powerful, regal and…she loves chocolate! So it's only fair that she be paired with a chocolate wine (ok, debatably more of a liqueur). Even still, this red wine mixed with chocolate seems to fit Elsa’s personality to "T". Sweet yet powerful, you will enjoy notes of black cherry, vanilla, mocha, and cocoa. So if you want to “let it go” after a stressful day, enjoy watching Frozen with a chilled glass of chocolate wine paired with fresh berries. The storm won't be raging on much longer after that!
Try: Red Decadence Chocolate Wine ($12.99), Chocovine ($8.97)
Tiana with Pinot Noir
“The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work.”
Tiana is hardworking, humble, and exceptionally passionate, making her a Disney representation of Pinot Noir, a rather difficult grape to grow. It takes patience, hard work, and passion, but similar to Tiana's restaurant (spoiler alert!), all that hard work pays off in the end. Pinot Noir is a delicious, light bodied wine featuring notes of cherry, raspberry, clove, mushroom, and vanilla. If you really want to get fancy, try a Burgundy. This small strip of land in central-east France includes 27 regions that produce the most prestigious Pinot Noir Vineyards in the world...but be prepared to pay up!
Try: Vennstone Pinto Noir Tri Appellation ($19.99), Latimer Ranch (Russian River Valley) $24.99, Dom Chevillo Chezeaux Vielles Vignes Nuits St. Georges ($64.99)
Merida with Rousanne
“There are those who say fate is something beyond our command. That destiny is not our own. But I know better. Our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it.”
Merida is adventurous, determined, free-spirited, and head strong, which is why I'm matching her up with Roussanne, a rare but intriguing and sassy full-bodied white wine. This wine features notes of lemon, apricot, chamomile, brioche, and beeswax and is often blended with Grenache blanc, Marsanne and Viognier, which is perfect for a Disney flick featuring potions and blends that turn humans into bears...oh my!
Try: Domaine Brusset Cairanne Les Travers Blanc ($24.99), La Vielle Ferme Blanc - $17.99, The Prisoner Snitch Chardonnay (with a touch of Roussane) - $34.99
Moana with Cremant
“The past shouldn’t be feared for it guides our future."
Moana is a great role model for the youth. She’s outgoing, passionate, wickedly intelligent, and does not focus on a love interest. For that reason, if she were a wine, she would be Cremant. Bubbly, persistent, and well-balanced, this popular sparkling wine features notes of white peach, lemon, almond, and brioche. The other parallel? Cremant is wonderful as an aperitif or all on its own – it don't need no man to bring out its magic!
Try: Levert Freres Cremant de Bourgogne ($17.99), Albrecht Cremant D'Alsace Tradition ($24.99)
Ariel with Nebbiolo
“I don’t see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad.”
Ariel is curious, naïve, stubborn, and caring. The bright garnet color of Nebbiolo might make it an obvious choice for this red-haired princess, but to me, it seems a logical choice for other reasons, too. Like Ariel, this grape is a bit stubborn – it’s difficult to grow because it struggles to ripen fully. Nebbiolo is also expressive and delicate, featuring notes of cherry, rose, leather, and wet clay. AND if it isn’t too cheeky…wines made from Nebbiolo will have legs! (A phenomenon called the Gibbs Marangoni effect, the legs indicate a wine of higher alcohol.) If you want to throw down for a really nice wine made from Nebbiolo, spring for a Barolo.
Try: La Sacrestia Langhe Nebbiolo ($18.99), Mauro Sebaste Nebbiolo d'Alba Parigi ($24.99), Mauro Sebaste Barolo Tresuri ($39.99)
Pocahontas with Zinfandel
“I’d rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you.”
Pocahontas is adventurous, bold, determined, and patient, which is why she most resembles a Zinfandel from the North Coast of California. A delightfully bold wine with depth and complexity that originated in Croatia, grapes grown in Sonoma and Napa Valley offer exceptionally strong tannins, deep colors (of the wind!), and rustic flavors of blackberry, ripe plum, allspice, white pepper, and cinnamon.
Try: Inconspicuous Zinfandel, Sonoma ($19.99), Decoy by Duckhorn – Sonoma -$18.99, Titus Zinfandel, Napa ($34.99)
Thanks for checking out this special Disney edition blog, Corkers! Don't forget to use code CORKER25 to get 25% off your hand-made creations at Summer Orchard Designs; the perfect gift for anyone on your holiday shopping list!
Didn't see your favorite Disney Princess? No worries, I'm taking special requests! Drop me a comment below or find me on Instagram @thecandidcork and I will find a match to your favorite Disney character.
Thanks for joining me, Corkers. Don't forget to join my email list here so you'll be the first to know about new giveaways, blogs, and coupon codes!
Until next time-
Jane Marie