Ficklin Vineyards


Cool Summer Drinks




Swing into Summer with the Finest Port Wines of California!

In keeping with Ficklin Vineyards' half-century commitment to port winemaking in the classical style, Winemaker Peter Ficklin crafts his ports exclusively from the four traditional Portuguese grape varieties grown on the Ficklin Estate: Tinta Madeira, Touriga, Tinta Cao and Souzao. Over the long Central Valley summers, these four varieties ripen to their full complexity, and each contributes a unique array of aromas and flavors to Ficklin's port wines.

Tinta Madeira: Offering exuberant berry flavors and a slightly spicy quality, this grape is the dominant variety in most of Ficklin's ports, including the Ten-Year-Old Tawny Port and 1988 Vintage Port.

Souzao: A very aromatic fruit, with rich, beautiful color, Souzao was the centerpiece of Ficklin's 1983 Vintage Port and is an important component of a number of other port blends.

Tinta Cao: The slowest of the four to ripen, this grape gradually develops a silky texture with many soft flavors. Its delicate accents are found in many of Ficklin's port blends.

Touriga: Robust, with full, deep flavors and a distinctive aroma, Touriga is most prominently featured in Ficklin's 1951 and 1988 Vintages.

Summer, too, finds the Ficklin family enjoying their favorite warm-weather drinks featuring the Non-Vintage Tinta Port...Slight variations to familiar summer recipes have produced striking changes in drinks such as sangrías, wine collins and sevillas. The Ficklins invite you to try these fun and refreshing alternatives the next time you're looking to beat the heat. Summer entertaining will never be the same!

Port Collins
Pour wine and squeeze of lime (and peel) into a large Collins glass half-filled with cracked ice. Fill to top with lemon-lime soda; stir and garnish with cherry.

* Note: There are 8 oz. of port in a cup.

Port Delight
2 oz. Ficklin Tinta Port
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup grapefruit soda
1 - 1/4" slice of orange, halved Mix all ingredients together and serve over ice in a chilled glass. Garnish with half an orange slice.

Cool Fruit Sevilla
Mix all ingredients, except nutmeg, with ice in a blender; serve in a chilled cocktail glass with a pinch of nutmeg. Garnish with a whole strawberry on edge of glass.

Summer Sangría
Prechill all ingredients, except club soda and sugar, and mix in a punch bowl with a block of ice. Add club soda just before serving and stir gently. Squeeze juice from additional lemons, limes or oranges and add to punch if you want more citrus flavor. Add sugar to taste. Garnish with orange or lemon slice.

Portuguese Iced Tea
Stir all ingredients, except iced tea and garnish, with ice; strain and mix with iced tea, serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel if you wish.

Port Vanilla Ice Cream Punch
Mix all ingredients, except nutmeg, with ice in a blender; serve in a 12 oz. Collins glass. Sprinkle a touch of nutmeg over the top.


And for a spectacular dessert, try this delicious combination of port and strawberries...a refreshing way to end any summer meal.

Strawberry Port Zabaglione
Separate egg whites from yolks. Combine egg yolks, sugar and port over simmering water in a double boiler. Whisk continually, paying careful attention to scraping the sides and bottom of the pan. Remove from heat when soft mounds form; continue beating until cool. When the mixture has cooled to room temperature, add the vanilla and lemon juice. Place the container in a large bowl filled with ice and continue beating until mixture is completely chilled. Beat the cream in a separate bowl until stiff. Fold whipped cream into cold zabaglione mixture. Divide into dessert glasses and top with strawberries. Makes four servings.


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For tours, wine orders, or information, call Ficklin Vineyards
at 559/674-4598, or simply use email.


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