Let them eat Cupcakes (and drink wine)

Picture courtesy of Celebrations Cookie & Cupcake Boutique

Are you into the cupcake craze?

The seam so innocent - just little itty-bitty frosted cakes. Okay, truth be known - I've had three at a time.

Cupcake cafes have sprung up across the country. Spokane finally has a dedicated cupcake cafe in the Garland district, Celebrations - A Cookie & Cupcake Boutique recently opened at 713 West Garland. I noticed it last week on my way to Bon Bon, the new vintage cocktail bar at the Garland Theatre. The building is pink and brown striped, you can't help but notice it. Yes, this neighborhood is getting even cooler.

Angel Ball Gala, Cupcakes by Madeleine's

You can also get these delicious mini-cakes at Taste Cafe, Madeleine's, and the Rockwood Bakery. William & Sonoma sells the "Sprinkles" brand that you can bake at home and showing-up Spokane by getting a dedicated shop was  Sandpoint, Idaho with Hey, Cupcake opening early last year.

Seriously, cupcakes make people smile and wine enlivens any event. Pair the two for an easy, impromptu party to remember.

SIP thinks a Sparkling Wine such as Arbor Crest or Mountain Dome pairs nicely with almost any cupcake and Washington Viognier, such as Barili, Overbluff, Townshend and Terra Blanca are wonderful when paired with Vanilla, Coconut or Lemon incensed cupcakes.

Pairing Ideas for Wine & Cupcakes;

Peanut Butter Chip Cupcake with Beaujolais
It’s like a decadent peanut butter and jelly. The fresh, fruit-forward, jammy Beaujolais complements the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.

Coconut/Vanilla Cupcake with sweet or late-harvest Gewurztraminer or Viognier
The tropical notes of the wine fit the dry, sweet, tropical-tinted coconut and vanilla flavors.

Red Velvet Cupcake with a late harvest Muscat
This distinct red sparkler’s fresh sweetness and pleasant party appeal makes it a versatile cupcake companion. The effervescence complements the lively flavors of the cupcake, and the two distinct sweetnesses reinforce each in a cotton-candy combination. Perfect for sweet teeth.

Chocolate (All) cupcake with Port
Port is pleasant. The thick, pronounced flavors deliver a combination greater than the parts. Try Knipprath Au Chocolat! or Townshend Huckleberry Port

Lemon cupcakes and Sauvignon Blanc or New Zealand Style whites. SIP chooses a Washington Viognier. The crisp, green, tart wine cuts the lemon’s acid and reinforces the pound-cake flavors of the confection.

Let them eat CUPCAKES (and drink wine).

Simliar version of Sip's article
was published on 24