Revitalize Your Health

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No Time Like the Present

Don’t let those resolutions you made in January get you down—there’s no time like the present to make a brand-new commitment to revitalizing your health and well-being this spring!

Healthier Habits

Here are some easy ways to get started with those healthier habits:

•    Unplug: turn off the television, computer, and cell phones for at least an hour before going to bed—you may be surprised by how easily you fall asleep without last-minute distractions and much stimulation, like loud noises and lights that simulate daytime.

•    Unwind: stand under a warm (not hot) shower for a few minutes before bedtime. Ease the water temperature to cool (not cold) for the last minute or so. The warm water is soothing and the cooler water signals your body that it’s time to sleep.

•    Uncork: enjoy a glass of Biltmore Wine—our reds pair well with a wide range of good-for-you foods including tuna, salmon, and dark chocolate—and some studies suggest red wines may have health benefits.

Resolve to try this

If your resolutions seemed right on track for New Year’s but got derailed soon after, you might benefit from a “try this, not that” strategy that helps you substitute one better choice at a time rather than taking on your whole list at once. Here are some examples:

•    Vowed to give up chocolate? Try substituting high quality dark chocolate (cocoa content should be 70% or more) for your cravings instead of going cold turkey. For an extra treat, pair dark chocolates with Biltmore Zinfandel.

•    Vowed to run a mile each day? You can still work toward that goal, but for starters, try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walk your dog an extra 20 minutes (you’ll both benefit!) each day. You’re more likely to reach a goal that you work toward gradually.

•    Vowed to be less carnivorous? Instead of serving a big steak and a small salad, shake things up by serving a smaller portion of steak in the salad. Toss a few ounces of thinly-sliced prime rib and a splash of low-calorie vinaigrette with your favorite greens, and pair the tasty treat with Biltmore Century Red.

Red Wines + Healthy Eating

Although red wines are often associated with cooler weather, spring is also a great time to pair them with fresh, healthy food options like these:

•    Sip a glass of Vanderbilt Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir with a portion of heart-healthy salmon.

•    Our Biltmore Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 North Carolina just received a rating of 90 points from The Beverage Testing Institute. Try pairing it with leg of lamb with rosemary—and be sure to choose lean lamb and trim it well to keep the calories much lower!

Shop our online store or click here to find Biltmore Wines in your area.

Nancy's Favorite Things

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As you admire the architecture, art, and sculpture that makes Biltmore House so amazing, consider for a moment all the work that goes into restoring, conserving, and preserving this special place. We checked with one employee who’s deeply involved in maintaining the beauty of Biltmore’s collection for her favorite thing—please check back next week for another insider’s favorite!

Nancy Rosebrock, Chief Conservator, is trained in the conservation of furniture and gilded objects. She came to Biltmore 14 years ago and is the manager of the Conservation and Collections Management staff. bronze cain candlesticks silhouette

Her teams are integral parts of the ongoing restoration and preservation work that keeps Biltmore looking like it did when the Vanderbilts called it home. You’ve seen the results of their incredible work in every part of Biltmore House, from the Louis XV Room with its gilded mirror and sconces to the exhibition in the Second Floor Living Hall focusing on our preservation efforts.

With Nancy’s attention to detail, it’s not surprising that her favorite objects are a pair of bronze candelabra in the Oak Sitting Room that tell a story—if you stop to look at them with a careful eye. “They are a study of the precariousness of life,” she said. 

Created by sculptor Auguste Nicholas Cain, the bronze pieces skillfully portray animals; the base is formed from snails, complete with tiny bronze antennae. On one candelabrum, a mother bird is feeding her babies. On the other, a rat balances on a limb above a nest, about to take the baby birds for its next meal.

The candelabra are part of Biltmore’s collection of bronzes created by les Animaliers, a 19th-century French school of art named for the artists’ naturalistic portrayals of animals. George Vanderbilt acquired about 20 works from les Animaliers, including the striking Hippogriff in the Entrance Hall by Antoine-Louise Barye.

Bubbles and Truffles for Valentine's Day

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The Black Swan. Romeo and Juliet. Giselle. Some of the greatest love stories told through dance include iconic pairings of dancers, or “pas de deux,” a French ballet term meaning “steps of two,” in which two dancers perform together. In the same romantic tradition, we think Biltmore’s lively Pas de Deux sparkling wine sets the stage as a perfect go-to wine for Valentine’s Day entertaining.

Almost as sweet as your Valentine, Pas de Deux sparkling wine is perfect as an aperitif cocktail before dinner, or with desserts such as fresh fruit, cheesecake, or chocolate truffles. This wine could also serve as the perfect start to a night out with friends.

What to expect from this wine….Crafted in the classic Methode Champenoise, the lively bubbles offer a celebratory note, while its delicate sweet flavors and crisp finish are the perfect foil for the rich, creamy texture of chocolate confections and decadent Valentine’s Day fare.

Try one of these cocktail recipes along with the following easy chocolate truffle recipe this Valentine’s Day.

Pomegranate Pas de Deux Punch

Orange Pomegranate CocktailServes One
Ingredients:
• 1 ¼ ounces orange vodka
• 3/4 ounce triple sec
• 1 ounce pomegranate juice
• 1/2 ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice
• 2 ounces Biltmore Pas de Deux

Method:
Combine vodka, triple sec, pomegranate juice, and orange juice in a mixing glass over ice. Shake well and strain over ice in a tall glass. Top with Pas de Deux. Garnish with an orange wheel.

Sparkling Blackberry Punch

Biltmore Sparkling Blackberry Punch_v1Serves One
Ingredients:

• 1 ounce light rum
• ¾ ounce blackberry brandy
• 2 ounces cranberry juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounce blackberry puree
• 3 ounces Biltmore Pas de Deux

Method:
Combine rum, brandy, cranberry juice, simple syrup and blackberry puree over ice in a mixing glass. Shake well and strain mixture over ice in a tall glass. Fill with Pas de Deux. Garnish with fresh blackberries and a mint sprig.

Decadent Biltmore Chocolate Truffles

Makes about 20 truffles.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Cocoa powder or semi-sweet chocolate, as needed for the finish
• Optional additions: 2-3 tablespoons liqueur, roasted chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit, toasted coconut, fruit jam, peanut butter, sweet potato, caramel topping, chopped toffee or cookie pieces, extracts or flavorings.

Truffles and sparkling wineMethod:

To make the ganache, place chocolate into a bowl. Bring the cream to a boil and pour over the chocolate. Stir together until all is combined and chocolate is melted. Mix in any additions (see above for suggestions) to the ganache you desire. Let the ganache set and scoop into portions and place onto parchment or wax paper. Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes then take out and round into balls. Roll into cocoa powder or coat in semi-sweet chocolate and serve.

A sweetie for sweeties

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Alicia Barger, the Inn’s pastry chef, had our mouths watering as she whipped up this guest favorite: Chocolate Cheesecake starring OREO® cookies! We talked her into sharing her recipe with us, which is a perfectly simple and absolutely delectable dessert for Valentine’s Day.

The recipe calls for a food processor to make the OREO crust. If you don’t have a food processor, Alicia has a trick:  Place the OREO cookies in a large sealable plastic bag. Press bag to remove excess air, then seal it. Use a rolling pin to crush cookies to form fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and squeeze the bag to evenly moisten the crumbs.

Inn on Biltmore Estate Chocolate Cheesecake

For Crust

3 tablespoons butter, melted

36 OREO cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place cookies in food processor until finely ground.

Add butter and mix until moistened.

Press crumb mixture onto bottom of 9” x 13” pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool before filling.

 

For Filling

1 1/8 cups sugar

¼ tsp salt

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 pound, 14 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature (just under four 8-ounce packages from your grocer’s dairy case)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup chocolate syrup

4 large eggs

¾ cups whipping cream

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Cream sugar, salt, and butter until light and fluffy.

Add cream cheese, scraping sides of bowl frequently.

Add sour cream and chocolate syrup. Scrape bowl well.

Add eggs and cream in increments, scraping well between additions.

Pour into cooled OREO crust-lined pan and bake for 1 hour. Test by lightly tapping on the top of the cake. It should be firm but slightly jiggly.

Laura's favorite things

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Sometimes it’s the smallest detail that makes an object stand out in your mind. That’s the case with this week’s favorite thing for a member of Biltmore’s Museum Services staff. We invite you to visit soon to admire the details in Biltmore House and discover your own personal favorites!two prints of Charles II hanging on the west wall in Mr. Vanderbilt’s Bedroom

Laura Cope Overbey, Collections Manager in Museum Services, joined Biltmore 14 years ago as the Associate Collections Manager and has been in her current position since 2008. Her job gives her a close look at items in the collection. Among the thousands of objects she has seen, two prints stand out for a special reason—even if most guests never even notice them.

“Mr. Vanderbilt collected more than 1,300 prints that are in our collection today,” Laura said. “My favorites are two prints of Charles II hanging on the west wall in Mr. Vanderbilt’s Bedroom.”

According to Laura, the prints appear to be identical and are by the same artists, 17th-century Dutch painter Pieter Nason and Dutch printmaker Cornelis van Dalen II. Both date from the early 1660s and depict Charles II in the same stance, outfit, and background.

two prints of Charles II hanging on the west wall in Mr. Vanderbilt’s BedroomYet, there is a slight difference between the two prints; one has the addition of three small objects in the bottom left corner—a crown, orb, and scepter. And those objects tell a fascinating story about the life of the English king.

“If you look carefully, you can see clues to the historical significance of the two prints,” Laura said. “At the beginning of his reign, Charles II was a king without a country. During his youth, he had witnessed the English Civil War, the end of the English monarchy, and the execution of his father, Charles I. Since his father’s death, Charles II was a king in exile.

“In 1660, the political tide changed and the English wanted to reinstate the monarchy. These prints illustrate this transition: the first shows a king without a country, and the second shows a king fully restored with the crown and country,” she said.

Left photo: Charles II without a country. Right photo: Charles II with his crown, orb, and scepter.

Chocolate-Dipped Meringue Bites

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Add some sparkle to any occasion

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or simply want to add a touch of special sweetness to any occasion, our Chocolate-Dipped Meringue Bites are sure to please. Pair them with our Biltmore Pas de Deux Sparkling Wine, and the compliments will continue to bubble up!

Preparing meringue cookies at home may sound challenging, but it’s actually a simple recipe from our new cookbook entitled Biltmore Traditions, A Collection of Menus, Recipes, and Stories. The cookies are rich but not too sweet and the semisweet Chocolate Dipping Sauce adds another layer of flavor to each bite.

Sparkling wine is a natural choice to complement the taste and texture of the Chocolate-Dipped Meringue Bites, and we think serving them with our Pas de Deux makes a good thing even better. Made with Muscat Canelli grapes, this semi-sweet sparkling wine tastes of wild strawberry and lemon. It is also handcrafted in the traditional méthode champenoise style which results in fine bubbles that make any occasion more festive.

Chocolate-Dipped Meringue Bites 

Makes 20–24 cookies

Meringue Bites

• 2 egg whites
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar
• 1 1/3 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar

Method: Let the egg whites stand at room temperature in a mixing bowl for 30 minutes. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites. Beat at medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the confectioner’s sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition. Beat 6–7 minutes on high until stiff peaks form.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Spoon the meringue into a sealable plastic bag. Snip off 1 corner. Pipe 20 – 24 cookies 1½–2 inches long and 1½ inches apart onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in a standard oven for 20 minutes or in a convection oven for 10 minutes. Turn off the oven. Leave the cookies in the oven with the door closed for 30 minutes. Remove the cookies from the sheet and cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Chocolate Dipping Sauce

• ½ cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate pieces
• ½ teaspoon shortening

Combine the chocolate and shortening in a saucepan. Cook over low heat until the chocolate melts, stirring constantly. Dip one side or the tip of each cookie into the Chocolate Dipping Sauce. Let dry on a rack until the chocolate is set.

Purchase Pas de Deux Sparkling online here.

Check out all the delicious recipes in our new cookbook, available through our online store.

Rick's favorite thing

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As we continue our focus on the details that make Biltmore so amazing, we invite you to visit this winter to admire the combination of architecture, art, and sculpture that makes Biltmore House uniquely beautiful. Today, we hear from a long-time employee who has a different take on his favorite thing: the beauty of mechanical ingenuity. Check back next week for another insider’s favorite.

Rick Conard, Vice President of Attraction Operations Support, joined Biltmore more than 20 years ago as an electrician. Since then, he’s been involved in just about every project around the estate, and knows Biltmore House inside and out.

Soon after he started at Biltmore, one of his first tasks involved spending more than three weeks working around the service elevator in Biltmore House. Less prominent (and significantly less decorative) than the passenger elevator in the main entry, the service elevator is located by the stairs in the Bachelors’ Wing.

This elevator was designed to carry workers as well as equipment and luggage, and traveled 80 feet from the Sub-Basement to the Fourth Floor. While it could lift 2,000 pounds, it was not the speediest mode of transport, taking nearly a minute to go six floors. Of course, the alternative of manually hauling a ton of luggage up several flights of winding stairs wouldn’t be all that fast either!

Rick was very involved in bringing the service elevator back to good working order, and he was working on the elevator when he got a call from his wife that she was headed to the hospital to have their first child—which explains why this ranks as his personal favorite.

If you’re interested in seeing the service elevator plus some of the other innovative mechanical systems in Biltmore House, take the guided Behind-the-Scenes Butler’s Tour that spends time in areas of the house not included in the regular visit.

These days you may see Rick around the estate with Cedric, a St. Bernard named in honor of George Vanderbilt’s favorite dog. They are often in Antler Hill Village, so keep an eye out for them during your next visit.

A Valentine Blend of Bulbs

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A sweet ‘Valentine’ mix

Want to surprise your favorite gardener with a sweet spring gift? Consider easy-to-grow dahlias in a gorgeous array of colors like the new Biltmore ‘Valentine’ mix from Netherland Bulb Company. Dahlias offer glorious blooms sure to delight the novice gardener as well as the seasoned professional.

This dahlia mixture contains several different varieties and is called ‘Valentine’ in honor of the red and white colors you can expect from the mature flowers. The mix is perfect for the adventurous gardener—just plant in the spring and be surprised all over again in summer when the colorful blooms began to open up in your garden.

As one expert said, “Never have so many gardeners received so much for so little work, as when they grow dahlias.’‘

Ask your local garden center for Biltmore ‘Valentine’ dahlia mix and other Netherland Bulb Company products.

 

Hooked on dahlias

Dahlias come in a wide array of sizes, colors, and textures and are one of the most rewarding summer flowers of all. They’re really easy to grow and generally provide spectacular results whether you leave them in the garden or use them as cut flowers in arrangements.

If you’re already a dahlia fan, you know just how wonderful they are. If you’re not as familiar with these summery showstoppers, here is the information you need to get started (and prepare to be ‘hooked!’).

 

Dahlia details

Dahlias are native to Mexico, but there’s about as much resemblance between the original native varieties and the modern Dutch hybrids as there is between a toy car and a brand new model in the showroom.

When planting dahlia ‘bulbs,’ be aware that the bulbs are actually tubers. They look a lot like peony roots—or sort of like a bunch of carrots. The plants grow quickly and always produce lush, green foliage. Some dahlias grow quite tall, as well, and may need to be staked for support—especially those varieties that produce large, heavy flower heads.

Thanks to our licensee Netherland Bulb Company for providing interesting information on dahlias—plus a wonderful mix of cheerful colors sure to make everyone smile!

Whimsical Romantic Tips

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February is more than just Valentine’s Day—it’s the perfect time to let someone special know how much you care! Whether your sweetheart prefers traditional red roses and champagne or something more whimsical, like heart-shaped yard art, we want to help you celebrate this sweet season with a host of romantic tips that are sure to please.

Ready for romance

Here are our top 20 ideas (in no particular order) for showing your romantic side to your sweetie:

• Snuggle up for a romantic evening by the fireside with sparkling wine and dessert
• Bring or send flowers
• Cook a homemade meal/bake a special dessert
• Enjoy a nice dinner out followed by a movie, dancing, or other fun activities.
• Leave love notes for your sweetie to find
• Create a custom CD or mp3 playlist filled with romantic favorites
• Choose a unique piece of jewelry to wow your sweetheart
• Finish up those tasks around the house or run errands for your someone special
• Take a candle-lit bubble bath together, complete with flutes of bubbly
• Arrange a special trip to a cozy bed and breakfast
• Weather permitting, have a picnic in a local park (or pack a basket of goodies to enjoy in front of a  roaring fire in the living room)
• Take a long walk or hike together
• Attend a wine tasting at a winery or local restaurant/bar
• Compliment your sweetie earnestly and often
• Take ballroom or salsa dance lessons together
• Sprinkle rose petals around the bedroom, bathtub, or hearth
• Volunteer a few hours of your time—together—for a cause that’s special to both of you
• Revisit the scene of one of your first dates and remember what made your romance sparkle
• Turn off the television, computer, and cell phones and have a conversation without distractions.
• Make (or purchase—we won’t judge) chocolate-covered strawberries, pop open some sparkling wine (our Biltmore Pas de Deux is perfect for the occasion), and toast the fact that the two of you are as great together as this classic pairing of fruit, chocolate, and bubbles!

Romance sparkles in February

Of course, we may be a little bit biased, but we think Biltmore Wines make any occasion more romantic. Choose one of our sparkling wines, handcrafted in the traditional méthode champenoise, and raise your glass to someone special!

• Château Reserve Blanc de Blancs North Carolina: our finest sparkling, bursting with tiny bubbles plus tropical and citrus flavors
• Blanc de Blancs: Good acidity and balance complemented by hints of lemon, apple, and pear
• Brut: good balance of citrus and strawberries with hints of honey and apricot
• Blanc de Noir: crisp with a delightful light pink hue and flavors of cherries and strawberries
• Pas de Deux Sparkling Moscato: Semi-sweet with flavors of wild strawberry and lemon

 Learn more about our sparkling wines here.

Freshen Up With Framing

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Freshen Up With Framing

After the holidays have ended and the decorations are packed away, your home can feel downright dull and in need of a pick-me-up.

We went to the experts—our friends at Larson-Juhl—who have created several families of frames featuring a six step hand-finished process and inspired by objects within the estate’s collection.

They offered several simple, creative ideas to freshen up your décor while also showcasing a few of your favorite things that may have been overlooked for a while.

Frame and Function

Custom framing is a fantastic resource when working to freshen your space—not only do custom frames look beautiful, but they can provide needed functionality too!

• Transform your jewelry into art and organize it at the same time by working with your custom framer to create a beautiful jewelry holder Jewelry framed like a picture
• Help your whole family stay organized all year long with a message center that includes a custom framed chalk board and memo board—perfect for creating lists and keeping those important items in one place
• Organize all of those family photos you have stashed away by having them custom framed in a photo collage, which will perfectly meld with your style and allow you to enjoy those memories out in the open

New Year, New Display

• Breathe new life into your favorite artworks by having them re-framed for the new year in a style you’ll enjoy for many years to come

Matchbook collection, framed
• De-clutter your shelves and bookcases by removing all those collectables you tucked into different spaces. Carefully dust and clean them, then have them preserved and put back on display by custom framing them in shadowboxes. Whether elegant or whimsical, anything from seashells and figurines to pins, spoons, and postcards can be framed!

custom framed photo of a wedding party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to discover the Biltmore Collection at Larson-Juhl or find a store near you.