In the ongoing fight against breast cancer, locals can add to their arsenal of weapons some lively acidity balanced by a touch of residual sugar, with strong strawberry overtones on the nose and ripe fruit flowing through the palate.

Veris Cellars Winery is holding a Twilight Tasting on Oct. 3, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and will be donating a percentage of its Nova Vita rose to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

Guests will also get to enjoy live acoustic rock from TRAXX; a dessert bar paired with sparkling wine, zinfandel, and port; and a raffle.

According to Veris, the Nova Vita is a “heavenly blend” of 55 percent grenache and 45 percent tempranillo and “pairs beautifully with cheese, chicken, fish, tart desserts, and is a refreshing drinking wine!”

Donated raffle prizes include a perfume basket, a full hair and makeup makeover package, tickets to local tourist favorites, and wine baskets full of treats.

• PHOTO COURTESY OF KAT BENT-SLAY
• VERIS CELLARS WINERY NOVA VITA ROSE:

Veris Cellars is home to JanKris, Ben Hogan, and Nova Vita wines. Come to 1266 North Bethel Road in Templeton. For more information, call 434-0319 or visit veriscellars.com.

According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. Estimates for the country throughout 2013 include about 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women, about 64,640 diagnoses of new cases of the earliest form of breast cancer, and about 39,620 women dying from breast cancer.

The better news? The society numbers more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and incidence rates dropped after the turn of the millennium. Death rates from the cancer have been declining since 1989—probably because of earlier detection through screenings and increased awareness of the cancer and its signs. Treatment has improved, too.

So raise a glass to that!

Executive Editor Ryan Miller compiled this week’s column. Send your news and comments for Bites to [email protected].