I am so often asked why should you let wine breathe. My answer usually is, “what wines are you talking about?” If it is a hearty young red wine, then letting it breathe would be beneficial, as the process of exposing the wine to oxygen will allow the acid and tannin to mellow and soften
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The California Wine Region
Though vineyards exist in almost every U.S. state, California outranks all of the others by a great deal and its production can even be ranked on a global scale. In fact, California ranks # 4 in the world in volume production among wine producers with a total of 2 billion liters per year, following only
Tartrate Crystals in White Wine, a Sign of Quality
Many wine drinkers think there is a problem when they see tartrate crystals in the bottom of their wine glass. But there is absolutely nothing to worry about, apart from visually. The potassium tartrate crystals or ‘wine diamonds’, as they are sometimes called, are formed naturally during the course of the winemaking process and are
What You Need To Know When Shopping For Wine Coolers
Small wine fridges or coolers are storage devices that are intended for relative short term use. They keep wine at the correct temperature for consumption, which ranges from forty to sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit, based on the particular wine. A small wine cooler is fine if you have a permanent storage arrangement already (such as a
How to Choose the Best Wine For Drinking
Are you a fan of wine? Do you enjoy drinking the different varieties of wine? You are at the right place. As you will get plenty of wine news and learn more about different types available. But with plenty to choose from in the whole, how will you make the right choice? Know what makes
Red Wine and Heartburn
You’re in the middle of a romantic evening with your favorite someone, sharing a tasty little red vino you discovered on your latest wine tour and BAM! – suddenly you’re in the middle of a major gastronomical crisis. Forget about romance. You’ve got a four-alarm fire raging through your midsection and you need relief –
Riesling is the Best White Wine, Yes Or No?
The Riesling grape variety is quite unique in that it preserves its identity wherever it is grown, unlike many other varieties. Not only is it grown in Germany, from where it originated, but also in neighbouring Alsace and Austria, Italy, California, cooler parts of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Chile. Most wine drinkers would
Washing Wine Glasses: From a Chore to an Art Form
No one is particularly fond of washing dishes, with many people reserving it for times when the tower of dirty dishes in the kitchen sink begins to resemble the Tower of Pisa. But, for those who have a collection of wine glasses, particularly crystal wine glasses, washing dishes correctly becomes essential in preserving the glasses
How to Make Wine at Home in a Pickle Bucket
Yep. You can make wine at home in a pickle bucket. Here’s how: Go to your local fast food restaurant and ask for the manager. Tell him or her that you would like 2 empty pickle buckets. These buckets are food grade buckets and will not outgas any weird chemicals into your wine. Although they
Characteristics and Disadvantages of Using Cooking Wine
Wine is one of the most popular beverages in the world. It has become an important drink during ceremonies, events, rituals and even fun sessions with friends. But wines are more than drinks. There are some wines that are used in the preparation of delicious meals. These wines are called cooking wines. Cooking wines or
The Romance of Winery Tourism
Winery tourism seems to be the new buzz word at the moment when it comes to talking about visiting a winery for fun. Actually we’re really just wanting to go there to taste the wine and experience the atmosphere, and maybe have some food. So, why all this ‘winery tourism’ lark? Well, look at it
Yeast-Free Living – Can I Drink Wine?
Okay, so you’ve recently found out that you need to avoid yeast. But you’re wondering about alcohol. You like the odd glass of wine with an evening meal. Who doesn’t? You’ve heard that drinks such as bear have yeast in them, but what about wine or other alcoholic drinks? Well, the good news is, it’s
Wine and Health – An Introduction
The use of wine and our strong convictions of its health benefits, abstainers and teetotalers notwithstanding, are probably as old as wine itself dating back to the first civilizations in the ancient world. In Mesopotamia ca. the third millennium BC, the Babylonians believed wine to have medicinal and therapeutic effects and it was considered so
6 Must-Haves for Building Your Own Wine Cellar
For people wanting to build the best wine cellar possible, there are certain crucial, ‘must-have’ conditions to keep in mind if your wine cellar is to operate at its best. Temperature Temperature control is debatably the most important aspect in setting up a wine cellar. The most desirable temperature for long-term wine storage is between
The Secrets to Making Good Mulled Wine
Traditionally mulled wine is a warm drink that only seems to appear around Christmas time, but why is this so? We all associate drinking mulled wine in cold weather and during holiday time, this obviously gives us the feel-good factor for the beverage. Therefore, if we feel so good whilst drinking mulled wine, why don’t
Wine Investmentment: Pros and Cons of Investing in Wine
Investing in wine is a wise option since there are a lot of advantages to such an investment. Still you need to be aware of a few common pitfalls to protect yourself. We will explore the Pro’s and Con’s of investing in wine in the following article. Pros: i) The yield from investing in wine
Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery: An Emblem of Indiana’s Growing Wine Industry
Wine making and wine tasting has long been a favorite American pastime, particularly in western states such as California – a subject humorously portrayed in the hit 2004 film, Sideways. Yet, this pursuit seems to have traveled across the United States, with wineries appearing in the most unlikely of locations. Indianapolis, for instance, is highly
Making A Wine May Not Be Easy, But It Could Be Simple – Starting Off Small
A few years ago, a friend decided he wanted to put out a wine under his own label. His strategy was to test the markets reception and then decide whether to sell the wine in the future. His wine was a chardonnay named after his wife. He randomly contacted a custom crush facility in Napa
Technology Enhances Wine, Spirits and Beer Labels
What’s the purpose of a wine label; or for that matter a label on spirits and beer? Obviously, the first response to that question is: to satisfy the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) regulations. Once that is accomplished, the label space remaining may be used for branding and marketing copy. The fact
Oak Wine Barrels – A Short History
The person who makes oak wine barrels is called a cooper. It comes form the latin word “cupa” which means vat. Research has not uncovered who actually made the first wine vats, but it is known that the Celts arrived in Burgandy, France, in the 13th century BC. They were a much progressed “tribe” who
The Wine Cork Mystery
I was browsing through my local paper the other day and came across an article by Jon Rogers. Jon, of Wines Without the Mystery, is a wine educator and consultant who teaches a wide variety of classes. The article was entitled: You have no need to fear ‘the cork ritual’. The article presents some great
A Wine’s Bouquet
Bouquet is a French term for a wine’s scent. Younger wines have aromas, which are the smells associated with a particular grape and/or spice, its variety, region, or condition. Older ones have bouquet; the complex and deep aromas that develop with age. They are attributed to the process of fermentation, processing and aging, and largely
The Wine Lover’s Guide To Wine Bars
Over the course of the last few years, more people have started to regard going out for light snacks and drinks as a bit more of a fancy affair. They don’t mind getting a little dolled up for a fun evening, and some of the main destinations they have in mind are wine bars. Wine
Wine Storage in the Tropics
Wine storage has been a skill that came along with a technology ever since the first grapes had been fermented. You will find people who have to grasp the most clever methods, for their wine is a good investment that must be protected. There are other people who simply need to know how to preserve
Rogar Wine Opener – Why You Should Buy a Rogar Tabletop Lever Wine Opener
The Rogar Lever Wine Opener is one of the most impressive functional wine openers you could own. If you want a wine accessory that is more than just a good opener, or are looking for a special gift for a wine lover, (even if it is you), then the table or bar top Rogar wine
A Wine Aficionado’s Guide to the Story of Boeger Winery
Knowing the history and culture behind the making of a bottle of wine can often make that glass of wine even tastier. If you’re planning to serve wine when entertaining, share this incredible story while pouring your guests a glass of Barbera wine from Boeger Winery. By the early 1970s all most all traces of
Wine Cellar Cooling Systems – How to Build A Cool One
Wine cellar cooling systems are designed specifically to maintain a constant temperature between 55 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 50 to 70 percent. The right humidity levels will keep your corks moist and swollen enough thus ensuring a tighter seal while the right temperature moderates your wine’s aging process. Always keep in
The Difference Between Bordeaux and Burgundy Wine Glasses
The beauty of wine is that it is all different. Each has its own color, flavor profile, body, nose, notes, tannin levels and finish. The experience of each is taken into consideration when a really fine crystal wine glass is crafted. The size, shape, lip–everything-about the glass is researched so that type of wine is
Satisfying Wine and Beer Pairings for Lamb
So you want to showcase your culinary skills at the upcoming dinner party you are hosting this weekend with a delectable lamb feast? Be sure you choose the right beer and wines to match the flavors of your dish! Although both red and wine are great for any American lamb meal, it is important to
A Wine Taster’s Guide to Environmental Wines – A Look at Lageder Reds
With today’s global attention focused on environmental health, entrepreneurs, citizen groups, and national governments attempt cooperation to improve air, water, and soil quality, to safeguard oceans and forests and especially to control climate change. You can join the effort at your next wine tasting party by choosing wines from an eco-friendly winery like Alois Lageder.
Low Alcohol Wine, Good For Your Health
At the end of the day there is nothing better than winding down with a glass of wine. So let’s look into low alcohol wine and see why it is good for your health. If you have visited a wine bar or hotel, you might have noticed that the size of these glasses has increased
Wine Cooler Brands – What You Should Know Before You Buy
Are you a connoisseur of wine or just the occasional wine drinker who likes to impress his friends? One way to do this depends on the wine cooler brand you choose to display and chill your wine. Knowing the features you would prefer in a cooler will go a long way in aiding you make
Can Light Really Affect My Wine?
The short answer is that light can definitely affect wine, but we need to take a closer look at the physics and chemistry of it all to understand why and how in what is called light-strike reactions, which can impart off-odors to wine, what the French call goût de lumière. Wine is sensitive to the
How Malolactic Fermentation Softens Wine
Malolactic fermentation is frequently referred to as “MLF”, or “malo” in winery terms. What is a malolactic fermentation and how does it affect a wine? MLF normally occurs after the primary fermentation has completed, when the grape sugars have been converted by yeast, into alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2). Lactic acid bacteria, Oenococcus oeni, and
Top 10 Hottest Trends in Wine
Do you want to know what’s hot in the wine world? Here’s the top 10 trends: 1. Rose Wine 2. Grower Champagne 3. Metropolitan Wineries 4. Natural Wines 5. Fruit days, Root Days… 6. More Wine Drinkers in America 7. Screwcaps & Box Wines 8. Lower Alcohol Wine 9. Biodynamics & Eco-Friendly wine 10. Dessert
Understanding the Health Benefits of Moderate Red Wine Consumption
Earlier epidemiological studies suggested that alcohol-and therefore, wine, beer and spirits, was the compound responsible for claimed health benefits though its negative effects such as alcoholism and social impacts, cognitive developmental deficiencies, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and increased risk of breast cancer in women are undisputed. In moderate consumption, alcohol has been shown to increase
What Is the Ideal Temperature for a Wine?
The ideal temperature to drink a wine is a subject that must be taken into serious consideration when thinking about drinking it. And what is the ideal temperature for a wine? “At room temperature?” Totally wrong, imagine that you are in a tropical country in mid-summer, with tempratures reaching 38ºC. Ever imagined the terrible experience
Do Sulfites in Wine Cause Headaches?
I am often asked why nearly all wines contain sulfites and whether it is really necessary. The reason that most wines have a small amount of sulfur is to protect them from spoilage, predominantly from bacterial attack but also from oxidation. It is used both as as a preservative and an antioxidant so that the
Types of Corkscrew and Wine Openers and How to Use Them
When I first started to write this article, I had a small list of corkscrew types, but I had forgotten all the obscure types so the list grew much larger. I decided to start with the three most popular like the Waiter’s Corkscrews, Wing Corkscrews and Lever type wine opener. I know everyone is familiar
Do (Wine) Supertasters Exist?
If you have ever participated in a wine tasting event alongside “expert tasters”, you may be left to wonder how these wine jargon-sputtering enophiles can possibly detect so many aromas and nuances or, perhaps, if your own tasting abilities might be subpar. And if you are of the male type, chances are you may be
Red Wine Headaches – What Actually Causes Them?
Headaches from red wine are a genuine and troubling phenomena, troubling because any certain sufferer will get a headache from certain red wines and not from others. But there doesn’t seem to be just one individual cause. Red wine headaches vary in their severity from mildly gentle to full-on migraine. Just half a glass of
Tartaric Crystals in Wine: the "Wine Diamonds" of Quality
Have you ever come across what appear to be white flakes floating in your bottle of wine? Did you assume that this snow-globe appearance somehow meant the wine was flawed or ruined? What you had most likely seen are tartaric crystals, commonly referred to as “wine diamonds” or Weinstein (“wine stone”) in German speaking countries.
There Are a Lot of Ways to Get a Wine to Market and It Doesn’t Involve Making the Wine
I notice numerous ads appearing in wine industry newsletters that advertise bulk wines for sale and often wondered why there is this classification of wine for sale and who buys such wine. I see ads for a lot of California bulk wines as well as some of these wine sales from Oregon, Washington, and from
Medieval Wine Trivia
The cycle of the vineyards and man’s enjoyment of wine has continued throughout the ages with some of these intriguing differences… ONCE UPON A TIME Roman civilization was well versed in viticulture and wine making, but then the Barbarians destroyed their vineyards and turned them into pastureland and cornfields. Luckily, Benedictine and other monks kept
Romancing With Wine and Food
You can always impress your date by romancing with wine and food. Everyone knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and as for the wine we still aren’t sure on that one. However, most women love gourmet food and wine, so the man who can provide that and more is
Wine Clubs and the Wine Industry – Adjusting the Stereotypes of Wine Enthusiasts in America
If you think American men only guzzle beer and women only enjoy cocktails, think again. In addition, if you think beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in America, this article has a surprise for you. Today, Americans consume more wine than beer, and women purchase more wine than men do. More women also belong
How to Become a Wine Tasting Expert
Becoming a wine expert is not as hard as you might think. What you will need, apart from sheer enthusiasm, is a combination of some straight forward wine skills. These come in the form of an ability to decipher and provide accurate tasting notes, read and fully understand wine labels and at least know what
How to Clean a Thermos Food Jar
Thermos food jars are only as good as they can serve their purpose; otherwise they can be such a disappointment. Pre-heating or cooling your thermos before filling it up could go a long way in ensuring best results, but never use the microwave for this. Always fill it up with hot or cold water before
A Wine Bar And Restaurant Share The Basic Wine Characteristics You Must Know
Knowing the basics wine characteristics will help you to develop your palate and find favorites. You will definitely have a better chance of getting what you love. A wine bar and restaurant says that classifying wines by their fundamental traits is the best way of learning about your taste. Wine Characteristics Sweetness – This is
How I Found Myself in a Bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken
Well actually, it wasn’t a bucket of KFC, but rather a two piece individual breast and wing meal. You know the special meal that comes in the box with two side dishes; personally I have always been partial to cold slaw and mashed potatoes without the sloppy gravy. And don’t forget the necessary spork and
What Is the Hardest Part of Grocery Shopping?
I know that some people actually enjoy the experience of grocery shopping, but I have a problem. Let me explain. I don’t know about you, but I’m not particularly fond of grocery shopping – for several reasons, some of which include: I lose a few hours of my time that I could be using for
The Truth About Food Dye ADHD Facts
Even though the FDA insists that food dyes are safe the studies say otherwise. Artificial food dyes do contribute to ADHD symptoms such as restlessness and hyperactivity and if food dyes were taken out of the diet, a large percentage of children would not need ADHD prescription drugs such as Concerta or Ritalin. Food dye
Classic Cheese and Wine Pairings
Cheese and wine go together like…well, cheese and wine! I have a hard time thinking of a better pairing. If you are hosting a dinner party or wine tasting, cheese is an obvious choice as an easy and delicious accompaniment to many wines. Either served as appetizers or as a formal cheese course before dessert,
Stadium Tailgating Tips
Football season is for many of us the premier tailgating season. Here’s a list of tips gathered from around the grill to make your tailgating experience more enjoyable. First of all we’re going to assume that your barbecue party set-up does not include anything as elaborate as a converted 18 wheeler or a grilling school
How To Discover The Best White Wines For Your Taste And Budget
Get To Know Wines From the Grapes White wines add joy to any wine fan’s palate. They are crisp, fruity and refreshing and can be enjoyed by themselves or paired with a wide variety of foods. They are dry or sweet. Anyone can find a white wine they will thoroughly enjoy. The challenge for any
5 Top Tips For Matching Food With Wine
The matching of a wine to a particular food is quite a skill, but once your palate develops – all it takes is practice – the task will become easier. Food matching tips from the experts is a great place to start, and get a feel of wine-tasting terminology. An accurate description of a wine
The Harmony Between Food and Wine
Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in the company of friends and .. food. The right combination between food and wine is a source of ultimate bliss for every connoisseur. Both wine and food can benefit from the right pairing. The right wine can accentuate unexpected gastronomical aspects of food and vice
Why My Nescafe Is Better Than Your Nescafe
Did you know that there are over 200 types of Nescafé? That is why your favorite Nescafé at home may taste absolutely different in some foreign country, even if the name and the packaging look exactly the same, language differences aside. Despite being a global household name, Nestlé, the company that owns the brand name
The Best Romantic Restaurants In Seminyak
If you’re thinking about the perfect romantic getaway, think about Bali. They say that Bali is the break-up island, but that’s not the case at all. Myths about love hitches in Bali have been debunked, and you can splendidly enjoy your romantic vacation in Bali. Isn’t it a wonderful place to ignite the fires of
Soto Ayam (Saoto Soup)
Soto ayam is a chicken spicy-aromatic soup. This is the perfect soup for food lover’s looking for the true taste of Java and Suriname. This is more of a complete meal than just a soup as it is served with lots of extras Soto soup is usually served with white cooked rice. Ingredients: Look for