The Health Benefits of Oak Aged Wines and Spirits

There are several aspects to any health benefits of oak aged wines and spirits. The first component is the wine or spirit itself. It has been thought for a long time, and recent research seems to back it up, that moderate consumption of 1 or two alcoholic drinks per day can increase the average lifespan of an otherwise healthy person. It has been shown to raise the good HDL cholesterol, prevent blood platelet clumping and sticking which cause deadly blood clots that lead to heart attack and stroke, and also to combat prevent the taking on of parasites in regions where safe drinking water is not the norm. Wine and grape spirits contain many healthy polyphenol antioxidants, resveratrol, and gallic acid, which all combat cell damage which can lead to cancer. The action of antioxidants has long been known to give anticancer benefits, and the potent antioxidants in red wine, wine, and grape spirits, are no exception. Red wine has even more since the dark red pigment from the grape skins contains the most antioxidant content. Flavonoids and resveratrol go further by preventing the platelet stickiness that leads to deadly blood clots which result in heart attack and stroke. Continue reading “The Health Benefits of Oak Aged Wines and Spirits”

Cuban Chocolate Marquise Recipe

If you a serious chocoholic and like your desserts ridiculously rich, then this is one of those dishes that will give you a real chocolate buzz.

The term Marquise is French and used to refer to the wife of a Marquis or nobleman, much the same as Duke and Duchess in English. It therefore seems possible the dessert is using reference here to a dessert of high nobility or just hinting at its inherent richness. Marquises are dense, rich affairs, often made in terrine dishes then sliced or in ingot shaped moulds. In reality you can make it any form you wish. I use small silicon muffin moulds which makes turning out the marquises far easier. Many chocolatier recipes call for adding cream or butter, but really there is no need unless you really want a less dense texture and lighter flavour. But truthfully marquises should be thoroughly indulgent affairs. If you want light go for a chocolate mousse. Continue reading “Cuban Chocolate Marquise Recipe”

The History of Wine Goblets

I know what your thinking. A goblet is nothing more than a cup. Well, your right. But did you know the history behind this cup goes back to the 1300s. Goblets have been used as far back as the earliest religious ceremonies. Wine has been the primary drink of choice for it and continues to be. In its earlier days it was originally known as a chalice mainly because of its religious symbolism. Another name for it is Kiddush. This is the reciting of a blessing over the wine, prior to eating a festive meal. We are going to go over a little more about its origins so next time you are having people over for some wine you can throw in some neat facts about what you are drinking from.

Nowadays you primarily see them at weddings. The bride and groom use them to toast their guests. Goblets serve two purposes at weddings. They make beautiful accents to the reception’s decor and not being a common item are used as a status symbol as well as a dining accessory. What kind of status would depend on what kind you are using. The most popular types at are crystal, gold, and sterling silver. Crystal makes for a nice setting on any table. To say something about your status would depend on where it came from. The Czech Republic produces some of the worlds best crystal and says something about what you think about crystal if you buy it from there. Gold cups are symbolic of family and tradition. There are also goblets made of pewter, if you like pewter, and they’re not as expensive as crystal and sterling silver. It is most common for people to give Kiddush cups as gifts for special occasions such as Bar Mitzvahs or weddings. If you’re into glass or crystal, wedding goblets are just one among hundreds of items that are manufactured by glass and crystal companies around the world. Some wedding vendors sell goblets made of red glass which will go well with any wine, and at Christmas time, you can take them out of your glass cabinet to grace your dinner table. Continue reading “The History of Wine Goblets”

Wine During Prohibition

I turned 21 in 1999, decades after the Roaring Twenties. Because of this, I can honestly say that I don’t know what Prohibition feels like. I can only compare it to an empty keg at a raging party or that feeling I got one night of high school when I watched a disgruntled bouncer cut up my beloved fake ID. I, like most of us, became of age in an era when wine was freely flowing, beer was always on tap, and every teenager counted the days until their 21st birthday.

Those who were born at the beginning of the 19th Century, however, weren’t so lucky. In an era marked by pandemic flu and a world war, an era where drinking was not only used for pleasure but also used as a much needed escape from reality, Prohibition entered the picture.

Like an unwelcome patron who pulls up a stool at the local bar, saloon owners and alcohol lovers in America took one look at Prohibition and said, “We don’t want any.” But, it wasn’t the common man’s decision and, as beer fell to tears, whiskey winced, and cases of Merlot wined, Prohibition began on January 16th, 1920 when the 18th Amendment took effect, illegalizing the production, transportation, and sale of alcohol. Continue reading “Wine During Prohibition”

Wine Goblets in Literature

Ever sat in an English or world literature course and wonder, “Is this teacher or professor asking for the meaning of this word, object, or phrase and why?” The world of literature is vast and spans many cultures and languages. Within these cultures, the study and knowledge of literature signifies a well educated person.

Followers of English and world Literature are always searching for a way to find the meaning of words as metaphors, similes, or allusions. One of the items a reader may find in various literature is the wine goblet. Wine goblets represent royalty, luxury, precious metals, and great taste.

These drinking receptacles also symbolize drinking fine wine in a beautiful cup. The most recent use of the word goblet is in the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K Rowlings. In the fourth book release of J.K. Rowling’s popular book series, the Goblet of Fire represents a magical cup picking names of contestants for a school competition. Edgar Allen Poe, William Shakespeare, and Irving Continue reading “Wine Goblets in Literature”

Pinotage – South Africa’s Famous Red Wine

South Africa has been producing wines for the past 200 years. But having been ignored by the world’s wine market in the recent past due to apartheid, a boom is now under way. With the removal of trade sanctions came the opening up of new markets, so many South African wines have become fashionable. Investments are being made both in the planting of new vineyards, and the installation of hi-tech stainless steel wineries.

The climate makes it an ideal place to cultivate grapes with its fine and varied soils on terrific, easy to cultivate mountain slopes. Many vineyards are producing excellent quality wines for the world market, and one of these red wines is the Pinotage.

Pinotage: Pinot Noir x Cinsault Continue reading “Pinotage – South Africa’s Famous Red Wine”

How to Make Wine – Pectic Enzyme – What is It?

If you want to learn how to make wine, one of the first things you should do is learn about all of the different additives and chemicals that are used to make homemade wine. Pectic Enzyme is one of the most misunderstood additives.

This article will explain What is pecitic enzyme, why do I need it and how it works.

Let’s back up a little and talk about grape jelly. MMMM! Everyone loves grape jelly and jam on a hot buttered biscuit. It always has a gooey, almost jello like consistency.

Did you ever wonder where that jello consistency comes from? Well, in jello, it comes from gelatin. But it fruit jams and jellies, a lot of the consistency comes from something called pectin. Continue reading “How to Make Wine – Pectic Enzyme – What is It?”

How to Make the Best Red Wine

When making red wine, the winemaker has at his disposal a far greater range of techniques, and must make more decisions than when making white wine. The process is essentially the same, gathering the grapes, fermentation, maturation and bottling. But there is one main difference – extracting the colour from the skins. At various stages the winemaker can intervene to change the style of the wine he is making.

Just follow some straight forward rules, and you are on your way to making a good red wine.

The processes are as follows:

1. Picking Grapes

To make the best red wine we need good quality, fully ripened red wine grapes, which are clean and free from disease. Continue reading “How to Make the Best Red Wine”

How To Make Rice Wine Without Yeast

Ingredients you will need:

The minimal amount of ingredients you will be needing are simple and readily available

1. Sticky or muggy rice (2 cups)

2. One wine ball (mold)

Directions for the process:

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is to wash and clean the rice. For this purpose, fill the computing cup with cups of water and wash them thoroughly under the tap water in a sink basin. Wash them until the water runs clear. Prefer to use the muggy water as it generates delicious taste as compared to the plain rice. Continue reading “How To Make Rice Wine Without Yeast”

Red Wine Is Like Milk – A Quick Guide to Remembering Popular Grapes

I recall an article I read when I really began to get into red wine back in the 90’s comparing red wine to milk with different fat contents. After reading the article, I had just enough knowledge to sound like I knew my grapes and what I was talking about. And this came at a time when I only drank Chardonnay because it was the only one I knew how to ask for. At the time, that article really helped me sound like I knew more about red wine than I actually did.

So I’m here to share with you, whether you’re a newbie who can only muster a name drop of the famed Oasis Winery and thinks tannins are brand of sunblock, or if you’re a seasoned wine

connoisseur who can pinpoint blackberries in a peppery zin. This article is sure to educate and entertain at the same time.

Pinot Noir & Beaujolais Nouveau Continue reading “Red Wine Is Like Milk – A Quick Guide to Remembering Popular Grapes”