Archive for October, 2009

Would you like to have a free Decantus Elite wine aerator?

I will be giving away 2 during the month of November to two lucky people.
To become eligible to win one all you have to do is to email me and tell me what you would like to read about on the blog. What interests you? Is it about wine or beer or both? Do you want information on wine and beer accessories? You pick.

On November 27, I will randomly select 2 of the emails, announce them on the blog and ship them out.

It’s easy. Send an email to contest@barparts.com and tell me what you want to read about.

I look forward to your comments, and you will look forward to owning the best wine aerator made.

Authorities in central Pennsylvania were called to investigate a suspicious smell at an abandoned house.

At first police thought they had found a meth lab. But it turns out to be an old winemaking operation.

Officers in North Cornwall Township searched the home’s basement. They discovered five-gallon pails and hundreds of glass beakers. It’s the sort of stuff used to cook meth. But after more tests and some research, officers say the home’s former tenant had most likely been making wine in the basement.

Moral: Drink your wine before it turns to meth!

Once upon a time it was one of the simple, accepted dining mores that red wine should be matched with red meat and white wine with fish. Even those whose lips move when they read the menu could grasp that concept.

MAD Magazine even produced its version of the Heimlich Maneuver as posters for restaurants complete with diagrams: if choking on red meat give red wine; if choking on fish give white wine (while delivering the unclogging bear hug Heimlich Maneuver).

(more…)

I get many requests from people wanting to know about wine making.

I consulted with my neighbor who makes some of the best red table wine imaginable.  He told me that he buys his supplies from Cowie Wine Cellars in Arkansas.

So, I am passing on the information about supplies that you may need for your own wine making.  If you have other sources, please email me so that I can share the information with others.

(more…)

Have you ever noticed how many different corkscrews there are?

I have people sending me pictures asking about a corkscrew that they have. Many, I have never seen before.

So how do I help these people? I refer them to Bullworks.

(more…)

Whether you’re toasting a new year or a new marriage, champagne has been a time-honored part of celebrations for generations. Champagne will make any occasion a memorable one and it’s a great way to celebrate with friends and families.

Of course, champagne doesn’t have to be limited to a special occasion. Today’s champagnes and sparkling wines are worthy of any gathering or milestone, whether it’s to celebrate a new job, a new addition to the family or simply the end of another work week.

(more…)

Congratulations on the new addition to your family. Besides handing out some “It’s a…” cigars, how do you properly mark the occasion?

One of the newest trends is to purchase a birth year wine. This is a wine of impeccable character that can be consumed on your child’s 21st birthday.

(more…)

Wine tasting, as you know is quite an art.

One of the problems at wine tastings is trying to describe to others what it is you smell and taste.

I have found a wonderful glossary which will give you the terminology that will help you describe the aromas and tastes so that even the most discriminating wine connoisseur will understand what you are talking about.

Go to http://zebra.sc.edu/smell/wine_glossary.html and read all about it.

Most connoisseurs of fine wines prefer the wine after decanting.

Decanting allows the wine to breathe and the flavors and aromas to become released.

But what can you do if your traveling or dining? Bringing a wine decanter is just not practical.

The answer is using a wine aerator, which are small, portable and in most cases, do as good a job or better than a traditional wine decanter.

(more…)

I found this article from the Associated Press dated September 29, 2009, printed in Northwestern.com, that I thought you might find useful.

Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that you don’t have to finish the bottle your drinking – what a concept!
Anyway, enjoy!

If the dregs of a nearly empty bottle of wine have been kicking around your kitchen a little too long, chances are it will be better appreciated in a dish rather than a glass.

That’s because whether red or white, extra wine that’s past its prime can still have life as a great flavor enhancer.

(more…)