Archive for November, 2009

A bottle of wine is only as fresh as a person is able to keep it.  While it sits in the cellar, delightfully aging away, the moment it is opened, oxygen is able to sneak into the bottle and potentially wreak havoc on a perfect bottle.  But once the cork is gone, putting it back in again is somewhat more than a hassle.  Likewise, pouring said bottle can be a bit tricky when it’s full.

Bottle stoppers and pourers make life easier.  After removing the cork, simply popping in a pourer ensures that wine comes out smoothly without any unruly spills, and once you’ve finished, a solid bottle stopper takes the place of the cork, keeping flavor in and extending the life of a good wine.

For those starting out in the art of wine, there can be many things to learn and many interesting objects to obtain.  One of these is the Clef du Vin.  Many wine connoisseurs carry these interesting little gadgets with them as they travel about and enjoy multiple vintages.

A Clef du Vin is a tasting tool that endeavors to replicate the aging process in wine, thus adjusting the wine to particular palates.  It works through oxidation processes, and is a very unique tool and method that have surprised many people with the difference in taste that wines have before and after the little teardrop-shaped device is used.  A Clef du Vin for serious wine connoisseurs can make wine tasting just that much more unique and exciting.

It is so hard not to get carried away with parties, and what better way to add in a little fun than to throw in a few extra wine accessories?  There are so many to choose from, it can actually be hard to decide which will work best for the party.  Consider what sort of party it will be – themed, elegant, holiday, casual – and then look at accessories to match.  Stylish bottle stands are great conversation pieces at elegant get togethers while little things such as stemware ID tags ensure that everyone knows which glass is theirs.  Then of course, there’s always delectable wine chocolate to match with particular wines.

With all that and more on the market, how can you not have fun parties with wine accessories?

Multiple studies have been done throughout the century, from as early as 1904 to as recent as 2009) showing that the occasional glass of beer or wine isn’t detrimental to health and is, in fact, a healthy choice.  When taken in moderation, some studies show that people can live longer than those that abstain completely or those that drink heavily.

Alcohol benefits have been linked to fewer heart attacks, strokes, a lower risk of high blood pressure, preventing diabetes, kidney stones, heart disease, and a surprisingly long list of other problems.

While drinking in excess is still certainly not recommended, the occasional glass during dinner is more than welcome.

You wouldn’t go to France or Germany and eat at a McDonald’s (though sadly, plenty of people do), so why visit those locations and others and fail to enjoy some of the finer vintages that can be found?  Not only is some of the best wine found in the Old Country, but there are fantastic ranges of beers available as well.

A vacation demands that one indulge oneself.  Whether your desires float on the heady scent of a luscious red or sink into the silky foam of a rich ale, you can deliver a wonderful cultural experience when you drink from glasses of the motherland.  Before visiting a country, do plenty of research so you can not only find out what you might like to drink, but also prime local spots that serve homegrown goods.

Seasonal beers have a nice, wide range, and can work amazingly with the right food pairings.  Look for some of these seasonal beers the next time you want a change of pace from your traditional drink.

Spring:

Mai-Bock (“May” in English)

Red Ales

Irish Stouts

Biere de Mars

Summer:

Wheat Beers

Summer Ale

Saison (“Season” in English)

Autumn:

Oktoberfest (or Marzen; “March”)

Pumpkin Beers

Harvest Ales

Winter:

Winter Ale

Christmas Ales

There are many more than just those you see here, as each brewer/maker can have a personalized style for one particular type, such as the summer ale.  Try experimenting with new beers the next time you have a chance.

Wine tasting is as old as the liquid itself.  If you aren’t familiar with how to taste wine, start at home with a few bottles to experience it on your own.  Then head out to wineries or other venues for a wider tasting range.

Sight – Pour the wine into a clear glass and hold it up to the lightest background you have available to see its true color.  Tilt the glass a little and examine it.  As they age, whites will acquire color whereas reds will lose it.

Scent – Swirl the glass so the wine coats the sides.  Put your nose close to the wine and inhale slowly and deeply to experience the full range of scents that a wine can offer.

Taste – Sip a little bit of wine and swirl it around in your mouth to savor its flavor.  You can either spit it out or swallow it.  Then you can experience its aftertaste as well.

Touch – Wines can feel certain ways while they are in your mouth, from velvety to prickly.

Need homebrewing help?  Enjoy good stories about beer?  Love knowing its history?  Check out a few of these books.

Complete Joy of Homebrewing

By Charles Papazian

Homebrew to your heart’s content with the help of this book; it contains just about everything you need to know.

Beer (Eyewitness Companions Series)

By Michael Jackson

Eyewitness books are full of interesting tidbits of information.  From stylish bars to the Old World mug, here you’ll find new ideas as well as historical facts on beers of every type.

Tasting Beer: An Insider’s Guide to the World’s Greatest Drink

By Randy Mosher

True beer lovers know that their drink of choice is just as complex as any fine wine.  Entertaining and informative, you can learn all the finer points of beer, from brewing to pairing.

Travels with Barley: The Quest for the Perfect Beer Joint

By Ken Wells

A Pulitzer Prize finalist sets out to find what else?  The perfect beer joint.  An entertaining journey – and maybe even a little inspiring.

Whether you’re looking for great informational books or just good stories about wine and wine history, here are a few titles you may enjoy.

The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It

By Tilar J. Mazzeo

At a young age Madame Clicquot took the reins of her husband’s wine business, transforming it into an amazing brand that flourished in France, Britain, and even Russia.

The Billionaire’s Vinegar: The Mystery of the World’s Most Expensive Bottle of Wine

By Benjamin Wallace

For fans of the rare vintage, the mysterious world surrounding a single bottle of 1787 Château Lafite Bordeaux sold at a 1985 auction will make for an intriguing story.

Windows on the World Complete Wine Course

By Kevin Zraly

A man dedicated to the magic of the grape, Zraly brings out a new edition each and every year for wine lovers around the world.

1001 Wines You Must Taste Before You Die

By Neil Beckett (Editor)

Taste, and expand your wine horizons.

Dessert wines, like other dinner wines, are meant to help enhance flavors, improving the overall enjoyment of an after dinner delight.  Some desserts are quite complex, and a good dessert wine will bring out those inherent flavors.  Desserts have a wide range, from sweet and salty to fruity, nutty to caramel-filled.  Be careful not to choose one that is too sweet as it will overwhelm the wine.  Often, the flavors that reside in the wine are what help bring out the flavors in the dessert.

After you have chosen a dessert, you can choose your wine.  Here are just a few ideas.

Ports are often bold, and their creation process leaves a lot of sweetness to be had.  They go well with fruity desserts like pies, and creamy desserts like cheesecakes.  A tawny port can go well with milk chocolate.

Sauternes and Barsac have a very high sweetness factor and go well with both fruity and creamy desserts.

Vin Santo traditionally goes with biscotti, but its nuttiness makes it a nice match for similar items, such as almond cake.