Part of the beauty of wine is that there are so many growers and brands out there making all of the major types of wine in different ways. No matter what the meal, the occasion, or your personal taste, there is sure to be a type and brand of wine that will be perfect. Now that the holiday season is coming, we have the perfect wine pairings for all the various holiday foods to make your holiday events as savory and memorable as they should be! Before we get into our pairing recommendations, … [Read more...]
Champagne is the go-to beverage for any kind of accomplishment worth celebrating, big or small. From weddings and anniversaries to promotions and parties, if you want to be prepared for any celebration, then always having a bottle of champagne on hand is a must. However, the last thing you need is for your celebration to be ruined by a bad-tasting glass of bubbly. The following tips will help you make sure you’re storing your champagne correctly, whether you’ll be enjoying it in five days or … [Read more...]
The holidays are upon us. You may look forward to the holidays and count down the days until you can put up the tree and host festive gatherings. Or you may dread the holidays and wish you could avoid the hustle and bustle and small talk with family members that you see once a year. In either case, wine cocktails are perfect for the season! So, grab your favorite Christmas mug or fancy glass and get ready to pour yourself a glass of holiday cheer. Mulled Wine Mulled wine is a holiday classic … [Read more...]
Whether you’re hosting guests or serving yourself a glass of wine, a well-stocked home wine bar is essential. Here are some tips and tricks to make sure you have everything you need. The Most Important Wine Bar Tools A Wine Opener: There are a wide variety of wine openers to choose from. The most pragmatic is a Swiss army knife wine opener. This usually includes a worm (which is a corkscrew), a lever, and even a foil cutter. This will make sure you can open any type of wine bottle. … [Read more...]
If you are looking to learn more about California’s wine regions, then you have come to the right place. When you think about wine in California, everyone thinks about Napa Valley. This is among the best wine regions in the world; however, California is also home to a number of other fantastic wine regions that you cannot miss. These include Sonoma, Mendocino, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. How can you make sure that you enjoy everything these beautiful regions have to offer? Let’s take a closer … [Read more...]
Imagine arriving home from a long, hot day, only to find that you don’t have any white wine chilling in the refrigerator. Sure, you could throw a few ice cubes in your glass, but that’s not ideal. The best way to ensure that your wine is always at the ideal temperature and ready when you are is by storing it in a luxury wine cooler. If you need convincing, we’ve detailed out the most important benefits of investing in a luxury wine cooler for your living space. Short Term Wine Storage Unless … [Read more...]
Life is full of great debates that can often get heated. Hamburger or hot dog? Chocolate or vanilla? Toilet paper over or under? Christmas music before or after Thanksgiving? Wine or beer? If the instant response that came to mind to that last question was, “I’m more of a beer person,” do you know why you don’t consider yourself a wine person? Of course, there’s nothing wrong with not being a wine person, but if you want to like wine and want help figuring out why you don’t like it yet, consider … [Read more...]
If you just bought some good wine, then you want to make sure that you keep it safe. This means figuring out where to store it properly. The two most popular options are a wine refrigerator and a wine rack. With this in mind, which are you going to choose? While wine racks are usually less expensive than a wine refrigerator, you need to think about the pros and cons of each as you make your decision. First, it’s important to consider the differences between wine racks and wine refrigerators in … [Read more...]
Regular refrigerators are often subject to constant activity, which means temperature fluctuations. This may not be appropriate for wine and other beverages, which should be stored at a constant temperature. Outdoor beverage refrigerators allow you to have all the beverages you need in your outdoor entertaining space kept at the perfect temperature. Benefits of an Outdoor Beverage Refrigerator There are a number of benefits of an outdoor beverage refrigerator to think about when … [Read more...]
How do you choose a bottle of wine when you’re standing in the aisle at the store aimlessly looking at all the bottles? Deciding on a bottle can be intimidating when there are so many different varieties, labels, prices, and names to choose from. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and resort to choosing based on which label grabs your attention. While label design is important, there is much more information beyond the label that should influence the wine you choose to purchase. Let’s take the … [Read more...]
The perfect addition to a warm summer day is having a cool drink in hand. While some people might choose a cold beer or sparkling water, the warmer summer weather brings ideal opportunities to have some fun with your wine in the form of sangria or slushies. Summer Sangria Sangria is a mixed drink that comes from Spain or Portugal. Sangre is Spanish for “blood,” which refers to the color of traditional Sangria that’s made with dry red wine. You can also make white Sangria with white … [Read more...]
When you can’t make it to a winery or tasting room, but want to keep up your wine knowledge, a virtual wine tasting is a great way to learn and connect with other wine lovers. All you need is a computer, internet connection, wine glass and wine and you are ready to experience a virtual tasting from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re enjoying it alone or hosting a virtual tasting of your own with friends, here’s what you need to know about virtual wine tastings. What is a virtual … [Read more...]
If you’re a true wine lover or collector, a wine cooler is one of the most essential things to have in your home. Proper wine storage makes the taste of wine even better with time by helping preserve its quality. Since wine refrigerators are an investment it’s important to choose your purchase wisely. Before clicking the "buy now" button consider this list of the most common mistakes people make when buying a wine cooler, which may result in a diminishing wine collection, shortening the lifespan … [Read more...]
If you love wine, you might be thinking about getting a built-in wine fridge. These are becoming incredibly popular, especially for people who might live in a small space. They are great for chilling wine to the right temperature and can fit nearly anywhere in your home. This means that great-tasting wine is always nearby. At the same time, is a built-in wine fridge right for you? There are a few benefits and drawbacks to note. Pro: Set the Ideal Temperature The temperature at which wine is … [Read more...]
Most wine lovers understand the joy of opening a perfectly aged bottle of wine that’s served at the right temperature. Achieving that ideal can be difficult though. Understanding why and how wine should be stored is a great first step to ensuring that your wine develops at the proper pace. But what's the difference between white and red wines? Although both can be stored together in the long-term, you might want to consider storing them separately if you plan on drinking them in the near … [Read more...]
You have a lot of options when choosing a wine cooler for your home and it can be an overwhelming process when trying to decide. Some elements are easier to narrow down than others, such as bottle capacity and whether you should get a built-in or freestanding cooler, but you may find yourself indifferent about other options simply because you don’t know enough about them. One question that comes up quite a bit is whether or not a glass door or solid door wine cooler matters. Glass Door Wine … [Read more...]
Champagne brunch is more than a combination of bubbles, breakfast and lunch. It’s a time to celebrate special occasions, get together with your friends to catch up on life, or simply do something nice for the one you love. Whatever your reason is for hosting champagne brunch, you want the morning to be perfect. Here are some tips to help. Have Fun with Food Your menu could make or break your brunch. Food is one of the things people remember the most from a gathering, especially if something is … [Read more...]
In a world of constant conversations about climate change and sustainability, many wine lovers are paying more attention to the way wineries grow their grapes and produce their wine. Whether it’s for health reasons or a desire to live a greener lifestyle, it’s important to know the distinctions that make wine organic, the best storage options to keep its quality, and the sustainability practices of the winery. What makes wine organic? Organic practices and definitions differ by country, so for … [Read more...]
When you come home each day, you should be welcomed into a place that’s cozy and comfortable, because your home is a reflection of who you are. When you’re entertaining, you should have both the functionality and finesse to complement the space you’re in. The kitchen and dining room are two of the most common places where people gather and where we probably spend the majority of our time. Whether you’re choosing a microwave, refrigerator, or wine cooler, you don’t have to compromise to fit your … [Read more...]
St. Patrick’s Day libations are usually reserved for green beer and whiskey, but if those aren’t your beverages of choice, you also have wine options. When you think of clinking glasses and celebrating St. Paddy’s, wine usually isn’t what comes to mind, but believe it or not, there are a few Irish wines you can try in the spirit of St. Paddy’s Day. History Wine making isn’t a new concept in Ireland. Though disputed by some historians, there are records of Celtic monks first planting vineyards … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to wow your friends or woo your special someone with a romantic dinner. Whether you’re a foodie who needs some inspiration or a novice who needs some education, we’ve chosen our favorite food and wine pairings for Valentine’s Day. Cheese + Champagne When it comes to pairing cheese and wine, the possibilities are endless! Since it’s a special occasion, pair an aged gouda, parmigiano-reggiano, or manchego with Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot Rose NV, or … [Read more...]
