Summer is in full swing and we’ve still got a couple more months to go. We all know what that means: more time outside for social gatherings or just relaxing on the back patio on a warm summer’s evening with a perfectly chilled, crisp, delightfully refreshing wine to help us wind down. Pinot Grigio often does not get enough credit. Heck, I remember back before I knew very much about wine when I went to a friend’s house with a couple other ladies and we sipped on a bottle of Pinot Grigio … [Read more...]
When food and wine are properly paired, it’s sublime. Every sip enhances every bite. Food tastes better. Wine tastes better. But the culinary gods don’t always make it easy to achieve pairing perfection. Some foods are just...well...difficult to pair with wine. What we ideally hope to achieve when pairing wine with food is a balance--a relationship between the food and wine that is seamless and enhances both components. That balance can either be achieved by matching attributes of the dish … [Read more...]
You may scoff at the idea of leftover wine. There is no such thing as having too much wine! Well, usually this is true, but sometimes you may find yourself with wine that you either can't or don't want to finish. If you do ever find yourself with a bit too much wine on hand--for whatever reason--don't just toss it, use it! There are plenty of unique things that you can do with leftover wine--from creative recipes to cleaning methods. Let's face it: pouring wine down the drain is an … [Read more...]
Every once in a while--without much thought or intention--something nice comes your way. Last night, while having dinner with some friends in Belgium at one of the best restaurants in Antwerp, I was surprised by quite a nice wine. To be truthful, there were about four other wines that I tasted last night, but one stuck out in particular: the 2008 Viña Pomal Reserva. About Bodegas Bilbainas The wine heralds from the region of Rioja, Spain. Bodega Bilbainas is the largest winery … [Read more...]
Calle Laurel is a narrow street in Logroño, the capital of Rioja. If you happen upon this street between one and three o’clock in the afternoon, or again between nine and eleven o’clock at night, you’ll find it crowded with throngs of people, all eating and drinking in a manner that speaks to the soul of Rioja. More than fifty tiny bars crowd a single block of Calle Laurel, where patrons elbow their way to the bar, order small glasses of wine or beer, along with one of the bar’s specialty … [Read more...]
No matter how careful we are, there is something about nice furniture, carpet, and clothing that seems to attract red wine stains. If you prefer to avoid using harsh chemicals to clean in your house or are simply looking for a cheap and simple home remedy, there are options for you that will effectively clean your stain. Though you may have had difficulty removing these stains before, you shouldn't give up! With these tips, you should be able to remove even the most difficult red wine stains … [Read more...]
This season, rosé wine is all the rage. Time to go out and find a case or two for yourself for these warm months ahead. At times it is hard-going trying to find that perfect rosé. Many people think rosés are all the same. However, I find it to be quite the opposite. Some can be pretty light and basic with the atypical notes of fresh summer berries and a candy finish and not much more than that. Others are on the heavy side, almost a desert wine, full of candied-strawberries and watermelon … [Read more...]
Sangria is a refreshingly fruity wine punch that is a popular summer beverage. Originally from Portugal and Spain, sangria has become popular all over the world, especially in warmer regions. It is incredibly easy to make, as it is usually a simple mixture of wine, fruit, sweetener and brandy. That being said, there is actually a huge range of recipes that you can make: some traditional, some exotic, all refreshing. Below, we have compiled a list of our top seven favorite summer sangria … [Read more...]
I am back in Belgium, here to catch the late and lovely European spring air before I head off to France for some road-tripping adventures--which will surely involve some wine and great food. However, before I leave Belgium, I plan to make a dinner for some chef friends here in Antwerp. There will be five courses, complete with menu orchestration and wine pairings. Though a lively and friendly bunch, these are some people to impress. One of my menu items will be a sea trout, caught by a … [Read more...]
Remodeling your kitchen can be exhausting both physically and financially, but the rewards to be reaped in the end make it well worth it. Lessen the blow of this purchase and construction by investing intelligently. This will ensure that you are going to enjoy your expenses as much as possible, and that these investments can offer a higher resale value when you move on to your next home and project. There are things that you might want to invest in that your buyers won’t necessarily notice. … [Read more...]
Just last week, I happened to mention the word "Zinfandel". I was craving some myself, so why not share it with all of you? Most of you have at least heard of the grape. For some of you, it might be your favorite red wine when you are craving simplicity and richness. Zinfandel was the very grape which put California on the winemaking map. Its origins come from Croatia. Many immigrants from here and Russia came to the states and moved out west to seek a more simpler and freer life and they … [Read more...]
For most wine enthusiasts their wine collection is a treasured investment you simply can’t put a dollar amount to. In terms of protection and upkeep, your wines are similar to a car. They require maintenance for the best enjoyment and performance. Even if you have central air conditioning in your home, a cooling unit for your wine cellar is still important. How Do Wine Cellar Cooling Units Work? A wine cellar cooling unit will help maintain a constant level of humidity, which is extremely … [Read more...]
With Father's Day fast approaching, it's time to start considering what you will be giving your dad on his special day. Even if your father is a beer or whisky drinker, there are plenty of comparable wine options that might help him cross over to the wonderful world of oenophilia. Below, we have outlined the best wines to give to dad this Father's Day. From fruity to spicy, you're sure to find a wine perfect for the man who raised you. 1. Saldo Zinfandel 2013 Kicking off this list … [Read more...]
There are certain wines everyone likes to gravitate towards during different times of the year. You can sip on chilled whites and roses all summer long, but sometimes you just miss the reds of the cooler months. In the warm months, you may crave a red on occasion like you might crave a piece of chocolate every now and then. The key for an enjoyable summer red is to pick one that is fruity and maybe not complicated, but of simple goodness. Some look towards the great Zinfandel of California … [Read more...]
If you have a strong love for wine, then you might consider some additions to your home that will nurture that love. A wine collector can't be stuck with a basic three-by-three wine rack, while the casual wine drinker wouldn't necessarily need an entire wine cellar. It is important to assess your particular needs when it comes to your wine storage method, especially if you plan on redesigning your home or spending a significant amount of money. Below, we outline three different methods of wine … [Read more...]
Rosé wine is all the rage this summer. As a lover of this refreshing pink wine, I say the recognition is long over due. Anyone that says they do not like it, must not have tried anything outside the realm of white Zinfandel, which is a shame. In a celebratory response to this summer trend, I thought it proper to bring you a rosé from the land where the tradition of making such a lovely wine began. The Rhone Valley, specifically the region of Tavel, is where today's wine is from. My pick … [Read more...]
Home winemaking has recently gained a lot of popularity among wine lovers. However, it can be slightly overwhelming once you gather the list of required equipment and chemicals and consider the cost. It can be equally frustrating when you put in a lot of work on your first batch and it still doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to. Below, we have outlined 4 basics of the winemaking process to encourage you to attempt the process anyway and not shy away from failure. 1. Equipment The … [Read more...]
It is just too hard to resist talking about all the white wines one can try as the warm weather keeps warming up. There is another delectable white wine to chill you off from the season’s heat: Torrontés. Many head straight to their Sauvignon Blancs during the hotter months and while it can be refreshing, it can sometimes make for a very monotonous choice. The world of wine is vast, try something different! What is Torrontés? Most people are not familiar with the Torrontés grape and … [Read more...]
A couple of years ago, divers uncovered 79 perfectly preserved bottles of Champagne from a 170-year-old shipwreck in the Baltic Sea. Wine enthusiasts all over the world were intrigued. In fact, 11 of these bottles were sold at an auction for $156,000. One of the 79 bottles sold for the equivalent of roughly $17,000 by itself. People were initially interested in the bottles of Champagne because they were so rare—one of the brands (Juglar) had been defunct since 1829. What wine enthusiasts … [Read more...]
No matter what your level of wine enthusiasm is or what you like, it is always nice to step out of your routine and try something different. Warm weather has kicked in and summer-like temperatures are already showing, but that does not mean you have to step away from the red. Instead, try something different and out of the ordinary. The 2012 Shatter Grenache is just that and it is still a great wine to have with some of your favorite summer fare. Think gourmet burgers or your favorite cut of … [Read more...]
When it comes to wine, there are so many different classifications and descriptors, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Two of the classifications that you've likely heard but might not necessarily know are the terms "Old World Wine" and "New World Wine". The answer is simple enough--the term "Old World" refers to the original winemaking regions of Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. All of the other winemaking locations--such as the Americas, New Zealand and Australia, and certain Asian … [Read more...]
