The temperature your wine is both stored and served at is integral to the optimal enjoyment and preservation of a bottle. Especially if you plan to store your bottles for a time span of at least 6 months, it is important to provide consistent conditions, like that from a wine refrigerator, so that the wine’s integrity is not compromised. Embed This Infographic: Infographic via: WineCoolerDirect.com Long-Term Wine Storage Wines stored at temperatures higher than … [Read more...]
When in Bordeaux, you must do as, uhm, the people of Bordeaux do. What would they be called? Bordeaux-ites, Bordeaux-eans, Bordeaux-ings? It does not matter, I did as they do, and I had wine in the plenty! Cheese, charcuterie and a few of those lovely rustic dishes that most Westerners would not dare to touch or even want to look at, mind you. While traveling from the northern part of France, through Reims and then off to the coast line, we had a couple nights’ stay in the lovely, … [Read more...]
I am going to begin this section on home winemaking with asking, what is tannin? Do you know what it is or what it comes from? If you know these things you can begin to understand and how it works in your wine and how it can work into your winemaking repertoire. For those of you out there who do not understand what tannin is, I am going to start with the dictionary definition: Tannin — a yellowish or brownish bitter-tasting organic substance present in some galls, barks, and … [Read more...]
Although there are hundreds of different grape varietals, there are 10 wine types that are known as the most popular in the United States. Here is a brief description of each: Popular White Wines Chardonnay: Chardonnay is a medium to full-bodied white wine that is grown globally but holds its own as the most popular wine varietal in America. The best types of Chardonnay are oaked-aged and have a buttery mouthfeel. Crisp fruit flavors like apple and pear are combined with citrus … [Read more...]
List of Features Interior LED Lighting Safety Lock Tempered Glass Tinted Glass Double Paned or Thermopane Glass Reversible Door Carbon Filter Designed to store your favorite bottles of wine in a manner that will improve its taste, nose and integrity, there are many different types of wine refrigerators available to you. However, not all of them are built the same, so how do you know which one is right for you? To help you find the best … [Read more...]
For expert information and informative tutorials about choosing, using, and cleaning your wine refrigerator, check out our video guides below! Video Index: Wine Refrigerator Basics Most Asked Questions About Wine Refrigerators Koldfront 32 Bottle Free Standing Dual Zone Wine Cooler EdgeStar 32 Bottle Dual Zone Stainless Steel Wine Cooler w/ French Doors Koldfront 24 Bottle Free Standing Dual Zone Wine Cooler EdgeStar 21 Bottle Dual Zone Stainless Steel Wine Cooler Koldfront 18 Bottle … [Read more...]
Wine refrigerators, also referred to as wine coolers, are designed to store wine bottles in a way that will elevate the taste and integrity of your wine while also helping it to last longer. Although wine refrigerator types are almost as varied as the types of wine, here is an overview of factors to consider when searching for your perfect storage solution. Freestanding vs. Built-In Wine Refrigerators Freestanding Wine Refrigerators Shop All Freestanding Wine Refrigerators Freestanding … [Read more...]
Choosing the right wine refrigerator for your home can be overwhelming due to the many types, options and features available to you. Despite this, we have all the information you need to help pick out the best wine fridge for you and your family. Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to wine coolers. Freestanding vs. Built-In Wine Coolers Thermoelectric vs. Compressor-Based Wine Coolers Single Zone vs. Dual Zone Wine Coolers Wine Coolers vs. … [Read more...]
Working as a sommelier at a hotel and wine bar has its perks, not sometimes, but most of the time. We are only a small boutique hotel with six rooms—we’re rated number one in the city of Buenos Aires by the way—so our wine cellar is not exactly thousands of bottles, but we are very selective in the wines we choose and as the hotel is boutique, so are our wines. Our guests love wine and naturally, when they find out that we have a wine bar they want to come and see what we have. Some … [Read more...]
In order to preserve wine or have preservatives in wine, you really do not need much but a good hand in winemaking and careful attention to its process. The beautiful thing about nature, especially when it comes to wine, is that wine has plenty of its own preservatives that occur naturally. How long these naturally occurring preservatives allow the wine to age gradually and gracefully depends on their balance. There are four types of preservatives that are present in wine. To put in … [Read more...]
Are you a wine lover but don't really know anything about different varieties or how to choose a good bottle of wine? Ditto for some of your friends and family? Well, here’s a no-brainer: How about gifting yourself or others a wine club membership? Here are our top four reasons why wine lovers will love to receive this as a gift! 1. You Learn About Different Wines If you don't know your Beaujolais from your Burgundy or your Chardonnay from your Sauvignon Blanc, or you’re unsure if … [Read more...]
I cannot believe it. It has only been a week since my three week trip through Europe, from Belgium to France to Spain and back. Our first night in Bordeaux, after a long day of driving, we went to settle into our B&B right in downtown Bordeaux, clean up and dress up, and headed off to a local wine bar with 32 wines on tap at all times, including some Grand Crus. The amazing tasting and perusal of French wines and the charcuterie was great, but it was not enough and we were still hungry. … [Read more...]
If harvest is coming around or you’ve got some juice on order to make some wine, then it is time to start preparing for the days ahead. Even if you are pretty well-stocked on wine making equipment, it does not hurt to have a good look over everything or at least make sure you are not missing any piece of equipment where you might find yourself in a bind if you don’t have it. Here's an extended basics list of what type of equipment you must have throughout the wine making process. At this … [Read more...]
Sure, you may have been told you should aerate your wine or you may have seen a sommelier decant a bottle before, but few truly understand wine decanting and aerating. There’s no need to feel overwhelmed because the basic concepts are easy to learn as well as the basic rationale behind them. Let’s start by learning exactly what the terms mean. Aerating vs. Decanting: What’s the Difference? The dictionary definition of aerate is “to supply or impregnate (as the soil or a liquid) with … [Read more...]
Quick Characteristics Winery: Matetic Vineyards Location: Santiago, Chile Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Vintage: 2013 ABV: 13.5% pH: 3.09 Acidity: 6.5 grams/l I hope you guys are enjoying the summer heat and not sweating it out too much. Enjoy it while it lasts, as it is only as if fall and winter are just around the corner and while now you might be complaining about the heat, pretty … [Read more...]
photo credit If you are making wine at home in small batches, chances are you know which grapes you are buying or what juices you are getting this season. However, in case you are new to home winemaking there are a few things you want to research before you start fermenting anything. What You Need for Fermentation Well, the very basics are this; sugar, yeast and oxygen. Your grapes will arrive mature and with a certain level of sugar, likewise if you are getting concentrate to … [Read more...]
The Douro region of Portugal is often confused with Porto, but this area is not about Port. Rather, this region has a long-standing tradition of making robust and bold wines. Wines worthy of its character and likewise for aging. Many of their wines will include the same wine grapes as their beloved Port does, but it is not the same style. A Small History The first signs of vines were discovered to have been cultivated as far back as the Bronze Age. That is 3000 years ago! Though the … [Read more...]
Got a free afternoon and a bevy of wine corks, or got a free half hour and only a handful of corks? Here’s 5 charming cork projects that range from quick and easy to a bit more tedious but are all completely functional pieces when finished. 1. How to Make Magnets from Recycled Corks Have you been eager to do a unique cork project but can’t seem to remember to keep your corks? This is the perfect craft for you. All you need is a few corks, and if you happen to have a heap, you’ll have … [Read more...]
Throughout the summer months it is nice to switch up the wine routine, get away from the average summer wines of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, the steel-fermented Chardonnay and Rose. I simply love checking out all the variety of summer wines available from all over the world. I long for something different, something exciting and inspiring. I love those certain wines that make me want to cook and conjure up dishes I have never tried making before and sharing it all, both the food and the wine … [Read more...]
If you are a lover of wine, then you might be curious as to which is the top contender in the battle between the cork vs. screw top. There are two sides to every coin, and the same is true for screw tops and corks. Before you shun the new and unfamiliar screw caps for the more traditional and widely accepted cork, find out what the real pros and cons are for each. Cork The wine industry is deeply steeped in tradition. With that said, it comes as no surprise that the reason corks are … [Read more...]
The summer heat has really kicked in now. It might be time to change the beverage options for a while, no? There is no way you will find me with a glass of red wine in my hand right now. In fact, most of the time, you might find me with a light, artisanal beer in hand. However, there are some summer evenings that run a little late and opening a nice bottle of something chilled is often nice. All you need is a nice patio, some good company in good conversation or in comfortable silences so … [Read more...]