A serious hodgepodge of varietals, the chosen wines for tasting this week are: a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, a Merlot from Napa Valley and, to add some spice, a Garnacha from Spain. Here are our tasting notes: Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 The first flagship wine of the Roots Run Deep winery, this Napa Valley Cab is rich and robust. Dark fruit flavors like cherry and blackberry are paired with moderate tannins, hints of spice and smooth vanilla notes. The berries and vanilla … [Read more...]
What do you do before serving your wine? Do you throw your whites in the fridge and keep your reds at room temperature? If that is all you do then I’m afraid you could be doing a disservice to your favorite wines. There is a science behind wine serving temperatures that, if mastered, can help you to discover the full experience each wine has to offer. Too Cold If a wine is served at a colder temperature than it should be, you run the risk of losing tastes and aromas in your wine, leaving … [Read more...]
Today marks the opening of Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” in theaters. If you’re thinking this film has already received too much publicity, we’ll kindly disagree. Based on the trailer and soundtrack (we’ve been listening to it on repeat!),the costumes, directing, music, and acting are all exquisite—after all, who can say no to Leo? Set in the 1920’s, during America’s “Golden Age,” excess abounds and, despite laws against it, alcohol is of no exception. Thinking of a time when buying wine was … [Read more...]
There is much more to quality stemware than that charming ring of crystal glasses clinking. Apart from its glamorous appearance, proper glassware has a tremendous impression on your wine experience. Think of the factors impacted by stemware – color, taste and aroma – and you’ll quickly understand what’s at stake. The perfect stemware can enhance a wine two-fold. Many different shapes, styles and qualities exist, but the most important factors look for are a colorless, tulip-shaped, crystal … [Read more...]
Nestled in the Texas Hill Country down a small country road you’ll find Spicewood Vineyards. This vineyard was founded in 1992 and produces some of the finest award winning wines. This winery features a large indoor tasting room and a serene creek runs through the covered outdoor seating. I visited this vineyard with my family and we had a great time. We all participated in the wine tasting in the indoor … [Read more...]
Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha—these are the three 2010 vintage varietals chosen by our wine enthusiasts, Stefanie and Cassidy, for tasting this past week. Each more different than the last, the only thing they truly have in common is their color, and even that varies significantly between the wines. Here are their combined tasting notes and recommendations: Benton-Lane 2010 Pinot Noir Hailing from one of the top wineries in Oregon’s Williamette Valley growing region, I … [Read more...]
With Earth Day just around the corner, images of recycling bins and newly planted trees dance around my head. Earth Day is a time to recognize all that is done to preserve our delicate planet, as well as a time to prepare, generate, and embark on impending initiatives. Wine, perhaps the embodiment of excess, isn’t typically thought of in regards to sustainability, but recent industry advancements in both production and overhead definitely deserve a big green thumbs up. LEED Certified … [Read more...]
Over Easter weekend, I had the opportunity to explore some of the Texas hill country wineries. My family and I picnicked at the park then headed out for an afternoon of wine tasting and conversation-- probably one of the best ways to spend an afternoon. Our first stop was the Bell Springs Winery located in Drippings Springs, Texas. As a member of their wine club, I was eager to see what the lineup would be for the quarter and also to test out any new wines. Wine Cooler Direct also offers a wine … [Read more...]
After spending six months in South America, I developed a deep appreciation for the history of wine throughout the region. Although the majority of my time abroad was spent in Ñuñoa, a small province of Santiago, Chile, I managed to experience many of the other wonders of country-- from the northern Atacama Desert to southern Patagonia. What still remains one of my favorite places is Cajón de Maipo, a canyon located in the Maipo Valley about an hour outside of Santiago. Zip lining, … [Read more...]
Most people, Texans included, might be surprised to discover the roots of wine making in Texas are much deeper and predate even the thought of BBQ. European settlers in Central Texas began smoking leftover meats out of necessity for preservation in the mid-19th century. This practice quickly evolved into a culinary style synonymous with Texas and its appreciation for fine cut meats. While BBQ was evolving in Texas, the wine making industry was on a slow recovery from the Prohibition Era, which … [Read more...]
Many people believe that the names Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio can be used interchangeably, stating that they are the same wine originating from the same grape. Although they are very similar, I think the differences are not only worth mentioning but worth knowing and memorizing. In my personal experience, learning the contrast between these two wines has been the difference between a wine relationship and a wine obsession. Made from the same grape variety, the difference is in the cultivation … [Read more...]
I went out to my “go-to” spot, a small neighborhood bar, for a drink this past Saturday. Although it’s a small place, they try to keep seasonal and local beers on tap, which I appreciate. When the waitress or bartender asks what I’d like to drink, my response is usually in the form of a question: “Well, what do you have on draft tonight?” While I was there, I decided that my only qualm with the place is that they don’t serve any wine. When I’d rather have a glass of red wine than a pint of beer, … [Read more...]
Picture this: You are hosting a dinner party. All of your friends and family are seated around your beautifully decorated dining room table. You are using your best china and glassware. The steaming main course is set atop the table. It is now time to bring out the perfect bottle of wine from your collection, what do you do? Do you walk into your kitchen? Do you head down into your wine cellar? Wrong and wrong again. You waltz right over to a beautiful piece of furniture placed in your dining … [Read more...]
What is it about the color black? It’s classic, flattering and timeless. There isn’t a man out there that doesn’t look sharper in a black tux, and not a woman on the planet that doesn’t look more polished in an all black dress. Following this logic, it only makes sense to me that the new Vinotemp black on black wine coolers would make any wine collection look all kinds of classy. It isn’t just about the all black cabinet, either, it’s that paired with the frameless quality of the glass door and … [Read more...]
I’m not sure when it was decided that chocolate and Valentine’s day would go hand in hand, but that was one well-negotiated contract. Personally, when I think Valentine’s Day, I think only of three beautiful words: Chocolate. Covered. Strawberries. That is the easy part. They are everywhere. I can’t get away from them. I’ve bought three cartons already this week! Do I have to share? Anyways… Like I said, that is the easy part. The hard part is deciding what libation to serve with my … [Read more...]
EdgeStar has just come out with a brand new, updated series of wine refrigerators that we are very excited to share with you! These units boast built-in, replaceable carbon filters and black-dotted doors, features that aren't available on older models. The carbon filter will keep odors from ruining your wines. Yes, even wine stored at the proper temperature can still be ruined if a bad odor seeps through the cork. The black dots on the door will provide UV protection for your wine. UV rays are … [Read more...]
Nothing kills a wino’s buzz faster than a foul tasting glass of wine. Luckily, these misfortunes can be easily prevented by simply maintaining correct temperature, light and movement when storing your wine. To guarantee wine enjoyment, I have come up with a few easy and helpful storage tips to keep each glass tasting fresh and delicious. All that is left to do is what’s intended with a good glass of wine: relax and spend no time fussing. 1. Keep Air Out A good wine can be easily spoiled by … [Read more...]
If you are in the market for a wine refrigerator you have probably seen differences, bottle size, thermoelectric vs. compressor, but what is the real difference between freestanding and built-in and how does that affect your decision? Can you identify the difference between these units by just looking at them? vs The key difference is all about the placement of the vent: vs In order to build in any appliance under a counter you need proper ventilation to avoid over- … [Read more...]
I am really excited to introduce the NEW 30 bottle single zone wine cooler from Koldfront, the BWR300BL. I was really impressed with the amount of great features this unit has to offer. The BWR300BL is a built-in unit which gives you the option to store under counter or freestanding -- and who doesn't love options? It is a single zone wine cooler and has a temperature from 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit so you can store either reds or whites. A great tip is if you want to store both red and … [Read more...]
Question: Can a freestanding wine cooler be installed as a built-in unit? This is, by far, the most frequently asked question about wine refrigeration. And the answer is no. A freestanding wine refrigerator should never be installed under a counter. If a wine fridge (freestanding or built-in) were to be placed in a hot garage, it would put a strain on the system because it would have to work much harder to reach the low temperature needed to store the wine and maintain that temperature. … [Read more...]
