Though it’s true we still have some time before the leaves start changing, it’s never too soon to start planning next season’s cellar. As the evenings cool and lengthen, we’ll look to wines that offer versatility and just a bit more depth for the heartier fare on our tables and the last nights at the grill. It’s not time for those full-bodied reds just yet, but somehow all that flinty rosé just doesn’t do the trick come late September. Let’s look at a few unexpected shoulder-season wines to … [Read more...]
With all the different kinds of stemware available, it can be hard to choose a single glass or set of glasses to use for your next big occasion. So many things come into play when deciding on what stemware to use; the food being served, the guest list, the liquor, the overall aesthetic. With all of those things in mind, how can you choose something that matches your exact needs, but is versatile enough to withstand any situation? To assist you in selecting the best stemware for your next big … [Read more...]
Since its founding in 1983, Metrokane has become a leading marketer and distributor of wine accessories and barware, for which they later introduced the Rabbit brand to cater toward. Since its inception, Rabbit products have carved out a name for themselves, becoming quite the asset to any wine lover's tool belt. Products include corkscrews, decanters, aerators, wine preservers, cocktail shakers, juicers and other bar tools -- just about anything that can make your wine drinking experience more … [Read more...]
The Napa Valley is home to approximately 400 wineries with tasting rooms, so choosing which ones to visit can be overwhelming. You can read reviews on Yelp and Trip Advisor, you can ask friends and family for recommendations, you can visit the well-known superstars, like Stags Leap and Silver Oak, or you can create your own itinerary based on the varietal that you love. For many wine lovers, Napa Valley is virtually synonymous with Cabernet Sauvignon. Ever since the Judgment of Paris in … [Read more...]
There are many regions throughout the world that are synonymous with wine -- Burgundy, Champagne and Tuscany come to mind. Some areas, such as Sicily, have become “buzz regions” over the past 20 or 30 years due to the fact that their wines have improved dramatically and are now some of the finest available. Then, there are parts of the world that simply haven’t gotten their time in the spotlight quite yet, and one of the best examples is Greece. Greek wine is something that many people … [Read more...]
There is no section of any wine list that intimidates most casual wine drinkers more than that of dessert wines. For those who are familiar only with dry table wines, the sweet, cloying flavors and syrupy consistency associated with dessert wines can often be quite a shock -- even polarizing. What people often miss when immediately dismissing dessert wines as being not for them is that these wines can provide incredible counterpoint to the food they’re typically served with. Some wines are … [Read more...]
Vineyards in Virginia? Absolutely. Not only is Virginia the fifth-largest wine producer in the US, it’s been called one of the top five up-and-coming wine regions in the world by Travel and Leisure, and CNN designated it America’s hottest “new” wine country. Yet when you enjoy a glass of Virginian wine today, you’re drinking the end result of centuries’ worth of incredible care, work and passion, which was needed to turn Virginia’s seemingly incompatible landscape into a successful wine … [Read more...]
It’s no secret that natural wines have gained a tremendous amount of popularity over the course of just the past decade. Favored by proponents due to the minimal amount of intervention involved with the production process, natural wines have carved out an important niche in the wine world and are favorites of sommeliers in some of the finest restaurants imaginable. Navigating the natural wine market can be tricky for the unfamiliar, however, as there are a variety of new terms and styles to … [Read more...]
Have you ever heard someone describe their wine by saying, “this Chardonnay exhibits the classic elements of the Wente Clone,” or, “this Pinot Noir shows the intense berry fruit of the Pommard Clone”? We'll tell you why. As wine consumers are branching out and trying new varietals and regions, they too are looking to find out as much as they can about the wines they are being introduced to. Among many popular buzz words in the wine industry is “clones”; in fact, these days many wines are … [Read more...]
Photo Credit: Marla Cimini The Hawaiian island of Kaua’i offers a wide array of dining opportunities, ranging from casual beach bars to upscale restaurants. Food enthusiasts adore Kaua’i’s diverse options, and enjoy tasting the abundance of fresh, tropical flavors available on this dreamy destination also known as the “Garden Isle.” Featuring high-end meals created by classically trained chefs — as well as food trucks with innovative selections of shave ice, Kaua’i is an island that’s … [Read more...]
Sometimes you go to a concert to sit and listen to the band play, and sometimes the band is there for you to dance and have fun with your friends. Either way, the experience is enhanced by music, but only if it’s the right vibe for the right event. A wedding band would feel like a failure if the guests just sat there and stared. It’s the same for pizza. Whether you’ve built your own backyard wood-fired oven or you’re sprinkling your favorite toppings on a frozen crust, pizza is a meal that … [Read more...]
It’s a moment every wine lover has had at least once: pulling a coveted, fussed-over bottle from the wine cooler, we anxiously anticipate its slow expression in the glass. We ceremoniously open and pour the wine for our guests while espousing its great lineage, closing our eyes, putting our nose in the glass, inhaling deeply, thrilled to finally smell the sweeping, lilting aromas awaiting us. Those sweeping, lilting aromas float out of the glass, and we are struck with the unmistakable, … [Read more...]
Northern Greece – Macedonia + Thrace Grapes: Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, Malagouzia 1. Naoussa Naoussa’s hilly landscape – coupled with its granite-rich soil and relatively cool climate – have earned it a flattering nickname: The Next Piedmont. It’s not just the terroir that’s in this Northern region’s corner, though; it turns out the local grape xinomavro (ksee-NO-mahvroh) has a lot in common with that Piemontese darling of the fog, nebbiolo. Both grapes are naturally high in acidity … [Read more...]
There are a lot of different types of wine openers available today. Most are the common corkscrew and handle, which are fine if you have strong hands and don’t mind a little mess, but sometimes opening a bottle of wine can be quite a struggle. You really don’t want to wrestle with a bottle of wine in fine restaurants, at weddings, or in any other situation where making a mess or making a spectacle out of yourself isn’t an appealing option. For that very reason, the Oster company has created a … [Read more...]
If you are new to the world of wine, there are a few things that you should learn. Picking complementary wine can be challenging, but it is made easier if you know a bit about the drink. For example, Cinsault, sometimes spelled Cinsaut, is a grape that is primarily used to blend, but sometimes it is used on its own to create a wine. To learn more about this variety, you should look at the history, the grape, the taste and the aroma, as well as any potential food pairings. History of … [Read more...]
Seafood in the summertime is always a winning combination, as the flavors of fresh fish are truly enhanced when prepared with seasonal ingredients. Whether you prefer to grill outside on the barbecue, or stay indoors and cook your dishes on the stovetop, these delectable seafood recipes are easy, fast and filled with the fresh, zesty flavors of summer. Perfect for a casual summer meal, or pleasing foodie friends, you find that all of these seafood recipes are simple, yet designed to impress … [Read more...]
Table of Contents Types of Wine Openers Factors to Consider While Shopping Most Popular Brands to Consider You’ve had a long day at work. You stop on your way home to grab a delicious bottle of wine and spend the whole rest of the commute home looking forward to a glass. You bring the bottle into your kitchen and pull down a glass, only to realize your corkscrew is broken. A bottle of wine, no matter how expensive or amazing it may be, quickly becomes worthless … [Read more...]
We’d all recognize the situation. You’ve been invited to a party, and you know full well it’s only polite to bring a bottle -- only you find yourself dizzied and disorientated by the initially incomprehensible range of bottles on your wine store’s shelves. Or perhaps you’re out on a date, and nervously browsing the wine list, unsure of what to choose. Perhaps somebody’s asked you to choose for them, or you’re searching for the right wine to serve with dinner...wine can be difficult, confusing, … [Read more...]
If you’re a wine drinker, you really don’t have to look far to see a Mouton here or a Rothschild there. Whether you are reading the latest news or scrolling through your social media feed, the upper tier of wines from around the world always seem to make their appearance. But for many, those wines seem far from reach, and just the mention of Bordeaux can make our wallets cringe. It may be touted as the largest vineyard of fine wines in the world, but if you dig a little deeper, Bordeaux offers a … [Read more...]
Garden-grown herbs and fresh fruits have been making appearances in cocktails for years. Today, more and more bars and restaurants worldwide are embracing the subtle flavors and nuanced notes of the homegrown, organic ingredients. Experienced bartenders and expert mixologists agree that by infusing and blending freshly-grown herbs and fruits into their beverages, they are creating unique, memorable, aesthetically-pleasing libations with a wide range of aromatic, complex … [Read more...]
People have been cooking with wine for as long as it has been produced throughout the world. From soups and stews to marinades and glazes, red wine in particular is capable of providing bold flavors and zippy acidity to practically any dish it’s incorporated into. There is perhaps no better example of how red wine can be utilized culinarily, however, than in building a traditional red wine sauce. If you’ve never built a red wine sauce from scratch before, here’s a secret: it’s easy! Take the … [Read more...]
