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White Wine Basics for Beginners

February 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

White wine, like its red cousin has origins that date back centuries. While not as famous as red wine for its health benefits, white wines still possess many of the same benefits if consumed in moderation.

Choosing a white wine can be just as daunting a task as choosing a red and with the vast selections available today. On the other hand, it’s also a great opportunity to explore and step outside some of the more popular varieties and branch out to discover what the world of white wine has to offer. This article lists some of the more popular white wines widely available and a couple of others that the beginner may not be familiar with but are worth a second look.

White wine typically has a yellowish gold color. This is due primarily to the fact that white wine is either produced from only the juice of the grape so the red skins don’t taint the color; or they are produced from grapes with yellow, green or gold skins.

White wines can be characterized as crisp, fruity, refreshing, fresh, sweet, semi-sweet, and dry. White wines are just as diverse and complex as their red counterparts. White wine can impart a wide variety of flavors. Probably one of the more familiar tastes is the oaky flavor of some Chardonnay that is aged in oak barrels. It should be noted that you may find a wine become woody when it is allowed too much time in an oak barrel. This excessive oakiness can also mask the wine’s fruity qualities and tastes. This is a classic example of too much of a good thing.

Most people know that white wine is best served chilled, 45-50 degrees F is generally considered optimum. White wine glasses will also help present the aromatics, preserve the temperature, and position the wine optimally on the palate. White wine glasses are generally stemmed (and should be held by that stem to prevent heat transfer), and have straight sides and a narrow opening. You can find glasses specifically made for white varieties at many online retailers like ShopWineStuff.com

Here are some of the most popular white wines available:

Chardonnay – often referred to as the queen of white wine grapes. This is a hardy, versatile grape that is now grown in many regions of the world. Chardonnay is one of the best-selling white wines in the U.S. Chardonnay wines can be described as oaky (from the barrel aging), buttery, and can also develop some citrus or melon flavors. This is a great starting point for beginning wine drinkers.

Riesling – a very popular wine from Germany. The flavors range from sweet to dry and generally described as fruity with flavors of apple, pear, and peach to name a few.

Sauvignon Blanc – another popular variety generally described as light and crisp. Like its other white cousins it will develop flavors based on the region of the world where it is grown. Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing wine that generally does not benefit from aging and is consumed as a young wine. This wine pairs easily with most light fare – considered a food friendly wine.

Pinot Grigio – one of the most popular Italian white wines. This wine is acidic, with a silky smooth taste that can be described as melon or pear or citrus flavors.

Chenin Blanc – originally from France, this is a versatile grape that produces highly acidic gold colored wines. This white wine runs the gamut of dry to sweet and can produce flavors of melon, pear, apple and vanilla. Ideally it should have an almost thick feeling that coats the mouth. This is a great seafood wine.

Here are two other white wines that you should experience when feeling adventurous:

Albarino – from northern Spain and Portugal. These wines are highly aromatic with fruit flavors of apple, citrus or pear. They have a good deal of acidity and pair wonderfully with stronger, spicy flavors. Goat cheese is one of my favorite pairings with Albarino.

Gewurztraminer – grown in both Germany and France. This is a highly aromatic wine with fruity flavors. This wine pairs well with both spicy and Asian dishes.

Whichever wine you choose you can’t go wrong with a chilled bottle of white wine for a summer picnic or enjoyed with cheese and fresh fruit on the deck. White wines with seafood are a classic and there are flavors and varieties to suit any palate or preference.

To shop for white wines, white wine accessories and food pairings, please visit ShopWineStuff.com for great values.

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“Seeing Red” Shiraz vs. Cabernet: The Smackdown

February 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are two very popular red wines that people are especially fond of using as dinner pairings. Inevitably in such circumstances, people want to know which is the “better” wine. Obviously people have different palettes so there is no clearly superior wine, even when considering pairing with a specific meal. These variables tend to matter almost more than anything else when evaluating the two wines. And even if everybody had the same preferences, the variation among Shiraz and Cabernets depending on budget, region, grower, vintner, and even year are such that a basic ranking of the two is not very meaningful. However, it is helpful to identify one or two of the main and most popular bottles of each and at least compare them in terms of taste, bouquet, common regions and terrior, and body.

Cabernet Sauvignon is grown and produced in most parts of the world, but most famously in the Bordeaux region of France and in California wine country. Though there is even great variety within Bordeaux Cabs and Napa Valley Cabs, they are representative enough of this varietal wine to explain its basic elements. In a general sense Cabernets tend to be medium or full bodied. The Bordeaux Cabs are also known for being “high-powered,” with a strong, pleasant presence on the palette and a high alcohol content. Its high tannin content gives this wine its distinctive gripping flavor. However, as the best Cabs need to age for quite a while, usually in Oak, they are also likely to have a softened tannin level after aging. The French often blend Cab Sauv with Merlot or Shiraz to support some of the flavors and acidity that can be lost during this aging process. But most California Cabernets are almost 100% varietal.

Though both varieties have a bouquet influenced by Oak barrel aging, the process produces different results due to the differences in soil in the two regions and different types of Oak used. Both tend to have a somewhat fruity aroma, with black fruit flavors coming through in the Napa cabs and the fruity fleshiness of other wines such as Merlot included in the blend often defining the nose of the Bordeaux bottles. Many varieties of Cabernet also have subtle notes of bell pepper. Thought it is important to pay attention to the specific characteristics of the different types of Cabernet, as a general rule this dinner red pairs well with strong-flavored dishes that can keep up with its high tannin content, such as simply-prepared red meat

Shiraz is known as Syrah in most of Europe, and is most well-known as a varietal. Its most popular modern varieties come from Australia, where the name Shiraz was popularized. It is also grown in California, and of course in its country of origin, France. Shiraz is usually very terrior-expressive, so it varies greatly even within the same region depending on variables like if it is grown on a hillside or flat area, which impacts soil content. It is dry, though not usually as much as with a Cab. It also has gripping tannins that gives it a full body comparable to Cabernet.

Because it varies so much based on how the grape is grown and the wine is aged, its aroma and bouquet can vary greatly. Pepper and blackberry, chocolate, and lighter fruits are all common undertones in young bottles. As it ages, these primary notes recede giving way to a more complex layering including a bouquet of earthy and savory notes and even toffee in some cases. Shiraz can pair well with red meat, though the most popular Australian bottles have a very full body that lends it especially well to heavier dishes, as opposed to those with delicate flavoring or fishy oils.

The comparison between these two popular dinner reds suggests that there are fine, if important differences, especially in their flavor. But without a specific example of each wine to compare, there is too much left to the specific grower and vintner to effectively generalize. The best approach to answer this question is to taste a few of each and decide for yourself!

Shiraz and Cabernet Are Two Reds That Go Great with Dinner. Each Wine Has Its Own Strengths, Advocates, and Ideal Pairings.

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Red Wine Basics for Beginners

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Wine is gaining popularity daily as an alcoholic beverage of choice. Its origins date back centuries and its purported health benefits increase its ever-growing popularity. In particular, red wine, with its antioxidant properties is in the spotlight.

Standing in a wine shop, liquor store, or even the grocery store isles can be daunting for a beginner to navigate and come away with a tasty wine that is compatible with your own individual taste and preference.

Today we’ll try to provide you with some very basic, simple red wine guidelines to help you choose a fantastic red wine.

Let’s start with some basics. Red wine color is the result of the grape skin being directly involved in the manufacturing process. The color of each type of wine is determined by the type of grapes used and how long the grape skin lingers in the juice prior to extraction. As a result you will see color variations from light red to deep purples, all a product of the grape and method of processing.

Red wine is generally served at room temperature (55-65 degrees Fahrenheit). This is important because temperature variations can dramatically change the taste of your wine. Too cold and the wine can develop a bitter quality, too warm and the alcohol can overpower the taste. Red wine glasses should be broad in the bowl and narrow at the top to improve the wine’s ability to breathe and better position the wine to drink.

You will hear red wine referred to in terms of body types, i.e. full bodied – Super Tuscans or Bordeaux wines; medium bodied Merlot or Shiraz, and light bodied Beaujolais.

There are an infinite number of red wine varieties available, today we’ll explore some of the most popular types – from this foundation, the beginner can explore and branch out to the varietals and blends.

Cabernet Sauvignon – commonly referred to as the king of red wines, this grape blends well wonderfully with Merlot, Sangiovese or Syrah. This is a very popular full-bodied wine that pairs well with red meat, strong flavors, hearty pastas, and dark chocolate.

Merlot – is a bit softer and smoother fruitier wine of medium body. Black cherry, plums and herbal tones are prevalent in Merlot which pairs well with a wide variety of foods.

Malbec – first produced in France, there are now a number of excellent varieties coming from Argentina and Chile today. Malbec is probably my current favorite red wine. It is generally smooth, dark in color with peppery undertones, berries and plum flavors are also prevalent.

Syrah – (or Shiraz) – is a bold somewhat spicy wine with a medium to full body. This can be considered a bold wine that pairs well with red meat and intense flavors. Australia is producing wonderful varieties of this wine.

Pinot Noir – is considered a light to medium bodied wine, generally with fruity aromas and can be described as refreshing. This wine pairs well with salmon, chicken or lamb.

Zinfandel – this wine is available in both white and red varieties. The red type is classified as a full-bodied wine with high tannin and alcohol content. The red variety is known for its rich color and zesty berry and peppery flavor.

These are some of the more popular and easy to find types of red wine. The best advice I can give you as a beginner is to experiment and explore as much as possible. Taste the different varieties that the world at large has to offer. Read the labels and take note of the grapes used in each vintage. Make a list of the wines you enjoy and the characteristics that stand out for you as you taste the different types of wine. Your own taste buds will not lead you astray, and you can have a wonderful time enjoying the journey through the wines the world has to offer.
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Author: Michele DeZayasMichele DeZayas, EzineArticles Basic Author

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Choosing the Right Wine for the Occasion

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment



Choosing the Right Wine for the Occasion

By: Marley Martinerin

There is nothing that compliments an important occasion like a good bottle of wine. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or milestone, the perfect wine will punctuate the moment. Trying to choose the right wine can be quite a task if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

Here are a few tips on selecting the right wine for your important occasion:

Guest List and Menu

Structure your event first, before you can choose your wine, you have to decide who you’re inviting and what you’re going to serve. The event planning will determine what wine will be best to celebrate the occasion. Are you going to serve an entire meal or just appetizers? You can get away with serving wine on its own, but it’s not recommended. Wine is for socializing, it demands accompaniment. You don’t have to make it too elaborate, but give your guests something to nibble on.

Red Wine

Although wines come in many varieties, red and white are the most popular. Red wines tend to be heavier and have bold flavors. Red wines are made from the entire grape, including the skin, seeds, and stems. The grape skins provide the rich velvety color that red wines are known for. Red wines have strong and robust flavors that have a tendency dominate the taste buds; so be certain that you pair red wine with foods that can stand up and be complimented by its strength. As a rule, serve red wine with red meat, remember this and you’ll do fine.

White Wine

White wines are made from the juice of the grape, which gives it it’s clear appearance. White wines are often described as light, crisp, and sometimes sweet. You should pair white wine with milder foods like salads, fish, and chicken. White wines also go nicely with appetizers, fruit, and cheese. Remember, “lite” foods go with “white” wine.

Champagne

Champagne is synonymous with celebrations. It doesn’t matter if you are toasting the guest of honor or ringing in the New Year, champagne is usually on the menu. Unlike common red and white wines, champagne is sparkling. These tiny little bubbles that tickle your nose are produced through a secondary fermentation process, which naturally creates the gases of carbonation. Champagne is commonly served at brunch, its light airiness is perfect for breakfast and the carbonation aides in digestion too!

It’s Really Up to You

Ultimately, the wine you choose is completely up to you. Wine is a matter of individual taste. If you haven’t tried many wines before, this is a great opportunity to get familiar with your palate. Check your local listings for wine tasting rooms or wine bars. Wine tasting is usually very reasonably priced, so you’ll be able to sample and see what tickles your fancy. Make the server your ally, ask for wine recommendations or menu suggestions based on the wines that you like.

Life is all about creating memories, choosing the perfect wine will make your special occasion all the more special. There is no right or wrong, so it doesn’t matter how much or how little it costs, the only thing that really matters is taste.

Author Resource:->  Marley Martinerin is a regular contributor to a number of sites and writes articles about such topics as steel wine racks and
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Fine Wines at the Diplomatic Hotel

December 22, 2011 By 1 Comment

11310679657_p7190174.jpgThe Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza has a treat for those who love fine wines: their exclusive Wine Floors. They are specially decorated floors, to enhance the wine tasting experience. Get to know all the secrets of wine making by reading the literature supplied in these specially decorated rooms. A wine tasting kit is given as a present so as not to miss one note of the complex bouquet of the wine. Business or pleasure, you can hold the perfect meeting in this select atmosphere. Several fine wineries of Mendoza have signed exclusive contracts with the Diplomatic Hotel, so as to provide this amazing service to all the guest who require it.

Catena Zapata are famous for their Malbec wines.

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Unwind at the Diplomatic Hotel

Here are some ideas when it comes to relaxing and recharging the batteries. The ideal destination: Mendoza. The proposal: luxury hotel, health club and hot spring waters. What to Visit While Staying at the Diplomatic Hotel

Discover some of the many attractions that the city of Mendoza has to offer. See how the history of its primitive inhabitants directly relates to the physiognomy of the city nowadays. A Room with a View at the Diplomatic Hotel

Find out some of the many attractions that the city of Mendoza has to offer. Parks, drives and museums are some of the highlights of this beautiful city. Stay at the Diplomatic Hotel and Visit Malarguee

Visitors from all over the world come to the province of Mendoza every year. The cities of Cuyo region offer many interesting and attractive proposals, and Malarguee is not an exception. Find everything you need to know about this town in this article and get ready for nature.Bordeaux and Cahors are the places of origin of Malbec. Malbec of Argentine origin has benn prized in world class competitions many times. Mendoza’s geography and average temperature create the ideal conditions to harvest Malbec grapes. During the late XIX century, Nicola Catena came from Italy to Argentina with the idea of manufacturing fine wines with the European method of ellaboration. He managed to produce the first completely Mendoza Malbec wine.

Lagarde Wineries have had the same historical buildings since 1897, when they first started elaborating fine wines. Lagarde’s creator, Miguel Angel Pereira knew as soon as he was in Mendoza that it was possible to create there the best Malbec of all.
And he knew what he was saying. During the last World Malbec 2010 two Lagarde wines were awarded.

Familia Zuccardi’s winery is towards the East, in a green area. They cultivate 32 different varieties of grapes and also organic crops. About 85% of processed grapes are grown by themselves. Their storage capacity exceeds the 3.5 million liters, and they have 2800 barrels of French Oak.

Want to try these great fine wines? Simply stay at the Diplomatic Hotel, during your next visit to Mendoza. Please visit our website form more details on the Wine Rooms.


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Wine.com Coupon Codes: Affordable, Delicious Fine Wines All Year Round

December 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

21322691542_wine-tasting.jpgWines are an enjoyable accompaniment to any meal, and thanks to several enterprising souls, have become a common addition to American tables. Some retailers have gone out of their way to educate the American palate on the appreciation of fine wines, and have made these delicious beverages more affordable as well. Today you will even find online promotions for even some of the finest bottles of Parisian or Italian origin, such as those offered by Wine.com coupon codes.
Whole books, websites, and cooking shows have been dedicated to the enjoyment of vino, most of them trying to encourage people to let go of the snobbish image of wine drinking and to simply relax and taste it.
Wine lovers are urged by all the experts to buy whatever they like, and to enjoy it at their leisure. If you’re a true student of the art of wine drinking, you probably have a couple of bottles lying around, but do you know if you’re keeping your precious vintages in an optimum environment? Here are a few tips to keep your wines well-maintained while you wait for the perfect occasion to drink them.
Ideally, wine should be kept in a wine cellar, but since most modern homes don’t have that, it is enough to store your wine in a cool, dry place that doesn’t get much light. Bottles should be kept horizontally, with the wine touching the cork. This prevents air from coming into contact with the liquid. Once air gets into contact with the wine, oxidation occurs, making the wine bland, sour, and all in all unappealing.
So how long should you keep a bottle of wine? That’s a tricky question – because it depends on the individual chemical makeup of the wine. It’s age, sugar content, and even the ingredients that went into its making all affect the speed at which it goes bad. Wine, contrary to the popular saying, was never meant to age on a shelf, getting better as the years go by. It’s meant to be drunk as soon as it leaves the brewery, or at least, as soon as it is opened.
The rule of thumb is that if it’s in ideal conditions, a wine that has been purchased and stowed away for a special occasion will keep for up to a year. Wine that has been opened, however, is another story. Oxidation occurs at a much faster rate once the wine has been initially uncorked. Some say that after three days, wine that hasn’t been drunk is so unpalatable that it should be discarded, but most people agree that it should be left up to the individual’s tastes.
However, when serving wine to guests and are not sure if it kept or not while in storage, make sure that you taste the vintage first before decanting for your guests. It’s also always a good idea to order a couple of extra bottles, just in case they had gone flat while you weren’t looking. It’s a way to avoid drinking bad wine with friends, and inexpensive as well, especially if you use Wine.com coupon codes. As for the extra wine, you’re certain to find a use for that anyway.

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Secure Your Fine Wine Investment

December 19, 2011 By 1 Comment

01310679659_bistropoolsidebarpizzeria248k.jpgYou must look after the wine carefully when you have to purchase. The storage of the wine is the essential part for getting the better profit especially if you have spent a lot of money on purchasing. You should create a spot in your home especially for your wine because it is very important for the safety of the wine. You can lose the quality of the wine if you do not have proper equipments to protect the wine than in turn will lower its overall cost. For this purpose in order to ensure that your fine wine investment is preserved and will bring you profit in the future you must look after it properly Because losing its quality which in turn will lower its overall cost. You should think about purchasing a good wine cooler that is a first thing for fine wine investment. You must make availability and perfect place to store it until the time comes to cash it.

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Fine Wine Investment- Secure Your Money And Let It Grow

Another way of investing the surplus funds in the bank on the reasonable profit rate is to deposit the same in shape of term deposit receipt for some specific period like six months or one year. The banks are offering lucrative rates of profit to those who deposited their money for some specific period. Bordeaux Fine Wine Investment For Continuous Profits

It is very important for the investors to have the knowledge of their indenting businesses before starting it. In these days most of the investors are reluctant to invest their funds in different business due to the great chances of loss. But still some business portions have attained more than desired results and the wine industry at Bordeaux is one them. Whole Truth Behind Fine Wine Investment Whole Truth Behind Fine Wine Investment

Sue Mitchell An Expert On fine wine investment, having a large number of articles published on various well reputed internet sites. Check out for Her articles about alternative investment Liquidating Your Assets: Secrets Behind Fine Wine Investment

Many people think that goes to good wine investment and is always a win. Contrary to popular belief, however, investment wine is not just for wine lovers. They are simply interested in the stability that good wine can be offered as an investment product. Most wine investors or even interested in drinking wine them. After all, if your case of vintage wine is not sold so well in advance, then you can always have everything that a good wine for their drinking pleasure.On the market at this time many wine coolers are available. Even if you have a special space in your home specifically for the wine you have purchased for investment. If you decide to invest in more wine or purchase wine for your personal consumption then you should consider a larger cooler because the size of the wine cooler depend on the fine wine investment. The cooler needs to have options to both regulate the temperature and humidity. This is essential because depending on the temperature, the wine can either spoil or mature more slowly. If you want to wait on your return then you can put the temperature on low where the wine will mature much slower. If the temperature is too high and it is too hot in the cooler the wine may spoil ruining its taste. The humidity is for ensuring that the cork does not dry up which causes evaporation.
Of course, don’t put the humidity too high because this may cause mould to accumulate. When purchasing your wine cooler make sure that the bottles can be stored at least at 45-degree angle. This is important as the cork needs to be kept moist at all times. So you want to keep your wine in a wine cooler because your fine wine investment is important for you. In addition, if it is not stored on its own then smells around it may in fact go in through the cork and ruin the taste and overall quality of the wine. If the temperature or humidity is not according to the wine than the taste will change and you do not want this. Your fine wine investment is like any other, money put into something which will in turn bring you a profit. As with all other investments you need to take care of it, protect it, and ensure that it brings you exactly what you expect, the profit.

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