The Wine Bottle

Healthy or Excuse to Get Drunk? Nutrition

Many people don’t realize it but wine—specifically red wine—is a health drink if absorbd in moderation. This is because studies show that red wine is rich in antioxidants.

More and more scientific findings show that drinking red wine owes its health benefits from the high level of antioxidants called “resveratrol,” a kind of polyphenol known as “phytoalexin.”  This is a group of compounds plants use to defend themselves against attacks such as untimely stress, possible injuries, or UV irradiation and certain diseases such as fungus and infection.

Resveratrol is known to be present in the core and skins of system and fermented grapes during the rigorous system of earning red wine. And, as of the long system and prolonged fermentation of grapes in red-wine making, high levels of resveratrol are found to be present in each bottle of red wine.

Red wine marvels

Nowadays, many people are using red wine as a health drink during their meals because they believe that since it is best antioxidant supplement,red wine can help veer them away from certain terminal illness as well as to all forms of diseases that come with aging. The following are just some of the believed benefits of red wine as a heath drink:

– Serves in the prevention of developing various neuro-degenerative illnesses and diseases. Many analyses show that as of the high resveratrol content of red wine, it can help people—especially those who are getting older—to develop s and illnesses that are common to them like Alzheimer’s infection and Parkinson’s infection. Red wine is again believed to suspend the possible progression of dementia especially to older ones.

– Really nice for the heart. Experts agree that the specific substances in red wines like tannins and flavoniods can raise the levels of good cholesterol or high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the person’s blood. The red wine’s antioxidant properties can also help in the reduction of bad cholesterol or low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Once LDL levels are decreased, there is lesser chances of evolving cardiovascular illness’s such as heart attacks and stroke.

– Keeps sure cancers. Many people who are prone to the “Big C” are using red wine as a health drink because of the wonders brought by resveratrol in it. Experts believe that regular but moderate consumption of red wine can help fight possible cancer cells from proliferating and thus, preventing the development of the disease eventually.

– Reduces the harmful effects of food poisoning. Another noted benefit of red wine is that it can lessen the toxicity brought by spoiled food. The properties in red wine can help cleanse the body from toxins and also help in avoiding dysentery as well as diarrhea.

– Keeps & perhaps cures certain gum illnesses.Smokers are the ones who are prone to gum diseases. But there are also those who also experience gum diseases that are usually caused by inflamed muscles in the gums and weakened tooth. By using red wine as a health drink, experts believe that the polyphenols present in this can help reduce the presence of free radicals that do the infection the and bacteria proliferation inside the person’s mouth.

– Serves as blood thinner. For people with high blood pressure, red wine is an ideal health drink because it contains blood pressure lowering-substances and compounds that are effective in lowering high blood pressure.

– Allows healthy skin. For people who are after maintaining youthful skin, red wine can be a good health drink option because the number of polyphenols present in average consumption can prevent the damages brought by cell oxidation processes.

Making your own wine is a very gratifying experience. Imagine this…You wake up during a warm summer morning and walk over to the kitchen. Waking up and opening up your own bottle of fresh wine. You pour a glass, sit back and breath in the unique aroma. A few drinks later, you feel proud this glass of perfection is yours. Now you can share it with family and friends and maybe brag in the process.

Most people think making your own wine at home is intimidating. Listen, it’s not. Sure there are times you will create an “imperfect” bottle. Over time, though, you’ll end up on top. Besides the fact it’s very personally rewarding, you’ll also save some money.

Save money? Yes, that’s absolutely right. Most of us are accustomed to purchasing from a store. Let get real. Drinking wine at $20-$30 per bottle can get pricey over time. And let’s not even discuss the Chilean wines. Buying wine from stores is pricey and in today’s market, we need to save as much money as possible. Creating your own wine at home is the perfect compromise between flavor, satisfaction and financial freedom.

So how is it done? Simple. All you really need to do is pick out some grapes, add some sugar and yeast, wait a while, then bottle and drink. Complete. Sure there are more steps, but that’s the basic “jist” of it. This is so simple that even a person without any experience can do it successfully.

So why haven’t you gotten started yet? It’s so very easy to make wine at home. I’ve even put together an inexpensive report on the process of making wine at home. Check out this blueprint to see how easy it is to get started and learn the basics. Click here to get your instant report: http://www.makewineathome.org/

Champagne Sabering

Champagne is “the” wine of celebration with approximately 50 million bubbles in a bottle .

Traditionally all champagne only comes from the Champagne Region of France. This region is situated in the area of Reims. The better Champagnes mostly come from Reims, Epernay, Hauteville, Ay, Versus or Ludes. Real Champagne is controlled by the Appellation d’Origine Controllee (AOC). So don’t be fooled by Champagnes from South-Africa, Germany or California. These might taste rather good, but they can’t possibly be Champagne.

If it does not say France somewhere on the label, it falls into the category of sparkling wine and is simply and unquestionnably not considered true champagne.  French champagne at a french wedding is essential.

Second to be called champagne it must be made only from the Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier or Chandonnay grapes which group in the champagne region.   Thirdly true champagne has to have gotten its bubbles by undergoing the fermentation process twice:  once in barrels and again in bottles. 

France is a country that has an amazing affinity for its land.    French people know the different “terroirs” – the country, its micro-climate and its produce and especially its wine.  They have an innate appreciation for the effect of soil, and sun on different plots of land at a cross-intersection where one produces bottles worth 5 euros and another worth 20 and the best worth over 150 euros. You and I might struggle with this but Oz Clark describes it poetically.

Some fine well-known champagne from France include Veuve Clicquot or Moet et Chandon. There are over 5400 Champagne suppliers. The biggest one is Moet Et Chandon  which accounts for over 50% of the total world-wide production of French Champagne.

Try champagne sabering, the delicate art of decapitating bottles of champagne.

One says that when the officers of Napoleon’s army returned home after a victory, cheering locals would hand bottles of Champagne as tokens of their appreciation for their victory and gallantry.

Since the soldiers were mounted on horseback it was difficult to hold the reins of the horse and remove both the foil, wire basket and the cork at the same time, so the soldiers simply took out their sabers and struck it against the lip of the bottle with an upward blow and sabered off the cork.  Voila

You could ask your caterers if they will do a display of sabering champagne.Do not even think of doing this inside – it has to be done outside.  It is a nice touch for the bride and groom.  You need to be very careful.  The saberer needs to wear gloves, long sleeves and glasses.

Don’t do it warm unless you want to have champagne sprayed everywhere. The champagne should be ice cold.  The colder the better.

Only saber french champagne – The bottles are finer and more saber friendly.  Cheaper champagnoise alternatives have been known to explode in a shower of shards and bubbles.

Grab the bottle firmly, by the base, and obviously pointed away from any onlookers. Hold it at a 30 degree to 45 degree angle.  Have a close inspection to “locate one of the two vertical seams running up the side of the bottle” to the lip.  Slice the foil softly along the line of a seam for a guide to where you need to saber. 

Sabering champagne bottles of course should never be done intoxicated.  The cork will be travelling at between 30 and 50 mph when it pops depending on the size and pressure contained inside the bottle.

You need to make sure that the sabered glass is collected so it is not a hazard to any one cutting themselves.  Also the bottle itself once sabered is incredibly sharp an easy for people to cut themselves on.  Be careful please.  Nothing ruins a wedding like blood. 

Do not swirl your champagne in your glass like a git or a pretentious wine connoisseur.  The french call this “champagne battering” because the swirling in thirty seconds destroys the bubbles that took at least three years to produce.

As one would expect, the cost of the tried and true French Champagnes are exorbitant. Savings can be found both online and by buying from case lots.  

For serving champagne there are two styles of glasses to choose from. The wide rimmed round glasses with shorter stems of yester-years, perfect for a vintage themed reception, or the more modern elongated flute, which provides an elegant air.

Some venues will have both styles of glasses to choose from, while others will require you to seek an outside rental agency to provide them. You may even wish to purchase champagne flutes as a wedding favor to help guests remember what could be possibly their first taste of real champagne. Add an additional personal touch to your favor by engraving them with your wedding details.

A tried and true decorative feature that incorporates champagne is the creation of a champagne fountain out of tiered glasses. A champagne pyramid properly phtographed looks spectacular.  If you can instruct yor caterers and your photographer that you want one.

If you are opting for a champagne pyramid you need the short champagne glasses as the tall flutes make your tower too high and are the wrong proportion. 

For a truly stylish wedding, nothing flows better than true Champagne.  If you budget just simply will not stretch that far go for  Methode Champenoise - Vouvray from the Loire Valley is a sparkling Chenin Blanc champagne style alternative.  France is the land of wedding chateaux.  Champagne at the head table at your french wedding chateau is worth the cost.  It is your wedding in France and you should splash out on yourselves.

white wine

Wine is considered one of the greatest pleasures in the world. It is one of the most commonly served beverages in the world and has tremendous cultural significance in many countries. People create entire experiences based on wine, changing the elements of an ordinary day into something special with a simple glass of their favorite brand.

The word wine refers to the processing, fermentation, and production of the grape. Grapes are naturally balanced to ferment on their own without the help of any chemicals, extra sugars, or enzymes. This makes the taste and flavor of wine one that is very natural and uninhibited. Other fruits are sometimes added to wine for their fermentation qualities, including apples and black currants. When fruits of this type are used to make wine, it is called an “apple” or “elderberry” wine.

Red wine and white wine are the two primary categories of wine.  They are then sub-divided into many other subcategories. The varieties that fall under each umbrella, are typically determined by the type of grape or the region in which the grape was grown.

Red Wine is divided into styles like Merlot, which comes from anywhere from Argentina to the United States. Merlot is a red wine that usually has a medium body and contains hints of plum or berry. It is also considered one of the most flexible types of wine and is often served with meals involving red meats or darker foods. There is a white merlot that is also in circulation, which is made with a hint of raspberry.

A popular type of white wine is the Riesling. It comes from a white grape variety of the same name and is grown historically in Germany. Riesling is  very versatile and is considered appropriate to serve with almost any type of food. It is, however, most popular with white fish or pork. Riesling is also known as one of the few wines that can stand up to the bold flavors of Asian cuisine such as Thai or Chinese food.

People use wine in a variety of settings. Some people open a meal with an apertif, for example, which is used to open the palette up to the flavors to be presented with the meal. Usually comprised of a dry sherry or a Vermouth, apertifs are great meal starters. People also use cooking wines, typically a poorer quality wine, to provide a base of flavor for their meals. Another variety is dessert wines, which is typically very sweet in flavor and includes port or sherry.

Choosing a decent wine can be a nightmare, especially when you’ve got someone to impress. You’re having a dinner party – you’ve planned the menu thoroughly, dusted off your best crockery and wine glasses, and got everything prepared – except for the wine selection. There’s just so much to consider, and everyone else always seems to know so much more than you do about it. You stand there for ages looking at the endless shelves of bottles, and the more you wonder about it the harder it gets. That’s why we’ve put together a few tips of what to watch out for and how to choose the perfect wine that will compliment your meal.

Firstly and most importantly, you need to match the wine to the meal you will be eating. Everyone has different opinions of which wine will taste good with different foods, but there are a few basic guidelines that you can follow if you’re not sure. The easiest way is just to match the colour of the wine to the food, you can’t go wrong. So if you’re eating red meat select a dark red Cabernet or Syrah. For lamb or pork a medium bodied red like a Merlot will be less heavy whilst still giving a rich flavour. Chicken and fish dishes can often be overpowered by reds so it’s best to go for a white instead, perhaps a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. If it’s a special occasion or celebration, you might be better off with a sparkling wine, served in fancy Champagne flutes.

Once you’ve worked out what kind of wine you are looking for, check where it has come from. Wines from different regions are hugely different in quality, so it’s best to do a bit of research into the best regions. If you’re not sure, France is always a safe bet and has been producing good quality fine wines for hundreds of years. Italy is another good choice, and Chilean wines are also very popular at the moment, particularly the reds.

Another thing you should check is the vintage of the wines you are choosing from, or the year they were bottled. A true wine buff will already know which were the good years for each region, and will buy only vintages which they know came from a particularly good crop. For the rest of us, it can seem like a lot of guesswork, but if you know a few of the basics you’ll be on the right track at least. A common misconception is that the older a wine is, the better it will be. It’s true that most red wines do improve with a little aging, but most wineries won’t distribute these reds for a couple of years after bottling to give them time to mature. This means they are ready to drink and will taste good as soon as they appear on the shelves. Most white or sparkling wines don’t need aging, and are good to drink straight away.

Hosting a wine tasting is an exciting way to develop your knowledge of different wines and wine growing regions. Wine tasting involves the sensory evaluation of wine, and includes noting the color, aroma and the taste and feel of the wine on the palate with the aim of assessing the quality of the wine and its suitability for aging or drinking now. While you explore the different characteristics of the wine you will discover its many facets plus you’ll notice any faults that the wine may posess. The other purpose of a wine tasting party is fun.

In order to properly assess a wine’s quality, you need to gauge the overall complexity of its aroma and flavor. You’ll pay attention to such factors as intensity of flavor, fruit characters, sweetness or acidity as well as noticing how long the flavor of the wine remains in the mouth after tasting which determines the length of the finish.

Wine tasting is a fun learning experience, and one that is worthwhile trying for yourself. You can either hold wine tasting in your own home or the home of a wine loving friend, or you and a group can attend one of the many companies that offer wine tasting sessions. If you have a home wine cellar, then holding a wine tasting is a wonderful way of entertaining fellow wine lovers.

If you don’t feel confident in selecting the wines yourself for your tasting there are businesses that offer to organize these events in your own home. If you’re interested in tasting the wines from just one winery you may be able to arrange a cellar door tasting. An organized wine tasting can be both educational and enjoyable.

Holding a wine tasting event will add depth to your existing wine knowledge, give you an opportunity to taste a range of wines, learn about starting a wine cellar and wine growing regions.

Wine gift baskets are more than just wine; they also contain a fine combination of accompanying foods with the wine. They make wonderful gifts for just about anyone. So, if you’re trying to pick a way to present a nice Port or Bordeaux, consider using a wine gift basket.

Wine baskets are undoubtedly one of the best options as a gift if you don’t know what to get someone. It will leave the recipient overjoyed and be remembered as a great gift, even after the wine, cookies, nuts and fruits have been enjoyed.

Amongst all the other treats you get in a wine gift basket, wouldn’t it be great to find your favorite Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc nestled in there too? You can enjoy a glass or two while you munch on some nuts or indulge in a chocolate while you sip on that Cabernet you have been eager to taste for months.

You’ll find that wine gift baskets come with a variety of different bottle sizes. Some come with large bottles of champagne, while others may come in mini samples. You could consider a basket that is full of several small samples of different wines or you may want to consider several bottles of a favorite wine for someone you love. Even a giant wine bottle may be just what you want to give someone, and it will make a great centerpiece as well in the basket.

But the wine itself is only the beginning. A wine gift basket is filled with traditional and creative items. Delicious gourmet crackers sit beside irresistible truffles. Chocolates go well with a fine Sangria. Dried apricots and other fruits are the perfect companion to a stellar Chardonnay.

If you know someone who is a fan of Brut Champagne, then you may want to consider adding it to a basket. Adding a few gourmet cheeses to the basket will no doubt complete the basket for a wonderful gift that will be a big hit.

The basket itself can be part of a great wine basket gift as well. You can choose from a variety of baskets. Some come in contemporary metals, and others may even come in dark wickers. There are many designs that you can choose from, and you’ll be sure to find the basket that is the perfect fit.

No matter what the occasion may be, a wine gift basket is a great gift. Anniversaries are wonderful times to give these gifts. The couples will be able to celebrate with a wonderful glass of wine and some tasty treats. Even giving your boss a basket at work to celebrate that new promotion is a great idea as well.

Whether for a personal celebration or a corporate event, when it comes to gift basket ideas, a wine gift basket is the finest possible choice. Appreciated by everyone, they’ll be treasured for years.

There are those who actually prefer the simple, rustic appeal of an unfinished wood wine rack. For people who tend to leave projects unfinished, a wine rack is a great project – it’s simple and doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to build a good looking wine rack.

If you don’t happen to be one of those who prefer an unfinished wood wine rack, however, you’ll want to take the next step. If so, this article is for you. Keep reading to learn more about how to finish your wine rack project.

Alternative Finishes For An Unfinished Wood Wine Rack

If your unfinished wood wine rack lacks the final touch to make it presentable, here are several suggestions to jazz it up or just finish it. An unfinished wood wine rack could still be used for the very purpose it has been made. The problem with it is just the final coating or veneer to make it more presentable.

Choosing the finish for your unfinished wood wine rack can be difficult if you have many preferences. The best that you can do, if you are determined to finish the wine rack is to base the finish on the room where the wine rack is most likely to be placed. If the kitchen or dining room is basically a less formal room, the unfinished wood wine rack can be painted whatever color you think will blend well or complement the room.

Another option is to varnish or tint your unfinished wood wine rack. There are many different colors and shades of varnish and tint which you can use. Again, the way to go here is to match or compliment the color scheme of the room where you want to keep your wine rack. If you don’t yet know which room will be your new wine rack’s home, then paint it any color or use any tint or varnish which appeals to you.

You could also choose to buff and sand your unfinished wood wine rack to a smooth finish rather than painting or varnishing the rack. This is a good choice for wine racks made of wood with an attractive grain pattern. Painting this wood will only obscure the grain; varnishing or tinting will cover up the color of the wood. Choosing to sand and buff your unfinished wooden wine rack will display the natural qualities of the wood to their best advantage.

These are just some of the possibilities open to you if you’re not certain how to add the finishing touches to your unfinished wood wine rack. There are other things you can choose to do – and it’s your wine rack, so don’t be shy about using your creativity and seeing what works.

food and wine

Food and wine have been paired for centuries, most likely because people believe some combinations just taste better when they are together than when served alone. Traditional rules of pairing are not often followed for modern meals, partially because people have found they prefer to rely on their individual tastes to decide which combinations taste the best. Dessert wines, however, are almost always served with fruit or bakery sweets, although they are sometimes enjoyed alone after the meal. True appreciation of that type of wine, though, begins with knowing what sets them apart from other types.

Although many vintners will disagree, the creation of a fine vintage does not necessarily begin in the vineyard. Granted, there are a few varieties that are known for being especially sweet, but many of them require additional flavorings to stave off blandness. The sweetness of grapes can even be enhanced by harvesting them later or by exposing them to more sunlight, both of which can be difficult to control. As a result, many dessert wines are not a result of the grape growing process, but of the amount of sugar added before or after fermentation. In Germany, for example, sugar is increased by adding grape juice after fermentation, which has the side effect of lowering the alcohol content. Other techniques for increasing sweetness include using grapes that have a specific type of mold on them, freezing out some of the water, or drying the grapes before fermentation.

Despite being a combination of grape variety, alcohol content, color and flavor, the classification of wines and spirits varies greatly according to local laws. For example, dessert wines in the U.S. have more than 14% alcohol and include those that have been fortified with alcohol, while the same category in the UK includes any non-fortified sweet wine served with a meal. The only point of agreement on the category seems to be the sweetness, with these wines having the highest sugar content.

The correct way to choose wine and food pairings tends to vary according to the expert offering the advice. Some follow the traditional rules of pairing different types of foods with specific wines, while others prefer to make the pairings according to individual tastes. The point of agreement, however, is dessert wines. Without question, they are served after a meal, alone or with fruit or bakery treats. In addition, tasting different types and figuring out what suits your particular tastes and dessert selection is the best way to decide on a pairing.

How many of us really know anything about wine? Most people are probably familiar with that feeling you get when you’re standing there looking at the rows and rows of bottles, and have no idea what it is you’re actually supposed to be looking for. We assume that expensive wines are expensive for a reason and cheap wines should therefore probably be avoided, but is there really any truth to this? I have tried both cheap wines that have tasted fine, and expensive ones that have been horrible – not all of them, but they do exist and how are we supposed to know which ones to choose?

It’s like the theory that crystal wine glasses make wine taste better than regular glasses. It’s true that it is definitely nicer to drink out of a crystal glass, they do feel nice to hold and they make that lovely sound when you tap them, but I’ve yet to see any evidence that it actually affects the flavour of the drink. A nasty wine will taste nasty whatever you drink it from – just think of the familiar grimace on people’s faces when they take a sip from their posh celebratory Champagne flutes, only to be reminded that they’ve always hated Champagne and are only drinking it because it’s what you’re supposed to do.

A real wine buff would tell you they can guess the vintage of a good wine and the region where it was bottled purely from tasting it. However in the opening episode of BBC4’s recent mini-documentary series entitled simply (and rather inventively, I thought!) Wine, an interesting, and quite amusing, scene took place. A group of professional wine experts were offered a taste from an unknown bottle and asked to guess its vintage. Most of them guessed at somewhere around the 1980s, with the exception of one French expert who said 1928. As it turned out it was from 1870, proving that they really didn’t have a clue.

So do factors like the age and vintage of a wine really mean anything in terms of a wine’s quality? If even these knowledgable experts can’t tell the difference then it would seem that no, they probably don’t. Older wines are likely to be more rare, which might go some way to explaining why they cost more, but I bet those experts could have got a whole crate of good 1980s wines for the same price as that one bottle would have cost. And in these credit crunch times do people really want to be paying over the odds for fancy wines when it’s possible they could get one just as good – or maybe even nicer – in Threshers for under a tenner?