by Rhino Wino on March 9, 2010
Women now have yet another reason to tip that wine glass on occasion with friends or even on that date out and that is weight lose. Studies are now showing that women who drink moderately are more likely to not gain weight and reduce their risk of obesity.
The study conducted over thirteen years included over 19,000 women over 39 who drank a variety of alcoholic beverages. Those that drank in moderation were able to keep weight off during the course of the study and the women who consumed red wine were able to stay the slimmest.
While not a diet that will help everyone lose weight this study is just one more reason to drink a glass of red wine each day for your health. Packed with antioxidants and with so many studies backing up the health benefits red wine is something that everyone should include in moderation.
For those who want to take their health into their own hands and drink in moderation a weekender two bottle wine carrier is a perfect way to get together with friends and have a toast for the health of everyone while enjoying good company.
by Rhino Wino on March 8, 2010
There are just some foods that pare so well with wine it is hard to imagine serving them without a glass of red or white wine to accent its flavor. There is just nothing quite like cheese boards full of carefully crafted cheeses served with a complimentary wine. But then on the other hand there are foods that really compliment the flavor of other foods but make paring a wine almost impossible. Some consider asparagus to be one of those foods that is almost impossible to pare with a fine wine.
With asparagus the same grassy, green flavor provided by its naturals chemistry can really enhance the taste in good cuts of meat, shrimp, and even nuts. This same chemistry does not pare well with most wines making a meal with asparagus hard to include a fine wine.
When looking for a wine to pare with asparagus there are two things to keep in mind. First you can use sauces on the asparagus that will help bridge the flavor gap making it slightly easier to get a good combination, hollandaise sauce or even mayonnaise will do the trick. Also look for wines that are highly in oak flavor or full of acids for the perfect paring of wine and asparagus.
by Rhino Wino on March 5, 2010
For those who follow the Catholic faith Lent is in full swing and this means following a specific diet that meets the guidelines set down by the church. For many this means the Friday dinner will be fish for the next few weeks and this can be tricky enough finding a variety of ways to serve it but also for paring it with a good table wine.
For many friend fish in the classic English style of fish and chips is a quick and convenient choice after a long day at work. When serving any fried foods, including fish, sparkling wines are always a sure bet. The bubbles that are loaded in these particular wines can handle the heaviness that comes with fried fish.
For simpler fish meals such as a roasted snapper light white wines including Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are good matches for a perfect meal. For spicier fish meals consider Riesling or another slightly sweet wine to combine with the heat.
Having the right wine and wine accessories to accompany those fish meals will make these meals for Lent enjoyable even for those who are not as into fish and would rather be eating a juicy steak instead.
by Rhino Wino on March 4, 2010
As more states such as New York debate and possibly allow grocery stores to sell wines many small liquor stores worry about their future. In states that already allow liquor sales in supermarkets small stores are feeling the pinch with fewer sales as more consumers buy everything they need at the larger chain stores.
What many wine consumers do not realize that with the added convenience they are actually giving up quality service from someone who actually knows their wines. There is something to be said for a small store that only has a focus on the wine art made by the finest vineyards, and not just putting things on their shelves and worrying about their bottom line.
While it may be easy to just grab that bottle of wine for dinner while you are at the store there is something to be said that comes with the expertise at the smaller store owned by the wine lover. Without that connoisseur behind the counter people will tend to stick with wines they know. But with the help and guidance of a professional wines can be explored and enjoyed as they should be.
by Rhino Wino on March 3, 2010
For many wine lovers the thought of their glass of wine coming from a metal barrel almost seems horrific. But many restaurants that serve wine by the glass are trying to figure out how best to keep that wine fresh after the bottle has been opened. Many end up pouring much of their inventory down the drain after customers drink one glass from the bottle with their dinner.
While wine stoppers and even wine decanters are often used to try and salvage the remaining wine until another wants a glass of this type most often the wine will oxidize first. One innovative establishment in Portland is now using metal kegs to serve up their wine by the glass. This specially designed system for wine has a delivery system that ensures that the last glass of wine will taste just like a freshly opened bottle as the first glass did.
These wine kegs will hold up to 125 glasses of wine and not only do they keep the wine fresh but they also cut down on packaging. Since no bottles are used the cost is lowered as well as the materials needed by the vineyard.
by Rhino Wino on March 2, 2010
The news has been full of the devastation caused by the large earthquake which struck in Chile this past weekend. While our hearts go out to those who are still reeling from this event it is not hard to stop and think about the industries the country depends on and how they will fare. One of the leading segments of the ecomony in the country is the wine industry in the hills and valleys especially in the Maule Valley.
While the news coming from the rural areas is scarce many vineyards seemed to report no lose of life at their facilities. But many are reporting of massive breakage in not only cases but barrels that were aging as well. Many are also reporting lots of equipment and wine accessories damage which will affect their ability to process the upcoming harvest for this years wines.
While the short term effects seem to have many wineries at least partially disabled the long term does not look too bad since many will have no problems recovering. For wine lovers this will mean a overall shortage in wines from Chile for awhile but in the long run this important part of Chilean economy will make it past this devastating event.
by Rhino Wino on March 1, 2010
As spring is quickly coming upon us many are starting to plan their upcoming vacations for summer and for many wine lovers these trips are often to top wine regions. While Napa Valley has long been one of the top west coast destinations for enjoying beautiful wine country and tasting quality wines there are other exceptional locations that are less well known. Many wine lovers are beginning to find the Paso Robles wine country just a little further down the road. Located in the hills between San Francisco and Los Angeles just a little inlaid from the famed Highway 1 this former cow town is now home to wineries that produce top quality short run wines.
Many of these vineyards do not have much of a following outside of California but not because of lack of quality in their product. The majority of these vineyards produce less than 5,000 cases a year making their output a little too small for distributing nationally. But of course visitors to the area are more than welcome to bring along their wine bags so they can stock up their home cellars with these top quality, carefully crafted wines to enjoy after their trip to the area.
by Rhino Wino on February 28, 2010
While many vineyards in the United States want to sell their products online to everyone in the country, laws in some states keep this from being able to happen. Not all the states allow wine to be shipped to their residents making it so that they cannot buy direct from the winemaker their favorite wines and have them shipped to their door. For some this means that their selection of wine is limited to what is available on store shelves in their area.
Free The Grapes is an organization that is setup to help wine lovers understand their local laws and to make it easier for those who need to make changes in their state contact their legislators. For those who live in states were wine accessories can be ordered online but not wine itself this organization wants to get this changed.
If you cannot order wine online and have it delivered to your home than check out Free The Grapes and let your state representatives know that you want the laws changed in order to get unique wines in your cellar without having to travel to the vineyards to bring it home yourself.
by Rhino Wino on February 27, 2010
While oxygen is a good thing for a nice red wine when you first open the bottle it is not a good thing for a bottle of wine that needs to be kept after opening. Many singles and even couples face this problem each time they open a new bottle. With research showing how a glass of wine a day has so many health benefits this leaves a bottle of wine open but not completely drunk.
One of the wine accessories that should not be skimped on is a quality wine stopper for just the purpose of preserving those open bottles of wine. Not all stoppers are made the same and to keep oxygen from being allowed to leak into the bottle will help preserve the flavor.
Those who only want to enjoy a good tasting glass of wine each evening with dinner or before bed for their health can keep that wine from oxygenating with a tight fitting stopper. With the use of a good stopper each glass of wine will taste just as good as the first making a stopper one of the most important wine accessories that anyone can buy.
by Rhino Wino on February 26, 2010
There has been a flurry of stories coming from Arizona lately regarding the wineries which are trying to create fine wines despite the arid conditions in the region. The latest story is more than just a story but a documentary film on what one winemaker is facing in order to raise grapes and make wine in that area.
The film “Blood Into Wine” features Maynard James Keenan and the efforts he has gone through to learn winemaking. Of course music fans may recognize the name since Keenan is renowned for his role in the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle. While reviews on the film are mixed the acceptance of the wine produced by the vineyard are positive.
While Arizona may not turn into the next Napa Valley wine lovers looking for a new destination for wine tasting this year may consider this arid region in their travel plans just to check it out. Visitors can expect the same treatment that they receive at many of the best wineries and can even purchase personalized wine gifts during their visit to take home. A unique wine from a unique region is something most every wine enthusiast can appreciate.
