Some wines have a clearly there peppery flavor that is almost a flavor mystery to vintners.  But scientists studying wine have found the compound responsible for the distinct taste, rotundone,  While little else is known about the compound or why it is present in only some wines, rotundone is clearly responsible for a sharp peppery taste in wine.  While not related to black pepper at all the compound seems to serve no purpose in wine other than taste. So now the question is, does science now find out what causes this compound in wine? Or does the wine world simply leave it be that it can be present in wine or it can not be?  The future will tell if science tries to manipulate wine to make peppery champagne or if it stays out of the buisness that vintners think of as an art not a science.

Sadly most of the time putting wine in such scientific terms as this can take away a hint of the romance to it, but fear not. Some wine art can add that fine art feel back to the hearts of wine lovers.  Even though now it is no longer a mystery as to why zinfandel has that charectaristic pepper taste, it is still possible to enjoy the magic that is made when a good wine hits a person’s lips.

Pepper Flavor Explained is a post from: Rhino Wino

Everyone that goes out to eat seems to have had this experience, ordering food is no big deal but when they are handed the wine list there is a little pang of anxiety.  It is a tough looking decision and so much importance is placed on making the right decision to pair with the food.  Really it doesn’t need to be scary at all.  An easy way to play sommelier for the group is to think of the mood of the meal, is it a heavy mid-winter meal meant to warm the soul from the bitter cold outside? Or is it a light spring meal where some people didn’t even order meat; and salads are the main event? These can give important clues.  Another easy thing to do is simple gather some of this information and then ask. 

                Tell the server what everyone appears to be in the mood for and they will gladly explain which wine would be best for everyone, they will even take price range into account for guests. It is the sommelier’s job after all to recommend wine to the guests and to decode the often baffling wine list for them.  Of course if picking out wine is too much of a stretch at the moment than settle on some Will Bullas art and maybe save the wine decision for another time.

Order Confidently is a post from: Rhino Wino

 One of the marks of a great home cook and professional chef alike is the ability to make a good sauce from the pan drippings, as they are called, and wine or stock.  While the idea is a bit intimidating to some, it is actually the very simple to master pan sauces.  The pan drippings that are a lot of the flavor in this pan sauce come from the bottom of the pan after roasting or sautéing the chicken, fish, beef or vegetables that this sauce is going to put on.  These little brown, caramelized bits are usually stuck to the bottom of the pan pretty good, but there is an easy way to get them all off, right after the pan comes off the heat add some wine and scrap the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.  The hot pan will heat the wine so that the alcohol evaporates immediately but it also unstuck the roasted bits from the pan.   This is now a delicious pan sauce made with wine and pan drippings. Of course the sauce can be added to with herbs or citrus or thickened with flour but it is still the same basically. 

Of course things still may need a bit of getting the hang of and it sounds like too much of a culinary stretch than maybe it is best to stick with Will Bullas Wine Art. But for those who want to make their own style of wine art can try again. If the first sauce was bitter than the pan drippings were burnt, this is the most common problem so just try again.

Quick Pan Sauce with Wine is a post from: Rhino Wino

A new trend is becoming popular with resturants wine kegs. This technology is part of the green movement that attempts to reduce waste made and recycle wherever possible to prolong the life of the planet. Wine kegs are a hint of genius for the green movement and resturant owner’s alike. The kegs are reusable and require less material than dozens of glass bottles and benefit resturants because wine sold by the glass tends to oxidize when in the bottle.  The kegs are used and than cleaned and returned to the winery.

The savings from using wine kegs are clear for everyone involved in it.  The packaging cost of a case of wine can be as high as $40 while a wine keg holds  about three cases worth and costs just $30 apiece.  And again the resturant saves money by reducing the waste of wine sold by the glass that oxidzes.   The savings to the environmet are even clearer when recycable wine kegs are used.  But the savings of wine kegs are not as apparent to the consumor, they should try some nice wine art instead to have a reminder of wine love that doesn’t cost money or require the same upkeep as a wine cellar or other tribute to wine.

Wine Keg Trend is a post from: Rhino Wino

Acid reflux can be a hard thing to have for wine fans considering all wines can trigger it.  But with a plan and some acid-blockers, a wine lover can enjoy their true passion again.  Different vintages have different effects on the drinkers’ acid reflux which is why no clear recommendation exists.  Of course this does not mean that people with acid reflux must obstain completely, a few little tricks have been found. 

While no clear answer can be given as to what wine will set off acid reflux, on average it is found that reds do not cause as much agitation as whites for sufferers of acid reflux.  But responses are highly individualized and it may take a good deal of experimenting to find a wine that doesn’t trigger a bad reaction.  Before sitting down to a glass it is also recommended by Dr. David A. Johnson, a fellow and past president of the American College of Gastroenterology and chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School to take either a prescription or non-prescription acid blocker.  Another trick that helps people be able to enjoy the finer consumptions in life is to try to lose a few pounds. Though it’s not certain if it is the actual losing weight or the eating healthier and exercising but acid reflux suffers benefit and isn’t triggered as easily.  The easiest and only sure way to not trigger acid reflux though is to stick with some fine wine art most of the time.

For Those With Acid Reflux is a post from: Rhino Wino

While The Last Shiraz by Will Bullas is an artistic use of this powerful red wine, the aspiring chef can create an easy but just as artistic red wine sauce that will impress their dinner guests. To make this red wine sauce that is the perfect accompaniment to steak start with a full bodied Shiraz red wine.

After cooking the steaks in a frying pan until done to your tastes remove them from the pan and add a half of glass of Shiraz. When this bubbles add 100ml of beef stock along with salt and pepper to taste. Add a few drops of balsamic vinegar if desired and serve this delicious sauce along with your steak for a juicy main course.

Of course remember to reserve plenty of Shiraz to serve all the guests along with their steak for a perfect dinner party that will tantalize the taste buds. The guests be impressed with the artistic culinary delight they are served and how perfectly the wine and food accompany each other. There is no art better than a perfectly prepared meal with friends or loved ones!

Easy Red Wine Sauce For Steak is a post from: Rhino Wino

Going out to eat at a nice restaurant is not usually something you do if you are on any kind of budget, but no one can say that they don’t like to save a little if it is easy to do.  Well one way to save a little is to know how to find a good wine on the wine list without heading straight to the top, because the most expensive wines on the list are not the only good ones. 

                The bottom end of the typical wine list is actually the worst deal, not only because the wine is usually of poor quality, but because it has been shown that it has the highest markup.  Going higher up the list gives you better quality with a lower markup.  Another great thing to do is to look up the restaurants wine list online.  This can keep you from making a snap decision that turns out to be a bad one.  Another way to show how wine savvy and smart you are is to have some nice wine art in your home.  It is little things like that can really make people respect you for your immense wine knowledge.

Beat the Wine List is a post from: Rhino Wino

A lot of wine lovers have an area of the kitchen, or even a whole bar, allocated to wine.  They decorate with Will Bullas wine art and include plenty of wine accessories. But wouldn’t you love to add an even more personal touch to your at home wine experience? A great way to do this is by making your own personal wine; it’s a stunning personal touch to add.  To be able to say that you made that wine which your friends are enjoying over at your house is impressive.

 To begin making your own merlot, chardonnay or fruit wines try going to Quality Wine and Ale Supply which is now offering recipes for home vintners.  This is not just a hobby for the rich, kits and recipes are available that fit just about any budget. So this could be a great opportunity to expand your wine love or even just learn about your favorite varieties in a more up close and personal way.

 This is a way better way to show your love of wine than just having a display of art and wine glasses. Though of course you can have that too because you won’t want to have your homemade vintages just sitting in the open.  Not only should wine never be left in the open but also they might disappear too fast.

Making Wines is a post from: Rhino Wino

As many towns and communities shake off the last of the winter cold and welcome in spring many are trying to bring people together with fun events to celebrate the nice weather and warmer temperatures. Many of these communities are bringing together wine, chocolate, and art in weekend gatherings to celebrate spring.

Many of these events feature wine from local wineries along with art from local artists. While Will Bullas wine art may be fun for hanging in the home bar many of the art offerings from local artists will feature local scenery. These paintings at these events can be purchased directly from the artist and many times for a deal that would be unheard of at any other time.

But even if you are not in the market for wine art just enjoying the pieces along with some fine wine is a excellent way to spend a spring weekend. Often local wineries participate and bring in first tastes of new wines that they offer. Being able to enjoy these local wines is a treat that maybe not premium wines from around the world they are a taste of home that many times are limited in production but far from being limited in taste.

Spring Is The Perfect Time For Wine Tasting And Art is a post from: Rhino Wino

While wine and art have always been closely associated one artist is taking the two one step closer together to create art of a new kind. While the common association is for wine lovers to drink their favorite vintages while viewing beautiful art there is also Will Bullas wine art showing wine inside the art. But for Rebekah Bynum wine is actually used while making the art, not just to consume or be the subject of the image.

Artists at her studio are given a subject to paint in each class along with a fine wine to drink while creating their image. This unique combination of wine tasting, art, and social gathering has become a huge success with wine drinkers from many walks of life.

Of course if you do not live near her studio there is no reason to worry. Wine lovers can create this experience in their own home to combine art along with fine wine to have a fun social get together that all their guests will remember and enjoy taking home a unique work of art with as well.

Using Wine To Make Art is a post from: Rhino Wino