Wine should not be exposed to large amounts of sunlight, this is common knowledge. A little indirect sunlight is not going to ruin wine immediately, or else stores would have them in a cave; but if ever wine bags are not an option and sun is a danger there are more options than just hiding wine bottles from the sun. Say the wine cellar needs work done on it or a collection needs transported; instead of hoping there are enough wine bags around to store it all, try paper bags.  Either the ones from grocery stores or even lunch bags both block out the sunlight that could otherwise damage the bottles’ contents.

                While they cannot provide the controlled climate of a good insulated bag, paper bags are even okay from long term storage if the proper climate can be achieved but darkness cannot.  Just remember to label the bags because jostling the bottles too much can be just as damaging as the light. Labeled bags stop the need to check which bottles is what, similar to indicators on the top of the cork or the bottle’s neck. Protecting wine when first taking it home is just obvious, but protecting it in the home is just as important.

Wine Bags and Paper Bags is a post from: Rhino Wino

Wine can be a real undertaking to make.  Between growing the grapes, fermenting, bottling and selling it can seem to take a village just to produce a bottle. This makes it easy for wine to become part of a big industrial effort but on a small French island the process is still done by only a small group of monks. The Lerins Abbey, on a small island of the same name, is home to only 20 monks but churns out 30,000 bottles of premium wines every year along with their religious duties.  The island is not only a perfect wine growing region but also is an ancient monastery. 

                While it hasn’t always been a vineyard, the island has a rich French history. Founded as a monastery in the year 405 it has been inhabited in some way or another ever since, and not always by monks.  For a period of 20 years after the French Revolution was sold to an actress.  But in 1859 the ownership again changed into the hands of someone focused on religion.

                In the 1990’s the monks of the island decided that they wanted their wine to be not only the best possible but sought after in the wine bags of the wine fans in France, because it does no good to make it if no one wants it. And indeed they are succeeding, their wine is so sought after that the monastery is now able to live their modest lives solely on the sales of the wine they make.  While unlikely that their wine will ever be sold outside of France it is good to know about such long standing wine traditions that are still alive today.

The Vineyard on an Island is a post from: Rhino Wino

A growing number of people are choosing to live vegetarian or even vegan for either the ethical or health benefits but this is leading to a lot of serious looking into everyday foods and drinks.  Wine would seem vegan at first glance wouldn’t it? Grapes and yeast, nothing from a living animal; but it gets complicated when the details are taken into account. So before putting anything in those wine bags, do some research on the company, some even put this information on their labels for the growing vegan and vegetarian population.

Wine is actually very cloudy with grape skin and yeast when it is being made, to clear this makers have to use something that will trap the particles and carry them to the bottom. A lot of wine makers use egg whites or casein, a milk protein, to achieve this. If that is the case the wine is no longer vegan but still vegetarian.  Of course even vegetarians will still need to label check and research which wine is okay to drink because not all vintners use those products.  Some wine makers choose to use edible gelatins made from animal bones, which would make the wine no longer vegetarian either.

Is wine vegan? is a post from: Rhino Wino

Being kind to the planet is more than just a good thing to do, it is almost a trend.  Reusable grocery bags come in as many styles as purses and food labels make sure to say when they are Organic or eco-friendly in any way.  When buying coffee people who want to be eco-friendly look for labels like Rainforest Alliance certification or the Bird Friendly symbol.  These symbols clearly mean that the coffee was grown in a way that doesn’t harm the environment around the plantation and that the farmers make a fair wage to live off of.  Some wine bottles may soon have similar marks on them.

                South Africa is a country that has been trying to make a name for itself in the world of wine, but they are currently a country known for its troubles.  Groups like Sustainable Wine South Africa are aiming to make exported wine labeled with groups committed to integrity and the sustainable production of wine.  It can be a good feeling knowing that the great wine in those wine bags is more than just a wonderful tasting indulgence; it is also good for the environment and well being of people in South Africa.

Sustainable Wine is a post from: Rhino Wino

In the works, at the moment, in Washington state politics is a bill that would allow wine and beer tastings at approved local farmers markets.  Supporters of the bill talk about how it would be a great chance for a state with a proud collection of microbreweries and small wineries to showcase their talents.  Representatives from districts across the state have been taking the time to brag about wineries in their area to help the bill along. The state House also talked about a pilot program to select the farmers markets for the tastings.   The bill passed the House where it was overwhelmingly agreed that it would stimulate local spending and boost the economy of small businesses; and now has to go through the Washington state Senate.

                The small Washington wineries that could benefit if this bill passes would then be able to set up tasting booths, or participate in group tastings at farmer’s markets across the state.  This could really make a difference in the local food movement because growers and vintner could pair together to promote fresh vegetable and wine pairings at these tastings. Of course the shopper will benefit too because they get direct advice on which wine goes best with the heirloom tomatoes or purple potatoes they just bought for dinner.  The vintner will gladly advise on what bottle belongs in two bottle wine bags.

Wine in Farmer’s Markets is a post from: Rhino Wino

For football fans January is an exciting month with the NFL beginning the playoffs and the BCS finally putting the two top teams on display for the title. With cold weather keeping many fans indoors, unless they are lucky enough to have tickets to the game, many turn to hosting football parties to watch the game from home.

While football is synonymous with beer many fans are now enjoying wine with the game and there are many varieties that pair well with the traditional foods served to watch a game from hot wings to pizza. For the wine loving football fan the great thing about serving wine at a football party is you do not have to open an expensive bottle of wine to perfectly accommodate the food.

With these simple, fun foods it is all about a wine that is not too complex so it only compliments the food and does not overpower it. If you are shopping for a wine to serve for the BCS National Championship ask the sommelier at your favorite shop which wine will pair best with what finger foods you are serving. They can help you find just the right wine to serve with that football fare to bring home in your wine bags to enjoy during the games this month.

Enjoy Wine With Playoff Football is a post from: Rhino Wino

                Donating your change at the grocery store checkout is a great way to help charities, but not the best.  You don’t get to pick out the charity you donate to at the grocery store checkout, sending your money to the organization of your choice is a bit of a hassle.  But what if you could buy something you already buy, and pick from an array of charities to instantly donate money to. Well you can do just that with Charity Wines.  This company has made donating a breeze by pairing each of their wines with a sports star, specifically 25 major league baseball players, and letting them pick a charity for the proceeds to go to.  These special wines are named after the player they are linked to, like Jorge Cabaret is the name of the wonderful vintage named after the Yankee’s Jorge Posada.  Sampling buying a bottle of these vintages is making a charitable donation.  It is really that easy.  Though the donation is not the only reason to buy these wines, you will want to drink them of course too.  These marvelous vintages are perfect as gifts or just to treat yourself.

Originally expected to be a small effort to improve the world, it has obviously taken off with a zest. This cheery tradition started with 3 wines named after Red Sox players that ended up being the biggest preorder in Massachusetts’ history.   People love these wines and it shows in the donations made so far, but they only release of only 3 players per year. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by, get your wine bags ready for some shopping that doubles as a donation.  Then you can feel good that you are supporting a good cause with every delightful sip of these aromatic wines.

Charitable Wines is a post from: Rhino Wino

When most wine drinkers think of the vineyard their favorite wines come from the vision they see is a beautiful winery in the countryside. Generally this is the case since many acres of farmland are needed to raise the grapes which are used in the wine making process. To be a large farm with plenty of acreage than most often they are located in rural areas. But a new wine is emerging from Queens, and that is the Queens in New York City.

In Flores park the Queens County Farm Museum was able to grow enough grapes right in the middle of the city to produce 900 cases of wine. These wines including a chardonnay and a merlot were completely grown in the park and then sent to Premium Wine Group in Long Island for the processing.

While many agree these wines are not high end premium drinks but they have surprisingly amazing tastes making them popular enough a auction will be held in May to sell the product. With a limited supply to sell, wine lovers will need to be ready to bid if they want to fill their wine bags with this unique city wine.

Wine Does Not Have To Come From The Countryside is a post from: Rhino Wino

When most wine lovers stop and think about wine country in the western part of the United States of course Napa Valley comes to mind. Napa is renowned for its premium wines and beautiful scenery. Of course for those looking for new wines and new places then maybe a trip to Nampa may just be the answer. This area in the canyon country of Idaho is growing quickly with a boom that now has 40 wineries operating in the region.

Idaho is more than just potatoes and wine lovers should grab their four bottle wine totes, carriers, & bags and head to the area looking for new wines to bring home in them. While the region may never be the equal to Napa Valley it is quickly matching areas in Washington and Oregon both in production and in how they are so accessible to guests who want to experience more than just a bottle of wine.

If you are planning a spring or summer wine vacation then consider heading off the beaten path to experience a wine region that is growing when other areas are experiencing economic troubles.

Wine Industry Booming In Idaho is a post from: Rhino Wino

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.

Paso Robles Becoming Hot New Wine Region is a post from: Rhino Wino