For months all of the talk has been about crisp white wines and bright, juices roses. But now that the weather is cooling off, tastes seem to have turned suddenly to autumnal reds. But there are certain foods and people that seem to only get along with whites. They seem to get left out in the developing cold during the fall. But all is not as it seems, there are a variety of good whites that are suited for the brisk yet comforting cool of the season.  Chardonnay is a great example of fall white; its commonly oaked richness makes it stand up better against the cold.

                Other flavors to hunt out to pour in those wine glasses for this season are butter and vanilla. Some wines will even brag about boasting roasted or stewed fruit flavors, what could be better in fall than a white wine with a slight taste of stewed apples? Well maybe that same wine served with apple pie that mimics its flavors. Aside from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc has earned a name for being a good white to enjoy in colder months. This is because many Chenin Blanc have a deep and luscious peach note that adds depth to this wonderful white. Enjoy these unusual cold weather whites on their own or paired with foods like butternut squash and strong flavored bird like guinea fowl to showcase the uncommon strength of these white wines.

Autumnal White Wine is a post from: Rhino Wino

While they may seem as old as the ancient tradition of wine making, glasses are a much newer advent. A wine glass with bowl, stem and foot as we know it today would have been hard to find before the industrial revolution. Glass was hard to make before then, making a wine glass just as priceless as a goblet made of gold or silver.

                This is not to say though that wine glasses were not always sought after. Even ancient wine drinkers, at least the ones that got to experience wine from a glass cup, recommended glass for everyone. During the industrial revolution this became a feasible option for even the common man. This subsequently produced a wave of wine appreciation because now the full bouquet of the wine was open to the drinker. Wine glasses are now shaped specifically for different types of wine like white, red, champagne and sherry. This veritable rush of improvement in the cups wine is enjoyed from seems like it shouldn’t have happened only a couple centuries ago, but indeed it did. So always be thankful for that wine glass and its ability to enhance the vintage in it.   

History of the Wine Glass is a post from: Rhino Wino

Strangely enough July is the best month for women who want some romantic time with their male counterpart, but not the best time for the men, and making everyone happy can be as simple as a bottle of red wine. This is because studies show that men crave more attention and affection during this month, for some unclear reason they are more emotionally frail during this month. But this is not to say that they are being sad on purpose, there are many reasons that could cause this dip in happy hormones. Luckily females don’t have the same issue during any particular month, so they can hold their man when he needs it. And making a guy happier may be as simple as filling some wine glasses and having a romantic evening.

                He may not know he is craving it, but trust the science behind it and have a romantic night with some wine and cuddling. Of course also for those females without a steady guy, this may also be a good month to find someone with similar tastes in wine and fun. Guys wanting that extra affection will love going on sweet dates in the summer sun.

Romantic July is a post from: Rhino Wino

While there are plenty of words on wine labels, some of them are very vague or undefined. Typically the only words that matter are the type of wine, year and brand name.  It is hard to find a good wine based on anything else because legally none of the other terms are defined, leaving the vintner to creatively bulk up their product however they feel they can with reassuring words like “old vine” and reserve.  But really these words have as much meaning as farm fresh and wholesome used by the food companies.  Still don’t let those wine glasses go empty because vintners are not trying to swindle the average wine drinker, it is just marketing. 

                The vintners are complaining about wine labeling too, but because there has been a push for stricter labeling regulations for wine and they protest that it is already hard enough to get a label approved and that stricter labeling would cripple the honest wine makers.  They believe that their product is great, and by their definitions, deserving of the buzz words they chose for the labels.  Of course this is ultimately a complicated issue that needs to be considered carefully before conclusions are drawn. 

Wine Label Confusion is a post from: Rhino Wino

It is clear from the sheer variety of wine glasses that the glass can make a differnce in the enjoyment of wine.  Of course all of glasses can be a bit confusing for the average wine drinker, even true wine lovers are’nt always sure why the right glass is the right one. Some basic Rhino wine gear and know how can transform even a basic bottle of wine into an experiance. 

While the tallness of the stem of thickness of the bowl are just as much aestestic as appearance, but the shape of the bowl is essential.  Tall, thin champagne flutes are shaped as they are because it showcases the pretty bubbles without letting all of it fizz away.  White wine is at its best in slightly smaller than average tulip shaped glasses because they keep the small amount of wine cool where a larger amount may get too warm.  Reds on the other hand go just fine in larger bowls but they need a larger opening to areate the wine more.  A simple medium bowl with a tulip shape works well for most wine, just make sure that the opening is large enough to areate reds and that it doesn’t get filled as much to keep whites cool and crisp like they should be.

The Right Glass Matters is a post from: Rhino Wino

 They call themselves Locavores, people who eat only food and use only products produced within 100 miles of their homes.  This eating local movement has really boosted small farms and farmer’s markets around America but it is now inevitably spreading to another part of sustainably minded people’s tables, the wine bottle.  There is a growing demand for urban wineries and locally produced beers.  This is easy for those who live near Sonoma valley or Walla Walla, Washington; but it isn’t too hard to get great wine anywhere now. Small wineries are realizing the demand and offering wine by the cask to local bars, and making sure to set up at farmer’s markets where law allows.  Sustainably minded consumers realized that it went against the slow food movement to knowingly drink wine that had been packed in glass bottles and shipped up to thousands of miles to them. 

                Even for those not active in the Eat Local movement should look into nearby wineries to buy from.  Small wineries in unheard of wine areas have the small business mentality to them where the product is an art and customers are worth meeting.  This level of commitment and service can only translate into unique and heartfelt wine for good prices.  Supporting local businesses can feel just as good as filling up wine glasses with a newly discovered favorite vintage.

Sustainable, Local Wine is a post from: Rhino Wino

One of the biggest events for Food Network stars and most of the wine world is still in full swing.  Steps away from the Atlantic Ocean are a series of circus size tents where celebrities of the food world shake everyone’s hand and expect to sign autographs.  The latest news out of the festival includes notes on the wine from experienced tasters who have visited the various tents and events.  The endless offerings of grape at the festival have shown the true glory of a few vintages in particular.

                Offered at the “Experience Italy” themed Pavilion was a really enjoyable 2006 Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva.  Visitors were impressed by amazing smoothness given to the vintage by its amazingly integrated tannins and drawn out finish.  The wine has had visitors to the wine and food festival talking almost as much as the star chef was shaking hands in the tent, host of Everyday Italian, Giada De Laurentiis.  Of course many other great vintages and photo opportunities with food icons are to be had at the festival; but that is just a tip, straight from South Beach, on something good to fill those chianti classico wine glasses with.

Notes From South Beach is a post from: Rhino Wino

While wine may have many health benefits that has more people than ever taking in a glass a day of their favorite vino for others the risk of headache was just not worth the reward. For some wine has the potential to trigger migraine headaches making it not worth the risk of tipping those wine glasses.

It is not the wine itself that triggers these headaches but instead yeast that is used in the winemaking process that introduces histamines in which many people have allergies to, creating a headache. For some wine drinkers a little wine will not produce these headaches but for others even the smallest sip will induce them. For some these headaches are mild while for others they are severe.

A biotechnologist has spent the last fifteen years researching, producing, and testing a new yeast variety that will not introduce any genetic material into wine and create headaches for those who consume it. While the use of this yeast has not been approved in all countries it is already being used in Canada and South America.

Of course there is still a stigma among wine producers of using new yeast as many are leery of changing their tried and true methods of producing wine in order to accommodate everyone. Many are traditionalists who do not like to admit that science can improve upon the bottle of wine.

New Wine Yeast Reduces Risk of Headaches is a post from: Rhino Wino

With Valentine’s Day this coming weekend everyone is scrambling to get that perfect gift for that someone special that will say just how much they really care. While chocolate and roses are of course the most common gift a bottle of wine can make the ideal accompaniment for them whether it is intended to cap off the evening or just get it started.

Of course to pair up nicely to the chocolate a wine should be just a little bit sweeter so for those who love a dark chocolate the wine will not need to be as sweet as it would for a milk chocolate. Of course it is important to be paring this wine with a quality chocolate so quantity is not always the best in this situation.

A good idea is to purchase the chocolate you will be giving and take this along for your sommelier to see at the local wine shop. With this knowledge in hand he or she can help pick out the perfect complement to pour into those wine glasses this Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart. Of course do not forget the flowers to top it all to start a perfect date on this holiday for lovers.

The Perfect Wine For Valentine’s Day is a post from: Rhino Wino

Sometimes finding the perfect gift for everyone on a shopping list can be difficult if not next to impossible. So many people have the ability to go out and just buy something if they want it so buying a gift for them needs to be something special. The gift should offer them something they may never have thought of on their own or have a special meaning that is shared by both the giver and the recipient.

With all that in mind shopping can be a little overwhelming but not for those who love wine and books. There is nothing quite like curling up with an excellent book and a fine glass of wine to relax for an evening. For these people consider getting a book that has special meaning along with a bottle of wine that compliments it perfectly.

This could be a selection on wine itself or on a region the recipient has always wanted to travel to. With so many used book stores all over the web it is easy to purchase first edition books or rare copies that make the gift special. And when paired with a fine wine to fill their wine glasses while they read this is a thoughtful gift that many would appreciate.

Books & Wine As Holiday Gifts is a post from: Rhino Wino