Champagne -- 15 Great Quotes about Bubbly

A selection of musings on the effervescent nectar from the great and the good ...

''my only regret in life is that I didn't drink enough Champagne''

John Maynard Keynes

''there comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of Champagne''

Bette Davis

''in victory, you deserve Champagne, in defeat, you need it''

Napoleon Bonaparte

''no government could survive without Champagne.  Champagne in the throats of our diplomatic people is like oil in the wheels of an engine''

Joseph Dargent

''I only drink Champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad.  sometimes I drink it when I'm alone.  when I have company, I consider it obligatory.  I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am.  otherwise I never touch it -- unless I'm thirsty''

Lily Bollinger

''three be the things I shall never attain:  envy, content, and sufficient Champagne''

Dorothy Parker

''meeting Franklin Roosevelt was like opening your first bottle of Champagne;  knowing him was like drinking it.''

Winston Churchill

''come quickly, I am tasting the stars!''

Dom Perignon

''remember gentlemen, it's not just France we are fighting for, it's Champagne!''

Winston Churchill

''gentlemen, in the little moment that remains to us between the crisis and the catastrophe, we may as well drink a glass of Champagne''

Paul Claudel

''in a perfect world, everyone would have a glass of Champagne every evening''

Willie Gluckstern

''Champagne is the one thing that gives me zest when I feel tired''

Brigitte Bardot

''why do I drink Champagne for breakfast?  doesn't everyone?''

Noel Coward

''too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right''

Mark Twain

''I had taken two finger-bowls of Champagne, and the scene had changed before my eyes into something significant, elemental and profound''

F Scott Fitzgerald

A Brief History Of Cheesecake

What's your favorite birthday cake?  For me, nothing beats cheesecake.  In fact, I can't imagine what the world was like before cheesecake was created!

Turns out, you'd have to search back pretty far to find a time when the Earth was cheesecake free.  In fact, way back in 776 BC, long before the first Cheesecake Factory opened, the Greeks are said to have served cheesecake to the athletes at the first Olympic games.  The Romans soon caught on and spread the divine taste of cheesecake throughout Europe.  From there it was only a matter of time before European immigrants brought their cherished cheesecake recipes to America.

It seems that every region of the globe has embraced cheesecake in one form or another, adapting the recipe to local tastes and adding local flavors.  In America, cheesecakes are typically made with a cream cheese base, but even here we vary the recipe by region.  New York cheesecake is famous for its ultra-smooth texture and decadently rich flavor -- achieved by adding extra egg yolks and a hint of lemon -- and you'll find other regional variations from Chicago-style to Pennsylvania Dutch.  Many American bakers add sour cream for a creamy cheesecake that can be frozen without compromising taste or texture.

Italian cheesecakes generally use ricotta cheese, which makes them drier than their American cousins.  The French prefer Neufchatel cheese and often add gelatin for a light and airy consistency.  The Greeks might use ricotta, mizithra, farmers, feta, Swiss, or a combination of cheeses, while the Germans typically rely on cottage cheese or quark.  The Japanese incorporate cornstarch and whipped egg whites into their cheesecakes for a more custard-like effect, and I've even heard you can find cheesecake in vending machines in Japan.  Now why didn't I think of that?

You'd be hard pressed to find a culture that doesn't -- or didn't -- enjoy a good cheesecake.  Culinary historians cite cheesecake recipes dating back to the first century AD, with additional recipes floating around from the centuries that followed.  You'll find every imaginable flavor and topping in today's cheesecake recipes, but the basic premise, baking creamy cheese with wheat and sweetener, has stood the test of time.

And let's not forget savory cheesecakes featuring blue cheese, garlic, seafood, chiles, and other tasty cheese-friendly flavors, or vegan versions of cheesecake-like desserts made with tofu.  With so many varieties, you'd need a lot more than a ''Cheesecake of the Month'' club to sample them all!

Clearly, cheesecake has lived long and continues to prosper.  Whether it's a birthday cake, anniversary treat, or just a ''Make-Everyday-Special'' indulgence, cheesecake is an ancient delight that will never go out of style!

Texas Wine -- Visit Wineries and Vineyards to Buy Various Texas Wine Gifts

Last few years have witnessed a growing popularity of Texas wine in the national as well as international market.  One of the biggest testaments to their growing popularity was Grapefest 2009, where over 240,000 people attended this fest and over 20,000 plus votes received for the 2009 Peoples Choice.  Grapefest is the largest wine festival in the state.  According to one estimate, Texas now has 87 wineries and is the 5th largest wine producing state in the nation.  Texans consume nearly 37 million gallons of wine a year and upon given a chance most Texans would prefer to buy a wine produced in Texas.  That clearly leaves a plenty of room for Texas wineries to produce an increasing share.  In addition to that there is a huge demand of Texas wine in the open market.

No doubt, wine has a great impact on Texans life because it generates revenue and employment.  During the year 2009, the wine industry generated $200 million along with 1,898 jobs for Texans.  And, now due to new legislation, you as a wine lover can enjoy wine direct from the winery of Texas.  Most of these wineries and vineyards encourage visitors to visit their vineyards and taste different wines before purchase in tasting rooms.  Not only this, but you can also buy different Texas wine gifts for your family or friends while visiting or tasting wines at their wineries and vineyards.

The Overall Scenario Is Fast Changing and Promising

Although, earlier there were many restrictions in the past, but during the last two decades Texas wine industry has seen a time of incredible growth.  In the last few years the number of wineries has increased from 50 to 87 or even more.  According to one estimate, currently there are around 20 more wineries that are pending for state approval bringing the number of wineries to 104.  Nowadays customers can directly place their orders with the winery and can also visit them to taste different wines in their tasting rooms.

And, there won’t be any exaggeration if we say that the day is not too far when these wineries will sell more wine over the Internet than in the tasting room in winter.  Moreover, people would visit these wineries and vineyards not just to see, taste and purchase wine but to buy different wines and other related gifts for special occasions such as Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving.  Texans who visit a winery and make purchases in person can also have them shipped directly at their home.  Purchases of these wines and other wine gifts can also be made by phone, fax or online for shipment to a Texas package store for pick-up or further delivery.  So everything seems to be fast changing and promising especially when it comes to customer satisfaction.