Wine Tasting -- Understanding The Wines Of France

Are you baffled by the huge variety of French wines and completely lost when it comes to deciding which wine will best suit your needs?

Each of the eight wine producing regions of France specializes in producing wine of a particular type and flavor and this simple overview will hopefully make choosing French wines a little easier.

Burgundy

Burgundy wines are produced from the black Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes and from the white Chardonnay grape.

The Pinot Noir is probably one of the world's oldest grape varieties and is notoriously difficult to grow.  It does however produce some of our best wines which are full-bodied and rich and at the same time can be light, soft and velvety.  Pinot noir wines often have an aroma of cherries accompanied by a spiciness that is reminiscent of cinnamon or mint.

The Chardonnay grape is a very popular grape which produces light, delicate dry wines with a distinctive but often difficult to describe aroma conjuring up a vision of apples, peaches or lemons.

Bordeaux

The wines of Bordeaux are based upon the related black Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, found particularly in the Medoc district of Bordeaux, and the black Merlot grape.

Cabernet Sauvignon wines improve greatly with age and are often amongst the world's truly great wines.  With age the distinctive blackcurrant aroma of wines from this grape develops overtones of cedar, violets and leather and the wines, which are characteristically deep in flavor, often become smooth and soft.

Wines made from the Merlot grape are very similar to those produced from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape but have a less distinctive aroma and flavor.

If it seems strange that white wines should be produced from black grapes then bear in mind that grape juice, whether from black or white grapes, is essentially colorless and it is the skin of the black grape that gives the wine its color.

Rhone

The grape varieties most often seen in the Rhone valley are the black Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes and the white Muscat grape.

Syrah grapes produce intense rich wines which are almost black in color and which have an aroma that is spicy in nature.  The Rhone Syrah grape forms the base for many blended wines including the well known Chateauneuf du Pape

The Muscat grape gives rise to intense, sweet wines with a strong and easily recognized aroma.  In addition, and unusual for a wine, wines from the Muscat really do taste of grapes.

Loire

The grapes of the Loire include the black Pinot Noir and the white Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris grapes.

The Sauvignon Blanc grape is grown all over the world today and it is very widely used for blending.  In the case of the Loire however it is used to make a distinctive unblended dry white wine with a characteristic sharp and aggressive smell.

Pinot Gris wines often display a slightly floral and lightly lemon flavor and, depending upon the ripeness of the grape at harvesting, wines that are either light and tangy or rich, round and full bodied.  Pinot Gris makes one of the few white wines that can be said to age well.

Alsace

Although the grapes of the Alsace are similar to those used in the Loire, growing conditions in this region tend to produce wines which bear the characteristics of many German rather that French wines.

The wines in this region are similar to Riesling and the sweeter German wines.  Some rosé wines are also produced in Alsace.

Champagne

The main grapes of the Champagne region are the black Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and the white Chardonnay.

The wines of the Champagne region can best be described as thin and tart and provide the perfect base for what many believe to be the world's finest sparkling wine.

Beaujolais

Beaujolais wines are made from the black Gamay and white Chardonnay grapes.

The wines of this region are often light in nature, fresh tasting and with a somewhat fruity flavor.  Many Beaujolais wines are also slightly fizzy in nature.

Wine Tasting -- A Preference For Red Or White

For many of us wine is something of a mystery and when we are buying wine it comes down to a simple choice between red and white and what our local supermarket has available in its "special offer" bin.  But wine really isn't such a mystery at all and, in this area at least, a little knowledge can get you a very long way.

The starting point is to understand the different types of wine available and here we can divide wines into five main groups.

Red Wine.

Red wine is fermented from what many people would refer to as red grapes but which are in fact more correctly named black grapes.  In the case of red wine the grapes are used whole for fermentation, that is to say complete with skin and pips, and it is the skin which gives the wine its red color.

There are a wide variety of black grapes available each with its own distinctive flavor which is derived principally from the soil and climate in the region where the grapes are grown.  This, together with the winemaker's art of mixing, allows us to enjoy a range of red wines from the deep blackcurrant color of the full-bodied and intensely flavored wines produced from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape to the lighter cherry and raspberry taste gained from the Pinot Noir grape.

Rosé wine.

Rosé wines are again produced from black grapes but, in this case, the juice is separated off part way through the fermentation process and at the point at which the winemaker determines that the juice contains sufficient color to give the finished wine the pink color that he is looking for.

Once again the flavor of the finished wine depends very much on the grape used for fermentation and some of the finest rosé wines are produced from the Grenache grape.  Often thought of as a French grape, Grenache noir is the world's most widely planted grape and probably originates from Spain.  As well as often being used to produce rosé wines, it is also commonly used as a base for many blended wines including such well known names as Chateauneuf du Pape and Cotes du Rhône.

Blush wine.

Blush wine is sometimes referred to as California's version of rosé wine and is produced in much the same way as rosé wine.  In this case however the grape most often used is the Zinfandal grape which produces a slightly sweet pink wine which also shows a somewhat blue color.  The Zinfandal grape originates in Croatia but has been grown widely in the US for more than 150 years now and is considered indigenous to California.

White wine.

Believe it or not white wine can be made from either white or black grapes, as the juice from either grape is colorless and it is only the skin of the black grape that gives red wine its color.

The flavors available across the range of white wines vary tremendously according to the grape used, the winemaker's art and the degree to which different juices are blended to create the finished wine.

Dry white wines often come from grapes such as Muscadet or Sauvignon Blanc while richer fruit-flavored wines are more likely to be based upon the Chardonnay grape.

Sparkling wines.

Sparkling wines, of which Champagne is clearly the best known example, are based upon a dry white wine.  Here the wine is bottled and a solution of sugar and yeast is added before the bottle is sealed.  The sugar and yeast solution causes a secondary fermentation and sealing the bottles at the start of this process traps the gas produced by this fermentation within the wine to give it its sparkle when the bottle is opened.

Wine Racks: Choosing The Right Wine Rack For You

Wine racks have become something that just about anyone wants to purchase and have within their home.  They are supplied in a wide selection of styles, shapes and sizes to fit just about anyones requirements.

Adding one to a home can heighten the residences value and set it apart from other homes.  It can also help to keep wine fresh, undisturbed and easy to access when you need it.  You dont have to be a wine lover to find the value in adding a wine rack of some sort to your home.

Selection:  Selecting The Best Wine Rack For You.  Since there are so many various types of wine racks to select from, it makes sense that you would need a little help knowing which is the Best one for you.  Here are some of them and a little info that you need about each one.

Top Of The Line:  The top of the line wine racks are those that can be custom assembled in a cellar of your residence.  These are fantastic choices for individuals who have room to add a room in a cool area of the home and those that adore wine.  They can be custom built out of the wood types of your preference, fitted for the area that you have chosen and shaped in virtually any form that fits your needs.  The bad news is that with any custom work you will also have to pay quite a bit more for it.

Metal Wine Racks:  For a more fashionable way of displaying your wine, consider a metal wine rack.  These are available in a wide range of sizes and can be used to display your wine in a beautiful way, as you would other dcor within your residence.  They are often purchased to stand on the floor or they can be purchased as counter top sitters as well.  The number of bottles they will hold depends greatly on the size of the wine rack you purchase.  Often, they can be purchased in the style you are after.  The one drawback to these is that you will need to find a location, out of the way of children, to place it.

Hanging Wine Racks:  To take care of that problem with room, you can add a wine rack to your wall or hang it from your ceiling.  These are great choices when it comes to adding a little style to your kitchen.  Again, they come in a wide selection of sizes and styles, depending on what you like.  If you choose these, you will likely get less storage than you would any other method but if you only keep a few bottles on hand, this is ideal.

Environmental Controls:  If you are a wine connoisseur, you should consider investing in an environment controlling unit.  If you were to build a wine racking setup in a cellar, you would be able to add to it climate control.  If you are looking for a way to control the environment in your kitchen, you can do this with a wine chest.  These fit under counters like your dishwasher can or they can be stored above the counter in smaller units.  They are a crucial appliance for your kitchen.  These are much more pricey than wine racking systems but can keep your wine at the best temperature.

Any and all wine racking systems can be purchased online.  You will find that custom made options as well as those that are a simple hanging racks are offered to you in the sizes and styles that you really want to have.  Wine racks are an excellent choice for upgrading your residence.

A toast to the top wine rack!

Wine Gifts -- Elegant, Thoughtful & Elite

Wine gifts are considered as one of the best gifts for men.  They come in a variety of tastes, vintages, colors, wrappings, baskets, labels, corkscrews, stoppers, etc.  Many types of wines are available in the market and a variety of vintage wines are sent as gifts.  Sending a wine gift is considered elegant and reflects upon the thoughtfulness of the sender of the gift.  Wine gifts have become a symbol of elite gifting and hence are on the rise.

Generally four types of vintage wines are considered best for gifting for anniversaries, birthdays, diamond weddings, retirements and other special occasions.  They are Madeira, Armagnac, Sauterne and Port.  Madeira is a fortified wine.  It has a long history, it was used to toast the American Declaration of Independence.  It does not go bad with changes in temperature and can be stored up to 200 years.  Armagnac is in essence a brandy and is made from distilled white wine in Bordeaux, France.  Sauterne is a type of sweet wine distilled in an area near Bordeaux named Sauterne.  Sauterne can be stored up to 100 years.  The alcoholic content of this wine is less compared to other wines.  It is sweeter than other wines due to its sugar content.  Port wine is a fortified wine made in many different styles.  They are stored in oak casks up to 100 years.  It may be noted that the wines are stored for a long time in special containers in special conditions for them to improve or cure and once the bottle is opened it is to be consumed within a day or up to a week depending upon the type of wine.  There are wines other than the ones mentioned above like champagnes, red table wines, malt scotch whiskies and “celebrity wines” which are also gifted.

Wine gifts are generally given in a wine basket along with lobsters or other sea foods depending upon the taste of the recipient.  Wines also have a proper serving temperature which vary according to the type of wine and is written on the bottle.  Wine gifts are wrapped in attractive wrappings and sometimes designer cork lifters and wine stoppers are also gifted.  An assortment of wine related gifts are available in the market like crystal ice buckets, ice tongs, crystal glasses, wine racks, wine cabinets, wine furniture, wine decanters, wine totes, wine bags etc.

With the advent of internet wine gifts can be purchased online and are delivered on required date to the recipient.  Sending gifts by road works out much cheaper than sending by air, hence booking in advance is more cost effective.  When the recipient’s wine taste is not known, presenting a wine gift certificate is better as the recipient will choose from an array of wines according to his liking on the company’s website.  There are many websites and companies providing gift certificates and door delivery.  The wine gifts are available in a wide range of costs ranging from under $35 to over $100.  Some companies customize the label on the wine as per order.  Wine gift deliveries are not made to hospital patients and there are laws in different states on wine gift delivery.

Wine Accessories -- A Wine Lover's Mark

The popularity of wine spreads all over the world.  This drink loved by all, is perhaps one of the oldest alcoholic beverages available.  A true wine lover not only loves to drink it, but also loves to serve it to other people.  For a wine connoisseur, a wine rack is a must to have in his house.  Wine racks are both decorative as well as utilitarian.  It is for holding your collection of different wine bottles, and for many it is like a display which they always are proud of.

Wine racks:

There are so many different designs of wine racks you can find.  Depending on your taste, whether you want an old classic look or a modern touch, you can choose the wine rack.  Wood is still the most loved storage wine rack.  There are a few wine racks that are even made for storing wine inside the refrigerator.  Wine bottles have to be kept and stored with utmost care.  These wine racks hold the bottles in contact with the cork, thereby preventing any loss of taste or smell of delicate liquids.

Wine racks can be made up of wood, metal, wrought iron, etc.  It is said that wrought iron racks are best, as they can not only be made into different artistic designs, but they are also sturdy, thus providing good support for your wine bottles.  For a classic Victorian look, go for a wooden wine storage rack.  This is also safe to use as it can go with any kind of furniture you have at home.  You can also buy table top racks if you are short of space in the house.

Things to remember:

For those who have a large collection of wine, you can also go for a refrigerator wine storage rack, as the refrigerator will keep the temperature under control.  There are a few things that you should remember while buying a wine storage rack:

• Decide on the place where you want to keep the rack, be it your kitchen or your dining area.  Depending on that, you can decide on what type of rack you want.
• If you have a big space, you can have choices as to what type of racks you want, but incase you are short of space, you can go for a hanging one or a wall rack.
• Check out the size, shape, and the number of bottles you want, and then you can decide whether you will need a big rack or if a small one will do.
• Find out the different price ranges and compare prices from all different dealers.  Buy the one that suits your budget.

A wine rack cannot be complete without wine accessories.  The most common ones include wine glasses, corkscrews, wine totes, coolers, wine stoppers, wine bottle holders, corkboards etc.  A wine corkscrew is an important tool.  There are many types of corkscrews available, though all serve the same purpose.  One end has to be screwed directly into the cork's center, and then the handle is used to lift the cork out of the bottle.  Now you can also find decanters for enhancing the look of your display.  They are glass bottles with designs on them, and they are also great for maintaining the flavors of wine rather than to keep in open bottles in your rack.

These wine accessories also make a perfect gift for someone who has a taste for fine things in life.

Waterford Crystal -- Improve The Taste Of Any Wine.

Wine tastes better when the correct shape glass is used.  It tastes even better from lead crystal glasses, I cannot explain this, it just does.

Waterford Crystal is deservedly the most acclaimed lead crystal ware in the world.  There are many imitations, but none matches Waterford glass for design, cut and clarity.

Lead crystal resonates easily.  You can demonstrate this by running your finger around the top, you will feel the glass hum.  This is the effect that film producers imitate when you see old films of glasses shattering when a soprano singer holds a note for a long time.  The glass resonates and tries to vibrate in sympathy to the note, but it is not a strong material and shatters as a result.

Lead crystal glass has a higher refractive index than ordinary glass.  Light kinks when it goes from the air into glass and again when it passes out of the glass into air.  The higher the refractive index, the more the light kinks.  White light is made up of red, blue, green and yellow light.  These all have different properties so are kinked by different amounts.  It is THIS that gives cut lead crystal its distinctive bright appearance.

Lead crystal also feels softer to the touch than ordinary glass and there are many who are convinced that wine tastes better from a lead crystal glass than an ordinary moulded one.  It is certainly a more pleasant experience overall, because the cut lead crystal glass interacts with the light passing through the wine in such an attractive way.

Lead crystal is hand-cut by craftsmen.  Every glass is different and you will find small asymmetries in the cut design as the craftsman has adjusted the design to fit the space he has left.

Lead crystal is not always cut and facetted.  Modern designs are emerging that are also attractive, but in a different way.

Lead crystal glass is used in chandeliers for its refractive properties.  The light appears to come through the crystal with different colors.  With any chandelier it is important to use clear light bulbs, rather than frosted ones, to get the intense light source necessary.

Viansa Winery Reaches Out to Indy Racing Crowd

If horse racing is the sport of kings, then car racing could conceivably be dubbed the sport of the average Joe.

Traditionally, events like the Indianapolis 500 are accustomed to selling more beer and hot dogs than Starbucks coffee and veggie burgers, but times are changing and so is the motor sporting crowd.

According to a research study conducted by Nielsen Media Research for the Indianapolis Racing League -- the governing body of the open-wheel racing series that counts the Indy 500 as its centerpiece -- the average racing fan is 39 years old, college-educated and has a median household income of $81,000 or more.  This indicates that the face of motor sports fans in general, and specifically the Indy Car series, may be changing.

To this end, the IRL is catering to its growing fan base by providing not only traditional fare, such as hamburgers and sodas, but also treating fans to a fine-dining experience by offering more upscale cuisine.

Through gourmet "kitchens on wheels", or mobile restaurants as they are more commonly called, chefs prepare lavish meals for drivers, crew members, team guests, and of course fans, at select tracks across the U.S.  The most recent racetrack to accommodate this change was the Miami-Dade Motor Speedway earlier this year.

Supporting this trend are companies like Viansa Winery and Marketplace.  The winery, based in Sonoma, Calif., is attempting to appeal to motor sports' wine fans with its sponsorship of the Vision Racing Team.  Members of the Tuscan Club, Viansa's wine and food club, have been invited to attend the racing events as guests of the company.

Vision Racing was formed early last year when IRL founder Tony George purchased the assets of Kelley Racing from Tom Kelley.  Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey is a co-owner of the team.