5:22 PM

Wednesday 04/23/08 - Barefoot Wine

A Barefoot Wine Artilce for Your Viewing

Wine Tasting Like an Aficionado

Wine tasting is verisimilar to a fine art. It engages three senses to appreciate the aroma of the bouquet. There's a certain savoir-faire to letting wine languish on the palette as the quintessence of the grapes returns back to life. Use these devices, tips and sensory tactics to learn the fine art of wine tasting like an aficionado.

The Eyes

Before placing the glass to your lips, stare deeply into the wine goblet. What do you see? At first glimpse, it may appear simply "red" or tinged in yellow. But, as one stares into the abyss of the wine glass, a spectrum of shades may become apparent. Is the red wine rendering undertones of tan or brown? In certain whites, a green aura may be another value to identify. What is the hue of the wine?

The blush depicts what, where, when and how. In other words, the color of wine can identify the type of grape, its region of origin, age and whether it's a blend or 100 percent of one grape variety. The dark the intensity of red wine projects its grape variety. For instance, Cabernets and Petite wine Syrahs gravitate toward the deeper red. In terms of Pinot Noir and Merlots, they are generally lighter. However, Merlots may exude more of a density in color.

On the rim of the glass, a wine's coloration can tell its age. By tilting a glass at approximately a 45-degree angle, the edge of the wine may show a tint ranging from brown, purple to orange. Purplish represents youth; whereas, orangey to brownish tints demonstrate maturity.

By the time an aficionado visually inspects the wine for age, blend and color, the aromas should start to burgeon.

Now, without spilling the wine, swirl the glass in gradual circular motions - or until you feel comfortable, enough to give it one vigorous swirl. (This can take a little practice). It enables the wine to open up like a rose blossoming right before the nose as it releases its fragrant constituents. After you stop swirling the glass, you will notice that it is crying or walking back to cavity of the glass. These wine drippings are referred to as the wine's "tears" or "legs." The more prevalent the number of tears or legs, the more alcohol the wine contains.

The Nose

To some, the smell of wine is far more relevant than its taste. Whether a wine taster prefers to sniff, inhale or sip wine, taking in the bouquet or (as some, call it the "nose") is a vital step that should NEVER be skipped. Intensifying the essences of wine is an important facet of the fine art of wine tasting because it arouses the grapes flavors for easy recognition. A rapid way to capture the aroma of wine is to swirl the wine up and down the sides of the glass. As it leaves a small amount of wine residue or a lining along the interior of the glass, these thin layers will evaporate from the exposure to oxygen - emitting a wonderful bouquet.

The Palette

And now for the pay-off, take a moderate sip of wine. In a docile fashion, swish it throughout the mouth's crevices, engaging the different parts of the mouth and tongue to take delight in the culmination of zests. Allow the tongue to frolic, dance and stroke the wine's texture. Is the kiss smooth? Is the tongue left parched or is it invigorated? Amid other sensory engagements, this is the one step that should be indulged with slow deliberation. After all, there's a fine art of wine tasting like an aficionado. Discover more delicious wine tasting tactics from href="http://www.alertsforconsumers.com">TheConsumerJournal.com

About the Author

Please feel free to add this article to your website or ezine with the following message: This article is a courtesy of Holly Bentz, (c) 2006 href="http://fruitionmedia.net">fruitionMedia.net - All Rights Reserved. For more informative consumer information visit href="http://www.alertsforconsumers.com">AlertsForConsumers.com

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Wine Club 3 Bottles 1 Month Prefer Fruity/Sweet

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5:22 PM

April 2008 - Wine Vineyards

The Best Articles on Wine Vineyards

The Benefits Of Using A Wine Cellar Rack

Wine cellar racks undoubtedly add a polished touch to any person's home wine collection. These practical storage devices can accommodate any number of wine bottles, from a few that are to be enjoyed by couples on special occasions, or hundreds for the more serious wine connoisseur.

Wine cellar racks can be fixed onto a kitchen wall as a space-saving and practical measure or be stacked on top of each other in a true aging setting in the basement of your house. Whatever your levels of wine consumption, a storage rack can be the answer to your storage problems.

Wine cellar racks have a distinct advantage over most other forms of bottle storage because you can tailor them to suit your individual taste and decor. You can buy many different styles and colors as well as sizes to convert any available space into a practical and stylish wine storage area.

Wine storage units are extremely easy to use and require little or no construction. Just place the racks where you want them and begin to fill it with your favorite bottles of wine.

The taste of any bottle of wine, regardless of type or age, benefits from being properly stored. By far the most convenient and effective method of storage is by laying the bottles on their side. The main reason for this method of storage is to prevent any sediment in the wine from settling at the bottom of the bottle. This is what inevitably happens when a wine bottle is left standing vertically for a long period of time.

A horizontal storage unit enables this to be done easily and efficiently. The corks in wine bottles can often dry out, especially if not placed on their sides and this leads to more breakage when the wine is eventually opened.

Apart from the benefits that wine cellar racks give to the wine itself they also have numerous benefits for the wine buyer and drinker. You can also organize your wine to suit your preference, either using one rack for a variety of bottles, or numerous racks for larger wine collections. This can help locating that special bottle far easier than having to move hundreds of bottles around that have been stored without a wine rack.

Even if you like to buy more expensive bottles of wine, you needn't spend a fortune on your storage. Wine cellar racks are very reasonably priced. Due to the variety of types available there is sure to be one to suit any pocket. The amount of space that you need for a wine cellar rack is also far less than that needed for storing wine bottles without one.

Of course, most people have seen wine cellar racks in their favorite restaurant or on television in grand houses. They are now far more widely available and not reserved for the wealthy wine collector or restaurant owner. You can purchase one in many different outlets and can buy a bottle, or case, of wine whenever you want without having to worry about where you are going to store it.

About the Author

Copyright ? 2006. This article about wine cellar racks was sent in from Heather Colman at: from: wine-cellar-port.info.

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Our elite Wine Club is a monthly wine adventure of International Wines from the four corners of the world. We search out delicious, great wines from the smaller, family owned wineries. Each selection comes with information about each wine that wine drinkers would like to know. Selections from Dry, Mixed, or Fruity. WG301M

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Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:25:27 PST
The better kinds of these wines may even be blended to form a wine which might be placed among the fine common wines, or third class, and not unworthy of the honor of bottling

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A funny blog entry on how purchasing a Wine Rack can class you up from Trailer Park Trash to Chic Fashionista.

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There is a class being held in Newburyport on March 20th at Leary's Fine Wines and Spirits to introduce people to IPAs; their history, style differences, and regional differences. It promises to be yet another excellent and enjoyable session of the Craft Beer Education Series from 2beerguys.com

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Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:24:03 PST
A nicely decorated wine room can be your best place to relax at home. The smell of the delicious wine in a tastefully done-up room is enough to drive off even the most stubborn headaches. Investing a good amount of money right now in decorating a wine cellar will go a long way in getting you a room that will add class to your fine collection.

Wines, baskets, and gifts -- oh my!

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:55:18 PDT
The Wines and More! site has a great selection of wine, beer, and food-related gifts for all occasions. From baskets to samplers and even flowers, this site has a little of everything for the discerning palate. Check it out the next time you want to send a touch of class to someone!

Wine's inFrequently Asked Questions

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:56:17 PDT
A winemaker answers the goofy and/or interesting questions that people type into Google. Sometimes, people type bizarre Google queries."Why don't some people have vineyards?" "What type of class do I use for different wines?" "Does French McDonald's sell wine?"

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9:12 AM

Wednesday April 23, 2008 - Wine Distributors

Today's Wine Distributors Article

California Cult Wine Prices Are Going Crazy!

For those of you who have had the good fortune to get on the mailing lists of the "cult" wineries from California years ago you may be shaking your head in agreement as you read this note about wine prices. Those readers who have just started collecting top California wines may not have the same perspective due to current market prices in recent years.

This time of year some of the best boutique wineries are sending out to their mailing list customers wine allocations notices and pricing for the upcoming vintage. The list of top California wineries has been growing due to improved financial backing, better winemaking technology and sustainable agriculture practices; all of this is fueled by a very hot wine market. From my personal tastings, California's top "red" winemakers and ones you should get on their waiting list include: Harlan, Abreu, Colgin Cellars, Bryant Family, Dalla Valle, Shafer Hillside, Screaming Eagle, Sine Qua Non, Hundred Acre and Pride Mountain.

Consumers who have been on these winery mailing lists from the beginning have seen a steady rise in wine prices. For some wineries the price increases are staggering. The 2004 Screaming Eagle came out at $500 per bottle. Their first release in 1992 was selling for $50 per bottle. The 2004 Harlan came out at $350 per bottle. Their first release in 1990 came out at $75 per bottle.

The free market system tells us that "goods" sell at prices that the current market will bear. Today many cult wineries are having no problem selling their wines because of the small quantities they produce. But at what point do long time patrons of these wineries have to stop buying because they are either priced out of the market or find more compelling wines at lower prices?

Top California wines are approaching the bottle prices of the First Growth Bordeaux wines. I think this will be a critical intersection to watch since the French have established 100+ years of bottle aging data whereas the California newcomers have at best at 10-15 year track record.

I wonder if we are approaching some critical mass where the wine buying public starts to seriously look and purchase wines from other upcoming areas that reflect pricing of California wines from 10-15 years ago.

It is clear to me that one of the reasons Americans have fell in love with Australian wines in the past 5 years is that the quality to price ratio is often 1/3 that of similar California wines. Will the same hold true for wine from Chile, Argentina and Spain? Only time will tell.

One of the wine world's best stories in 2006 is the 95 points Robert Parker awarded to a $19.95 wine from Australia. The Mollydooker "Boxer" Shiraz has one of the highest price to points ratio in the history of Mr. Parker's notes. The wine made by veteran winemakers Sarah and Sparky Marquis defies gravity with a screw cap enclosure and a rip-off wine label "tab" that allows wine lovers to keep the name of the wine close to their hearts. So much for the snooty tissue paper wrapped bottles from the Napa Valley!

I would say that since this wine sold out in a matter of days post his review, American's appetites for $150+ California Cabernet's may be waning. In closing, one of the best wines produced in California is the Phelps Insignia which sells for around $130 per bottle. This is widely available at wine retailers and every vintage is a great value. Some of the best vintages can compare to the top cult wines at 1/3 the price. I'm still amazed why this wine does not sell off the retail shelves in the first few weeks of sale! I commend the Joseph Phelps winery for keeping this great wine priced for all to enjoy. I wish more wines of this caliber and aging potential were priced this reasonably! I just recently tasted the 1994 Insignia and it was superb!!!! This wine has a well establish aging profile so give it a try.

Brian Pasch

http://www.brianpasch.com

A Short Wine Distributors Summary

International Wine Clubs

International wine clubs are close-knit groups of people who buy and sell and trade and just talk about wine with each other. They share wine tips and...

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Headlines on Wine Distributors

The Rubaiyat - Omar Khayyam

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 10:58:58 PST
Drink wine! 'tis life etern, and travail's meed, Fruitage of youth, and balm of age's need: 'Tis the glad time of roses, wine, and friends; Rejoice thy spirit---that is life indeed.

Bring Back Stephanie Edwards!

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:32:25 PST
Stephanie Edwards, the legendary commentator of the Rose Parade, has been dumped. Reports say Stephanie refused to be on the 2007 Rose Parade broadcast - but how can they ditch such a finely aged wine?

Five Things I Learned From Getting Dugg

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:20:29 PST
Making the front page of digg is not all wine and roses. It is actually an emotional roller coaster that leads one down a road to inflated ego, disappointment, danger and ultimately addiction. A cautionary tale.

Review: God of War 2: It's not all wine and roses

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:52:07 PDT
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Thu, 03 May 2007 09:26:04 PDT
Explore the world of wine. Take a World Wide Wine Tour. Our RITZAWine is all about Drinking WINE for HEALTH, wine collections & Winery, Delicacy of Wine from wine producing country, the Classic of India. Fine and rare wine, the ultimate in drinking Wine, Online red, white, rose wine. Drinking Wine has been always a source of pleasure and that ...

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