Remember that post where we talked about all the great things you can do with corks? We bet that some of you thought we were crazy when we mentioned jewelry…well, here is a beautiful example by an artist named Grace Wu! You can check out some of her other work HERE.
Yes…another funny wine video!!!! For the sake of your health and dental bills, please DO NOT attempt what these people are doing (especially if you are planning on serving sparkling wine). Europeans are born with wine in their baby bottles. They apparently have depths of experience that we cannot begin to understand and therefore should NOT REPLICATE.
Otherwise, enjoy!
America is somewhat obsessed with reality television…especially when it involves someone winning a lot of money for screwing everyone else over and being the last one standing. This competitive spirit has surfaced in the food/bev world. Whether it is shows like Top Chef or Food Network Challenge, we are interested in not only who wins, but how they made the finished product.
thank you Dallas News for the photo!
Restaurant owners have decided to adapt an interesting version of competition into their menus. Wine vs. Beer.
This rivalry is not new, but now it is taking center stage at venues such as El Bizcocho and The Melting Pot, drawing in people faster than they can print the tickets. The standard format is a prix-fixe menu that features a wine/beer pairing with every course (what a dream come true!), and if you like a drink in particular, you can get another glass for a (usually) meager fee. Some tech-saavy foodies, winos and beer guzzlers have taken the experience to the web… via Twitter!
Not only are these events a fabulous way to experience a variety of food, wine and beer that you never knew about, the final decision is left to the diners! No connoisseurs injecting their opinions into the atmosphere, just a mob decision resulting in a nightly victor.
Sound like something you would like to try? Check out The Beer Advocate, or Local Wine Events to get the low down on what is happening near you. Can’t find anything within an appropriate mile radius? Organize your own! Your friends will be happy to peel themselves off the couch and experience the excitement with you. Here is a sample menu from a taste-off that was hosted by Food & Wine Magazine. Yours doesn’t have to be that elaborate…it just has to be fun! (and we are more than willing to help you create the experience!)
While reading the artical Wine, Women And Wrong? By Amy Rosen, (Canwest News Service November 19, 2009) we actually laughed out loud by the quote “I call my glass of wine at 5 p.m. ‘Mommy’s little helper’.” The article alone is good but the quote took it to the next level. There is something about women and wine that is just undescribable. It is just… well we really can’t put words to it. If you are a woman you know.
The article speaks about the micro-marketing techniques used to catch the eye of women walking through wine racks searching for the perfect bottle to take home. Whether the technique is using visuals to draw them to the label or providing “user friendly” tasting notes, it seems to be working.
Though you didn’t ask for it, we will share our thoughts. Those who have read our posts know we will try anything…no matter the label. However, we do agree that labels can catch the eyes and in some cases speak in an outside voice (every Kindergarten teacher’s worst nightmare).
Here is the thing, we assume that most who buy a wine based on its fun label go in thinking the wine itself is going to be less than stellar, and are pleasantly surprised if the winemaker’s abilities are as good or better than the marketing team’s. That being said, the first thought that crosses our mind is is the winemaker just trying to unload a crap wine with a catchy label. We have no idea. But what is the long term buying power of a label, regardless of quality? Elise’s extended family has been known to host label parties, where each wine must be $10 or less and the label must have some humorous value. The question is, do they ever purchase those wines again after trying them? Moguls such as Yellow Tail and Little Penguin have obviously figured this one out…but what about the others? Are they doomed to sit on the shelf?
Please share some GREAT labels with us and discuss the quality!
Thanksgiving is awesome! Mostly known as a day of overeating (to prepare for a shopping marathon) and watching football (quick shout-out to my Cowboys. wait…Browns?), this holiday was tailor-made for food/wine pairing. Let the tasting begin!
For some this is a huge risk. What do we mean by risk… well there is an increase of tasters (palates to please) and the obvious vastness of menu. Those who are trying way too hard (this is where we get to relevant information) need to relax. You can ask as many wine drinkers as you want for their opinions on wine for the holiday but if you don’t like the wine they suggest you’re not going to like the food (bummer).
Our suggestion is to drink local! Visit a nearby winery to learn, taste and buy. Most likely you (as well as many others no matter what their wine knowledge is) will visit a local winery ask what they suggest you should pair they will give some options that you can try then buy. While you are doing this you get to build a friendship… hopefully a long lasting wine buying relationship. This is a way better story to tell at the table then how you stopped by the local grocery store and picked up the cheaper bottle (there is that ”risk” again). This concept is nothing new to millenial wine drinkers. We are willing to give any wine a chance. We also won’t take it personally if it doesn’t work out.
Lastly, when you have to answer the awkward “What are you Thankful for this year” you can reply “the talented winemakers right here in my backyard”.
Happy Thanksgiving! We would love to hear what your tastebuds have to share.
(Just in case you do not have a winery within driving range of your celebration destination, here are some ideas: Spicy reds from the Rhone Valley of France, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Beaujolais Nouveau, Viognier, Dry Rieslings, Gewurztraminer, and a nice Ruby Port for dessert)
Ashlee was in LA at a trendy Japanese spot last fall where she and group of friends perused the wine menu and decided to try something different… Albariño. A dry white wine that was served at a cool temperature, crip with a refreshing finish. It was a hit with the sushi and the other Japanese treats shared amoungest the table. In fact she liked it so much that she took a picture so she would not forget what she enjoyed so much… too bad the picture it out of focus and hard to read (typical). This particular wine was made by Don Olegario, a well known producer in Spain.
Albariño (Galican) or Alvarinho (Portuguese) is popular in Spain and Monaco and Portugual. Sometimes compared to Gewurztraminer or Viognier, this beautiful little grape originates from the Rías Baixas. Usually medium to full bodied, the aromas often evoke stone or tree fruit, and when done well, the balanced acidity and long finish make for a really elegant experience. They should be enjoyed young, and chilled.
We already notes sushi as a lovely pairing, and any seafood would do very well because the wine will cut through the buttery richness of the fish. This is also a great wine for appetizers, such as bread and cheese. Other excellent producers include: Martín Códax and Salneval.
It is that time of year. The third Thursday of November is the official release of the coveted first bottling of the vintage year…Beaujolais Nouveau! (pronounced: boh jhoe lay//new voh) Made out of the Gamay grape, this French delight is only 6 weeks old when it is released. If you know someone who has never tried wine, or swears that they don’t like it…encourage them to revisit the vine with this deliciously fruity and light (but dry!) red wine. It has practically no tannin, and should be served chilled.
If we’ve piqued your interest, look for names like Georges Dubœuf and Henry Fessy. They will run between $7-10. Enjoy it solo, or paired with something like…oh, we don’t know…turkey?
Vampires and wines have something in common. Neither should be left out in the sun.
Ok. Comic relief over.
Rather than be cliché and do a tasting of Vampire Vineyards for Halloween, we thought we would reach out to the avid readers in the group and celebrate the underworld of wine in conjunction with the release of the movie Twilight: New Moon (don’t act like you don’t know what we’re talking about).
Edward is obviously torn over whether he wants red or...red
Vampire Vineyards is an interesting wine making group with a cult following and an occult-ish website. Currently located in Paso Robles, CA, they produce and bottle several varietals (including White Zin…we guess that is supposed to be “blood light”).
The wine we tried was the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. The marketing team at VV is very serious about their theme, as the cork is a bright red. The wine had a nice purple color with that characteristic red rim. The alcohol was 13.8%, so not too high. It had a pleasant aroma that evoked red fruits with a subtle smoky essence. Now for the dirty details.
This wine seems to be a good “starter cab” for those who prefer more delicate reds. Not too heavy, but with enough body to stand up to rich food pairings. The fruit is obviously young, and needs some time to mature. If you tend to hiss at the idea of oak in your wine, this cab will be tolerable. The balance leans a little towards the acidic side, but we both agreed it would make a good sangria. At around $10, it is a middle of the road Cab. We did come into the experience with high expectations due to the exceptional PR.
The final thought? They are better at storytelling than they are at making Cabernet…but we’ll keep our minds open for the other varietals.
This just goes to show…drink wine because you enjoy it, not because you got wrapped up in the hype. There is no one right way to experience the fruit of the vine!
Saturday. It’s the middle of the weekend. You (hopefully) got to sleep in and can be completely reckless with your day because tomorrow is Sunday and you are accountable to no one. Saturday is a good day.
Saturday night is even better. Don’t believe us? Check out this video.
Wine has never been funnier.
Famous people like to diversify. They have clothing lines, workout tapes, custom perfumes and reality TV shows. A few of them even like to dabble in wine. Whether they are merely financial backers or vineyard owners, big names like Greg Norman, Bob Dylan, Olivia Newton John, Joe Montana, Gerard Depardieu and “The Godfather of Wine” Francis Ford Coppola are all over the shelves.
Does their fame and fortune make them capable of producing fantastic vintages? Who knows. Does it give them the resources to hire people who can? Definitely.
We are naturally skeptical of “wine as a hobby” production, but were pleasantly surprised when we tried FFC’s 2005 Claret. It runs for around $20 in the grocery store and has a very elegant look on the shelf. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse.
The real indicator of technique is taste, not flash, so we’ll get into the nitty gritty details. The blend is made up of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, which creates a lush, rich wine that is neither too light nor too heavy. There are pleasant berry notes and a hint of anise on the finish. It went well with the lamb shoulder we ate that night that was seasoned with thyme. Conclusion: not necessarily a home run, but it scored a RBI for the win.
As for the other celebrities? Consider them on our sip list.
