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Archive for July, 2008

How To Store Wine: 5 Basic Considerations

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008



Author: Caroline Silverstone

Wine storage has a huge effect on how your wine tastes when you serve it. The way you store your wine is almost as important as the grapes used to make it and the actual process of how the wine was made. Experts and serious wine enthusiasts will go out of their way to ensure that storage is ideal.

Usually you will need to create a wine cellar or other wine storage area in your home if you are going to be storing a large quantity of wine. The following explains the five aspects of your storage area that are important to good wine storage.

1. Light

Wine needs darkness in order to age properly. It is important that there is no sunlight and limited artificial light in the storage area.

2. Consistent Temperature

Temperature is important to wine. You do not want a temperature that is too hot or too cold. Temperature can relate to spoilage, so you have to ensure that it is kept at a consistent level. The ideal temperature is around 50 to 60 degrees. This temperature allows the wine to age properly and at a steady rate. If you have it too hot then the wine will age quickly and the flavors will not be allowed to develop as they would at a colder temperature.

3. No Vibration

You want to avoid any harsh vibrations which can cause a range of issues with your wine. Things like trains, subways, airports and even close traffic can cause vibrations that can crack bottles, dislodge corks and not allow the wine to settle properly.

4. Odor

You want to avoid an area where strong odors linger. Any strong smell will taint the wine as it ages. You do not want to ruin your carefully selected wines with a bad taste picked up form the storage area.

5. Humidity

The humidity of your storage area is very important. When the humidity is too low the cork will dry out. When the cork dries out it shrinks and allows air into the bottle. Air ruins the wine and will most often cause spoiling. You have to keep the area at a good humidity level which usually requires special equipment. Relying on nature to provide the right amount of humidity can spell disaster. You must have at least a minimum of 60% humidity.

These five aspects are very important to storing your wine. Most people who are storing wine at their home are interested in making quite an investment in the wine they buy. That is why you must understand the five aspects above. Without a proper understanding you will end up with a lot of wasted money on wine that is spoiled or has a bad taste due to bad storage.

You do not want to lose on your investment because you did not create adequate storage. You will need to pay attention and be smart about wine storage so that you can be proud of your wine purchases and create the best tasting wine possible.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/how-to-store-wine-5-basic-considerations-430966.html

About the Author:
For more information on wine gift and wine glasses. Also see wine vacuum pump.

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About Ice Wine

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008



Author: Tim Sousa

Of the many types of wine available, one of the most sought after is ice wine. Ice wine is rare, and can only be produced in certain regions, under certain weather conditions. Ice wine is produced in colder temperatures, such as British Columbia, where the weather conditions are right for the production of this type of wine.

Ice wine is produced in small quantities, making it rare and hard to find. Because of this, ice wine is generally much more expensive than other wines. There are some wines that are called ice wines that are affordable, but true ice wine does come with a hefty price tag.

Of the many types of wine available, one of the most sought after is ice wine. Ice wine is rare, and can only be produced in certain regions, under certain weather conditions. Ice wine is produced in colder temperatures, such as British Columbia, where the weather conditions are right for the production of this type of wine. Ice wines can also be found in the Pacific Northwest, and some other regions where the temperatures are right.

Ice wine is produced in small quantities, making it rare and hard to find. Because of this, ice wine is generally much more expensive than other wines. There are some wines that are called ice wines that are affordable, but true ice wine does come with a hefty price tag. The cheaper ones are also called icebox wines, and are produced differently than a true ice wine.

The weather conditions are critical for making a true ice wine. Ice wine is pressed from frozen grapes. The grapes are left on the vine to fully ripen, then when the weather reaches low enough temperatures, around -8 degrees C., the grapes freeze. Once frozen, the grapes are picked at night, when the temperatures are coldest, and taken to be pressed.

The pressing also takes place in cold temperatures, so that the water in the grapes remains frozen. The frozen grapes produce only a small amount of juice, since the water in the grape is frozen. Because the grapes have remained on the vine to fully ripen, and because the water is frozen, the juice and the sugars that remain are incredibly concentrated, producing a very flavorful juice. This juice is then fermented to produce ice wine. The resulting product is a very concentrated, sweet wine. The high sugar level also results in a slower fermentation process. So ice wine takes longer to produce than a normal table wine.

There are also wines produced that are called ice wine, but they are produced differently. The grapes are picked earlier, and then frozen before pressing them for their juice. As a result, the flavors of the grapes are not as fully developed as in ice wine. As stated above, these wines are also known as icebox wines.

All of these factors, the particular weather conditions, and the sparse amount of juice from each grape, are what makes ice wine so rare and expensive. Ice wine is usually sold in half bottles, as opposed to regular wine, which typically is sold in 750ml bottles. Most stores do not sell ice wine, and it is hard to find online. Even if you can find it, it may be a bit expensive. But if you can, it is well worth it. Ice wine, because of the sugar content is very sweet, but not cloyingly so. The acid helps to balance out the sweetness.

Once produced, ice wine will sell very quickly. If you find a wine maker with some ice wine, you should do your best to pick up a bottle or two. It will be expensive, but well worth it.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/about-ice-wine-471723.html

About the Author:
Visit Wine Country Guide for more information on wine and wine growing regions.

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How To Find Affordable Wines That Are Good

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Author: Caroline Silverstone

Wine is such a wonderful luxury, that it can be and is enjoyed by multitudes of people throughout the world. Most of these people never experience a one hundred-dollar bottle of wine. Yet there are so many different affordable wines on the market that are absolutely wonderful, that you need not break the bank in order to enjoy wine and trying new wines. You just need to know insider tips on finding the best wine at the best price.

Wine Tasting

One way is through wine store or liquor store sponsored wine tastings. Such events tend to generally be very low priced or even free. The free wine tastings tend to offer only a very few selections to try, usually around five or fewer. They often only have one wine of each type. However, many stores will do much bigger tastings, with thirty or more wines to taste and will typically charge between five or ten dollars per person. There are usually tables representing countries, wine regions or even wine producers, with a variety of different wines to sample before moving on to the next table. Usually staffed by “wine specialists”, these employees are armed with information to teach you about the wines you are tasting and give you advice about which selections to make. Quite often these types of wine tastings showcase wines from a variety of price ranges, depending of the income demographics of the area where the store is located.

Wine Bars

Wine bars are another route to go when looking for affordable wines. A general rule of thumb is that if you double the price of your glass of wine that you order in such places, you will have more than paid for a bottle of it. Therefore, if you try something that is $6 or less a glass, then you know that it will definitely be an affordable wine for you to buy for home. More and more wine bars also offer taste prices, as opposed to glass prices, which open up your possibility of testing out a couple of different types before committing to one.

Ratings

Familiarize yourself with the ratings systems for wines. Anything rated above 86 points is usually deemed to be very good. There are several different rating groups, which provide independent ratings and reviews of wines from any and all price ranges. Obviously, you make the final decision, but ratings are very useful if you are looking to buy good wines that are affordable too, without having first tasted them.

Wine Specialists

When you shop for wines, ask to speak with a wine specialist in the store to see if he or she has any recommendations. Often they are a good source of information. Apart from formal wine education, they can often advise you based on comments from other customers and from their knowledge of the volume of specific wines sold. If you happen upon a wine that a store usually “can’t keep on their shelves”, you may want to try it. It may be a much better bet than the bottle next to it that is the same price but covered in dust.

By putting these tips to work and doing a little extra reading on affordable wines too, you should be able to fill your wine shelves with great bargains in no time.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/how-to-find-affordable-wines-that-are-good-331657.html

About the Author:
Wine Gifts. Fine quality wine gifts and wine accessories at this unique wine gift store. Also find fine wine glasses from Riedel to Waterford.

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Drinking Red Wine is Good for Your Heart, Lungs, Kidneys, Brain and More.

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

Author: Paul Rodgers

Red wine benefits are numerous and plentiful. Red wine benefits are generally good for you, but it is important to know the specifics of these benefits because you can then employ them to serve your body better. Further research and studies have also shown that the red wine benefits are abundant, however it should also be importantly noted that in order to make use of the benefits red wine provides, a healthy lifestyle must also be maintained in conjunction with drinking red wine.

Although red wine is not considered a cure all and certainly not a replacement for visiting your doctor, you can find some widely agreed upon benefits to drinking red wine. There are a great many benefits that red wine brings, such as its ability to help lower LDL or bad cholesterol with the body ; this is a proven fact. It is commonly said that wine can be good for our health, but it is important to understand what the specifics are of these benefits in order for us to ensure that we make best of them.

One example of this is that not many people are actually aware that this applies only to red wine and that only red wine offers these benefits, because of the certain flavnoids in the red wine that is not available in white wine. This however does not necessarily mean that white wine is completely unhealthy, rather it is the red wine benefits that we particularly look for when looking for benefits from wine. However, it is important to remember that these benefits are based upon moderation rather than heavy or binge drinking.

The red wine you buy does not have to be the expensive ones if your budget doesn’t allow for it as there are a great many bottles of red wine for sale that are nominally priced which will give you options and not necessarily make your move to enjoying the red wine benefits an expensive undertaking, what is critical is that you maintain a good healthy diet along with drinking red wine. When it comes to drinking red wine for its health benefits, Cabernet sauvignon is the clear leader of the flavoid pack. If you want to reap the benefits of something such as wine, then you should also be eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting lots of regular exercise.

What are the benefits of drinking red wine:

Red wine benefits include cancer prevention.

The anti-aging property function which keeps your arteries healthy and aids in boosting the immune system.

Red wine benefits has been shown to help prevent heart disease.

Many other red wine benefits include the lowering of your bad cholesterol in the body.

It is well known that red wines are a rich source of flavonoids, especially of flavonols. Plenty of research and studies have shown us that the red wine benefits are plentiful, but it is also important to realize that you have to maintain an otherwise healthy lifestyle at the same time. As a matter of fact, most authorities consider that the red wine benefits are lost if wine is consumed to excess. With all of the recent news on the health benefits of red wine, there is more reason than ever to indulge in a glass each day.

While you sip your favorite red wine imagine all the benefits and then thank your lucky stars. More so if you are member of a wine club. Wine Clubs are a subscriptions in which members receive 2 bottles of wine each month, delivered to your door. Wine clubs are a great way to get to sample different types of wines picked by people who know about quality, vintages and what the labels mean.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wines-and-spirits-articles/drinking-red-wine-is-good-for-your-heart-lungs-kidneys-brain-and-more-410576.html

About the Author:

Plenty of research and studies have shown us that the red wine benefits are plentiful, but it is also important to realize that you have to maintain an otherwise healthy lifestyle at the same time.

Paul Rodgers specializes in marketing natural health and beauty products and services.


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Wine Etiquette, Being Served, Serving and Tasting

Saturday, July 26th, 2008

Author: Stuart Jay

It is proper wine etiquette to examine the label to be sure the producer and vintage match what you ordered. When the bottle of wine is presented, it may not make any difference to you but it can happen that a restaurant might be out of a particular vintage and substitute a different year. However, if you wanted to enjoy a wine you have experienced previously and a substitution was made, there will certainly be a difference. You may wish to order a different wine in such case. A different vintage could be trivial if it’s a simple Cotes du Rhone but it could be a significant difference if you were ordering a 2000 Bordeaux and received a 2002 instead.

Temperature

White and rose wines are best slightly chilled, at 50 degrees. Check that temperature is satisfactory. It is better for the wine to be too cold than too warm for either red or white. It isn’t improper wine etiquette to request an ice bucket to chill both whites and reds; so don’t hesitate to do so if that is how you would prefer to enjoy the wine. However, placing the bottle in an ice bucket can compromise your experience; fine white wines will release more texture and bouquet as they warm up in the glass; try it. Drinking a modest wine on a hot day would be the exception. A red wine that is brought to the table slightly chilled would be an indication of good storage; you can always warm up the wine by cupping the glass in your hands and swirling.

Cork

It is proper wine etiquette for the sommelier to present the cork to the person who requested the wine when the bottle of wine is opened. The vintage on the cork should match the vintage on the bottle. A pristine looking cork can stopper a bad wine and a delicious wine can come from a cork that disintegrates as it’s removed, so a visual inspection of the cork often reveals little. By sniffing the cork you’re actually smelling the bark of a tree which may be the earthy aromas you are encountering. Many a good bottle of wine has been mistakenly returned because there is mold on the top end of the cork. This has no effect on the wine; it simply means the bottle was aged in the producer’s damp cellar prior to release, which is a good thing.

Swirl & Sniff

Proper wine etiquette procedure dictates that the sommelier will pour a small amount of wine for the person that ordered the wine. The recipient should gently swirl the wine in the glass to release the aroma, give it a sniff, and then taste it. If there is an objectionable or unexpected aroma, the sommelier should recommend further aerating the wine in which case the “off odor” will dissipate, or replacing the bottle if called for. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between funky aromas that are inherent in certain wines and similar smells that are symptoms of a defect. Proper wine etiquette is to consult with the sommelier. A “corked” wine has been tainted by a moldy cork if you smell an aroma reminiscent of a “wet basement”. Unfortunately, the mold is not visible nor does the cork necessarily smell moldy. Since there are varying levels of cork taint, a corked wine can be overtly stinky or the fruit character is slightly muted; send the bottle back immediately If you perceive this to be the situation. If you’re not quite sure, in keeping with proper wine etiquette, politely ask the sommelier for an opinion.

Decanting

There are two reasons to decant a wine: (1) to separate the wine from the sediment in the case of a 20 year-old port or red wine; or (2) decanting and swirling the wine in the glass will do a far better job than opening the wine two hours prior and letting the wine “breathe,” which is not practical in most restaurant settings. White and sparkling wines rarely need extra breathing time. It is not proper etiquette or an acceptable practice to return a wine simply because you do not like it as much as you thought you might. The proper etiquette is to nod, say “thank you,” “it’s fine” or some signal for the sommelier to begin pouring after you have taken a sip. To allow enough space to swirl the wine, wine etiquette dictates that the glass is filled about one third full. Sparkling wines should be poured against or along the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles.

Wine etiquette may seem unnecessary, but following proper wine etiquette enhances the total wine drinking experience. Wine etiquette and all its subtleties are intended to slow the experience so the wine can be fully enjoyed and appreciated.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wines-and-spirits-articles/wine-etiquette-being-served-serving-and-tasting-415393.html

About the Author:

We created YourLoveOfWine.com for the novice and seasoned wine lover interested in the art, science and psychology of wine tasting without pretension. YourLoveOfWine.com brings exciting wines, more value and satisfaction than you’ll find anywhere, including 8 DIFFERENT WINE CLUBS (for EVERY TASTE and BUDGET), the best of the elite Reds and Whites, Gift Baskets, Glassware, Wine Openers, Charms & a great selection of WINE RACKS.


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Are You Interested in Home Wine Making

Friday, July 25th, 2008



Author: David Cowley

Whether you’re a real wine enthusiast or just someone looking for a great part-time hobby, home wine making can be fun and enjoyable, and of course there are very few other pursuits with such a tasty payoff! It may seem somewhat intimidating to the novice, but in reality, home wine making can be very easy with just a little bit of guidance.

Most homemade wine is made from a grape juice concentrate, so don’t worry about growing and harvesting your own grapes - or needing to stomp on them once you do! You can also use different fruit juices as well, for a different type of flavor.

Simplicity in Home Wine Making

Typically you simply add your fruit juice, Campden tablets (which release sulfur dioxide when dissolved), and water to what’s called a primary fermenter. This is usually a large vessel with an airlock top. After the mixture has sat for 24 hours you add yeast and allow it to ferment for up to a week. You can then add water and allow it to continue to ferment.

Obviously these are just the most basic of the steps involved in wine making. There are actual recipes and step-by-step instructions you should follow, and additional ingredients. For instance, tannin is used to add flavor, clarify color, and assist in the aging process.

Tracking the Fermentation

A special piece of equipment called a hydrometer is used to track the alcohol content and fermentation process of your wine. If you want to try getting a higher alcohol content you can track this through the fermentation process. However, if you’re new to home wine making, be careful. You can ruin an entire batch of wine by trying to force the alcohol content, so you may want to follow your recipes exactly at least while you’re just starting out.

Personalizing Your Home Wine Making

One of the beautiful things about making your own wine is that you can adjust the ingredients to suit your own taste. Some add additional sugar to make sweeter wines while others prefer a more dry taste. With home wine making, you can also experiment with different fruits other than grapes. Many enjoy apple wine, raspberry wine, elderberry wine, plum wine, gooseberry wine, and many other varieties. You can also add different fruits to any type of wine for a new and unique flavor, or mix up the types of grapes or grape juices you use for a new and exciting flavor. You can also experiment with your techniques in wine making, such as keeping the water at a few degrees higher while trying for a higher alcohol content. The more you experiment with your own wine recipes and fruit combinations, the better your wine will taste, and the better you’ll be at making it.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-brewing-articles/are-you-interested-in-home-wine-making-484838.html

About the Author:

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Wines. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to wine information. Visit Wine Information


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Starting a Wine-cellar

Friday, July 25th, 2008


Author: Dominique Halet

Appreciating to drink a rare and fine wine can give you the desire to start creating your own wine-cellar. Collecting wine can be a very pleasant hobby. Especially when you seek the bottle of wine which is different from the others.

If you wish to start a wine collection, you will have to spend a little more money than you think. Indeed, wine collecting is expensive. The few councils exempted below will help you to start your own wine-cellar.

The space

First thing to do is to find a place where you will place your wine-cellar. You can store it in your house but you will have to find the good place: sufficient space and ideal temperature (50 up to 65°F).

You must also plan which type of wine you will include in your wine-cellar. So many options are available that it is sometimes difficult to choose.

In order to better prepare your new wine bottles storage, you will test some various types of wine. You will learn much by yourself ; for example: identify wine tastes. As you probably already know, there are many differences between wines coming from great vintages and wines coming from new or immediately processed wine and that some wines can age, others cannot.

If you have just started a wine-collecting or built a wine-cellar, you should avoid buying your wine in great quantities as long as you are not sure about the type of wine that you plan to add to your cellar.

Wine Culture

Participate in purses and tasting events. In these places, you can meet other persons who are passionate by wine collecting and who will give you the best addresses and suppliers. You will also learn more about the different brands and their prices.

You can also learn a lot by surfing on the Internet and searching for information about wine; by subscribing to some informative newsletters ; by buying some books and read them in order to familiarize with your new hobby.

Supplier

You will also have to choose a good supplier.

While visiting your wine supplier, tell him that you are collecting wine bottles ; this person will inform you if the wine that you want to buy can age in a cellar or not.

Also ask your supplier if the wines you are collecting are available in his inventory.

If you hope to collect wines from other areas, he may be able to give you contact information for finding the wines you are interested in.

Wine suppliers information and addresses are available online.

Wine from other Countries

If you plan to collect wine coming from other countries, your supplier will be able to give you the right addresses. Also, you can make a search on Google in order to find the best foreign wine supplier or mail directly the vine-grower or even the castle where the wine is bottled.

A French proverb said: “It is while forging that one becomes blacksmith”. Perhaps you will realize that collecting wine becomes a passion and that you want to start your own wine selling business. When you will have bought a sufficient quantity of rare wine bottles, you will be able to start your new business and sell your greatest bottles

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/starting-a-winecellar-134430.html

About the Author:

Dominique Halet is an accountant and her passion is European History ; especially France History. She is the owner of : All About Wine, Web Infos And Online Resources and Diary Of An Internet Marketing Newbie

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Wine Storage

Thursday, July 24th, 2008


Author: Kamyar Shah

Have you ever wondered where the term “wino” came from? It is an offensive term that dates back to the Victorian Era to refer to a poor drunkard. Wine was cheap and considered a poor mans drink; hence, wino referring to a drunk poor homeless man. Whether this origin is true or not, wine has somehow climbed up the prosperity ladder. In the last decade, wine has become so trendy that wine connoisseurs are standard at most fine restaurants. Furthermore, wine is not just a drink to drown your sorrows, wine also is an investment. To protect ones investment, wine storage has become big business and it is used by wine many enthusiasts.

Wine storage is used by restaurateurs, wine connoisseurs, investors, and anyone who enjoys a good bottle of wine. Restaurants buy wine by the bulk and need wine storage for their wine surplus. Since most restaurants don’t have storage space or proper wine storage facilities, restaurateurs use wine storage at a self storage business for wine preservation. Connoisseurs know how to appreciate a good bottle of wine. As experts, they feel the need to care for a good bottle of wine like a mechanic takes care of his car. To preserve the wine’s bouquet and the wine’s body, wine connoisseurs recommend wine storage. Everyone knows that wine gets better with age, so does the value of some wines. Wine investors know this. Also, they know how to protect their investment by using wine storage. Like baseball cards, if you don’t preserve your wine collection well, it will lose its value. Wine storage is like sleeves for baseball cards. Lastly, you don’t have to be a wine guru to use wine storage . Wine storage is available to anyone with a large or small wine collection. You might be planning a party and need wine storage as a temporary place to hold your wine bottles. In fact, a wine layperson can order wine and have it delivered to the wine storage business.

So what is the difference between wine storage and storing wine at home? Wine storage is designed specifically for wine. Each renters wine storage unit is individually locked in private vaults. Wine storage is climate controlled at 55 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 percent humidity and low light exposure. These are the perfect condition that any wine guru will recommend. Unlike Vodka and whisky, wine is a perishable good. There is insufficient alcohol in wine to keep it well preserved.

It’s common knowledge, like birds fly, that wine gets better with age. But not all birds fly, and not all wine gets better with age; especially, if wine storage is not properly prepared. Also, like all living creatures, wine reaches a point maturity point; then it starts to deteriorate. But if you properly take care of your wine like the human body, it will last much longer. If you bought a bottle of Chteau La Mondotte Saint-Emilion 1996, you probably spent around $608. If you own a bottle of Dom. Romane Conti 1997 you spent over $1,540. That is a lot of money to spend for a quick buzz. But that’s not the reason why you spent that much, is it? Protect your investment and use a wine storage unit near your.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/wine-storage-369051.html

About the Author:

The original article is located at Wine Storage . Please also visit our Nashville Self Storage Units provider .


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Types of Wine Glasses

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008



Author: David Beart

The type of wine glass that you serve your wine in can have a dramatic impact on the flavor and quality of the wine. There are many factors associated with wine glasses that may add or subtract from the wine’s flavor, appearance and quality. There are also some glassware basics that should be considered when choosing glasses.

For a home wine-connoisseur, you may need to take your wine glass selection very seriously. For those individuals that enjoy a variety of different types of wine, you may opt for an all-purpose wine glass. These are tulip shaped and hold approximately 8 to 12 ounces and are appropriate for most types of wine. There are, however, specific types of glasses that you may be interested in purchasing if you enjoy a particular type of wine on a regular basis. You do not necessarily need a special glass for each type of wine, but if you routinely enjoy a particular wine and you have the storage and budget, then you may be interested.

So what are the differences in white and red wine glasses? There are several differences and each affect the bouquet of the wine as well as help to maintain the appropriate temperature of the wine. And of course, white wines are best served out of glasses designed for white wines and red wines are best served out of glasses designed for red wines.

The white wine glass has a narrow mouth, which allows the wine to maintain its chilled temperature. The reduced surface area of the glass does not allow air to permeate the wine as much as it does in a wide mouthed red wine glass. The reduced amount of air means that the air will not warm the wine. The smaller bowl of the glass also means that there is less contact by the heat of the hand, which can also warm the wine.

Chardonnay glasses feature a narrow rim of glass that helps to direct the wine to the middle of the palate. This applies the fruit flavors and acidity. The longer bowl of the glass keeps the wine chilled and captures the aromas of the wine. This type of glass works well for Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, White Bordeaux and Burgundies, White Pinots and Viognier.

Sangiovese and Riesling glass feature a smaller bowl and even narrower rim. The smaller bowl is due to the fact that these wines are usually consumed in smaller quantities as dessert wines. The smaller and elongated bowl also allows the wine to stay chilled while you are enjoying your dessert. These glasses are also great for wines that are sweet and may be drunk in smaller amounts. This type of glass is also appropriate for Bardolino, Chianti, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano and Zinfandel. If you frequently enjoy white wines, you may enjoy an all-purpose glass that is designed for different white wines.

Red wine glasses are usually noted as having a large bowl and wide mouth. These glasses are similar to the Bordeaux and Burgundy wine glass. The Bordeaux wine glass is designed specifically for these red wines. They have a large and round bowl, which allows the wine to breathe, which brings out the different aromas that the wine has to offer. Allowing the red wine to sit in the glass will have a similar effect that decanting has on a wine. These glasses are tall and shoot the wine straight to the back of your mouth where most red wines will react with the back of the palate.

The Burgundy glass is also a good wine glass that is appropriate for reds and full-bodied wines. They have an even larger bowl than the Bordeaux glass and focuses the wine to be absorbed at the tip of your tongue. This allows the drinker to enjoy the sweetness of this wine. This glass is also appropriate for your Pinot Noir wines and is best for gathering the delicate bouquet of your red wine.

Red wine glasses also allow you to drink your red wines at room temperature. The larger bowl is designed to allow the wine to cool after it is exposed to the heat of your hand. If you enjoy red wine on a regular basis, you may be interested in buying a set of these glasses.

When purchasing wine glasses, you will want to look for clean and clear glasses. This will allow you to examine the wine and check its clarity and color. A clean glass is absolutely necessary for enjoying wines and after washing you will want to remove any soap residue that is left on the glass. Thin glasses are also the best, as a rolled rim will cause the wine to dribble into your mouth while a thin glass presents less obstruction between you and the wine. Stems are also necessary, as you do not want to hold the bowl of the glass. The glass should also have a tapered rim, which will keep the wine from spilling when you swirl. It will also help to capture the aroma of the wine.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/types-of-wine-glasses-443504.html

About the Author:
David Beart is the owner of the Professors House. This site covers a wide selection of topics including relationships, wine information, cooking and other household issues.

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How to Choose the Right Wine Glasses?

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008



Author: Eddie Money

How To Choose The Right Wine Glasses?

Only a wine enthusiast can understand the importance of wine glass ware. The quality of glassware can greatly enhance the wine experience from bad to good or vice versa. Bowl, stem and foot are the three parts that make up a wine glass. You have to choose wisely, while purchasing a wine glass, as the shape and quality of the glass reflect upon the quality of the wine. It is widely believed that people give more attention to the glasses than to the wine. These days the wine glass has emerged as a status symbol, just like Rolls Royce is in the world of automobiles. Before using a wine glass, one must know the correct way of handling a glass. The wine glass is one of the most delicate pieces of stemware. As there are different kinds of wine, so are the proper ways of handling each of them when in a wine glass. The most common way of holding a wine glass is by its stem, which should be tucked in between the fingers. A wine glass in never held from the bowl (except with red wine) because when the bowl of the glass comes in contact with the skin, the body heat gets transferred to the wine and slowly erodes the aroma and the taste.

The materials of a wine glass are equally important, because they have an affect on the temperature of the wine almost instantaneously. Drinking from a wine glass made from fused or cut glass, isn’t a pleasurable experience. The reason being, that such types of glasses interfere with the flavor of the wine, as well as create a rough thick lip (part of the glass where the wine is sipped from). However, glasses made from blown glass are widely accepted by casual wine drinkers, as its lip is slim and smooth. Another material used in the manufacturing of wine glasses is ‘Lead Glass.’ The result is a high quality wine glass, which is cherished by the elite of the wine drinking community.

Another factor that affects the quality of a wine glass is its shape. The shape of the wine glass preserves the wine’s aroma as well as its taste. The shape also helps position the glass in the most optimum way, so as to direct the flow of the wine in a suitable manner. Gulping or taking big sips from a glass of wine is considered atrocious. A very important part of a wine glass is the ’stem’. When holding a wine glass, its always the stem of the glass that should come in contact with the hands. This prevents warming of the wine due to body heat. The stem also prevents smothering of the bowl with fingerprints, thus keeping the texture of the bowl intact.

In all, there are three types of wine glasses:

Red Wine Glasses: The characteristics of a red wine glass are its round shape and a wider bowl. In case of the red wine, a person can hold the glass by its bowl, because the red wine is always served at room temperature. Therefore, there is no risk of the wine getting spoiled.
White Wine Glasses: These glasses are a bit narrower than the red wine glasses, so as to retain the wine’s temperature. They also have a slightly straightened sides.
Champagne Flutes: Commonly known as champagne glasses, they are very slim in size and have a long stem with tall narrow bowl at the top. Champagne is often sparkly (due to the presence of carbon-di-oxide) in appearance and in order to preserve this characteristic and prevent it from dissipating they have tall, narrow bowl. These types of glasses or flutes are used on special occasions only, like weddings, award ceremonies and black tie events.

Always remember, wine glasses are equally importantly as the wine they serve. It’s an intricate ballet of style, taste and panache. A wine glass has the capability to change the entire experience of wine tasting. An impeccable wine has to be served in an exquisite wine glass.

This article has been written by an expert at Greatest Wine Glass (http://www.greatestwineglass.com/). Greatest Wine Glasses are known for their customised wine glasses. Check out their introductory offer online at http://www.greatestwineglass.com/.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wines-and-spirits-articles/how-to-choose-the-right-wine-glasses-377464.html

About the Author:

Eddie Money is an expert at Greatest Wine Glass. His core mission is to pioneer truly unique, innovative, revolutionary merchandise that adds value to life. Eddie Money address is Tomzi International, Ltd. 90 West Afton Avenue, suite 158 Yardley PA USA 19067. For more detail you can visit his website http://www.greatestwineglass.com/


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