Taking a trip to the wine store for the first time can be quite a challenge; you will see different kinds of wine in various colours and names. Most of the time, the labels would indicate dry wine or sweet wine.So, how do you know the difference between a sweet wine and a dry one enough to make a suitable decision?Basically, a wine that is not sugary is described as a dry wine, needless to say, dry wine is on the extreme opposite of a sweet wine....more
If you think of Spain, bullfights, paella and flamenco probably spring to mind. Rioja may also feature well up your list and rightly so, as it contributes to a vast proportion of Spain's wine exports and is almost certainly one of, if not, the most well known wine to come out of the country. However Rioja isn't the only wine that Spain produces by any stretch of the imagination. Take time to get to explore the diverse range of stunning Spanish...more
When it comes to wine, Italy is well known for its Chianti and Pinot Grigio. However Italian wine isn't just about these two famous gems. The country offers a huge variety of diverse and unusual wines, while boasting some of the oldest wine growing regions in the world.Italian Favourites Possibly Central Italy's greatest export, Chianti is the region from where the wine is made. It is a light and easy drinking red wine, made primarily from the Sangiovese grape and is famous for its straw enclosed bottle. Pinot Grigio, on the other hand, is a deliciously crisp and refreshing Italian wine and is great for drinking on its own or as a pre-dinner drink. It is the Italian version of Pinot Gris from France and has become so popular in recent years that it is rivalling Chardonnay for the role of number one white grape. Hidden SecretsIf you fancy getting to know the real Italy, you'd be best to steer clear of the famous names. Italy produces hundreds of different grapes and many of these are native to the country. Yes, you might come across the odd international grape such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Riesling, but Italian wines are much more about its Nebbiolo, Barbaresco,...more
If you're making wine from commercially available wine kits, you'll have everything you need to make very good wine. Even the yeast is provided for you in the kit. I've found that Lalvin EC-1118 strain of yeast is the one that is most often included in both premium and lower quality kits.EC-1118 yeast is a very good all purpose wine yeast....more
When I was beginning to learn how to make wine, I had a five gallon batch that I had to pour down the sink. And of course, I had a sinking feeling inside me. The time, work and effort - going down the drain. I resolved then and there that I'd learn more about preventing my wines from becoming vinegar and ensuring I correctly and effectively...more
"I don't recognize this label. How much did you pay for this wine?" my friend asked.I had retrieved a bottle of Zinfandel red wine from my wine cellar earlier in the day and decided to open it in the evening when a friend dropped by. He had earlier remarked on the taste of the wine, "Mmmm... black cherry, anise, hints of pepper. This is lovely!""I paid about three dollars for this bottle of wine in 2005," I told him. My friend was astonished. "How on earth did you manage to score this bottle of wine for only three dollars? Impossible!"It's not impossible to have excellent wine that will have your guests exclaiming about how good it is without paying exorbitant prices and taxes per bottle. In 2005, I had purchased a premium wine kit which included everything I needed to create this Zinfandel wine. The juice, the yeast, a few sachets of other ingredients including some fining agents, and even a package of oak. It took me about half an hour to start the fermentation process in a food grade plastic pail. A week later, another half hour and my freshly started wine was racked (siphoned) into a secondary fermentation vessel made of glass and fit with an airlock.The wine kit was purchased...more
There seems to be some controversy about whether degassing your homemade wine is necessary. In one camp are those that say that it is vital to creating a wonderful wine that you'll enjoy in the months and years to follow. In the other camp are those...more
Years ago, I developed a taste for fine wines, both red and white. Eventually, I realized this hobby of tasting various wines from around the world was getting a bit expensive. Thankfully, someone introduced me to the world of home wine making. I had...more
Why German Wine? - A practical buying guideThe below information is meant to be a quick and easy way to understand German wines. They are some of the most interesting and misunderstood wines on the market and are a secret among the inner sanctum of...more
When designing a wine and cheese pairing, the thing you have to know is: If it tastes yummy, do it! Iâm sure youâve heard all the most knowledgeable chefs sharing about what cheese works with a wine; however, when it comes down to it,...more
When your first cheese and wine pairing, the primary thing you have to know is: If it tastes yummy, do it! I am sure you have heard all the best known chefs explaining about what wine works with which cheese; however, when you make your decision, it...more
Temecula wineries are located between 1,400 and 1,600 feet above sea level. This wine grower's promised land has classic circumstances to develope prime wine grapes. The climate is dry and moderately warm during the daytime hours. Evenings are cooled...more