DISCOUNT WINE CELLARS

As promised, I return to the theme of non-alcoholic wine with one I've tasted myself. I have to say, the real thing is much better. Maybe I'm getting more fussy as I learn to distinguish flavors and aromas which are often subtly present in finely crafted drinks from established wineries, but the Carl Jung Riesling from Germany is just not a winner for me. This from a wine named after the man who wrote extensively and colorfully on the subject of dreams; the unconscious mind. I wonder how Jung would interpret this colorless, lifeless offering? Alcoholic Riesling is crisp and tingly; enjoyable on its own or with food; a favorite of mine, either dry or off-dry.
I've tasted many notes in wine: herbs, spices, vanilla, cherries, tobacco, even ash, but never mustard. Literally. It took me a little while to figure out what the flavor and smell were, but there it was. Mustard. For this reason, I would recommend pairing this wine with hot dogs, hamburgers, or a roast ham.
Then again, I bought this bottle in our supermarket for $6.99. That wasn't the sale price. So, I got what I paid for, which clearly wasn't a crisp, tangy wine. Oh well. Now I know that I either have to buy a more expensive non-alcoholic wine or give up the non-alcoholic version of the grape as a bad fit for my wine cellar. At least I didn't have to waste energy with a bottle opener: this had a screw cap. There are benefits to everything if you look hard enough.

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, Discount Wine Cellars, kanta riesling, non-alcoholic wine, wine cellars big bottle

Each year, pundits consider social and consumer behaviour of the previous year to come up with what they suspect will be the trends for the coming twelve months. This year, the people at 'Fine Wines' have singled out ten of the many trends, some of which can be easily associated with the habits of consumers out to fill their wine cellars.
If your choice is between several bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and they all look good, experts suggest that you will likely pick the bottle which was either made with some recycled glass, comes in an eco-friendly container, is associated with a charity, or a combination of these. Many businesses may not see the value of limiting choices when it comes to environmentally friendly packaging, but shoppers have the right to 'vote with their feet' as my husband always says. What this means is that if you don't like the practises of one winery, don't buy their wine. Put your money where your mouth is. This year, consumers will be doing this more than ever.
They also want to see that the purchase of their perks will be helpful to someone else, be it a penguin or a child in need. Right now, Tinhorn Creek is donating part proceeds from their wines to Boys and Girls Clubs from Victoria to Calgary. They also use up to 50% recycled glass, prevent rodents from damaging their vines with non-toxic measures, and are heavily into composting. The Little Penguin supports the Penguin Foundation of Australia, and donate some proceeds of sales to this organization.
All of this means that doing something which you enjoy - ie. drinking wine - will feel better than ever.

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, Australia, charity, Discount Wine Cellars, environment, wine cellars

If your bid at a silent auction for a stay at a romantic B&B or a spa package is unsuccessful, what will you do? Valentine's Day is just hours away now and there's no excuse to forget, reminders are everywhere. Every tenuous connection will be made in just about every shop window, even stationers and plumbing supply stores. Make your man happy with a new ball cock for the toilet, that sort of thing.

Thankfully, there are much better options which you can explore this February and there's still time to take advantage. 'Chocolate and Diamonds' still has tickets available, so if you live in the Shuswap area check that one out. If you live the Seattle area, try the Valentine's Weekend Brunch ont he Royal Argosy. From 12-2 enjoy scrumptious food, champagne, live jazz, a red velvet cake and chocolates. While you're in the area, check out one of the Valentine's packages at local hotels including the Hilton, Alexis or Four Seasons (depending on your budget).
California is much bigger than Seattle or the Shuswap, being an entire state and all, so I just picked on suggestion out from among the many. Valentine's 'Passport 2010' on the River Road Wine Trail in Monterey happens Saturday the 13th from 11-4. Try wine in 12 tasting rooms including Pessagno, Hahn, and Ventana. For $25 each you will receive a special wine glass, a gift, and enter a draw to win even more. When you find those special flavors for your wine cellar, you can also keep one to open that weekend and serve in your new wine glasses.
Consider these options and more just like them for you and your partner, or as a gift to a couple you love or want to set up on a blind date. If they don't get along, there will at least be wine.

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, big bottle wine cellars, chardonnay glasses, Discount Wine Cellars, lead free crystal, Valentine's Day

I don't know why, but New Hampshire wasn't the first place I thought of when considering where there might be a wine festival. Still, in retrospect, the location makes sense when I recall that it is January. Winter wine should be consumed at a wintery location. Their festival started mid-January but continues into mid-February, even encompassing Valentine's Day while they're at it.
If this gets you interested, then take note: the website shows many events sold out, and while Feb. 14th isn't yet, it probably soon will be so take your girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse/grandmother there before space runs out. The title is 'Veuve Clicquot Champagne Grand Vintner's Dinner with Chef Pierre Gignac of 98 Provence'. The reception is at 6pm with a four course dinner beginning at 7pm. A little late for me, but then if I was there, my stomach would still say it was only mid-afternoon, so perfect really. The cost is steep: $129.95 per/person, and although we on the west coast are behind by the clock, we count money the same way. Still, the plan is to create a 'Sweetheart Menu' which, at that price, has to include chocolate in some way. Otherwise what kind of a Valentine's gift would that make?
There are lots of dinners at the wine festival with high prices and gourmet chefs attached. There is also the chance to purchase wine at outlet prices if you arrive on February 7th from 1-4. Fill your wine cellar with the good stuff you can't normally afford. Another cheaper event is the regular 'Flight Night' happening every Tuesday-Thursay from 5-7pm at the Roosevelt's Lounge. Here you can sample free hors d'ouevres and have wine paired with them by guest professionals. The price is from $10-$18 per/night depending on the wines selected.
Then start counting down: spring isn't far away.

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, Discount Wine Cellars, gifts, gourmet food, Valentine's Day, wine cellars, wine festival, wine pairing

No sooner do I say that the 'Trebbiano' is a must-try on my 2010 list, when I find out that this is supposedly a mediocre grape producing only mediocre, forgettable wine. At least, this is according to most of the articles I have read regarding the grape. Based on percentages, I would say that the trebbiano is not a generally admired Italian grape. Still, this would appear to be the most prolific of all white wine grapes, grown all over Italy but particularly in the central parts, with high yields and a hardy fruit. The French call it the Ugni Blanc (uh, that name again, the one that sounds like Ugly Blank). The Ugni Blanc is the most widely planted white grape in France. Consequently, although I had never heard of the grape, I may have stored some in my wine cellar at one time or another.
Perhaps as brandy. Trebbiano grapes are used as a base for brandy, especially Cognac. Nope, never tried the stuff. Always looks pretty in a decanter, but smells like it might put hairs on my chest. Alright then, what about White Shiraz or White Hermitage, as the grape is sometimes known in Australia? No? My experiences with Australian wine have tended towards the very dry, which has put me off and I am avoiding Australian wine for the time being.
How is it that a wine reviewer, even a relative newbie, has not drunk a glass of the most widely grown white wine grape in Italy, France, perhaps the entire world? Is it possible? I get to say something many of us have only wished:
I don't think I'm drinking enough.

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, Australia, big bottle wine cellars, bishop decanter, brandy, Discount Wine Cellars, Italy, south of france, Trebbiano, white wine reviews

The abbreviation VQA has always had me wondering: is this assurance supposed to really mean something? What do the letters stand for. This would make a good party game: what does VQA really stand for? Now, let's come up with some silly alternative? Very Questionable Age? Vast Quantities Accepted? Surely someone out there can do better, and I encourage your attempts (nothing crude, please).
'Vintner Quality Alliance' is the actual meaning of VQA, and it does give me some assurance. After all, those belonging to the monitoring board (used in BC and in Ontario) have standards to maintain which they are passing on to you. These include:
-a wine classified as 100% BC wine must be exactly that
-if a viticultural area is named, 95% of the grapes used must be from there
-if a date is specified, 95% of grapes must have been harvested in that year
-the board tastes the wine to ensure quality

Recently there was controversy over a wine which has been produced in in support of the Vancouver Winter Olympics coming this February. You may know the name as I've already reviewed one of their wines favorably. I'm talking about the Jackson-Triggs Esprit Series. It would appear that the Malbec I drank is likely to fit the above standards, though not all of their Esprit wines have done. One reason for this has been poor harvests in the years when their special series was first being established. They are making every effort they can to correct this problem to create a truly Canadian product.
Don't worry, lots of wineries use grapes from more than one location to produce a single vintage. Still, it doesn't hurt to ask yourself if a label tells you what you want to know. For those of you who are especially concerned about drinking wine from a particular region, or in knowing the location of the entire winemaking from growing, to harvesting, to your wine cellar, my advice is to read the small print. As far as I'm concerned, the controversy over J-T wines didn't change my verdict at all: their Malbec was still a lovely glass of wine. I just won't always be so satisfied as to the true origins of any wine until I do some checking first.

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, 2010 Olympics, British Columbia, Discount Wine Cellars, Jackson-Triggs, VQA, wine cellar wine cellars, wine cellars, wine glass

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, Discount Wine Cellars, paleo diet, viticulture, wine cellar