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Friday, May 20, 2016

Tips On Choosing a Wine Rack

If you love wine or merely enjoy a glass or two on occasion a great wine rack where you can store your collection regardless of the size. Not only are wine racks functional but nowadays a wine rack is considered a great option in home decor. In order to determine the wine rack that would best suit your home we will look over the various options. 

The size of your wine collection is the first thing you should consider. If you tend to only store a few bottles at one time then maybe a tabletop rack is what would work best for you. If however you have quite a large collection then there are wine racks available that can store even thousands of your bottles at one time. You can also consider if having more than one wine rack would make sense, this would depend on your decor and your collection. 


Another factor that comes into play is your personal style and decorating preferences. Do you want your wine rack mounted on the wall? Would you prefer a discreet corner wine rack? Maybe a stylish centerpiece wine rack will suit your decor? There are plenty of options when it comes to wine racks it is up to you to consider functionality and form. 

The style and texture of your decor should also be taken into consideration. Id your decor minimalist, rustic, modern or country? You will be pleased to know that wine racks come in all sorts of compositions. Would a sleek metal brushed wine rack fit in with your home decor or would a more rustic wooden rack work? The choice is yours. Your wine rack should not only compliment your home but also express your personal style. 

Our personal preference would be a wine rack that not only will store the wine bottles but will also display and store various wine related items. I like to call it a “wine center”, a focal point so to speak where all our wine accessories and wine can be displayed in one spot. There are many stylish options on the market, options that offer plenty of storage as well as display for wine accessories, wine books, wine art and of course wine glasses. 

The easiest type of wine rack that matches just about any home decor is of course wooden wine racks, however the choice is entirely yours to make. Wine racks with a handsome, aged wood look are what we prefer due to the vibe associated with enjoying and drinking that it lets off. 

Being as there are many options when it comes to the size and price of wine racks having more than one wine rack is definitely an option. We have a wine rack that is small and reserved for certain specialty wines, we also have a rack designates to the purchases made during our travels around U.S. wine trails and part of our living room decor is our wine center piece where everything else is kept. 


There are so many options when it comes to style, size and price. When it comes to choosing your wine rack make sure you have a little fun much like you do when choosing your wines. Enjoyment and wine go hand in hand and not only will a wine rack add to your style and decor but also to your wine enjoyment so have fun.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Food And Wine Tips for the Great Outdoors


During the summer and fall months, many enjoy a barbecue party as well as other outdoor events. When you envision yourself in this scenario, you're likely envisioning a cool drink in hand. For many, beer is the quintessential cool drink. Others may wish for a glass of wine or something else. 
Wine has a reputation for being more of an indoor beverage and suitable for those occasions where the best dress is incorporated into the event. However, there are always exceptions to the rules. Wine is one of these exceptions. Wine pairs well with many grilled foods. It's not only an easy solution for a cool beverage, it's also delicious.

1. Wine And Cheese

If you're a wine and cheese lover you may wish to pair a delicious King Valley Pinot Grigio or perhaps a Queensland Verdelho with your locally made cheeses. Set up your board, breads and wine on your outdoor furniture and enjoy. 

2. Seafood Lovers

If you're one of the many seafood lovers, you'll appreciate some barbecue lime and chili crayfish with a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc that is from Margaret River or even a Riverland Vermentino.

3. Fish And Chips

Enjoying a weekend at the beach? Don't forget a bottle of the fresh and vibrant wine Hunter Valley Semillon. It's an ideal pairing with your fish and chips.

4. Oysters

Of course, oysters are delicious, pair these with a world-class Tasmanian wine that sparkles with your fresh shucked oysters. Here are some good tips on them. 

5. Marinated Salmon

If you're from the Pacific Northwest you already know how great fresh salmon is. Pair this with a zesty Riesling from Southern Washington or Clare Valley and you're sure to appreciate that soy and ginger salmon even more.

6. Scallops

Combine delicious scallops with a Sauvignon Blanc from Orange NSW with tasty pan-seared scallops with tomato, white wine, and basil.

7. Ploughman's Platter

Warm Australian summers call for locally cured meats and cheeses as well as preserves and pickles. Add a glass of chilled Grenache Rose originating from McLaren Vale and you'll have an ideal picnic at the ready.

8. Barbecued Prawns

Before you throw those prawns on the barbie, chill a bottle of elegant Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay and a bowl of rocket salad. An ideal pairing for your next barbecue.

9. Lamb

Australia and lamb day seem to go hand in hand. Add some strawberries and cream as well as barbecued lamb chops and  a chilled bottle of Yarra Valley Pinot Noir or a chilled bottle of Barossa Valley Shiraz and you're sure to enjoy your day. 

10. Pavlova

Top a classic pavlova with some mixed berries and add in a bottle of sparkling Moscato for a real taste treat.

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

My Favorite Wine Quotes


Hey fellow foodies, travel and wine lovers, hope you enjoy wining and dining. What’s the point of good food, wine and travel if you can’t enjoy it.  I, for one, am working really hard to do more traveling this year. But one of my many passions is wine and with wine comes wine quotes, and for the avid wine lover good wine quotes are much appreciated. So I thought I would share some of my favorite wine quotes with you today. Go ahead and pick your favorites and use them wherever you go.

Here are some of my favorite wine quotes:

“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.”  - Benjamin Franklin

“I love everything that's old, - old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wine.” - Oliver Goldsmith

“Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine.” - Thomas Aquinas

“Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That's all we shall know for truth Before we grow old and die.” - William Butler Yeats

“Marriage is like wine. It is not be properly judged until the second glass.” - Douglas William Jerrold

“Men are like wine - some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.” - Pope John XXIII

“What though youth gave love and roses, Age still leaves us friends and wine.” - Thomas Moore

“Hide our ignorance as we will, an evening of wine soon reveals it.” - Heraclitus

“Love, with very young people, is a heartless business. We drink at that age from thirst, or to get drunk; it is only later in life that we occupy ourselves with the individuality of our wine.” - Isak Dinesen

“Once we hit forty, women only have about four taste buds left: one for vodka, one for wine, one for cheese, and one for chocolate.” - Gina Barreca

“I'm like old wine. They don't bring me out very often - but I'm well preserved.” - Rose Kennedy

“Life is too short, and I'm Italian. I'd much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0.” - Sophia Bush

“Under the pressure of the cares and sorrows of our mortal condition, men have at all times, and in all countries, called in some physical aid to their moral consolations - wine, beer, opium, brandy, or tobacco.” - Edmund Burke


“Many people believe that introversion is about being antisocial, and that's really a misperception. Because actually it's just that introverts are differently social. So they would prefer to have a glass of wine with a close friend as opposed to going to a loud party full of strangers.” - Susan Cain



Thanks for reading my favorite wine quotes. Hope you enjoyed them.



7 Responsible Drinking Tips

We all talk about responsible drinking, but very few of us know exactly how hard it can be to practise it. Learning about different ways of keeping your alcohol intake in check is, most of the time, the first step to learning how to drink responsibly. However, there are a couple of things that one should consider when planning on doing this, and that includes seeking help from outside and personal responsibility.


Here are some tips on how to become a responsible drinker:

Always be mindful what you are drinking. Take the time to find out more about what standard drinks are and use them as a means of keeping a tab on how much you are drinking. Consider the alcohol content of each drink you take and make sure to space out the time between drinks. 

In practice, if you are drinking shots, always remember that spirits generally have high alcohol content. Also, it is advisable that you space the time between shots so that you can feel the effects of the very first one before taking the next shot. When drinking high alcohol content drinks fast, it is important that you drink lots of water in between your drinks; this will help you stay well hydrated. 

Do not drink and drive. Not to sound rude, but this is common sense and sort of sells itself. If you have to drive yourself anywhere, then do not drink more than recommended amount of alcohol for drivers (that is about one standard alcohol drink for women, and about two standard alcohol drinks for men on a full license. However, these laws are different for learner and provisional licenses and are also different in between states. Take the time to find out what your state’s laws stipulate). Alcohol is a depressant that slows down a person’s reaction speed - meaning that when you are needed to think and act fast, you probably will not be able to.  If you have had a conviction you’ll know the issues DUI brings, so here are some tips on lowering your quotes. 

In practice, if you are having a big night with your friends, discuss who will be the day’s designated driver – that is, the person that will offer to stay sober enough to drive you guys home. If there isn’t anyone who wants to be sober that night, then make sure that you carry cab money. Alternatively, you can leave an emergency stash of cash at home, so if anything unexpected should happen and need a cab to take you home, you can still pay for the services once you get home. 

Wait until you are 18 years of age. It is actually illegal to drink alcohol if you are under the age of 18 and that is not just because adults just want to direct everything you do. The main reason for this restriction is because our bodies just do not cope very well with alcohol when we are younger. Your heart, liver, and brain aren’t yet developed enough to process the alcohol so that it doesn’t severely damage your health. 

Even if your underage buddies are drinking, just for soft drinks. If you are worried about that they will think of you, just pretend that there is alcohol in your drink. You don’t want a criminal record or the police calling your parents.

Avoid mixing alcohol with other drugs. The impact of combining drugs (whether recreational or medical) with alcohol can be quite devastating. Not only are you left unable to anticipate the sort of effect they may have on your behaviour, but they are also likely to make you sick. There is no safe combo when it comes to drugs and alcohol – just choose one and stick to it. 


In practice, if you are on medication, make sure that you check the information on the label to see what it has to say about alcohol consumption. If you take recreational drugs, it is better just to stick with what you are on and not mixing the two.

Tuesday, May 03, 2016

A Few Words on Wine and Food


We all know we can combine Meat and red wine for a classic combination to create that elegant meal. For the ability to balance and highlight the meats flavor profile, all you need is a good bottle of Vino which can elevate the taste sensations to a whole new level. 


Every bold bottle will match perfectly with a cut of meat, getting wine wrong is one of the big cooking mistakes. Even if it is bone-in rib eye with the lush Cabernet Sauvignon, a skirt steak having Pinot Noir or a juicy rib having a red blend, we have wines from around the world to pair well with your meaty meal. 

Wine Pairing Depends on the Type of Red Meat 

Wine with Beef 

Lean cuts of beef with wine 

Look for light or medium bodied red wines when pairing wines with lean cuts. The wines should have a slightly higher acidity that enables it to cut through the texture of lean meat. A very important rule in the wine world is that you should match the intensity of the meal with the wine. For example, if it is top sirloin beef stew you need slightly bolder medium red wine like Sangiovese. 

-Examples: Sirloin tip side steak, bottom round roast, top round roast, top sirloin 

Fatty beef cuts with wine 

Fatty meats go well with bold red wines having high tannin. Tannin can be categorized as an astringent and works as a palate cleanser by 'scraping' the fattiness from inside your mouth and the reason why bold red wines like Napa Cabernet or Barolo work so well with the fillet. Add some nice sides and sharp kitchen knives and you’re set to enjoy a great meal. 

-Examples: filet mignon, hanger steak, New York strip, porterhouse steaks, rib eye steak, t- bone steak, skirt steak 

Wine with Lamb 

Since lamb is more delicate in flavor compared to beef, it is a good idea to choose a lighter and more delicately flavored type of wine. You should also consider the sauce when pairing because lamb takes on the flavor of the source. In this case, it is wise to choose medium bodied wines or bold reds having smoother tannin.  Some examples include Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot. 

Wine with Veal 

Veal is one of the few red types of meat which can match the white and rose` wine.  This is why Wiener schnitzel which is a classic Viennese dish   matches perfectly with Austrian Gruner Veltliner. In this case, the delicate flavors of the veal are maintained by frying.

Therefore, make sure you understand the method of preparing the meal and what sauce was used when pairing. Veal also takes on the sauce flavor just like lamb. Can I give you a few examples? 

Pair it with lighter reds like Rose` of Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Valpolicella which is made with Corvina which is a local Italian grape. 

Wine with Venison 

Venison is a rich and at times gamey red meat. It is also pretty lean. It is good to try rustic medium bodied red wines. Combining the two will make the wine have a fruity taste and meat a less gamey taste. 

Some few examples? Check out Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cotes du Rhone, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Chianti, and Valpolicella.

Wednesday, April 06, 2016

The Prisoner Sells to Constellation Brands for $285 Million

Less than a year after the blockbuster purchase of Meiomi for $315 million, Constellation Brands just closed the deal to purchase the Prisoner Wine Company for an estimated $285 million. Of course we know that Dave Phinney was the original creator of this wine (when it was good) and had sold the brand to Huneeus Vintners a while back. This purchase is not shocking to me at all. Why? Because the wine was already a bastard living off a previous reputation for quality that only lasted until around 2005.

I was in retail when the prisoner was first released. I remember how good the wine first was and that it would hit the Wine Spectator top 100 year after year. I distinctly remember the 2003 vintage and tasting the wine when it was around $20 retail. It was an icon of the time because it set the standard for wines of this type and style. A field blend of generous flavor and power, at a great price, with a beautiful package. I initially loved it.


I also remember when the wine started to suck. I remember the price increasing slowly until it reached the $30 mark and beyond. I remember the wine starting to thin-out and taste mass produced and manipulated in the cellar. It was a sad story, but a great success story for Phinney. Everyone tried to copy that model and some succeeded, but never to the heights of the Prisoner.

Don't even get me started on Meiomi....That wine is never made from 100% Pinot Noir. Send me a proven lab sample stating as such and I will retract the statement. The wine is garbage. I have nothing against Constellation and I'm sure they will sell the shit out of this stuff....but it's all just a little sad to see the money made off of the everyday consumer who doesn't think there are better options. 

Sunday, April 03, 2016

How to successfully monetize a wine blog

Wine is a luxury item that more and more people are starting to order online. In the past it was very difficult to monetize a wine blog because it wasn't a terribly online commercial product. The game is starting to change a bit as wineries, wine retailers, and other wine related businesses are moving to online means of advertising. Online wine clubs are starting to become more of a trend these days with companies offering great monthly package deals on boutique selections. There's also every type of wine gadget, wine books, wine education courses, and home winemaking kits being sold online.

Now that there is such a strong market online for wine and wine related items, it's up to the wine blogger to successfully monetize the traffic they are receiving without alienating there readership. When choosing the ads you place on your site or the products you plan on promoting, it's vital to provide things that will enrich the lives of each reader. Adding value to your content with products that can help your audience is the best approach to monetizing a wine blog. Below are a few tips on what programs may be in your best interest in your wine blog monetization efforts.

- Google Adsense is a no brainer when getting started with monetization on any blog. As long as you don't pepper that blog with tooooooo many ads than is a nice way to make a few extra dollars. The way to be effective with Adsense is to blog about commercially viable subjects. Advertisers may pay $3.00 per click on certain keywords that will convert a high-dollar sale such as "first growth Bordeaux", but maybe only a few pennies for a keyword like "wine key".  Focusing on having great pillar articles for high-paying keywords is great for contextual advertising.

- If your wine blog gets tons of traffic per month then I believe you could be successful implementing the affiliate program with Wine-Searcher. Here's a link to their site that explains the program.

- I've never been to successful with wine affiliate programs such as Wine.com through Linkshare. I've been a affiliate with them for around 10 years and have only made a few small checks. This may be because I don't implement their ads on every single post and all over my site, but even the times where I tried that I wasn't very successful. I'd say that you should only seek out these "get paid to sell" programs if you are an experienced affiliate marketer and are focusing on converting sales of a specific product.

- Direct advert sales. This can be a great way to make some quality cash with your wine blog. I recommend formulating a pre-set email which explains in detail the rates for a set advert on your homepage for a specific amount of time. Inform the potential client of your website stats; including demographics, click through ratios, and keywords to convince them of the marketing power of your blog. A per-month or per-year price for a 300x250 or 468x60 pixel banner is a way to start.

- Amazon Associates is a great program to sell wine gadgets, books, and accessories with. People trust amazon. They have great contextual ads and non-intrusive links that you can place in your posts to help your readership find goods of value. An example would be selling the great wine book "wine bible"

- Sponsored posts are something to definitely look into if they can ad value to your blog. Always inform your readership and be 100% transparent that the post is sponsored and never sell out by posting something completely unrelated to your niche. Search companies like linqia, weave made media, pollinate media, collective bias/social fabric.





Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Another Life Hack - Open a Bottle of Wine with a Simple Key.


Open a Bottle of Wine With a Key by lifehackernews


This is a crazy method of opening a wine bottle, times of need call for desperate measures.



2013 Matanzas Creek Winery Sauvignon Blanc


On the nose this wine is incredibly aromatic and just throws the most wild and herbaceous aromas profile right in your face. It's definitely showing a musqué-style that is becoming very popular in California. I have not looked up the tech data, but I'd be shocked if they are not using the Sauvignon musqué clone in some degree or another. I mean, huge aromas of yellow grapefruit, tangerine, gooseberry, and fresh lime zest. There is also a nice mineral and stone quality that shines through amongst all those zippy fruit characters and tells you it's not some unattractive and cheap New Zealand style wine with only one dimension. This is no knock to New Zealand...I'm just sayin'...

On the palate the wine is as bright a laser-edged as you would imagine, but there is definitely a considerable amount of weight on the wine. It reminds me of Sancerre in that aspect. Those Saugivnon Blancs in the Loire seem to have a natural density and weight to them. Flavors of honey dew melon, lemon peel, kiwi, and kumquat dazzle and accompany a nice mineral driven finish.


Matanzas Creek has long been a winery where I wasn't blown away by their red wines, but I've always been floored by their Sauvignon blanc. In case you didn't know, it's also one of the most age-worthy California Sauvignon blanc's being produced. If you ever visit the winery and want to make quick friends for life, make sure you make mention of the ageability of their SB. 94 points


Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Is China the Future of Wine?


12/15: China: the year of the grape by i24news-en

I found this video quite interesting.....Is China going to be the next world class wine growing area?


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