Wine Making…Nothing Less Than An Art


Wine Making is an art. The preserving process of wine makes all the difference to the flavor. The process of storing is gradually changing to stainless steel barrels from the age-old traditional oak barrels. Steel barrels have better longevity and are less expensive to maintain.
Before getting yourself a classic bottle of wine, you might have never given a thought as to how much time or years that bottle of wine might have taken to come to your table or bar. Wine making is a long and delicate process, an art, in fact.
The entire process of making wine correctly, from choosing the grapes to storing the new wine for aging, is a delicate process and requires a lot of care and attention. A slight deviation in the proportion of ingredients, or less or more exposure to air, may render the wine tasteless. An important part of the wine-making process is the aging of the wine. Aging can make all the difference to the taste of the wine. Some of the finest wines in the world are the oldest and the best stored ones.
Good wine barrels and stainless steel drums are crucial for winemakers, as the quality of the equipment has a key role to play in turning out an excellent wine, as wine is a natural and perishable product. For large-scale production, good wine barrels are needed, as well as properly constructed wine cellars. There are many wine barrel makers who provide all types of barrels that are required for winemaking, like oak barrels and stainless steel drums. Often, these companies also produce other types of drums such as stainless steel nitric drums, overpack drums, seamless stainless steel drums and salvage drums.
Traditionally, wine was stored in oak barrels which imparted a special oakiness to the wine that is greatly appreciated by wine lovers all over the world. Though the oak flavor is still preferred in wine, stainless steel has become a welcome change from oak barrels as the new medium for storing wine.
Stainless steel wine barrels are a smart choice for all stages of wine storage as their special designs are high on integrity, have better longevity, are less expensive to maintain and have pure materials. Stainless steel wine barrels can be used for years at a stretch. Oak barrels, on the other hand, face the problem of a short life span, as the inherently acidic wine corrodes the wooden barrel. As steel barrels are neutral, the flavor of the wine is not affected. Moreover, any desirable flavor can be imparted to the wine. For instance, for the classic oak flavor, oak can be added in the form of chips, planks or powder. Steel barrels are also used for experimental batches of wine, which requires a neutral storage container in order to see the impact of the experimentation on the wine.
Unlike wooden barrels, stainless steel barrels are easier to clean and do not absorb the flavor of its contents as stainless steel wine barrels do not share the porous characteristic of wood barrels. Wine requires a controlled exposure to air, as the taste of the wine has to be preserved. Exposure to air leads to the deterioration in the quality of wine. Stainless steel barrels are the best, because the air exposure can be controlled as required to make the perfect barrel of wine. Hence, it is not surprising that more and more wineries are switching to stainless steel wine barrels because of their stable chemical and physical properties.
The author of this article Howard Skolnik and is associated with Skolnik, a leading manufacturer of stainless steel wine barrels, overpack drums and a range of other industrialized containers.

Restaurant Secret Recipes and Food & Wine Pairing Guide

Restaurant Secret Recipes and Food & Wine Pairing Guide
We all have our favorite restaurants and favorite wines. Enjoy restaurant secret recipes with paired wine. Now you can discover famous restaurant secret recipes. Restaurant copycat recipes you can cook at home. Home cooks and chefs have spent hour's time testing recipes that are close to famous restaurant recipes. Discover restaurant top secret recipes with a glass of wine. Bon Appetite!

Food and Wine Pairing:
-Beef, Lamb & Veal pairs well with: Chianti/Sangiovese/ Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 
-Chicken, Turkey & Pork pairs well with: Merlot /Chianti/Sangiovese/ Zinfandel
 
-Fish & Seafood pairs well with: Merlot/ Chardonnay/ Pinot Noir
-Pasta & Vegetables pairs well with: Merlot/Chianti/Sangiovese /Zinfandel

- Fruits and Desserts pairs well with: German Rieslings Wines: 
Wines:
 -Cabernet Sauvignon flavors range from black currant, cherry, plum, mint, chocolate and spice.  Pairs well with rich roasted meats or with grilled vegetables
 
-Chardonnay grape comes in a variety flavors. Tastes includes orchard, tropical, citrus fruit, butter or spice.
-Merlot is a soft wine with rich plum-like flavors noted with blueberry and cherry.
 
-Pinot Grigio "Grigio" means gray in Italian. Is a bright golden color with an apricot, tropical lemon and pineapple flavors.
 
-Pinot Noir Red grape in color.  Flavors are raspberries, cherries and smoke. Wine pairs well with grilled salmon and lightly sauced pasta dishes.
 
-Riesling Has a fruit-floral aroma and citrus flavors. Pairs well with Asian cuisine, summer salads and fresh fruit. A pleasant aperitif.
 
-Sangiovese (San-gee-oh-vay-zay) a brilliant ruby red wine with ripe fruit flavors. Extremely versatile pairs well with a wide range of fowl, meat and pasta. Derived from Latin the "Blood of Jupiter."
 
-Zinfandel A quintessential "California red." A versatile wine can be pairs with BBQ beef, grilled chicken or roasted chicken.
 
-White Zinfandel Pale pink in color. Can drink alone or pairs well with chicken, pork or seafood.

Outback Steakhouse Steak Marinade Copycat Recipe 

Beef Pairs Well With: Chianti/Sangiovese/ Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon

Copycat Recipes-Famous Recipe Secrets :

Ingredients :
1 cup Scottish Ale
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon monosodium glutamate

Place any cut of steak in a shallow pan (a pie plate works great).
Pour the ale over the steak and cover the pan. Place it in the
refrigerator for 1 hour to marinate. Turn the steak occasionally to
ensure both sides get soaked.

After 1 hour, remove the steak from the refrigerator. In another
shallow pan, combine the remaining ingredients. Stir the dry
ingredients until they are completely blended.

Remove the steak from ale and dip it into the dry ingredients. Turn
the steak to mix and coat it with the ingredients. Rub the mixture
generously over all sides. Leave the steak in the dish with the dry
mixture, and cover it with plastic wrap.

Place it in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for 30 minutes.

When the 30 minutes are almost up, preheat a skillet or grill to
med high heat. Add a bit of butter and heat until it begins to
bubble. Then remove he steak from the refrigerator.

Add the steak to the hot skillet or grill and cook it to
perfection. Cook steak as desired and serve immediately. Makes
enough marinade for 1 1/2 pounds of beef.
Provided: America's Secret Recipes
Home cooks and chefs have spent hour's time testing recipes that are close to famous restaurant recipes. Each recipe has been time and taste tested. Restaurant top copycat recipes that have the distinct tastes and flavors without the exorbitant costs.
Discover famous restaurant secret recipes. American Secret Recipes has over 700 recipes from famous American restaurants. Cook like a gourmet chef and save time and money.

Oh the Joy of Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wine is called sparkling because of those sweet, delightful little effervescence bubbles which are created by trapping carbon dioxide. Sparkling wine is usually the preferred one for special occasions and celebrations. This is probably attributed to the fact that those tiny little bubbles appear to be having their own fun dancing merrily around in your fluted glass. It is difficult to describe the flavor and texture to someone who has never had the pleasure of tasting and feeling it as it is a complete and delightful amazing mystery to most.
When you first open a bottle, the carbon dioxide aroma instantly fills the air is an experience that you have to both smell and see to believe. Sparkling wine is a true feast for all of your senses, and can instantly make any occasion a special celebration. Drinking it is pleasurable which brings several different nutty flavors to your taste buds. Similar to the beauty and elegance of the finest diamonds, it emits a truly splendid aura and romance that makes it immediately distinguishable.
Champagne is indeed a sparkling wine made from the highest quality of grapes, using the highest quality of processing method created hundreds of years ago. Sparkling wines that are labeled champagne can only come from Champagne a small region in northern France. There is a definite and distinct difference between many sparkling wines and champagne because of both the quality and the processing method used to make champagne is extremely complicated. Today there are many wonderful and nice tasting sparkling wines made by several different reputable wineries from quality grapes using the traditional, champagne-like method.
However, there are some also a wide variety of sparkling wines that are made from poor quality grapes and fermented though quick, bulk processing methods and distributed around the world for quick profits. They tend to be sweeter with additional sugars added in to offset the poor quality in grapes and processing. They are pretty easy to spot as they usually are sold at a much lesser price. They do not reflect the original quality because they are not made using the classic champagne-making process. Some people have commented that champagne gives them headaches; but this could be caused by drinking a cheap bottle of sparkling wine that has been made with poor processing standards.
Sparkling wine was first discovered in France by Dom Perignon, who was a monk in the Champagne region. There are many variations of this story, but it appears true that he actually stumbled upon champagne while performing his duties in the Benedictine Abbey. Initially Dom Perignon’s sparkling wine wasn’t popular at first, but it grew to become very popular over the years and today has grown into a multi-billion dollar business. Dom eventually became the chief wine-maker at the abbey and over the many years, perfected the champagne fermenting process until his death in 1715. Once the French people and others tried this amazing sparkling wine, they became immediate and lasting fans. From then on, it didn’t take long for Dom Perignon to become an important legend to come from the rich and cherished wine-making history of France.
The formula and techniques that Dom used to produce sparkling wine eventually become known as the traditional way of making Champagne, called (Methode Champenoise) which includes a second in-bottle fermentation process. The process is still used throughout the world today, producing some of the best sparkling wines. Even though they may be made in various locations, many are in agreement that the best place remains the Champagne region of France, the original birthplace and the first beginning and introduction to the world. There are many, fabulous sparkling wines that come from this region at surprisingly affordable prices. If you have never tasted a sparkling wine or have never experienced one that you enjoy, try a higher quality or even sample the original Dom Perignon. Buy to a higher standard at a price that you can afford, as the quality varies greatly.
These days, bubbly wine is an essential ingredient for celebrations and events. With most celebrations it is the only one of choice for special occasions. There are many wineries that can manufacture high quality sparkling wines, although many prefer the original and still the best, Dom Perignon. No matter what the future of wine will be sparkling wines will always be a popular choice. It remains the wine that marks celebrations, and helps memorable events come to life. From its truly unique and breathtaking taste to its amazing look and splendid aroma, sparkling wine has the appeal and the flavor to keep people celebrating and enjoying life today and for future generations.

Spain is the third best-known wine producer in the world after Italy and France

Spain is the third best-known wine producer in the world after Italy and France. It is recorded as having a huge percentage of its land under grapes but its grape production ranks as third in the world, due to its dry weather. More than half of the wine produced in Spain is classified as quality wine and more than a third of all the wine is exported to various parts of the world.
Spain is a great country, not only for its spectacular sites and marvelous football, but also for its world-class wines. Spanish wines are known for their fine quality and Spain is famous for its red, white, fine whites, sherries and sparkling wines. In Spain, wine is produced in more that 50 wine producing centers, producing fine wines from various grape varieties which are grown in those regions. I spent some time on my laptop looking for wines. from different regions. Different regions in Spain have come to be identified with a certain wine variety depending on the grape variety grown.

These regions include:
Denomination de Pago – This region is made up of 5 individual sub-regions which are internationally recognized for producing quality grapes and wines.
Denomicaion de Origen Calificada (DOC) – This region is made up of 2 other sub-regions which are known for quality wines.
Denominacion de Origen (DO) – This includes more than 65 regions, which are known as the main wine producers in Spain. These regions produce the majority of wines that come from Spain.
Vinos de la Tierra – This consists of approximately 55 areas producing wines but which have not attained regional status.

All these regions are identified with a particular type of wine. Rioja and Ribera del Duero are identified with red wines, Penedes is associated with red and white wines, fine whites can be found with Rueda, Cava produces fine sparkling wines, and Jerez gives the best sherries in Spain.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE WEALTHY TO COLLECT WINE



One of the good things about writing a column is I get to confront my prejudices about collecting certain things. The one in my glass right now, so to speak, is wine collecting.

I always figured this was a hobby tailor-made for the gentry. People with too much time and too much money on their hands. You have to admit, the idea of saving something to drink for 10-15 years seems a bit odd in our “I want it now” culture.



Ramonet Montrachet Vertical, 1978-1999 DB; 22 bottles; sold: $14,100. Photo courtesy of Sotheby's

I was wrong. There’s a bigger picture here. Wine collecting isn’t necessarily about spending thousands on top red Burgundy. And it isn’t necessarily about castles in France with wine cellars big enough to house a dinosaur.
, It’s about subtle distinctions. The same distinctions you make in choosing 19th century Chinese porcelain over contemporary cookie jars. (It could be the other way around for that matter.)

Except, you can’t drink your porcelain or cookie jars. In wine collecting, you get to consume your passion instead of having it consume you. With a little money and a little interest, any wine lover can play the game.

One of the first rules in collecting “anything” is buy what you like. The same holds true for wine. The world would be pretty boring if everyone ended up with the same things.

I’ve heard collectors say if you find wine you like, buy three bottles. One to drink now, and two to save for later. The variety is endless.

Like reptiles, wines like to be stored in cool places. If you’re serious, start a cellar. If a cellar seems like too big a leap, then consider a wine fridge. Even a dark corner in the basement will work.

I’ve been told you don’t need to worry too much about wine storage for fewer than three years provided you avoid light and extreme and fast temperature changes.

Think of wine collecting as a lesson in patience. “Almost any red wine will become smoother, subtler, and more complex with time,” said Jeff Morgan, author of Dean & Deluca: The Food and Wine Cookbook. It’s kind of like people.

The good news is you become a connoisseur by tasting lots of wine. Notice I said tasting, not guzzling. That doesn’t sound so bad to me.

When I was a college student, I lived next door to a professor who taught wine tasting for the university at night. When he was feeling generous, he would invite us over to sample leftovers.

At that stage in my life as I scraped money together with my roommates to buy wine, I operated under the principle that the best wine was the cheapest. I wish I lived next door to him now. I’d be awake.

Let’s just leave the subject by saying that this old dog is open to learning a few new tricks.

On Sept. 13-14, Sotheby’s, New York, together with Aulden Cellars featured an auction of fine and rare wines. Here are some current values.

Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1998 ES; Robert Mondavi, Napa; 12 bottles; $764.

Chateau Haut Brion, Blanc 1989 CB; 8 bottles; $3,819.

Chateau Pichon Longueville, Lalande 1978 CB; 8 bottles; $9,694.

Corton Charlemagne 1999 DB, Coche-Sury; 12 bottles; $14,100.

Ramonet Montrachet Vertical, 1978-1999; 22 bottles; $14,100.

Chateau Petrus 1961 CB; 6 bottles; $32,900.

Chateau Latour A Pomerol 1961 CB; 10 bottles; $54,050.
Author:  Rosemary McKittrick

Some Relationships Are Like Wine

Some relationships can be compared to wine; they become finer with age. At the start of these sorts of relationships, the attraction is merely physical. They are attracted by the look of what's on offer but the actual taste is not as satisfying as hoped. Like fine wine there are those relationships that do get better with time, and what was first an acknowledgment of looks becomes a physical and mental bond that neither want to lose.
Like some wines, relationships can be cheap and nasty. They taste bitter in the end and fail to deliver what it promised the first place. There is no easy way to find out what sort of wine you can expect to taste, just like relationships. But there is every possibility that the wine that you expect most from fails to deliver, and the relationship that goes quietly about its business gets to become the finest.
Relationships can be hard to work at and the only way to get through them sometimes is by talking them through with your partner. Communication can be the Holy Grail that saves you both, and by the time you realise this it could be too late. The finer wines in life are the most expensive, and at times in relationships the more you put in to a relationship the more you get out.
The more you risk in a relationship in terms of how much you are willing to trust someone will determine how much you get out of it. If you invest less then you will probably end up with a nasty and negative ending. But if you are able to invest more you will end up with a fine relationship that will only get better. The more you trust each other allows your relationship to grow, and you both grow with it. There is no easy way to be able to invest this sort of trust, and at times you won't want to.
There is also the possibility that all your efforts will be wasted and it will be an expensive flop. If it does flop you will be left with a feeling of discontent and regret, but if it does by any chance materialise into something amazing then it will be the best feeling you will ever feel.
Invest what you can and reap the rewards, be willing to take a risk and like fine wine your relationship will mature with time.

How Drinking Red Wine Can Prolong Your Life

You might be wondering how red wine, an alcoholic beverage, can help you maintain good health. Made with fermented fruits such as grapes, apples and berries, red wine is said to have positive effects on the human body. The history of wine production started in Greece in 4500 B.C. However, the French are the ones responsible for the boom of wine drinking.

Wine drinking is also associated with the French Paradox, the observation wherein few French people suffer from heart diseases due to their high level of wine intake. Due to the Paradox, many scientists and physicians are focusing on the benefits of drinking red wine. For most health-conscious individuals, drinking red wine is part of their health routines as an alternative to taking medicines and supplements.

There are many benefits to drinking red wine as stated by most studies. First and foremost, red wine is known to reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases. Red wine lowers down cholesterol count and increases the density of lipoprotein levels. Red wine also has polyphenols that are excellent antioxidants which stimulate the immune system and lessen the risks of cancer along with flavonoids.


Moderate drinking of red wine can also prevent Alzheimer's disease, Atherosclerosis and hypertension. Researchers discovered that resveratrol products (a red wine polyphenol) protect neurons that correlate in lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, both the alcohol and polyphenol contents of red wine help maintain healthy blood vessels that can avoid Atherosclerosis or heart burning.

Decreasing the stickiness of platelets and keeping blood vessels flexible is also an effect of red wine's natural content, resveratrol. Products that contain this substance have been in the market to act as an alternative in maintaining good health. These products also have other positive effects such as anti-aging, increased athletic endurance and weight loss.


Above all, people should remember that drinking red wine and taking resveratrol products should be moderate and that overconsumption may cause negative effects. It is advisable to drink two glasses of red wine for men and one glass for women per day. There are also other alternatives in keeping your body in good condition. Regular exercise, enough sleep and proper diet can also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/anti-aging-articles/how-drinking-red-wine-can-prolong-your-life-3596913.html#ixzz1JRZuOkp4
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