http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/ en-us Copyright 2007 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:59:01 -0400 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Hungary For Wine Despite what many may think, the area known as Hungary holds more wine tradition than any other country in Europe. Most of this very tradition is just now surfacing in the light, with people finally starting to catch wind about everything Hungarian wine has to offer. Even though many wine drinkers aren�ft familiar with Hungary - there are many who are. Hungary is home to over 20 wine regions, fully of forests, vineyards, and orchards. With several different varieties of grapes to offer, the vineyards found in Hungary have flourished since the great Roman Times. The weather in Hungary is seasonal to say the least, with cold winters and extremely hot summers. This weather allows the soil in the country to be diverse, which allows wine makers to create a variety of quality wines. Despite the communist control in the past, there are several different wines found in Hungary. Although the vineyards here produce a lot of excellent wines, Tokay Aszu is by far the favorite here and the wine that locals always love raising their glass to. Tokay Aszu is a popular wine with meals or dessert, in Hungary and also happens to be one of the most popular dessert wines in the entire world. Tokay Aszu was discovered in the mid 17th century in Hungary, quickly becoming a favorite for many European aristocrats. Even though it was great to the taste, many believed that certain types of the wine had mystical healing powers. Although this was strictly a rumor, it actually helped the wine become more popular than ever. Over the years, Tokay Aszu was one indeed the most popular wine in Hungary, spreading to other areas of the world as well. Egri Bikaver, also referred to as Bulls Blood is another popular wine found in Hungary. This is another popular wine for locals, and can be found throughout the world as well. Getting it�fs name from it�fs color, Bulls Blood is truly a feast for anyone who likes wine. The wine is dark red in color, yet sweet to the taste. The wine was first developed back in the 16th century, and remains popular even to this day. If you ever visit Hungary, there are many places you can visit to get some great wine. You should also make a point to visit Tokay, located in the northeast. You can take a train from Budapest and arrive here in a few hours. There are several different wine flavors and varieties here, sure to please just about anyone. The wineries found throughout the Tokay area are normally open for tours and tasters from May to the end of October. If you visit during these months, you can tour the underground cellars, sample the superb wine, and learn more than you ever thought possible about the manufacturing of Hungarian wines. All in the all, the wine found in Hungary is great to have in your collection or just have around the house for special occasions. You can get it by the bottle, the glass, or by the case. All types of Hungarian wine has been perfected over the years, making it something that you really can�ft go wrong with. If you like to drink wine, as most of us do, you really can�ft go wrong with any type of Hungarian wine. Hungarian wine gives wine lovers plenty to study, plenty to order, and plenty to drink. The wine is very tasty and refreshing - and it helps to keep the nation of Hungary thirsty for more.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000050.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000050.html 001Wine Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:59:01 -0400 A Look At Champagne Traditionally, Champagne has always a way to celebrate milestones or toast the bride and groom on their marriage. Considered to be a flexible beverage, Champagne can be served with a meal or with dessert. For many years, this truly refreshing and exotic drink has been used as a way of celebration and just enjoying the times that lie ahead. Champagne comes from the vineyards of the French region. If you get a bottle and notice Champagne imprinted on the label, you can rest assured that the bottle was produced in the vineyards of France. If you don�ft get Champagne that was produced in the infamous French regions, you are pretty much just buying the standard sparkling wine. You should also make sure that the bottle is spelled �gChampagne�h, with a capital C. French manufacturers are very protective of this very name, and therefore are the only ones that are authorized to use it. Champagne is made using three different types of grape - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Noir and Meunier are types of black grapes, while the well known Chardonnay is a type of white grape. The label on the bottle will signify what type of Champagne you are buying, so you�fll know what flavor to expect. There are also types of this wine that are a blend of different grapes, providing quite an exquisite taste to say the least. Much like sparkling wine, Champagne is very common with celebrations and such. Although it is actually considered to be a type of sparkling wine, Champagne is much better. You have to be careful where you buy it though, as a lot of manufacturers like to use cheaper grapes, which don�ft taste the same. If you have ever tasted this wine before - you�fll know first hand what quality tastes like. A lot of people prefer Champagne because of the bubbles that are known to spew forth once a bottle has been uncorked. The bubbles that spew from this wine are the result of tiny drops of liquid that are disturbed by the carbonic acid gas. Once the liquid is disturbed, the bubbles form and short out of the bottle. This is a natural reaction of the double fermentation process that can only be found with a bottle of Champagne. The next time you have a celebration and need something to make the celebration a bit more interesting, you should grab a bottle of Champagne. Few things compliment a celebration like the bursting bubbles of a fine bottle. You can find quality Champagne at ABC stores or other stores that sell alcoholic beverages. Even though it may cost you a bit of money - when you pop the top you�fll be glad you bought it.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/champagne/000049.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/champagne/000049.html 005Champagne Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:27:49 -0400 Wine Gift Baskets For Any Occasion For any celebration or glorious moment in life, wine is essential to have. Parties and celebrations are thought of as being incomplete unless there is wine present, which makes it an ideal gift for virtually any occasion. Wine gift baskets are a great gift, they are very affordable, and perfect for nearly any occasion - such as birthdays, weddings, festivals, parties, or anniversaries. Wine gift baskets are trendy gifts that are very popular - in terms of price and taste. Along with the bottles of wine, wine gift baskets also contain various accessories as well, such as wine glasses and corkscrews. With most wine baskets, fruit and chocolate is included as well. You can also find cheese in some baskets, which most consider to go perfect with fine wine. Depending on the occasion, there are suitable wine gift baskets to choose from. When you select a basket, there are several factors that you�fll need to consider in order to make the basket a truly special gift. If you are giving a basket as a wedding present, then you�fll obviously want to choose a different basket than one you would give to a friend at a party. There are wine baskets out there that are cheap in price - to those that are more expensive and more suitable for a wedding gift. If you are buying a wine gift basket for a beginning enthusiast, you may want to include a book on wine that will help them learn more about wine in general. If you are giving the basket to a wine enthusiast with a lot of experience, you may want to include a stopper. No matter who you are giving the basket to, a wine gift basket with an assortment of fine wine is a great gift that can bring joy to anyone. For wine lovers, you can find gift baskets that include fruity red wine, tangy white wine, full bodied wine, dry wine, sparkling wine, and even sweet wine. Red wine is ideal for main course meals such as meats, while white wine is ideal for seafood and white meat. Sparkling wine on the other hand, is ideal for special occasions. If you are giving the gift basket as a wedding present, sparkling wine is a choice that you can�ft go wrong with. Sparkling wine is one of the most popular types of wine - perfect for weddings and anniversaries. If you have a bit of difficulty choosing a wine gift basket, you can�ft go wrong with mixed baskets that offer a mixture of wines. You can find these types of baskets in local stores or on the Internet. They are affordable, starting around $20.00 and going up from there. If you are thinking of getting fine wine gift baskets, you should keep in mind that it can be a bit more expensive.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000048.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000048.html 001Wine Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:56:37 -0400 The Pros And Cons Of Beer Although beer is a drink that contains alcohol, the alcohol alone doesn�ft make it dangerous to your health. Drinking beer excessively is what leads to hangovers, headaches, and the more severe healthy problems. If you drink beer in moderation and avoid getting drunk, you won�ft experience any problems with your health. One of the most common things people say about beer, is that it makes you fat, hence the term �gbeer belly�h. As a whole, beer contains little to no fat, and there are plenty of beer diets out there that you can use to stay thin. The infamous beer belly is caused by consuming too much alcohol, which affects the body�fs ability to burn fat. Even though beer can indeed lead to a �gbeer belly�h if you drink too much of it, if you drink in moderation you should be fine. Even though beer is low in sugar, it can affect your blood sugar levels. Beer contains alcohol, which can drop the natural level of sugar in your blood, leading to low energy levels. If you drink too much beer, you�fll get really tired and go right to sleep. Alcohol in beer will also lower insulin levels as well, which makes it perfect for non diabetics, as it will reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis. In the past, research has linked beer with reducing the risk for heart disease. Beer contains no cholesterol, although it does have antioxidant qualities that can reduce LDL oxidation, with may help reduce your risk of heart disease. Beer is also an excellent source of fiber, stemming from the malted barley. Beer can also help to reduce stress, if you drink it in moderation. To get the health benefits that beer provides, you should drink one beer a day. You shouldn�ft drink any more than this, as it can easily lead to health problems. Alcohol will thin out your blood, which will protect your heart and reduce the risk of strokes as well. In the past, research has even shown moderate consumption of alcohol can help with improving your memory as well. Then again, if you drink it excessively, it can destroy brain cells - the adverse effect. Beer is also nutritious, although it can destroy your levels of vitamin C as well. Beer is a great source of fiber, as well as other minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and several B vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12. Beer contains high levels of these vitamins, along with other minerals that are actually good for your body. Although it offers plenty of B vitamins and other minerals your body needs, it will also destroy your vitamin C - which is why you never want to drink too much of it. When it all comes down to it, beer may contain over 95% water, yet it is still a diuretic. Due to the fact that beer contains alcohol, it will always be a diuretic. When you drink beer, you should avoid drinking too much and never, ever, drink beer instead of water. Beer can dehydrate your body fairly quickly, which is one of the biggest cons to drinking beer. Although beer does have several health benefits, they can easily be hindered by drinking too much. To stay on the safe side and avoid headaches and other health effects of beer, you should always drink responsibly, never drink too much - and always drink a few glasses of water when you are drinking beer.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/beer/000047.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/beer/000047.html 003Beer Sat, 17 Nov 2007 04:25:25 -0400 Dealing With Hangovers A hangover is something that just about all of us have experienced at some point in time. After spending a night out drinking, you may wake up in the morning with your head feeling heavy and your stomach in knots. At that moment, you probably decided that you would quit drinking, to prevent this awful feeling from happening again. No matter how hard you may have tried though, chances are that it happened again. Even though we all know that alcohol can lead to hangovers, the cause of a hangover is something we don�ft know. Alcohol does have some positive effects on the body, although it can also lead to negative effects such as hangovers. Some doctors will actually recommend it, while others will tell you never to drink it. Even though drinking is good, moderation is the key. The easiest way to avoid hangovers is to drink in moderation - and never get drunk. As many of us already know, whisky, bourbon, and wine can result in a much harder hangover than vodka or beer. For many people, chemicals in wines or yeast found in unfiltered beers can result in headaches. Beer, wine, and liquor can be fun and relaxing to drink, although if you aren�ft careful you can easily get a headache or a hangover. Even though the cause for hangovers is unknown, it has been proven that the headaches associated with hangovers stem from dehydration. With alcohol being a diuretic, it will make you urinate quite often. Therefore, if you drink alcohol or beer on a daily basis, your body will remain dehydrated. When you wake up in the morning with a bad headache and turn to coffee, which is also a diuretic, the process of dehydration actually gets worse. You�fll also need to do something with the alcohol that has been left in your body. Even though a hangover can make you want to stay in bed, the secret to getting yourself back on track is movement. To rid your body of the alcohol, you�fll need sweat. Sweating gets the toxins out of your body, and helps you feel better. You can exercise or have sex to get over a hangover, as the heat your body emits will be too much for alcohol toxins to handle. Although a hangover can be a bit of a pain, it can be prevented. The first rule of drinking any type of alcoholic beverage is to never drink on an empty stomach. If you eat a good meal before you start drinking, you�fll find that the food can help you digest the alcohol much better. When the alcohol starts to attack your stomach, you should consider eating foods that are high in fat, such as cheese. You can also sip some olive oil or drink some water. The secret to making sure that you don�ft get a hangover when drinking is to drink in moderation and never let yourself get too drunk. Beer is digested very fast by your body, which is why you should always drink beer first if you plan to mix drinks. Beer is digested the fastest, and will also help your body to absorb any other drinks you have faster. You should always keep in mind that when you drink alcohol, your body will get dehydrated. Any type of alcohol that you consume is a diuretic, therefore you should always drink water with your alcohol. Alcohol can dehydrate your body very fast - which is why you�fll need water to ensure that you stay hydrated.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/spirits/000046.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/spirits/000046.html 006Spirits Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:54:13 -0400 The Art Of Wine Tasting Even though many just assume that wine tasting is sipping, swishing, and swallowing - many are amazed to find that it�fs actually a bit more. Wine tasting is more of an art, an art that is used to distinguish the taste of fine wines. Wine can be a tasty and refreshing drink - if the bottle was stored correctly and aged properly. Wine tasting begins with the swishing. The reason why wine tasters swish the wine around in their mouths is to get the taste. Both the front and the back areas of the tongue contain taste buds, although neither one has any distinct sensation in taste. Taste buds can detect food and liquid that is bitter, salty or sweet, without a problem. To get the proper taste from wine however, you need to swish it around in your mouth and allow your taste buds and sense of smell to bring out the unique and fine flavors in the wine. When you have a cold however, the wine can taste very different. When tasting your wine, your sense of smell has a major impact on the taste. What many fail to realize, is that over 75% of our taste is due to our sense of smell. When we have a cold, our sense of smell is affected. Therefore, when eating or tasting wine with a cold, the taste will appear different. Wine tasters all over the world will tell you that tasting wine is more about a sense of smell than the actual taste buds. The art of wine tasting is indeed an art. Wine tasters do however, follow some general guidelines and rules that judge how great a wine is. These techniques can help you bring the most out of your wine, providing you follow them and know how to bring out the taste. The first thing to do with wine is to look. With wine, you can tell quite a bit about it by looking at it. You should always start by pouring the wine into a clear glass, then taking a few minutes to look at the color. As far as the color goes, white whines aren�ft white, but actually yellow, green, or brown. Red wines on the other hand are normally a pale red or dark brown color. Red wine gets better with age, while white whines get more stale with age. Next, is the smell of the wine, which you should do in two steps. You should start with a brief smell to get a general idea of the wine, then take a deep, long smell. This deeper smell should allow you take the flavor of the wine in. The more experienced wine tasters prefer to sit back a bit and think about the smell before they actually taste the wine. Last but not least, is to taste the wine. To properly taste the wine, you should first take a sip, swish it around in your mouth, and then swallow. Once you swish the wine around in your mouth, you�fll bring out the rich and bold flavors of the wine. After swallowing, you�fll be able to distinguish the after taste of the wine, and the overall flavor. Once you have looked at the wine, smelled it, and finally tasted it, you�fll be able to evaluate the wine from a taster�fs standpoint. This is the easiest way to determine the quality of the wine, and whether or not it has been properly stored and aged. As with all things in life - the more you taste wine - the better you will get at distinguishing the unique flavors.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000045.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000045.html 001Wine Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:23:01 -0400 The Beauty Of Sparkling Wine Sparkling wine is well known for it�fs tiny bubbles that race to the surface. Sparkling wine is one of the most exotic yet refreshing types of wine, providing memories and happiness once the cork is released into the air. For many years, this exotic wine has proven to be among the most popular types of wine for celebrations and special achievements. By looking at sparkling wine, you�fll find it to be a complete mystery. When tasting the wine, friends and lovers choose to discuss the refreshing, nutty aroma. Even though this type of wine is very popular, it can be hard to describe. Although the taste and aroma can be right there, lingering in the air - it�fs still something that is nearly impossible to find the words for. When you first open a bottle of sparkling wine, the carbon dioxide aroma that instantly fills the air is an experience that you have to smell to believe. A true feast for all of your senses, sparkling wine can instantly put you at ease. Drinking this wine is a feast for your taste buds, bringing several different flavors to rest on your tongue at the same time. Even though the nature of sparkling wine is really unknown, society as a whole as really accepted it. Although many don�ft realize it, the crisp and delicate taste of this wine isn�ft what made it what it is today. Similar to the shine and splendor of the finest diamonds, sparkling wine emits a truly elegant aura and romance that makes it easy to distinguish from other types of wine. Sparkling wine was first discovered in France by Dom Perignon, who was a monk in the Champagne region. He actually stumbled upon this fine wine while performing his duties as a cellar master in the Benedictine Abbey. Dom would hide his discovery for many years, as the public didn�ft really respond in the way that he had been hoping. Although Dom Perignon�fs sparkling wine wasn�ft popular at first, it would grow and become more popular over the years. Once people in France and people around the world caught wind this amazing sparkling wine, they simply had to experience it for themselves. At this point, it didn�ft take long for Dom Perignon to become a legend and one of the most important wine makers throughout the rich and cherished history of France. The formula and techniques that Dom used to produce his sparkling wine eventually become known as the traditional way of making Champagne. The process is still used throughout the world today, producing some of the best sparkling wines. Even though sparkling wine is made in various locations, many agree that the best place is the Champagne region of France - which is where sparkling wine first began and was first introduced to the world. These days, sparkling wine is an essential part of life, for celebrations and events. With most celebrations, sparkling wine is simply a must have. There are many manufacturers of the wine these days, although most prefer to have the original and still the best - Dom Perignon. No matter where the future of wine goes, sparkling wine will never die. It will always be the wine that sparks celebrations, and the wine that makes events come to life. From it�fs truly unique and breathtaking taste to it�fs amazing look and splendid aroma - sparkling wine has the appeal and the flavor to keep people celebrating and living life for years and years to come.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000044.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000044.html 001Wine Wed, 14 Nov 2007 05:51:49 -0400 Making Red Wine Among the many types of wine available, red wine is among the best. There are many types of red wine available, although most are made using the same methods. This very exhilarating type of wine is made from black grapes, drawing their color from the skins of the grapes. During the beginning stages of making red wine, the grapes that have been picked are put into a crusher. Here, the crusher will gently break the skins of the grapes. Depending on what type of wine is being made and the tannin that�fs required, the stalks will either be used or discarded at this point. Next, the grapes are put into a fermentation vat with the skins. This can be a long process, taking several weeks to complete. If a higher temperature is used, more tannin and color will be extracted from the grapes. When making soft wines, the whole grapes are fermented using sealed vats. The carbon dioxide that becomes trapped in the sealed vats ferment the grapes under pressure, which is normally a quick process, taking only a few days. Keep in mind, the color and tannin content of the wine is based on how long the fermenting process takes. If the fermenting process takes a long time, the wine will generally hold more flavor and color. The remaining bulk of the grapes will go through a press, being crushed to create a tannic wine. Sometimes, this tannic wine is added with a free run wine in order to add a bit more structure to the wine blend. Both the press and vat wine are then mixed and transferred to either tanks or barrels for a second fermentation. The second fermentation will take the longest, although it brings out the quality and taste from the wine. All types of fine red wine will spend a minimum of a year in the barrels. Some types of red wine will spend a lot more time in the barrels, possibly several years. Red wine is also fine tuned with egg whites, which will suspend the yeast and other solids found in the wine downwards, before the wine is racked, filtered, and eventually bottled. Once the wine has been bottled, it is then shipped off and sold. Some wine however, will be stored for a period of time in the bottle before it is offered for sale. The time a wine spends in the bottle is very important, although not every wine needs to spend a lot of time in the bottle. The more complex and more expensive types of red wine will benefit the most from aging in the bottle, to preserve flavor and color. The simple types of red wine however, don�ft need to spend much time at all in the bottle.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000043.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000043.html 001Wine Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:20:37 -0400 The Right Temperature For Storing Wine Although position is important when storing wine, temperature is the most important storing factor overall. Even though you may not have the ideal conditions for storage, you should always have the optimal level of temperature. The temperature when storing your wine is very important, as it affects the overall quality, flavor, and longevity of the wine. Most wines need to be stored for long periods of time, which is why the temperature is so very important. The temperature for storing wine should always be between 50 and 65 degrees F. When stored in this range, the wine will develop quite nicely. In the days before refrigeration, wine was stored in underground cellars and caves. When refrigeration came along, it quickly became the easiest and most preferred way to store wine, as it allowed you to maintain the same desired temperature. In this day and age, science plays a major role with wine making. Science has proved over the years that aging is actually a chain of chemical reactions that occur over time. Depending on the temperature, the chemical reactions can either be good or bad. Chemical reactions all have unique energy factors that need to be met for each individual reaction to happen. If the temperature isn�ft right, the chemical reactions in the wine won�ft occur. If wine is stored in direct sunlight or in a hot area, the increase in temperature can result in a chemical reaction that can damage both the flavor and the quality of the wine. Wine that has been damaged from heat will normally turn brown due to the oxidation. When this happens, the flavor and quality of the wine won�ft be any good. Wine that is damaged from heat loses all of it�fs flavor and color, making it virtually impossible to drink - or sell. Colder temperatures on the other hand may slow the aging process, although it can also prevent the wine from getting the chemical reactions it needs as well. Lower temperatures may not affect the quality or taste of the wine, although it isn�ft recommended. All bottles of wine, until they have been opened, should be stored in a location with a temperature above 50 degrees F. This way, the wine will be in the proper temperature for storage and able to get the chemical reactions it needs. You should keep any open bottles in your refrigerator, as the average temperature is normally 41 degrees F. You shouldn�ft keep bottles that you haven�ft opened in the fridge, as the temperature is much too cold. If you follow the above tips when storing your wine, you�fll find the taste to be spectacular. Storing wine will always raise the value and add to the taste - providing you store it the right way.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine-cellar/000042.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine-cellar/000042.html 002Wine Cellar Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:49:25 -0400 All About German Beer Throughout Germany, beer is very popular with the culture. Germany contains well over 1,000 breweries, which is more than any other location in the world. All beer that is manufactured in Germany must follow the purity law, which lets manufacturers know what ingredients can and can�ft be used. Basically, the only ingredients allowed to make beer in Germany are water, hops, and barley malt. Due to the strict purity requirements, you can easily notice German beers by their overall level of quality. They have a distinct taste, with little to no aftertaste. Some styles of German ale include Koelsch, Weizen, and Altbier. Some types of German lagers include Bock, Pilsener, Dunkel, Helles, and Maerzen. Keep in mind that the taste, aroma, and color can vary, although all can be identified as being true German beers. The German beer Altbier is a very common dark ale, that is top fermented in the lower regions of Germany. The beer proposes a yellow color, with a taste that is rich in hops. Another ale, Rauchbier, is known to have a smoky flavor with a smoked color. These beers taste great, and happen to be very popular throughout the regions of Germany. German lagers are also very popular, and happen to be popular in other areas of the world as well. Pilsener is one of the most popular and most familiar of all German beers, providing you with more hops and less malt. Pilsener can be found for sale all over the world, and happens to be very popular throughout North America as well. Several bars serve it as well, as it happens to be one of the most popular dark lagers out there. Throughout Germany, there are several different companies, produce over 4,000 different brands of beers. Some of the more well known and larger companies of north Germany are Beck, St. Pauli, Warsteiner, and Krombach. In the southern region of Germany, there are more breweries, although most of them are smaller, as they are locally owned and operated. Southern Germany also contains the Benedictine Abbey, which is one of the oldest breweries in the world. This brewery started producing beer in 1040 - very impressive indeed! Germany is also home to Oktoberfest, which is held every year in Munich. Oktoberfest starts in late September and carries on for two weeks, ending in early October. During Oktoberfest, beer drinkers from all over the world will travel to Germany and celebrate German beers. Each and every year, over 5 million people attend the event, making it one of the biggest beer celebrations in the world. During Oktoberfest, local breweries in Munich are the only breweries allowed to serve beer in the bigger tents. There are six breweries in total, producing a variety of different beers. By attending this yearly event, you can learn more about German beer, sample the different varieties, and enjoy the rich bold flavors that make German beer so very popular. Due to the success Oktoberfest gets each and every year, other cities around the world try and mimic this event. Even though they have success, their level of success isn�ft near as much as the original Oktoberfest - Germany. German beers are very popular around the world, with Oktoberfest helping to prove that very claim. If you drink beer but have never experienced what beers from Germany have to offer, you really should give them a try. Once you do, you�fll quickly realize why German beers are so very popular - and why the taste simply can�ft be duplicated with any other beer.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/beer/000041.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/beer/000041.html 003Beer Sun, 11 Nov 2007 07:18:13 -0400 Information About Wine Cellar Racks A wine cellar rack allows any wine enthusiast to achieve a professional wine cellar in the comfort of their own home. Normally, wine cellar racks are wall mounted, although they can be stacked as well. They range in size, and can hold anywhere from 10 - 300 bottles of wine. Depending on your needs and how many bottles you have to store, you�fll want to choose accordingly. One of the best things about wine cellar racks is the fact that are customizable. You can fit them to your liking, or what looks best in your cellar. Wine cellar racks will allow you to convert practically any space of your home or your cellar into a storage area for your wine in little to no time at all. All you have to do is set the racks up - then store your wine. All wine bottles, no know matter what brand, needs to have the proper storage in order to maintain their original flavor. Those who know wine, know that the easiest and best way to store wine in bottles is put the bottles on their sides. When using a wine cellar rack, you�fll have the choice of individually storing the bottles, or grouping them together. Cellar racks are the ideal way to store wine bottles, especially if you have a large amount. Wine cellar racks and the way they store wine are essential for many reasons. With the wine being stored on it�fs side, the sediments that will eventually settle over time are evenly distributed throughout the wine, which helps keep more of the original flavor. Along with helping to preserve the original flavor of the wine, the corks and labels are also preserved. Unlike other forms of wine storage, wine cellar racks will work in any home, and they are very affordable as well. They come with detailed instructions, they are easy to assemble, and include everything you need to begin using your new rack immediately. You can also find a variety of sizes, colors, styles, and materials. Contrary to what you may think, wine cellar racks don�ft take up a lot of space in your home. If you use them on their sides, they will take up even less space than if you were to stand them upright. These days, wine cellar racks aren�ft just for commercial use. Even though they are geared more towards large consumers, individual wine enthusiasts have a lot to gain with a wine cellar rack. You can find these racks at your local department store, or online. They don�ft cost a lot of money either, yet they will give you the storage you need. No matter how much space you have to spare in your home - wine cellar racks will give you everything you need to store and preserve your wine.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine-cellar/000040.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine-cellar/000040.html 002Wine Cellar Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:47:01 -0400 A Look At Champagne Racks In the process of manufacturing Champagne, riddling racks are a must have. Once the sparkling wine has began to age on the less, it will be time for the concluding stages. Riddling is essential to the life of Champagne as it collects the sediment in bottles and deposits it near the bottle�fs mouth. This sediment is what helps to bring the bubbles bursting out when you pop the cork. Champagne bottles are put on riddling racks at a 45 degree angle, comprising the two rectangular boards that have been hinged at the top of the rack. On each side of the rack, there are ten rows that contain six holes for the necks of the bottles. Due to their structure and shape, each riddling rack is capable of holding 120 bottles, although there are special models that are made to hold more. The riddler, who places the bottles, will place a bottle neck into each one of the holes on the riddling racks. There are painted lines at the bottom of each bottle, which acts as a marker for placing the bottles. All markers point in the same direction, which makes it easy for the riddler to put the bottles on the racks. Over the course of several weeks, the riddler will twist each bottle a few degrees. By doing this every day, the riddler will prevent the sediment from settling in one place. Once a few weeks have gone by, the riddler will slant the bottles to a 60 degree angle and ensure that each and every bottle on the riddling rack is neck down in the proper hole. Once the riddling process is complete, the Champagne bottles will be placed in a freezer for a brief period of time. After an ice plug has formed along the necks of the bottles, they will be placed on a conveyer belt and taken down the line to a disgorging machine that will remove the crown caps from each one of the bottles. Once the crown caps are removed, the pressure is in place. The pressure that is well known with Champagne bottles is from the bottle shooting out the ice plug, or the frozen sediment that is trapped in the bottle. For the home collector, Champagne racks are also important. There are other factors involved with riddling racks, such as temperature and location of the racks. With manufacturers however; everything simply must be perfect. Champagne is a very popular wine throughout the world, ideal for celebrations and special events. Riddling racks are essential to the process, including the infamous bursting bubbles. Champagne that doesn�ft feature the infamous bursting bubbles isn�ft really a tradition - and certainly wouldn�ft be worth the investment.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/champagne/000039.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/champagne/000039.html 005Champagne Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:15:49 -0400 The Flavors Of Wine Although the four main flavors - sweet, salty, sour, and bitter are all your tongue is really capable of tasting, the long lasting impression that wine leaves in your mouth is far more complex. When you drink or taste wine, your taste buds and your sense of smell are involved, adding to the way you interpret wine overall. The flavors, aromas, and sensations that wine is comprised of provide the interaction that you taste when you sample wine. Sweetness is something that wines are well known for. With most types of wine, grapes are responsible for the sweet taste. Grapes contain a lot of sugar, which breaks the yeast down into alcohol. The grapes and yeast that were used to produce the wine will leave behind various sugars, which your tongue will be able to quickly detect. Once your tongue detects these various sugars, the stimulation of sweetness from the wine will be ever so present in your mouth. Alcohol is also present in wine, although your tongue doesn�ft really know how to decipher the taste of alcohol. Even though the tongue doesn�ft really taste alcohol, the alcohol is present in the mouth. The alcohol found in wine will dilate blood vessels and therefore intensify all of the other flavors found in the wine. After you have samples a few types of wine, the alcohol level can easily have an effect on your taste buds, making it hard to distinguish other drinks that you may have. Another flavor is acidity, which will effect the sugars. With the proper balance of acidity, the overall flavor of wine can be very overwhelming. Once you taste wine that contains it, the flavor of the acidity will be well known to your tongue. Although acidity is great with wine, too much of it will leave a very sharp taste. With the right levels, acidity will bring the flavors of the grape and fruits alive in your mouth - providing you with the perfect taste. Yet another effect of flavor are tannins, which are the proteins found in the skins of grapes and other fruits. If a wine has the right amount of tannins, it will give your tongue a great feel, and bring in the sensations of the other flavors. Once a wine starts to age, the tannins will begin to breakdown in the bottle, giving you a softer feel to the taste. Tannins are essential for the taste of wine - providing the wine has been properly aged. The last flavor associated with wine is oak. Although oak isn�ft put into the wine during the manufacturing process, it is actually transferred during the aging process, as most wines will spend quite a bit of time in oak barrels. Depending on how long the wine is left in the oak barrel or cask, the ability to extract the flavor will vary. Most often times, wine will be aged just enough to where the oak taste is visibly there - and adds the perfect sentiment to the taste. Although there are other flavors involved with the taste of wine, they aren�ft as present as those listed above. The above flavors are the most present in wine, and also the flavors that you need to get more familiar with. Before you try to taste wine or distinguish flavors, you should always learn as much you can about the components responsible for the flavors. This way - you will know more about what you are tasting and you�fll truly be able to appreciate wine.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000038.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000038.html 001Wine Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:44:37 -0400 Wine Tasting For Beginners Attending wine tasting events can be a great experience and a lot of fun, although a lot of people choose not to attend out of fear - or not knowing what to do or what to expect. Even though there are no mysteries to wine tasting, there are some things that you should always remember. During a wine tasting event, women are always served before the men. Some tastings will serve you bottled water between tastings, so you can clean your mouth out and be ready to taste the next wine that is served. When you take the wine, you should always handle the glass by the stem, to avoid heating it with your hands. There will also be crackers and other goodies on hand as well, to help you cleanse your mouth between wine tastings. As you may already know, you can tell quite a bit about the wine by the color. When you attend a wine tasting for the first time, you�fll notice that the glasses are clear. This helps you to examine the wine better. There should also be white tablecloth on the table as well, to help you see the color the wine more clearly. You should never go by the name of the wine alone, as it can easily fool you. You�fll also notice the more experienced wine tastes swirl their wine around in the glass before they taste it. Although it may look weird, slightly swirling the wine actually helps to bring out the flavor. Most wines have been aging in bottles for long periods of time, sometimes even years. When the wine is swirled around in the glass, the swirling will release the flavors in the wine and bring them out when the wine is tasted. At wine tastings, you�fll need to look at the wine, smell it, then after swirling it around in the glass - taste it. Smells play an integral part of the process, as you�fll get a lot more from the wine by smelling it first. Wine has quite an intriguing aroma, which helps to bring out the taste that wine is so well known for. Once you have smelled the wine, you should allow a few moments to take in the smell and think about the wine that you are smelling. Last but not least, you�fll want to know how to properly taste the wine. Your tongue has taste buds in the front and the back, which helps to detect flavors. Wine is full of flavors, and how you taste it will make the biggest impact. When you put the wine in your mouth, you should always swish it around in your mouth for a few seconds, and allow the flavors plenty of time to dance on your palate. Once your taste buds have started to discover the wine, you can think about what you are tasting. After swallowing the wine, the aftertaste that remains in your mouth should give you even more of an idea as to the type and flavor of the wine. Before you attend a wine tasting, you should always learn as much as you can about the many different flavors and varieties of wine. This way, you�fll have a better understanding of what you should look for in both taste and flavor. Even though you may be new to wine tasting, you should never pass up an opportunity to go. You�fll get a great experience in the world of wine tasting and get to experience wines that you may have never heard of before.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000037.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000037.html 001Wine Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:13:25 -0400 Tips For Selling Wine In the world of wine, the Internet has drastically changed the business and landscape for a lot of industries and manufacturers. Retails and wineries alike are using the Internet to sell their unique wine to the public, reaching more people than they ever could before. For the public, the Internet provides a lot of options for buying or even selling wine. The key to selling wine is knowing the conditions of the bottle, such as how it was stored, how old it is, and the price you are asking for the wine. Age worthy wines are normally the best selling, as they all have one thing in common - all can be held for quite a long time. These types of wines are high in demand, some dating back to the 1940s. They are still selling strong today, some even going for an high as $5,000 dollars a bottle! If you have any bottles of age worthy wines, you should hang on to them for as long as you can - then sell them for a hefty profit. Vintage Port is one of the best age worthy wines. Being a fortified wine, Vintage Port brands can age for nearly 100 years or more. The big names include Taylor Fladgate and Fonseca, among others. Port wine is very popular these days, with people buying and selling it to rake in the profits. As long as you take care of the bottles and store them properly, they can bring in a lot of money. Fine Italian wine is also great to have, as they are normally bought and sold online. You can store these types of wine for several years, as they still provide great taste. Top California Cabernet is another type of wine that sells great, although it can be hard to get. If you buy the right type of Top California wine, you can sell it for 2 - 3 times the price you paid for the bottle. If you are looking to sell wine, online auctions are a great place to start. By using an online auction, you can list your wine that you are selling, and get the current prices on wines that you are thinking of selling as well. If you look around on the Internet, you can find some great auction web sites that will allow you to sell wine. There are several out there, giving you plenty to choose from. When you find one that you like, make sure that you look at the prices and how things work - before you decide to use it to sell your wine. Another great place to go online are wine message boards. Most wine message boards offer a buying and selling area as well. Almost all message boards are free to join, although you should become active with your postings to gain trust on the boards. Members of the boards sell their wines to each other. Selling is done privately, which eliminates any type of transaction fee. Proper storage is also important when selling wine. Not only for the seller, but the buyer as well. In order to sell wine, the wine needs to be stored properly, with the proper temperature. If it isn�ft, the wine will be nothing but mere vinegar once it is opened up. All things aside, wine can be a very profitable hobby, providing you do things right. If you have a passion for wine and a passion to succeed - selling wine can be very profitable. When selling wine, you should always put quality first. Money will come with time - although you should always think about the quality of the wine - and not just the dollars and cents.]]> http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000036.html http://wineandspiritssecrets.com/wine-and-spirits/wine/000036.html 001Wine Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:42:13 -0400