White Wine Glass: Choosing Style & Class

Sitting in my favourite place in my home, on my recliner chair, listening to Aretha Franklin and drinking a good quality wine. You know to enjoy a good glass of wine you need to have a good wine glass. Whenever I am drinking Chardonnay I drink it my best white wine glass. If you ask me why white wine? Well, the answer is easy – it has better taste, looks better and it ages better. That’s why white wine more than anything! Let’s get with the matter at hand, picking a white wine glass. I am pretty picky about everything and I went through a long process before I picked the best white wine glass. In this article, I am going to share my experience and offer you the three top glasses for white wine Australia wide.

The Aromatic Depth of Margaret River Wines

In this huge range wines available on the market, it is hard to find the best one. Actually, we cannot say that there is one certain wine that is among all others because all people have different taste and style. A given wine may be just perfect for you but not for your friend too. However, there are some wines that are gaining their popularity with every next year. And when speaking about good wines we cannot go through and not mention the Margaret River wine range. These wines come from the Margaret River region which becomes one of the great wine-producing regions in the world and is considered as a heaven on earth for wine lovers. The beauty of Margaret River wines come from the unique combination of people, location, and science in this region.

This region is placed about three hours south of the capital city of Western Australia, Perth. Hugged by the ocean on three sides this region offers perfect growing conditions for a variety of grapes. The climate provides natural assistance from the sun, rain and wind at the right time. What is the best about this region is that its unique microclimate exists within the region as it’s approximately 27km wide and 100km long ensuring two vineyards or wines are always the same taste and quality.

No matter which type of Margaret River wine your will choose, you will enjoy its specific style and aromatic depth. These are definitely one of the wines that are expressing the regional diversity and beauty. The region includes a lot of different vineyards all producing different wines so if you decide to travel and visit this popular wine region you will find from unknown independent producers to those that are already internationally renown. However, all they are committed to their community to produce nothing but fine wine for all their customers around the world.

Margaret River is a synonym for a unique and distinctive brand as same as the region itself and the people who are making the wines. This region boasts more than 100 wine producers that have put their mark on this drink. The wines offer powerful flavours thanks to the influence of the ocean which surrounds the region. Every Margaret River produced wine is a reflection of the uniqueness of personality and place that comprises the Margaret River region producing uniquely blended Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, elegant and powerful Cabernets and perfectly textured Chardonnay.

Margaret River region contributes only around 3% of the wine grapes in the country, commanding around 20% of today’s wine market and representing 25% of all wine lists in the restaurants Australia wide.

How to Save Money When Buying Wine

If you have the same passion for wine as me, then without a doubt, you will enjoy reading this short yet very helpful article on how to fill your wine rack with a selection of good red or white wines for reasonable prices. So the question is, how to purchase quality discount wines? The answer is that there are many ways how to, but we will stick to only a couple of them that can be useful for every wine collector, for every passionate wine consumer, and for every good host.

Sauvignon Blanc Basics

Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine produced from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, which was originally from western France but today is successfully grown in various wine regions all over the world. While the grape tend to be associated with the Loire Valley, it is known to have originated from Bordeaux.

But in the late 20th century, a new region started to become recognized as one of the best Sauvignon Blanc regions of the world – Marlborough, at the northern part of New Zealand’s South Island. The fast development of the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc white wines is one of the biggest events in the world of wine. The large and fast accessible flavour of a classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has gained a vast market around the globe including United States, Canada, UK, Australia and Japan.

Apart of France and New Zealand, the Sauvignon Blanc grape has been relatively successful in new world wine regions such as Chile, California and South Africa. Even in Australia the grape goes well by being able to thrive the cooler coastal areas of the south.

The greatest characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc white wines is their straightforwardness. Their flavors cannot be hidden away in the background and a particularly association between the perceived flavours and their descriptors makes Sauvignon Blanc white wines an ideal wine for wine-tasting lessons for beginners.

Classic Sauvignon Blanc white wines aromas vary from nettles, grass, asparagus and blackcurrant leaf to gooseberries and green apples, as well as to more esoteric notes such as gunflint and cat’s pee. The latter indicates a wine from Pouilly-Fume, where the struck flint is led by the presence of high levels of chert in the soil.

When blended with Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc is considered one of the finest dry white wines in the world. While usually a minor component, it also plays a great role alongside Semillon in Sauterners. This pairing has been the staple white blend in Australia’s Margaret River region since the 1970s.

A quite robust, vigorous wine grape varietal, Sauvignon Blanc adapts well to all kinds of growing environments. And thanks to its abilities to ripen early, it can be grown in kind cool climate while its naturally high acidity characteristics allows it to keep a level of freshness even in warmer regions.

When it comes to Sauvignon Blanc food pairing, this wine goes well with grilled asparagus with hollandaise, broad bean and chevre salad and bluff oysters with dill and lime vinaigrette.

Merlot Wine Characteristics

Merlot wines are some of the most popular red wines, which enjoy high reputation and appreciation among numerous wine lovers worldwide. These wines are made from a grape with the same name, Merlot, which grows in most of the well-known wine producing regions in different parts of the world. From the french region Bordeaux, Italy, Spain, California in US, Australia to South America, this grape is cultivated everywhere. Merlot wines belong to the group of Cabernet red wines.

What makes Merlot a favoured choice of both experienced and knowledgeable wine enthusiasts and new wine tasters is the characteristic, smooth, fruity flavour. In addition, here are some of the most important characteristics of Merlot wines every wine lover should be familiarized with.

Colour

The colour of Merlot wines ranges from medium red to dark blue. You will find these wines in purple as well as in deep ruby colour. The two main factors that influence the colour nuance of these wines is the region where the grape is being produced and the temperatrure the wine is served on

Taste and Aroma

When it comes to the taste of Merlot wines, an important fact that you need to know is that, the main features that determine the taste profile of the wine, such as acidity, alcohol content, texture and fruit flavours, mainly depend on the climate characteristics of the region where the grape is produced. However, in general Merlot features balanced texture (medium body) and tannins and taste that is complex, yet sophisticated blend of fruit, herbal and vegetable aromas, complemented with earthy notes. The most prevalent fruity notes in Merlot are: blueberry, plum, black cherry and blackberry.

Food Pairing

Merlot is probably the most versatile red wine when it comes to pairing it with food. You can serve it with a variety of meaty dishes, including lamb, poultry, pork, beef and more. Also, you can serve it with various cheeses, salads and vegetable tarts. Unlike most red wines that do not pair with chocolate, Merlot wines make perfect companion for chocolate and chocolate desserts. Moreover, aside from serving it with food, Merlot makes a perfect choice when it comes to cooking with wine. Many professional chefs add this red wine for preparing sauces, seasonings, marinades as well as stews. Simply put, it is its versatility one of the main advantages that make this wine perfect for many occasions.

Rose Wine Myths

Rose wine is one of the best-tasting wines you can try and enjoy for different occasions. True wine lovers would say that, this wine varietal can be equally good as the red and white wines. Unfortunately, rose wine is often underrated and misunderstood wine varietal. You will hear a lot about this wine, and chances are if you are not familiarized with this wine enough, you will easily get confused by some of the myths about rose wine. My advice is, do not hesitate to make this crisp summery wine part of your next summer family dinner or pool party with friends and most important, ignore the following myths about rose wine because none of them is true.

Myth #1: It Is Not Easy to Find Rose Wine

Maybe in the past rose wine was not that popular and wine stores and supermarkets offered it in limited quantities. Today this is not the case. For longer period rose wine has been growing in popularity. Hence, the large selection of rose wine available on the market. To find a bottle of this great wine has never been easier. Aside from the countless wine shops and retailing stores that carry this wine, there are many online wine shops from which you can find great rose wine samples from a wide range of countries and winemakers.

Myth #2: All Rose Wine Varietals Are Sweet

Rose wine produced in different countries feature different level of sweetness. For example, the rose wine produced in the French region Provence have up to 0.4% residual sugar level. On the other side, the rose wine produced in the wine region Mateus in Portugal are much sweeter. This means that not all rose wines are equally sweet.

Myth #3: Rose Wine Is Strictly Summer Wine

Although rose wine is recommended as the best wine for summer occasions, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you cannot enjoy it in the upcoming winter. Its refreshing acidity and soft fruit aromas make the rose wine perfect for enjoying it all year round, from the warm days and nights in summer to the cold romantic days in the winter.

Myth #4: Rose Wine Is Not a Good Pair for Many Foods

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings in respect of rose wine. It is not true that you can hardly find a dish to enjoy with rose wine. On the contrary, there are endless possibilities for pairing rose wine with food. For instance it works good with salads, poultry, pork, pastas and even seafood.

Myth #5: Rose Wine Is Less Valuable Wine

It is true that you can buy a bottle of rose wine for $10 to $15, but this doesn’t mean that all rose wines are cheap. There are special imported rose wines that come in a range of $25-$30. The price of this rose wine usually depends on the country of origin, age and taste features.

Source: http://www.wineonline.com.au/red-wine/rose/

Pinot Noir Wine Facts

Pinot Noir is one of the most planted grape variety in the world. The wine it produces is admired by millions of devoted wine enthusiasts. In fact, the average prices for Pinot Noir wines are usually higher than other red wines. So, you may be wondering what it is about this grape that is so special to wine enthusiasts? Let’s view some really interesting facts about Pinot Noir wines.

When Compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir Is Over 1000 Years Older

Pinot Noir is considered one of the oldest grapes in the world. This grape has been around since the Roman times. Other grapes that have also been around since the Roman times include: The Moscato grape – a rare white grape planted only in 50 acres around Italy; and a nearly extinct Gouais Blanc grape.

The Names Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc Refer to One Same Grape Varietal

Wine specialists claim that Pinot Gris/Grigio and Pinot Blanc are just color mutations of the Pinot Noir grape. Each grape DNA has been analyzed and the result showed that they are simply identical. So, if you like Pinot Noir wines, you will also enjoy all the other Pinots.

The Top Pinot Noir Producer Is France

France is the largest producer of Pinot Noir wines, followed by the U.S. and Germany. In Germany Pinot Noir is often called Spatburgunder and wines produced in Baden (in the Kaiserstuhl district), Nahe and Pfalz are all worth to give a try.

Where’s Pinot Noir, There’s Certainly Chardonnay

Chardonnay is actually related to Pinot Noir. It’s a natural crossing of Gouais Blanc (the almost extinct grape variety mentioned above) and Pinot Noir. And that is the reason why Chardonnay and Pinot Noir always seem to grow in the same place.

Pinot Noir Has Tannin

Pinot Noir is usually identified by its natural tendency to be lighter than other red wines and features low tannin. But a recent wine tasting showed that Pinot Noir can also present a lot more tannin. How this is possible? Wine producers make this wine using a technique called ‘Whole Cluster Fermentation’, which is when the whole grape bunch – including the stems – goes into the crusher and fermenter. This technique is rarely used on other wine variety making process and typically applied for high-end wines designed for cellaring for at least 10 years before drinking.

To be able to enjoy all the aromas and flavours of Pinot Noir wines you should drink it in a proper Pinot Noir glass – a large, round bell-shaped glass. This is important to collect all the delicate characteristics of the wine.

Source: http://www.wineonline.com.au/red-wine/pinot-noir/

Are You a Wine Hater? Try Riesling Wine

Wine is one of the most appreciated alcohol beverages in the world and although it sounds impossible, there are people who do not like it. Yes, I know it seems awkward, but these people just do not like wine. As simple as it is.

Common excuses why they do not like drinking wine is because they find wine too sugary, or too bitter, so they end up with the conclusion that there is no wine in this world that will match their personal taste and preference. But, these people are so wrong, because they have probably never tried Riesling.

True wine lovers will absolutely agree that Riesling is a world-renowned white-grape variety that produces one of the sweetest and most authentic wines in the world. Wine industry recognizes it as the most aromatic white-grape variety that features strong flowery aromas and high level of acidity. Isn’t this a strong reason to try Riesling wine?

Biggest fans of Riesling love to describe it as the wine that opens the cork for you and pays for your meal. Apart from the authentic sweetness, there are also Rieslings that are not that sugary, but are rather dry. After all, a wine’s dryness is a matter of personal preference, so you can never tell whether a wine is too dry or not. This is why you need to try Riesling wine and find out how does it taste to you, personally. Usually, the German Riesling is considered the driest one from all Rieslings available on the market today. However, we should not forget to mention the Riesling wines coming from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Romania and South Africa, as they are all distinctive in body and flavour and offer outstanding Riesling moments of delight and pleasure.

And now, food matching. When it comes to food pairing, Riesling is a multi-talented wine. It is particularly good for a beginner’s ‘test drive’ who wants to experience the fantastic flavour of a glass of Riesling when combined with fish, chicken and other white-meat plates. One of the most notable specialties of Riesling is the ability to be paired with Chinese and Thai food – a feature that is not commonly shared among the rest of wines. Its sweet nature also allows Riesling to be paired with salty foods, such as a bag of party-sized Lays.

So, what do you think now? Are you ready to give Riesling a try?

Wine Gift Ideas for Every Wine Lover

A glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away. We all enjoy drinking wine and the merits it brings along. The best wines are the ones we drink with friends. In order to make that experience memorable for a long time, it is a good idea to give your loved ones a meaningful wine gift.

Although we do not have to have a particular reason to buy gifts, still there are several periods of the year like Christmas and New Year’s evening when most of us get the “gift” fever. Having the money to buy a gift is one thing, but finding the right gift for the right person is much harder.

Wine Thermometer

With this wine gift you can measure the temperature of your wine and get the most from its taste. The wine thermometer only needs to be attached like a belt around the bottle and in a few minutes you can read the temperature on the digital display. The thermometer fits easily into drawers, a tray or on your kitchen shelves.

Flow Wall Wine Rack

When your shelf and cupboard space is limited, storing wine bottles can become an issue. This is a very artistic piece and the idea is inspired by the flow of liquid. The sculptural wine rack is made of stainless steel. This perfect wine gift is also a space saver. It is wall-mounted and holds up to eight bottles.

Finger-Food

Have you ever wondered if you are going to be able to balance your wine glass, an ordever and a conversation all at the same time at a party? The little Finger-food plate has made it easier for you now. You can put this little plate on your finger just like a ring so that you can hold your glass and your snack at the same time, leaving your other hand free for shaking hands or gesticulating.

This innovative wine gift enables you to eat, drink and be merry at the same time.

Steady Sticks Wine Bottle Holder

This wine gift is perfect for picnics, backyard BBQ or a day at the beach because it is a great solution to holding your open bottle in place while outdoors. It is made of durable stainless steel and has a stand that pushes easily into the ground. The spiral cylinder in which you can set your bottle in holds it firmly in place. Say goodbye to spilling while picnicking.

The Wine Sack

This specific item makes transporting and sharing wine convenient no matter where you go. It enables you to easily pour the wine directly from the bag and into the glass. It is the ideal choice for concerts and picnics.

The Ultimate Shiraz Wine Online Buying Guide

Whether you call it Shiraz or Syrah, one thing is for sure, it is a love at first sip. Especially if you are a fan of dark fruit flavors like sweet blueberries, blackberries, mint and savory black olives. Shiraz is definitely one of the darkest full-bodied red wines in the entire world. This dark-skinned grape variety is mostly planted in the southern part of France, California and Australia. People prefer this wine not only because its delicious and tasty, but also because it contains high amounts of antioxidants. If you want to discover the details of this fine wine and learn how to pick the right Shiraz wine online, then keep reading the text.

The Taste of Shiraz Wine – A bottle of Shiraz wine splashes fruity flavors and spicy peppery notes, all perfectly blended into one. You will hardly find other wines that deliver such sweet and wild black fruity flavors with firm tannin content. It’s not without a reason, called one of the darkest wines ever produced across the globe. Normally, the taste and the color of this wine will vary from one region to another. That mostly depends on the climate.

New World vs Old World – When you shop Shiraz wine online, bear in mind that the flavors of the Old World-styled Shiraz wines are different than the ones of the New World. Shiraz wines produced in Italy and France have more earthy-herbaceous aromas and higher acidity. New World-styled Shiraz wines from South America and Australia feature deep fruity aromas with strong spicy notes.

Food Pairings – Thanks to its dark, deep and intense flavors Shiraz wine can be paired with almost anything. Especially with grilled food, fatty meats and strong cheeses, to complement the strong taste. You can either use it as an aperitif to balance lighter cheeses, or juice soft and dry grilled steaks. If you want to emphasize the subtle nuances in this wine, then don’t hesitate to pair it with barbecue or a blue cheese burger. You will definitely love this combination. Just make sure you don’t get used to it. Last but not least, lift your taste to perfection with a hard-to-resist combination of your favorite chocolate or fruity dessert with a glass of fine Shiraz.