One of the highly respected parts of the process of wine making is blending. Many winemakers actually view blending as a highly evolved art form. Blending is basically mixing different wines together in order to create a final product that is superior in quality to each of the different components.

The most common form of blending involves blending two different grape varieties of wine. Blending has become such a highly popular practice that winemakers that grow their own grapes are growing multiple varieties of grapes in the same vineyard, order to create a blended field. This process commonly involves using one white and one red grape.

Other blends may be entirely made from the same grape, albeit with different fermentation containers. Each container has it’s own unique aspects, and produces it’s own unique flavor. Due to the difference in containers, the taste for each wine will be different, even though the grapes are the same. Some winemakers even go as far as using a wooden barrel fermenting container, and a stainless steel container.

Another method of blending wines is to use wines that are from different vintages. If you have been making your own wine for some time now, chances are that you have several bottles of wine in your cellar that were produced in different years. Blending some of these together can produce a wonderful new wine.

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Last month’s column discussed that now is a perfect time to either add to an existing wine collection or start one.  The combination of worldwide over-production and a global recession has created a tremendous opportunity to buy wine.  The Wine Spectator recently reported that the value wine segment is the hottest price point in the wine industry.

Today I will recommend an assortment of great value wines to consider buying – wines that will provide a well-rounded starter collection.  We will also offer food pairings with each varietal.  Have fun experimenting and collecting wines that suit your palate and budget.

While whites are best consumed in 2–3 years, it is still desirable to have a small selection on hand for everyday entertaining.  New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, South African Chenin Blancs, Loire Valley Sancerres, Alsatian Gewürztraminers, Spanish Albarinos, Italian Pinot Grigios, Rhone Viognier Blends and Chilean Sauvignon Blancs are popular white wines ready to drink now.

The following white wines are must haves in your cellar:

These wines have the longest aging potential, with quality German Rieslings cellaring for 20+ years.  Most Rieslings can cellar for 4-5 years without an issue.  These wines pair well with food and are refreshing to sip.  Rieslings are a great companion with spicy Asian or Cajun cuisine.  Favorites include: 

-         Ress Kabinett German Riesling                        

-         Trimbach Alsatian Riesling                                           

-         Ch. Ste. Michelle Eroica Washington Riesling   

-         Weinbach Alsatian Riesling                                            Read more...

Wine making had its origins about 8,000 years ago. The growing popularity of homemade wine making prove the fact that fine, high quality wines are no longer confined to wineries. As long as you master the basic fundamental process of wine making, you will be able to create your own tasty wine.

Homemade wine making does not necessarily use the fermented grape juices. This is because there are other varieties of wine that make use of the juices of fruits, flowers and vegetables. Many country wines are considered the best wines because they are homemade. The ingredients commonly used for these kinds of wine include elderberries, grapes, blackberries, peaches, apples, and other cultivated fruits available.

Learning about wine making provides different stages which include extracting the flavor, fermentation, wine bottling and then aging. To understand these processes you will have to understand the equipments used as well.

In wine making we start with flavor extraction, there are wines that are made from purely undiluted grape juice. These do not have any sugar mixed in them. This depends, however, on whether the juice of the grape is so strong and thick that you will have to dilute it with water in order to control its thickness. With this process, the flavor from the juice is extracted and then the liquid obtained as a result is diluted further. This is referred to as the “must.” Sugar is dissolved and the yeast is added for the fermentation to begin.  Read more...

The natural health researchers at Institute for Vibrant Living (IVL) have investigated the reported effects of resveratrol in anti-aging and heart health. Here is their report:

Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant found in red and purple grapes, peanuts and some berries.  It became a topic of interest when it was observed that despite high levels of saturated fat and cigarette smoking, there is a low incidence of heart disease among people living in France (The French Paradox).  It was thought that regular consumption of red wine might provide protection for the heart against detrimental lifestyle choices. 

Packed full of flavonoids and resveratrol, red wine has been found to combat heart disease in the test tube and in some animal models.  In addition to also being linked to improved brain function and possible anti-cancer benefits, new research has suggested that low doses of resveratrol may also help to slow aging.

A study published in the June 3 issue of Public Library of Science One (PLoS One) proposed that low doses of resveratrol may produce the same health benefits as a reduced-calorie diet.  It was found that in addition to improving overall heart health, resveratrol in low doses slowed aging in middle-age (14 months) to old-age (30 months) mice .  Researchers fed middle-aged mice either a control diet, a diet with a low dose of resveratrol or a reduced-calorie diet and studied them until old age (30 months).

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Wine is certainly one of the few alcoholic drinks which have been always respected on behalf of moderate and stylish character. Identified for like a drink generally enjoyed by wealthy, wine has very minimum alcohol percentage than any hard drinks. Besides this, wine can be valued for being an alcoholic drink with a mixture of nutritional values. It is supposed to be a safe drink since it is created up of various forms of fruits. Because it does not get intoxicated so easily, wine can be extensively favored during fundamental or opinionated debate.

In addition, it is always recommended that you will need to plan their drinking routine and enjoys wine in moderate quantity. This tends to be tremendously helpful in certain methods for a person’s body. Due to many advantages, wine have been always treated because the core drink of various social functions, parties and official ceremonies. Grapes are certainly one of the key materials of wine and this automatically makes it very healthful drink indeed. It’s also a bit natural as it is made of restricted amount of sugar and fermenting agent.  Read more...