Archive for October 2011
Grasshopper recipe
Each and every recipe has its own style of making and the grasshopper recipe can be prepared to meet the taste of each and every individual. The best thing about this recipe is you can experiment the ratio of ingredients to get different taste. Menthe and crème are two important ingredients used in this recipe. This recipe is in blue color and gives a feeling of blue lagoon. Like other cocktails grasshopper was first made in one of the bars in Louisiana named Tujague. Today this recipe is most popular in southern parts of United States and Atlantic and Europe regions. This cocktail is treated as one of the traditional cocktails and was first made for lady drinkers. After adding various ingredients today the grasshopper recipe is made available for both men and women with different versions.
How to prepare grasshopper cocktail?
For the preparation of grasshopper cocktail all you need is green crème de menthe, light cream, white crème de cacao. This cocktail is measured to be the best and perfect cocktail for all the beginners. Add up all the above mentioned ingredients of about 20 ml into a shaker with a few ice cubes. Give it a good 2 to 3 minutes shake and strain the cocktail into the type of glass you prefer to serve your guests. If the cocktail is placed inside the freezer for few minutes then the ice will not melt and hence the taste will reach a different level. For more information please visit: Grasshopper recipe
WHICH COUNTRIES PRODUCE THE BEST WINE?
Where Are The Best Wines Grown?
Mostly wine is grown between the 30th and 50th parallel in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It can grow in other places, but for the most part you will find it grown here.
We will look at the eight countries which produce the most and the best wine in the world.
France
I feel sure that most people would think of France and wine almost immediately. Certainly it has to be the most famous wine producing country in the world.
About 75% of French wine is produced in the Loire Valley. It is known for its rich and fertile soil as well as its moderate climate. The Loire Valley is best known for its white wines particularly the Sauvignon Blanc. However it also produces some really nice fruity reds.
Italy
If anyone has ever eaten Italian food then they have been exposed to Italian wine. Who has not heard of Chianti or seen the straw covered bottles displayed in their favorite Italian restaurant. Italy is well known for its very robust reds. Would you believe that Chianti wine comes from Chianti? Well, it does. It is located between Senna and Florence.
In addition to its castles, ruins, olive groves and over 10,000 acres of vineyards there is one fact that makes me go back often to marvel at the fact that they still stomp the grapes manually – with their feet. In fact as a visitor if you are there at the right time you can get involved in the action. It is not a requirement that you drink what you stomp.
Northern California
There is a lot of wine produced in Northern California. However, even though I am an American, I cannot honestly say that the wine from these valleys and vineyards are among my favorites. But they do produce a lot of wine and much of it receives excellent reviews.
Germany
Even though Germany is best known for its beer it does produce some excellent wine particularly in the Baden region. It is known for its strong flavor and low acidity. The best German wines are undoubtedly their Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. If you haven’t tried these wines, do visit Germany and treat yourself. They are truly excellent.
Australia
Even though Australia is ranked fifth I firmly believe that ranking is based on volume. Since I now live in Melbourne Australia I have to admit to a real prejudice. I think Australian wines are among the best in the world and some of them are really impossible to beat.
Living in Melbourne I, of course, relate to the Yarra Valley wines because they are my local ones. The Yarra Valley is best known for its sparkling wines, but I also find that you can find most any wine that you like in the Melbourne area and many are as good as you can get.
Australia has many excellent areas including the Hunter Valley, the Barossa, Margaret River and McLaren Vale. You will have to travel very far to beat the spicy Shiraz from South Australia or the Pinot Noir from the Hunter or the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from the Margaret River area in West Australia.
Come on down and you will never regret it.
South Africa
Believe it or not the area just northeast of Cape Town is the seventh largest wine producer in the world. It mainly produces white wine, primarily the Chenin Blanc.
Chile
Chile has recently surprised the wine drinking world by producing some excellent wines rather than the very mediocre ones that we have known them to have. They now produce some very nice Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot. They range from fruity to full bodied and the USA is their major market.
Portugal
There is no way I can leave Portugal out of any wine list. They are best known for their Port. A beautiful bottle of well aged vintage Portugese Port is unbeatable in my book.
In fact for years my wife’s Christmas present to me was a lovely Portugese Port and a Wheel of Stilton from England. You really can’t improve on that.
Conclusion
Hopefully you have been tempted to plan your next vacation as a world trip to these eight countries so that you can prove or disprove my contentions. Please don’t let any of those reds go off.
A BIT OF INFO ABOUT WINE CRADLES AND WINE RACKS
Wine cradles are special devices which are designed to properly keep and store glass bottles. The racks a useful way in which to store the alcohol and can be constructed from any number of materials. And while their most important job is to correctly store the sensitive liquid, many people choose to purchase modern and stylish cradles as well.
Wine is an alcoholic beverage that is made from grapes that have been fermented. Most grape drinks are made by crushing the best grapes of the vineyard and then fermenting them with various yeasts. Different types of grapes and yeasts all make different varieties of drinks. And since it’s is one of the few things that improves with age, its long term storage is very important.
The beverage is extremely sensitive and vulnerable to its surroundings so it is very important to store it properly. To prevent the substance from going bad, the bottle should be stored upside down or sideways. That way, the liquid stays in constant contact with the cork and prevents any air from seeping in. Wines should never be stored upright for more than a few days.
Corks are ingenious methods of sealants but are prone to drying and rotting over time. When they become too diminished, substantial amounts of air and debris are let in, rendering the wine useless. This is why rack manufacturers designed their products to hold the objects either sideways or at a slight angle.
Bottle cradles or racks are ingenious for this because that is how they are built to hold the objects. It is also very susceptible to light and humidity so the rack you choose to use should be put in an appropriate spot. And the product’s versatility lets them be either put away or focal points in a home. Wine lovers often pride the appearance and feel of their cradles just as much as the product itself.
However champagnes and sparkling wines are not meant to be stored this way. They age better when their bottles are kept upright. Being on their sides or angled caused oxygen to seep in, over time.
Wine cradles are more readily personalized with a name, initials, text or a image which will add a touch of decor to your wine presentation.
To save space, many people often store different types of alcohol on the same rack. Just be absolutely sure beforehand that you are storing your wines and champagnes correctly. After thirty years of properly storing a finely made wine, your taste buds will thank you.
CREATING YOUR OWN WINE CELLAR
For hundreds of years wine has been traditionally stored in wine caves and underground cellars. Today, modern homes rarely offer underground cellars, so most wine lovers are left wondering how their prized wine collection can be “cellared.” When creating your own cellar it is important to consider a number of essential characteristics and a little imagination when it comes to building your “cellar.”
For Storing Unopened Bottles
1. Wine should be stored in a dark place far away from light. Basements, pantries, closets and even wine refrigerators/coolers often times work the best. Despite the fact that most colored bottles incorporate built in UV filters, it is still important to shield bottles from sunlight and florescent lights since unpleasant smells and tastes can result. Bottles can also be wrapped in cloth or placed in a box to help avoid light.
2. Wine racks are important when it comes to storing wine. It is important to have some sort of fixture or rack that allows wine bottles to rest on their sides since it allows the cork to be kept moist. This helps to not only keep air out, but also keeps sediment from settling at the bottom of the bottle. Wines should also be stored on racks in the following order: sparkling wines on the bottom, white wines in the middle and red wines toward the top.
3. Wine must be kept cool. The best storage temperature for wine should be somewhere between 55°F and 65°F. For a varied wine collection it temperature should be kept at 54°F/55°F. It is important that the temperature never goes over 75°F for any long period of time since the wine will begin to oxidize. Humidity should also be kept somewhere between 65% and 75%, since too much humidity can cause mold or loose labels.
4. Avoid moving or causing vibrations to the wine bottles. Wine bottles must be stored in a way that will prevent you from having to move them around to reach other wine bottles.
5. Do not store your wine bottles with items that give off a strong odor because wine does “breathe” and odors can taint the wine.
When it comes to creating a wine collection it is important to know and understand any and all of the dynamics that go into creating a wine cellar. Here at Ponte Winery we hope that you have fun creating your own personal wine cellar. Next time you’re around, be sure to make it a point to stop by our wonderful Temecula winery.
THE MOST FAMOUS WHITE WINE
What Is White Wine?
Most white wine obviously comes from white grapes. Wine gets its color from soaking the skins in the juice. However, there are exceptions to this.
It is possible to make it from black grapes by being very careful to extract the juice and keep the skins separate.
In addition to color if you don’t soak the skin in the juice you reduce the amount of tannin in the wine. Tannin causes a sensation of dryness in the mouth which makes the wine feel firm.
The Most Famous White Wine
Rather than keeping you in suspense I will now reveal what you have already guessed. The most famous one certainly is champagne.
Isn’t it interesting that this most famous wine is made from a blend of black grapes which include Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Now that we have identified the most famous white wine let’s look at the other major varieties of white grapes.
Chardonnay
This is the world’s most popular white variety. It normally has a buttery flavor and is most often oak aged.
Chenin Blanc
Very interesting highly acidic wine which is most common in the Loire Valley in France. It can be either very dry or very sweet or most anything in between.
Gewurztraminer
This is a very aromatic wine usually with aromas of florals and spice.
Muscat
This really is the only wine that actually smells like grapes. It has a wide variety of styles and if often used in sparkling wines.
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
This wine has a large variety of styles ranging from dry to sweet to spicy. It will also frequently have a hint of honey.
Riesling
Another wine that can be either very dry or very sweet. It is a low alcoholic wine with acidity.
Sauvignon Blanc
This wine has really become very popular and especially when it comes from New Zealand. It should be drunk young. It is very tangy and pungent.
Other Varieties
Cabernet Franc is usually used in blends. Garganega is used in Italy’s Soave. Muller Thurgau which is really quite a dull wine. Pinot Blanc has low sugar and high acid which makes a dry, crisp wine. Torrontés which is a very aromatic wine from Argentina. Trebbiano is a very mild and neutral wine. Verdelho is a rich white wine which I like very much and has a taste of limes. Viognier is a strange wine that even though it is dry it really seems sweet. It has floral aromas and often a bit of apricot taste.
Is Rose A White Wine?
Rose is also known as Blush and is considered a white wine. It is made by letting the skins soak only a very short time. The best Roses are made from the Grenache grape.
Unfortunately the Rose has gotten a fairly bad reputation because of the cheap and nasty ones that can be found on the market. However, a delicate rose can be a lovely wine.
Conclusion
White wines have a real place and can be truly impressive if the right one is chosen with the right food. So indulge yourself and try all of the above. I will meet you in the bottle shop where we will be searching for the very best and most famous champagne.