Wine Glass Info

Are you having the best experience in wine tasting with your wine glasses? A regular inexpensive wine glass may not hold up to your wine. You need to find one that will offer a: good nose, proper tasting, and a great appearance.

Sure, they cost a little more.  You can find high quality wine glasses made to be resilient to breakage and dishwasher safe. If you try out a couple types, you will find your favorite.

You must do a taste comparison with your regular wine glass to a glass made for exceptionally fine wines. You will have a lot of fun along with being shocked with the difference in smell and taste.

 Just don’t have too much fun or the next day will be a tough one. 

The Wine Cohort

As I sit at my desk on this very cold winters night, I think of those who live where it is warm and sunny. This evening it is 20 below zero outside. I had strawberry shortcake from the ripe sweet Florida strawberries for desert. I began thinking of those who are outside in the warmth of the evening, on their balconies or patio’s, drinking wine laughing, ha, ha ,ha, gaily through out the night. I wistfully dream of being you. I am positive no one wants to feel the cold winter night hitting his or her face, freezing it in whatever expression you are wearing. That is what you wear around here along with your long underwear, a frozen expression, people who visit our state think we are friendly people but what they do not understand is our face is frozen in what looks to be a smile. We are gritting our teeth to keep them from chattering. The snow is squeaking under my feet as I walk. I cover my forhead and face as I forge ahead otherwise, I will get frostbite.  I would much rather be in my summer clothes laughing with my friends and having a barbecue. The wine is always a great bottle, good year; I assume it is because we are on the sixth bottle. It could be the wine glasses we are using. We often  compare the wine glasses. Does this one out perform that one. The next thing you know we have out preformed the  wine glasses.

There is a few of us there; it goes fast, all the better, that way we get to try the next bottle coming up. Maybe it’s a good thing I live up in the deep freeze. It sounds like it would be too much fun living south. I will thaw out by the fire instead and share a nice bottle of wine with my husband. Someday I will be living next door to one of you, we will have a great time in the warm breezes from the sea.

Another year, a new beginning…?
Many of us will be glad to see this year end. For some it has ended badly with a loss financially, or personally or both. We are in the both column and we still can count our blessings. We are warm, safe,(for now) and have a future ahead of us. Looking at history, I see that it is about to repeat it self. We have not learned any lessons or have taken heed in the warnings our ancestors have tried to convey. I see people giving power to the government instead of the government governed by the people. This frightens me. I will not lift up my champagne glass to last year or the incoming. I will lift up my champagne glass to the people I have lost this year that I loved; I will lift my glass to those who have lost so much, maybe your job, fortune or loved one. My toast to you is this; look around you and be glad for what you do have, I am sure you will find you have great treasures. If it is only a bottle of very fine wine, drink it out of your best wineglass and treasure every sip of it.
Have a safe and Happy New Year! 

Red wines often contain sediment or insoluble particles made of potassium bitartrate crystals that must be filtered out before drinking. Leaving the sediment in wine can change its flavor and prevent drinkers from enjoying it to its fullest potential. A decanter helps filter out the sediment revealing the natural flavors of the wine.

A crystal wine decanter is ideal to be used as its clear form displays the wine’s color to perfection. The Maximilian Riedel wine decanter has a unique design that allows for worry-free pouring with its deep punt that accommodates the entire thumb while the other four fingers naturally cradle the decanter. It has an extra-long lip that prevents fewer drips and makes pouring a snap. It is hand-made and mouth blown.

Wine tasting parties are becoming popular these days. In fact, after seeing a boom in coffee shops and tea parlors, the next scene will probably wine bars. Wine is a sophisticated drink that you can enjoy even in the comforts of your own home.

You and your friends can start your own wine-tasting club or hold wine-tasting parties. There is a lot of information available to learn more about the different wine flavors, and how to appreciate each of them. Having a number of wine decanters is a must in order to bring out the best flavors of each wine, and appreciate the taste to its fullest.

Along the pristine waters of the Brule River, are century old summer homes that sit amongst the white pines. This is where many summer memories for my husband and I begin every year.  The couple, our friends who share their beautiful home with us all during those short months, are responsible for such wonderful memories. These memories we keep through the winter in anticipation for the next summer.

Those of you who are avid Fly Anglers know where the Brule River is and with any luck, you have fly-fished it one time in your life. For those who don’t fly- fish, the Brule River is in Northern Wisconsin amongst Great White Pines, Big Cedar Trees, lots of wild life, and birds. If you love nature, the Brule River is one of the special places you will find it. I am an avid wine drinker who likes to watch you fish or canoe and if I am there I will greet you as you go by.

 With summer, brings wonderful wine, and food. We gather for one special weekend of the summer. Indeed it is a holiday of it s own making. We hold nothing back; the best wines from our cellars along with incredible breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, which no gourmet restaurant can match. We are a gifted group I might have to say. I know I should not but it is deserved.

This summer our friend Richard brought along a wine he had put away some time ago and he was very excited to uncork it. We watched in anticipation as he poured. He held it up to the light and it was deep, ripe, and waiting for us to roll it about our tongues.
The 1988 Silverado Stags Leap Reserve washed over my tongue like silk under my fingertips. Lush, with flavors of licorice and berries, oak, leather. It all was there. As this dark ruby liquid slid down my throat, I could not believe how smooth it tasted. We my friends, husband and I exclaimed; OH-MY-GOD, can you believe this stuff?  My mouth watered as it does after I eat exquisite chocolates.

There were only two good wineglasses left to pour the wine in. Not one of us wanted to be sharing this wonder of a wine. I have never felt so selfish over a wine before, but this one, well, we almost cried when it was gone. We did cheer ourselves up with a 1996 Red Zinfandel, then wandered down to the river to sip and welcomed the canoeist passing by.

We were happy for the warm summer day and wonderful friends we had in each other.
 

At first, before I understood the importance of a wine decanter, I liked them for their sheer beauty There are so many styles and shapes, functional decanters and not very functional decanters.
It was only after I had a fine collection did I find out the functionality of a wine decanter. (Yes, I was nieve.)
A wine that is younger than ten years should be uncorked and decanted for at least an hour to let it aerate to ready the nose and palate with the wines full potential. If you never have done this , try it out to see for your self what a difference it will make. Just remember sometimes nothing can help a lousy bottle of wine.

An older wine needs to only be open and poured. Really, that’s it. I like to let mine air for a couple of minutes but that would be all.

It’s nice to have such a fine collection of decanters; they come in handy when the guests show up with their favorite bottle of wine. I like the line up!

The Wine Cohort

For serious wine drinkers, a wine bar or corner in their homes would be a great idea. A wall mounted wine rack is recommended if space is limited, yet you would still want to display those vintage wine bottles.

Wine is not just a beverage that is served on special occasions. It can actually be the beverage of choice after a tiring day at work, or to complement a dish. In fact, it is said that drinking a glass of wine everyday can be good for the heart.

In my opinion, a wine bottle sealed with a cork tastes better than wine that is sealed otherwise. Perhaps the cork adds to the flavor and aging process of a wine, I am not certain.

But what I do know is that a wine corkscrew is a much-needed tool to dislodge a cork from a wine bottle. I recall one instance when I was forced to pop a cork out without a corkscrew and it just led to disaster. That was totally embarrassing.