Wine trip to Atlantic City

Among all the activities that Atlantic City has to offer, who would have thought to try a wine tasting. Last month when I went to Atlantic City, I stayed at the Borgata and ate dinner at Wolfgang Puck's famous restaurant. I had 2 glasses of Wolfgang Puck's Cabernet Sauvignon with my dinner and it was delicious. Our waiter informed us that Wolfgang Puck's wine is not for purchase and can only be drank at the restaurant. He also told us about a Vintage Wine Boutique that is located in the Water Club (which is attached to the borgata.

This Wine Boutique carries hundreds of bottles of wine that are essentially "on tap" like beers are at a bar. You fill up a card for what ever value you would like and then use your card to taste different types of wine. They have bottles that are up to a $1,000. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a bottle of wine, you can sample it just to see what it tastes like for around $20. That way, you can see what the difference in taste really is instead of paying that kind of money. The samples range from $1 to around $20. Next time I am in Atlantic City, I am making this a must!

Gifting made Easy

Giving gifts can be a drag sometimes but when you think out of the box it can be fun. Whenever I get someone a gift for something whether it be a birthday, holiday, house warming or bridal gift, I also try to be creative and get something that stands out from the rest of the gifts. A perfect gift for anyone that drinks some sort of beverage is a gigantic wine glass. No one else will show up with it, and everyone will love it! I got one for my sister last summer for her 30th birthday and she loved it! She poured beer in it because in order to fill it with wine, she would have to drink a whole bottle!

I got this bottle at the Christmas Tree Shops for $13. They have gigantic wine glasses on Amazon.com also.

California Lovin'

California Wine is known as one of the best on the market for some drinkers. If California was a country, it would be the fourth largest wine producing country in the world. There are a number of different regions within the big state including Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Central Valley. Depending on which type of grape you like is where you should look to purchase your wine from.

As I mentioned in previous posts, my favorite wine is Sauvignon Blanc. My go to favorite Sauvignon Blanc is "Honig" which is from Napa Valley. I originally picked out "Honig" because of its attractive display. The background of the bottle looks like a beautiful vineyard. You see it through the wine and it looks nothing like any other bottle out there. I also chose it because it is from Napa Valley and that holds a high standard for any wine drinker. Napa Valley has achieved such a dominance in creating top notch wine, that it's prices are actually marked higher than other wine that tastes just as good.

My sister loves Chardonnay and her favorite wine is Rodney Strong which is from Sonoma County. Sonoma County is another region that is popular among wine drinkers. It is known to have great taste and it starts out a little cheaper than Napa Valley so many people use it as an alternative.

Both of these bottles retail for around $15. Red white from California is always a little more expensive. Bottles of Red from Napa Valley start around $20 for a single bottle. However, an alternative is to buy wine that just says "california wine." You are still getting wine from California, but it is not from just one region. Many red blends do this. My favorite red blend is "Menage A Trois." It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel. It retails for around $10 so it is perfect to buy for a BYOB night at a restaurant, or just a lazy Friday night. It also makes a great gift for anyone!

Never Judge Wine by its Bottle

Never judge a book by its cover has been a saying that has been around for decades. The same goes for wine. Wine distributors spend thousands of dollars to make the perfect label to stand out from the rest of the bunch. They advertise it in the way they hope their customers will perceive it.

Admit it, you have been a victim of this. Everyone that goes to buy a bottle of wine has been intrigued to buy a certain brand just because the looks of it was appealing to them. Wine companies do this on purpose. They know that the packaging is one of the main reasons that people buy certain brands, especially if they are uneducated about wine. From time to time, I still buy wine that just "looks cool." 

When I was in Spain last year, I bought this bottle of wine just because I thought the bottle was cool. I still have it as a keep sake, but it was hands down one of my least favorite white wines that I ever drank. 

Some of the most expensive and prestigious wine has the simplest labeling. This is mostly because they know the people buying their wine are old time wine drinkers that know what to look for. Next time you go to the liquor store, take a minute to check out the wines over $40 and you will notice that they have few colors and simplicity on their label. 

Wine-duce, Wine-use, Wine-cycle

Don't know what to do with all those empty bottles of wine you have? Re-use them and have fun doing it! Here are a couple of ideas that you can do yourself at home with your recycling that are quick, easy, and fun!

In the mood for a new vase? Take an empty wine bottle, take the labels off and spray paint it with metallic paint. Finish it off with a nice bow to give it the final touch. Add your favorite flowers and enjoy! It is perfect for bridal showers or just to put on the kitchen table at home. 

Another idea for reusing a wine bottle is painting it with chalk paint. That way you can use it for whatever you want. You can write what is for dinner, leave a note, or just put the date on. It is also a perfect gift to give, especially for a house warming party. 

New Zealand

As I mentioned in previous posts, Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite variance of white wine. New Zealand's most produced wine is Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand compared to other countries is lighter and more crisp. I tried a Sauv Blanc from Napa Valley and New Zealand in one night and when comparing the colors in the bottles, the wine from Napa Valley was a lot darker, looking almost like a chardonnay. The wine from New Zealand was a lot more transparent.

I picked out "Monkey Bay" which is affordable and tastes great. My taste buds actually picked up the fruit. It is perfect for the warm weather because it is not too heavy. If you are looking for something new to drink, I would highly recommend this especially for this time of year.

Counting Calories

America has regulated that all food has a nutrition label on it, as well has beverages, so how come alcohol does not have to abide by these rules. Maybe the government worries that sales would drop if people knew what they were drinking? Any type of alcohol is high in calories, whether it is wine, beer or hard alcohol. Wine typically ranges from 100 to 250 calories for a 6 oz portion. This is based on whether it is white or red, sparking or still or if it is a dessert wine. It is also based on how much alcohol content is in the wine. The more alcohol in the wine, the higher the calories.

This is a calorie chart that http://winefolly.com posted.

The French are best known for ...

French is the biggest wine producer in the world, producing 7 to 8 billion bottles every year. They are most known for buying wine from Bordeaux. Bordeaux is a region of French that is known for making excellent wine, such as Napa Valley in the United States. Most mixtures from Bordeaux are a combination of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

I went to Gary's wine house and asked for a recommendation of a French Bordeaux and they assisted me on buying a great staff pick. This wine is called, "Pierre De Montignac" and its year was 2010. The bottle was just under $15, which is a steal considering it was imported AND a staff pick. The wine was just the right combination of Merlot and Cabernet and went down smooth. I highly recommend it to try it or even give it as a gift.

Legs for Days

Many people judge the quality of wine based on it's "legs" or "tears." For those of you who are unaware of what wine legs are, they are streaks of liquid that form after you swirl wine in a wine glass.

It has been said that when the streaks are more distinct, the quality of the wine is better. This however is a myth. The streaks come from a number of combinations - alcohol content, water, and surface tension. To get the the bottom of it, wine legs stem from physics. Next time you swirl your glass around, look closely and you will see two sets of legs, one running up and one running down. The streak running up has to do with the amount of alcohol the wine has. The streak running down has to do with water evaporation. The alcohol runs up because alcohol evaporates faster than water. Who knew there was so much physics and chemistry in wine!

Legs form when you try this with a $60 bottle of wine as well as with a $10 bottle of wine, so the whole "quality" thing is a myth. So next time your friends say "Wow look at those legs that must be great wine," be sure to correct them!

Sangria Season

Finally the weather is warming up... You know what that means - Another excuse to drink! It is the perfect time to break out the sangria. Sangria is my favorite outdoor drink, with its perfect light, crisp finish accompanied by an assortment of fruits. And it's so easy to make on your own ! I like to experiment and blend a whole bunch of wines together. The best part is, you can buy cheap wine in bulk because after you let it sit with the fruit it tastes amazing!

Recipe for perfect sangria
- Buy two double bottles of wine you like , (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio) it all depends if you want a red mixture, white mixture, or a blend of the two. I typically like to use merlot and put a little Pinot Grigio inside.

- Then you pick the fruits. I like to use apples, oranges , peaches and the secret is pears! Adding a few pears really brings out the taste

- A secret I learned from a friend is boiling a little water with cinnamon and putting that into the mixture as well. It really makes a difference

-After all is done, pop it in a cool place. The longer it sits, the more fruity taste the sangria will acquire.

- Pour yourself a nice glass, sit back, and enjoy the start of summer ! Don't forget to eat the fruit - it's the best part !

Change things up at bit...

Getting sick of going bar hopping? Try some some wine activities! There are a number of places to try in the North Jersey area that will mix things up in your life.

1. Uncorked, Totowa, NJ - I recently came to here have a glass of wine with my friends. It is a wine bar, but they also have a full stocked bar (all liquors and beer) so everyone will be happy. You can sip wine by the glass or buy it by the bottle sitting at their high top tables, or lounging on their couches. They are located next to Kafe Neo, so as you enjoy wine, you can indulge in food as well because they offer to serve their food at Uncorked. It is definitely a classy alternative, and the average glass is about $8 to $12, but if you have the option to buy a bottle, making a glass as little as $5.

2. Warwick Winery, Warwick, NY - Although this is in NY, it is a must to go to! The best time to go is in the fall, when the leaves start to fall and the apples start blooming. You can buy wine by the bottle, and sip away outside and enjoy the beautiful ambiance. You can also buy desserts of all kinds and go apple picking!

3. Your Own Winery, Riverdale, NJ - This place is brand new and looks awesome! I have not got the chance to try it yet, but this summer I will definitely hit this new hot spot with my friends. At Your Own Winery, you are able to create your own wine! You start by sampling different wines at their wine bar (for free) until you pick one that you like. After that, they give you a ready-to-ferment kit so that you don't have to crush grapes with your feet! Then the process starts, taking 6 to 8 weeks, and making  3 to 4 trips to check in and handle the next step in completing your wine. But at the end of it all, you choose everything, right down to the label, and it is your own, unique wine.

Wine on Wine on Wine

Italy is the world's top producing wine country, so I figured it would be next. They produce an average 4.5 million tons of wine a year! Now that is something to think about. Italy grows grapes in just about every region of the country. One of the most popular kinds of wine that is familiar to us that they specialize in is Pinot Grigio. Italians are known to always have a glass of wine with dinner, especially as they indulge in large meals with their families.

After going to Bottle King, and asking what they recommend for a reasonable price from Italy, I picked, "Fontana Candida Pinot Grigio 2011." It is just around $10 and can easily be paired with stir fry, creamy sauce dishes, or any type of fish. I would definitely recommend this wine for a family dinner, or to give as a gift!

Some Like it Dirty

.... Martini's that is! If wine isn't cutting it for you this Saturday night, spice things up a bit. Get together with some friends and make some fun cocktails. Personally, I do not like dirty martini's ( not a fan of anything olive reelated) so I prefer sugar based or fruity cocktails. I recently made a funfetti cake martini. It was so easy and fun. The recipe was simple, and basically only consisted of alcohol.

6 ounces Pinnacle cupcake-flavored vodka

2 ounces white chocolate liqueur

4 ounces heavy whipping cream

4 ounces white creme de cacao

4 ounces amaretto

Sprinkles (optional)

This recipe makes about 3 Martini's. Enjoy!

Twist n' Sip

My Next stop on wine-ing all over the world is South Africa. Not many people may know this, but South Africa makes delicious wine. In particular, it is known for some Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. However, Sauvignon Blanc, my favorite white wine, is what I want to focus on from South Africa. Bottle King recently featured "Fat Barrel" Sauvignon Blanc, at just around $10 a bottle. I obviously could not resist, so I tried it and it was defineitly worth it! This wine was not only tasty, but on the cap, it says that they donate 10% of proceeds to charity, which means, the more you drink the more you donate ;)

This wine is perfect and light for many occasions. It can be paired with a nice sushi dinner, a night out with friends, or finish off the perfect date. The light crisp taste is perfected when chilled. I would definitely recommend it to anyone on a budget, or just looking for a good white wine. Fat Barrel is also twist off, so you do not have to worry about getting the cork stuck.

Whine a little, you'll feel better

Something got ya down ? Whine a little, you'll feel better! Relax, kick back and enjoy a nice glass of wine with friends while you whine about your long, stressful day. And there is no need to fill guilty because red wine has proven health benefits! Here are a few of them :

Reduces coronary heart disease - as the wine hits your bloodstream, it alters your lipid levels. This lowers your total cholesterol count and reduces your chances of heart diseases.

Maintains immune system - red wine maintains a healthy immune system. It does not bring it down like other alcoholic beverages are said to.

Contains polyphenols - These have a positive effect on your body. They are an excellent antioxidant and known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. They are also said to reduce you risk of getting cancer and stimulate your immune system

Flavonoids - these are found in red grapes and are also a powerful antioxidant. Good for preventing cancer

Anti-Stress - wine is known to calm people down. Having your dinner with a nice glass of red helps your body relax and unwind. It is the perfect way to transition from a day of work to a night of relaxation.

All in all - drinking a few glasses of red wine a night results in a healthier life !



Just wanted to thank this website for all their helpful research and information!

http://www.meteck.org/wine.html

Wine-ing all over the world

Wine is made all over the world, with each country having its own, unique taste. Over the next few weeks, I will be trying different wines imported from different countries, giving my own feedback and recommending my favorites.

I want to start with Spain. I went to Spain last May and while I was there, I tasted all different types of wines. Spain was an amazing country to enjoy wine in because for me, a college student, it was cheap. You could buy a bottle of wine for 2 euros at the local deli, which is comparable to a little less than $4. After trying a number of different kinds, as well as bringing back six bottles to America, I decided I enjoyed the reds over the whites. At the time, I only really liked the taste of white wine, but for some reason, Spain didn't do it for me. My favorite wine that I brought back from Spain was a red blend including cabernet sauvignon, merlot and tempranillo. Tempranillo is a well known variety in Spain and most of the red blends from Spain have it. For me, this was the wine that made me start to enjoy reds over white.

I went to my nearby bottle king, and asked what kind of Spanish wine they recommended. I left with "Niel Santofimia Almansa 2011." It was just under $10 and was not bad at all. I would definitely recommend it to someone that wants a taste of Spain!

If you don't know, now you know...

Let's be real, everyone can tell the difference between red and white, but what are the differences between each variation of wine? 

Lets start with some reds 


Merlot : Known as a smooth red. A great intro to new red-wine drinkers. A very common red to buy and you can never go wrong if you gift it!

Cabernet Sauvignon : One of the best and largest known variations of red wines. Known all around the world and very popular among people of all ages.  

Pinot Noir : I feel that Pinot Noir is only appriciated if you really appricate the taste of wine. I know many adults that really enjoy Pinot Noir, but I am not one of them yet. I feel that to enjoy Pinto Noir, you need to purchase a decently priced bottle to please your taste buds. 

Shiraz : Personally, I have never gotten into Shiraz, but when I went to Spain, I thoroughly enjoyed a red blend that incorporated a lot of Shiraz in it, so throughout the next couple months, I will definitely include Shiraz into my wine experiences. 

Zinfandel : One of America's classic Red's, Zinfandel is usually made in California. It is a very dark red, almost a black color.


Next come the white's


Pinot Grigio : Probably the most popular choice of white, Pinot Grigio is a simple white wine choice. Something you can never go wrong with. 

Chardonnay : Personally, I compare Chardonnay to Pinot Noir. They are in the same shape of a bottle and Chardonnay, 

Sauvignon Blanc : This is my all time favorite wine to drink. 
I like it because it is very light and its taste just matches perfectly with my taste buds.

Riesling : One of my least favorite whites. It is known to be very sweet 

White Zinfandel : To be honest, White Zinfandel reminds me of the first time I got drunk at a wedding with my family when I was 16, but it is very popular. It wouldn't be MY first choice but White Zinfandel has a very fruity, light taste that is perfect for the summer and warmer weather. It is also a good choice to include in a sangria.