Raise A Glass To A Slice Of Pizza

October is National Pizza Month and there are few foods that are quite as popular as this tasty dish. It is common to find pizza being ate at lunch and dinner; and has even found its way to the breakfast table in some homes.  Pizza can be eaten on the couch or even be served at a candlelit dinner with a fine glass of wine.

So why not raise a glass of vino and have a slice in honor of the special month, but just what wine should you pare with one of the most popular foods in the country? While pizza is so versatile that many wines will pare nicely with its flavors, one combination that wine lovers have to try is pizza with Sauvignon Blanc.

The tomato and cheese that is at the heart of every pizza is what makes this wine and food combination work so well no matter what other toppings are on top. The fruity herbal flavors in Sauvignon Blanc enhance the same herbal flavors in the pizza sauce while the acid helps to foil the richness in the cheese blend used.

It seems there is no better way to celebrate National Pizza Month than to raise those Sauvignon Blanc Wine glasses and toast one of America’s favorite foods.

via Rhino Wino

2010 California Harvest Finally In Full Swing

It was a tough year for weather in California and this played a huge role in the 2010 grape harvest for wineries all over the state. With below average temperatures all summer long spurred on by a very pronounced La Nina effect on the coastal weather the grapes were not ready for harvest at the usual time this year.

With a upward swing in temperature the grape harvest just now in full swing, for some vineyards this is three weeks later than last year. Many vineyards are worried that a cold snap could come along any day and seriously damage the harvest.

For wine enthusiasts this is not necessarily bad news though since early reports on the wines being produced are very good. The wines delivered will have lower alcohol content combined with more vibrant flavors with full color and balance. This amazing combination has all wine enthusiasts excited about the upcoming offerings.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate long enough for the harvest to come in fully so these excellent wines can fill cellars and make excellent wine gifts in the months to come.

via Rhino Wino

Texas Hill Country Is Gaining In Popularity

If you are looking for a real wine country hidden gem to travel to this fall it looks like one of the fastest growing destinations is the Hill Country in Texas. As more wine enthusiasts are looking for places closer to home for travel and alternatives to typical California wine destinations areas like that around Austin are growing in popularity.

Texas is now the fifth largest wine producing state and while many feel the summer temperatures there are just too hot, they will find them ideal in fall. With over two dozen wineries in the Hill Country along the Central Texas Wine Trail there is plenty of fine wine being bottled in this area for the wine enthusiast to sample. Visitors should bring along their Reflex Wine Tote in order to bring home the favorites they find along the way.

With Austin in the middle of this region wine lovers can spend a fun filled weekend visiting wineries while still have the fine dining and entertainment that the capital of the state has to offer. Take a break from the usual trip to Napa and try a new wine area this fall.

via Rhino Wino

A Different Kind Of Wine Tasting

Traditional wine tastings allow enthusiasts to try a large variety of wines from a particular area of genre all in one convenient location. But a new kind of wine tasting is catching on with those who want to learn all there is to know about wine and its consumption. This wine tasting idea does not change the wine on the individual but instead changes the glasses in which the wine is drank from.

Not all wine consumers realize that the glass you drink your wine from can have a significant impact on how that particular vintage will taste. For example there are wine specific wares such as the Sauvignon Blanc Wine Glasses or even those made just for Chardonnay.  The key to these glasses is they are designed to place the wine on a particular point of the tongue to achieve the desired flavors it specializes in.

The best way for wine lovers to experience these wine specific glasses is to enjoy the same wine from a variety to see just how much of an impact the design can have on the flavor. This type of wine tasting is growing in popularity with those who want to truly experience every bottle as it was intended by the vineyard.

via Rhino Wino

Take A Trip To A Local Wine Hotspot

With the peak of fall still around the corner in most places it is still not too early to take a weekend trip to wine country. Of course when most wine enthusiasts think of traveling to vineyards, many automatically think of the major areas in the country known for their wines and do not take a look in their own backyard.  Just about every part of the country has a wine hot spot now and these areas have a lot to offer the weekend traveler looking to relax and try some new wines.

Recently Away.com released its list of hidden wine region gems that are well worth a visit on any given weekend. To the hill country of Texas to even Cleveland, Ohio there are fine wines being produced all across the country. And for those who choose to spend their weekends closer to home, this means less drive time and more relaxation time at the vineyard itself. Take along someone special and a vineyard wine tote to bring home your favorites and enjoy a early fall weekend exploring the wine country in your own backyard, you might just be pleasantly surprised with what you find.

via Rhino Wino

Many Are Still Intimidated By Wine Selection

Despite the growing popularity of wine among all ages of adults it seems that ordering a bottle of wine to go with dinner is still on the list of things most people are afraid of. Pairing wine with food can be a little intimidating but there are some nice guidelines that can be followed to get the perfect wine and dinner combination just about every time.

For those who are afraid to order that wine the only real cure is to taste as many wines as possible to build up a palate and a stronger knowledge on wine. The best way to do this is to attend wine tastings, festivals, and seminars to learn all you can while trying a large variety of wines from all around the world.

The knowledge that comes from tasting wines can go a long way toward building up a confidence in wine selection as the dinner table. Whether looking to find the perfect wine for those stemless red wine glasses, or white wines, having tried several can significantly make selection easier. And if there is still a little doubt do not be shy to ask the wine steward for suggestions on which bottle would pair best with the food you ordered, they are always more than happy to help out.

via Rhino Wino

Skull Halloween Wine Label

I saw this skull Halloween wine label and had to share. More to come. - For all your Wine Accessories visit Rhino Wine Gear. Cheers!

  
Download now or listen on posterous

Podcast.m4a (323 KB)

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Neoprene Wine Totes & Carriers

Here's the latest video of our Single Bottle Neoprene Wine Totes and our Two Bottle Neoprene Wine Carriers.  These colors really pop.

via Rhino Wine Gear

Does Chocolate Really Go With Wine?

Does Chocolate Really Go With Wine?

via Rhino Wino

Easy Red Wine Sauce For Steak

Easy Red Wine Sauce For Steak

via Rhino Wino

Corks, Corks, Corks

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Testing. Wine, Two, Three

Article: Italy set for smaller wine output, good quality seen | Reuters

Interesting article. Let's hope the price stays the same. 

Italy set for smaller wine output, good quality seen | Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68D33H20100914

Wine output in Tuscany, famous for its Chianti red and its premium cousins Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano, is expected to be 3 percent lower than in 2009 on last year, the research said.

Experience the Difference of the Vinturi Wine Aerator

The Vinturi Wine Aerator is the perfect way to enhance the flavor and bouquet of your favorite wine. The Vinturi is designed to speed up the natural aeration process. So, in the time it takes to pour a glass of wine, you get a perfectly aerated glass every time. This is a must-have wine accessory and makes an excellent gift for under $40.

[caption id="attachment_69" align="aligncenter" width="217" caption="Vinturi Wine Aerator"][/caption]

via Posterize

Article: 3rd Scotts Valley Chocolate and Wine Tasting Festival

Wine & chocolate. Yum. 

3rd Scotts Valley Chocolate and Wine Tasting Festival

http://events.mercurynews.com/scotts-valley-ca/events/show/141633965-3rd-scotts-valley-chocolate-and-wine-tasting-festival

Others may have their Oktoberfest but we will have our Wine and Chocolate Festival for the entire family.

(via Instapaper)