End the Meal With Dessert Wine

There is a large variety of dessert wines available at wine shops all across the country but is seems most people do not enjoy these wines unless it is around the holidays. Many are afraid they will not enjoy these notoriously sweet wines. Yet just because someone does not like a sweet table wine it does not necessarily mean that your palate will not like a sweet dessert wine.

Really there is no better end to a dinner party than some kind of sweet and it does not always have to be one that you eat.  Dessert wines can be a simple way to finish off a meal and give that little taste that many crave after eating. And unlike other desserts these wines will not add more food into the stomach but will aid in digestion.

Of course dessert wine does not have to be served alone at the end of the meal, they can also be the perfect complement to a dessert to add to its flavor and finish off the meal. But whether you intend to serve alone or with a dessert consider adding one of the many dessert varieties into your wine totes the next time you go shopping for wine. Once you begin finishing off your meals this way you will continue to do so even when you are dining alone.

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A Look At Port Wine

Times have really changed in the wine industry and because of that Port has fallen off in the United States with very few consumers enjoying this traditional wine. In the 1950s dessert wines including Port made up more than two thirds of the wine sales in the country, but now that figure has plummeted to less than four percent.  Of those sales only a quarter of these are actual Portuguese Port and the rest are other versions made in New York and California.

Really this is a shame since Port embodies a great traditional wine that has been produced in Portugal for centuries. This fortified red wine is typically very sweet and therefore is compared to other dessert wines. But there is more than just a sweet taste to this wine making it a excellent choice for many occasions.

Due to the fact that the demand for Port is so low this wine is often a very good value in the shops around the country. More wine enthusiasts should take their Port Wine Glasses off the shelves and rediscover this amazing red wine.

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White Wine Blends Gaining In Popularity

Wine blends are nothing new, as many vineyards have been using this practice to add complexity and texture to wines for generations. Wine blending is the practice of using two or more grape varieties in   winemaking with the intentions of making a better tasting wine. Many vineyards have exact blended recipes that have been proven to be desirable while others each year improvise for new blends.

While the average wine shop is packed full of red wine blends white wines have been slower to catch on in this area. But many experts are seeing a growing popularity with not only wine makers in creating white wine blends but also consumers buying them. With an array of complex flavors it is no wonder that these blends are filling more and more Stemless White Wine Glasses all the time.

As more wine enthusiasts and winemakers have discovered, white wine grapes are some of the most complex and with their distinct characteristics and flavors the blends can be a real treat to the palate. For those looking for something new in 2011 give some white wine blends a taste and see just what the excitement is on the wine industry.

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Look Forward To Spring With Cheese And Sweet Wine

As January begins to come to an end the one thing most people have on their mind is the coming spring thaw. Of course for many this is still a ways away and there are many more cold days to happen between now and then. A good way to spend these days is to enjoy a quality wine with a Mariposa Cheese Board with friends to enjoy their company along with the great flavors.

Many fine French cheeses are often enhanced with a sweet tone that can be enhanced when it is served with just the right wine pairing. To best bring out that flavor a slightly sweet wine with natural spices can not only bring out the best in the cheese but also augment the taste of the wine as well.

Wines to pair with these slightly sweet French cheeses include mulled wine, medium sherry, and classic port. Mulled wines are full of amazing spices and are served warm making it perfect for winter days to serve with cheese. While the sherry and port both have a sweet flavor that when paired with French cheese can be used as a simple sweet snack or a light and delicious dessert.

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Jalapeño Wine A Real Taste Experience

Vineyards across the country are realizing that consumers want a wine that is full of taste and many are beginning to experiment with wines made from things other than grapes. While most are aiming toward other fruits from strawberries to blueberries some are breaking out of the mold entirely. With winemakers creating chocolate wines as well as jalapeno varieties there is truly something for every palate out there.

For many the idea of a jalapeno wine just sounds like it would not be desirable at all. But vineyards from Houston to even the East coast outside of Philadelphia are making these popular new wines while many stores cannot keep it on the shelves.

Those who are brave enough to pour some of this hot wine into their Bacchus Wine Glasses of course first notice the heat but this quickly fades away to an amazing flavor. For a cold winter evening a little sip of this wine can warm you from the inside out while waking up your senses to a taste experience like none other.

For those looking for a new wine to enjoy this out of the ordinary vino may be just what they are looking for.

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Room Temperature and Red Wine

When enjoying any wine the temperature it is served at is extremely important in order to get the most from its aroma and taste. While most white wines and sparkling wines should be served chilled reds are often consumed at room temperature.  Of course the problem with this is many people do not know exactly what room temperature is referring to when it comes to wine serving.

When the term room temperature is used in reference to serving red wine it is referring to 65 degrees. If you live in cool climates and do not use too much heat in the home than getting this temperature is fairly easy. But for those who live in warm climates or heat their home significantly the room temperature will be too warm for the wine to be served.

To get the optimal temperature for pouring that vino into Bacchus Red Wine Glasses either keep it cellared or in a cool storage area in the home before use. Another option is to chill the wine for about twenty minutes in the refrigerator before opening and serving to your guests.

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Wine Industry Dependent On New Grape Varieties

For the wine enthusiast there seems like there has been no better time to enjoy the sweet taste of a well made wine. With excellent vineyards all around the world producing some of the finest vintages ever the choices at the local store can be outstanding for everyone.

But many of the grape varieties now in cultivation have been around for centuries and are very vulnerable to disease. So the wines being opened each and every day by corkscrews around the world can be wiped out quickly should disease or insects take their toll.

For this reason scientists are working on newer varieties that are combinations of wild grapes as well as current cultivated ones in order to come up with disease resistant types to ensure a future wine production. Of course this is easier said than done since the grapes in production now were carefully cultivated over the years for their superior taste when making wine.

Scientist face the challenge of a grape that can resist insects and disease while still providing a bottle of wine that is full of wonderful body and flavor.

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Red Wine Can Be Paired With Seafood

There are many rules of thumb when it comes to pairing wine with your meal and as some people feel, rules are made to be broken. While these guidelines make selecting wine to enjoy with the things you will be eating nearly foolproof, it also makes it a little boring.

One common rule is to serve white wine when you will be eating seafood since this combination is one that just about everyone can agree on in the wine world. But the nice thing about enjoying wine is you can do your own thing and should do your own thing.

Do not be afraid to fill those Sade Red Wine Glasses with your seafood, after all everyone has their own taste and there are several combinations of red wine and seafood that are amazing. A Merlot can do wonders with the palate when served with tuna or marlin. While a pinot noir can be enjoyed with lobster and salmon, especially when they are baked or grilled. A quality shiraz can also go a long way with a seafood based meal so do not be afraid to experiment with your wines and break a few rules to have some new experiences.

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Understanding the Terms Dry and Fruity In Wine

Three terms used in describing wine are sweet, dry and fruity. While sweet really needs no explanation the other two can be confusing to some. When shopping for wines to pare with their meals or snack loaded cheese boards it is important to understand the terms used in describing wine.

For some wine enthusiasts fruity can often be confused with sweet since many people tend to think of fruit as sweet. While strawberries, blueberries, and peaches are packed with sugar other fruits like limes and Granny Smith apples are not nearly as sweet. For this reason a wine can have a fruity taste without being sweet from sugar inside.

Dry can be a very confusing term for those not familiar with wine terms. Dry wines are those that are not sweet and therefore do not cause the mouth to create saliva. Sweet wines are not dry since the sugar coats your mouth, causing saliva to be produced making the mouth wet. Wines that are not sweet, will not cause saliva therefore it is often referred to as dry.

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Archeology Finds The Oldest Winery Ever

It is common knowledge that wine has been made and consumed for thousands of years and yet it is still exciting to find more evidence of wine production from long ago. The latest archeological discovery is the oldest complete winery to be found to date.

Located in Southern Armenia the complex consisted of an entire village within a cave system that included a complete winery. The find including a wine press, clay vat, even withered grape vines, and other wine accessories have been dated back to the Copper Age making them well over six thousand years old.

Not only has scientific analysis dated the winery to 4100 BC but it is also confirmed through residue that grapes were being pressed in the vat and not another organic matter. Previously the oldest wine press to have been found in existence was along the West Bank currently occupied by Israel dating back to 1650 BC.  

While there is still much to learn about this discovery such as how the wine was used within the community and who exactly was making it, it is still a exciting find with what we know.

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Enjoy Wine With Playoff Football

For football fans January is an exciting month with the NFL beginning the playoffs and the BCS finally putting the two top teams on display for the title. With cold weather keeping many fans indoors, unless they are lucky enough to have tickets to the game, many turn to hosting football parties to watch the game from home.

While football is synonymous with beer many fans are now enjoying wine with the game and there are many varieties that pair well with the traditional foods served to watch a game from hot wings to pizza. For the wine loving football fan the great thing about serving wine at a football party is you do not have to open an expensive bottle of wine to perfectly accommodate the food.

With these simple, fun foods it is all about a wine that is not too complex so it only compliments the food and does not overpower it. If you are shopping for a wine to serve for the BCS National Championship ask the sommelier at your favorite shop which wine will pair best with what finger foods you are serving. They can help you find just the right wine to serve with that football fare to bring home in your wine bags to enjoy during the games this month.

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Why Are There Not More Organic Wines?

With a simple trip to the grocery store customers will find organic labeled food on just about every single aisle as more consumers are concerned with just what goes into their body. But a trip to the wine store to fill up Wine Carriers with great bottles to bring home to enjoy does not produce the same results. There are just not very many winemakers creating organic wines that fit the exact requirements to carry the USDA Organic label.  

While many vineyards are organic in many aspects of winemaking the problem lies in the wording of organic and the actual process of making a wine that can be stored for many years. To carry the organic seal a product is not allowed to contain sulfites but for wine this is a critical ingredient to ensure that the vintage will preserve all of its fruit flavors and continue to be fresh despite years of cellaring. Not only are these sulfites added by the winemaker to some degree they also occur naturally in wine.

While it does not appear to be any time soon for the requirements to change for the USDA seal there are other options out there. Winemakers are now using labels such as “natural wine” “biodynamic wine” and more to let consumers know that the product is still green.

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South American Wines Will Be Popular In 2011

With a New Year upon us, many people are taking the time to look ahead at the year to come in order to spot trends to watch for in the wine industry. Many experts in the industry feel that the market will continue to improve with the largest growth in the value wines segment. While for many the economy is improving the desire to still spend wisely is still there making wines that offer exceptional taste in a affordable package top draws.

For this reason many speculate the wines from South America will continue to gain in popularity during 2011. A vast majority of these offerings have a full body taste with plenty of depth and character all in a bottle that will cost less than $25. With a large selection from Cabernet to Sauvignon and Chardonnay there is a wine for every palate from this region.

Of course value wines do not have to come from South America as there are plenty of offerings from everywhere including right here in the States. But whatever you choose to bring home in those Two Bottle Wine Totes this year be adventurous and try things out of your normal range as you may just be pleasantly surprised.

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Consider Buying A Wine Cooler For 2011

With the news full of stories on just how healthy it is to enjoy a glass of wine a day, more people than ever consider themselves an enthusiast and partake on a regular basis. The majority of these individuals store their wine either on a shelf in their home or inside of the refrigerator in the kitchen. While both of these options are acceptable for short term storage, they are far from adequate if it will be more than a few days before the wine will be enjoyed.

While the best storage for wine is a cellar that is a constant 55 degrees with a relative medium to high humidity most homes do not have this option making it unavailable for many. Allowing the wine to sit out will potentially expose it to light and fluctuating temperatures that can have adverse effects on the overall taste.

A good New Year resolution for those who keep several bottles of wine on hand to open and enjoy is to purchase a wine cooler for properly storing that wine for optimal taste. Adding a cooler to your home is actually fairly affordable and will help wine lovers keep their wine safely where it will be ready whenever it is needed. Now bring it home in that Neoprene Wine Carrier and place it inside a regulated cooler for storage you can count on for days, weeks, or even longer.

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More People Making Their Own Wine

While the sales statistics show the demand for wine is at an all time high, there is another trend behind the sales that few people are aware of. More and more people are discovering just how fun it is to make and bottle your very own wine. With the explosion of interest in wine for its health benefits more individuals are tasting all types of wines and deciding it would be fun to make their very own.

Making wine at home may seem like a daunting task at first but with just a little equipment anyone can do it. While the initial cost of all the equipment you need can be a little expensive when compared to buying bottles of wine at the store it can be reused making it a fairly economical hobby in the long run.

You do not have to grow your own grapes to make your own wine either, with many shops in this specialty selling special mixes that take the growing and pressing out of the picture to make it simple and easy. Of course many do end up growing their own fruit and since grapes is not the only choice that is large appeal to many. The internet is full of information on growing everything from strawberries to blueberries and even muscadines in order to make your very own wine at home.

Imagine what your next party will be like when the wine served along with the snacks on the Soiree Cheese Board is your very own vintage.

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