Wine is often enjoyed as a drink among friends, but did you ever notice that wines enjoyed at the table are just as often the ingredients of major recipes? When did this happen or were we all too warm and fuzzy to even notice? Explore wine as a flavoring for holiday cooking and enter a brave and scrumptious new world. You might even want to re-visit at other times of the year as well.
Although there are many wonderful spices and seasonings available throughout the culinary cosmos, there is truly nothing that intensifies and enhances the flavor of food as much as wine does. Apart from the virtues of taste that we all enjoy, wine releases flavors in food that are unique. However, there are some things to watch for while cooking with it, and none of them involve drinking too much or finding someone to drive you home.
Probably the most important rule of thumb is never to cook with a wine you would not drink. Most cooking wines on the market today are truly terrible, and as such can only add a terrible flavor to whatever you are preparing. If it tastes like vinegar in the bottle, it will introduce the same flavor to your casserole. (Consider that old expression about quacking like a duck, walking like a duck and looking like a duck.) Buy a nice bottle (not too cheap and not too costly) and always be aware that whatever flavor the wine has will be transported to your dish.
It’s also important to know that when wine is used as flavoring it should simmer with the recipe because it takes time for the flavor to take hold. You should also wait about ten minutes after adding an initial dose and taste before adding any more. The flavor of any wine can overpower the best of dishes quite easily. If added late in the cooking process, it can also impart a harsh taste. Also, do not use aluminum or cast-iron pans when cooking anything with wine. Stick with enamel and other non-reactive cookware. Generally speaking, when a recipe calls for water, it can be replaced with the same amount of wine. A tablespoon or two can also enhance the flavors of gravies, oils and marinades.
Red or white is the eternal question revolving around the wine mulberry bush. Some say red wine with meat and white with fish and some say, well, other things. Don’t worry about what others say or about what tradition dictates is proper and fitting for this time of year. Let your own tastebuds be your guide.***RECOMMENDED SITES***
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Monday, November 27, 2006
Cooking With Wine
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Rosé Earns Its Place With Champagne Lovers
Long celebrated in Europe, Rosé is now more popular than ever among Champagne consumers in the U.S. Produced only in the Champagne region of France, Rosé Champagne was shipped to the United States to the tune of over 1.3 million bottles in 2005, a whopping 126 percent increase over 2003 figures.
Experts say the increased popularity of Rosé Champagne in the U.S. market is due to a variety of factors. "Whether it is driven by consumers' curiosity or by the aggressive marketing campaigns of several prominent Champagne houses, Rosé has become the bubbly of choice of many American wine lovers," said Office of Champagne, USA Director Sharon Castillo.
The wide spectrum of pink hues and exceptional flavors offered by Rosé, as well as its versatility, makes this style of Champagne a favorite among chefs and masters of wine.
"Rosé is not sweet, as one might infer by its color; it has a lot more flavors of the Pinot Noir grape-strawberry and bright red cherry-combined with great acidity. I have enjoyed Rosé with grilled veal chops and it did not miss a beat," says Barbara Werley, one of only 13 female Master Sommeliers in the United States.
A perfect companion for anything pink, from salmon and turkey to strawberry tarts, Rosé also enhances every sushi meal. "Rosé tends to be richer and fuller flavored so it stands up to rich, oily-textured sushi," states Werley. While Rosé finds its fan base among women, men are increasingly drawn to it. Shipments are projected to continue to rise as a number of Champagne brands introduce their styles of Rosé to the U.S. market. So whether enjoying it with a meal or by itself, it does not appear that America's love affair with Rosé will end anytime soon.
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Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com To learn more about Rosé, visit www.champagne.us. Rosé is not sweet, as one might infer by its color; it has a lot more flavors of the Pinot Noir grape-strawberry and bright red cherry- combined with great acidity. http://barworks.blogspot.com http://barworks.blog.com
Friday, November 03, 2006
Tips for Fueling Holiday Party Fun
The holiday season is a time of year when you spend your evenings hopping from one party to the next. Be it a gathering of friends and family or just the annual holiday office party, get-togethers seem to dictate everyone's social schedule come the end of the year. Chances are you're even hosting your own party this season. If that's the case, worry not, as here are some helpful tips that should help make your holiday gathering one of the most memorable.
1. Create a theme. Get guests excited by creating a theme that promises fun. Decorate your home around a favorite holiday movie, or have friends and family dress as their favorite holiday personalities.
2. Give beverages a boost. Stock your bar with wine, beer and spirits. Keep the offering simple yet with enough variety to satisfy non-drinkers. In addition, add some fun by creating personalized name tags or charms for your guests' wineglasses and beer mugs.
3. Set the mood. Use candles and twinkling strings of lights to help set the holiday mood. Make a CD of classic holiday music, or ask guests to share their iPod playlists.
4. Generate conversation starters. Write down questions or interesting holiday facts on 3-by-5 index cards and place them in conspicuous locations.
5. Cook up some entertaining munchies. Theme your munchies to look like holiday decorations. Star-shaped sugar cookies or cheese and crackers decorated with sliced red and green peppers are festive treats.
6. Make a local charity part of the party. Remember those in need - like victims of hurricane Katrina - and ask guests to bring a small item for donation.
7. Take photos. Put out your digital camera and photo printer and have your guests start taking photos. You can award little prizes for the funniest photos taken throughout the evening.
8. Plan an activity. Give a themed goodie (like a wine charm) with a guest's name on it to each person upon arrival. In order to have a drink, each guest must find the person named and introduce him or herself. This is a fun way for people to get to know one another.
9. Make your own dessert. Let your guests be dessert chefs. Set out an ice- cream sundae station, chocolate fondue, or have guests add their own finishing touches to cupcakes.
10. Play a board game. Pick a game that is designed to create conversation or one that keeps sports fans entertained during hours of pre-game hoopla. A board game like the ESPN All Sports Trivia Challenge is a good one. It's an exciting and unpredictable game that offers sports fans of all ages challenging head-to-head competition. Fun team play and media/movies trivia can even get non-sports fans in on the action. Available at Barnes & Noble, Dick's Sporting Goods, Champs Sports, JC Penney and www.usaopoly.com.
Following some of these tips will ensure a memorable holiday get-together filled with laughter and good times for family and friends.
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Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Do You Know These Little Known Facts About Tuscany Wines?
Entertain with the Region’s Finest Wines
Wine can add a sophisticated touch to any party or dinner that you host. When entertaining, treat your guests to the smooth flavor of Italian wine, specifically Tuscany wine.
Italy produces more wine than any other country in the world, and some of the finest varieties hail from the Tuscany region. Wine has been produced in Tuscany for hundreds and hundreds of years. In recent decades Tuscan winemakers have put great effort into the quality of their products, resulting in the excellent Tuscany wine on the market today. Tuscany wine is enjoyed widely and is easy to find in restaurants and diners as well as stores.
Super Tuscan Wine
In the past few decades an unofficial category of Tuscany wine has arisen, given the name Super Tuscan. Wines created by making unconventional blends of different grape varieties fall under the Super Tuscan category.
Tuscany Wine Zones
Tuscany is divided into several wine zones. Three of the most important of these are Bolgheri, Chianti Classico and Montalcino.
What is Bolgheri Tuscany Wine?
The Bolgheri zone, located in the west of Tuscany, is the birthplace of Sassacaia and Tignanello, which began the Super-Tuscan trend. In recent decades Bolgheri wine has received much attention for the quality of its wines. Winemakers in the Bolgheri zone specialize in red Tuscany wine created by blending the grapes of Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Several different wines are produced using different combinations of these grapes.
What is Chianti Classico Tuscany Wine?
What more classic image of Tuscany wine is there than the straw basket covered bottle of Chianti resting on a checkered tablecloth in a cozy Italian restaurant? The Chianti Classico zone lies in central Tuscany. Red Sangiovese grapes are the primary ingredient of Chianti Classico, but they are generally blended with other grapes, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo. Chianti Classico is a full-bodied, bold wine that makes a good complement to well-seasoned food. Chianti Classico wine has come a long way from its inexpensive, straw bottled past and today there are some excellent wines produced in the region. You can still get the straw basket variety if you choose, however.
What is Montalcino Tuscany Wine?
The Montalcino zone is located in the Siena area of Tuscany. Montalcino is known for producing the Brunello di Montalcino variety of Tuscany wine. Brunello di Montalcino is a red wine made from the Sangiovese grape and normally aged for at least four years, two in oak barrels. Brunello di Montalcino goes well with steak, roasts and flavorful cheeses.
More Tuscany Wine
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a robust red wine that is also based on the Sangiovese grape and is similar to Brunello di Montalcino. Trebbiano is a traditional white Tuscany wine. Bianco di Pitigliano is produced in the southern Tuscan region of Pitigliano, and is a popular white Tuscany wine. Vernaccia di San Gimignano, made near Siena, is one of the best known Tuscany white wines.
Wine can add a sophisticated touch to any party or dinner that you host. When entertaining, treat your guests to the smooth flavor of Italian wine, specifically Tuscany wine.
Italy produces more wine than any other country in the world, and some of the finest varieties hail from the Tuscany region. Wine has been produced in Tuscany for hundreds and hundreds of years. In recent decades Tuscan winemakers have put great effort into the quality of their products, resulting in the excellent Tuscany wine on the market today. Tuscany wine is enjoyed widely and is easy to find in restaurants and diners as well as stores.
Super Tuscan Wine
In the past few decades an unofficial category of Tuscany wine has arisen, given the name Super Tuscan. Wines created by making unconventional blends of different grape varieties fall under the Super Tuscan category.
Tuscany Wine Zones
Tuscany is divided into several wine zones. Three of the most important of these are Bolgheri, Chianti Classico and Montalcino.
What is Bolgheri Tuscany Wine?
The Bolgheri zone, located in the west of Tuscany, is the birthplace of Sassacaia and Tignanello, which began the Super-Tuscan trend. In recent decades Bolgheri wine has received much attention for the quality of its wines. Winemakers in the Bolgheri zone specialize in red Tuscany wine created by blending the grapes of Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Several different wines are produced using different combinations of these grapes.
What is Chianti Classico Tuscany Wine?
What more classic image of Tuscany wine is there than the straw basket covered bottle of Chianti resting on a checkered tablecloth in a cozy Italian restaurant? The Chianti Classico zone lies in central Tuscany. Red Sangiovese grapes are the primary ingredient of Chianti Classico, but they are generally blended with other grapes, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo. Chianti Classico is a full-bodied, bold wine that makes a good complement to well-seasoned food. Chianti Classico wine has come a long way from its inexpensive, straw bottled past and today there are some excellent wines produced in the region. You can still get the straw basket variety if you choose, however.
What is Montalcino Tuscany Wine?
The Montalcino zone is located in the Siena area of Tuscany. Montalcino is known for producing the Brunello di Montalcino variety of Tuscany wine. Brunello di Montalcino is a red wine made from the Sangiovese grape and normally aged for at least four years, two in oak barrels. Brunello di Montalcino goes well with steak, roasts and flavorful cheeses.
More Tuscany Wine
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a robust red wine that is also based on the Sangiovese grape and is similar to Brunello di Montalcino. Trebbiano is a traditional white Tuscany wine. Bianco di Pitigliano is produced in the southern Tuscan region of Pitigliano, and is a popular white Tuscany wine. Vernaccia di San Gimignano, made near Siena, is one of the best known Tuscany white wines.
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Want to know more about Wine? Learn more about wine and the little known wineries that produce the best wines from around the world at our wine resource site – your-one-stop-shop for Wine!!! If discovering the finest and little known wines are important for you then visit out site now!!! http://www.wine-hq.com Source: www.iSnare.com http://barworks.blogspot.com http://barworks.blog.com
Want to know more about Wine? Learn more about wine and the little known wineries that produce the best wines from around the world at our wine resource site – your-one-stop-shop for Wine!!! If discovering the finest and little known wines are important for you then visit out site now!!! http://www.wine-hq.com Source: www.iSnare.com http://barworks.blogspot.com http://barworks.blog.com
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