Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec
Malbec – once a grape used primarily for blending – became more mainstream a few years ago with more imports, particularly Argentine Malbec. Malbec from the Cahors region of southwest France has a longer track record (see Thirst, Page K8), yet isn’t as widely…

Read more on San Francisco Chronicle

On Wine: Pocketbook-friendly wines

On Wine: Pocketbook-friendly wines
Wine columnist Laurie Daniel dishes on wine discounts and pocket-friendly vintages.

Read more on Inside Bay Area

Restaurants give a toast to S. America at festival

Restaurants give a toast to S. America at festival
The island’s restaurants celebrate their return, and the return of spring, with the inaugural Galveston Island Food and Wine Festival.

Read more on Galveston County Daily News

Taste of Vail kicks off Thursday

Taste of Vail kicks off Thursday
VAIL, Colorado – We’re a spoiled lot. Whereas some festivals are about a little bit of food and a little bit of wine, Taste of Vail doesn’t pull any punches. Fifty-five boutique wineries send out their winemaker to pour their elixirs, local chefs offer up a parade of tasty treats and guest chefs from around the country fly in and share their own sweet and savory morsels. All in all, it’s a …

Read more on Vail Daily

South American Wines

 

South America has gradually become one of the world’s largest and best-loved wine producers. Like Australia and New Zealand, it has taken time to develop and grow its market, but it now makes up a huge proportion of the wine that is available to us through our supermarkets, retailers and wine distributors.

In Latin America, the two countries which produce the most wine by far are Argentina and Chile. Both have wine traditions which go back to the times when they were Spanish colonies and hence viticulture is very much part of the region’s history. In this article, we will look at both countries, both historically and as to their position in today’s wine market.

Argentina now stands proudly in the top five of the world’s biggest wine producers. It has a high consumption within the country itself, Argentines are very fond of red wine to go with their high consumption of local red meat, and exports have risen over the years, making it one of the world’s most exciting New World wine regions. Initially, wine making was introduced to the country by the Spanish, but the industry has been influenced by immigrants such as Italians and Germans, whose love of viticulture has transformed the Argentine wine making patterns and helped make it a successful Export business.

Because of the extensive history of wine making in the region, Argentina has seen the evolution of many local grape varieties, including Torrorité’s (white wine), Malbec (red wine) and Corbeau (also red). Malbec is the favoured Argentine variety, and it has also been found to be the most successfully exported variety. The other industry that has grown on the back of wine making is wine tourism, which means Argentina is the place to go for a different kind of wine holiday than you get in California, France, Italy and Germany.

Wine making in Chile has a similar kind of provenance to that of Argentina. However in Chile Bordeaux varieties arrived in a big way as early as the mid 1800s, and Chile is now one of the top wine producers in the world. Traditionally, Chilean vineyards were in semi-arid regions which are irrigated by water from the Andes, but there has been a surge in interest in the cooler areas, for instance the Llegda Valley which is starting to become recognised for its Pinot Noir.

New World Wines are generally grown in hotter climates than their more Northerly cousins. The grapes tend to get riper, and therefore the resulting wines tend to be more alcoholic – something to keep an eye on when drinking these nectars. The wines are also fuller in body and therefore go well with highly spiced foods and red meats.

For a great range of South American wines, or just to browse wine in general, it is a good idea to consult an independent online wine retailer. You can browse wines in your chosen price range, and you can research before you buy.

Some of the Best Ways to Preserve Wine

With the increasing popularity of wine, more people are becoming amateur wine collectors. The more you collect, the more you need to be careful about how to store it property. When we talk about wine storing, the very first thing come in to view is wine cellar, however it could be out of question for many people, although it is the perfect way to store wine. On the other hand, as you build up the collection there are few tips that can actually help storing wine and maintain its superb flavor with out wine cellar. The very first thing is to consider the kind of wine you need to store. Sparkling wine, for instance is the most susceptible to change when uncovered to sun and light. It is fine to maintain the wine bottle of sparkling wine out for some days, till it remained corked. If you are planning to wait few days before serving it, then better store these sparkling wines into variety of refrigerator. Remember, white wine is another more susceptible to changes from light or sun heat, so white wine must be stocked up either in a closed cool cupboard, or in the refrigerator. If you have fresh and good wines it is significant not to serve them at too chill of the temperature as this could actually spoil the flavor. The most favored temperature for severing white and sparkling varieties is 45° F. If you wish to store wine variety such as Merlots or Zinfandels in the refrigerator, it must be given a day for warm up to room temperature just before serving. Most of you may know that it is a common rule of not serving red wine chilled if wants to maintain the flavor. In case you intends to store wine in small wine rack, then store sparkling ones on the lowest rack then while ones and red ones above the white. This advice for storing wines is due to the fact that heat rises. Thus a wine needs the lowest temperature to remain fresh longer.If you select to store wine in a cabinet, there must be a good amount of air flow, since this could further stop mold from shaping, particularly on red wines. Be careful of old woods, which could cause the cap to rot. Any possible closet must as well cleared, and not smell stale or shows dry decay. Most wine fans also suggest that one store wine on its side wise, other than standing position. This maintains the wine in contact with the cap that stops air from getting into wine. Finally, one must never store wine along with other foods, which are able of fermenting. Fruit, green vegetables and cheese, which rot near a wine, could in fact cause the wine to start to die too, and these rotten flavors might enter the wine all the way through the cork.

Tips for Wine Storage

For the wine lovers the collection of the different varieties of wine is one of the most preferred jobs. The more the number of wines they collect the more they become crazy to collect some of the ecstatic wines and of course they should know how well they need to store their loved wines. However the majority of the people do not build the wine cellar which is one of the best ways to store the wine. They do not build the wine cellar because of the cost involved in it. However there is no thing to regret as there are many other ways in which you can preserve your lovable wines.

As the storage of the wines is concerned it is essential that you identify the types of the wines, as the different kinds of the wines require the different storage. For example the sparkling wine is more likely to change when it is exposed to light or direct sunlight. It is quite ok if you are planning to keep the wine in the bottle for few days outside, but incase you are intending to serve the wine after a few days then it is preferable that you store the sparkling variety of wine in the refrigerator.

On the other hand the white wines are also more prone to change when they are kept under the direct exposure of sunlight, so it would be preferable that you store the white wines in a cool place like the refrigerator. It is important to remember that while you are serving the some of the best wines not to serve then completely chilled as they tend to lose their flavors in extreme cold. The preferred temperature at which you can serve the white and the sparkling wines is not less than 45° F. As far as the wines which are served with the deserts, for these wines also they taste wonderful when they are served at the normal room temperature as the actual taste of wines is only felt at it.

Incase you are intending to serve the red wines like the Merlots then they have to be stored in the refrigerator, but as far as the serving is concerned red wines as a rule need to be served at the room temperature. As it is essential that one day before serving, you allow the wines to retain or get back to the room temperature.

Incase you are intending to store all our wines on to a shelf then it is ideal that you serve the sparkling wine on to the last shelf. The white wines can be preserved on the shelf above the sparkling wines and the red wines above the white wines. This suggestion is based on the fact that there is more heat as the height increases. Hence the wines like the sparkling wine that require low temperature rest beneath. The wine rack should not be in a position that is under the direct influence of sunlight. The other alternative to the wine rack can be a classic glass door refrigerator.

A Guide to Buying Australian Wine

Why buy wine?

In Australia, wine has become the new beverage of choice for people in all walks of life. Moreover, Australia has developed an enviable reputation amongst wine drinkers and appreciators the world over. Myshopping.com.au can help you make the right selection of wine for any occasion and to suit any taste. Listed on our website, you will find some of the most celebrated labels and award winning wines and you can make a selection based on reviews, price and supplier, regardless of why you want to purchase wine.

Wine

There are essentially three reasons that we can think of why you might want to buy wine: to drink in some social occasion, to give as a gift, or as an investment with a realisable future.

Buying wine to drink

Winemaker Greg Gallagher at the Charles Sturt University, South Australia, says judging a good wine is simple. “It starts with asking, ‘do you like it?’ ” he says, “and finishes with ‘did you like it?’” When you have a list of favourite wines, all you need to do is find them on Myshopping.com.au, and you will find out where it’s sold for the best price.

But, because it’s not always easy remembering the name, style and vintage of the wine you enjoy, it’s a good idea to keep a record of wines you drink that you really like (and those that you’d prefer to avoid), for future reference.

When you’re buying wine to drink, there are a number of considerations you might like to bear in mind, the first being: what is the occasion? It stands to reason that a wine for an intimate dinner with a partner might be a different choice than one for a footy night with the boys. Sharing a wine with someone is a lot more than simply sharing the drink. It’s also sharing your taste, your values and your standards, so it pays to think carefully about the occasion and the company with whom you are sharing the wine.

A second consideration might be, what is accompanying the wine? Wine is often enjoyed with a meal, but you might like to consider also how the occasion (or meal) will develop. Matching the perfect wine with the perfect food and mood is an exhilarating experience, and is often at the heart of great memories.

You may also want to consider the ambience of the occasion. A wine for enjoying at an evening symphony concert will have a different character to that enjoyed at a beach picnic.

Buying wine as a gift

Wine makes an excellent gift for many reasons. It’s an easy purchase; you can buy a wine to suit practically any budget. And it is a demonstration of your taste and standards, subtly imparted to someone whom you may care for.

However, as well as meeting your taste standards, you also need to choose a wine that will meet the tastes of the receiver. It pays to find out what sort of wine that person enjoys, and buy within that person’s style or region preferences. A person who enjoys sweet white wines will appreciate a gift that matches that personality.

Buying wine as an investment

Some wines make a good investment because they are rare and have an established reputation causing them to appreciate in value. Possibly the most famous of these in Australia is Penfolds’ Grange Hermitage, a Shiraz style Claret that has been made since 1951 (a bottle of that vintage now might set you back $50,000 or more if you can find one). Although young in terms of wine heritage, Australia has some notable wines that do and will appreciate in value.

A good investment wine is not necessarily a guarantee of a high quality drinking wine. The investment values are arrived at by reputation. A particular vintage may have enjoyed popularity for any number of reasons and become scarce because only a limited number of bottles were produced. What results is a collectors market and wine changes hands through auctions, private sales, estate dissolutions and wine club memberships.

What makes a good investment wine however, is the fact that you are able to sell the wine at some future date for a sum greater than what you paid. Therefore the condition of the wine-or more importantly, the bottle-is of paramount consideration. The provenance of an investment wine is important. Before buying, you need to establish its history of origin and previous ownership. Satisfied that the bottle is in good condition, once in your possession it needs to be cellared correctly in the absence of heat, light and movement. You should document your ownership and the conditions of its cellaring before selling it to a new buyer.

What makes good wine?

The winemaking process

The quality of a wine is affected by a wide variety of factors that occur in and as a result of the winemaking, cellaring and handling processes. One of the key factors is the terrain and climate, commonly referred to as a ‘region’, where the grapes are grown. Different conditions affect different varieties differently. A Shiraz style from McLaren Vale in South Australia, for example, is a heavier and darker wine than the same style from the Swan Valley in Western Australia, which tends to be lighter and more peppery. A Chardonnay from the Hunter Valley is more full-bodied than one from Margaret River.

While knowing which vines are best suited to a soil type and climate is one aspect, another is knowing when to pick the fruit for particular effect. The fruit’s flavour at the time of picking is a major character of the residual flavours of the wine. After initial fermentation, some winemakers choose to ferment in oak, others not to. Using oak affects the reduction of tannins in the wine. Different types of oak-English, American, old-affect the flavour and character of the wine as it matures to its nominal alcohol level. It is in the barrel that a lot of transformations in flavours and character occur, and a great deal of skill is required to know exactly when to bottle the wine.

Different winemakers have different techniques and, while a good wine can’t be made from bad grapes, it is largely the winemaker’s skill that produces a good wine.

Taste

One of the ways we can tell the quality of wine as judged by its taste, is whether it has had successes in any of a number of wine shows held around the country. Experts from the wine industry judge wines on their quality and medal winners enjoy the benefits of being recognised and written about in the main media.

While not every medal winner is a wine that suits our taste, it is as a direct result of the shows and competitions that Australian wines have grown in popularity and quality. At Myshopping.com.au you can compare many award winning wines.

What’s your taste?

Regions and style

When you are shopping for wine, one of the first questions to answer is whether you are choosing a red wine or a white wine. Once you have decided this, you can then start to narrow down the different styles. Begin with the question of whether you are seeking a dry wine or a sweet wine.

Styles of wine are named after the region from which the grape originated. In the popular dark reds you have the Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot styles that tend to be drier wines. Lighter reds feature Beaujolais, Pinot Noir and Rose styles and these tend toward sweeter wines.

Popular white wines include the Chablis, Riesling, Semillon, Chenin, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay styles in dry wines, with Traminer Riesling, Moselle and late picked Verdelho in the sweeter styles. Aperitifs include sweet and dry sherry and Marsala. Dessert wines include Sauternes, Muscats and Ports.

Many wines are now presented as blended wines, a way to offer wider variety in taste and a way to use up less popular grapes and thereby minimise waste in the industry.

Australia has more than a dozen identified wine growing regions that produce distinctive wines of the main styles. The Barossa Valley in South Australia is possibly the most famous region with the richest heritage, and features many labels from subregions such as Claire Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and the Adelaide Hills. These regions produce some of the most spectacular Riesling wines, and Shiraz styles in the country. East of this region, near the border with Victoria lies the Coonawarra district (also known as Riverland), famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon. In Victoria lie the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsular districts. The Goulbourn Valley lies on the border with New South Wales. The Hunter Valley in New South Wales produces some of Australia’s finest wines, while in the West, Margaret River, t4he Swan Valley and the Plantagenet districts all produce fine wines.

Trends

Recent economic conditions and consecutive years of oversupply have changed much of Australia’s wine market. There are many small boutique wineries whose products can be bought direct from the cellar door. Many of these wines are featured on Myshopping.com.au by style and region.

The wine industry is encouraging the buying of wines and cellaring them (storing them in a cool place) for a period of time and enjoying them at a later time. To cellar your wine, store it somewhere cool, dark, airy, and free from vibration and dampness. Temperature stability is the most important factor in preserving wine in the cellar. Storing wine in an environment where the temperature varies gradually with the seasons is better than in a room that varies with the day and night.

For long-term storage, the ideal cellar temperature is 18 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 60-75%. Warmer conditions accelerate the development of wines, which could mean a reduction in the pleasure of drinking them.

The second phenomenon to occur through oversupply is the introduction of cleanskins, a method of selling wine without a brand label. This is presented as being ‘money saving’ because of a reduction in marketing expense, however the real cost saving per bottle is around 3-5 cents (the cost of printing and applying a label).

Cleanskins enable a wine producer to present a lower cost bottle, but this is mostly achieved by not having to identify the origins of the grape, or the varietal blends that make up the wine. And while it is true that some cleanskins are eminently drinkable wines, evidence suggests that they are generally of a far poorer quality than branded label products. It is suggested that you taste the wine before purchasing any cleanskins.

Wine is a high fashion product, and wine trends emerge on a regular basis. The best way to follow these trends is to shop using Myshopping.com.au—comparing prices and suppliers, and following medal winning labels.

Asian women impact on Asian tipplers

Asian women impact on Asian tipplers
Asian women working from grape to glass are having a profound impact on the evolution of the world’s fastest growing wine culture, including the emerging Asian palate.

Read more on Independent

20 is tops for Vail culinary festival

20 is tops for Vail culinary festival
VAIL, Colorado – We’re a spoiled lot. Whereas some festivals are about a little bit of food and a little bit of wine, Taste of Vail doesn’t pull any punches. Fifty-five boutique wineries send out their winemaker to pour their elixirs, local chefs offer up a parade of tasty treats and guest chefs from around the country fly in and share their own sweet and savory morsels. All in all, it’s a …

Read more on Vail Daily

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