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Wine Ratings, Wine, Wines

Friday, December 28, 2012

A Little Wine Goes A Long Way

With the holidays upon us, it's tempting to over-indulge now, only to feel guilty and cut way back after the New Year.  Changing to a healthier diet needn’t mean you miss out on the good things in life…

A question of balance:

You’ve embarked on a diet – and have even discovered some exciting new recipes – but what about wine? According to doctors, a little bit of what you fancy does you good, so much so that heart attack patients in one Wiltshire hospital were given two glasses a day during their stay. It’s also a great stress reliever, helping you unwind at the end of a busy day. The secret is moderation – but by drinking less you can afford a few special bottles and expand your wine horizons.

A world of choice:

Start by taking a grape variety you know, then work your way through different examples from around the world. Lovers of Aussie Chardonnay, for instance, might ring the changes with rich, barrel-matured white Burgundy. If you’ve already discovered fruit-filled Chilean Cabernet, then you really need to try the aristocratic reds of Bordeaux. Find out for yourself why the wines of New Zealand have become so popular, or experience the everlasting appeal of Burgundy.  Just a few rungs up the price ladder, flavours become more intense – making it far easier to stick to a single glass!

When exploring, don’t be afraid to ask questions of waiters or shop staff – if properly trained they will be full of useful advice. The very cheapest wine is rarely the best value for money. Sales tax, transport and packaging are virtually the same whether it’s a basic vin de table or from a prestigious estate. By paying a little extra – say $10 to $15 – you get a big increase in wine quality.

The easy option:

More people are ordering their wine online thanks to the convenience and range of wines on offer. Online wine merchants invariably provide more information about their wines than you will find on the label when perusing the supermarket shelves. Laithwaites were voted UK Independent Wine Merchant of the Year 2007 and have seen their online orders increase rapidly in recent years. It isn’t hard to see why – a quick look at their website reveals a wide range of wines with helpful descriptions about each bottle. Ordering is simple, each selection is delivered direct to your door and every bottle is covered by a full money-back guarantee.

With expert wine merchants available at your fingertips it has become a whole lot easier to enjoy better wines at very competitive prices. Avoid cheap supermarket wine and you’ll discover a little good wine really does go a long way. You may find that you shed those unwanted pounds and your health, not to mention your palate, improves too!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Great Wine Gifts

The Holidays are upon us once again!

For virtually any occasion, such as special moments and holidays, wine makes a great gift.  From informal meetings to wedding celebrations and bashes, wine is a gift that is truly hard to beat. There are several different gifts you can get that relate to wine.  No matter who it may be that you are giving the gift to - wine is something that is truly appreciated - a gift from the heart.

Among the several gifts of wine that you can give, is personalized wine.  There are several companies that offer personalized wine and champagne gifts, complete with custom made designs and labels.  For corporate events and parties, a personalized wine gift is an ideal way to showcase your gratitude and give a gift that truly shows how much you care.

If you prefer, there are also ways that you can create your own personalized gift.  First of all, you’ll need to select a wine label from one of the numerous custom wines available.  Next, you will need to personalize your text by adding your own messages and ideas.  Last, you’ll need to select a container or wrapper that is best appropriate for your gift of wine.  You should be as creative as possible, as it will help to make your wine gift to have a bit more impact.

Another great wine related gift that you can give are corkscrews.  Corkscrews make for a truly great gift, allowing you to open wine bottles with the corks intact.  Wine lovers who want to open a bottle of wine every now and then, and keep the cork in great shape will truly appreciate the gift of a corkscrew.  Corkscrews are also used in restaurants as well, as they can easily remove even the toughest of corks. 

Another great gift that relates to wine is the pocket vineyard, which is an electronic device that contains a wine glossary, vintage wine charts, and even suggestions and ideas for pairing wine with food.  The pocket vineyard is a great gift for anyone who likes wine, as it allows them to learn more about wine in general and make better choices overall when it comes to wine.

You can find many other wine gifts to give as well.  If you look on the Internet, you can find all different types of wine gifts that you can give to virtually anyone.  You can also find great gifts in local stores as well, many of which are available at great prices.  If you aren’t sure about what to get someone, you can always ask.  Although there are many different gifts that you can give for a variety of occasions, few gifts have the impact of wine.  If you choose - you can always give the gift of wine - a bottle that is sure to please anyone.