Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Coffee Characteristics and How it Helps You Choose the Perfect Coffee for You!
Coffee characteristics are sometimes thought to be something only the coffee connoisseur would be concerned with. However, the following definitions of coffee characteristics will enable you to have a better understanding of what flavors, aromas and...

Enjoy Colorado Wines
Announcing! One of the Best Kept Secrets in the World of Wine... Do you remember hearing that the best wines are now coming from California? Forget everything you've heard about California wine and listen, on my summer vacation I...

TAYBERRY, RASPBERRY AND STRAWBERRY JAM
The taste of Summer, bursting with flavour and anti-oxidant effects. Blackberry picking time was once a most important country activity. Country people would pick in droves, gathering the fruit for jams, tarts, crumble, jellies, teas, wine, ale,...

Vegan Chocolate Feeds the Sweet Tooth
Being a vegan doesn't mean eating boring food. One area that causes us more consternation than others is dessert. Most traditional desserts include milk or cream. Whether it's cake or cookies, the recipes usually call for dairy products. That's...

What Wise Guys Eat
When I lived in the North End of Boston, in the nineteen eighties and nineties, I hung around a neighborhood bar from time to time, called The Corner Café. It was located on Prince Street near the corner of Salem Street. And it was indeed a...

 
Aging Gracefully

When a zinfandel or merlot (and most red wine) is young, generally within 3-5 years of the vintage date on the bottle, it shows a lot of deep purple color, intensive fruit in the nose, somewhat hot alcohol to the taste and less overall smoothness than it will show later in its life. As the wine ages, the alcohol, tannic acid (from the grape skins and the oak in the barrel) and fruit flavors start to soften up and blend together to present a more smooth and finished wine. Often the differences in taste between young wine and well aged wine are extremely evident and aged wine is very desirable. How do you do that?

Please note that you, the consumer, have very little control over the many winemaking variables that affect wine aging, but have some control over cellar storage conditions that affect aging, namely temperature, light, humidity and vibration.

Out here in California there are darned few houses built with cellars in them. You can "cellar" a wine in a closet or pay big bucks for a temperature and humidity controlled cabinet in which you can store your treasures. If you are interested in and have the personal discipline to cellar some wines over the several years it takes, here is a tip before you start

Some wine does not get better with age, it just gets older. This is particularly true of most white wines and for certain sparkling wine or Champagne. I have shed tears over unopened bottles of excellent French Champagne that were saved in a well-intentioned effort from someone's wedding 20 years ago. Champagne is meant to be consumed shortly after it is released. It does not improve in the bottle after it is released.

The key to cellaring is to start with something that has the potential to improve. In red wines that usually means a big, well-made and probably expensive cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, zinfandel or merlot or port. In whites a really big oaked chardonnay or a very sweet, rich, dessert wine such as true Sauternes or a German trockenbeerenauslese. I am afraid the "expensive" part of that statement is very true. Cellaring your typical $7.00 bottle


of supermarket zinfandel is going to be a disappointing exercise in patience, but if you are able to purchase some massive, oaky, tannic red you will likely have a candidate for aging.

The most important variable in aging wine is the temperature at which it is stored. Not simply the number of degrees, but the RANGE of the temperatures. If you had a perfect situation and could hold your wines at 65°F year round you would be set. However, if that temperature fluctuates from 50°F to 70°F or higher you may just as well drink it now. What happens is the liquid in the bottle expands and contracts with the temperature and eventually pushes around the cork, breaking the seal and allowing air to enter. This starts a chain reaction of microbial actions. Result: spoiled expensive old wine and tears of frustration.

Do I need to tell you to store wine on its side so that the cork stays moist and doesn't dry out? If you fail to do this see the paragraph above, because the result is the same.

Collecting and aging wine takes money, care, time, money, knowledge and money. If you have got all those, it can be a worthwhile and rewarding pursuit. At one point in the not so distant past, there were French red wines you simply HAD to age, as they were literally undrinkable when first released and were purchased by cognoscenti who would not have dreamed of opening them for at least 10 years! Such winemaking techniques have generally faded from the scene and so most wine is now released ready to be splashed into a glass and consumed. If you find one that could be saved and improved, try to do so, for your own wine education.
About the Author

Paul Kreider, who made his first wine in 1975, is the owner and winemaker of the Ross Valley Winery in San Anselmo, California. Since 1987, with notable success, his small Marin County bonded winery has specialized in transforming modest lots of unique grapes into vineyard-designated wines, each with its own individual character and particular personality. Check our website at www.rossvalleywinery.com.

 

Wine&Spirits Magazine
Click here for recommendations on what to buy en primeur, more than one hundred wines reviewed by Joshua Greene and Fiona Morrison, MW. ...
www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com
 
Sam's Wines & Spirits - The Wine And Spirits Leader
Chicago-based store selling imported and domestic wine, beers, spirits and gourmet foods. Site also offers food pairing ideas, party planning and ...
www.samswine.com
 
DrinkOn.com - Buy Wine, Spirits, Whisky & Champagne Online...
Sales of wines and spirits. Secure on-line ordering.
www.drinkon.com
 
Beverages & More! - Wine, Spirits, Liquor, Beer, Microbrews ...
Beverages and more! Wine, Spirits, Beer, Gourmet Food Superstore selling Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Chianti, Port, Pinot, ...
www.bevmo.com
 
Morrisons Supermarket - Wine/Spirits
Range and Product Information · Wine/Spirits · More 4 Baby · Music, DVD and Video · Home and Leisure · Petrol Stations · Health and Beauty · Pharmacy ...
www.morrisons.co.uk
 
Morrisons Supermarket - Wine/Spirits
Market Street · Range and Product Information · Wine/Spirits · Award of the Month · Wine of the Month · New at Morrisons · Focus On · Wine Offers ...
www.morrisons.co.uk
 
Gourmet Food Mall - Wine Spirits & Beer
Wine, Spirits & Beer Gifts Online. Need a wine gift basket? ... Coming soon... Read Wine, Spirits & Beer articles submitted by our merchants. ...
www.gourmetfoodmall.com
 
Food-and-Drink - Wine-Spirits Ezine Articles
EzineArticles.com allows ezine or email list publishers to upload or download free expert content that can be used within email newsletters or websites.
ezinearticles.com
 
BWS - Beer Wine Spirits
Welcome to BWS, which stands for Beer, Wine and Spirits. BWS is Australia's fastest growing liquor retailer with the best service & prices! That's BWS.
www.beerwinespirits.com.au
 
Imbibe | The Ultimate Drinks Magazine, Exploring Wine, Spirits ...
Imbibe Magazine is the magazine of liquid culture. It's the indispensable guide to all that's fit to drink.
imbibemagazine.com
 
Home Entertaining - Gourmet Cooking, Wine, Spirits, Holiday ...
Home entertaining tips from Food Network recipes and videos.
www.foodnetwork.com
 
wine shopping wine spirits wineries
Wine, Spirits · Food Shopping. wp3df4401b.gif. wp647b4e87.jpg. Read our DISCLAIMER and PRIVACY POLICY before using my site. ...
www.annamariavolpi.com
 
O-I Beer Wine Spirits Overview
OI Packaging Solutions - Everywhere Everyday, Beer/Wine/Spirits ... Beer Wine Spirits Group Shot. Top Brands Choose O-I Around the world, consumers purchase ...
www.o-i.com
 
Amazon.com: wine spirits and beer
wine spirits and beer (10 products tagged by 3 customers). Products tagged "wine spirits and beer" ... Got images related to the tag wine spirits and beer? ...
www.amazon.com
 
Krones AG - Home - Branches - Wine, Sparkling Wine, Spirits
Wine, Sparkling Wine, Spirits. Wine – new wine-growing nations tap export opportunities With 1.1 million hectares of vines under cultivation, ...
www.krones.de
 
wine spirits, excellence is our tradition
wine spirits. african beverage data · alcoholic beverage importers · asian beverage data · australian beverage data · beverage bottlers US ...
www.beveragemarketing.com
 
wine spirits, official homepage
wine spirits. Beverage Marketing studies of the U.S. market, Beverage Marketing now publishes 15 titles providing a comprehensive worldwide perspective. ...
www.beveragemarketing.com
 
Buy Wine, Fortified Wine, Spirits, Liqueurs online :: Cockburns of ...
Wines from Australia, Wines from California, Wines from around the world. Buy your wine online for home delivery by Cockburns of Leith.
www.winelist.co.uk
 
BLM Wine+Spirits - Boston's best resource for wine and spirits ...
Directory of available wines with prices, newsletter signup, and tasting schedule.
www.blmwine.com
 
Petite Wines Miniature Drinks, Wine, Spirits, Whisky Miniatures
Miniature whisky, wine, liquor, spirits and alcoholic miniatures. Personlised labelling service for wedding favours and corporate gifts. Secure online shop.
www.petitewines.co.uk
 
 

 

Content Menu
  • 10 great wine tasting tips

  • 16 quick tips for eating at restaurants or work

  • 4000 year old secrets of green tea

  • aging gracefully

  • all about entertaining with food and wine

  • american fast food restaurants

  • and you thought coffee was bad for you

  • an idiots guide to wine tasting

  • an introduction to wine

  • australian bbq recipes

  • australian wines

  • australia is more than jacobs creek

  • autumn cooking great fall recipes and tips

  • a beginners guide to chinese cookery

  • a guide to gourmet coffee

  • a guide to wine racks

  • a perfect cup of coffee

  • bakers racks add flair and style to your kitchen

  • barbeque grilling has reached a whole new dimension

  • barbequing a fun and convenient way to make dinner

  • basque cuisine

  • beer and food pairings

  • blended and varietal wines

  • blue cheese omnivorous

  • braised fish in soy sauce hong shao yu

  • braised garlic short ribs with a red wine tomato sauce

  • build your own wine rack in an afternoon

  • buying wine how to read a wine label

  • buy fine wine at great prices a strategy

  • champagne wine

  • change your diet and eat the mediterranean way

  • cheese explore a new taste

  • chicken breasts with spicy rub

  • chicken with white wine pasta

  • chilean wine history and style

  • chinese dumplings on chinese new year

  • chocolate is good for you

  • choosing a wine gift basket

  • choosing wine on a first date

  • choosing wine to match food

  • christmas recipes main dishes no 9 of 12 duck with cardamom sauce

  • class on glass

  • coffee characteristics and how it helps you choose the perfect coffee for you

  • coffee everything you need to know from arabica to zanzibar

  • coffee is it getting too complicated

  • coffee with class

  • come home to comfort food

  • corks for wine

  • creating the perfect foam

  • cuban thanksgiving from our latin table

  • cucumber pork soup

  • delicoious swordfish

  • determining if a wine is spoiled

  • do you know these little known facts about tuscany wines

  • easy summer salads lighter foods for a brighter summer

  • ediths cake that thrilled the french

  • emu the natural alternativee for the backyard grill

  • enjoy colorado wines

  • enjoy your favorite winebut with some rules

  • experience the joy of eating at a restaurant

  • fall for outdoor entertaining this autumn

  • family life or wine for christmas dy

  • fantastic fruit

  • fine dining at the ark of las vegas lutece and tsunami asian grill

  • fondue 101 how to make cheese fondue

  • foods to avoid that cause bad breath

  • food and drink what to expect in costa rica

  • food and wine choice advice from an expert wine taster

  • formula for successful wedding party

  • french wine

  • french wine laws

  • fresh fare from the food isle ireland

  • from prix fixe to cold tea a glossary of popular and obscure restaurant terms

  • german wine the new commodity on the american market

  • get to grips with your wines

  • gift of the month clubs the lazy mans guide to gift giving

  • give a fondue party

  • gourmet a defining moment

  • gourmet centerpieces

  • gourmet coffee beans a brief overview

  • gourmet goodies

  • gourmet sauces rubs and marinades give your bbq a gourmet kick

  • grigio or gris this is a great white wine

  • grilled scallops with ginger lime sauce

  • guide to buying wine glasses

  • guide to tasting wine

  • hans is author of steaks seafood and

  • have a wine and cheese shower or party

  • have you bought your first case of wine yet

  • healthy fondue a guide to making broth and hot oil fondues

  • healthy seafood recipe

  • health benefits of tea

  • helens homemade fishcakes recipe

  • helens pan fried seabass

  • history of hawaiian coffee

  • history of the mendocino county wine industry

  • holiday cookie exchange

  • homemade christmas gifts from the kitchen make your own holiday gift baskets

  • honey dijon glazed ribs

  • hosting a wine party

  • hosting a wine tasting party

  • hot fun in the summertime

  • how sparkling wine is made

  • how to begin wine collecting

  • how to be creative when you are cooking

  • how to brew your own beer

  • how to grow grapes for excellent wine

  • how to host a memorable july 4th barbecue and have fun too

  • how to host a wine party

  • how to make beer

  • how to order wine in a restaurant

  • how to store wine

  • how wine is made

  • index

  • introduction to italian wine

  • in grandmas kitchen part i

  • in praise of the humble salad

  • in time for summer blue danube wine company introduces refreshing new varietals from hungary the craftsmane series from hilltop neszmely winery

  • is your italian olive oil really italian

  • italian cuisine in the heart of tuscany

  • italian cuisine more than pasta

  • kitchen pantry

  • knowledge and creativity

  • la minita coffee its in the green beans

  • learn about chardonnay wine

  • learn about the benefits of green tea

  • learn to deal with the wine steward in restaurants

  • left over wine

  • love wine join a wine club

  • low fat salmon recipes

  • make your own gourmet gift baskets

  • making red wine

  • making wine like a pro

  • maple flavored smoked turkey

  • marketing wine on the internet

  • more mead mlord irelands medieval banquets

  • murder by heat

  • not your orthodox way of learning about wine

  • oakville wine country

  • olive varieties

  • paella recipe secret

  • paella the most famous spanish dish

  • parmesan crusted sole with lemon beurre blanc

  • pinot gris or grigio this grape makes great wine

  • planning a fondue party

  • planning wine for your party

  • provence a wine lovers dream come true

  • quick reference buying and storage guide for cheese

  • raise a glass to the best wine of the month gifts

  • rare varietals cure wine boredom

  • reading an italian wine label

  • recipes from around the world right in your kitchen

  • reductions proving less is more

  • regional cuisine new england clam chowder

  • roasted vegetable and goat cheese salad

  • roast rack of pork with grain mustard sauce

  • rotator

  • rowan jelly mountain ash pyrus aucuparia

  • rubs to cook with

  • rutherford wine country

  • sangria blanca

  • sangria recipe

  • satisfy your wine desires join a wine club

  • sauces for quick gourmet cooking

  • sauces used in asian cooking

  • sauted family bean curd

  • seafood and corn beach barbecue

  • seafood fettuccine alfredo

  • selection of seafood recipes compliments of cafe hobson

  • serving wine

  • share a gourmet food basket with your lover

  • sherry a wine of tradition

  • sicilys great eggplant tomato stew

  • smell nothing taste nothing

  • southern mama

  • spanish food how to prepare boquerones

  • spanish food the tasty tortilla

  • specialty gourmet coffee

  • special ingredients shark fins birds nest

  • start your wine cellar the right way

  • storing your fine wine

  • substitutions for commonly used ingredients

  • sweet sour fish

  • sweet sour pork gu lao rou

  • sweet surprises

  • take a california wine country tour

  • tasteful gift giving

  • tasting wine

  • tasting wine the basics for beginners

  • tayberry jam

  • tayberry raspberry and strawberry jam

  • tea at sea

  • tempranillos role as a new varietal wine in australia

  • tempranillo a new red wine star in australia

  • ten foods with special powers

  • the 1976 paris wine tasting

  • the best of the boutiques

  • the curious history of wine consumption in america

  • the excellent french wine

  • the first rule of wine drinking

  • the french paradox

  • the fundamentals

  • the gentle art of poaching

  • the habanero chile

  • the harmony between food and wine

  • the harmony between wine and food

  • the history of italian coffee

  • the history of the acai berry

  • the history of wine country in the sierra foothills and the delta

  • the ideal temperature to store your wine

  • the latest craze on gourmet coffee

  • the major flavor components in wine

  • the mystery of decanting

  • the mystery of sparkling wine

  • the next shiraz varietal wines for australia

  • the perfect complement

  • the rise of rioja wines

  • the stuff of poetry mead

  • the sucessful dinner party

  • the true hystory of tiramisu

  • the wine and green mushroom caper

  • three rules for choosing the right dinner wine

  • tips to buying food online

  • to air is divine

  • twelve wines of christmas

  • understanding the basics of wine tasting

  • understanding wine grapes

  • understand wine and your health

  • unique gifts send food gifts for something delicious and different

  • using bargain wines to your advantage

  • vegan chocolate feeds the sweet tooth

  • water into wine

  • weight loss recipe veal mango

  • what is corked wine

  • what puts the sparkle in sparkling wine

  • what wine really is just in case you thought you knew

  • what wise guys eat

  • what you need in a gourmet kitchen

  • when punt is about packaging not football

  • which is for you blended or varietal wines

  • who made the first wine anyway

  • who needs a cookie jar

  • why red wine is red and other isnt

  • winezap launches new website to help wine consumers find price and compare wines subscribers to winezaps free newsletter offered 10 off any wine regardless of quantity purchased

  • wine accessories the things you need

  • wine and beer are good for us yes second in a series

  • wine and dine them

  • wine and onion bisque spring mix salad with worcestershire parsley dressing

  • wine a worthy teammate for football

  • wine etiquette with ease

  • wine e learning campus in malta

  • wine grapes white varieties

  • wine is in the moment

  • wine making and home brewing whats the deal

  • wine making for beginners

  • wine openers 6 styles reviewed

  • wine racks are great for all your bottle storage needs

  • wine rack storage simple guides on choosing

  • wine rack storage simple guides on choosing the right rack for your wines

  • wine storage hints and tips

  • wine storage is the key to preserving and aging your wine

  • wine tasting

  • wine tasting four easy steps to hosting a great wine tasting party

  • wine tasting in carneros

  • wine tasting in yountville

  • wine tasting the taditional way

  • wine tasting the traditional way

  • wooden wine rack vs metal wine rack