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Wine Tasting Basics

Learning how to taste wines is an adventure that will deepen your appreciation for both wines and winemakers. Look, smell, taste - starting with your basic senses and expanding from there you will learn how to taste wines like the pros in no time!

Wine Tasting Basics

Wine Spotlight10

Wine Calories

Monday April 25, 2011

So how many calories are in your favorite glass of wine?  Do you really want to know where your favored wine's calorie count weighs in?  As it turns out, that is one of the most frequently asked questions that runs around the world of wine today!  

When it comes to wine and calories most nutritional charts allow approximately 25 calories per ounce of wine.  There is not a standard distinction made for calories in red wine versus the caloric content of a white wine; however, intuition would allow for slightly fewer calories in most red wines as many white wines come with a residual sugar content that is a touch higher.  Want the full skinny on Wine Calories?  Check it out here.

Red Wine Calories

White Wine Calories

Diets that Don't Count Wine Calories

Search the USDA's Nutritional Database for Wine Calories by Varietal


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Wine Refrigerators

Friday April 22, 2011

Wine refrigerators are one of the most common methods of storing wine - they are easy to find, a snap to set up and relatively cheap.   Wine refrigeration units are typically a first tier in the world of wine storage and provide an economical way to store a budding wine collection, with plenty of models and price points to choose from. 

However, there are some pros and cons to consider when looking at a wine refrigerator purchase.  With limitations in capacity and climate control options that may affect future wine purchase decisions, it's worth the time to do a little refrigerator research before springing for a model based on sleek design or specific dimensions. 

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Wine of the Week: Vina Robles Red 4 2008 (CA) $16

Tuesday April 19, 2011

The Vina Robles Red 4 is further testimony to Paso Robles' passion for successfully blending Rhone Valley grapes. The "4" is a quick reference to the four varietals of red grapes, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Mourvedre included in the mix, with each contributing its own character and element of style.

You'll find plenty of fruit in the form of dark cherry and blackberry, solid spice thanks to Syrah's ongoing contributions and well integrated tannins with credit given largely to Petite Sirah.  A fantastic red wine option for Easter Dinner this Sunday!

Disclosure: A sample was provided for review. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Kosher Wines

Thursday April 14, 2011

While kosher wine has maintained a key role in both historical and traditional Jewish ceremonies and celebrations for centuries, it's really been in the last twenty years that they have overcome their decades old reputation for being sweet, somewhat "sticky" wines, with a laser-like focus on a strict set of Jewish dietary rules and regulations, but with a fuzzy focus on quality winemaking standards.

Today kosher wines are produced all over the world from the obvious to the obscure, with Israel's wine regions, turning out some outstanding wines, thanks to a new wave of winemakers with educations that center as much on the viticulture and enology of winemaking as the strict standards needed to produce a wine under the kosher designation.

With Passover just five days away and Easter Sunday right around the corner, some traditionalists may be looking for an encounter with a kosher wine that will set a new palate standard, one that emphasizes the elevated quality and commitment to crafting kosher wines that can compete with varietal character and integrity on the international wine stage, if so check out the latest in kosher wine reviews and recommendations here.

Interested in learning more about what makes a kosher wine, well...kosher?  Then check out:

Kosher Wine 101

Kosher Wine Reviews and Recommendations

Wines of Israel


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