Another Medicinal Component in Red Wine
“Red wine makes me mellow.” “A glass of red wine at the end of the workday helps me unwind.” “Red wine makes me sleepy.” “A glass of red wine before bed helps me fall asleep.” Have you uttered one or
Read MoreThe Not-so-immutable Laws of Nature At Work in Winemaking
On numerous occasions I’ve discussed the symbiotic relationship of wine and the external environment with which it interacts. The French term “terroir” encapsulates the natural influences of climate, soil, sun exposure and elevation on the final wine produced and released
Read MoreThe Objectivity and Subjectivity Inherent in a Bottle of Wine
What makes one wine unique and distinct from another? I’m frequently asked this question. Aside from the obvious considerations such as different grape varieties and different countries/regions of origin, there is no empirical answer or immutable consensus. When considering wine,
Read MoreDeciphering the Regulated Labels of Italian Wines
In previous columns I’ve focused on wine labels. For many consumers this is their introduction to a particular bottle of wine. Their one-minute speed-date, if you will, to judge the inner qualities and intrinsic appeal based solely on a first
Read MoreSo You’re Thinking About Buying a Wine Storage Unit
In a number of previous columns, we’ve explored the numerous elements of consuming wine at its peak – the moment when it reaches the top of the bell curve and expresses its best characteristics. The columns focused on these categories:
Read MoreFriday Nights at the Movies With Wine and Pizza
Over the years, my wife and family have always endeavored to set aside Friday night as an element in our lives that was consistent from week to week. It was the night to sit back, de-stress and enjoy time together
Read MoreThe Wonder of Nature’s Influence on Our Hedonistic Pleasures
The natural and scientific components of winemaking are similar to the production of numerous other products. These products share the core processes and procedures of winemaking, but deviate at some point in their unique lifecycles. Examples abound. Coffee, cheese, bread,
Read MoreExploring the Bountiful Pairings of Artisanal Chocolates With Wine
In my last two columns, I focused on the similarities of the life cycle of wine to select agricultural products, from raw ingredients to finished product. I compared each step in the growing, harvesting and production of wine to similar
Read MoreA Glass of Wine and a Chocolate Truffle: Comparing Their Life Cycles
The natural and scientific components of winemaking are similar to the production of numerous other products. These products share the core processes and procedures of winemaking, but digress at some point in their unique lifecycles. The end results bear the
Read MoreI’ll Have Another Glass/Cup of Those Fermented Berries
There are numerous parallels to winemaking in the natural world, as humankind has endeavored to extend winemaking techniques to other agricultural harvests. The end results bear the imprint of the winemaking process but are distinct unto themselves. Cheese, bread, yogurt,
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