Southern Australia is renowned for producing supreme quality wine and amidst this wine region, Barossa Valley is one of the oldest, with many vines here being more than 100 years old. Barossa Valley is most celebrated for its red wine. Given the dry and hot climate, the grapes get to ripen fully while retaining high sugar content. This plays a part in creating powerful wines that are punchy and highly concentrated in flavor. Shiraz rules in Barossa Valley. Being rich and full-bodied, the prized Barossa Shiraz is more fruit-driven than...

We have all been there. Putting aside unfinished wine and then forgetting about it. While there is nothing wrong with drinking leftover wine apart from the unpleasant taste due to oxidation, there are actually other interesting ways to use up leftover wine. A little wine does wonders to cooking, so you can freeze leftover wine into ice cubes for future culinary use. When you find yourself making sauces or soups and in need of a flavor boost, out come these tiny frozen wine cubes to be stirred into the pan....

Tapas is part of the Spanish cuisine and it has gained worldwide popularity in recent years. You might be organizing a trip to Spain or coming up with a tapas party at home, regardless of your plan, this is a good time to start thinking about how to pair tapas with wine. During a tapas crawl, the pleasure is to sample a few small dishes of tapas and wine in one restaurant before moving on to another and repeating the same process. House wines are often of good quality in...

In the world of wine, where red, white and rosé dominate, it is hard to imagine a wine of another color. Orange wine is trending hard nowadays and no, it is not made of orange or other citrus fruits.   The term “orange wine” is referring to the wine color, and it comes in a spectrum that ranges from light coppery amber to intense orange. Orange wine is not a novelty in the wine-making world. In fact, it has been made in the country of Georgia for thousands of years. Orange...

It has been said that the wine you like to drink defines who you are as a person. When you are planning to give wine as a gift, how do you select a wine based on the personality of the recipient? For the optimist brimming with hope, a bubbly person who is the life of a party, you should definitely give champagne as a gift. Champagnes are drunk at celebrations and a vibrant personality would be flattered to receive this sparkling wine as gift. For a laid-back and easy-going friend,...

With the legalization of cannabis throughout the states and on an international scale, it is finally starting to shake off its long-standing, unjustified stigma. There is no denying the difference it is making to millions of people who have long-suffered through health issues both physically and mentally thanks to current laws allowing its usage. Wine’s health benefits have been researched, proven and published for many years, aiding heart disease, cholesterol, diabetes, mental health and even boasts in keeping us looking younger… that is within moderate amounts. With such natural benefits...

It is undeniable that sparkling wines give special occasions extra glamor and more cause for celebration. This summer, you may be planning a party, brunch, picnic or a cosy event. If you wish to take the usual offering of sparking wines up a notch, why not consider blending your favorite bubbly into delicious cocktails? Sweeten your Moët with watermelons, which are popular thirst-quenchers during summer. Mix 1 part watermelon juice with 4 parts champagne, then squeeze in fresh lime juice for some zing. You can adjust the quantity of the...

A good wine often makes for a great gift, but a good wine backed by the star power of celebrities is definitely a dazzling present for someone special. The “Godfather” of Californian Cabernet Sauvignon has to be Francis Ford Coppola. From his vineyard, he has produced bold, well-balanced red wine with the potential to be cellared and aged. This will undoubtably be a meaningful gift for cinematic enthusiasts. Restaurateur and Food Network TV personality Guy Fieri also owns a vineyard in Sonoma County, California, named Hunt & Ryde Winery. Aficionados...

The sun is shining and you’re feeling fresh and ready to socialize. Time to send out invites for the first barbecue of the season. Maybe you want to show off your new smoker or grill and get some choice cuts of meat to do it right. Since you’re not skimping on the menu, you cannot skimp on the beverages. Here is a little help to pick the best wine pairings to show off your bbq skills even more! Aperos Green salads with fresh goat cheese/feta with vinaigrette Vintage Cava is...

Douro has long been known as port country, renowned for its production of fortified wine, but from this exciting UNESCO world heritage region in Portugal, you can also find good value table wines, from red to white to rosé. The development of the Portuguese wine culture has not been as open as its neighbors in Spain or further up in France. Many of its grapes still come from old vines. In the Douro Valley, the same grapes used for making port are also used to produce red wine. These are...