Secrets to Becoming a Wine Connoisseur

by: Fred London

Wine is a broad term that refers to the fermentation of plant matter for the purpose of producing an alcoholic beverage. Of course, most people think of grapes as the basis for wine, but other sources include rice (sake), various fruits (elderberry, grapefruit, cherry, etc.), barley, and even honey (mead).

For the purposes of this short explanation, we ll stick with wines made from grapes. These are categorized several ways, including by vinification methods, taste, and vintage. Many casual drinkers pay little attention to the differences in these categories. After all, for most folks the sole consideration is good taste. However, for many aficionados wine is serious business. The variety, taste, and vintage must all meet high expectations before serious collectors will consider owning a bottle.

Vinification

Vinification simply means the method by which grape juice is fermented into wine. The practices followed during fermentation are what determine the type of wine you end up being able to purchase. A common misunderstanding by the average drinker is that grape juice colors vary, which is what produces red, white, or rose wines. Actually, all grapes produce clear (or very close to clear) juices. What creates the color of the wine you buy is whether the grape skins have been left in contact with the juice during the fermentation process. Red wines have been fermented thusly; whites have not fermented in contact with grape skins; rose is a combination of the two.

Sparkling wines, such as champagne, have bubbly characteristics that are caused by the addition of carbon dioxide. This effect is achieved by fermenting the grape juice two times. The first time, the juice is fermented in open containers, which allow the carbon dioxide to escape. During the second fermentation, the juice is kept in closed containers, trapping and infusing the gases.

Taste

Most wines are described as dry, off-dry, fruity, or sweet. Technically, this refers to the amount of sugars left over after fermentation is completed. Dry has a tiny amount of residual sugar content, while sweet has high sugar content.

Beyond this basic taste classification, wine-tasting experts have developed a system of classifying wines by the more in-depth tastes and aromas they exude. Many outsiders find this a somewhat bewildering system, but tasting pros consider the ability to discern subtle elements of a wines taste to be a badge of honor. As one example, Cabernet Sauvignon is a popular variety that wine tasters claim contains a combination of black currants, chocolate, mint, and tobacco flavors.

Vintage

Vintage is a straightforward classification. It refers to the year of the grapes harvest from which a bottle of wine was made. This is important because many grape growers have exceptionally good harvests only during certain years. Also, the best grapes are usually singled out for use in a producers vintage bottles. You get the highest quality wine from that year’s harvest.

About The Author

Fred London - Fred, who has an acute wine palate show you how to keep wine at its best. Learn more Tips for Wine Storage at: http://www.AboutWineRefrigerators.com.



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Chicken Chipotle Gourmet Recipe

Here's another quick and easy gourmet treat that will tantalize your taste buds. Enjoy!

CHICKEN CHIPOTLE

Ingredients

A thick chicken breast
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 large roasted sweet Italian peppers, chopped into 1 inch portions
4 tblsp Extra Virgin olive oil
2 tblsp capers
6 slices Monterey-Jack cheese cut into strips about ½ inch wide by 2 inches long
½ cup Progresso Italian bread crumbs
½ cup Key West Brand Chipotle sauce

Split the breast, but do not cut through. Line the split with the cheese, roasted peppers and capers. Place the breast in a dish with concave dimensions or on aluminum foil with corners curled up, after using Pam to avoid sticking.

Saute the garlic in the olive oil very briefly – just flash the garlic and remove from heat.

Pour the garlic and olive oil over the breast. Cover with the bread crumbs and evenly distribute the Key West Chipotle sauce.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.

This recipe is for one serving – multiply for more.









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A Guide to Wine Tasting Holidays

Wine tasting holidays are very popular in Europe. Many travel agencies organize wine tasting holidays in different countries around the globe. When looking for a travel agency, you should look for one that offers many destinations such as trips to Italy, France, New Zealand and South Africa.  If you don't know where to go then consider wine tasting in Tuscany.

Wine tasting holidays are fantastic and bring a memorable experience to your and your travel partners; there are many things that you can enjoy whilst travellng such as visting the great wine cellars or a chateaux in France.

What will you ba able to do on your wine tasting holiday?  Well, there are simply so many choices such as being able to taste gourmet food, meet the chateaux owners and also meet the wine makers. You will not be able to experience these excitements if you visit these wineries alone as a person. Wine tasting holidays in different countries gives a unique experience. If you go for a wine tasting holiday in New Zealand, you will find unique experiences which you not find if you visit a similar place in South Africa.

If you choose a wine tasting break in France, you will be taken for a journey in the French vineyards of Bordeaux, Rhone, Burgundy, Alsace and Provence. There are different forms that your tour can take place. You can take the ride in a chartered bus, or in a private luxury car or a cruise, and the cost will vary accordingly.

Choose a Wine Guide

The organization generally provides a wine guide with the vacation. These people are normally very friendly and approachable. They fully understand that eveyone on the tour will have different skills and knowledge when it comes to wine. If you have never been to that region before or want to learn as much as you can, finding a wine guide is great.

A good wine guide in a wine tasting holiday can tell you the inside story, the gossip, the real history, the run down on the vintages, the producers and the wines, without the PR, the sales pitch or national chauvinism. If you come home without knowing the details of these destinations, what is the point in spending so much money and going for wine tasting holidays? If you have learnt the details of the particular areas, you can feel the place.

The price of wine tasting holidays depends on which region you are going to travel and make sure to confirm rates and read all the fine print before heading out to your getaway.  The good thing is that you don't have to be a real wine buff to enjoy a wine tasting holiday.  You don't even have to build your own wine cellar to house all the wines you buy on your trip.

Gourmet Chocolates Tips.

A while ago I decided to a be chef and make some gourmet food for a party, I actually ended up making truffles, and boy, were they a big hit with all my friends, who all made the assumption they were gourmet chocolates purchased from a trendy candy or gourmet food shop. Be warned! making your own gourmet chocolate is quite difficult, and it takes time and patience, however, on the positive side it gives you the option to choose from recipes that may not be so easy to get in the local candy store.

The key to making amazing gourmet chocolate:

Choosing and buying the ingredients of your gourmet chocolate is part of the fun. To start with I melted excellent quality dark chocolate over a double boiler. Secondly I rolled some small balls from marzipan and covered them with chocolate. Finally I rolled the chocolate covered marzipan in ground almonds, I also rolled chocolate covered peanut butter in more chocolate and then gave them a covering of ground peanuts.

Making chocolates opens up your creative juices, and so when making your own gourmet chocolates, you can create many different variations like, chocolate covered candied ginger, chocolate covered citrus peels; even chocolate covered chili peppers, wow.

Sharpen your sculpting talents when making gourmet chocolate:

A popular TV chef had a recipe for a honey chocolate cake, which inspired me to make a honey marzipan truffle.

• Start by getting the chocolate ingredients.
• Then melt the chocolate over the double boiler.
• Add a little honey, this will create a nice glaze.
• Now get the marzipan and with a paring knife carve some simple shapes like flowers, bunnies or hearts.
• Then immerse the shaped marzipan cautiously into the chocolate and let the chocolate set on the marzipan.
• Then dust them with confectioner's sugar.
• The glaze will be a little sticky, so the sugar will stick.

This will make a great gift for all occasions, and is an especially good idea for gourmet chocolates, because you can make the marzipan into any shape to suit the occasion, and finish off by dusting them with the confectioner's sugar.

A Fantastic gift for someone you care about:

It's difficult to find someone who doesn't like chocolate, so as gifts they are an excellent choice to show someone you care. By making chocolate yourself, you can take your time, and make them look great for that special person in your life. Food and wine followed by some gourmet chocolates will definitely score you some brownie points.

Gourmet chocolates are as a rule created by master chocolate makers, so there's no pressure here, but be sure you don't make something that’s looks dreadful and uninteresting, as this will crush the object of making them yourself. If the chocolates you create are lumpy, uneven or mis-shaped people will not think much of them. You need to be sure the quality is fantastic when offering your friends some of your gourmet chocolate.

Wine Gift Baskets For All Occasions

A wine gift basket can provide the ideal gift or a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion that requires a gift. They can provide elegant gifts for wine lovers and can include additional products besides wine. You could also include such treats as cheese, chocolates, fruit, nuts and wine accessories like corkscrews and bottle openers, drip stoppers, foil cutters or whatever else you decide to add to the basket. They are available already assembled or you can create your own to add that special touch. All you need to know is the type of wine the recipient enjoys, or you can create a surprise basket.

Buying Prepared Baskets

If you'd rather buy a wine gift basket pre packaged, stop into your local liquor store to see if they have a selection available. Liquor stores will often sell wine gift baskets, especially at holiday times. You should have a range of wines from which to choose and then you can add extra products.

Shop Online

The internet is a great place to order customizable gift baskets. Begin by choosing a bottle or two of wine, then start adding additional products from the range of food and accessories. Complementary products could include smoked salmon and caviar, savory crackers or cheese crackers, soft or hard cheeses, cheese knives, nuts, exclusive mustards or honey ... the sky's the limit when it comes to adding to them.

The organization then delivers the gift basket to you or straight to the gift recipient. This is a very easy option for a corporate gift or as a thank-you to a member of your staff.

Make Your Own Gift Baskets

Making your own wine gift basket gives allows you to add that extra personal touch. Start by buying an attractive basket. Even a simple and inexpensive basket will do because you can then decorate it with silk flowers or colored tissue paper. Buy your wine of choice or choose champagne for a special celebration, add some additional products depending on the preferences of the gift recipient. For example, it's not necessary to limit your gift basket to wine or wine accessories. You could include handicrafts for someone interested in arts and crafts, or a book about wine for a wine lover who is also interested in the history or the making of wine. Add some quality food products to accompany the wine, pack everything into your decorated basket and wrap the whole thing in clear cellophane.

If you are able to, deliver the gift basket to the recipient personally so you can see their joy when they receive it. If you're lucky he or she might even share the bottle of wine with you.

You can still assemble a stunning gift basket for a non-wine drinker. A coffee drinker might enjoy a gift basket that included freshly roasted coffee beans from different coffee-growing regions, coffee mugs, gourmet cookies, caramels and nuts. A tea drinker would appreciate a selection of teas from different regions, a teapot and strainer and a fine china teacup. A coffee or tea gift basket could actually be packed onto a decorated tray rather that a basket. Again, wrap the entire package in clear cellophane and tie a ribbon around it.

Gift basket ideas are only limited by your imagination.

Passion Is The Key Ingredient For A Gourmet Cooking Class

All across the country, people like you are considering taking part in a course this fall and winter. Whatever your motivation, a gourmet cooking class could be exactly what you're looking for.

Gourmet food is more than just filling a yawning belly. It satisfies more than just hunger. It is the cooking equivalent to art. If Ronald McDonald were a house painter, gourmet cooking would be Vincent Van Gogh.

Professional gourmet chefs can command excellent salaries. And though they work under pressure, often putting in long hours, the rewards can be high. You have the chance to make a mark in your local community. You can earn a certain notoriety - good restaurants get attention. They are written about in blogs and in the press. Famous people, or at least well-known locals, will show up if the reviews are good. You could move into becoming a restauranteur, running your own business, perhaps even owning a chain of restaurants.

But there's one requirement; one thing you absolutely must have. A passion for cooking.

You have to feel the intoxication of great ingredients. You have to catch your breath at the sight of a beautifully presented dish. And you have to want to go through everything it takes to be the best.

Even if your ambitions don't reach so high, you'll still get a lot out of a gourmet cooking course. The emphasis will be on quality over quantity - and with over 35% of the US population declared officially obese, that can't be a bad thing.

You'll learn how to present food to have your dinner guests reaching for their cameras. Your meals will become sensuous experiences shared with a chosen few of friends and loved ones. But most of all, your moments in the kitchen will be transformed into stimulating explorations, assaults on the senses that make life so worth living.

In short, attend a gourmet cooking class, and you won't just be enriching your diet. Your life will be enriched.

Masses of Cooking Classes

cooking class

Whether you are a seasoned pro when it comes to the fine art of cooking or an utter novice, there should be some cooking schools or resources in your area that can help you learn and improve your existing skills. Surprisingly few people manage to utilize the many wonderful opportunities that are available to them when it comes to cooking classes.

If you are considering a cooking class you should be glad to know that many communities offer them for a nominal fee at night and sometimes on the weekend. These classes are rather basic and often designed to help women learn the basics of a few economical and healthy meals to prepare for their beginning families. If this is for you, visit the library for the available classes in your area locally. Even if they do not have the information available it is quite likely that they can point you in the right direction. If for some reason you're tight for time, there is also an option in taking cooking online classes. It will be easy to learn such skills as cooking rice, pastas, fish, and any other tantalizing dish.

If you are looking for cooking classes that you can take with your children, check out your library once again for the first resource. There are also many gourmet food shops that offer cooking classes for parents to take with their children. This is a great opportunity to bond with your child while you both learn to prepare a new dish or two together. It is quite likely that you will be quite surprised by the things you can learn from your child as well as the things you can learn by simply taking the class.

For those among us who are seeking culinary experience with very specific cuisines you will have to search a little more for the perfect cooking classes in which you can achieve your goal. They do exist however, though your chances of learning Thai cooking are much greater in a larger city than in smaller towns throughout the country. If you are really interested in learning some exotic cooking techniques perhaps you should consider a vacation in which you can try out a few new cooking classes while you are there. If you prefer other things on your vacation to cooking you could make a point of attempting one basic class in the cuisine of your choice for each vacation you take. This will give you a little more than the same old souvenir to bring back from your trip and an experience that in many cases is quite memorable.

Finally, if you are looking for a romantic idea, how about signing up to take a couples cooking class? Believe it or not, these classes are often offered in both big and smaller cities. They seem to be all the rage around Valentine's day, perhaps the hint is that the other partner in a relationship can share some of the cooking responsibility or perhaps the idea is that there is more than one way to steam up the kitchen.

Regardless of the reason for taking cooking classes they can bring not only a great deal of enjoyment to your dining room, but also increase your ease in your kitchen. If you've never taken a cooking class, there is no time like the present to do so. No matter how skilled you are in the kitchen there is always something that can be learned.

Quail In Peppercorn Sauce With Pasta And Asparagus

Here's another original recipe to please your family.

INGREDIENTS

4 quail (packaged frozen)
10 ounce jar or can sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup Chablis 1/2 pint heavy cream
Dash of turmeric 4 tblsp. butter
1/4 tsp. marjoram 2 small cans cut asparagus
Pinch of parsley 8 ounces angel hair pasta
Pinch of tarragon 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
Pinch of chives 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack
1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1 tblsp. grated parmesan
2 tblsp. green peppercorns 1 tblsp. dill weed
Flour

Defrost quail.

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a baking dish, place the defrosted quail. Add wine and 1/2 cup water. Then add mushrooms, turmeric, marjoram, parsley, chives, tarragon, garlic powder and peppercorns. Bake for 30 minutes, making sure to baste the quail frequently, since the meat is easily dried out.

While the quail are baking, boil pasta. Combine cheeses and 1/4 pint heavy cream in a saucepan. Heat until cheeses are thoroughly melted.

Remove quail from oven and pour remaining liquid into a saucepan.

Replace baking dish with the quail in oven for another 10 minutes to crisp, watching regularly to avoid drying.

Meanwhile, heat asparagus in a small saucepan. Add the butter and dill weed and stir. Keep warm.

To the saucepan containing the mushrooms and peppercorns, add the remaining cream. Over medium heat, add flour to thicken, stirring constantly.

To serve, place quail 2 per plate, and pour mushroom/peppercorn sauce over. Place asparagus on plate and pour butter dill sauce sparingly.

Add melted cheese and cream to drained pasta, mix thoroughly and serve.

Enjoy!

copyright 2008 Jim Nettleton



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Pottage Italiano, A Mouthwatering Treat

Here’s another terrific recipe of mine that’s a real tummy filler. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

1 15 ounce can Hunt's tomato sauce
1 tblsp. finely chopped garlic
1/2 small onion, chopped in chunks
1 tblsp. parsley
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. basil
1 whole mild Italian sausage
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup dry red wine - Cabernet Sauvignon recommended
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup freshly sliced mushrooms
1 cup coarsely chopped red bell peppers, with seeds removed
1 1/2 cups diced creamer potatoes
4 pieces veal, scallopini style
1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup Parmesan, Romano, Provolone cheese, mixed in equal portions and grated
1/2 cup olive oil for sauteeing
1 cup fresh snow peas in pod

Place tomato sauce in a large pot. Add garlic, onion, parsley, pepper, basil, water, wine, 1/4 cup olive oil and two small pieces (about an inch long apiece) of Italian sausage. Cover pot and bring to boil. Immediately turn heat down to simmer for 30 minutes.

While sauce is simmering, saute the following in the 1/2 cup olive oil, saving the oil for the next step: the rest of the sausage, by itself, for 10 minutes. Save sausage drippings and clean the skillet; then, together, the mushrooms, bell peppers and creamer potatoes for about 5 minutes; then, the snow peas for 1 minute.

Next, cut the veal into thin strips about 1/2 inch wide and 2 inches long. Using the saved oil and sausage drippings, saute the veal for about 2 to 3 minutes. Place all sauteed items aside. When sauce is finished simmering, strain to remove the onion pieces, but retain all other ingredients. Return to the pot and add heavy whipping cream (fat free ½ and ½ can be substituted, but will result in thinner substance) and the 2/3 cup mixed grated cheeses, stirring carefully to blend.

Now, add all sauteed items. Stir. Cover the pot and bring close to boil, then reduce heat and simmer until peppers and potatoes are tender and the sausage is completely done, about 10 to 15 minutes. Watch the pot carefully during this time and stir frequently to avoid burning.

Ladle into large soup bowls. Serves 2 to 4 as either a soup or a complete entree.



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An Easy Gourmet Food Recipe

Cooking and preparing fine, gourmet meals has always been a hobby of mine. Over the years, I’ve originated dozens of recipes that have pleased family and friends. Here’s one that you can prepare rather quickly that will have your diners praising your skills.

STUFFED SHELLS ELEGANCE

INGREDIENTS
1 15 ounce can Hunts tomato sauce
½ small onion chopped fine
1 tblsp. Parsley, chopped fine
1 tsp. Basil
½ cup water
½ cup dry red wine – Cabernet Sauvignon recommended
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup extra virgin olive oil for sautéing
1 whole mild Italian sausage (about 10 inches)
1 cup coarsely chopped red bell peppers with seeds and stem removed
1½ cups diced creamer potatoes
1 cup freshly sliced mushrooms
5 ounces small cooked shrimp
5 ounces cooked crabmeat
1/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tblsp. freshly chopped garlic
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 box jumbo pasta shells (biggest you can find)
5 ounces flounder fillet
Parmesan cheese, grated

Place tomato sauce in a large pot. Add chopped garlic, onion, parsley, pepper, basil, water, wine, ¼ cup olive oil and Italian sausage. Cover pot and bring to boil. Immediately turn heat down to simmer for 30 minutes. When finished simmering, remove and save sausage.

While sauce is simmering, saute the following in the ½ cup olive oil: the mushrooms, bell peppers and creamer potatoes for about 5 minutes.

Bake the flounder until flaky and tender. Then, using a food processor (or chopping the ingredients very fine by hand - if done by hand, the resultant mixture should be thoroughly blended) - blend the shrimp, crabmeat, flounder, Monterey Jack cheese, garlic powder and cayenne pepper until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Prepare the shells according to package instructions. When done, drain and pat dry. Stuff the shells with approximately 1½ heaping tablespoons of the mixture. To aid in judging the amount needed, the mixture should be enough to stuff about 10 shells.

Place the shells in a baking dish. Pour the sauce over the shells, using entire amount. Bake at 325 degrees until sauce bubbles.

Remove. Sprinkle shells with a small amount of Parmesan cheese. Cut sausage into small pieces. Serve with sausage pieces as garnish.


Enjoy!

Copyright 2008 Jim Nettleton





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