Red Wine Talk

Add Some Fun Taste to Cookouts this Year!

Red Sangria to Please the Taste Buds

Whether you are having your own cookout or someone asks you to bring something to theirs, Red Sangria is always a hit. It is light and fruity and fits the warm weather perfectly. It is a drink that will please most taste buds, as it basically tastes like fresh fruit. A huge bowl goes a long way, and it only takes about 5 minutes to make, so you do not have to stress about slaving away in the kitchen. Once people try it, you will be asked to bring it everywhere you go.

You will need:

1 bottle of a red wine of your choice
1 lemon cut up
1 orange cut up
1 lime cut up
2 table spoons of sugar
1 shot or orange juice
2 shots of triple sec
1 cup of strawberries
1 can of diced pineapples
4 cups of ginger ale

Once you have all of your ingredients purchased and prepared, be sure to have an extra large pitcher for your beverage. Begin by pouring your wine into the pitcher. Next, take your lemon, orange and lime slices and squeeze them into the wine. Remove the seeds from the remaining cut up fruit and then place the fruit inside of the pitcher. Dump in the pineapples, followed by the sugar and orange juice. Chill the Sangria in the fridge over night for the best results. Chilling it allows the flavors time to marinate into one another, providing an excellent taste. When you are ready to serve it, add the strawberries and some ice.

Warning: From here on out, people will know you as that person who makes the awesome Sangria, so be sure this is what you want to be in charge of before making it.

What is the Best Red Wine to Complement Your Meal?

Never Go Wrong Again

You are out at a restaurant and you want to order a red wine to go with your meal, but you are too timid to ask the waiter or waitress for their input. It is not always easy to determine which wine complements which meal. There are some guidelines, but your taste is the ultimate determining factor. I have compiled some suggestions in order to help you when you are wondering, "What should I drink?"

First, you must know your main red wines. They are Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet, Zinfandel and Port. Beaujolais is the lightest and fruitiest, making it the easiest to drink; whereas, Port has the strongest and most distinct taste, and it is the strongest alcohol wise as well.

If you are having a wine and cheese night with friends, all of the above wines complement cheese well, so you never have to worry about looking like an amateur during this occasion. If you are doing appetizers, Beaujolais is the best fit. That is simply because it is light and will not overpower your appetizers. It is actually a fun wine, just as appetizers are fun to eat.

For pasta with red sauce, all of the wines will do, with the exception of Port. Red sauce is pretty universal, making it an easy choice for pairing. Simply pick your favorite red.

If you are having poultry (chicken or turkey), your best bet is Beaujolais. The Beaujolais will not give your poultry an off taste, as some of the others might do.

For beef, Beaujolais and Port are the only two that do not complement it well. Beaujolais is too weak, while Port is too strong. You need the perfect balance of bitter yet tasty for beef.

Port is the top choice to pair with chocolate. There is something about the strong, fruity taste that makes chocolate that much more delectable.

Ecco Domani Pinot Noir

Complement Your Pasta

If you are looking for a red wine that will complement your pasta, Ecco Domani Pinot Noir is worth your time. It is a wine that is made in Italy and sold in liquor stores at a reasonable price. It is made from ripe Pinot Noir grapes that are harvested in the month of September. This wine is semi-bitter, but goes down smooth. From the second you remove the cork to let it air out, you will smell the cherry aromas that are sure to stimulate your senses and make your imagination run wild. The flavor of this wine is predominately blackberry, so if you love hints of berry, then this is an excellent option.

This particular Pinot Noir is a bit stronger than others that I have had. It is 13% alcohol, so depending on how big your cup is, or how much you fill it, you may only want to have one glass. I know that I was feeling the effects after 1 glass and I tend to have a slightly higher tolerance for wine. Aside from the strength of the wine, I found it to be refreshing and different than any other Pinot Noir I have ever had. It was much less bitter than what I am used to, which was a pleasant surprise.

Whether you are sitting to relax at night after a long day or want something new and tasty to enhance your dinner, then this wine is perfect. Just be sure to leave it out at room temperature because chilling this wine does nothing good for its flavor. Considering this, you may want to share a bottle with another person or two since it is so strong.

Ecco Domani makes a variety of wines, mostly reds, but this one is by far a favorite among consumers and myself. Out of a possible 10 stars, I give it an 8 because of its strength. I prefer to enjoy more than one glass of wine without getting drunk, but it is simply not possible with this Pinot; at least not for me.

Maintain Your Health with a Glass of Red Wine

How You Can Make Your Heart Happy

Red Wine has long been the talk when it comes to heart health. While doctors do not encourage leisurely drinking of red wine, it is widely known that at least one glass a day is healthy for you. The reason doctors will not tell you to drink it daily is because they do not want to encourage alcoholism, which is a prevalent problem. I will give you the run-down on why a glass of red wine a day might be good for you and your heart.

Red wine contains many antioxidants that are good for lowering cholesterol. Lower cholesterol means a lower chance of heart attack, stroke and blood clots. It contains a polyphenol called reservatrol, which helps to maintain the lining of the blood vessels. Reservatrol may very well be the key ingredient that helps to lower "bad" cholesterol. Although more research is needed on reservatrol, Mayo Clinic notes that reservatrol is linked to reduced inflammation and reduced blood clotting.

Aside from reservatrol found in red wine, alcohol in itself is known to have health benefits when you drink in moderation. It increases good cholesterol, helps to prevent damage of the heart caused by bad cholesterol and lowers the bad cholesterol.

I am in no way endorsing an alcoholic lifestyle, as drinking too much wine, or more than 2 glasses a day on a daily basis can put you at risk for more serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, cancer, liver damage and obesity, all of which have severe complications.

However, if you indulge just right, you can achieve a healthier lifestyle that will greatly benefit you and your family. After all, I know quite a few people who have a glass of red wine a day to lower their cholesterol, who have not become alcoholics. If you can be responsible, enjoy your heart healthy wine!

Red Cat Finger Lakes Wine

A Must-Try Red WIne

Do you prefer your red wines to be on the sweeter side? Red Cat Finger Lakes Wine is unlike any red wine I have ever had. It is a definite red with the sweet taste of a blush, which is a nice change of pace from the typical bitter tasting reds.

It is made by Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, which is located on the Eastern Shore of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region, making it a domestic wine. It can be easily located in the "domestic" wine section of your state store. It has a fun, fruity taste that is sure to suit the taste buds of experienced and inexperienced wine conoisseurs. It goes well with just about any food, ranging from steak to chicken wings.

I had this wine last night with some pepperoni and cheese while I kicked back and watched TV. It is 11% alcohol by volume, which is not too strong, but is not weak either. I ended up getting a small buzz after a couple of larger size glasses. This particular brand is affordable compared to some fancier wines with just as good of a taste. It came up to approximately $13 for a regular sized bottle. It did not appear to be available in a larger bottle.

If you are thinking about having a get together or need a wine that everyone will love at a holiday dinner, then do not hesitate to buy a bottle or two of the Red Cat Finger Lakes Wine. If you have ever had "Sweet Red", which is made by Sutter Home, among a few others, then this wine is comparable; however, only a bit tastier, in my opinion.

Now get yourself out to the liquor store and try something new! Buy some Red Cat for this weekend.

Ever Worried About those Red Wine Stains?

Here's How to Get Rid of Them...

With the holiday season still happening, there’s nothing like a complimentary red wine to have with some hors d’oeuvres. Red wine is one of the top things that most people worry about staining their teeth, however, there are ways to avoid the staining.

Drink white wine or seltzer

If you’ve just had a glass of the red, take a minute to change it up and sip on some white wine or some seltzer. These can help to sop up some of the stains that red wine might leave.

Use lip-gloss

Yeah, it’s great to look your best at a holiday party by wearing some chic lipstick, but instead, mix it up and do some dramatic eye with a nude-type lip. If you use a lightly colored lip-gloss and reapply it with each glass of red wine, it will act as a barrier since most glosses are petroleum based.

Brush your teeth before dinner

If you have plaque on your teeth, you should try to remove it before you go out and drink some red wine. You can avoid this by brushing your teeth prior to drinking red wine.

Wipe away the tannins

Red wine, as we all know is full of tannins, so in order to avoid keeping them on your teeth, try wiping them off with wine wipes that can work to clean up your smile and keep your whites…white.

Eat cheese

This is just a great excuse to indulge and it’s easy usually to get hold of this at any holiday party since it’s usually out with some crackers. Cheese helps in coating teeth with calcium to prevent discoloration, keep in mind though that hard cheeses work best.

Don’t brush teeth after drinking

It’s been advised by dentists not to brush immediately after drinking red-wine, because of the high acidity of the wine, which renders teeth sensitive to abrasion. If you brush your teeth too soon, there is a risk of damaging the enamel.

Red Wine and Cheese?

Maybe not the Best Pairing

For the longest time, it has been said that red wine pairs best with cheese, however, this might very well be all wrong. According to an article in the Times of India, white wine tends to be a better match for cheese, researchers say.

As it turns out, white wine, which is mellower than red as well as versatile, is a better pair for cheeses. Usually at a dinner party, or gathering, cheeses that aren’t that strong are served as to not overwhelm guests with strong and bold flavors, pair these with different white whines. There’s a hidden rule that you shouldn’t mix creamy cheeses with red wine, it’s a wine and cheese no-no. A lot of red wines have strong flavors and spicy undertones that don’t go with cheeses that don’t have such characteristics. For example, red wines usually pair better with blues such as Roquefort and Camembert. The flavor of cheese gets lost in the mix with red wine quite often as red wine overpowers the taste of the cheese.

If you are to pair wine it should be about balancing the flavors. Red wine has a tendency to be rather bitter, so pairing cheeses that are a little bitter works better if you are to choose a red. Whites usually have a subtle bitterness but can also be very sweet, which can easily balance the flavors in different cheeses. Pairing wine and cheese should never be about contrasting flavors but they should complement one another and undertones of white wine lends itself to a wide array of flavors.