Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com/media/feedlogo.gif Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com en-us Copyright 2009 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Kir Royale - Wine of the Weekhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/26/kir-royale-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/26/kir-royale-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/26/kir-royale-wine-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Kir Royale
Gretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

I'm opening a lot of sparkling wines these days in preparation for my exam, and a girl can only drink so much bubbly plain.

Enter the classic sparkling wine cocktail, Kir Royale. If you're not familiar with this gem, here's the short history: A guy named Canon Felix Kir, who was mayor of Dijon, France and a hero of the Burgundian resistance movement during World War II, loved to drink his Aligote, a dry, acidic white Burgundian wine, with a splash of crème de cassis, a locally produced liqueur made from blackcurrants. He served the cocktail at official town functions and it caught on.

Kir Royale is simply a Kir made with sparkling rather than still white wine. And did I mention it's gorgeous? After the jump, several versions to try and the basic recipe.

Continue reading Kir Royale - Wine of the Week

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]]>champagnecocktailcreme de cassiskirkir royalewineGretchen Roberts2009-05-26T13:00:00+00:005 Wine Steals to Buy Right Now - Wine of the Weekhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/18/5-wine-steals-to-buy-right-now-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/18/5-wine-steals-to-buy-right-now-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/18/5-wine-steals-to-buy-right-now-wine-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mirassou Pinot GrigioGretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

With just a week to go until Memorial Day, here are five more wine steals for party hosts and guests.

5. Mirassou Pinot Grigio 2007 ($9). Ripe with oranges, peaches, nectarines and hints of spring flowers, this deliciously inexpensive Pinot Grigio got a surprise 90 rating from Wine Enthusiast.

4. Barefoot Riesling NV ($7). Slightly sweet and tasting simply of green apples and peaches, Barefoot Riesling is a good choice if you like riper, sweeter wines.

3. Hosmer Cayuga Lake Dry Riesling 2007 ($12). Dry and mineral on the nose, the Hosmer Riesling is tart with lemons, limes, green apples and white peaches -- lovely if you like bracingly dry whites. It made Wine & Spirits magazine's "100 Top Values of the Year" list in the June 2009 issue and is one of my absolute favorite New York State Rieslings.

Two more -- including a $7 vino -- after the jump.

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]]>5 wine stealsmalbecpinot grigiored blendRedBlendrieslingwinewine of the weekGretchen Roberts2009-05-18T11:00:00+00:00Mother's Day Brunch Cocktails - Wine of the Weekhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/04/brunch-cocktails-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/04/brunch-cocktails-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/04/brunch-cocktails-wine-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

mimosa
Gretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

Attention doting husbands and children: Mother's Day is right around the corner. As the mom of two small children whose energy levels are inversely proportionate to their ages, I'm here to speak up for mothers of the world and give you a hint about proper Mother's Day celebratory etiquette.

It's simple, really. We want to observe Mother's Day by shirking our motherly duties and being bona fide adults.

Preferably with our feet up and a cocktail in hand.

This brings me to some easy sparkling wine recipes, in case you're planning to whip up a nice brunch for your lovely wife or mother. For mix-in drinks, don't bother spending megabucks on real Champagne; go with an inexpensive Prosecco from Italy (such as Fantinel) or Cava from Spain (Friexenet and Segura Viudas are good bets).

Three basic but beloved Mom-friendly elixirs after the jump.

Continue reading Mother's Day Brunch Cocktails - Wine of the Week

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]]>bellinibrunchcocktailmimosamothers daysparkling winewinewine of the weekGretchen Roberts2009-05-04T11:00:00+00:005 Wine Steals to Buy Right Now - Wine of the Weekhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/04/20/5-wine-steals-to-buy-right-now-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/04/20/5-wine-steals-to-buy-right-now-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/04/20/5-wine-steals-to-buy-right-now-wine-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pacific Rim Sweet RieslingFor those who just did their taxes and are feeling a bit cash-poor, budget wines may be on the brain. Here are five wines that really deliver for the price.

1. Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling 2007 ($9). Normally I'm not a big sweet Riesling fan, but I brought this bottle to Easter dinner at a friend's house, where some of the diners prefer sweet wine. Sweet Riesling is a knockout with ham, and this Pacific Rim (at right) really delivered. My problem with most sweet Rieslings is their flabbiness, but this brand has an underlying backbone of acidity that perfectly balances the sugar. Riesling is a great spring wine with its aromatic bouquet that recalls the apple blossoms blooming in the northeast. At $9, it's a steal.

2. Graffigna Pinot Grigio 2008 ($13). Pinot Grigio has a bad rep as a wine without much character, but this Argentinian version turns that idea on its head. Its nose has a heady fragrance of flowers and peaches and the wine itself is zingy with a peachy taste. It's a dry vino, but so fruity it tastes almost sweet.

3. Korbel Brut Rose ($11): Lots of wine snobs dismiss Korbel, but I happen to think the Brut Rosé is one of the best sparkling values out there. It's a perfect aperitif, the kind of wine you hand your guests when they're walking in the door and dinner isn't quite ready -- it's like giving them a glass of strawberries to sip before dinner is served.

4. Castello Monachi Salice Salentino 2006 ($13): Hailing from Puglia in the heel of Italy's boot, this blend of 80 percent Negroamaro and 20 percent Malvasia Nero is dark, leathery and earthy with a typically slightly bitter Negroamaro finish. It's a very food-friendly red with high acidity and earthiness that seems to vanish into fruitiness when paired it with a red-sauced pasta dish or veal. Oh, and did I mention that Robert Parker gave this wine 90 points?

Continue reading 5 Wine Steals to Buy Right Now - Wine of the Week

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]]>budgetwinewine of the weekGretchen Roberts2009-04-20T15:00:00+00:00Barefoot Busts Out More Bubblyhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/03/05/barefoot-busts-out-more-bubbly/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/03/05/barefoot-busts-out-more-bubbly/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/03/05/barefoot-busts-out-more-bubbly/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

barefoot bubbly capAh, bottle of champagne, most delightful of ways to waste a spring's day. However, with the season just beginning and the economy showing no signs of improving, you'd best make that bottle of champagne an inexpensive one. How convenient then, that the good people of Barefoot have added a few new varieties to their line of sparkling wines.

Brut Cuvee and Extra Dry have been joined by Pinot Grigio and White Zinfandel, with the Chardonnay getting pretty new blue packaging to match the others' yellow and pink. The colors go with the light, fruity flavors and the pleasant, somewhat pastel buzz you feel after a few glasses. With the bubbly running less than $10 a bottle, you can even stockpile a few for April and May.
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]]>barefootbarefoot bubblyBarefootBubblychampagnecheap champagneCheapChampagnesparkling wineSparklingWinespringwineLissa Townsend Rodgers2009-03-05T11:55:00+00:00Drink Like Hollywood at the Oscarshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/18/drink-like-hollywood-at-the-oscars/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/18/drink-like-hollywood-at-the-oscars/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/18/drink-like-hollywood-at-the-oscars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Moet & Chandon
If you're throwing an Oscar party this year, don't forget the Moet & Chandon. The Champagne house is the exclusive Champagne of the 81st Academy Awards for the first time.

Of course, Moet isn't a suggestion for any of the five menus Epicurious.com developed for each of the Best Picture nominees, but even if you do one of those, the Champagne will make a nice aperitif.

Happy Awards-watching!
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]]>academy awardschampagnemoetmoet and chandonMoetAndChandonoscarsGretchen Roberts2009-02-18T14:00:00+00:00Champagne Cocktails from Pops for Champagnehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/14/champagne-cocktails-from-pops-for-champagne/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/14/champagne-cocktails-from-pops-for-champagne/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/14/champagne-cocktails-from-pops-for-champagne/#commentsFiled under: ,

Champagne cocktailIf you're planning to toast a special someone tonight, try adding a little chic pizzazz to the old bubbly with one of these recipes from trendy Chicago restaurant Pops for Champagne wine director Craig Cooper. The High Sage Cocktail looks delish to me.

Framboise Cocktail
1. Combine Sugar Cube, a splash of Orange Bitters (soak the sugar cube), 1 oz. of Pasquet Marie-Framboise
2. Fill Champagne flute with sparkling wine
3. Garnish with Orange twist

High Sage Cocktail
1. Combine 1.5 ounces of Hendrick's gin, 1 ounce of sage-infused simple syrup, and ice in a shaker tin
2. Shake and strain over ice in a Highball glass.
3. Fill with Prosecco, 3 to 5 ounces depending on size of glass
4. Stir gently
5. Garnish with cucumber slices and a sage sprig.

Sage-simple syrup:
Combine equal parts sugar and water and bring to boil, lower heat, toss in a few sprigs of sage, then reduce by a third to a half until you get a syrup consistency. It should have a pale green-gold color.

Celestial Fizz Cocktail
1. Combine 1.5 oz. Francois Peyrot Cognac, ¼ oz. Grand Marnier and 1 oz. of fresh Cranberry Juice
2. Top with sparkling wine
3. Garnish with Lemon wheel
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]]>champagnecocktailspops for champagneGretchen Roberts2009-02-14T14:02:00+00:00If You Want to Drink Like the Rich and Famoushttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/04/if-you-want-to-drink-like-the-rich-and-famous/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/04/if-you-want-to-drink-like-the-rich-and-famous/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/04/if-you-want-to-drink-like-the-rich-and-famous/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


The Luxury Institute has released its annual Luxury Brand Status Index (did you know that even luxury brands have their own status index?) for the wine and spirits category. The index is based on surveys of the wealthy, sampling more than 1,200 American consumers with an average weighted income of $342,000 and an average weighted net worth of $2.9 million. Here are the top-rated brands in each category:

Champagne and sparkling wine: Dom Perignon
Cognac: Courvoisier
Gin: Hendricks
Liqueur: Grand Marnier
Rum: 10 Cane
Scotch: Macallan
Table wine: Opus One
Tequila: Patron
Vodka: Grey Goose
Whiskey: Woodford Reserve
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]]>champagneluxuryspiritswineGretchen Roberts2009-02-04T14:01:00+00:00Forget Wine Tasting - Have an Experiencehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/23/forget-wine-tasting-have-an-experience/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/23/forget-wine-tasting-have-an-experience/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/23/forget-wine-tasting-have-an-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


It used to be that a trip to wine country meant trekking from winery to winery, tasting wine, cleansing one's palate with plain crackers, and then, stomach rumbling, heading over to a restaurant to satisfy the food craving. These days, plenty of wineries are trotting out more than just 1-ounce pours: they're putting out gourmet food, special events, and even live music to lure in and entertain customers.

For serious wine geeks, this trend no doubt annoys. Geeks would rather do what they do best--taste the wine, preferably covering as much ground as possible--and not have to consider that the cost of the live band has somehow worked its way into the case of Cabernet they just bought.

But for people who view wine-tasting and a visit to wine country as a social or romantic event, the wine experience can be a lot of fun. We're talking food and wine pairing classes; sessions with the winery's private chef, who may have been lured away from a top restaurant; music and wine pairings (and there's evidence to show that music does influence what you drink and how you taste it); and more.

More after the jump.

Continue reading Forget Wine Tasting - Have an Experience

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]]>tastingwinewinetastingGretchen Roberts2009-01-23T14:01:00+00:00Bubbly For the (Inauguration) Ball - Wine of the Weekhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/19/bubbly-for-the-inauguration-ball-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/19/bubbly-for-the-inauguration-ball-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/19/bubbly-for-the-inauguration-ball-wine-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Barack Obama
Tomorrow one of the most historically significant Presidential Inaugurations will be upon us. Whether you're whooping it up or crying tears of sorrow into your glass, we've got ideas for what to drink at your party (or pity party).

If you're celebrating:

The obvious drink of choice is sparkling wine--American, of course. According to Iron Horse Vineyards, their sparkling wines have been served at the White House for five consecutive Presidential administrations, and Iron Horse hopes Obama will do likewise. Their Wedding Cuvee ($38) is a popular choice and widely available, or try the Russian Cuvee ($33), which is slightly richer and sweeter than the regular Brut.

Roederer Estate sparkling wines have also been featured in White House dinners over the years. The Brut NV ($22) is affordable and widely regarded by critics as one of the top sparkling wines in the U.S.

Korbel has been the official sparkling wine for the past six inaugurations, but apparently Obama won't do sponsorship agreements this year and Korbel has to angle for honors with all the other wineries. At home, try Korbel's Brut Rose ($12) or Extra Dry ($12), which, ironically, is a little sweeter.

With any of these sparkling wines, splash in a bit of pomegranate liqueur or blue carucao (but not at the same time!) for the red, white, and blue look.

Another all-American wine is Zinfandel, a big, bold, fruity wine also ideal for celebrating. Try one from Lodi or Paso Robles for even bigger-than-normal flavor (Seven Deadly Zins ($17) is a good example) or a classic from Sonoma like Seghesio ($36).

What to drink if you're not celebrating--after the jump.

Continue reading Bubbly For the (Inauguration) Ball - Wine of the Week

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]]>american winebarack obamainaugurationinauguration dayportsparkling winewinezinfandelGretchen Roberts2009-01-19T14:02:00+00:00Spooning Your Champagnehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/13/spooning-your-champagne/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/13/spooning-your-champagne/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/13/spooning-your-champagne/#commentsFiled under: ,


You've probably heard of sabering Champagne with a sword, but spooning it? Check this video out to see how it's done.

(By the way, neither I nor anyone at Slashfood, its parent company, etc. etc. endorse opening bottles this way. Do it at your own risk.)
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]]>Gretchen Roberts2009-01-13T14:00:00+00:00An Updated Marie Antoinette - Claudia Schiffer's Breast-Shaped Bowlhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/09/an-updated-marie-antoinette-claudia-schiffers-breast-shaped-b/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/09/an-updated-marie-antoinette-claudia-schiffers-breast-shaped-b/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/09/an-updated-marie-antoinette-claudia-schiffers-breast-shaped-b/#commentsFiled under: ,

Claudia Schiffer bowlIf you've ever tried to toast with one of those wide-mouthed coupe-style Champagne glasses, you know how woefully inefficient they are for actually drinking bubbly. Legend has it that that particular shape of glass was modeled after Marie Antoinette's breasts, and now Karl Lagerfeld has designed an updated version for Dom Perignon based on Claudia Schiffer's decolletage.

Why is this ironic? First, the shape is terrible for Champagne because, as already mentioned, it's too wide and sloshy, and the Champagne goes flat fast because the surface area is so big. That's why those tall, thin glasses work better--they keep the bubbles in the wine. Second, Dom Perignon? The Champagne brand named after a monk? Releasing breast-shaped paraphernalia?
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]]>breastschampagneclaudia schifferClaudiaSchiffermarie antoinetteMarieAntoinetteGretchen Roberts2009-01-09T14:00:00+00:00Champagne as Folk Medicinehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/05/champagne-as-folk-medicine/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/05/champagne-as-folk-medicine/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/05/champagne-as-folk-medicine/#commentsFiled under: , ,

bottle and glass of moet and chandon champagneThe word "septicemia" probably won't figure into the next Moët & Chandon ad campaign, but for my money, the passage that follows would be a sure-fire sell (as if I need any more reason to buy champagne). Forget Granny Clampett's medicinal moonshine, i.e., the Hollywood version of alcohol as folk curative, and raise a glass to this well-told true story from One Writer's Beginnings, the elegant memoir of a true grande dame of Southern lettres, Eurora Welty:

"What had struck her was septicemia, in those days nearly always fatal. What my father did was to try champagne."

Continue reading Champagne as Folk Medicine

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]]>champagneeudora weltyEudoraWeltyfolk medicineAmy McDaniel2009-01-05T12:05:00+00:00January Resolution - Ban the House Winehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/03/january-resolution-ban-the-house-wine/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/03/january-resolution-ban-the-house-wine/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/01/03/january-resolution-ban-the-house-wine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

House wineConfession time: what's the wine you buy on autopilot, the wine you know inside and out like a wife of many years, the one that's reliable, trustworthy, and has stood by you through thick and thin?

A recent Nielsen survey commissioned by Constellation Brands divides wine consumers into six broad categories. Fourteen percent are Satisfied Sippers, who tend to always buy the same brand, and twenty-three percent (the largest category) are Overwhelmed, staring down the endless wine aisles and not knowing what to get. It's easy to draw the next conclusion--these buyers end up getting the tried and true as well.

I don't advocate tossing the wife, but this month what about banning the house wine? (If you drink beer or cocktails or even soda, read on--you can do this, too.)

At restaurants, house wine tastes somewhere between boring and wretched. At home, house wine is good for many things--you already know you like it and can serve a bottle to unexpected guests, or just when you yourself are tired and don't have the energy to try anything new.

But January is the time for new beginnings. Instead of buying the same-old wine, fill a case with 12 wines you've never seen in your life (you'll get a 10-20 percent discount on a case, so there's even more incentive). There may be some duds in the dozen, but life is short, and wine is fun, when you're willing to branch out a bit.
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]]>house winewineGretchen Roberts2009-01-03T14:00:00+00:00New Wine Resolutions - Wine of the Weekhttp://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/28/new-wine-resolutions-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/28/new-wine-resolutions-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/28/new-wine-resolutions-wine-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

No resolutions

Do me a favor and skip the annual "I will work out more this year" resolution that's practically designed to make you feel like a failure, and make a resolution that you can really get into this year. Of course I'm speaking of wine resolutions, the kind that are easy to make and hard to break. Here are mine:

1. Travel the world through wine. I actually get to travel quite a bit, considering that I have two young kids at home. Last year I went to California twice, to Washington, to Texas, to South Dakota, and to New York. Everywhere I go, I try to taste and experience as many new wines as possible. But you can taste the whole world through wine right at home by branching out beyond the same old bottle of California Chardonnay that you pop open twice a week for dinner. Try a Tempranillo from Spain, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, a Riesling from Germany, a Vouvray from France, a Malbec or Torrontes from Argentina, a Barbara from Italy. I want to taste more around the world, and learn about the cuisines to match.

2. Get certified. I've been writing about wine for several years now, and it's time to take some classes beyond my own self-study. Many wine writers don't, and it's certainly not a requirement, but one of the reasons I love the world of wine is its infinite possibility for education (as well as entertainment!). I'm looking into certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2009.

Read more after the jump.

Continue reading New Wine Resolutions - Wine of the Week

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]]>foodnew yearsresolutionswineGretchen Roberts2008-12-28T14:02:00+00:00A Celebratory Alternativehttp://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/24/a-celebratory-alternative/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/24/a-celebratory-alternative/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/24/a-celebratory-alternative/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

celebration wineChampagne or another bubbly might possibly be my stuck-on-a-desert-island drink of choice, but not everyone feels the love. Monday I posted my top eight bubblies for the holidays, but if you just don't dig sparkling wine, what can you toast with instead? Here are a few ideas.

Syrah/Shiraz from Washington state or Australia, which is big and voluptuous, smooth and silky all at once. Skip old world Syrah from the Northern Rhone, which, though it hails from the grape's true home, can give off aromas and flavors of green olives, white pepper, leather, and even meaty bacon. Great with a big ol' hunk of meat, not so great as the jumping-off point to a midnight kiss or a glass-raising toast to the man of the hour. Try the Sequel Syrah from Long Shadows Winery in Walla Walla, Washington, a Shiraz-style wine that's perfect for sipping without food.

Moscato d'Asti, a low-alcohol, barely bubbly Italian sweet white that my friend John calls "party in your mouth" is the perfect alternative to the dryness of Champagne. Try toasting with a bottle from Michele Chiarlo.

Dessert wine is best for a tête-à-tête celebration rather than a room full of happy toasters, both because it comes in half-size bottles and it's usually spendy. Splurge with Sauternes, the world's best dessert wine, or try a late harvest Riesling from Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Anything in a bottle bigger than 750 mL: a magnum (2 bottles), Jeroboam (4 bottles), or Nebuchadnezzar (20 bottles, but you'd better have help pouring) will always wow the crowd, no matter what's inside.

Or just raise a glass of beer. Cheers!
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]]>beerchampagnesparkling winewineGretchen Roberts2008-12-24T14:00:00+00:00Inexpensive Holiday Sparklers - Wine of the Weekhttp://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/22/inexpensive-holiday-sparklers-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/22/inexpensive-holiday-sparklers-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/22/inexpensive-holiday-sparklers-wine-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Sparkling wine rows
According to a recent Decanter story, worldwide Champagne shipments have plummeted more than 20 percent worldwide. Apparently people are realizing that $180 for a bottle of wine just might be a bit...much...in these economic times.

Still, we have to buy our bubbly for the holidays. I'll probably drink some over Christmas, too, but New Year's is kind of a no-brainer for sparkling wine. Here's my advice: skip the Champagne, but skip the Cook's on the bottom shelf, too. Here are eight of my favorite holiday sparklers that taste delicious but won't break the bank. Best of all? Most of these bottles are easily attainable at any store, so you could walk in with this list and score most of them.

See the complete list after the jump.

Continue reading Inexpensive Holiday Sparklers - Wine of the Week

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]]>bubblyChampagnechristmasholidaynew yearssparkling winewineGretchen Roberts2008-12-22T14:03:00+00:00Fastidious Boozing - Slashfood's Glassware Guidehttp://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/17/fastidious-boozing-slashfoods-glassware-guide/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/17/fastidious-boozing-slashfoods-glassware-guide/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/17/fastidious-boozing-slashfoods-glassware-guide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

beer glassThere's a stigma attached to those who extol the virtues of proper glassware. But the fact is -- they're right. The vessel used for your drink will affect not only the liquid that's poured inside, but also the way it hits your tongue, and the flavor your taste buds register.

I used to blow this off as overly fastidious, fancy schmancy posturing. I hated getting pints of beer or glasses of soda because it always tasted flat to me. I preferred that crisp bite out of the bottle -- glass be damned!

But then I experienced the differences for myself. While visiting a winery a number of years ago, my friends and I sat in on a glassware class. A myriad of shapes and sizes were placed in front of us, and we tried white, red, and sparkling wine in the different glasses. Each tasted different as it was moved from the standard white glass, to the wider red, to the narrow flute. We were shocked, and we vowed to always try to have the right glass for the right wine, because what's the point of paying more for a good wine, if you can't experience its full flavor?

But it's not just a matter of wine. Recently, I was making dinner and decided to open a bottle of craft beer that I had loved at my favorite pub a few months prior. I popped off the cap, took a drink, and curled my lip -- it not only tasted nothing like I remembered, but I hated it. I thought back and remembered that I drank the beer at the end of the night. Did I have bad, delusional drunken taste buds? I read the side of the bottle, which suggested a specific stemmed glass. I found something close, poured it in, and it became the beer I remembered -- rich, full, and wonderful. Me, the bottle lover, had found a beverage that tasted much, much better out of the bottle.

Now this doesn't mean that you need to have a specific glass for every different type of beer or booze. Get the right glasses, or something very close, for your favorite beverages, and stick to standards for the rest.

Think about it -- why splurge on a great scotch, wine, beer, or other beverage if you're just going to throw it into any old glass?

Read on to see a rundown of the glasses that make each beverage pop, and consider this not only a great guide for your own collection, but an excellent gift for the liquor, wine, or beer fiend on your gift list.


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]]>beer glassesBeerGlassescocktail glassesCocktailGlassesglassesGlassware GuideGlasswareGuideliquor glassesLiquorGlasseswine glassesWineGlassesMonika Bartyzel2008-12-17T13:00:00+00:002009 Wine Predictionshttp://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/16/2009-wine-predictions/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/16/2009-wine-predictions/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/16/2009-wine-predictions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Crystal Ball
Looking into my crystal ball for 2009, I forecast a year that centers around value wine. Not necessarily value as related to price, because there will always be people who can afford $200 bottles, but value as related to what's in that bottle that makes it worth $200? See below for my actual and wishful predictions for the coming year.

Actual predictions
  • Value, value, value. This is no shocker to most people, but in light of the economy it will finally hit certain wine drinkers that a status wine priced three times higher than a non-status wine isn't necessarily three times tastier. For us mere mortals who can't afford $3,000 Bordeaux, a whole world of inexpensive, good-quality imports awaits discovery. Regions like Spain, formerly-overlooked parts of Italy, Argentina, South Africa, and Chile will lead in producing excellent bang-for-your-buck wines, and California sales will suffer as import sales grow.
  • "Natural" wine. However you define natural--unfiltered, unfined, naturally fermented, organic, made with organic grapes, biodynamic, sustainable...these topics will continue to dominate geek-wine conversations in 2009, although they won't be as hot as value and carbon footprint.
  • New "it" regions. Bored winos will seek newer and zanier wine regions as they tire of the Last Big Thing (Austria, Oregon, Portugal beyond Port). Let's talk Brazil, Hungary, Mexico, Great Britain, Colorado, and Belgium instead.
"Wishful" predictions are after the jump.

Continue reading 2009 Wine Predictions

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]]>2009predictionswinewine predictionsGretchen Roberts2008-12-16T14:00:00+00:00Accessories for the Wine Nerd on Your Listhttp://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/12/accessories-for-the-wine-nerd-on-your-list/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/12/accessories-for-the-wine-nerd-on-your-list/http://www.slashfood.com/2008/12/12/accessories-for-the-wine-nerd-on-your-list/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Wine KnotThere are times when it's not appropriate to actually buy someone a bottle of wine--say, if that person lives out of state and the crazy shipping laws don't allow you to. But that's not to say you can't still feed their wine habit with an accessory gift. Funny that the wine industry has an entire related industry of accessories--most of which, like kitchen gadgets, are novel, but utterly useless--but some of them are actually fun and handy. Here are strategies for getting just the right gift for the...

Novice: Anything wine-related is fair game, because the person probably just likes the idea of the "Italian villa" look in their home or the thought that they're sophisticated enough to have moved beyond frat-party beer and fruity mixed drinks. A wrought iron wine rack, a "Chateau Roberts" plaque, a cork board kit, or a T-shirt that says "I always feel better after I wine a little" will go over perfectly.

Enthusiast who is getting serious about wine: Think practical and useful items at this stage. This person needs to trade up her old K-Mart wine glasses for some more delicate stemware. Riedel is the top brand, and you can get a set anywhere from around $100 a glass to a little more than $10 a glass. Target carries an inexpensive but good-quality Riedel line that will buy you four basic red or white wine glasses for around $45. The new enthusiast could also use a decanter, vacuum bottle sealers, and Champagne stoppers.

Long-time collector: Realistically, this person has everything he needs, likely including a cellar. He's probably gotten every wine-type gift known to man, from Santa bottle stoppers (useless, but cute) to wine charms (useful only if you remember to get them out of the drawer). Skip the cutesy stuff and get something you know he'll use, like a gift subscription to Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, or the Wine Advocate (which he probably already gets, in which case the subscription will be tacked on to his standing order) or a magazine he may not get, like Wine & Spirits or Food & Wine. Or buy him a wine book--new releases this year include The Battle for Wine & Love, The Billionaire's Vinegar, the updated World Atlas of Wine, 1001 Wines You Must Taste Before You Die, The Wine Snob's Dictionary, and The House of Mondavi.

Any best and worst wine accessory gifts to share?
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]]>giftwinewine accessoriesGretchen Roberts2008-12-12T14:00:00+00:00