On a High

Many a times the space constraint at our end makes us compromise on long cherished desires. Having a lavish wine refrigerator was one such longing that I have been suppressing since so long...thanks to my little apartment.

But I think, this will soon end as I’ve got a small version of the refrigerator this equally good wine chiller from Gracious Home.

This one is chic, handy and easy to use. The chiller is not limited just to wines, anything that goes into it right from water to juices comes out cool. What more?

This tiny miny gadget is versatile enough to give you 33 odd presets for different types of wine. COOL! And price? Hmm...it’s a bit big for a small thing. It’s priced at $99.99.

Via: Hometech

A bottle of good wine that compliments your favourite cuisine gets a delightful welcome anytime. And if the wine is made specifically to mingle with the taste of your favourite deliacacy, then its nothing like that.

San Francisco-based Amazing Food Wine Company has introduced Wine That Loves. It is a delight for the no-nonsense brigade, who loves to eat their food with some good wine, without beating the drums of wine-connoisseur snobbery.

Order your favourite pasta and compliment it with Wine That Loves Pasta. Available options include Wine That Loves Pizza, Wine That Loves Roasted Chicken, Wine That Loves Grilled Steak and Wine That Loves Salmon.

Backed by the expertise of Windows of the World (Manhattan) cellarmaster, Ralph Hersom, the Wines are a blend of exquisite taste and sophistication.

Wine That Loves should be out in the stores around California and New York by May, and at the company’s website by April end.

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Termed “the elixir of quietude” by E.B.White and labeled “the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet” by H. L. Mencken, the martini is one of the most popular cocktails enjoyed the world over. The martini comprises gin and dry vermouth mixed in a specific proportion to give a crisp feel to the palate. Martini in general is served after gently stirring or shaking the mixture of spirits as per an individual’s wish in a chic martini glass garnished with a stuffed olive or lemon twist. Although, it is a widespread practice to substitute vodka for gin in the martini nowadays, even so the classic martini remains a huge favorite.

The key while preparing a martini is to keep in mind a few essential points. The first important aspect contributing to a great martini is the vermouth that is used. When recipes for a martini carried the mention of the use of vermouth, it was always assumed that the Italian vermouth that is red and sweet was the one that should be utilized. This idea had been prevalent for quite a long time until one more type of vermouth called the French vermouth, which is dry and white, made its way into the martini concoction. Nowadays, however many bartenders prefer little to no vermouth in a martini which is quite surprising as the vermouth can play a significant role in balancing the diverse flavors in any cocktail. The secret actually lies in using a complete ounce of French or dry vermouth.

The next factor in line is keeping up the balance of flavor between the gin and the vermouth so that a superb martini is arrived at. The gin is said to contribute tangy and sharp flavors while vermouth adds a soft touch to the martini. The perfect martini has to have a blend of the two in such a way that it turns up crisp but neither too mellow nor too sharp to the taste buds.

As bizarre as it may sound but another important element crucial to a martini is water in the form of ice. The addition of water as ice is crucial to reduce the fiery sensation that results from sipping alcohol present in the various spirits used. In addition, the water works to smooth out flavors. Using about an ounce of water in the form of ice is ideal and the components of the martini should be chilled just enough that they allow the ice to melt gradually into the martini.

So, how exactly do you turn out a martini that is perfect? Well, first you ought o possess a bottle of good quality gin, a fine dry vermouth and copious amounts of ice.

Now, mix the gin and vermouth in different ratios and give each mixture a stir to finally arrive at a blend that suits your taste. Begin with creating a mix with eight parts of gin to one part of vermouth and add enough ice to your martini. If this does not suit you, further vary this ratio to something like four parts of gin to one part of vermouth. Keep trying various proportions until you arrive at a martini that is perfect for you. However, do not forget to give a stir and add ice each time you try to taste the variants. However, take care not to overindulge in the martini experiment as there is no need to attempt different blends of martini all at once, after all you do not want to get yourself a martini hangover that is terrible.

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Source: Drinkboy, Wikipedia

Do you want to do something different for a friend’s birthday? Then, surprise your friend with Birthday Cake Shot, a unique drink recipe, which tastes like chocolate cake!

In order to make this drink a great success, you would require vodka, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, lemon slices, some sugar, and a shot glass.

The chocolate color of the Birthday Cake Shot is due to the presence of Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, a hazelnut and herb-based caramel colored liqueur. This liqueur is very potent indeed, with 24% alcohol by volume.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, and make this intoxicating drink the following way:

Preparing the shot glass:

• 1/2 shot vodka
• 1/2 shot Frangelico hazelnut liqueur
Slice and have ready:
• One slice of lemon per shot
On a small plate place two tablespoons of sugar per shot.
After you have you finished mixing your drink, take a lemon slice and dip both sides of it in the sugar kept on the plate. Lick the sugar off the lemon (don’t swallow the sugar now), take the shot, swallow, and now bite the lemon slice and relish the chocolaty and exotic flavor of the Birthday Cake Shot.

Via: Liquorsnob

Well how does it sound if your doctor prescribed you a glass of beer a day as a means to stay healthy?You would definitely think that the doctor was out of his mind or you would simply be overjoyed that you now have a legitimate reason to have a glass of beer a day.
Long have people known both-the ill-effects of excessive alcohol consumption and benefits extended to moderate alcohol consumption.The debate that alcohol is good or bad will continue for opinions will always clash.
Some people will argue that indeed intake of alcohol leads to various health problems such as cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, various cancers such as liver,mouth and breast cancers to name a few.But on the positive side the health benefits offered by alcohol are improved cardiovascular function to reduced risk of diabetes and gallstones and even longevity.The presence of a number of minerals,polyphenols and vitamins reported in certain types of beer are found to have profound effects on health.

But first it is necessary to define what kind of alcohol and what is the optimum amount that should be consumed to be beneficial and not injurious to health.It is also of importance to determine that this consumption will be safe for which health and age group of people.It is also necessary to determine if alcohol consumption is to be accompanied by certain compromises in the daily diet of people to ensure health benefits.
It would be wise to say that too much of anything good is also bad,so moderation is the key.With a healthy lifestyle a drink or two may be acceptable.So raise a toast to good health with a good judgement and analysis of your health.

Via:NBC

Image: medicineworld

Beer is the world’s oldest and most popular alcoholic beverage. Czech beer, has the first place for the world’s per-capita beer consumption: more than 281 pints annually for every man, woman and child in the country.

The Czech Republic is the home of the first Pilsner, the first Budweiser. A brewery is known to have existed in 1118 , the city Brno had a right to brew beer from the 12th century, and the two cities most associated with Czech beer, Plzeň and Česke Budějovice certainly had breweries in the 13th century. Evan Rail offers his tips on the best of Czech beer culture.

Taproom with six brews from Budweiser Budvar, Pilsner Urquell and Kutna Hora, a regional producer.

Beer baths: Spa towns of Karlovy Vary (formerly Carlsbad) and Marianske lazne (aka Marienbad) can get you the beer bath: a therapeutic dip in a special bathing brew supervised by a licensed balneologist. The Chodovar family hotel holds the promise of a dip and a beery lunch at the brewery restaurant, the perfect recipe for the perfect laid-back day!

The oldest bridge in the country is Pisek’s Stone Bridge, dating from around 1300. The nearby Platan brewery is a South Bohemian favorite, offering one of the best strong specials, Prachenska Perla, with 6% alcohol and a syrupy, maple-like finish.

Best of the beer festivals: The Krkonosske pivni slavnosti, a festival of independent brewers from the Krkonose mountain region, that takes place every year on the second weekend in August.

The Malý Rohozec brewery, about an hour from Prague, which holds its beer festival on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice.

Brewery hotels: Czech lands are home to 16 brewpubs with guest rooms on the premises. The hilltop citadel town of Stramberk and Troobacz are home to the same.

Pilsner: Pilsner Urquell has staked its claim as the world’s first Pilsner, and it remains one of the country’s favourite producers. Here Pilsner Urquell is available on draught. You can try it at a tank pub like Malostranska Pivnice.

The brewery, hotel and bakery in Stramberk, home to the amazing Troobacz dark lager and special baked waffles known as “Stramberk Ears”.

Budweiser beer: Budweis in German - is celebrated as the home of the original Budweiser beer, though there are in fact two original breweries there (Budweiser Budvar and Budweiser Burgerbrau), both of which are involved in legal battles with Anheuser-Busch over the rights to the name.

Stiff Brews: Do you want more of an alcoholic content in your beer? Then this sure is the place to hit. The champion here is U Medvidku’s X-33, a remarkably complex lager of 12.6% alcohol, produced in numbered bottles and cellared for the best part of a year.

‘First Beer Tramway’ of the Chez republic is the beer group Sdruzeni Pratel Piva. To get to it you will have to take 11 tram from metro station I.P. Pavlova it to the end station at Sporilov (approximately 17 minutes).

Beer bottles at beer shop: Pivni Galerie, or “Beer Gallery”, hidden in a quiet residential neighborhood just out of the center is the place to get to . Owners Petr Vanek and Olga Vankova will have all in stock and knowledge about Czech.

Glassworks brewery: Located in the ski-jumping, North Bohemian town of Harrachov, it is definitely worth a visit. Tours of the glassworks are available, and you can watch glass-blowers work up a thirst from the brewpub’s mezzanine.

Prague is also home to some lovely architecture, The Charles Bridge, built in 1357, remains one of the city’s premier attractions.

Beer Gardens! Park-bench seating, and half-litres of Gambrinus beer from a kiosk cost the equivalent of 70 pence. To experience the same stroll along Letna, Prague.

The St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, as well as the city’s many statues, spires and rooftops, is clearly visible from the Letna beer garden.

Image credits: Evan Rail

Charity is a reason which can move people to a great extent. One of the oldest bottles of wine has fetched $14,000. However, the buyer has no intentions of tasting the wine, which is presumably the finest. The wine was being auctioned for Te Omanga hospice that caters to patients in the areas of Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. The 104 year bottle was bought by Former Brierley Investments chief executive and current Wellington regional stadium trust chairman Paul Collins.

The charity event raised more then $55, 000 for the Hospice trust. The event was held at Martinborough. Collins said he bought the wine bottle so as to help the worthy cause and make his name in the history of New Zealand. He also added, ‘The wine itself is so unique that it will now become a feature of my wine cellar.’ The wine was made by Lansdowne Vineyard, Masterton. This was one of the first commercial vineyard and was set up by William and Hermanze Beetham. However, the wine won’t be tasted by anyone and will just add to the decor of the wine cellar of Collins.

Source: Stuff

Do you like experimenting with different cocktail flavors? If yes, then definitely go ahead and indulge in a Bellini!

Bellini is a long drink cocktail traditionally made with sparkling wine (mainly Prosecco, the Italian sparkling wine) and peach puree. Do you know it is one of the most popular cocktails in Italy?

Bellini was apparently invented by Giuseppe Cipriani the chief bartender at Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy sometime around 1943. Bellini became a seasonal specialty of the Harry’s Bar which was frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles.

You can judge its popularity from the fact that it is an International Bartenders Association (IBA) official cocktail. You must be wondering what that means! It means that the Bellini is one of the several cocktails selected for use in the annual World Cocktail Competition.

Jack Robertiello, editor of Cheers magazine says,

I think that the Bellini growth is tied to the very strong Italian chain restaurant growth, especially Olive Garden, since Italian restaurants are where Bellinis and drinks like them are featured and promoted.

So, if you want to taste the exotic flavor of the Bellini you would need the following:

• 2 oz peach puree ( you can substitute this with peach juice or even some other fruit puree in case peaches are not available )
• 4 oz Prosecco (or any other sparkling wine, though, French Champagne is not recommended because of its strong flavor)
• Champagne flute

Now, pour the peach puree/juice into the Champagne flute and then slowly add the sparkling wine to it and serve it in style!

Call in a few special friends home, put on your favorite music, and, enjoy the light fruity flavor of the Bellini!

via:allwomenstalk,cocktails

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Wines transport you to a different world altogether as you relish the pleasure of each sip. An exotic aroma adds excitement to the heady sensation you experience when you enjoy your wine.

A cocktail of intoxicating fragrances of exotic flowers you savor with your wine takes you to a garden of freshly bloomed flowers literally. While most wines are fragrant, especially the white wines, some of them come with an exotic fragrance you’ll fall in love with.

Let’s find out about a few aromatic wines.

Gewurztraminer which originates in Alsace is known for its rich texture, floral aromas, ripe peach, lychee and fruit flavours, is well-balanced and long lasting.

Torrontes is a wine that originates in Argentina and has an enticing flavor and aroma of peach, honeysuckle and lychee.

Muscat is the only grape to produce wine with the same aroma as the grape itself. Sweet fortified Muscats have a classic rich, nose of dried fruits, raisins and oranges.

Kolbenhof has a perfumed aroma of roses along with a penetrating, unusual orange zest note; a bit of minerality emerges in the flavor, along with a grounded, earthy near-bitterness that’s typical for this grape and serves to balance the wine’s expansive character. The wine is full-bodied but lively, with a creamy texture and yet good depth from its acidity, which is fairly high for Gewurz according to wro.

While you are getting heady with the thought of aromatic white wines, learn more about them here as the list is quite long.

Cheers!

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With technology revolutionizing every aspect of our daily life, it is not uncommon that it be introduced in conventional fields to give a superior consumer experience. One such area where technology has crept in is the field of wine shops and wine-tasting to perk up the conventional retail wine-tasting methodology but with greater consumer satisfaction.

One such place where technology has been put to use to pleasure oenophiles with their favorite drink is the Bisty’s Wine Shop and Brasserie Bar. Situated in central Tokyo in the posh area of Omotesando Hills, Bisty’s offers an innovative way of sampling, relishing and even buying your favorite wine from among the many highly revered wines it has to offer.

What is it that makes Bisty’s different from the conventional retail-wine store?

The wines are encased in Enomatic’s enoline temperature controlled models that maintain the wines at their respective optimum serving temperatures. Enomatic’s Wine Card System along with Enosoft-Professional software has also been installed at Bisty’s. This set up includes three volume models with features such as digital price displays and wine card readers. Further, each machine is connected to the POS terminals from where the entire set-up is monitored and controlled.

Once at Bisty’s all you have to do is purchase a plastic card for ¥525 and start your wine tasting with around 80 vintages this place has to offer. Insert the card into the slot meant for it and be prepared with a stem glass to sip your desired wine. The machine can pour 20ml, 50ml or 90 ml of wine as per your instructions on the digital panel. The insertion of the card is must as the machine is programmed to pour the wine only when the card is inserted.

To go along with the wine you can order any of the appetizing Italian inspired dishes on their menu. Thus, you can take your own sweet time enjoying any of your favorite vintages along with a yummy meal - as your pre-paid card allows you. If you want a taste of more and more wines then you can purchase another card until you feel fulfilled from this customer self-service experience of wine tasting. If you have enough money, you can take any of your favorite wines home as well.

Image Credit: Foodrink

Source: Spluch, Enomatic