Writing all this on Italy Wine can be considered an obligation to us. This is because we felt obligated on imparting all this knowledge we knew about Italy Wine.

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Emilia-Romagna Region

Emilia-Romagna stretches from the Ligurian border in northeastern Italy to the Adriatic Sea. As the name indicates, historically it was composed of two regions, Emilia and Romagna. It may be the only region of Italy named for a road, one constructed by the Ancient Romans almost 2200 years ago. It is one of the most prosperous regions of Italy with strong agricultural, industrial, and tourist economic activity. Its total population is about 3.9 million.

Emilia-Romagna produces a very wide variety of pasta, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cheese, and fresh and cured meats. Two of its biggest stars are a cheese, Parmigiano Regianno, and a ham, Prosciutto di Parma. Parmesan cheese as it's known in English, was mentioned by the famous Italian author of the Fourteenth Century, Giovanni Boccaccio. We review it below. Parma ham, as it's known in English, is an uncooked ham that is dry cured for at least ten months. Usually it is served in very thin slices, often as appetizer with melon.

Bologna whose population is about 375,000 is the administrative center of Emilia-Romagna. It is the home of the first university in the Western World, founded in the 11th Century. Bologna is also considered the capital of Italian gastronomy, in spite of its unfortunate association with a low-quality sandwich meat. Another city of interest is Rimini, a resort center on the Adriatic Sea with a population of 135 thousand.

Emilia-Romagna devotes about 178,000 acres to grapevines, it ranks 5th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is about 125 million gallons, giving it a 4th place. About 57% of the wine production is red, leaving 43% for white. The region produces 18 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine and 1 DOCG white wine, Albana di Romagna. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. In fact, while this wine was the first white wine to be accorded the DOCG designation in Italy (1987), many feel that Albana di Romagna does not deserve such an award. (I have never tasted this wine, and from the reviews that I've read, I'm in no hurry to taste it.) About 21% of Emilia-Romagna wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. Emilia-Romagna is home to more than four dozen major and secondary grape varieties, a few more red than white.

Widely grown international white grape varieties include Malvasia and Trebbiano. The best known strictly Italian white varieties are Albana (source of the DOCG wine) and Pignoletto.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the only widely grown international red grape variety. The best known strictly Italian red variety is Bonarda. The Italian red varieties Barbera and Sangiovese are found elsewhere, including California.

Before we reviewing the Emilia-Romagna wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.
Start with Gelato di Parmigiano, Parmigiano "Ice Cream", which includes heavy cream and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, suggested as an appetizer.
A more traditional dish is Scaloppine di Vitello alla Bolognese, Veal Scaloppine all Bolognese, which also includes Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, as well as other local specialties Prosciutto di Parma and balsamic vinegar.
For dessert (as if the ice cream wasn't a dessert) try Torta Bonissima, a Honey and Nut Pie.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Donini Lamberti Trebbiano-Chardonnay IGT 2005 12% alcohol about $8 (liter)

Everybody has prejudices. I approached this bottle with several of them. It seems to me that a liter of wine is usually too big, accentuating quantity at the expense of quality. Given the economics of the wine industry, I am usually reticent to purchase a bottle for $8, which would be $6 for a regular-sized bottle. And finally while Emilia-Romagna is often known for its red wines, it is not particularly known for its white wines, with an unfortunate exception, the DOCG wine Albana di Romagna, discussed above. And now to the actual wine.

The first time that I drank this wine I found that its taste was one of green apples, dominating everything else but still light on flavor if not unpleasant. It didn't really accompany the food, a breaded chicken cutlet in sweet and sour sauce with potatoes cooked in chicken fat. As the wine aged a bit, (it takes a long time to finish a liter if you don't care to drink very much at a time) it got better instead of worse. I have read that 3.5 million bottles of this type wine are produced yearly. I understand that it is popular in fish restaurants along the Adriatic Sea. I'd love to find out for sure. Final verdict, not bad for the price.

Parmigiano-Reggiano is a cooked, unpressed semi-fat hard cheese made from raw cow's milk. It is encased in a thin, yellow rind. This cheese is finely grained and very flaky. Its taste is delicate and fragrant, and frankly wasted with a wine of this quality.

About the Author

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine website is www.theworldwidewine.com . You can reach him at ital@mail.theworldwidewine.com.



Wine Distributors



A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown in a single specified year, and are accordingly dated as such. Variations in a wine's character from year to year can include subtle differences in color, palate, nose, body and development. Good quality red table wines in particular can improve in flavor with age if properly stored.[32] Consequently, it is not uncommon for wine enthusiasts and traders to save bottles of an especially good vintage wine for future consumption. Most countries allow a vintage wine to include a portion of wine that is not from the labeled vintage.
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Wine Sauces



Rare meats need young tannic reds (a nice dry merlot works well) and well-done meats need older or fruity reds with little to no tannins. Foods high in acidity are complemented by wines high in acidity.
Celebrate with champagne today!

Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at the Napa Valley Opera House

Book your tickets early: this is the concert Napa historians will talk about a century from now. Named one of Americas 25 most influential people by Time magazine, the first jazz artist to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize in music, and a winner of eight Grammy awards, Wynton Marsalis needs no introduction. Those lucky enough to get in will not be more than 16 rows away from this superstar of jazz and one of musics great ensembles!

COPIA - Al Stewart: Down in the Cellars

Al Stewarts accessible guitar style and literary lyrics shone in his 1970s hits Year of the Cat and Time Passages. In his Napa debut, Stewart performs favorites plus songs derived from his love of wine: Down in the Cellars, Shiraz Shuffle and Night that the Band Got the Wine.

Southern Wine | Spanish Wine

Arriving to conclusions can be considered the most difficult part of any form of writing. We felt the same here with this article on Italian Wine. Hope you enjoyed it.

Visiting A Winery - 5 Ways to Avoid Learning Anything

Next time you visit the wine country, hire yourself a big limousine and follow these simple guidelines:

1. Plan your day around visiting as many wineries as possible.

2. Go to the same wineries everybody else does. After all, those are the popular wineries to go to, and they're more than ready to put a wine glass in your hand.

3. Don't listen to the tasting room staff, and be especially sure not to ask them too many questions. They're not paid enough to be knowledgeable professionals.

4. Have a strong desire to self-medicate. Start your wine tasting early in the day, and get sideways by noon.

5. Get your exercise! Walk back and forth from the limo to the tasting room, and repeat often.

Now THAT'S your kind of wine country vacation, right? Many others just like you think so, too. Aren't you glad you're not alone?

Be sure to keep the above guidelines handy, and refer to them often.

A Word to the Wise

Dear reader, as you may have guessed, the 5 guidelines above only apply to April Fools. For the rest of us who might consider ourselves to belong to the greater majority of responsible wine-loving adults, tasting wine is an experience to be savored and discussed, appreciated and remembered.

To tour a series of wineries to get a buzz is not what the wine-tasting experience is all about. Wine is food! And like the pleasure that comes from eating your favorite cuisine, wine can provide a similar allure. Food and wine, as many know, complement each other well. As with food, if you choose to taste wine, do it because you truly enjoy tasting it. But unlike food, don't go to a tasting room because you'd rather be drinking a lot of wine. Instead, stay home! But be responsible there, too.

If you would maximize your visit to the wine country, let us then provide contrast to the above guidelines and consider what will allow your wine country vacation to be a memorable experience - not just a sideways tour.

5 Ways to Maximize Your Wine-Country Experience

Call it wine country appreciation. Or, call it self-appreciation. In either case, if you would choose to truly benefit from a trip to the wine country, here now are five responsible guidelines signified by letters, instead of numbers, to differentiate from the list above.

A. Plan your day around visiting the wine country, not just its wineries.

There are a whole host of wonderful opportunities to be found in the wine regions of the world, whether you're touring the famed Bordeaux region, Oregon's Willamette Valley, or the up-and-coming Amador County area west of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. A visit to these wine regions can include a number of historical, cultural, educational, heritage, and active outdoor pursuits. Quite often, having a local guide can dramatically enhance the personal growth aspects of vacationers.

Gaining appeal with today's travelers are tours ranging from culinary education classes that take place in spectacular settings to wellness retreats that offer exercise and nutrition counseling as well as superb pampering. Or, if you desire to be more active, you can find tours that offer a few days of exploring the flora, fauna, and scenic vistas of local open spaces, then a superb meal with wine tasting. Travelers are increasingly booking such tours, and they are trending heavily toward booking them online on a myriad of tour and travel websites.

B. To properly enjoy your wine-touring experience, choose your winery destination carefully.

Visitors are often drawn to the popular wineries that are located alongside the wine country's main arterial routes; for instance, Highway 29 in the Napa Valley. And yet those are the areas in which you'll find the greater share of vehicle traffic, especially during the summer tourist season. Of course, the traffic isn't just cars, limousines, and tour buses. After you get off the bus or out of your car and into the winery, you'll often wait in long lines of human traffic just to taste a wine or two. Ironically, this can defeat the purpose of Guideline A.

Many wineries and lodging operations offer better service and better vacation deals for your dollar during off-peak seasons. As a result, you'll find that you get to linger longer at a restaurant or have a conversation with a winemaker that goes beyond the merely casual. Having the time to relax and not compete with other tourists on your vacation can dramatically augment not only your sense of well-being, but also your wine knowledge and your social network.

In addition, there are many family-owned wineries that are real treasures. It's easy to overlook them, but once you make the effort to seek them out, you'll often be rewarded with an experience that will have you telling your friends about them. You may even find the winegrower getting off his tractor to take you for an impromptu tour of his vineyard or winery operation. Of course, he might have you consider purchasing a case of his wines for his trouble. But then, you may also find that you're not paying nearly the premium that you'll pay at the more popular wineries along the main wine roads.

C. The tasting room staff earn their pay, and they do it out of passion. Let them guide you.

The wineries aren't in business to attract more tourists. They're in business because they have a clear understanding of the needs of their customers. If you're not the world's greatest wine expert, don't worry! You're among friends. Learning is why you traveled to the wine country in the first place, and winemakers and their staff love to talk about what they do. Listen, and ask questions. If you should visit more than one winery, ask the same questions. You'll enhance your understanding by the answers you'll hear, and what's more, you'll be delighted that you asked.

D. Be fully aware of your experience. Participate in it, and find yourself enchanted by it. Don't desensitize yourself to the magic of the wine country.

"The advantages of wine touring are beautiful scenery and a new learning experience. The disadvantages are that there's not enough wine."

This author has actually read the above statement in a review by a supposedly-serious wine expert. I've heard similar quips from the lips of the not-so-pleasantly plowed. While I might agree with the "advantage" half of that statement, the desired outcome of your wine tour should be a quality experience, not a quantity experience. Wine touring is not meant to be a dormitory-style competition.

Therefore, pace yourself. Pour the wine you no longer want into the proper receptacle, usually a spit bucket. Spit the wine into the bucket if necessary - it's perfectly acceptable within the context of tasting wine. But nobody likes a drunken tourist - not the winery staff, not the patrons, and especially not the wine country police.

E. To properly enjoy the wine country, get out of the land yacht and explore your surroundings.

Bring your hiking shoes with you, and find a local trail. Or, if you prefer to connect to your new surroundings on a deeper level, hire a guide. The reasons that grapes do so well in the wine country are often the same reasons why most areas surrounding the wine regions of the world offer a number of marvelous outdoor experiences. You'll find that a walk in the redwoods, an expansive mountaintop view, a remote meadow full of wildflowers, or a glimpse of a bobcat on the trail can heighten your wine country experience in sensational ways.

Plus, the exercise and the fresh air you'll get from your outdoor excursion will build your anticipation of those fine meals and exquisite wines that you came to the wine country for. They are the reward for your physical efforts, they balance your intrinsic desire for deeper understanding, and they make your vacation complete.

Copyright 2006 California Wine Hikes

About the Author

Russ Beebe is an experienced wine taster and hiking guide who leads naturalist tours in the California wine country. Discover how you can enjoy the quintessential California experience at <a target=new href="http://www.californiawinehikes.com/">californiawinehikes.com.

Homemade Wine



Find a winemaker you like and experiment with new varietals (grape varieties) through their expertise. Then, find a varietal that interests you and follow it back to its source. Where does it come from? This is a great way to learn about wines.
Try a new port tonight!

Wine Opener



Hybrids are not to be confused with the practice of grafting. Most of the world's vineyards are planted with European vinifera vines that have been grafted onto North American species rootstock. This is common practice because North American grape species are resistant to phylloxera, a root louse that eventually kills the vine. In the late 19th century, Europe's vineyards were devastated by the bug, leading to massive vine deaths and eventual replanting. Grafting is done in every wine-producing country of the world except for the Canary Islands, Chile and Argentina, which have not been exposed to the insect.
Get all your wine bottles at Ye Olde Wines





EU says Italian wine safe to drink - Xinhua

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:05:00 GMT

EU says Italian wine safe to drink Xinhua, China - Apr 7, 2008 ROME, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The European Union said on Monday Italian wine was safe to drink after a news magazine exposed a scam involving wine allegedly ...

ITALIAN WINE OF THE WEEK - Farnese Montepulciano D'Abruzzo - Times Online - Auckland

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:08:17 GMT

ITALIAN WINE OF THE WEEK - Farnese Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Times Online - Auckland, New Zealand - Apr 23, 2008 ... Robert Parker as ‘wine to buy by the carload’ it is available at select Foodtown and Woolworth supermarkets and from specialist Italian store Sovrano. ...

Producing such informative sentences on Wine Cooler was not an overnight achievement. Lots of hard work and sweat was also put in it.

How To Find Great Wine Gift baskets For Any Occasion

Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new babies, college graduation, and even Christmas can leave many gift givers struggling to decide what to give that person who has everything. There are few people who do not drink or cook with wine. Therefore, creating a lavish basket full of wine and vineyard themed products can make for an unforgettable celebration.

Wine baskets are a happening trend. No matter whom the gift is for, they are certain to love it. You can easily stock the basket to fit the needs of the recipient.

A typical wine gift basket should include a bottle or two of wine, some wine glasses, a corkscrew, coasters, napkins, attractive replacement wine stopper, wine glass decorations, and maybe some chocolates or fruit. These items are then attractively displayed in a basket large enough to fit them. You can wrap the basket in cellophane paper for a glamorous gift.

Select a basket that fits the occasion. If a couple is getting married, find a white basket and add plenty of sparkles. A couple celebrating their 25th anniversary will get a kick out of a basket that is trimmed in silver. Any craft store will have loads of inexpensive baskets from which you can choose.

For the new mom, who may or may not be drinking yet, a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne, chocolates, fruit, and nuts can be a major timesaver. It can be bothersome for new moms to find time to fix a proper meal, so having handy snacks of fruits and nuts lying around can be uplifting.

If the recipient enjoys wine but knows little about it, ensure the basket contains items for the beginner. Start with a bottle of red and a bottle of white, add a book on the different styles of wine, some wine glasses, wine charms, and a wine stopper.

For the wine drinker who considers him or herself to be an expert, a couple bottles of wine with some nuts, dried fruits, and chocolates can be a classy gift. They are sure to remember your thoughtfulness.

If the wine drinker is adventurous, consider creating a basket of wine that offers a few bottles of less popular wines. Toss in a White Shiraz, a style that is new to many, with a bottle of apple wine. The offerings can be endless.

Another option is to create a gift basket full of wine kits. Brewery supply stores sell kits that can help a wine connoisseur create their own wines. This is an excellent gift basket for someone who enjoys cooking. Not all items will fit in a basket, but the essentials will and then the recipient can find the rest among his or her kitchen items.

A wine gift basket is sure to please a fussy recipient. They will be thrilled with this wonderful gift that comes straight from the heart!

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as wine gift baskets at www.bottledlovemessage.com

Calories Foods



Weddings aren't the only big events to celebrate with wine. These tips also apply to parties such as graduations, reunions, birthdays and anniversaries.
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Dessert Wines



Don't forget the ros� Ros�s are perfect summer wines and make a great start to an evening.
Looking for the right wine accessory?

Sparkling Wines



Remember that you are stocking this cellar for "all aged wine" consumption for the next 5-10 years, if not longer. Buy different wines for different types of meals you might eat. It's good to have some of everything - bordeaux, cabernet, shiraz, zinfandel, merlot, and yes, pinot noir.
Get the right wine racks at Ye Olde Wines

Wine Accessory



Wine can also be made from other species or from hybrids, created by the genetic crossing of two species. Vitis labrusca, Vitis aestivalis, Vitis rupestris, Vitis rotundifolia and Vitis riparia are native North American grapes, usually grown for eating in fruit form or made into grape juice, jam, or jelly, but sometimes made into wine, eg. Concord wine (Vitis labrusca species).
Find all your wine making kits at Ye Olde Wines

Chianti Region



Be careful about temperature. I drink white wine around 48-55� F and red wine around 60-65� F. If you drink wine that's too warm or too cold you lose all the fruit flavors and the complexities of the wine.
Get the right wine racks at Ye Olde Wines

Sonoma County Current Events

Featured Sonoma County Event: Rodney Strong Winemaker Dinner. The Inn at the Tides, Bay View Restaurant in Bodega Bay proudly hosts Winemaker Michael Eddy of Rodney Strong Winery for a spectacular 5-course dinner including a specially selected wine with each course. Reservations are a must!

Wine Project

This is our humble presentation on Wine Companies. Your reading it will add the necessary weightage to the presentation.

Swedish Christmas Recipe for Mulled Wine or Glogg

What would Christmas be like without the traditional mulled wine? The wonderful aromas wafting through the house during the holiday season have even sparked scented candles designed to conjure up our favorite smell!

Every country has it's version of this holiday recipe - from the German Gluhwein to the Italian Vin Brul?.

Here is a great and tasty of how the Swedes have incorporated the enticing flavors of tropical spices. In gl?gg the liquids are steeped with various spices. What better way to keep spirits high when the sun disappears for months? A Christmas gathering with no gl?gg is unthinkable in Sweden, akin to a Superbowl party with no beer.

Mulled Wine or Gl?gg

• 5 whole white cardamom pods, cracked


• 2 whole cloves


• 1 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick


• 1 teaspoon dried orange peel


• 2 tablespoons brown sugar


• 1/3 cup Madeira or port


• 1 bottle good-quality red wine such as burgundy

Put all of the ingredients in a stainless steel pan and slowly heat.
Do not boil.
Strain and drink immediately.
For a more intense flavor, let spices steep for several hours or overnight; strain and gently reheat.

Serve in a heat proof bowl, with mugs or glasses and a large ladel. Enjoy welcoming in Christmas with this traditional Swedish beverage!

For more great swedish recipes visit us at Worldwide recipes website. Find more recipes & cookbooks at the One Dollar bookstore.

Wine Cup



The first lesson of collecting wine is to buy what you like. The market could go south, wine could not appreciate the way you feel it might, but in the end if you have wines you love, you haven't lost everything. Spend some time figuring out what you personally enjoy. Try different wines, and read web reviews and talk to friends for for best buy suggestions. Visit wineries and learn about how wines are made.
Get your wine ice buckets at Ye Olde Wines

Wine Magazines



The best, inexpensive sparkling wines come from Prosecco, the Loire, and Alsace (cremant). For sweet sparkling, Moscato d'Asti from the best producers is hard to beat and quite inexpensive.
Having a party. Get wholesale wine lots at Ye Olde Wines

Wine Expert



Talk to your Sommelier/ Wine Director in the restaurant. This person is there to help you and to make sure you will be 100% satisfied. The best way to know about them is to buy the Chalk Hill Sommeliers Guide to Restaurants in America; you�ll learn all the secrets of the sommeliers� world.
Buy some sparkling wine right now!

Wine makers turn to retail for a new high - Sify

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:18:02 GMT

Wine makers turn to retail for a new high Sify, India - Apr 22, 2008 As wine makers turn bartenders, here's another opportunity for wine lovers to regale in fine spirits. Wine companies in the country are opting for the ...

Wine Products

There is no need of stressing on the point that we have put all our efforts in compiling what is written here of Wine Commercials. Just hope you appreciate it.

Carneros Wineries And Wine Country


Although Carneros Wineries are located in both Southern Napa and Sonoma Counties, the region has always had its own unique identity. Being a huge Pinot Noir fan, I really enjoy exploring new, interesting wines from this region.

Carneros is an example of an AVA that has a more uniform terroir than most. Whereas the borders of some AVAs have been extended beyond their natural climactic boundaries because of politics and influence, Carneros resisted this all too common tendency.

History

During the Spanish era of California, the region was a natural place for settlement in the North Bay due to its proximity to San Francisco, and accessibility by water routes. When General Vallejo secularized the Spanish Missions in 1834, he divided the region amongst several of his cronies. The area was initially developed to produce subsistence crops and livestock.

The first vineyards were planted in the 1830s, and Carneros Wineries flourished for many decades until phylloxera devastated the region's grapes along with most vineyards throughout California.

Prohibition appeared to be the last nail in the coffin for Carneros Wineries. After this unfortunate law's repeal, Andre Tchelistcheff and Louis M. Martini took an interest in the region's unique climate. Investment in Carneros Wineries was slow until the 1970s when it began to surge with the rest of the Napa Valley.

Terroir

Regular fog derived from the San Pablo Bay and Napa River has a cooling effect on the region. Wind is a constant factor, and it blows relatively unobstructed throughout most of the AVA.

Additionally, rainfall is relatively scarce, causing most Carneros Wineries and growers to irrigate their crops. The lack of abundant fresh water as well as the encroachment of sea water into some parts of the ground inhibit rampant vineyard expansion.

As one moves north from the San Pablo Bay, rolling hills begin to replace the extremely flat terrain in the south. There are a few hills that rise to 1000 feet, but they do little to shield the wind and fog. Because of Carneros' consistant climate, certain varietals grow in a very methodical manner.

A multitude of fossilized sea life exists in the soil, and is reminiscent of when the San Pablo Bay covered much of the region. The soil has relatively low fertility, giving grape vines only enough nourishment to focus on scarce, concentrated fruit. The soils of Carneros are generally made of relatively compact clay and are quite shallow.

Varietals, Wines, and Wineries

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are quite compatible with the terroir of Carneros, and the AVA produces some great examples of these two varietals. About 80% of the grapes produced here are either Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. Carneros Wineries also produce some excellent sparkling wines. Some parts of the region have also had a degree of success producing Merlot and Syrah in the northern, slightly warmer parts of the AVA.

Carneros is an example of an AVA that has a more uniform terroir than most. Whereas the borders of some AVAs have been extended beyond their natural climactic boundaries because of politics and influence, Carneros resisted this all too common tendency.

History

During the Spanish era of California, the region was a natural place for settlement in the North Bay due to its proximity to San Francisco, and accessibility by water routes. When General Vallejo secularized the Spanish Missions in 1834, he divided the region amongst several of his cronies. The area was initially developed to produce subsistence crops and livestock.

The first vineyards were planted in the 1830s, and Carneros Wineries flourished for many decades until phylloxera devastated the region's grapes along with most vineyards throughout California.

Prohibition appeared to be the last nail in the coffin for Carneros Wineries. After this unfortunate law's repeal, Andre Tchelistcheff and Louis M. Martini took an interest in the region's unique climate. Investment in Carneros Wineries was slow until the 1970s when it began to surge with the rest of the Napa Valley.

Terroir

Regular fog derived from the San Pablo Bay and Napa River has a cooling effect on the region. Wind is a constant factor, and it blows relatively unobstructed throughout most of the AVA.

Additionally, rainfall is relatively scarce, causing most Carneros Wineries and growers to irrigate their crops. The lack of abundant fresh water as well as the encroachment of sea water into some parts of the ground inhibit rampant vineyard expansion.

As one moves north from the San Pablo Bay, rolling hills begin to replace the extremely flat terrain in the south. There are a few hills that rise to 1000 feet, but they do little to shield the wind and fog. Because of Carneros' consistant climate, certain varietals grow in a very methodical manner.

A multitude of fossilized sea life exists in the soil, and is reminiscent of when the San Pablo Bay covered much of the region. The soil has relatively low fertility, giving grape vines only enough nourishment to focus on scarce, concentrated fruit. The soils of Carneros are generally made of relatively compact clay and are quite shallow.

Varietals, Wines, and Wineries

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are quite compatible with the terroir of Carneros, and the AVA produces some great examples of these two varietals. About 80% of the grapes produced here are either Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. Carneros Wineries also produce some excellent sparkling wines. Some parts of the region have also had a degree of success producing Merlot and Syrah in the northern, slightly warmer parts of the AVA.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ben Bicais lives in the Napa Valley and is the webmaster of http://www.california-wine-tours-and-accessories.com

Wine Jobs



Ask for the sommelier/wine steward and tell him what you�re having, what you�re willing to spend and what you like (and hint whether or not you�re �wine adventurous�). If the sommelier listens well, you�ll likely score. Sometimes it pays off big to discreetly slip the sommelier a tip. Think twice before spending more than $100 for an immature bottle of wine at a restaurant.
Find all your wine making kits at Ye Olde Wines

Wine Products



Most-underrated category: Zero dosage sparklers (no brandy added for sweetening), like those from Bellavista and Ca' del Bosco. The cult high-end producer that few know of is Jacques Selosse. Best grower producer in the $50-$100 range? Perhaps Vilmart, especially if you seek a sparkling ros�.
Treat your wine right with great wine chillers

Caribe Cooler



If you want to learn how to talk about wine, tell me the difference between Coke and Pepsi. Use descriptive words that refer to actual things. Your assignment in Warner's Wine World is: Smell more flowers. Smell tree bark. Taste everything. Wake up. Expand your vocabulary.
Treat your family to a great food and wine party!

Sonoma County Current Events

Featured Sonoma County Event: Rodney Strong Winemaker Dinner. The Inn at the Tides, Bay View Restaurant in Bodega Bay proudly hosts Winemaker Michael Eddy of Rodney Strong Winery for a spectacular 5-course dinner including a specially selected wine with each course. Reservations are a must!

Subtle approach suits Iron and Wine just fine - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:53:24 GMT

Subtle approach suits Iron and Wine just fine Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA - Apr 15, 2008 Subtlety doesn't make good commercials or hit singles. But when it's done well -- like the minutely detailed experimental folk-rock made by Iron and Wine ...

Riesling Wine
Wine Making
Muscat Blanc

There is significant matter enclosed in this article about Wine Clubs for you to understand Wine Clubs better. Use it to it's best.

Online Wine Clubs

Joining online wine clubs allows you to taste the wines of Italy, Chile, France and Spain without ever leaving the comforts of your home. Membership to such clubs is a great gift for yourself or for a loved one. But before your sign up for anything, there are some things to consider when looking for the perfect online wine club.

Cost. Naturally, you have to consider the price of joining such a club. Remember that the membership fee is not the only cost to consider. Usually, you need to factor in the shipping fees and taxes.

Variety. Before you sign up with an online wine club, be sure that they have variety of the wine sources. Make sure their wines coming from several vineyards, and not just one.

Shipment policies. Most online wine clubs adhere to all federal, state and local laws on shipment, but beware; there are other clubs that circumvent shipping laws to decrease taxes, etc. Other wine retailers, online or otherwise can ship to certain states and deliver products even without a signature of an adult. Twelve states prohibit retailers from shipping the wines directly to the consumers. These include Arkansas, Georgia, Alaska, Kansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah, among others. Some online wine clubs do not deliver to certain states even when wine delivery is allowed because the market is too small. Be sure to clarify if the club delivers to where you are located before signing up for membership.

Inventory policies. There are also laws that govern how retailers manage their inventory in various states. In some cases, it is illegal for retailers to move their wines from one state to another state. Some states have signed mutually beneficial agreements enabling retailers to deliver wines to consumers between states. Ask the online wine club customer representatives about how these inventory policies may affect you.

Wine Clubs provides detailed information on Wine Clubs, Wine Of The Month Clubs, California Wine Clubs, Wine Making Clubs and more. Wine Clubs is affiliated with Wine Tasting Tours.

Wine Barrel



Regulations govern the classification and sale of wine in various regions of the world. France has an appellation system which ranges from Vin de Table ("table wine"), through Vin de Pays and Vin D�limit� de Qualit� Sup�rieure (VDQS) up to Appellation d'Origine Contr�l�e (AOC) and which is based on the concept of terroir (or region of origin) and wine quality. Like France, Portugal also has a governmental classification based on the region of the grapes and the quality of the wine. Portugal is pioneer in the creation of the DOC ("Denomina�o de Origem Controlada" or AOC in Portuguese) by creating the Demarcated Douro Region and a system regulating its wine production and trade, by a royal charter in 1756 .Germany developed a similar system in 2002 though this has not yet developed the authority of the French system.[27] Spain and Italy also have a classification which is based on a dual system of region of origin and quality of product. New World wine, that is wines from outside of the traditional wine growing regions of Europe, tend to be classified by grape rather than by quality or region of origin, though there have been subjective attempts to classify by quality, most successfully by Langton's.
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Wine Distributors



One recent study suggests that for normal drinkers, vintage year may not be as significant to perceived wine quality as currently thought, though wine connoisseurs continue to place a great importance on vintage.
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Cabernet Wine



With cheese, there are just as many variables�cheeses can be classified according to type of milk, texture, fat content, method of production, or age. Quite frankly, this makes things a little tricky. Given all the possible stylistic differences, it is not reasonable to expect any one wine to be all things to all cheeses. It�s best to have a method, and proceed with caution. Experiment: in the end, taste is personal, and you never know until you try.
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Winery



Every wine has a differentideal length of aging to bring out its best flavors. This depends on the type of wine, the region the wine was made in, the technique used to make it, and the particular year the grapes were harvested in. As a general guideline, whites normally do not age for long, while reds age for 5-10 years. It all comes down to what you yourself enjoy best, but if you're starting out, aging charts help you see when a wine is typically best enjoyed.
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Napa Valley Current Events

Featured Napa Valley Event: Hands-on Cooking Class Hosted at CasaLana Bed and Breakfast in Calistoga with Terri Pischoff-Wuerthner this class is limited to 8 participants. The Topic is Classic Cajun". Includes recipe handouts, hands-on instruction, meals prepared and wine/beverage served with the meal. All equipment, tools and aprons are provided.

Mendocino Current Events

Featured Mendocino Event: Redwood Coast Whale and Jazz Festival. A jazzed up" Whale Festival with Dinner and Jazz, Brunch and Jazz, Chowder, Wine and Micro-brew Tastings, plus Free Jazz on Saturday. Saturday Night Headliner: The Larry Vuckovich World-Class Sextet performs a tribute to Count Basie and Benny Goodman. Whale watching and activities at Point Arena Lighthouse. The three-day festival takes place on Friday through Sunday in Gualala and Point Arena.

Wine Producers