California Wines - Now World Class

California Wines - Now World Class

By Bill McRea

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California is well known for first-class wine and wineries. While they do not have as much romance and mystery as their European counterparts do, they, however, have a vibrance and body to them that is hard to deny.

California, with over 200 days of sunshine and a very dependable growing season, is ideal for cultivating grapes and setting up wineries.

For any wine connoisseur, a trip to California - both to witness winemaking and to engage in wine tasting - is a once-in-a-year, if not once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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If your goal is to visit California for this purpose, and to see the yearly festivals, the harvesting and processing events, then a tour of the California wineries is sure to delight you. Here are a few tips to help you make the most out of a trip to these wineries.

1. Plan ahead. You will need a clear plan on which geographical areas that have been designated for viniculture - to visit since there are so many. Luckily most of them are bunched together by region right next to urban and natural settings. Choose a region that suits you and map out the areas that you would like to visit.

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You could also visit websites or contact trade bureaus and winery organizations for a list of wineries to visit and for upcoming special events.

2. Make reservations. Some wineries offer tasting by appointment only, so you will want to call ahead of time to let them know. Also make travel and accommodations before hand because this period will generally be a busy one for them. Limit your visits to, at the most, three wineries per day since there is so much to do and so much to see. Some visitors make the mistake of trying to squeeze too much into one day, only to find out that travel to and from regions can be a terribly long affair. You will also want to allow for time to tour the wineries and participate in annual events. That's going to be a lot of things going on at the same time, so make sure you accommodate that into your schedule.

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3. Study your destinations carefully. In order to make the most out of a visit, try to know as much as you can about the winery you are visiting. Having a designated driver helps when touring the California area. You will also have to consider using spit buckets and share tasting as needed.

Bill McRea is the publisher of Knowninfo a premium website dedicated to providing Information, Marketing Strategies and Quality eBooks. Visit our site daily for updated information, and unique products.

Matching Food to the Right Wines

Matching Food to the Right Wines

By Bill McRea

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When it comes to food and wine, most people are brought up with the rule stating "red goes with red, white goes with white", which means red wine goes with red meat while white wine goes with fish and poultry. Then came the "postmodern" maxim which says that �if you like the taste, the match is perfect'.

Despite the presence of these simplistic guides, many people still don't know how to match food and wine well. The truth is, many really don't know what tastes good and what doesn't. Fortunately, the art of food and wine matching follows a simple logic that is quite easy to follow.

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The bottom-line with food and wine matching is that the food should have an equal fighting chance with the wine and vice versa. Simply put, one shouldn't dominate the other. When you bite into food, its tastes and pleasures should be enjoyed. When it is the wine's turn to be sipped, it should evoke an equally pleasurable sensation. Now, when it is time to bite into the food again, it should be the star of that moment. And finally, when it's time for the wine to draw, it should rise up to prominence once more.

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In short, the food should be able to replace the flavors of the wine with every bite, and conversely, the wine should be able to replace the taste of the food with every sip. When the combination isn't good, one will overpower the other.

To achieve this, you have to take in consideration the dominant tastes found in both the food and wine. Sweet food, such as dessert, goes with sweet wine. Food with hints of bitterness, such as charbroiled meat, would go better with a bitter wine. Acidic foods or those foods that go great with a dash of lemon or vinegar, go with acidic wines.

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Here is a short overview of wine flavors:

Acidic wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, White Bordeaux for whites and Pinot Noir, Red Burgundy, Sangiovese, and Gamay for reds. Acidic white wines usually go well with seafood because of their delicate flavor. Acidic red wines go well with tomato based dishes and grilled seafood.

Wines with bitterness include Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Bordeaux, Red Zinfandel, and Merlot. These usually go well with steaks and roasts.

Sweet wines include Vovray, Asti Spumante, Chenin Blanc, or most German wines for whites and Lambrusco, Port, Sherry and Vermouth for reds. These usually go well with dessert or by themselves.

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Matching wine with food is not that complicated with this simple guide. Happy matchmaking!

Bill McRea is the publisher of Knowninfo a premium website dedicated to providing Information, Marketing Strategies and Quality eBooks. Visit our site daily for updated information, and unique products.

Enjoy Colorado Wines

Enjoy Colorado Wines

By Jim Bruce

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Announcing! One of the Best Kept Secrets in the World of Wine...

Do you remember hearing that the best wines are now coming from California?

Forget everything you've heard about California wine and listen, on my
summer vacation I discovered one of the best wine growing areas in the
United States. And it's not on the West Coast.

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As it happens, my daughter asked me to take a trip with her to look at a
piece of property on the Western Slope of Colorado that she and her husband
were interested in. She needed my expertise with evaluating the condition of
the business that accompanied the house and land.

"Just what is this business?" I asked her. She replied that it was a
vineyard. I had to think of that for a moment. I have my college degree in
horticulture and a vineyard has always been my dream. But I would have
never expected this of my daughter.

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She knew that I have planted grapes wherever I've lived. A few grapevines
in the backyard, one or two growing up the side of the house, or a couple
hundred to experiment with when I've had the land to do it.

Now, I was being told that she wanted to live my dream come true. I
questioned her as we drove across the Rocky Mountains towards her new dream.

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Things like, "Do you know what this is going to take?" "Have you seen me
struggle to get my grapes to grow under the Colorado Front Range
conditions?"

As we came down in altitude, entering the Western Slope fruit growing area,
I began to understand her desire to own a vineyard and expand it to support
a small winery.

This area is truely a fruit growing delight. Vineyards and orchards flowing
over the mesas of the Colorado Western Slope region. Cherries, peaches,
apples, and of course grapes.

Unlike the eastern side of Colorado, the Western Slope has a climate that is
conducive to growing all sorts of fruit crops. The noble European grape, V.
vinifera, is well adapted to this fruit growing region.

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Now listen closely! The wines I found being made in the small family
wineries of the Colorado Western Slope turned out to be pure gems! Why?
Because of the warm days and cool nights of this region. This climate is
perfect for growing grapes and making award winning wines.

There are also two American Viticulture Areas: the Grand Valley AVA and the
West Elks AVA along the Colorado Western Slope. Each producing distinctive
wines because of their slightly different climatic conditions.

In Delta County, a cooler climate, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir,
Gew�rztraminer and other colder-climate German varietals work best. In the
warmer Mesa County, Rh�ne varieties like Syrah and Viognier, as well as
Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varieties, are suitable.

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I've sampled the wines from both regions and I have to tell you that I'm
love struck with what I found. While the West Elk AVA between Paeonia and
Delta seems to produce the best whites, there are also Cab Franc, Pinot
Noir, and Merlot wines from that region which are "to die for" wines.

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The Grand Valley AVA from Grand Junction to Palisades produces red wines
that rival any California reds. The recent trend in this area is to grow
more Rhone varieties like Syrah and Viognier and these compliment the
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that has long had a reputation in that area.
This region also boasts some of the best Chardonnay's in the state.

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Many wineries have vineyards in both viticulture appellation areas. I've
found that the top wines are blends of grapes grown in both counties.
Reisling is a good example of this blending. It can get it fully ripe in
Mesa County, with some non-traditional peach and apricot flavors. In Delta
County, it's hard to get it to 20� Brix, but it has this really good acidity
and spicy flavor. The blend of the two together gives a hypnotic sensation
to your palate.

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It's truely up to the wine maker's abilities to make the most of the grapes
grown in this unique winemaking region.

Just picture this for a moment... The Colorado wine industry is in its
infancy. New vineyards and wineries are being added each year as its
reputation spreads. The wines made in Colorado are only going to get better
as the wine makers learn more about the grapes they are growing and perfect
their trade.

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You're probably wondering where you can find out more about these exciting
wines. It just so happens that the Colorado wine industry has a web site at:
http://www.coloradowine.com that can lead you to all the Colorado wine
information you want.

The next time you're looking for something new in wine, consider one of the
enchanting wines from the Western Slope of Colorado. You won't be
disappointed.

Now that you're at the end of this article you're just minutes away from
wanting to jump in your car and run down to get a bottle of some wonderful
Colorado wine.

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Unfortunately, most wines made in the state are sold locally and are not
found in your local liquor store. But the good news is that most can be
bought online. Take a look at the coloradowine.com site and find the
wineries and the wines you are looking for.

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About The Author
Jim Bruce
Discover how you too can grow your own grapes for making wine. Jim Bruce has been growing grapes and making wine for years in various areas across the United States. He now has a grape growing book out at: http://www.grapegrowingbook.com.

French White Wines

French White Wines

By Jimmy Sturo

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Wine is made of mixed chemical substances that come from fruits. The aroma and tastes of wines depend on the fruits, or specifically, grapes that are used to make them.

The color of white wines is more of a golden hew, rather than what its name implies. But as it ages, its color also changes. From a beautiful golden color, which has the distinct fruit taste, to a magnificent amber color that acquires the taste of amber and honey.

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Have you ever heard of Chardonnay or Burgundies? They are by far the most popular choices of white wine in constant demand at the market. White wine is available for every occasion and taste. So far, French Chardonnay takes top place when white wines are being compared.

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But the label as "most famous of all white wines" goes to Champagne. Many would not believe so, but Champagne too is truly a wine, a white wine to be exact. Champagne is made from a mixture of grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier or Pinot Nior. Champagne was first introduced by the French as a lighter alternative to red wine. Champagne is more commonly known as a "sparkling" wine.

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The best way to truly appreciate French white wine is by lightly chilling it for at least 30 minutes. Different people have different ways of appreciating white wine. Most prefer drinking it over dinner with poultry or fish. Some prefer using a chilled glass, while some just pop a bottle and drink it straight up. There is no right way in enjoying white wine, its there to satisfy and excite anyone's taste buds.

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French Red Wines

French Red Wines

By Jimmy Sturo

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Wine is an alcoholic drink made through the fermentation of juices obtained from grapes, honey, flowers and malt or grain. Most countries manufacture wine products for local and global export; some even making a respected and well-trusted brand name in the wine-making industry.

Wine and its Origins

Ever since man learned to make certain wine from grapes, the use of wine has long been woven into the fabric of human life for daily use or on special occasions.

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The first discovery made with regards to the existence of wine was during the Neolithic Period (8500-4000 BC), when archaeologists found that the yellowish residue of a jar unearthed at the site of Hajji Firuz Tepe in Iran had previously contained wine. Another proof is the said beverage had existed way back during the Biblical times; it is used in Bibles and Scriptures with variations like yayin (Hebrew), which means "to boil up" or "to be in ferment"; oinos (Greek); and vinun (Latin).

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Wines are mainly distinguished by their color, flavor, aroma and alcoholic content. They can be deep red, white or rose depending on the juice concentration and length of time the concoction was allowed to ferment. Although for most connoisseurs, they can tell which country the drink came from because the wine tastes of the place where the grapes were cultivated.

French red wines have become very popular in quality and use; in particular they go well with red meat such as beef, roasts, lamb and duck, veal and more. But its popularity can be attributed mainly on the controversies surrounding it - made by experts who discovered that consuming red wine in moderation is good for the heart. Red wines are known to contain anti-oxidants that help prevent damage to the arteries by eliminating the formation of fatty lesions and blood clots, lower blood pressure, cholesterol and stroke.

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The Wines of Alsace

The Wines of Alsace

By Jennifer Jordan

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After the conclusion of the 2006 World Cup, with Italy edging the French team in a 5-3 shootout, those rooting for France could probably have used some very good alcohol to numb their emotions. Luckily for the French, they needn't look far; some of the best wine is right under their noses.

Alsace, a region of France, is known for producing the greatest of white wines. Historically part of the Holy Roman Empire, the 17th century saw Alsace gradually put under French rule, eventually becoming a province of France, ripping up German ownership papers in the process.

Located 300 miles east of Paris, adjacent to Germany and Switzerland and loitering on the bank of the Rhine, Alsace is one of France's 26 wine regions.

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Sunny, dry, and protectively shielded by the Vosges Mountains, Alsace maintains a very storybook quality. With white cottages and brown trim, flower boxes in windowsills, and people uttering cheery hellos while they sweep front porches, the only thing Alsace is missing is seven singing dwarfs. It is like a town manufactured purely for happiness, a town that makes visitors want to yodel.

The winemakers of Alsace, with most producers making between 20 and 30 different kinds of wine, believe that two things determine outcome: the grape that is picked and the ground it is grown on. The ground, because of the variety of soils - clay, limestone, granite, sandstone - can cause vast amounts of variety.

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Almost solely devoted to manufacturing white wine, the grapes of Alsace are picked accordingly. Some of the more important grapes are Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Pinot Blanc. The Pinot Noir, not grown very often, is the lone red grape, dangling on vines and singing the lyrics to "All By Myself" for anyone who will listen.

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The Riesling grape is renown as being the most prestigious of Alsace, producing very dry, broad, and full-spectrum flavors that lean towards gunflint (mmm�gunflint) and steel, with peaches, plums and lime thrown in.

Though white wines are sometimes thought of as dainty, mellow wines, the white wines of Alsace are dry, powerful, bold, and dramatic. Not containing the kind of drama portrayed on a soap opera, with one wine bottle sleeping with the other wine bottle's husband, these wines are just dramatic enough to let you know you're drinking something good.

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Like most wine regions, Alsace contains a few oddities, a few facts people can use to impress their friends. For instance, all wine in Alsace, by law, must be bottled in long, tapered bottles called Flutes d'Alsace. Another quirk involves asparagus, and several restaurants that only serve the long, stem-like veggies from April to June, believing it belongs with a glass of dry Muscat.

The best Alsace wines to try are all of them. But, if you find yourself limited, the most favored ones are the Gewurztraminer, the Muscat, the Pinot Blanc, the Pinot Gris, the Riesling, and the Cremant d'Alsace. So, raise your glass, and drink away�then sing their praises from the Eiffel Tower.

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Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor at http://www.savoreachglass.com. With a vast knowledge of wine etiquette, she writes articles on everything from how to hold a glass of wine to how to hold your hair back after too many glasses. Ultimately, she writes her articles with the intention that readers will remember wine is fun and each glass of anything fun should always be savored.

A Look At Bordeaux And Burgundy Wines

A Look At Bordeaux And Burgundy Wines

By Gregg Hall

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The regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy in France are world renowned for producing some of the best wines available anywhere. Let's take a look at them individually.

First we have Bordeaux, this world famous region in France near the Southeast coast makes some of the best and most famous red wines as well as white wines and dessert wines. Of these, the most notable of the red wines come form Medoc, Saint-Emilion, and Pomerol. Most of the high quality white wines hail from the area called Graves while the best dessert wines are found in Sauternes and Saint-Croix-du-Mont.

With the red wines of Bordeaux we usually see blends including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and occasionally a little of Petit Verdot. The dessert wines and white wines from the Bordeaux region are mainly of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. Some of the most expensive and in demand wines come from the Bordeaux region including the world famous Chateaux Lafite-Rothschild.

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The Bordeaux region is a diversified wine growing area with nearly ten thousand wine making chateaux, and over thirteen thousand wine growers. Due to the sheer numbers you will find a variety of wines from old and established aged Bordeaux wines to young wines. Bordeaux wines offer everything from the top quality wines like the Rothschild mentioned above which deserves the price it brings, to even the more common table wines that are much less expensive but still of superior quality. You can't go wrong with a wine from this region.

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The Burgundy Region is located in North Central France reaching from Dijon south to Beaujolais. It is said that the farther north you go in Burgundy the better the wine. The far northern area of Burgundy called Cote d'Or means hills of gold and probably for this reason! It is here that we find the Pinot Noir grape that is responsible for some of the world's most delicious and complex wines. Some of the very best vineyards in Burgundy are right here in the hills, sitting in the actual hillsides.

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Beaujolais is located in the southern area of the Burgundy region and instead of the Pinot Noir grape, the wine producers here choose the Gamay which is known to be fruitier. These wines are made to be consumed while they are young and it is recommended that they be chilled to even further enhance the berry taste. A good Beaujolais wine will be fruity and yet still be dry.

Many of the Burgundy vineyards are ranked "Grand Cru" which indicates the very best vineyards and quite a few others are labeled "Premier Cru" which means exceptional. When looking at the label of a wine from the Burgundy Region you will find the exact location the grapes come from and that is usually all the information given.

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I hope you have enjoyed reading about the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions and their famous wines, now go out and get some and try it for yourself!

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Find out about personalized wine bottles at http://www.winebottlespersonalized.com