Off The Vine Media

It may be one of the most romantic days of the year.  However, Valentines day wouldn’t be complete with out a great wine.  When planning your wine choice take into consideration what the plans for your day will look like.  If the day consists of a fancy dinner your wine should compliment and create that luxury once a year vibe.  If your day will include chocolate pick a wine that will stand up to that wonderful silky feel in your mouth.   Finally, if no food will be involved think of how the wine you pick will help enhance your romantic activities.

If you will be enjoying a luxurious dinner my suggestion is to pick a wine that falls on the higher end of your budget that you normally wouldn’t drink.  This will help in making your dinner feel that much more luxurious.  Ask your local wine store or Somm. what will pair nicely with what will be on your plate.  For the chocolate you will be enjoying I suggest a rich, intense or velvety wine. This will help to ensure that the wine compliments and holds up against your lovely chocolate your enjoying.  Finally, for that romantic or spontaneous event try a wine that invokes fond memories for you, maybe its a favorite wine, or a wine you had when you first met or even a wine from a place you both want to travel to.  No matter what wine you choose for your days events remember it will only help to enhance your romantic day!

Be the first to like.

Like

Unlike

Christmas is upon us and one of the traditions this time of year is deciding what to put on your with list.  If you are like me your list often consists of wine or wine themed gifts.  Below are some of my suggestions and thoughts.

If you are going to put wine on your list make it something you have always wanted to try.  Maybe it is a new brand, or a specific vintage or a wine from a particular region.  Also, I suggest being specific in what you ask for on your list when it comes to wine ( just my two cents). If you are asking for wine themed items here are some thoughts.  If you enjoy reading there are a lot of great books out there on wine outside of the reference material.  There are books on the history of wine, the wine business, the making of wine, and the interesting stories of famous wine families.  If reading isn’t your thing try a film on wine.  In recent years there have been some fun ones that have come out such as SOMM or Blood Into Wine.  Finally, there is always a pleathora of wine accessories and gadgets out there that will help with any of your wine needs.  Happy Christmas list creating !

Be the first to like.

Like

Unlike

Wine tasting parties are as varied as hosts throwing them.  However, they seem to have some common themes.  The first is the most obvious and that is tasting wine.  The second which is equally important is enjoying the experience with friends and family.  If these two elements exist you are bound to have a great time.  Below you will find my latest experience at a wine tasting party.  If you have never been make it your mission to be a part of one in the new year as you won’t be disappointed !

This past week I had the pleasure of being a part of a wine tasting party that my good friends threw.  The concept was ingenious yet fun for the wine lover to the casual wine drinker. The ultimate goal was to see if we could decipher which wine was more expensive. Every couple that came to the party had to bring two bottles of wine of the same varietal.  One of the bottles had to be $10 or below and the other had to be $20 and above.  The hosts of the party had brown bags that went over each bottle as the guests brought the wine in, and one of the bottles was labeled with “A” and the other with “B”.  When it came time to start the host opened the first pair and every guest had a glass labeled “A” and one labeled “B” .  We than proceeded to try the wine and mingle with guests while enjoying tasty appetizers.  When we were done tasting we voted by using our glasses.  We placed each glass on one of two sides of a table that had been split in half.  One half representing the less expensive wine and one representing the more expensive wine.  The host did the reveal and each of us got a point if we guessed correctly.  The twist was that the people who brought the wine couldn’t vote.  However, they could earn a point if more than half the group guessed wrong on the wines they brought. Finally whoever had the most points at the end of the evening won a prize.

Through out the evening we all had our own strategies and some of us changed our strategies through out the evening.  However, a few things were clear as the evening came to a close.  The experience of wine is to be shared with great family and friends, It is to be enjoyed with great food and It is to be shared with great conversations.  One thing was made clear at the end of the event, just because a wine is more or less expensive doesn’t mean it can’t be amazing!  Keep tasting you will never know what you stumble upon.

2 people like this post.

Like

Unlike

So what did you do for valentines day, your birthday, or holiday?  Most people would say they had a nice meal and spent time with family or friends.  Now how many of you also had some wine with your occasion?  I know that on many special occasions wine makes an appearance.

I know for me this valentines day I had a glass of sparkling wine with my meal.  It was a Grand Mark from Tabor hill winery in Michigan.  It was wonderful and hit the spot.  I don’t know why so many people pick to drink sparkling wine or champagne on a special occasion.  Maybe it is because of the advertising and marketing we see.  Maybe it is the notion that this type of wine doesn’t go well with a lot of food, or maybe because we think it is to expensive.  Let me tell you that champagne and sparkling wine can be affordable and pairs well with many dishes and deserves a place at our tabel on more then a special occasion.  So next time you are at the store pick up a bottle for your next meal.  I think you may enjoy it.

Be the first to like.

Like

Unlike