5:19 PM

Wednesday April 23, 2008 - Wine Recipe

Wine Recipe For Your Reading Pleasure

Cava Wines

Cava is a quality sparkling white wine produced in Northern Spain using the
"method champenoise", in other words the method of a secondary fermentation
in the bottle such as is used for Champangne. In fact the Spanish
wanted their Cava Wines to be known as "champan",the Spanish translation for champagne,
but after legal battles with the French, who claimed that this name could only be
applied to wines made in the Champagne area of France, the name Cava
was decided upon.

Cava is the Catalan for cave and it is from this area that most of
these delightful bubbly Spanish wines are produced. However Cava wines are unique
because unlike other "Denominacion de Origen" regions in Spain it is
not restricted to one particular demarcated area, and in addition to
Catalyuna it is also produced in D.O. Rioja, D.O. Navarra and D.O. Aragon.
That said however some 95% of Cava wines comes form the D.O. Penedes
in the region of Catalyuna.

After the first fermentation the wine is then bottled with a temporary cork
and stored in a horizontal position. For the wine to be classed as Cava it
must be in contact with the lees for a minimum of 9 months but this can
often be as long as 2 years. At the end of this period comes the disgorgement
process when the wine is cleaned of the yeast sediment by removing the
cork, any liquid lost at this time is replaced by wine of the year either sweet or dry
depending on the preference of the producer. The final cork is then put
in and the wine goes for labelling and despatch.

The production of Cava Wines is rigorously controlled
by the Consell Regulador del Cava to ensure that the resulting
sparkling wines are of the highest quality. The main grapes used
are Macabeu,xarello, Parellada and more recently some Chardonny varieties.

Today cava wines are receiving worldwide recognition as quality sparkling
wines suitable for many occasions and satisfying most paletes.They come
in dry,sweet and brut varieties and represent very good value for money.

About the Author

Article submitted by Ruth Polak the owner of
www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com A web site specializing in holiday villas and
apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also
find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular.

Wine Recipe and More

Wine Stopper Wedding Favor Tops The Party

Wine connoisseurs and their friends invited to the wedding reception would love to receive a wine stopper wedding favor and there are several from whi...

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Featured Wine Recipe Items

Weinbergpfirsich Peach Liqueur

In the 19th century the Roter Weinbergpfirsisch(red vineyard peach) was commonplace in Mosel vineyards, where it was used to spread its fragrance among the grapes. Although very limited in cultivation today, this small peach with its blood-red fruit still produces incomparable nectar. Dr. Franz Friedrich blends the essence of the peach with his own Riesling Brandy to create this specialty of his region. There are no words to describe the heavenly scent of this fine liqueur. PLQH (500 ml bottle) PLQH

Price: 51.99 USD

Headlines on Wine Recipe

New Celebrity Sex Tape: Gisele And Tom Brady?

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:53:27 PST
A rumor has surfaced that there may be Tom Brady - Gisele sex tape. Employees at the NYC eatery Philippe claim that they have seen surveillance tape of the two cavorting in one of the private wine cellars. Reps for Philippe say that there are cameras but the tapes are not on-site. We suppose if this thing makes it onto the interweb, we'll all know.

21st Century Wine Storage Systems

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:53:23 PST
If you are looking for an effective cellar for your wine...

Palm Beach mansion on market for $81.5 million

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:52:27 PST
Billionaire Sidney Kimmel doesn't use his place much any more. What does the hefty price get you? Five acres of lush landscaping, 300 feet of ocean frontage, a 32,000-square-foot house designed by Bill Gates' architect, 20-foot windows that retract into the floor at the push of a button, a pool, a gym, a wine cellar and an air chiller.

Tom Brady & Gisele Caught On Tape 'Hooking Up'?

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:03:07 PST
Once upon a time, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was the quiet, innocent quarterback that everyone loved. But recent events have tarnished his nice boy image. A report by the New York Post now says he and supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen have been caught on tape having sex in a restaurant wine cellar.

Grape Wine
Bronco Wine
Burgundy Wine | Buy Wine

Labels: Glass Bottles

&type=page">

Posted by Bill Johnson | 0 comments

5:18 PM

Wednesday 04/23/08 - Wine Valley

Wine Valley For Your Reading Pleasure

Frost Bite? Ice Wine Is More Than Just Frozen Grapes

One of the most rapidly growing trends in the world of wine seems to be with the rise in popularity of ice wines (or eiswein in German). This is interesting because these wines have been around for almost 200 years yet have not had much time in the spotlight until recent history. The most famous ice wines are from Germany, however many other countries such as Canada, Austria, and even Australia have been known to produce ice wines of their own. Because Canada is much colder and is capable of more consistent freezing temperatures has actually surpassed Germany in the production of ice wine.

Ice wine is a dessert wine that is made from frozen grapes. Only the water freezes in the grapes, so when they are pressed frozen, the juice that is extracted is very concentrated and very sweet. This freezing must happen before fermentation, and the grapes need to be pressed frozen, otherwise the water will melt in the grapes and you will not have the concentrated juice required for ice wines.

Natural ice wines require a hard freeze to occur after the grapes have ripened. In Canada, this temperature is a minimum of 17 degrees Fahrenheit while in Germany this temperature is 19 degrees. This means that the grapes must remain on the vines for several months after a normal harvest and risk being lost to rot if there is no freeze. At the other extreme, if the freeze is too severe the grapes can not be harvested and pressed. Because the fruit must be pressed while it is still frozen, pickers must work late in the night or early in the morning and work while the cellar workers must work in unheated spaces to ensure the grapes do not thaw.

Sometimes wine makers prefer to use cryoextraction. Cryoextraction is a mechanical freezing that is used to simulate the effect of the natural frost that occurs so that grapes can be picked sooner and made into wine. In Germany and Canada, wine created this way can not be called ice wine, only wines which have been frozen naturally are allowed to be called as such.

Whereas regular wines might take days or weeks to ferment, ice wines can take months due to the higher sugar content. Even though it is normal for the sugar content in ice wine to run from 180 g/L up to as high as 320 g/L ice wine remains very refreshing because of the high acidity. Ice wine usually has a medium to full body, with a lingering finish while the nose is oftentimes reminiscent of peach, pear, honey, caramel, and green apples depending on the varietal grape. Pineapple, mango, and even lychee are quite common aromas with white varietals however this list is by far not exhaustive.

Because the juice from the grapes is more concentrated than regular wine, there is a much smaller yield. It is for this reason as well as the methods used that make ice wines more expensive than table wines. Ice wines can cost as much as $300 a bottle, which is why it is often sold in half bottles for as little as $50. Grapes that have insufficient brix (sugar) content can not be made into ice wine and are therefore usually sold under the label "special select late harvest" or "select late harvest" at a fraction of the price of true ice wines.

When to drink ice wine is a matter of personal taste. Some people believe that ice wine improve with age and supporters claim that the very high sugar level and high acidity preserve the content for years after bottling. There are then others who believe that with age the wine loses its distinctive acidity, fruitiness, aroma, and freshness. Being that ice wines are very versatile in this, when you decide to drink your ice wine depends on when you feel it tastes best.

Ice wines are becoming the latest trend in the wine world and it is easy to see why. Delicious and refreshing, ice wines are a delicacy and a testament to the skills of the wineries. More expensive than a traditional wine, it is not something that the average person can afford to purchase on a regular basis, but are an essential addition to a special occasion or meal.

About the Author:

Ken Finnigan is the CEO of Finest Wine Racks a website specializing in quality decorative wine racks and durable wine storage systems.

Short Review on Wine Valley

Surprising Facts about Dessert Wine

Napa" means a land of plenty. This part of world is full of rivers, migrating birds especially waterfowls and the valley of greeneries with plenty of ...

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Wine Valley Products we recommend

WEHLENER Auslese

Our 2004 WEHLENER Auslese comes from the middle Mosel region. This area produces some of the best wine on the Mosel River. The geology gives the Middle Mosel a structure and soil of pure slate, which is both highly porous and an efficient reflector of heat, this makes the grapes make the most of every ray of sun. This German Auslese brings you the fullness of a late harvest wine semi-sweet, yet the apple finish makes the wine refreshing and delight to enjoy. You can buy this white wine online. Serve chilled. GWWAW704 GWWAW704

Price: 29.95 USD

News about Wine Valley

2006 Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:53:10 PDT
This wine was a favorite at The Second Glass Wine Club last weekend. After trying 25+ Aussie and New Zealand wines this one emerged as a leader of the pack. You can read the full report here. The Margaret River is located on the corner of Western Australia, where the Indian Ocean meets the Pacific. When originally settled in the 1920s, this was an extremely rugged part of the continent and most people didn’t stick around. Those who did, decided they needed good booze and started a number of wi

Scholium Project - the Prince comes out of the dark

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:50:57 PDT
After about six months of hiding, the 2006 Scholium Project Sauvignon Blanc, The Prince in his Caves, Farina Vineyard VF 93 has re-emerged to take on Spring and Summer entertaining. It showed up on my desk today, a warm sunny afternoon with my mind drifting to a three day weekend, and jolted me back to attention. Scholium wines are not something you can take on without focusing and clean Eisch stemware floated out of the kitchen to welcome the Prince back. The wine still shows the exotic aroma

ENGELBRECHT ELS - 2004

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:44:59 PDT
South African Ernie Els Proprietor's red blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Shiraz, 12% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. 14.5% alcohol. TASTING NOTES: Deep, dark color with black cherry, blackberry and blue fruit on the nose. Very fine tannins. Wonderful blackberry, cassis, black currant, black cherry, wild berries dance on the palate. Hints of smokey bacon, licorice and gorgeous fresh plum on tip of the tongue. Some nice oak on the finish. SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

Kosher Passover wines (Newsday)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:47:48 PDT
Celebrating Passover with kosher wine used to mean reaching for the white concord and having a very, very sweet holiday.

$23.99] Valentin Bianchi Particular Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Free Shipping on 2 or more by Wines `Til Sold Out

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:15:18 PDT
Valentin Bianchi Particular Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 By Wine Enthusiast2003 Valentin Bianchi Particular Cabernet Sauvignon, MendozaRating: 90Producer: Valentin BianchiVintage: 2003Designation: ParticularVarietal: Cabernet SauvignonAppellation: MendozaAs convincing an Argentinean Cabernet as youamp;amp;rsquo;ll find. The nose offers tight oak, spice, mint and vanilla along with dark, expressive fruit. The palate is right where youamp;amp;rsquo;d want it; the cassis, cherry and earth notes are jus

Washington wines measure up at international competition (Tacoma News Tribune)

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:37:05 PDT
In case you missed the last article, I recently returned from judging at the New World International Wine Competition (NWIWC) in Ontario, Calif.

2005 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:09:04 PDT
This very dark and almost opaque Cabernet from Caymus has aromas of cassis, tar, blackberry and cedar, followed by flavors of black currant, black licorice, tar, cedar, oak, and cassis. This wine is obviously way too young to consume at it's present state and will no doubt take a few years in bottle to become what it was designed to become. The ripe black fruits of this wine are very impressive but the intense and obnoxiously chewy tannins make it hard to evaluate the true essence of the fruit

Swedish Wine
Bronco Wine | Burgandy Wine

Labels: Gift Ideas