Vino Style
August 23, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Lifestyle
My famous saying when it comes to the world of wine is, “Wine is a Lifestyle.” This includes the wine, glasses, corkscrews, bottle stops and decanters, to name a few wine essentials. There is also home decor that lets a person know unequivocally that you are a wine lover. I discovered a grape doorbell cover at napastyle.com, and I am awaiting its arrival. When someone rings my bell, they will know an oenophile lives in this house. Step inside my house and artwork is available for all to see, including a wine cellar.
I really like wine cellars that look like pieces of furniture. It makes a seamless statement in decorating a room for entertaining and sipping wine. I have found a wonderful piece at howardmiller.com—yes, the clock manufacturer. They have a line of wine-related furniture. So, if the people who make clocks make wine furniture, wine is in style!
Bodegas Castaño Hécula 2005 Monastrel
August 22, 2008 | by Jason Bordley | Reds, Tasting Notes
The Bodegas Castaño Hécula 2005 Monastrel from the Yecla region of Spain is value wine that should be added to anyones cellar. I will admit I wasn’t too impressed with this at first. This was mainly because I was expecting a little more from it after reading that Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) rated it 90 points. However, I would later change my mind.
Wine and Music
August 22, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Lifestyle
Wine and music is always a topic posted on wine forums. I post on Wine Spectators Forum, and I’ve given my input on what genre of music I like to listen to when I’m having a great glass of wine.
Friday and Saturday nights are down time for most people who work; for a wine lover, there’s nothing better than listening to great music while sipping wine. Some people find rock, country, R&B, and even techno to be their choice for wine music. Two of my favorite types of music to listen to is smooth jazz and classic soul.
2007 Schloss Vollrads Riesling Kabinett trocken
August 19, 2008 | by Jason Bordley | Tasting Notes, Whites
This past weekend I had the pleasure to taste a 2007 Schloss Vollrads Riesling Kabinett trocken. A very lovely riesling from from the Rheingau region of Germany. Typically I’m not into the sweeter wines, but I must say, this was quite pleasing to the palate. The first thing that caught my attention was the uncorking of the bottle. It had a twist cap. Meaning, it wasn’t an actual screw on cap. Instead, one simple twist broke a seal and the cap came off. After removing the cap, we were greeted, not with a classic cork, but a clear, glass like, hard plastic plug-like stopper. Very interesting, as we had never seen a “cork” like this.
Lorrie’s Crab Appetizers
August 19, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Entertaining, Pairings
Fall is around the corner, so we need to eat and drink to celebrate an end to summer. I must confess, Fall and Winter are my best times of the year. The air is cool and we can drink richer wines. But there is something to say for the freshness of seafood in the summer, with guests in the kitchen, working together to make these appetizers. Guests like to feel engaged and this recipe will fit the bill. So try them, and let us know what you think of them; and remember to seal each one completely, so none of the filling comes out.
2007 Domaine de Triennes Provence Rosè
August 19, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Rosè
This Rosè is quite unique. It is a product of France, and it’s flavor screams Provence. This wine is a blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Merlot. It’s profile consists of red fruit, herbaceous notes, with good acidity and a long finish. It is light pink in color, but it’s no White Zinfandel blush wine. The wine is dry, crisp and elegant. This wine was ordered on line from Canal’s Bottle Stop (Marlton). It was on sale for $13.99, so I consider it a QPR. The website address is canalsmarlton@wineaccess.com
Your Special Wine Glass
August 16, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Glasses
For many wine drinkers, “that special glass” is all that will do. For some wine collectors, their stemware collections are as important as the wine they collect. I on the other hand, look at wine glasses in several different ways. My reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Syrah, and Petite Syrah are poured in my Lenox Tuscany Classics Grand Bordeaux stemware. I get enough room to swirl, sniff and savor my reds in this particular glass. I really like the whole Lenox Tuscany Classics collection. The weight and balance is just right for me. Now some are in love with higher end stemware, like Riedel. Riedel makes different styles and lines to fit the wine drinkers needs and budget. Another popular brand is Schott Zwiesel, due to the thin lip and balance and weight. For those who hang loose and relaxed the stemless glasses fit the bill. For me, I like to remember my home, New Orleans and drink my wines out of my Fleur-De-Lis wine stems. The Fleur-De-Lis is a symbol of New Orleans.
Art and the Oenophile
August 16, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Culture
Home is definitely a place to showcase “self.” When you walk into a persons home, you get a hint of who they are by the decor. As a wine lover, as soon as you enter my home, wine decor is tastefully displayed, to let you know I am an oenophile. My wine cellar is free standing in my family room , along with a three dimensional art print of wine bottles and glasses filled with red wine hanging over our television. Another still life of white wine bottles with a cork screw says to all that see it, ” Wine is ready to be opened!” This print is over my sofa in the family room. I must admit that their is a smaller print, that has a Leroy Neiman quality depicting race horses racing. My husband is a “handicapper”, so his passion had to be noted in our home. There are other wine related items in my kitchen, which is one of my prized spaces in my home. I keep all my beautiful wine stoppers in a drawer for safety as well as my trusted corkscrew.
The Modern Wine Rack
August 14, 2008 | by Jason Bordley | Storage
Sleek and modern. The Cru wine rack by Umbra. The tubes can be configured in different combinations, allowing you to turn this wine rack into a unique piece of art. [Umbra]
Wine Aerator
August 14, 2008 | by Jason Bordley | Gadgets
While thumbing through the new Crate & Barrel catalog, I came across this little gadget. It is the Vinturi Wine Aerator. So what is a wine aerator you ask. The wine aerator basically acts like a decanter, less the decanter and hours of waiting. You simply pour your wine through the aerator, and as the wine travels through the aerator and into your glass, it is mixed with air allowing the the wine to “open” up. The description in the catalog claims that this can produce the same results as decanting for 1 1/2 hours. [Crate & Barrel]
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