A Guide To Fine Wine

By Anita Hale

Let's take a look at the very basic principles of wine. Firstly, wine is made from gapes. You will often see these grapes referred to as noble grapes. It is possible to find these grapes growing all over the world. However the most famous white grapes are undoubtedly Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio. The most famous red grapes are Merlot, Shiraz, Grenache, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Even thought wine is produced all around the world, it can be divided into two categories: Old world and New World Wine. New World wine comes from countries like Australia, America, Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. These countries only have a recent history of wine production. This is in contrast to the traditional Old World wine countries. Old World refers to countries like Spain, France, Italy, Germany and Romania. All fo these countries have been making wine for centuries.

There are many difficult to understand laws regarding Old World Wines that set out parameters for how and where grapes should be grown. These are associated with the European framework of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). It also involves what is known as the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). However, there are specific governing bodies working within each country. For instance, the French system works in conjunction with the Appellation d'Origine Contrle (AOC) and Vin de Pays. In Spain, wine-makers must adhere to guidelines monitored by the Denominacin de Origen (DO) and the Vino de la Tierra (VDLT). These same rules are overseen by Denominazione di Origine Controllata (e Garantita) (DOC/DOCG) and the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) in Italy.

In France there are many regions that are famed for their wine. Bordeaux is arguably the most celebrated of these. It is largely famed for its red wines. These are referred to as Claret. Bordeaux has a classification system that separates the top Chateau into five stages. Other famous regions include Burgundy and Loire. Burgundy is known for its highly favoured Chablis. Loire is closely associated with producing quality Sancerre. In addition, the Alsace region is also highly celebrated for its specialised wines.

If we turn our attention to New World wines we can see that the United States offers some truly exceptional examples. California is the main wine-producing region here. Napa and Sonoma Valley grow quality Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. However, both Mondavi and E&J Gallo are becoming popular.

Australia is frequently championed for their New World wines. Even though Jacob's Creek is the most popular brand, there are plenty of other wine-making regions. In South Australia the Barossa Valley and Mclaren Vale are known for producing Shiraz. In new South Wales you can find some top-notch Semillon. This is produced in the Hunter Valley.

New Zealand has also staked a claim to producing some of the finest new world wines. It is mainly known for its fresh-tasting Sauvignon Blanc. This is primarily grown in the Marlborough region.

Argentina is becoming prolific at producing some fantastic red wines. These come from the region of Mendoza. The grapes here are grown at a very high altitude. This helps to give the wine a very distinctive taste.

Chile is now developing some very fine wines. It has many valleys that run parallel to the Andes. This lends itself to growing grapes for wine-making. Some famous regions include the Casablanca Valley and Maipo.

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The Pros And Cons Of Drinking Coffee

By Reynaldo Dalisay

Do you know the best place to buy coffee? Maybe you are new at purchasing coffee, but it is time to try it out for yourself. Do your research and know what you are looking for before you settle on your next coffee purchase. Continue reading to find out what all is available to you.

If sugar is an issue, use Stevia instead. Stevia is a herbal plant, and when dried, crumbled and added to coffee, it will add a sweet taste without affecting blood sugar levels or adding extra, unwanted pounds. You can find it at grocery or health food shops.

When consumed properly, coffee can be a healthy part of a mixed diet. Coffee isn't what's bad. The excess sugar and cream that the majority of people add to coffee are the things that are bad. Instead, use almond milk and put a little honey in it.

If you want coffee that is unrivaled in richness and flavor, buy a French press. The filters used in traditional coffee makers also absorb some of the flavor. A French press uses a plunger for steeping the beans. The oils will give a richer flavor if they stay in the brew.

When you buy your coffee machine, experiment with it. A trial run involves running water through your machine just like you were actually brewing. It is a simple method to cleanse any factory smells still retained in the device.

While keeping coffee in the freezer can extend its shelf life, you shouldn't store it for longer than three months. Beyond that point, the quality and flavor of the coffee will slowly deteriorate.

If your coffee maker is aged or an economy model, brew hot water before you brew the actual coffee to get the most flavor. After you have a pot of water at a sufficiently hot temperature, put it back into the coffee machine. By doing this, you get the most flavor from your coffee grounds.

Good coffee requires good water. You may want to use bottled water to make your coffee. Although you may spend a lot using this method, you will see a huge difference with the taste of your coffee. Alternatively, consider purchasing a water purifier to filter the water. Filtered water can be a serious improvement over water straight from your faucet.

For the ideal cup of coffee, measure the water you use for brewing carefully. If you skimp on water, your coffee will end up being too strong. If you add too much water, the coffee will become too saturated. As a general rule, stick to using about two cups for every single cup of coffee you'd like to make.

When you measure coffee grounds to make coffee, think about the number of cups you plan to make. Traditional coffee cups can hold around six ounces and a measuring cup can hold eight. The best ratio is two tsp. of some ground coffee to every six oz. of water. If you use a measuring cup full of water, your coffee will be weak.

Although coffee can be very delicious, it can also be very expensive. You do not need to spend a lot when you want a cup of coffee. If you know what you are doing, it is pretty easy to save money by making coffee at home. You have learned many tips and tricks on brewing a great cup of coffee, so it is time to make a cup.

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