Pennsylvania Wine Guide

Pennsylvania has many, many wineries and vineyards for the public to visit throughout the state. Pennsylvania also offers wine trails for consumers to visit several different wineries and vineyards at one time. Listed below are some of the titanic wineries and vineyards that Pennsylvania has to offer.

Allegheny Cellars Winery

The winery is located in the mountains of the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County. Located directly off Route 6, one mile east of the traffic light in Sheffield, PA. Allegheny Cellars Winery has a tasting room and gift shop where visitors are encouraged to sample from a wide selection of wine. Allegheny Cellars Winery has a gift shop on site. We offer a variety of wines from dry to sweet with novel selections being added. For more informaiton about Allegheny Cellars Winery, go online to www.alleghenycellars.com.

Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Inc.

1853 Wrightstown Road

Washington Crossing, PA

Crossing Vineyards is located on a two-hundred year old Bucks County estate, less than a mile from the place where George Washington crossed the Delaware in 1776. Crossing Vineyards and Winery produces wines of the finest quality. Crossing Vineyards and Winery offers tours of the facility and has a tasting room. For more information about Crossing Vineyards and Winery, go online to www.crossingvineyards.com.

Sand Castle Winery

755 River Road

Erwinna, Pennsylvania

In 1974 a hillside property in Bucks County overlooking the Delaware River Sand Castle Winery was born. Sand Castle wines are all estate grown and bottled. There are twelve different wines in four varieties: Johannisberg Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. Sand Castle Winery is passionate about wine education. They offer the following world-class wine education courses to those who are keen in learning more about wine, from grape harvesting and fermentation to tastings and food pairings. Reservations are required for the Barrel and VIP tours. Please make reservations for tours on-line or call us ahead at 800.722.9463. For more infomration about Sand Castle Winery, go online to www.sandcastlewinery.com

Tamanend Winery

759 Flory Mill Road

Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601

Tamanend Winery specializes in classically styled premium wines in their bottled wine group. Tamanend Winery also has premium sweeter styled wines of value in the Bag-in-Box group of wines. The Tasting Room is initiate Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12 Noon to 5 pm.

Tamanend Winery is located directly accross from the Mercedes Benz Dealership between Manheim Pike (Rt 72) and Roherstown Rd (RT 741).

Tamanend Winery has objective joined the Uncork York Wine Trail. Find information about that wine high-tail at uncorkyork.com. For more information about Tamanend Winery, go online to www.tamanendwinery.com.

Walnut Hill Winery

638 Turner Dr

Blairsville, PA 15717-8204

Walnut Hill Winery has award-winning Reds, Whites, Blushes and offer you the availability of personalized wine labels and special-order wine baskets. For more information about Walnut Hill Winery, go online to www.walnuthillwinery.com.

For a complete list of wineries and vineyards throughout the state of Pennsylvania, go online to www.pennsylvaniawine.com.

Wine bars haven't really caught on in Raleigh, North Carolina. Two of the wine bars in Raleigh — The Grape and April & George (a.k.a. The George) — closed in the not too distant past. I think that this has been an unfortunate trend. Even though you can order a glass of wine at almost any bar or restaurant in Raleigh, enjoying a glass or two of wine at a wine bar can provide a unique and fun experience. Since Raleigh itself has so few wine bars, I have had to branch out to the surrounding areas to near up with my top wine bar picks:

Wine bar in the Raleigh NC area – Mosaic Wine et Lounge

Mosaic Wine et Lounge is a truly unbelievable wine bar, located at 517 West St. in downtown Raleigh, right across the street from the 518 West Italian Restaurant. Mosaic has a very chic and romantic atmosphere. The décor is Moroccan -themed, with low plush couches, tasseled pillows in reds and yellows, lanterns, tile mosaics and tapestries. There is a marvelous outdoor patio as well for those warm summer nights.

Definitely go earlier in the evening if you want to have a laid-back, non-crowded experience. Later in the evening, there is a totally different vibe. The dance floor is hopping and the music is loud! No food is served, so don't advance hungry! The wine menu changes regularly and focuses on international wines. If you are a fan of Shiraz, try the Layer Cake Australian Shiraz if it is available. Mosaic is begin Monday through Saturday from 6:00pm until 2:30am. There are also free wine tastings every Wednesday night at 7:30pm.

Wine bar in the Raleigh NC area – Seaboard Wine & Tasting Bar

Seaboard Wine Warehouse, located at 800 Semart Drive in Raleigh, is mostly known as a store for purchasing wine and not necessarily as a place to sit down and enjoy a glass of wine. However, Seaboard has a delightful wine tasting bar that is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. You can get wines by the glass, flight, or by the bottle. Free wine tastings are also held at Seaboard's tasting bar every Saturday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

All of the staff at Seaboard are very safe, and they will not make you feel foolish if you are a newcomer to the wine arena. The wines available at the tasting bar vary from week to week, so go in with an open mind and try something unusual! Recent wines that I have enjoyed at Seaboard are the Four Vines Zinfandel from Paso Robles, California, and the Wallace Brook Pinot Gris from Oregon. Finally, Seaboard Station is now a stop on Raleigh's unique R-Line, so this wine bar is convenient to catch to if you are in downtown Raleigh for the evening!

Wine bar in the Raleigh NC status – 101 Lounge + Café

This cozy café in downtown Raleigh has a lovely upstairs lounge, where you can sit by the large windows and watch the traffic pass by below. The 101 Lounge + Café serves breakfast, lunch, and late night bites. The menu is somewhat limited but tasty – try the hummus and olives or the cheese plate. The wine menu changes regularly, but you should try the Punto Final Malbec from Argentina or the Hogue Riesling from Washington state if they are available. The 101 Lounge + Café is located at 444 S. Blount Street, near City Market in downtown Raleigh.

Wine bar in the Raleigh NC area – West Waste Wine Bar

The West End Wine Bar now has two locations. The original wine bar is located in Chapel Hill at 450 W. Franklin Street. The newest set is in Durham at 601 W. Main Street. Spending some time at the original West End wine bar in Chapel Hill is a memorable experience. The wine bar is housed in a shapely three story building, with a hand-tiled main bar and a spacious rooftop patio! Both West End wine bars serve coffee and pastries in the morning, with wine, beer and light food being served in the evening. While there, try out the Frei Brothers Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California or the 2005 Valle Escondido (Tempranillo) Mendoza from Argentina.

Wine bar in the Raleigh NC residence – Six Plates Wine Bar

This unique wine bar is located at 2812 Erwin Road in Durham. There are many things that make this wine bar unusual. For example, there are no servers. Orders are placed at the bar, and customers seat themselves. This allows customers to order and proceed at their own pace. A lot of attention also went into the design of this place -chandeliers, mirrors, long red couches, plush chairs and stools create a romantic atmosphere.

In addition, only six small food plates are available at any given time. This allows for the quality of the food to remain high and for the menu to change regularly. A specific wine is also recommended to go along with each dish. At Six Plates Wine Bar, you can try the South Australian Milton Park Shiraz, which is one of my favorite wines – it is ever-so-slightly sweet and very jammy. If you are in the mood for white, try the New Zealand Drylands Sauvignon Blanc. Six Plates Wine Bar opens at 4:00pm Monday through Saturday, and the kitchen is commence until at least midnight.

Sources: Personal experience, Mosaic Wine et Lounge website; Seaboard Wine Warehouse website; Café 101 + Lounge website; West End Wine Bar website; Six Plates Wine bar website.

Gone now are the used, but simple, rules of red wine with red meat and white wine with fish and poultry. Today's complexity of multi-ethnic and subtly flavored foods, in addition to a wide variety of wines from around the world that is easily available, are giving way to wine food paring tips and suggestions. These have become the hard and mercurial rules. It now allows for considerable room to experiment and teach your personality with pairing food and wine. What are the new rules for wine food pairing? Here are a few guidelines to preserve in mind.

The wine shouldn't overpower the food, nor should the food overpower the wine. If wine were a condiment, then it should compliment the food. Wine by itself tastes different than wine with food, that's because wine acts on food in similar ways like spices. It also can enhance the flavor of food, because the acids, tannins, and sugars in wine interact in food to give you different taste sensations. Most of all, don't stress out over what is the perfect food and wine pairing. The best pairing of all is good food, good wine and good company.

With that said with about wine and food pairing overall, let's break it down into specifics regarding red wine food pairings. For the most part, you want to drink light then to dark or heavy. You should opinion a meal starting with delicate tastes and then work towards the heavier ones. It is this reason you don't abet a red wine with appetizers or an opening course in a meal. However, red wines do go very nicely with heavier foods – beef, red pasta, and so on. We'll start with the lighter red wines and the suggested food pairings and progress on to the medium and heavier reds to close it out.

1.) Beaujolais – We'll open with this well known lighter red wine that can also include Dolcetto and some Pinot Noir. Historically speaking, the French wine region of Burgundy was not allowed to exhaust a grape known as "Gamay" back in 1395. However, its southern neighbor, Beaujolais, started using it and the rest is history as they say. Strong cheeses, appetizers, pasta with red sauce, poultry, pork, and some fish such as tuna, salmon, and a few other full-flavored fishes are fine companions to light red wines like Pinot Noir. These are the perfect food pairings to open off with.

2.) Pinot Noir – Next we go on to the medium reds that also categorize Chianti, Barbera, Chinon, Rioja, Cabernet franc, and Malbec. This goes well with strong cheeses, red pasta, pork, and beef. This light-to-medium red wine was first planted by the Gauls before the Roman invasion. The pinot noir grape is the main grape customary in much of the Burgundy wine region. Some wine experts feel that pinot noir makes the finest wine in the world. Pinot Noir was well noted in the film "Sideways".

3.) Merlot – This red grape can trace its ancestry to the biturica variety, which was brought over to France in the first century. It is known as a Noble Bordeaux varietal that has been discovered as a delicious wine in its beget right. Another one of the medium reds this wine pairs beautifully with strong cheeses, pasta-red sauce, beef, and chocolate.

4.) Zinfadel – The last featured medium red wine is considered an "American Classic" wine, which was thought to have originated in native Californian grapes. Based on research the zinfandel grape came from Croatia, then becoming famous in the early days of the Roman Empire. The grape is now grown in California for its cool coastal locations. However, the food pairings with zinfadels are strong cheeses, pasta with red sauces, and beef.

5.) Cabernet Sauvignon – Now progressing on to the heavier reds Cabernet is known as one of the world's finest red wines, with its depth of complexity and richness of flavor. It also includes other heavy red wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, Barbaresco, and Barolo. Based on genetic testing Cabernet Sauvignon came into life in the 1600's when nearby plants of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc happened to fertilize one another. Strong cheeses, red sauce pasta, and beef, including lamb and game, are great food parings with this popular red wine.

6.) Syrah – It has a long documented history in the Rhône spot of Southeastern France, though its origins were not known until 1998. It is called Syrah, because of its country of origin, France. The grape is also known under many other synonyms including Schiras, Sirac, Syra, Syrac, Serine, and Sereine. Barbequed foods such as chicken, lamb, and steak are awesome combinations with Syrah. Piquant foods also pair well with a spicy Syrah too. Strong cheeses and chocolates go well too, since it is a heavier red that goes well with heavier foods.

7.) Ruby Port – Last, but certainly never least, is the heaviest red wine of all. Port originates in the Douro Valley in Portugal. Port first became popular when the English were at war with France, and couldn't drink French wines. Its food pairings are strong cheeses and chocolates.

To round it all out my favorite red wine and food pairing has to be without a doubt, Merlot and Filet Mignon. Yes, I am aware of how Merlot was made infamous in the movie Sideways, which is a tall film about wine and the California wine industry. In this film, the main character loves Pinot Noir with a passion and equally detests Merlot. In one famous scene the character stated he would leave a restaurant if someone ordered Merlot. Needless to say, Merlot wine sales dropped after the movie came out in slow 2004, but have thankfully regained their usual sales levels. Red wine and food pairings does not need to be complicated or complex. It's almost as easy as the old rule, but with a few more exceptions. Bon Appetit

SOURCES:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_and_food_matching
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine
• http://www.wineintro.com/food/charts/redwine.html
• http://www.inetours.com/PagesWT/Food_and_wine.html
• http://www.winemonthclub.com/foodpairings.htm
• http://www.sanluisobispo.com/explore/pasowine/story/11421.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideways
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrah

For many Americans, wine is a subject that fills them with undue anxiety and apprehension. We've been fearful away from the wine world because we fear that we will compose a "wrong" choice. Many restaurant goers shy away from looking at a wine list fearing that they will occupy a dreadful wine, or a wine that you shouldn't drink with their particular meal. Well, I'm here to help demystify the wine world in the hopes that everyone will learn how to appreciate this magnificent drink.

Let's start off with the basics. When most people say "wine" they mean wine made from grapes. Wine is essentially a term that describes fermented fruit juice, so under that banner you could include wines made from a wide variety of fruits. People have made everything from strawberry wine to apple and even peach wine. In general though, when people talk about wine, they are talking about grape wine.

Wine could not be a simpler conception. Grapes are harvested when they are ripe, i.e. full of sugar, and then they are pressed in order to extract their juice. This juice is then allowed to ferment for a given amount of time. Fermentation is essentially a process whereby the sugars present in the grape juice transform into alcohol. If the grapes are particularly high in sugar mumble, then the resultant wine could be very high in alcohol content. California wines are often described as "fruit bombs" and as "big" precisely because they are made from sugar-heavy grapes and then allowed to ferment fully, i.e. all of the present sugars are allowed to turn into alcohol. The resultant wines are therefore very strong (think 14 percent alcohol or more!) and often complex in flavor. Though one potential drawback of these tall wines is that the alcohol component completely overwhelms all of the other flavors, viz. all you taste is the alcohol.

Grape juice that is allowed to ferment completely, that is one in which all of the sugars are allowed to convert to alcohol, is considered a "dry" wine. There is no more residual sugar left in the wine, and so the wine will not have a "sweet" taste. Some wines are meant to be sweet and so the wine makers stop the fermentation process before the sugars have completely converted. Depending on how much sugar is left in the wine, it may be considered a sweet wine or merely an "off dry" wine. One way to tell if a wine is sweet or not is to look at the label and settle the alcohol content. A dry wine will have an alcohol content of about 12 percent and up. An off-dry wine will generally have an alcohol content of around seven to nine percent, and a sweet wine will have an alcohol content below seven percent.

Sweet wines are often drunk as either an aperitif or as a dessert accompaniment. Many people enjoy a nice sweet wine with food, however, and it certainly isn't "wrong" to order a nice German Riesling with your spicy Asian spring rolls for example. The main thing to remember about drinking wine is that you have to listen to your taste buds. Don't think about the wine effect. Don't think about what someone told you to drink, and don't judge about how much the wine costs. Try a wide variety of wines from different countries and at different price levels. This is truly the only way that you will start to learn which types of wines appeal to you.

I'll confess: I'm scared of wine. Now, it's not like I'm worried that a bottle of Cabernet will jump me in a dark alley, taking my purse and leaving my shirt fatally stained. Instead, I'm intimidated by wine because ordering it comes with a specific etiquette, an etiquette that doesn't apply to any other form of alcohol.

When ordering a beer or a whiskey and coke, the act of ordering is really just free form and anything – yelling, shouting, slurring, performing an interpretive dance – is acceptable. Anything goes.

With wine, however, a certain poise is demanded. Because of this, people, myself included, often panic: we break under pressure and order a default drink – a light beer, a martini, a vodka on the rocks – a drink that doesn't require know-how. We end up similar to those people who go into a love restaurant and, afraid that they don't know how to properly order fillet mignon, panic and order chicken fingers instead. In both instances, we all miss out on trying something new, and we all appear a bit chicken, fingers and all.

But, wine isn't really scary and just knowing a few simple basics of wine etiquette will enable you to put a cork in all of your wine ordering fears.

Step 1: Choosing a Wine

The good thing about wine is that it's relatively easy to avoid bad food pairings; most wine will go with most food. But, there are two main rules of thumb to keep in mind: don't drink dry wine with sweet food and maintain your colors consistent (red wine goes well with red meat and white wine goes well with white meat).

If you are a slight heart-broken setting your wine and food up on a blind date, and great prefer an arranged marriage, don't be afraid to ask the waiter for assistance. He should be both helpful and knowledgeable. And, if he comes across as pushy or annoyed, you don't have to sweat it. Just support in mind the oldest rule of customer service: "He who holds the credit card, also holds the power."

When wanting to go beyond colors and order a specific wine, a house wine is always a good choice: the house wine became the "house wine" for a reason. Other wines that are great choices are New World Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots (for red), and Fresh World Chardonnays, Semillons, and Alsace (for whites).

Step 2: In the Spotlight

Once you have ordered your bottle, the waiter will bring it over. This is where a lot of people tend to panic. They aren't sure of the proper design and, to execute matters worse, they are certain everyone in the restaurant is staring at them: fellow diners are pointing, teenagers are laughing, the three judges from American Idol are sitting in the shadows waiting to ridicule any wrong move.

But this terror is unwarranted: the whole process is simple. Upon arriving at your table, the waiter will present the bottle and show you the label. This is done merely so you know you are getting the wine you actually ordered. Next, the waiter will uncork the wine and pour a small amount in your glass. Once this happens, you need to follow three simple steps: swirl (move the wine around in your glass, allowing it to mix with air and gain aroma), sniff (but don't sniff too aggressively, wine up the nose can be murder on the sinuses), and taste. These three steps are done to both label your date and make sure the wine isn't dreadful. Once they are accomplished, assuming the wine isn't bad, give your waiter the "okay" and he will proceed in filling your glass.

Once the waiter has left, cheating on you with other customers, your glass may become empty. When this happens, it's perfectly fine to pour yourself another glass, but refrain from drinking directly out of the bottle.

Step 3: Walking a Fault Line

If you notice that the wine tastes faulty, it's important not to blame yourself. This kind of thing can happen to anyone. However, what you need to keep in mind is "faulty wine" doesn't mean "wine you don't like." Faulty wine only means wine that is rotten, wine that is out knocking over liquor stores and firing off rounds of shots. Wine that is really poor.

The most obvious way to tell if wine has gone bad is by taste. If it tastes dreary, flat, sour, or has a slight almond flavor, chances are the wine has sinister. The other two things you can exhaust as a guide are odors (wine that has gone bad generally smells like burnt matches, rotten eggs or vinegar) and appearance (wine should be clear and bright in color, and the cork should not be protruding from the bottle).

If the wine is legitimately bad, inform your waiter and he should replace it immediately. If he refuses, request a manager. And, when all else fails, make exercise of homonyms and whine.

Overall, wine is really not as scary as some people believe, and it doesn't need to be as serious as some people think. Learning basic etiquette will allow you to order a bottle of wine at any restaurant anywhere. Like anything else, once you know a few simple tips, it becomes a piece of cake, or a piece of grape.

Wine has a rich history dating back to around 6000 BC and is thought to have originated in areas now within the borders of Georgia and Iran. In spite of its age wine does still holds a determined sense of mystery . Choosing a wine can seem almost over whelming to someone original to the wine world. Should I choose red or white, sweet or semi-sweet? What food goes with what wine?

Here is a simple wine primer. You'll find a short description of some common wines and some food pairing suggestions. A type of grape is know as a variety and the wine made from that type of grape is know as a varietal. The varietal is listed on the bottle for example a Riesling or Pinot Noir. There are two major types of wine, white and red. White Wines: are made from black or white grapes. White wines can range from the very dry to golden sweet. Let's get started with the whites…

Riesling
The Riesling is a classic German grape. Germany's Rieslings are typically sweet while Rieslings from the United States are usually not as sweet. Riesling grapes produce a wine that is much lighter then Chardonnay. Riesling wines pair well with fish, chicken and pork.

Chardonnay
Chardonnay grapes grow will in most viticultural areas of the world. Chardonnay grapes are planted in more wine regions worldwide then any other grape. Chardonnay grapes can be made into either a still or sparkling wine. Chardonnay wines are dry wines. Depending on the region the identifying tastes or notes can differ. You will experience hints of citrus furits like lemon and grapefruit. If the wine is fermented in new oak barrels you will pick up hints of vanilla, coconut or even toffee. Chardonnay's pair well with fish and chicken.

Sauvignon Blanc
Like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blancs are grown in many of the world's wine regions. Sauvignon Blanc grapes are known for producing a dry and refreshing white wine. The Sauvigon Blancs are lighter then Chardonnay. Sauvignon blanc normally will have an aroma of bell peppers of freshly cleave grass. The wines can taste can range from sour green fruits of apple, pear and gooseberry through to tropical fruits of melon, mango and blackcurrant. Sauvignon Blancs pair well with seafood, poultry and salads.

Muscat
Muscat grapes are grown all over the world. The muscat grape is used for wine, raisins and table grapes. The muscat is know for its sweet flavor and in Italy it is used for sparking wines like Asti. Muscat is often used to make sweet dessert wines. The muscat wines will have a sweet and and fruity taste with hints of grapefruit. Muscat's because of the sweetness of the wine do not tend to pair well with food.
aroma. Muscat wines are instantly recognizable to anyone who has tasted a Muscat table grape.

Red wines are fermented with the skin and seeds from black grapes. Red wine styles can range from light and refreshing to heavier fortified sweet wines. Let's look at some popular red wines:

Zinfandel
Zinfandel grapes are grown only in California. It is used to make everything from blush wines to heavy rich reds. Zinfandel wines can taste like raspberries, blackberries and pepper. The taste of the wine will depend on the ripeness of the grape when it is harvested and the climate of the site where the grapes were grown. Zinfandel's pair will with foods with a tomato-sauce like pasta and pizza. It will also pair very well with barbecued meats.

Shiraz/Syrah
In New World wines the grapes and wine made from them are know as shiraz. They are plump for a deep, rich, full-bodied red. In Europe winemakers and grape growers only use the name syrah. The syrah/shiraz grapes gain very powerful red wines. They will have aromas of black-fruit like blackcurrant. The wines will have a taste of dusky pepper and spice. They pair will meat based foods like steak beef, wild game and stews.
Shiraz or syrah are two names for the same variety. Europe vine growers and winemakers only consume the name syrah.

Merlot
Merlot grapes are grown in the Bordeaux region of France, the west glide of the United States and Australia. The wine from the merlot grapes will have a black-cherry and herbal flavor. The merlot is known as being easy to drink and serves as a good wine to introduce people to red wine. Merlot will pair well with any food.

Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in every major wine producing country. Cabernet sauvignon is often blended with merlot. Favors found in cabernet sauvignon have been described as cherry, black cherry, dark currant, raspberry and bell pepper. Tobacco is often used to describe older wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is best paired with red meats.

Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir grapes are grown in France, Austria, California, Oregon and Novel Zealand. A younger pinot noir wine will have flavors like cherry plums, strawberries and raspberry. Fruity characteristics of cherries, plums, raspberries, and strawberries. Older wines will have flavors like chocolate, figs, prunes, truffles and violets. Pinot Noir pairs well with grilled salmon, chicken, and lamb.

Are there any benefits that can come from the consumption of wine? Isn't it just brilliant when its discovered that something you already enjoy could actually result in improved health? Well, strangely enough, science has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, the health benefits of moderate wine intake.

Now just a foreword. Wine does contain alcohol, the wrong or excessive utilize of it can lead to a DUI charge or other problems. You will also notice that we use the word "moderation". The misuse or over consume of anything even a good thing can be harmful. Just a word of caution before we go into all the piquant recent reasons that we should drink wine.

In the "90s" several media houses carried stories that were surprising at the time about the typical French diet and the quantity of fatty cheeses and delicacies they consumed and yet, had very low incidents of heart attacks as compared to everyone else around the world. Many French recipes I have read almost always call for the expend of butter, they say it is hard to beat the taste of butter. Yet you view them all looking quite fashionable and orderly. I'm obvious its not entirely due to their famous "three bite rule". The paradox has since been resolved, it was their regular intake of wine in moderation.

How would we describe moderation? Well, moderation is clearly defined as (1)ONE, 4 ounce glass or two at the maximum each day. And NO, you are not allowed to set aside them up over the week and drink them all at once during the weekend.

It may alarm some of us to learn this, but surveys/studies on the ground clearly expose that those who drink wine only or various alcoholic beverages had the highest education level. Wine drinkers also had the highest levels of protective antioxidants in their bloodstream do you think they know something the rest of us don't?

A toast to "Good Health" with a glass of wine during a meal at the dinner table has always been a common occurrence, you can trace this back hundreds of years . Long before any scientists could even exhibit the beneficial properties of wine. Could this be attributed to mere Instinct or old wisdom?

A gape finds that people who bought healthy food also buy wine and therefore have healthier diets than people who steal beer. Beer and spirits drinkers were younger and less likely to be "limit sensible". They also drank a lot more daily and over their lifetimes, and were much more likely to smoke. Most Wine is consumed in more formal settings like homes, hotels and five star restaurants. Most beer and spirits are consumed in Bars, Discos, loud music, smoky and unsafe places.

Latest studies released by the American Heart Association confirm that moderate consumption wine; one 4ounce glass a day has remarkable health benefits. Worth noting is that spirits and beer do not seem to have the same distinct results. A leer of 2,468 Finnish men over a 29-year period, published in Gerontology journals in 2007 showed a 34 percent lower mortality in wine drinkers than those who drink spirits or beer.

This was further supported by studies at the University of Florida which established that red wine did not suppress the immune system in sharp contrast to most other alcoholic beverages which did.
Research presented to the American Thoracic Society revealed that drinking white wine over a lifetime was resultant in better lung function

Here are some scientific facts concerning wine research and the benefits
Men's Benefits:
Reduced heart attack risk for men with high blood pressure
Women's Benefits:
Minimized stroke risk(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Strengthens bones (St. Thomas' Hospital in London)
Lowered ovarian cancer risk (Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia)

Ulcer-causing bacteria in The stomach have been shown to with the moderate exhaust of wine .
(American Journal of Gastroenterology, )

Cancer cells destroyed by protein in red wine. Grape seed extract has shown activity in a number of laboratory cancer cell lines, including skin, breast, colon, lung, stomach and prostate cancers.

Try to have a shrimp glass of wine with your meal, once a day is recommended. Usually red wine is to be served with a beef steak or lamb chops [red meat], and white wine with a fillet of fish or chicken [white meat]. Even when you unbiased want to have a salad a little glass of wine is great accompaniment.

Other ways to use wine. There are so many delicious dishes cooked using wine as one of the ingredients. Most of these dishes are also acceptable to non-drinkers.

As not every one drinks alcohol are these benefits available to teetotalers? The answer is yes and in some very tasty pure and even concentrated forms.

Here are ways that the above benefits are also available in non-alcoholic form.

Fresh pure grape juice. Before it is fermented to make wine grape juice has a sweet refreshing taste especially when chilled.It is commercially available in most supermarkets usually found in tetra packs.

Grape seed extract is also available in tablet form as a supplement, this is good for those who require it at high concentrations. Go to;Grape seed extract

Fresh Grapes are great to eat whole or in a salad. They come in colors that range from green to pink to deep purple. They are succulent and flavorful. These are available at most green grocers. Looking for brightness and firmness usually ensures freshness.

Dried grapes also called Raisins; are good for baking, they can be mixed with your breakfast cereal in the morning or you can mix them in with you salads.

In summary, when you ask what are the health benefits of drinking wine, have a glass of wine a day . If you do not drink, enjoy your grapes in whatever form.
And from me to you "A Toast To Your Health"

Wine tasting is something that everyone should experience at some point. Whether it's a girls night out or a romantic date, a winery is an accommodating setting for both. However, I'm sure you're saying, "But I don't know anything about wine tasting! I'll be embarrassed!"

True, there are those that make it almost like a second job, however, the only real requirement is that you like yourself and the people you're with. But if you're still worried, here are the basics you want to know.

Don't try to impress everyone. Even if you've read this article, don't pretend that you're infinitely knowledgeable about all sorts of wines. I guarantee you, that will only come with practice and attending more than one wine tasting. Take a notice at the tasting list and decide what you judge you'll like. Let your server know if you definitely don't like certain types of wines so they are informed. If you don't have any preconceived notions of wine, jump right in!

Next comes the actual tasting, the act which has so many shy people in a tizzy. The first step is to observe the color of the wine. Observe its clarity and color compared to other glasses of wine. Hold your glass up to the light and inspect at the wine. You can inform a wine's age with this method. Purple around the edge of the wine indicates youth, while dark tones in amber or brown indicate age.

Swirl your wine. This isn't done so that you look snooty, but rather, it allows the surface contact to air and the aromas in the wine to release. If you don't know how to properly "swirl," Anjie Park offers this suggestion, "spot your glass on a flat hard surface and move the base in relatively like a flash and even circles, holding the stem firmly so that it doesn't tip."

The next step is to sniff the wine. To properly sniff the wine, you first sniff it from the outside of the glass, swirl it again, then put your nose inside the glass and inhale. Don't expect everyone to smell what you smell. Everyone is different so stick by your belief.

Next comes the actual tasting. Tasting does not mean to gulp or swig, but rather to "sip." Anjie Park describes the tasting process,

"Let a sizeable sip roll around on every part of your tongue and hold it there for a moment. Is the taste consistent with the aroma? You can detect sweetness in the wine on the tip of your tongue, acids on the sides of your tongue, and bitterness in the back. Swallow and note "the finish" or the lingering sensations left in your mouth."

There! Not so hard! Catch advantage of the crackers available to cleanse your palate, then try another wine. While you're tasting, be sure to read the tasting notes by the winemaker. Remember your favorites so that you will be better equipped to pick out your own wine at the store.

As you have guessed, wine tasting is a very sensory experience. Therefore, do not smoke before tasting as it will alter your experience of the wine and also bring in a lingering smell to the people around you. Also, do not use perfume or cologne for the same reason. You will be unable to pick up on scents and tastes if you are particularly liberal with either.

Something else you should keep in mind when leaving a wine tasting is to always have a designated driver. While you may not equate an afternoon of sipping wine with a crazy night at the bar, it is still the same enact.

Many people make a day out of wine tasting, visiting several wineries in one day, however, it is not a necessity. The key is not to feel shy or inexperienced when tasting wine for the first time. No one expects you to be like Miles in the film "Sideways," so don't pretend like you are. Just be yourself, relax and enjoy the wine.

Anjie Park, Tasting By the Rules, Inside the Santa Ynez Valley Magazine

Wine Tasting For Beginners, OpenRoad.com

According to beer100.com, researchers have traced white wine all the way back to Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb, and wine drinkers long ago drank the wine at a young state because they stored the wine in barrels. To balance the consumption of alcohol, wine drinkers would water down the wine with water. Too, wine drinkers would remedy any improper-tasting wine by adding honey to it.

As time moves forward, wine makers continue to perfect the art of wine making, which accounts for the vast amounts of wine choices on the market today. So, which wine do you resolve to drink with which food? The old rule tells you to wait on red wine with red meat and white wine with white meat, but this is quickly changing. Wine drinkers now take into consideration the heaviness of the wine, as well as the taste it delivers.

The body that a wine carries often indicates the level of alcohol it. To the point, a full-bodied wine likely consists of more alcohol than a light-bodied wine. Too, white wine is generally lighter, and serves as a good choice for beginning wine drinkers because it delivers a taste of sweetness. Too, white wine, as a rule, does not drown out the food's taste when pairing it up with a meal. So, what brand of white wine works for someone who is on a budget?

Franzia Refreshing White wine works well when eating a meal because it's a light wine and does not leave you feeling overly full, even after you eat your meal. Franzia Refreshing White wine simply helps your meal go down in a more delectable manner. If you are eating brunch or a light meal (such as cheeses and fruits), you might want to try Franzia Crisp White wine. According to franzia.com, Crisp White is a medium-bodied, floral wine.

Here is a delicious meat selection that you can pair up with Franzia Refreshing White wine:

Remove the skins from one package of fresh chicken breasts and wash thoroughly. (You can remove the skins easier when the chicken breasts are unruffled frozen, but manufacture sure that you thaw the chicken before you marinate it.) Place the chicken breasts (after skins removed) in a glass dish, make several slits in the meat, pour a bottle of clear Italian salad dressing over the chicken breasts, and cover the glass dish with plastic wrap. Status the chicken breasts in the refrigerator overnight.

Marinate the chicken breasts for 24 hours and then transfer the marinated chicken breasts into a deep dish pan. Cover the top of the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake the chicken breasts in the oven at around 375 degrees until done. (You might want to lightly salt and pepper the chicken breasts before baking.) Remove the baked chicken breasts from the oven once they are done. Encourage these up with some delicious salad and Franzia Refreshing White wine.

Sources

Beer100.com

Franzia.com

Hermannhof Wine Cellars is a landmark along the eastern edge of the small Missouri city of Hermann. In a region noted for wine production, Hermannhof is one of the oldest. These aged wine cellars first opened and began producing wine in 1852, a full decade before the Civil War. Hermannhof is one of the 100 places in town listed on the National Register of Historic Places and all ten of the novel stone wine cellars is in consume today. The brick buildings have a distinctly European style but the facilities offer every unusual amenity. During the years of Prohibition, all of the local wine cellars ceased production and years passed before wine making returned in full to Hermann. The James Dierberg family bought Hermannhof and two vineyards in 1978 and have restored the wine cellars to fat production.

The broad Missouri River lies across Highway 100 from the winery. That highway follows the curve of the fertile hills that surround Hermann past many vineyards including the two that provide grapes for Hermannhof's wine production. Both the upper and lower vineyards belonging to Hermannhof date to 1837 and still produce sweet, ripe grapes. In the upper vineyard, the cottage built by the original vintner remains in place among the ordered rows of vines. With these grapes – and other fruits imported from within the spot and around the world – Hermannhof produces 50,000 gallons of wine each year. Their commitment is to quality wines rather than quantity production.

Visitors to Hermannhof can tour the wine cellars and learn about the process of wine making. After each tour, visitors are given the opportunity to taste the fine wines produced here. They can also stay for lunch and enjoy some of the locally made Wurst (German sausage). Many of these sausages and cheeses are available for choose as well. A shaded patio allows visitors to enjoy a unruffled luncheon and the lovely dining room offers a fireplace for cool autumn or winter evenings. All of the wines produced here are also available for occupy.

Hermannhoff has twice received the prestigious Brown-Foreman award along with numerous others. The adjacent Festhalle is available to rent for weddings or other special occasions.

Some of the popular wines produced at Hermannhof include the perennial best seller, White Lady of Starkenberg wine. This celebrated is similar to a German Riesling wine and is named for the patron of a large church dedicated to the Virgin Mary across the Missouri River in Starkenberg.

Other favorites include Vignoles, a medium bodied wine with a distinct taste of both citrus and apricot, Germantown, a sweet white wine, Cherry Wine, a rich, sweet favorite, and Stagswood Red, an old-fashioned red wine made with the sweetest of Concord grapes.

Hermannhof Wine Cellars are open every day throughout the year except major holidays. Tours are available daily and tastings are offered at any time.

The wine cellars are within easy walking distance from much of Hermann, a picturesque city with many delightful aged buildings. Visitors to Hermannhof may also enjoy a stay in one of the city's charming bed-and-breakfast inns or a meal in one of several restaurants featuring German cuisine.