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Five Tips to Turn Wine Tasting into a New Business

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:06:58 +0000

When most people assume of a networking group, they consider of business cards, stuffy suits and dry chicken. When most people think of a wine tasting party, they think fun. Why not combine the two and do a wine tasting club to bring in new business?

Here are 5 simple tips to hosting a successful event:

Tip 1: Settle Personality over Profession
When launching a wine tasting club for business, personality counts. Don't invite people with great connections but poor people skills; they'll kill your event. Instead, invite colleagues who can share business contacts and good conversation. It only takes a few fun people to make a club dynamic so start by inviting 6 to 10 friends and ask each bring a fun colleague.

Tip 2: Create a Theme
A simple draw to liven up your event is to create a theme. For example, focus on a specific type or region of wine. How about a taste of Italy? Or, a Champagne celebration with French cheese? Why not pair white wines with summer fruits? Appetizers and cheeses are easy to offer and they promote mingling.

Tip 3: Get the Word Out
Networking groups succeed because people get into the routine of attending a regular event, so halt consistent. For instance, rob the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Put everyone on an e-mail list and send out a reminder one month, two weeks and then two days before the event to make sure people remember it.

Tip 4: Share the Fun Stuff
Hosts don't have to do everything — in fact, they shouldn't. Sharp your guests to participate lightens your load while making your guests feel important. Ask your guests to bring a bottle of wine, an appetizer, or both. You can also consider printing a schedule and asking for volunteers to host future events; people will jump at this opportunity. By rotating the event location, the club will snappily grow because hosts will invite their colleagues to join in.

Tip 5: Withhold it Flowing
Here's a successful ice-breaking idea: rate your wine! Pass out wine rating cards to let guests share their opinions. Pour one wine at a time and ask for group feedback. Or, let guests sample the wines available, vote for their favorites, then a winning wine will be chosen at the end of the event. Score cards encourage guests to talk about their favorites. If your guests are required to bring wine, you could award the winner a trophy which gets passed each month for bragging rights.

By launching a wine tasting club, you can create a fun and memorable networking event. You'll also extend your community of friends and business contacts.

For more tips and complete instructions on starting your own wine tasting club, get fun wine facts, glossary, food pairing recipes, free newsletter and blog, visit The Wino Club™.

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Party

admin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:50:48 +0000

1. Wine labels that believe "fruity" describe a sweet wine.

2. The cost of wine is not necessarily an indicator of quality.

3. Table wines generally have alcohol stutter between 7 and 14 percent by volume.

="article_text">

A wine and cheese party is an ideal find together for friends and family that can be lots of fun yet relatively simple affairs to plan and host that need not involve vast expense. A versatile social event, they can be as radiant or as casual as you choose to make them. A wine and cheese party works equally well as a festive holiday gathering or as a apt get together with friends or family on any occasion.

Planning

If you are considering hosting a wine and cheese party the planning begins with deciding on what kind of party you wish to host. Whether you are considering a formal or informal affair will dictate your choices with regards to dinnerware and stemware. Next compile a guest list. A group of eight to ten guests is a good number for this type of event which will keep it manageable with regard to size and expense but large enough to ensure plenty of enjoyable conversation. Prepare and mail out themed invitations at least a week in approach. Have sufficient glassware on hand or plan to rinse glasses between wine varieties so that your guests can have a trim glass for each different wine to be sampled.

Shopping

With regard to wines, choose a variety of whites and reds to maximize the number of pairings with cheese varieties. Three or four different varieties of wine and cheeses should be more than adequate. Wines can be purchased at anytime but hold off on purchasing the cheeses until the day before your party to ensure freshness. Also contemplate picking up some fresh crusty bread from your favorite bakery, some sterling quality crackers, walnuts and even some dark chocolate. All of these relate effective choices for cleansing the palate between tastings of several different wines.

Wines

These days you can find many helpful wines for under $15 per bottle and some for even a lot less. It isn't famous to be a wine connoisseur to choose great wines. Simply visit a local wine dealer who will have a knowledgeable person available to help you with your selections. You can also check out reviews at sites like Wine.com for recommendations. Some common white wine varieties include Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. Some choices for red wines are Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Cheeses

There are hundreds of varieties of cheese styles and flavors. There is no real right and wrong when it comes to pairing cheese and wine so feel free to experiment and explore to find the combinations you like best. That being said, you can visit Oregon Wines.com for suggestions by wine varieties or cheese types that can help you get started in selecting cheeses that pair well with certain wines.

Serving Wine and Cheese

Cheese should be served at close to room temperature to maximize flavor so remove the cheese from the refrigerator about 30 to 60 minutes before serving. You can really consume honest about any type of plate to serve cheese, but traditionally a wooden or stone cheese boards are ancient to maximize presentation. Keep the cheeses separate so that the flavors don't comingle and provide a separate knife for cutting each variety of cheese.

The complexity of wine with respect to aroma and flavor are very temperature dependent and that is why wine should be served at appropriate temperature. Never serve any wine straight from the refrigerator as the temperature will be too cold. Red wines are best served at 60 to 65° F. Full bodied white wines like Chardonnay should be served at a temperature in the range of 50 to 60° F while lighter, fruitier varieties like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are best served at cooler temperatures as crude as 45° F. Ice buckets are a good means of regulating wine temperature and bottles can either be placed in an ice bucket to chill or removed to warm. Having a sense for what temperature wine is at to begin with will help you determine when it is at the optimum temperature for serving. A wine cellar generally keeps wine at a constant 55° F. Refrigerated wine temperatures will be between 35 – 40° F and the temperature of an ice bucket filled with ice and water will be near 32° F.

Sources:

"Oregon Wine and Cheese Pairing". Oregon Wines.com. July 22, 2009.

"Wine Basics". Wine.com. July 22, 2009.

"Wine Temperature Chart". Wine Intro.com. July 22, 2009.

10 Tips for a Great Wine and Cheese Party

admin — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 07:21:00 +0000

Host a successful wine and cheese party at home with these 10 tips.

Keep it Intimate

Invite a exiguous group of guests to your wine and cheese party, to sustain it intimate. Having fewer guests will enable you to splurge on one or to more expensive wines and cheeses.

Aid Both Familiar and Exotic

Serve some noted cheeses and familiar sounding wines along with some exclusive cheeses and more exotic wines. Too many odd names may be disconcerting, and too may everyday cheeses and wines may cause boredom. Mix it up and alternate courses with a little of the familiar and a little of the unusual and unchartered.

Wine and Cheese Secret: Think Geographically

Pair cheeses and wines by where they are from, geographically.

Local Flavors

Include at least one wine or cheese that is produced locally. Be sure to preserve track of where you bought these local wines, as guests may be interested in purchasing the ones they like.

Jetsetters

Add a couple of international flavors to the wine and cheese menu by serving Spanish wines, Italian wines or Australian wines.

Serve in Courses

Even if your wine and cheese party is casual, bring the cheeses and wines out in paired courses. Nobody wants sweaty cheese or cheese that has dried out edges. Serving in courses allows guests to try each cheese and wine pairing at their leisure, and to discuss their opinions between tastings. Let cheese come to room temperature before serving, and keep the cheese wrapped until you are ready to support it.

Prominent Trash Baskets

Provide a couple of small trash baskets under the table or near the serving status. Make guests feel at ease about not being afraid to pass on a piece of cheese which they did not like. Also provide plenty of fancy cocktail napkins at the table, for tasting and for discarding.

Introduce the Cheese and Wine

Just as you would introduce a new guest, introduce the cheese and wine pairings with names and descriptions. Obtain small cards to help you remember, and pass around the card to guests during the tasting. Invite guests to add their own opinions on the back of each card.

Include a Warm Pairing

Bake some brie with some honey and serve with Granny Smith apples or pears. Or opt for a fondue course, made with both wine and cheese ingredients. The warm wine and cheese course is a welcome addition to a wine and cheese party, where normally the cheese is at room temperature.

More Than Just Cheese

In addition to the wine and cheese, offer small dishes of nuts, salty deli meats including Prosciutto and sweet Capicola, as well as crackers and olives.

Have Fun

The wine and cheese party does not have to be a stuffy event. Have fun with the wine and cheese party and encourage guests to do the same.

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Party

admin — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:37:20 +0000

1. Wine labels that contain "fruity" describe a sweet wine.

2. The cost of wine is not necessarily an indicator of quality.

3. Table wines generally have alcohol content between 7 and 14 percent by volume.

="article_text">

A wine and cheese party is an ideal get together for friends and family that can be lots of fun yet relatively simple affairs to plan and host that need not involve great expense. A versatile social event, they can be as elegant or as casual as you resolve to compose them. A wine and cheese party works equally well as a festive holiday gathering or as a pleasant get together with friends or family on any occasion.

Planning

If you are considering hosting a wine and cheese party the planning begins with deciding on what kind of party you wish to host. Whether you are considering a formal or informal affair will dictate your choices with regards to dinnerware and stemware. Next compile a guest list. A group of eight to ten guests is a good number for this type of event which will keep it manageable with regard to size and expense but large enough to ensure plenty of luscious conversation. Prepare and mail out themed invitations at least a week in come. Have sufficient glassware on hand or plan to rinse glasses between wine varieties so that your guests can have a clean glass for each different wine to be sampled.

Shopping

With regard to wines, determine a variety of whites and reds to maximize the number of pairings with cheese varieties. Three or four different varieties of wine and cheeses should be more than adequate. Wines can be purchased at anytime but hold off on purchasing the cheeses until the day before your party to ensure freshness. Also consider picking up some fresh crusty bread from your favorite bakery, some good quality crackers, walnuts and even some dark chocolate. All of these relate effective choices for cleansing the palate between tastings of several different wines.

Wines

These days you can find many excellent wines for under $15 per bottle and some for even a lot less. It isn't necessary to be a wine connoisseur to settle great wines. Simply visit a local wine dealer who will have a knowledgeable person available to help you with your selections. You can also check out reviews at sites like Wine.com for recommendations. Some common white wine varieties include Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. Some choices for red wines are Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Cheeses

There are hundreds of varieties of cheese styles and flavors. There is no real right and deplorable when it comes to pairing cheese and wine so feel free to experiment and explore to find the combinations you like best. That being said, you can visit Oregon Wines.com for suggestions by wine varieties or cheese types that can help you get started in selecting cheeses that pair well with certain wines.

Serving Wine and Cheese

Cheese should be served at conclude to room temperature to maximize flavor so remove the cheese from the refrigerator about 30 to 60 minutes before serving. You can really use just about any type of plate to help cheese, but traditionally a wooden or stone cheese boards are weak to maximize presentation. Keep the cheeses separate so that the flavors don't comingle and provide a separate knife for cutting each variety of cheese.

The complexity of wine with respect to aroma and flavor are very temperature dependent and that is why wine should be served at appropriate temperature. Never serve any wine straight from the refrigerator as the temperature will be too cold. Red wines are best served at 60 to 65° F. Tubby bodied white wines like Chardonnay should be served at a temperature in the range of 50 to 60° F while lighter, fruitier varieties like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are best served at cooler temperatures as low as 45° F. Ice buckets are a pleasant means of regulating wine temperature and bottles can either be placed in an ice bucket to chill or removed to warm. Having a sense for what temperature wine is at to begin with will encourage you determine when it is at the optimum temperature for serving. A wine cellar generally keeps wine at a constant 55° F. Refrigerated wine temperatures will be between 35 – 40° F and the temperature of an ice bucket filled with ice and water will be near 32° F.

Sources:

"Oregon Wine and Cheese Pairing". Oregon Wines.com. July 22, 2009.

"Wine Basics". Wine.com. July 22, 2009.

"Wine Temperature Chart". Wine Intro.com. July 22, 2009.

How to Pick the Perfect Wine

admin — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:39:08 +0000

Beaujolais is a perfect hamburger wine.

Barbera wine is a rustic red wine that works well with pepperoni and the tomato sauce on the pizza.

Red wine is normally made from red or murky grapes.

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Wine has been one of the most popular alcoholic beverages to compliment a meal for centuries. Many people shy away from drinking or serving wine at parties or in social gatherings because they are unfamiliar with what type of wine they should serve. As well as not knowing the terminology gradual some of the types of wine. For example; 'what is the difference between sparkling wine and table wine'. Some people who serve for dinner parties are afraid of serving the inappropriate type of wine to compliment their current meal. So, wine is a lot of times ignored and overlooked when serving a wondrous meal.

Well, here is your chance to learn about the easy ins and outs of wine without getting caught up in unknown definitions or cherish talk.

First of all, there are nine classifications of wine; Appellation Wine, Red Wine, White Wine, Rose Wine, Table Wine, Sparkling Wine, Dessert Wine, Fortified Wine, and Cooking Wine.

The first classification of Appellation Wine is a French term passe in identifying where the grapes that were used for the wine were grown. An example of this is Frog Rock Creek Shiraz Wine. This wine's name reflects that its state of origin is Frog Rock which is the name of the supplier that created the wine. Shiraz states the type of grape that was used to fabricate the wine. A lot of times on these types of wines you will examine they conformed to regulations concerning the varieties of grapes used, as well as the alcohol content. Appellation Wines may often be seen with an abbreviation after their name of AC or AOC. These wines are also classified as the highest legal classification for French wine.

Red wine however is normally made from red or black grapes. If you grasp a terminate look, you'll notice that a lot of red wines aren't really red at all. If you see a deep purple color of the wine, it may be labeled as red wine; however it is a newer wine. If the red wine has a more brownish color than that means that it is a well aged wine. If the wine has a pale color of red to it, more than likely there was oxygen combined with the grapes before they were processed. Red wines are not meant to be kept for longer than fair a few years for aging. A few years meaning, no longer than three years. If the red color is too pale or too dark, it may not be that ample to drink.

A great example for a red wine is Merlot. Merlot is easy to drink and is made as a soft tasting almost introduction type red wine for those who have never had it before. As for pairing Merlot with any type of food, it is famed to be drunk with any type of food. Merlot wine can be found in black cherry and herbal flavors.

White wine is not really white, but yellow and its process is a lot more delicate than that of red wine. White grapes are broken-down and must ferment for about three weeks. White wine is appropriate for any and all occasions whether it is before, with, or after a meal. One of the most famous White wines is Chardonnay. Chardonnay grapes are traditional to create the wine and serve as having a bold taste and available in many flavors. Chardonnay pairs well with poultry dishes, pork, seafood, or recipes that have a heavy cream horrible.

Rose wine is sometimes called summertime wine and is a mix of white and red wines. The taste is always light and the wine is carefully produced by removing the skins fair before the liquid goes into a deep red color. One of the most well-liked Rose wines is White Zinfandel. White Zinfandel is a sweet and inexpensive wine that is low in alcohol and the sugar in it almost makes it taste like fruit punch. This rose wine is made for immediate consumption and not for sitting around and aging. If you do choose to try the White Zinfandel, accomplish sure that you pair it with a seafood, pasta, or vegetarian dish.

Table wine is normally a term used to build a distinction between standard wine from higher alcoholic content wines. Table wines normally have a minimum alcohol percent of 7 or a maximum of 14 percent. Many of the table wines are simply labeled as red or white table wine. So, support in mind what exactly the different types of wine are and just associate the 'table' portion of the title as defining that your guests won't catch plastered over having a few drinks.

Sparkling wine is fizzy and bubbly, which means it has high levels of carbon dioxide. Champagne has become the generic type of sparkling wine. Sparkling wines are normally passe as a wine or choice for celebration. Champagne has a very light taste to it.

Dessert wines are simply that, they are sweet tasting wines that are to be served with dessert. Dessert wines normally contain sugar or honey and alcohol, normally brandy is added during the fortification process. If you are serving chocolate for dessert, make sure that you help Black Muscat Wine. It is a late harvest desert wine that is made with lack grapes and goes well with chocolate. However, if you are serving a blue cheese type dessert or a light dessert that is NOT chocolate, Sauternes is the perfect dessert wine choice. It can be a little expensive, but the sweetness of the wine brings out the taste in the dessert.

Fortified wine is basically a wine where other types of alcohol have been added in order to up the alcohol lever and add sweetness to the wine. Fortified wines have a minimum of 15 percent alcohol and are very robust in flavor. Sherry wine is an example of that, it has an alcohol percentage of about 17 and are extinct for a minimum of three years. Most Sherrys are excellent to serve with tapas, seafood, calm cheese, white fish and ham.

And last but not least, there is cooking wine. Cooking wine is unprejudiced that, which is a cheap grape wine or rice wine to use as an ingredient in cooking rather than for drinking… so eliminate this type of wine from your beverage list.

When choosing your wine with your meal, you want to also mediate about the aftertaste. Sauvignon Blanc wines normally have really bad aftertastes, so I can suggest to stay away from them. Bertani wine would be a wonderful choice of wine that has a fruity aftertaste. It's 13 percent alcohol content and fits very well with any Italian meals.

Another term that will serve useful, is if you see the word Brut on the wine bottle, your looking at a wine that has a high sugar content and is usually some type of ravishing wine. This term also coincides with the term associated with some wines, 'dry'. This basically describes how your mouth feels after drinking the wine. Dry wines give you that puckering sensation.

If you decide to help more than one type of wine at a meal, make sure that you serve lighter wines first, as well as lower alcohol wines should be served before higher alcohol wines.

When pairing the wine with the food, you want to pair the wine to the sauce, seasoning or dominant flavor of the dish. If you are serving steak or prime rib, Merlot wine is the best way to go, it has a gentle fruity flavor that adds a little extra to your steak or ribs. You might not contemplate it to match, but if you are serving hamburgers, you can still serve wine with it. Beaujolais is a perfect hamburger wine. Beaujolais is considered to be a fun wine and is not too heavy and inexpensive. Don't forget about pizza, yep, you can serve wine with pizza. Barbera wine is a rustic red wine that works well with pepperoni and the tomato sauce on the pizza.

Here's a dessert wine suggestion: Glacier Wild Huckleberry Wine is amazing. I had it about 2 years ago as an after dinner drink at my best friends wedding and it was out of this world. It is made 100% burly of wild huckleberries and is extremely sweet. You can also use it as a dessert, serve it over ice cream and you got an amazingly fruity and flavorful dessert in seconds!

Sometimes it all depends on the person's taste, many say that any type of wine can go with any type of food, but personally I gain in matching it up right. There are a lot of different wines out there that bring out the best in the type of meal you are eating. And I don't know about you, but if I'm spending hours cooking a meal, I want something to compliment the taste and lift a wine that will explode the tastes, so that your guests will not only enjoy the meal, but remember it as well.

In conclusion, always remember that you can spend $20 or $200 on wine, but if it doesn't praise your meal, what was the point in buying it?

A Professional's Advice for Hosting a Wine-Tasting Party

admin — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 17:29:28 +0000

Not long ago, I started throwing wine-tasting parties for my friends. They raved about them so much that I turned it into a small business. Last year, I launched www.wine-tasting party.com, which offers my consultation services for people who wish to have a professionally run wine-tasting party for their friends, family and colleagues or to conduct a fund-raiser. I bring the wine, the glasses, the tasting notes and a fun, educational way to learn about wine.

But, anyone can throw a wine-tasting party in his or her own home inexpensively.

First pick

First, decide how many wines you want to taste. I recommend a total of six wines — three whites and three reds. Now, for those of you that don't know much about wine and are asking yourself how you're going to take out six wines for a party, don't panic.

Pick up a copy of a reputable wine magazine such as Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast and see what wines they have rated for the month. Try some of the wines that they have rated more than 80 points. Be adventurous and try wines from countries other than our bear. You also can ask your wine merchant to help suggest some wines for you.

Budget bests

Spot a budget. You'll be surprised to find that there are good, quality wines for less than $20. Many of the wines in these magazines can be found in this price range, and there are a lot of stores you can buy from that will give you an additional discount on a mixed case of wine.

Tasting totals

So, how many bottles do you need? One bottle of wine from a standard 750ml bottle will provide enough wine for 15 people. Remember these are tasting sizes (about one or two shots worth), not full or half glasses filled with wine. But, of course, once the "tasting" portion is over, you want to have some wine left over for your guests to go back to their favorites.

For a party of 15 to 20 people, you will need three to four bottles of each wine. If your guests are not heavy drinkers like my friends are, go for three. Two of each wine will suffice for the tasting allotment. You can mix up the extra bottles however you like.

Paired off

Wine is meant to be drunk with food. My husband loves to cook, so we generally do an all-out food pairing. But, that can be a lot of work, and he tends to spend all of his party time in the kitchen away from the guests. I wouldn't recommend that unless you're really into cooking. However, you can provide your guests some simple eats to pair with the wine and will give you time to enjoy your own party. If you have a bigger budget, hire a caterer.

Simple samples

The wines should be served white first and then red. Start with the lightest white wines and do with the fullest-bodied red wines.

Try these six wines and their simple food pairings:

Champagne

Commence off the evening with a Champagne or sparkling wine. This type of wine is a palate cleanser and gets your guests revved up for the festivities. I recommend Zardetto Brut Prosecco ($9) from Italy and Raventos I Blanc Cava Brut ($11) from Spain.
Potato chips are the perfect wine food, and they won't put a dent in your budget. Anything else salty also will suffice here. If you are catering, try some Asian fare.
White

Next, I usually go for the German or Austrian whites like a Riesling or Gewürztraminer. These wines pair well with spicy food. I recommend Dr. Loosen Riesling ($8) and Joh. Jos. Prüm Riesling Kabinett ($16) from Germany and Hiedler Gruner Veltliner Loss ($12) from Austria. Try a jalapeno dip, hot pepper cheese or spicy chips. If you are catering, try Thai or Indian cuisine.

Chardonnay

The third wine should be the fullest white wine, and probably the most familiar to your guests — Chardonnay. Argentina and Australia are making great strides with this grape. I recommend Wolf Blass Gold Label ($16) and Jacob's Creek ($7) from Australia as well as Alamos ($8) from Argentina. Bring out a creamy cheese like Brie. If you are catering, try a creamy chicken dish or something with buttery sauce.

Pinot Noir

Now, for the reds. Again, you want to start with the lightest wines to the fullest wines. The first red wine should be a Pinot Noir, the lightest and most comely of all red wines. Oregon is making superb Pinot's and, of course, most Burgundy wines are made with this grape. Pinots are now all the rage thanks to the movie Sideways. I recommend Joseph Drouhin Laforet ($11) from France and Rosemount ($9) from Australia. Pinots are perfect with mushrooms, especially stuffed mushrooms. You might have to use the microwave on this one, but it is definitely worth it. Have the caterer get the stuffed mushrooms.

Chianti

For the next red wine, I either bring out a Spanish red, like a Tempranillo or a Chianti from Italy. Both are well-rounded medium to full-bodied wines. I recommend Borgo Scopeto ($16) from Italy and Castell del Remei Gotim Bru ($9) from Spain. You can start breaking out the desserts; since chocolate and red wine are delicious together or you can bring on the big cheeses — goat cheese and blue cheese. If you are catering, try game or a hearty meat dish.

Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon

Finally, to end the evening, go with a ample, bold wine. If you don't like a tannic wine (that drying sensation in the mouth that most people equate to being a wine that is too dry), you could go with a Merlot from Chile such as Santa Ema ($12), but I prefer the biggest wine of them all — Cabernet Sauvignon. Try X Winery ($15) from California, Montes ($12) from Chile or Tíntara ($16) from Australia. Bring out the brownies and chocolate cake. Have the caterer prepare pastries.

As an added bonus for your friends, supply them with paper and pens, so they can take their gain tasting notes to compare with each other and find those food pairings that are really going to get that home run.

In the end, it's all about having fun and enjoying wines with food that you like and sharing those wines with your closest friends. Now, commence the remaining bottles and let the real party inaugurate.

Salute!

Review of Cheese Cupid Wine Pairing Service

admin — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:23:52 +0000

The Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing Service is the perfect solution for the inexperienced wine connoisseur looking to host the perfect soiree with just the perfect pairing. Fortunately, there is Cheese Cupid who is well versed in the knowledge of pairing the right cheese with the right beverage guaranteed to make the combination a success.

Though Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing Service is actually based in Wisconsin all that is required is a simple request to the online Cheese Cupid expert to combine the perfect wine, beer or hard liquor with a wide choice of appropriate cheeses to tease the palate of guests. Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing Service is an easy way to remove the stress from planning and preparing the ideal cocktail party or appetizers prior to a big dinner.

Cheese Cupid is a convenient source of beverage and cheese pairing and offers their service through a voice that provides the exact information requested by the host or hostess. Viewers to the unique web site have choices of selecting among beverages such as a collection red wine that includes Beaujolais, Cabernet, Chianti, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel or Syrah. The collection of white wine available for pairing from Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing includes Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grig, Sauvignon Blanc, and Champagne. Fortunate beer lovers are not left out from the cheese pairing service offering a unique collection of brews that include Bock, Brown Ale, Pilsner, Lager, Porter, Pale Ale, Stout, Weis Beer, and Fruit Beers. And of course there is the collection of hard liquors available for pairing from Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing Service, which include choices such as Brandy, Madeira, Port and Scotch.

If wondering exactly what cheeses goes with which drinks there is certainly a wide variety of choices available from Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing Service. Examples of several of the gargantuan combination of pairing provided by Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing Service include delicacies such as; Beaujolais which can be paired with Brie, Camembert, Gouda, Havarti or Asiago. Great pairing choices to serve with Riesling, well-behaved choices include delicious cheeses such as; Cheddar, Edam, Gruyere, Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese. Beer lovers might be curious as to exactly what type of cheese the Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing Service might recommend. If you are a beer lover you may have been right on target with previous choices that include Gouda, Provolone or Monterey Jack to service with Lager and Havarti, Feta or Mozzarella to service with Pilsner just to name a few.

All in all the convenience of using the Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Pairing Service is a great resource for party planners be they professional or rooky and a great way to plan any successful social event where one would be serving. For more information on Cheese Cupid Online Beverage and Cheese Paring Service, visit the official web place for Cheese Cupid.

www.cheesecupid.com

www.dailycandy.com

The Best Romantic French Restaurants in San Francisco

admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:40:02 +0000

These fine French restaurants have a formal environment.

French food is sophisticated.

Tasting menus offer exquisite cuisine.

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San Francisco has exemplary French restaurants which are perfect or a really special occasion, such as an engagement, anniversary, wedding or romantic date. While there are many Fine French Restaurants in San Francisco, these are the finest of the fine. The Dining Room at The Ritz Carlton, Campton Place at Campton Position Hotel, Fifth Floor, Fleur de Lys and Jardinere are all top rated restaurants.

The Dining Room has the high distinction of being a AAA Five Diamond Restaurant, which is a rare honor. The other four restaurants here have been award ed AAA's Four Diamonds. All of there restaurants have received accolades from travel associations and publications

Fine French restaurants offer beautiful French food in a formal environment. There restaurants offer tasting menus, a multi course experience of flavors recommended by the Chef. For a truly special occasions, here are San Francisco's finest French Restaurants.

The Dining Room
The Ritz Carlton
600 Stockton and California Street
San Francisco, California 94108
415-296-7465

Located in the Ritz Carlton, The Dining Room has a candlelit, intimate, romantic atmosphere. Chef Ron Siegel's evolving menu focus on modern French cuisine with a Japanese influence. Guests of The Dining Room are greeted by Sommelier Stephan Lacroix with a glass of champagne or sparkling wine from the custom made champagne cart. There are The Chef's Six Course Tasting Menu is $89 per person. The Chef's Nine Course Tasting menu is $115 per person. The menu offerings change with many opportunities to taste food that you may have never experienced before.

The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton is one of only two restaurants in California and sixteen restaurants in North America to fetch the Five-Star Award from Exxon Mobil for 2007. The Dining Room has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including: AAA Five Diamond Rating, San Francisco Story "Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants Four Star Rating, Zagat Survey 2007 "America's Top 100 Hotel Restaurants, Food & Win Magazine "One of the Hottest Restaurants in the World, Gayot's Gault Millau Guide "One of the Top 10 Hotel Restaurants in the US for 2006.

Campton Place
Campton Place Hotel
340 Stockton Street
San Francisco, California

Executive Chef masterfully blends contemporary Bay Area cuisine with American and European traditions, The menu changes seasonally. Dishes are drawn get the rich seasonal bounty of Northern California. Campton Palce has received accolades from the San Francisco Chronicle and Food & Wine Magazine. AAA Four Diamond. Pricing:: Three Courses $65, Four Courses $75, Tasting Menu $95, Tasting Menu Wine Pairing $59.

Fifth Floor
12 Fourth Street
San Francisco, California
415-348-1555

Fifth Floor has an intimate atmosphere. The 75 seat dining room has a collection of Ar Deco inspired chairs and a collection of original contemporary art. Nouvelle French cuisine. AAA Four Diamond. The restaurant has received many awards for excellence. Tasting menus $95 to $115.

Fleur de Lys
777 Sutter Street
San Francisco, California
415-673-7779

Fleur de Lys is considered the most romantic dining room in San Francisco. The restaurant has been serving the finest of French food for over 45 years. The restaurant underwent a ten month renovation after a fire and reopened in 2002 to worthy acclaim. There interior was more spacious and opulent then before. Fleur de Lys has received many accolades including the AAA Four Diamond award, and recognition from Bon Appetite magazine, Gourmet Magazine, Food & Wine Magazine and more., Three Course Menu $74 with wine pairing an additional $50. Four Course menu $82, with wine pairing and additional $60. Five Course Menu $94 with wine pairing an additional $70.

Jardinere
300 Grove Street
San Francisco, California 94102
415-861-5555

Jardiniere is housed in a beautiful landmark building in Civic Center area. Jardinere's cuisine is award winning French-California style. AAA Four Diamond. Chef's Six Course Tasting Menu is $99.

Bask In your wonderful, romantic French dinner. All prices subject to change. Contact the restaurant for further information.

White Wine Pairing Tips for the Pescetarian

admin — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 11:26:08 +0000

Whether you are simply a fish lover or a devoted pescetarian, learning how to pair white wine with fish is a sometimes challenging undertaking. Read on for must-know tips that make your next fish dinner a resounding culinary success.

Swordfish – Riesling Pairing

If you support your swordfish blackened, broiled, steamed or cooked with a buttery sauce, a Riesling is sure to underline the exiguous fattiness of the meal. Swordfish is a bit of a stronger flavored fish that offers more substance to the palate, and the Riesling will not overpower the taste, but instead is still sufficiently flavorful to complement it. Support your Riesling at 47° Fahrenheit, and all will be well.

Grilled Fish – Chardonnay Pairing

White wine pairings for grilled fish are easy: a nice Chardonnay at about 48° Fahrenheit. Even if the fish is stronger in taste – say, a salmon or tuna – the Chardonnay and its coldness lend a subtle taste to the palate that plays perfectly off the grilled flavor.

Fish 'n Chips – Champagne Pairing

Fish and chips virtually cry out for a cold beer. That being said, if you want to dress up the meal, serve the fish over crisp lettuce leaves, the fries on the side with a mayonnaise based dipping sauce, and add cold Champagne to the mix. At 45° Fahrenheit, the beer lover might be able to convince themselves that a glass of bubbly is almost as good, while the subtle sweetness of the Champagne is excellent to offset the mayonnaise's fat.

Do not try to mosey in an Asti Spumante with the plan that colder is better. Granted, the Asti may be served even colder than the Champagne, but its sweetness will not make for a successful food wine pairing.

A Word on Red and White Wines

The novice pescetarian may not know that in addition to a red Bordeaux or Burgundy, there are also white varieties. Remember that the color does not necessary mean that a white wine variety is sufficiently light for delicate fish dishes. If in doubt, stay with a more substantial tasting fish, such as salmon, when trying out a white Bordeaux or Burgundy.

If you must serve a red wine with your fish, opt for a Pinot Noir with your salmon or tuna. A tomato based fish soup also lends itself to a red wine, although a bottle of Chablis might be a bit more appropriate, depending on the list of fish ingredients.

Sources

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1369688/pescetarian_pollotarian_or_flexitarian.html
http://wine.newarchaeology.com/wine_fish.php
http://www.wineintro.com/basics/temperatures.html

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Party

admin — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:24:09 +0000

1. Wine labels that contain "fruity" describe a sweet wine.

2. The cost of wine is not necessarily an indicator of quality.

3. Table wines generally have alcohol content between 7 and 14 percent by volume.

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A wine and cheese party is an ideal get together for friends and family that can be lots of fun yet relatively simple affairs to plan and host that need not involve great expense. A versatile social event, they can be as elegant or as casual as you choose to make them. A wine and cheese party works equally well as a festive holiday gathering or as a pleasant get together with friends or family on any occasion.

Planning

If you are considering hosting a wine and cheese party the planning begins with deciding on what kind of party you wish to host. Whether you are considering a formal or informal affair will dictate your choices with regards to dinnerware and stemware. Next compile a guest list. A group of eight to ten guests is a good number for this type of event which will support it manageable with regard to size and expense but large enough to ensure plenty of enjoyable conversation. Prepare and mail out themed invitations at least a week in advance. Have sufficient glassware on hand or plan to rinse glasses between wine varieties so that your guests can have a clean glass for each different wine to be sampled.

Shopping

With regard to wines, choose a variety of whites and reds to maximize the number of pairings with cheese varieties. Three or four different varieties of wine and cheeses should be more than adequate. Wines can be purchased at anytime but hold off on purchasing the cheeses until the day before your party to ensure freshness. Also consider picking up some original crusty bread from your favorite bakery, some good quality crackers, walnuts and even some dark chocolate. All of these represent effective choices for cleansing the palate between tastings of several different wines.

Wines

These days you can find many excellent wines for under $15 per bottle and some for even a lot less. It isn't necessary to be a wine connoisseur to choose great wines. Simply visit a local wine dealer who will have a knowledgeable person available to help you with your selections. You can also check out reviews at sites like Wine.com for recommendations. Some common white wine varieties include Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. Some choices for red wines are Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Cheeses

There are hundreds of varieties of cheese styles and flavors. There is no real accurate and wrong when it comes to pairing cheese and wine so feel free to experiment and explore to find the combinations you like best. That being said, you can visit Oregon Wines.com for suggestions by wine varieties or cheese types that can help you glean started in selecting cheeses that pair well with certain wines.

Serving Wine and Cheese

Cheese should be served at close to room temperature to maximize flavor so remove the cheese from the refrigerator about 30 to 60 minutes before serving. You can really employ just about any type of plate to serve cheese, but traditionally a wooden or stone cheese boards are used to maximize presentation. Keep the cheeses separate so that the flavors don't comingle and provide a separate knife for cutting each variety of cheese.

The complexity of wine with respect to aroma and flavor are very temperature dependent and that is why wine should be served at appropriate temperature. Never serve any wine straight from the refrigerator as the temperature will be too cold. Red wines are best served at 60 to 65° F. Full bodied white wines like Chardonnay should be served at a temperature in the range of 50 to 60° F while lighter, fruitier varieties like Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are best served at cooler temperatures as low as 45° F. Ice buckets are a good means of regulating wine temperature and bottles can either be placed in an ice bucket to chill or removed to warm. Having a sense for what temperature wine is at to begin with will help you choose when it is at the optimum temperature for serving. A wine cellar generally keeps wine at a constant 55° F. Refrigerated wine temperatures will be between 35 – 40° F and the temperature of an ice bucket filled with ice and water will be near 32° F.

Sources:

"Oregon Wine and Cheese Pairing". Oregon Wines.com. July 22, 2009.

"Wine Basics". Wine.com. July 22, 2009.

"Wine Temperature Chart". Wine Intro.com. July 22, 2009.