Stainless Wine Refrigerator

Many people make the mistake of thinking that by just keeping their wine in a normal kitchen refrigerator they will conserve quality and they wonder why other people rave on about having a wine refrigerator. As far as wine drinkers are concerned, though, red wine at normal kitchen refrigerator temperature becomes far too cold for drinking. So too with white wine; there’s a limit to how much this should be chilled also.

To get the very best out of your wine collection, always store the wine at the correct temperature. Letting the wine get too warm will affect the taste and overall quality. This is where the importance of choosing a wine bottle refrigerator comes into consideration and you think: How big a unit do I want? How many bottles will I be storing? How will it look on display? Do I want a wooden or a stainless wine refrigerator? How much will it cost?

Like most household appliances there are many different brands to choose from. People are aware of the leading manufacturers in the household goods category: LG, Westinghouse, Avanti, Whirlpool, Viking, Electrolux, etc. The brand name is not the main thing, though, as price will probably be a more determining factor when choosing a unit.

If you are considering a stainless wine refrigerator, you will most likely give a lot of consideration to a unit with dual zone temperature control. This set-up will allow you to store your prized bottles of red as well as your whites.

As a keen wine collector, I have never regretted purchasing a wine bottle refrigerator to keep my wine collection in pristine condition. I opted for a stainless wine refrigerator to blend in with my apartment surroundings.

Shop around before purchasing a wine refrigerator. Good discount prices are available if you are prepared to do diligent research. I purchased my unit online and have yet to find a better deal elsewhere.

The Vinotemp Wine Refrigerator that I purchased, for example, is one of the best brands on the market. It allows wine collectors to store their wines without having to resort to underground cellars. The unit has a well-lit interior, security lock, traditional thermoelectric cooling, and exterior LED display.

If you are wine collector, you want to be able to pull out a bottle of wine and have a good idea before having it with your meal that it will taste just right. If you are having friends over to your house to sample one of your favorite wines, you want an assurance of quality before opening a bottle. Only through storing your wines in a wine bottle refrigerator can you have such assurance.

More Zinfandel Wine Articles

Grape Wines

Diverse Drinks: Red vs. White Grape Wines

Grapes wines are known for their long record with human kind. From the ancient Greeks who wrote great epics centered about wine, to the wine-loving French that mysteriously never gain pounds even when their diet is full of saturated fat. And the list of the varieties of such wines is about as long as their history; with each kind of wine being in a class of its own.

But if you must simply divide the wine according to its purpose and taste, a choice between white wine and red wine would be the most appropriate difference between them.

While it may be an oversimplification to group all the grapes wines in the world into twocategories, most wines that come from grapes can be prepared in two ways: fermenting them with the skins, or without the skins. The former produces red wine, and the latter produces white wine.

Here is a quick breakdown of the two main differences between red wines and white wines.

Red wines are called red wines not because they are blue or black or orange or pink: it is because they are red. From deep hues of red to lighter color tone of red, all grapes wines that are dark and opaque are called red wines. This is because of the tannins in the grape skins that dyes the wine red, and gives red wine its unique color. Now take note that a few red wines may appear bluish or even blackish, but shine a light through them and you will see a shade of red there somewhere.

While red wine is called red, white wine is called white not because of its color, but its lack thereof. White grapes wines are fermented without the skin; only the pulp of the grapes is left to ferment in the vats. This causes the solution to be clear, as most grape pulp is clear and transparent. Without any skin to provide the tannins, the white wine then does not gain color: making it clear by nature.

Because of the presence of a high amount of tannins in the solution, red wines have a distinctly stronger and more complex taste; often to the disliking of newcomers to the wine scene. This heavy, strong taste makes red wine go well with foods that are equally strong and complex in nature. Beef, lamb, duck, sausages, and other meats are prime matches for red wines.

Conversely, the lack of tannins in white wines gives them a tangy, almost fruity flavor. This makes them easier to the palette, and goes well with foods that are light in flavor too. It helps you savor the taste without overpowering the taste buds, like what red wines tend to do. This makes white wines ideal for meals with chicken, seafood, turkey and other light foods.

Remember, there are many other types of grapes wines out there, and it would not do them justice to simply be grouped into these two very broad categories of red and white wine. Just learn to appreciate the flavor and texture of each wine, whether dark or transparvarietiesent, and you will eventually understand why this broad categorization simply will not be able to encompass all the wines out there in the world.

White Wine Making

White Wines vs. Red Wines: Do you know All the Differences?

You don’t need me to tell you that the difference between red wines and white wines is the color. But I’m sure that I can mention a few facts about wines that you didn’t know. For example, did you know that many white wines are produced with red grapes?

The Tannic Element

White wines are characterized for having low levels of tannin, while red wines contain it in high quantities. I know what you’re thinking…It is safe to deduct, then, that this tannic element is entirely responsible for a wine’s color, correct? Correct! Tannins place a significant role in wine color, since they carry the pigments that give it a dark, reddish hue. They are extracted from grape stems, seeds and skins where they are found in high concentrations.

Color Hues

When white wines are made, these skins, stems and seeds (lees) are isolated from the must, or pressed grapes. Winemakers do this to prevent the reddish color and qualities that tannins impart in the wine, thus obtaining an amber-colored drink, instead of a ruby-colored one. Tannin concentrations depend not only on how much of the lees are left in the fermentation vessel, but also for how long they remain in contact with the must. Because of this, you will find many different red wines with different hues of red. The darker the red is, the longer it has been in contact with the grape juice and must.

Wine Qualities According to Color

Aside from color, tannins give wines a heavy, round, complex quality. This makes red wines warmer and spicier in nature, full-bodied and with a prevalent sedimentation. On the other hand, white wines tend to be crisp and light, and generally they summon wine enthusiasts that are looking for a fruity, refreshing drink.

Fermentation Practices: Whites vs. Reds

Red wines also differ from whites in terms of their fermentation and ageing. White wines, for one, are generally fermented at cool temperatures and for a long time. Red wines, on the other hand, require warmer temperatures, and a speedier fermentation process. Winemakers use this temperature variation in white wine making in order to stall fermentation – which aids in the development of tannins. To compensate for the slow fermentation progress, vintners extend the process to achieve a ‘tannic complexity, but without high tannin contents.

The Effect of Oak in White Wine Ageing

In addition to fermentation, the use of oak enhances tannin extraction into the wine. With this in mind, you’ll find that darker red wines are most frequently aged in oak – and that white wines are rarely exposed to this wood. One example of a white wine that is aged in oak is the Chardonnay. Proof of higher tannin content, Chardonnays are generally drier, slightly round-bodied and darker than other white wines. In replacement to oak barrel ageing, white wines are most commonly treated in stainless steel vats. The use of metal not only prevents tannin extraction, but it aids in temperature control and is more affordable than conventional oak barrels. Also related to tannin concentrations is the length of ageing. Ageing offers best results in wines that offer high tannic levels, as tannins fully develop and grant the aged wine with a complex quality, full body and robust flavor. Because of this, and since white wines have little tannins, these are recommended to be aged for 12 months or less.

Find More Zinfandel Wine Articles

How to Decant Wine

Decanting wine is the process of pouring the wine from its original bottle into another container. That could be any carafe, a fancy crystal decanter, or even a mason jar if you’re down-home country. But what is the purpose of this?

Far back in history, decanting wine was a method of pouring only the clear wine out, leaving the naturally-occurring sediment behind in the bottle. This was an issue because wine was sold unfiltered. You might still encounter the occasional unfiltered bottle, for instance in the case of full-body reds that are aged more than ten years, or in vintage ports that have some sediment as a natural side effect.

The second purpose, which remains relevant today, is to let the wine breathe. Now, too much oxygen is bad for wine; there’s a reason so much care is taken with sealing the bottle. But a little air exposure helps to soften and mellow the flavor. This is especially the case with high-tannin wines and heavy wines. Decanting doesn’t do as much for delicate reds like Pinot Noir, or zesty whites like Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, but it does benefit fuller bodied reds and whites, especially those with oaky tones.

In short, you should consider decanting for: Cabernet Sauvignons, Zinfandels, Barolos, Bordeauxs, Chardonnays, and Shiraz. It serves much the same function as swirling the wine around in a glass does; it opens up the wine and allows it to attain its peak potential taste and nose.

Start about half an hour before you will be enjoying the wine. open the bottle and pour it into your chosen vessel. You don’t have to pour it a certain way or anything, this is just regular pouring. Stop every few ounces and take a test: pour just a swallow into a glass and taste it. You should be able to tell the difference between the first sip and the last, by which time you’ve poured all of the bottle.

Another factor at play here is the alcohol; alcohol has weight. Weighing more than other liquids, more alcohol tends to sink to the bottom. This isn’t to say that the wine separates, but simply that the majority of alcohol in wine will tend to settle more in the bottom. Decanting also ensures that the whole wine is even throughout. Very much the same physics are at play here as in layered cocktail drinks, which work because different liquors have different densities.

If you’re pouring off a bottle with sediment, the process is a little trickier. First, you should have always stored the bottle on its side, which prevents the cork from drying out and oxidizing the wine. A full day before you intend to open the wine, stand the bottle on its end to allow the sediment to go to the bottom. Now as you pour into the decanter, go slowly and deliberately – do not stop, or you’ll mix the sediment into the rest of the wine. Keep pouring until you see sediment come up the side of the bottle’s neck, then throw the rest away.

Some wines are a matter of taste. So decanting the wine is the kind of thing you only do if you’re really into wine. Any bottle you buy off the shelf at the store is both too filtered to have sediment and too young to be worth the bother of breathing it, so you probably don’t want to bother. But if you’re the kind to buy wines up to six months in advance of opening them, you’re definitely in decanter territory there!

The Elegant Red Wine and Its Different Styles

As taking about red wines, you must talk about the wide range of red wines. All these several types of wines encompass different flavors and can be nicely served with different dishes and cuisines. But, first of all you have to at least taste and learn about all different types of wines in order to pick your personal preferred.

1. Pinot Noir
One of the freshest and most delicate red wine type would be the ultimate Pinot Noir. It really is extensively appreciated all across the world for being velvety red wine. It has an extremely fruity smell and is matched well along with lamb, grilled salmon and chicken.

2. Merlot
Merlot is a flexible red wine simply paired with any foods. Merlot can be available in various scrumptious flavors just like plums, herbs and black cherry. Although, this can be very accepted all across the world, Merlot is broadly created in just some of the specific regions like Italy, Chile, Romania, Australia, and United States.

3. Zinfandel
Zinfandel is one more very famous kind of red wine. It is generally found in 2 kinds that are generally known as Red Zinfandel and White Zinfandel. The Red Zinfandel is widely famous all across the world for its heavy and rich feel. Further, it truly is valued by almost all age group of people due to its zesty flavor. You can even get Red Zinfandel in the savor of pepper and berries. Most of the Zinfandel red wines are extremely flexible. Therefore, these wines could be very effortlessly paired with almost any kind of cuisines and food. Though, Red Zinfandel wine is more appreciated when served with tomato based foods just like tomato pastas and tomato pizzas. It can also be nice along with barbecued meats and grilled foods.

4. Cabernet Sauvignon
This kind of wine is well appreciated by many. This is especially treated and broadly created red wine type is basically a beautiful grouping of merlot and cabernet. It is nice with pork and is full-bodied wine.

5. Shiraz or Syrah
It has a powerful flavor, usually with added black pepper or roasting spices. It might be excellent with heavy meats, and is usually produced by vineyards in France, California, and Australia.

6. Malbec
Malbec wine was originated in France, but are actually normally created in Chile, Argentina, Australia and northern California. These wines are easy, spicy and rich colored. They often taste of plums and berries.

For more details on red wine recipes please go to red wine recipes. You may also take a look at some fantastic white wine recipes by clicking white wine.

Related Zinfandel Wine Articles