The Beauty of Red Wine - A Beginner's Guide

The hit comedy film Sideways is about a road trip in the wine country of sunny California where the two main characters, Miles and Jack, taste copious amounts of red wine while dealing with major life dramas. It's a hilarious film that touched so many people with its dark comedy and truly moving portraits of people dealing with love, pain, and wine-tasting.

But perhaps the greatest thing about Sideways was how it inspired so many people to go out and become connoisseurs of fine wine! According to the Internet Movie Database, the movie made so many of its fans want to buy Pinot Noir (a dry red wine) that sales significantly increased in the US and UK during and after its release. Talk about the effect of movies on people!

If you want to learn a bit more about red wine, dry red wine, and its other variants but feel clueless as to the whole thing, here's a quick wine guide; a red-wine-for-dummy guide if you like!

Why is Red Wine... Er... Red?

Red wine is so colored because of the grape skins involved. There are a multitude of grape types, each as diverse and colorful as the next. You have purple, maroon, deep red, light red--the list goes on. Each variety brings a unique shade of red to red wine and the various colors you can see in wine stores are a direct result of the many grapes used in worldwide wine-making processes. An individual wine's color depends largely on what type of grape was used to make it and how long the skin was left in with the juice before being extracted.

What Are The Different Types of Red Wine?

There are many different types of red wine but they are usually judged by their "body." For example, a light-bodied wine is not too demanding on the mouth and taste buds. It goes well with food that is flavor intensive. A good example of this kind of wine is the French red wine Beaujolais Nouveau.

On the other hand, there is the medium-bodied red wine which is a slightly heavier wine (e.g. Shiraz, Merlot, etc.) but not as heavy and as powerful as a full-bodied wine like French Bordeaux wines and Italian red wine like the Super Tuscans. Full-bodied wines are denser and have a higher alcohol content.

How Is Red Wine Served?

You may have noticed at some parties, tasting events, or formal gatherings that red wine is served in a particular glass. It is said that an oval or egg-shaped glass that narrows as it reaches the top (compared to a slim, tall glass) is the best way to appreciate red wine as it allows the wine to breathe and swirl better. The best temperature to serve red wine is 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve it too hot and the alcohol can be overly emphasized; too cold and it will taste bitter.

Red Wine--What Are The Different Varieties?

There are a number of red wines available from all over the world from dry red wine to full-bodied wine to age-old wine. There is really no such thing as the best red wine--what is tastiest to you should be considered the best. But then there are many red wines that come highly recommended like Californian red wine, Australian red wine, and then of course, every other kind of wine throughout Europe, like Spanish red wine and the ones previously mentioned. In time, you will be able to determine exactly what your type of red wine is. For now, why not sample the many great tasting wines out there like Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc... ?

How Healthy IS Red Wine?

Red wine 101 these days will tell you that red wine or dry red wine is actually good for you. There have been recent studies by scientists in the UK that suggest a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon-derived wines will do the heart very good.

So, if you're looking to spice up your meals or simply want to develop a healthier diet, red wine or dry red wine may be just the thing for you. Hopefully, this has been enough information to whet your appetite. Happy wine drinking!

How to Choose a Wine Rack to Fit Your Style and Budget

Cultivating an appreciation of wine is a growing trend in the US. Shops
specializing in wine are appearing throughout the country, not just in the
traditional vineyard regions of California, Oregon, and Virginia. People
who may not have grown up around wine are now drawn not only to sampling but
also to collecting it. Tasting parties and special wine pairing events are
a common theme in restaurants and in the home. With this comes an increase
in interest in home storage. While proper storage can help wines become
even more exquisite, improper storage can lead to ruined wine.

A freestanding, temperature controlled wine rack is ideal, but much more
expensive than a simple wooden or metal wine rack. However, it is not
necessary to spend several thousand dollars to enjoy wine in your home. If
you can find a dark, cool, slightly humid location in your house, you will be
able to then select a simple rack that will keep your wine for years to
come. The ideal location will be 50-60 degrees, with constant 60-70
percent humidity.

Wine Rack Kits

One way to cut down on cost is to build your own wine rack. For
first-time enthusiasts, it is probably best to stick to a wine rack kit.
There are many considerations when designing a wine rack, and starting from a
kit will keep the wine in the rack where it should be - the last thing you want
is the whole thing to come crashing to the floor due to a miscalculation.

There are many commercially available wooden racks that offer snap-together
assembly, requiring nothing more than a hammer. These inexpensive kits are
usually made of redwood or pine, and can be bought for under $35.

The most important thing to keep in mind when building your own wine rack is
to consider the strength of the rack. A bottle of wine weighs
approximately 3 pounds, so the weight adds up quickly. Make sure not only
the rack but the floor itself can handle the weight, keeping in mind the weight
of the rack.

If the kit is wooden, make sure the wood has been dried properly (no more
than 14% moisture), and that the cross sections are no less than 3/8" (1/2" is
better).

Also, make sure the wine is stored horizontally so that the wine stays in
contact with the cork. A dry cork signifies that the wine has been
damaged.

Wine Rack Capacity

How much wine do you need?

While having 1500 bottles of wine on hand sounds exciting, most people have
neither the space nor the wallet to support such a venture. If you would
like to have something for everyday, a 15-30 capacity rack should meet your
needs. That way, you can have 2 bottles of sparkling wine, 3 bottles of
red (merlot or cabernet), 3 bottles of white (chardonnay, pinot grigio, or white
zinfandel), one bottle each of red and white cooking wine, and still have room
for a few special bottles that you plan to let age for years. Also keep a
nice red ready for company, and a reisling or shiraz for a spicy meal.
Have one bottle of white wine on hand in the refrigerator (it will only last in
there for a week), and you'll be ready for any gathering. A 30-bottle
capacity rack is enough for a wine-tasting, an extended gathering, or for
someone who likes to try a different wine every day.

Also, keep in mind that most wine rack manufacturers list the total bottle
capacity. This may be different from racked wine capacity, as total
capacity may have bottles stacked directly on top of each other. While
this will not damage the wine, it is not as aesthetically pleasing and may be
inconvenient when getting the wine out of the rack.

Styles of Wine Racks: Location is Key

Wine racks come in many styles. Racks can be freestanding cabinets,
counter top, or wall mounted.

When choosing a style, keep the following in mind:

    How much space do you actually have?
    Do you want the wine rack to be visible, or would you rather have a large, hidden wine rack that does not necessarily match your home's decor?
    Where can you put the wine rack?

The most important part of your choice is the location. If you choose a
rack that is not freestanding, make sure it is protected from vibrations.
It is not a good idea to put the wine rack next to the sink where the disposal
will rattle it. Never place the rack on the top of the refrigerator, as it
gets very warm. Also, keep the rack away from a window, as the temperature
may vary too much, and UV light will damage the wine.

If you can not find a wine rack to fit in that perfect location and you are
not confident of making your own, consider having a custom wine rack created
just for you. While this option is more expensive than an off-the-rack
version, it is still much less than the freestanding units, and can keep your
wine for years to come.

Wine Rack Material

Wine racks come in a variety of materials, from wood to metal to glass.
Whether you choose one made of mahogany or steel depends on a variety of
factors, include cost, weight, and appearance.

Wooden Wine Racks

The most common type of wine rack is the wooden wine rack. It is
generally easier to assemble and relatively light. Common woods are pine,
cedar, spruce, oak, and redwood. Another less common wood is
mahogany. Mahogany is a high quality wood and is used in both moderate and
expensive racks.

Metal Wine Racks

Metal wine racks are becoming increasingly popular, especially those made of
steel. They are very B and last longer than wooden racks with less
care. They can be painted to match any home. They can also be formed
into a wider variety of shapes while maintaining their strength.

Choosing a wine rack should be an enjoyable process. Consider it an
investment for all the wines you will try today as well as those you will keep
for a special occasion down the road.

A Guide to Buying Australian Wine

Why buy wine?

In Australia, wine has become the new beverage of choice for people in all walks of life. Moreover, Australia has developed an enviable reputation amongst wine drinkers and appreciators the world over. Myshopping.com.au can help you make the right selection of wine for any occasion and to suit any taste. Listed on our website, you will find some of the most celebrated labels and award winning wines and you can make a selection based on reviews, price and supplier, regardless of why you want to purchase wine.

There are essentially three reasons that we can think of why you might want to buy wine: to drink in some social occasion, to give as a gift, or as an investment with a realisable future.

Buying wine to drink

Winemaker Greg Gallagher at the Charles Sturt University, South Australia, says judging a good wine is simple. "It starts with asking, 'do you like it?' " he says, "and finishes with 'did you like it?'" When you have a list of favourite wines, all you need to do is find them on Myshopping.com.au, and you will find out where it's sold for the best price.

But, because it's not always easy remembering the name, style and vintage of the wine you enjoy, it's a good idea to keep a record of wines you drink that you really like (and those that you'd prefer to avoid), for future reference.

When you're buying wine to drink, there are a number of considerations you might like to bear in mind, the first being: what is the occasion? It stands to reason that a wine for an intimate dinner with a partner might be a different choice than one for a footy night with the boys. Sharing a wine with someone is a lot more than simply sharing the drink. It's also sharing your taste, your values and your standards, so it pays to think carefully about the occasion and the company with whom you are sharing the wine.

A second consideration might be, what is accompanying the wine? Wine is often enjoyed with a meal, but you might like to consider also how the occasion (or meal) will develop. Matching the perfect wine with the perfect food and mood is an exhilarating experience, and is often at the heart of great memories.

You may also want to consider the ambience of the occasion. A wine for enjoying at an evening symphony concert will have a different character to that enjoyed at a beach picnic.

Buying wine as a gift

Wine makes an excellent gift for many reasons. It's an easy purchase; you can buy a wine to suit practically any budget. And it is a demonstration of your taste and standards, subtly imparted to someone whom you may care for.

However, as well as meeting your taste standards, you also need to choose a wine that will meet the tastes of the receiver. It pays to find out what sort of wine that person enjoys, and buy within that person's style or region preferences. A person who enjoys sweet white wines will appreciate a gift that matches that personality.

Buying wine as an investment

Some wines make a good investment because they are rare and have an established reputation causing them to appreciate in value. Possibly the most famous of these in Australia is Penfolds' Grange Hermitage, a Shiraz style Claret that has been made since 1951 (a bottle of that vintage now might set you back $50,000 or more if you can find one). Although young in terms of wine heritage, Australia has some notable wines that do and will appreciate in value.

A good investment wine is not necessarily a guarantee of a high quality drinking wine. The investment values are arrived at by reputation. A particular vintage may have enjoyed popularity for any number of reasons and become scarce because only a limited number of bottles were produced. What results is a collectors market and wine changes hands through auctions, private sales, estate dissolutions and wine club memberships.

What makes a good investment wine however, is the fact that you are able to sell the wine at some future date for a sum greater than what you paid. Therefore the condition of the wine-or more importantly, the bottle-is of paramount consideration. The provenance of an investment wine is important. Before buying, you need to establish its history of origin and previous ownership. Satisfied that the bottle is in good condition, once in your possession it needs to be cellared correctly in the absence of heat, light and movement. You should document your ownership and the conditions of its cellaring before selling it to a new buyer.

What makes good wine?

The winemaking process

The quality of a wine is affected by a wide variety of factors that occur in and as a result of the winemaking, cellaring and handling processes. One of the key factors is the terrain and climate, commonly referred to as a 'region', where the grapes are grown. Different conditions affect different varieties differently. A Shiraz style from McLaren Vale in South Australia, for example, is a heavier and darker wine than the same style from the Swan Valley in Western Australia, which tends to be lighter and more peppery. A Chardonnay from the Hunter Valley is more full-bodied than one from Margaret River.

While knowing which vines are best suited to a soil type and climate is one aspect, another is knowing when to pick the fruit for particular effect. The fruit's flavour at the time of picking is a major character of the residual flavours of the wine. After initial fermentation, some winemakers choose to ferment in oak, others not to. Using oak affects the reduction of tannins in the wine. Different types of oak-English, American, old-affect the flavour and character of the wine as it matures to its nominal alcohol level. It is in the barrel that a lot of transformations in flavours and character occur, and a great deal of skill is required to know exactly when to bottle the wine.

Different winemakers have different techniques and, while a good wine can't be made from bad grapes, it is largely the winemaker's skill that produces a good wine.

Taste

One of the ways we can tell the quality of wine as judged by its taste, is whether it has had successes in any of a number of wine shows held around the country. Experts from the wine industry judge wines on their quality and medal winners enjoy the benefits of being recognised and written about in the main media.

While not every medal winner is a wine that suits our taste, it is as a direct result of the shows and competitions that Australian wines have grown in popularity and quality. At Myshopping.com.au you can compare many award winning wines.

What's your taste?

Regions and style

When you are shopping for wine, one of the first questions to answer is whether you are choosing a red wine or a white wine. Once you have decided this, you can then start to narrow down the different styles. Begin with the question of whether you are seeking a dry wine or a sweet wine.

Styles of wine are named after the region from which the grape originated. In the popular dark reds you have the Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot styles that tend to be drier wines. Lighter reds feature Beaujolais, Pinot Noir and Rose styles and these tend toward sweeter wines.

Popular white wines include the Chablis, Riesling, Semillon, Chenin, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay styles in dry wines, with Traminer Riesling, Moselle and late picked Verdelho in the sweeter styles. Aperitifs include sweet and dry sherry and Marsala. Dessert wines include Sauternes, Muscats and Ports.

Many wines are now presented as blended wines, a way to offer wider variety in taste and a way to use up less popular grapes and thereby minimise waste in the industry.

Australia has more than a dozen identified wine growing regions that produce distinctive wines of the main styles. The Barossa Valley in South Australia is possibly the most famous region with the richest heritage, and features many labels from subregions such as Claire Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and the Adelaide Hills. These regions produce some of the most spectacular Riesling wines, and Shiraz styles in the country. East of this region, near the border with Victoria lies the Coonawarra district (also known as Riverland), famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon. In Victoria lie the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsular districts. The Goulbourn Valley lies on the border with New South Wales. The Hunter Valley in New South Wales produces some of Australia's finest wines, while in the West, Margaret River, t4he Swan Valley and the Plantagenet districts all produce fine wines.

Trends

Recent economic conditions and consecutive years of oversupply have changed much of Australia's wine market. There are many small boutique wineries whose products can be bought direct from the cellar door. Many of these wines are featured on Myshopping.com.au by style and region.

The wine industry is encouraging the buying of wines and cellaring them (storing them in a cool place) for a period of time and enjoying them at a later time. To cellar your wine, store it somewhere cool, dark, airy, and free from vibration and dampness. Temperature stability is the most important factor in preserving wine in the cellar. Storing wine in an environment where the temperature varies gradually with the seasons is better than in a room that varies with the day and night.

For long-term storage, the ideal cellar temperature is 18 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 60-75%. Warmer conditions accelerate the development of wines, which could mean a reduction in the pleasure of drinking them.

The second phenomenon to occur through oversupply is the introduction of cleanskins, a method of selling wine without a brand label. This is presented as being 'money saving' because of a reduction in marketing expense, however the real cost saving per bottle is around 3-5 cents (the cost of printing and applying a label).

Cleanskins enable a wine producer to present a lower cost bottle, but this is mostly achieved by not having to identify the origins of the grape, or the varietal blends that make up the wine. And while it is true that some cleanskins are eminently drinkable wines, evidence suggests that they are generally of a far poorer quality than branded label products. It is suggested that you taste the wine before purchasing any cleanskins.

The Beauty of Red Wine - A Beginner's Guide

The hit comedy film Sideways is about a road trip in the wine country of sunny California where the two main characters, Miles and Jack, taste copious amounts of red wine while dealing with major life dramas. It's a hilarious film that touched so many people with its dark comedy and truly moving portraits of people dealing with love, pain, and wine-tasting.

But perhaps the greatest thing about Sideways was how it inspired so many people to go out and become connoisseurs of fine wine! According to the Internet Movie Database, the movie made so many of its fans want to buy Pinot Noir (a dry red wine) that sales significantly increased in the US and UK during and after its release. Talk about the effect of movies on people!

If you want to learn a bit more about red wine, dry red wine, and its other variants but feel clueless as to the whole thing, here's a quick wine guide; a red-wine-for-dummy guide if you like!

Why is Red Wine... Er... Red?

Red wine is so colored because of the grape skins involved. There are a multitude of grape types, each as diverse and colorful as the next. You have purple, maroon, deep red, light red--the list goes on. Each variety brings a unique shade of red to red wine and the various colors you can see in wine stores are a direct result of the many grapes used in worldwide wine-making processes. An individual wine's color depends largely on what type of grape was used to make it and how long the skin was left in with the juice before being extracted.

What Are The Different Types of Red Wine?

There are many different types of red wine but they are usually judged by their "body." For example, a light-bodied wine is not too demanding on the mouth and taste buds. It goes well with food that is flavor intensive. A good example of this kind of wine is the French red wine Beaujolais Nouveau.

On the other hand, there is the medium-bodied red wine which is a slightly heavier wine (e.g. Shiraz, Merlot, etc.) but not as heavy and as powerful as a full-bodied wine like French Bordeaux wines and Italian red wine like the Super Tuscans. Full-bodied wines are denser and have a higher alcohol content.

How Is Red Wine Served?

You may have noticed at some parties, tasting events, or formal gatherings that red wine is served in a particular glass. It is said that an oval or egg-shaped glass that narrows as it reaches the top (compared to a slim, tall glass) is the best way to appreciate red wine as it allows the wine to breathe and swirl better. The best temperature to serve red wine is 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve it too hot and the alcohol can be overly emphasized; too cold and it will taste bitter.

Red Wine--What Are The Different Varieties?

There are a number of red wines available from all over the world from dry red wine to full-bodied wine to age-old wine. There is really no such thing as the best red wine--what is tastiest to you should be considered the best. But then there are many red wines that come highly recommended like Californian red wine, Australian red wine, and then of course, every other kind of wine throughout Europe, like Spanish red wine and the ones previously mentioned. In time, you will be able to determine exactly what your type of red wine is. For now, why not sample the many great tasting wines out there like Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc... ?

How Healthy IS Red Wine?

Red wine 101 these days will tell you that red wine or dry red wine is actually good for you. There have been recent studies by scientists in the UK that suggest a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon-derived wines will do the heart very good.

So, if you're looking to spice up your meals or simply want to develop a healthier diet, red wine or dry red wine may be just the thing for you. Hopefully, this has been enough information to whet your appetite. Happy wine drinking!

Choosing Wine - The 3 Best Tips To Choosing The Perfect Wine

Wine is a pretty magical beverage. There is just something really fascinating about every aspect of it. The different grapes from different parts of the world, the blending of fruits, nuts, and other flavors, the aging, the ceremony of consuming.

"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy." --Benjamin Franklin

So how do you find the perfect wine? It is very intimidating to buy wine at first. It almost feels like you are exposing your lack of refinement if you don't ask the right questions at the wine store. I wanted to alleviate this possibility with the most powerful of tools, information. After all, it is not to be expected that we all know everything about all things. The trick is knowing where to look.

Tip #1 - Wine - Food Pairing Chart

This tip is helpful for any wine buyer. It depends on the situation, of course, but usually wine is purchased to accompany some type of food. Whether you want to find the wine to serve with salmon or you just need something to accompany your cheese. My suggestion is really pretty simple. Enter "wine food pairing chart" into a Google search, when the results come up-click on the images tab at the top of the screen. There are more here than you will ever need. These charts vary slightly because they are created with the bias and taste of the creator. There is no right or wrong here, these will just put you in the ball park as they are all basically the same.

Tip #2 - Attend A Local Wine Tasting

Local wineries and even wine stores will host wine tastings with some regularity. A simple internet search for wine tasting in your town or inquiring at your local wine store should help you find one. These are great because they are truly geared toward the novice. I have been to a number of these and the people are usually quiet at first but as more wine is sampled, more questions start coming out. Pretty soon everyone is asking questions and no one feels uncomfortable. The hosts are (or should be) very friendly and helpful. They want you to buy stuff, ultimately, so they want you to feel comfortable and have fun. Believe me, you will have fun. Nothing sounded stuffier to me than a wine tasting a few years ago, now it's like an excuse to go out and be silly and have great conversation with strangers. Throughout the samplings, you will figure out what you like and don't like. They have all types of whites, blushes, and reds. They have dry wines and really sweet wines. This tip is especially helpful for the first customer type that I illustrated above but everyone benefits from this education.

Tip #3 - Store Your Wine Smartly

There are some wines that are designed to be consumed fresh and some that are designed to be stored. Not all wines improve with age. (This tip is for customer type 3 in case you hadn't figured that out yet) Usually, someone that has decided to lay out the considerable dollars involved in a wine cellar could teach me quite a bit about wine. However, if you just have piles of money but no wine knowledge, I would ask your local wine store owners or sign up to some wine cellar blogs or forums to get advice. Find out the best wines for your taste to age and then purchase wine racks. There is a science to aging wine and the angle of the bottle in storage is important to keep the wine from evaporating or the cork drying out.

There you go. Not "everything you ever wanted to know about wine but were afraid to ask" but it should get you started and most importantly get you started comfortably. With anything, the hardest part is getting started. Good luck, and happy wine buying!