by Ron Kapon
Le Verre de Vin technology was developed in the early 1990’s by a team of engineers and wine professionals in the UK and is now in use by more than 45,000 wines-by-the-glass programs around the world. While at the International Restaurant & Food Service Show of New York at the Jacob Javits Center I watched as Richard Hewitt, the President of Bermar America and the distributor of the unit in the US, explained and demonstrated its use to a captivated audience. His clipped British accent and common sense language drew me to the M.Tucker booth.Le Verre de Vin is a wine preservation system that effectively preserves an unlimited number of still, sparkling and fortified wines. Each use of the system takes two to five seconds (depending upon the amount of wine remaining) during which time a pre...
by Eve Hunt
Looking for alcohols, wines and champagnes are two of the most popular beverage that you will find in every bar, restaurant or any party hub in NYC. When it comes to wine, this aromatic and bubbly drink came into existence centuries ago. The production of wines started in 6000 BC with a process known as fermentation. With different types of grapes, several categories of wines were introduced to mankind. This is when one of your favorites - red wines, saw the light of the day. LET’S HAVE A LOOK AT ITS BENEFITS:-Lowers the chances of heart diseases. It has tannis and procyanidins that protect you against heart diseases thus prolonging your life. It helps in hardening your enamel and prevents the tooth decay. Apart from this, it also contains polyphenols to decrease the gum infections.This ...
by Dame Liz Palmer
The 13th Edition of Anteprima Amarone was held in Verona on January 30 and 31st when 74 producers revealed their wines from the 2012 harvest to international press, industry insiders and general public.This preview was promoted by the Consortium of Valpolicella and was held at the beautiful historical Palazzo della Gran Guardia, Verona.In addition to tasting, the program included a conference on opening day, moderated by journalist Andrea Scanzi who, together with Christian Marchesini, President of the Consorzio Valpolicella, discussed the Consortium. There was also a technical presentation of the vintage curated by Dr. Diego Tommasi of Cra di Conegliano, along with the performance of the denomination on foreign markets was presented by Denis Pantini of Nomisma Observatory.Christian March...
by Gary Coon
Red wine, a heart-shaped box of chocolates, and a dozen long-stemmed red roses are the perfect ingredients for a romantic Valentine’s Day! While the tradition of Valentine's Day dates back to Roman times and Cocoa beans have been harvested for millennia, the tradition of chocolate gifts only started in the 1800s. Fine chocolates are a natural progression beyond those chalky little conversation hearts, and in the Conejo Valley there are plenty of wines available that will pair nicely with them.Many of the chocolates consumed in the United States are milk chocolate, but dark (semisweet) and extra dark (bittersweet) chocolates are quickly becoming popular; especially those from a single source. These tropically-grown chocolates have the complexity of a fine wine and the impact of terroir ...
by Ron Kapon
For years I would go to south Florida for a week every January to visit my two aunts and uncle. They lived into their mid 90’s and seemed to love both the weather and the companionship of fellow retirees. One lived in Fort Lauderdale and two in Century Village in West Palm Beach. I would also visit my cousins Jay and Marilyn Spechler at their condo in Boca Raton and go sailing on their boat. I always tied in my visit with the then brand new FIU Food & Wine Festival that was held under a tent at the Florida International University campus. South Beach was still not the “hot” location it is today and the streets just a block or two away were sketchy, especially at night. I always managed to visit Chip Cassidy at his Crown Liquor/wine store near the University of Miami campus. I often s...
by Brent Varol
Stuck between mountains and South Australia's finest beaches, McLaren Vale is one of the most famous and beautiful wine districts of Australia with practically a winery on its every corner.McLaren is a small grape paradise just 25 miles south of Adelaide where they produce world-renowned, top quality Shiraz, Cabernet, and Grenache. What is great about McLaren Vale is that you have to make very little effort to come across a winery as pretty much all the beautiful wineries in the area are about a couple of minutes apart from each other. Shiraz is unquestionably the superstar of McLaren, though, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon are just as valuable and acclaimed as Shiraz. McLaren Vale Shiraz and Cabernet have aromas of black fruits, black pepper, and a solid amount of tannins. Though, their ...
by Ron Kapon
I abhor large events with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of food and wine enthusiasts fighting each other for a sip or snack. Sometimes, you actually can say hello to the chef or winemaker, but nothing more. How lucky I was to share lunch at National (50th & Lexington in the Hotel Benjamin) with Pat Henderson, Senior Chief Winemaker at Kenwood Vineyards (Sonoma County). Pernod Ricard bought them in 2014 and our hostess with the mostest Nora Feeley, VP at Hill + Knowlton Strategies, invited me for lunch. I have not seen Nora since her days at Constellation Brands. It is so refreshing to talk to a PR person that actually knows the wine business. Two of the best wine writers in the New York area joined us- Bill Marsano & Mort Hockstein. Between the three of us there were 250 years of experien...
by Dr Elinor Garely
He has gone where many feared to tread. Because of his pioneering spirit, sharp intellect, and general bonhomie, Kevin Zraly recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The James Beard Foundation. The accolade was presented for his research, writing, teaching and advocacy of food and wine that has influenced the way we eat, cook and/or think about wine and food in America.Personal ThanksI had the good fortune to meet Zraly at the early stages of his career, when he was developing the wine program for the former Windows on the World (1976-2001). His comprehensive wine introduction provided me with the confidence (and the credentials) to develop the wine list for New York’s Copacabana. The Copa was a sexy luncheon dining spot by day and a disco-zone at night. Fortunately for me t...
by Dame Liz Palmer
Tips on Pairing Chocolate and Wine Dark chocolate is the easiest to pair and generally matches well with deep, dark reds – think Cabernet Sauvignon or red wines with body.The higher the cocoa content, the drier the wine should be.The higher the tannin content of a red wine, the stronger the chocolate should be (to balance that dry mouth feel).When tasting, the general rule is wine first, then the chocolate. A good chocolate will also leave a lasting flavour in your mouth. This “finish” can stay with you for several minutes after the chocolate has melted, and is part of the reason why you only need a small piece of chocolate to get the best possible experience.If in doubt, go for a Late Harvest or Tawny. Chocolate and wine are more similar than you think♣ Chocolate, like wine is all...
by Brent Varol
The Moselle Valley, also known as Mosel, is one of 13 wine regions in Germany and is the third largest producer of wine. Mosel is one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world and Europe. Here you can find the oldest town in Germany that lies atop a gorgeous valley, that is characterized by its infamous fragrant German Riesling, and old-world European charm that one seldom experiences elsewhere. The Mosel Valley is unsurprisingly often named as one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world. This world-renowned region is comprised of vineyard-covered slopes overlooking three rivers: Mosel, Saar, and Ruwer. As a matter of fact, the region's name originally consisted of the names of all the rivers in the valley until they shortened it to make it more tourist-friendly.Aside from ...
