Happy Thanksgiving!  The leaves have changed ... and most likely have fallen from their branches. The air is cooler and a festive spirit is in the air. The start to our holidays has begun!  This is such a wonderful time of year, when family and friends gather to share each other's company around the dining table. Food, wine, snacks, warm wishes and thanks are all part of our holiday tradition that highlights these times we share together.  It's also the time when we begin thinking about our food menu and what wine to serve or bring to the table. Fortunately, the wine pairings are not as …

There are plenty of beverages that can be a real treat and enhance our enjoyment of the summer months. There are also wines and cocktails in new packages that make it very convenient to travel to the park or concert and enjoy your favorite beverage. The new wine packages from Copa Di Vino™ Wines, which are packaged in a ready to drink quarter-bottle package (187ml). This beverage is easy to carry in a non-breakable package and does not need any openers to enjoy. Not to mention, it’s very tasty! Copa Di Vino comes in six different varietals: Pinot Grigio, Riesling, White Zinfandel, Chardonnay…

The hot weather is a great time to enjoy some of the great wines and craft beers being offered by local wineries and breweries from around the world. Sometimes we may wonder how vineyards progress through the seasons and how they arrive at the Harvest in September or October.  Today, we’ll take a look at what vineyard managers are doing to help protect their crop from this oppressive heat and deliver the best fruit for the upcoming bottling. Spring is the vine’s first season. Various growth zones will create different months; however, the progression is relatively the same. Wherever the …

If there was any doubt about whether summer would come, this week’s oppressive heat has washed away any such thought. Summer is a time when many of our beverage choices switch from bolder style beverages to lighter, more refreshing wines and craft beer. Many of my customers say they drink more white wine in the summer, which is understandable since the weather warms up and many of the foods and snacks we eat are lighter in style as well. This is a great time to expand your palate and try a few new wines and craft beers that enhance the foods of summer. Take, for example, the Chardonnay grape…

The warmer weather means a change in food pairings with wine. So what type of wines and craft beers pair well with the season you ask? Basically, it boils down to what you like. But it also means this is a great time to try new beverages that will enhance the flavors of the food. Summer cookouts usually involve lighter-fare foods along with appetizers of cheeses and fruits. You also may be cooking a few steaks on the grill, which will call for a more substantial beverage. The summer foods can typically be enjoyed with light and refreshing wines. While a juicy steak will pair well with a Napa …

One question people have regarding beverages is what should they have on hand for those spur of the moment gatherings with the neighbors?  It’s always a great idea to have plenty of water available in a self-serve container or have glasses available to fill at the refrigerator with ice. Fruit juices or soft drinks are always great ideas for those who do not drink alcohol. But you always want to have your favorite beverage on hand. Regarding wine, a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc is always a very good choice.  Try to have one from California and one from New Zealand as they will most likely have a…

With the amount of wines available for our tasting pleasure, it’s no wonder we can get confused when shopping for a bottle. I encountered a person this week at a wine tasting who said they’ve never had a wine they liked and was only at this particular tasting because their friend asked her to tag along for the company. We tasted five different wines and, wouldn’t you know it, the non-wine lover found three wines they enjoyed.    The unique nature of wine is that it is a “conversation” in a bottle. Whenever wine is opened, you will invariably begin a discussion with other wine drinkers. It is …

There are so many great wines being produced throughout the world that choosing a wine may seem overwhelming. The good news is there are many resources to help find that new, perfect wine! The best way to enjoy wines from around the world is to open a bottle from the region you’re interested in and taste the wine. But given geographical limitations and recent gas prices, we can’t just casually head over to South Africa to taste a particular wine. With that in mind, you can also find a wealth of information regarding wine countries and regions around the world on the Internet. Type in a winery…

Memorial Day Weekend has finally arrived and we can all enjoy some picnic foods and (cross your fingers) great weather. There are many beverages that will pair well with those burgers, barbeque ribs, grilled chicken and all those appetizers such as chips, pretzels and maybe even a few bowls of shrimp.  Some of us will choose a craft beer with a touch of citrus, others may choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a mellow Pinot Noir to enjoy with their roasted chicken. But how many of us would like a sweeter adult beverage to enjoy while we gather for our celebration? Studies show that most adults …

You have to believe the weather is going to warm up sooner or later here in Chicagoland and we will all be heading outside for barbeques and patio parties. One beverage that continues to be gaining popularity in the United States is craft beer.  Craft beer is described as small, independent and traditional. Today we will review craft beer descriptors and various craft breweries as we celebrate American Craft Beer Week, which runs May 16 through May 22. According to the Brewers Association, the craft beer segment grew 11 percent in volume in 2010 compared to a decrease of 1 percent volume for …

Many of your favorite varietals of wine can be paired with a variety of cheeses that will enhance your taste experience. Let’s take a look at a few cheese styles and pair them with a variety of wines. I will use a few cheeses from the Artisanal Cheese Company to describe the flavors and pairings.  You can use a multitude of similar cheeses from other countries as long as the cheese meets the descriptors. A four-year aged Dutch Gouda cheese will enhance the flavor of deeper wines such as Cabernet and Tempranillo.  Dutch Gouda is simply unrivaled for that perfect balance of salty and sweet. …

Thursday is Cinco de Mayo. This weekend is Mother’s Day weekend. Pretty soon we will be celebrating Memorial Day. Given the festive nature of this time of year, let’s discuss a few nice craft brews and drinks for the warmer weather ahead. Everyone loves to enjoy a beverage or two to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and there is much to do throughout the surrounding areas.  A relatively new portable beverage is the Cordina line of agave pouches. These drinks are contained in a 375-milliliter pouch that has a screw top and comes with a straw. These drinks can be kept in the freezer to become a frozen …

Summer activities are now right around the corner and to kick off the season of outdoor wining and dining, we have one of the most special days of the year—Mother’s Day. Let’s take a quick look at a few ideas on how we can best express our love for her.    Finding that gift to help mom relax is always a good idea, whether it’s a nice bottle of wine, a six-pack of her favorite craft beer, candles and even new cookware—these are all great ideas if your mom finds relaxation and enjoyment in the kitchen. And who doesn’t enjoy sipping on a glass of wine while in the kitchen? Mom’s no different. So…

Given all of the weather we’ve had over the past few weeks, it’s hard to believe that Easter weekend has finally arrived.  And the Jewish Passover has also just begun. This is an unofficial kickoff to the gathering season—weddings, graduations and other outings will be common occurrence. This means that we will need to make a few decisions regarding our wine selection as we celebrate this weekend. For Easter, many of us celebrate with a traditional meal.  This may include ham, turkey, lamb or a variety of other items.  The good news is there are many wines that we can choose from that will …

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner, which also means we will be attending a good number of celebrations, such as weddings, backyard barbeques and neighborhood block parties. The need to gather in the warm outdoors with family and friends also requires great craft beers and wines. We have all been in a situation when we want to or are required to make a toast to the host or the bride and groom. Whatever the situation, it is always a good idea to be prepared. Toasting tips are always welcome, especially when you are the one who is asked to make the toast. Toasts are so …

As the seasons move along, our choice of wines change much like the weather. Just as the season’s change, so does our taste for different styles and varietals of wine. Many people tell me they don’t know why, but when the weather gets colder, red wines are more appealing to them and white wines are their preferential drink during the warmer summer months.  This variation in wine preference is very normal when colder temperatures drive many of us indoors; hence a heavier wine is usually preferred. Many people tend to switch to red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo when …

A wine tasting is a great idea for any business or organization to schedule during the year for their employees or members.  Just this past weekend, I presented a wine tasting for a local business as a winter activity. Everyone had a great time as they gathered to catch up on the personal aspects of their lives and enjoy a fun evening with a wine tasting included. Most folks are surprised to learn how fun and easy it is to pick out different characteristics of wine. The wine tasting environment is an enjoyable and pleasant way to learn about the different characteristics of various varietals…

Most of us have had discussions with our friends around a glass of wine Almost all of use have enjoyed friends company around a nice glass of wine. But inevitably, some people will emphatically tell us how to open a bottle of wine, how to drink or taste the wine, and give us a history lesson regarding wine.   This is the great enjoyment of wine—it’s a conversational beverage. I’m sure we also have wondered if everything we heard is actually true?  Well, below are some interesting myths about wine and why in many cases, they just aren’t true. Wine Myth No. 1: “One should uncork a wine well …

One of the most common questions I get asked is when do you know when a bottle of wine is ready to drink? Even more common, is when can I open that “special occasion” bottle? Personally, I believe the bottle is ready to drink when your corkscrew is ready. But we know there are a few wines that require aging and some that we want to save for a while.  In 2000, the Wall Street Journal started a special Saturday night in February, where you gather with friends, couples and spouses to enjoy that special bottle of wine or champagne you’ve been saving for X amount of years.  The bottle to be …

Valentine's Day is upon us. Are you scrambling for that last-minute gift? Or looking for a way to put the finishing touches on your planned evening? Now is the time to stop by your local wine shop and ask for a few suggestions regarding wines, cheese, craft beer and chocolates. Depending on the likes of your sweetheart—and you know best what they are—all of these make great gifts for Valentine’s Day. But in case you don't know too much about wine and chocolate, here's a primer from our good friends at WineStyles Bolingbrook.  Wine  If you are planning a steak dinner this weekend, a nice bold …