National Wine Day - May 25th How will you participate?

It is National Wine day, so grab your friends and favorite wine and "Pop" it open, relax and enjoy.  It is also Red Nose Day, so pop on those red noses and drink your wine.  Take a selfie and share it using #NationalWineDay.

I have a few favorite quotes to share on this wonderful National Wine Day.

"Beer is made by men, Wine by God" - Martin Luther

"A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover" - Clifton Fadiman - Author

"Life is to short to drink cheap wine" - Clim Hakim - Author

"True love is like wine, it gets stronger with age" - Farid F Ibrahim - MD

"either give me more wine or leave me alone"   Jalaluddin Rumi - Persian poet

So go and make your own memories and don't forget to share your selfies #NationalWineDay


So many wines, so little time, which one do I pick?  Happy National Wine Day

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Wine 102 - Summer Whites

Most people enjoy white wine when the weather turns warm.  Cold white wine is refreshing.  Whites can be enjoyed alone or with a variety of lighter foods.  It should be served cold to cool.  Most wine experts say that white wine should not be served ice-cold.  I think that depends on you and your tastes.  Wine For Dummies, my favorite reference, says that you can drink it ice-cold, but if you let it warm up a bit you may surprised at how flavorful it is.  This is true, as for me I live in South FL and keeping wine at the proper drinking temperature is a challenge.  When I am visiting my college roommate in San Francisco keeping wine at optimal temperature is not a problem.

I have tried many different products to aid in the thermal regulation of wine and drinking it outdoors.  My favorite spot to drink wine is in my pool.  A nice cold white in the pool will chill you inside and out.  OK back to the topic.

There are four basic popular whites that are plentiful and can be enjoyed at reasonable prices.

Chardonnay -       There are great inexpensive ones from CA, and Australia
Sauvignon Blanc -There are great inexpensive ones from CA,  South Africa and New Zealand  
Pinot Grigio/Gris -There are great inexpensive ones from CA, Italy, Oregon, New Zealand
                            and Australia
Riesling -              There are great inexpensive ones from Germany, New York, CA,
                            WA, and Australia
Blends -                Yes there are good white blends and don’t be afraid to try them.

Now a bit on white blends.  I joined a wine club on my last visit to CA because of a white blend.  It was in July and we were touring wineries in the Russian River area of Sonoma County and it was hot.  We hit a few but this one in the Dry Creek AVA.  Wilson Winery, they specialize in bold Zinfandels.  When we went in they were pouring a white blend called Summer Time White, it was ice-cold and delicious, even my husband a beer guy was impressed.  I joined the club on the spot and had a case sent home.  I still have some and I will enjoy them on my 62nd birthday.

The Wine Bug’s rules for serving summer white wine.

 1.   Put bottles in fridge the night before
 2.   Get cooler and put in wine and beer cover with ice and put on patio
 3.   Put on bathing suit put music on
 4.   Get insulated wine glass
 5.   Pour wine in glass and get in pool

Do any of you have a ritual that you use?  Please feel free to leave your comments.



The Wine Bug

You can find The Wine Bug at http://www.WineBugAccessories.com

Wine Bug Sips & Bites - Wine and Food Pairing

Wine Bug Sips

Welcome to the Wine Bug Sip.  Today I am going to feature an everyday wine that is delicious, affordable, and easily available.  The wine is Apothic Red 2014.  I bought this today for $8.99, I know it lists for $12.99

The winery is Apothic, this term comes from Apotheca, a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe.  The wine maker Debbie Jeurgenson, crafts her bold blends from some of the best grape in California. In her words, "I strive to tell a story with each blend of Apothic," Debbie explains. "Whether it's one of drama, intrigue or romance, the wines of Apothic are truly original." 

A visit to the web site is a must, you can have your palm read, the alchemist will craft you a cocktail, you can upload a picture for a Dark Portrait.  Not your typical winery website.  You can enter your address to find a dealer near you.

Apothic Red is inspired by the “Apotheca” and offers a unique wine experience.  It is a delightful blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Experience a taste of dark red fruit with hints of vanilla and mocha.  A truly sociable wine to share.

Wine Bug Bites

Broiled Rosemary Lamb Shoulder Chops and Our featured wine Apothic Red, an affordable delicious meal.  Ready for the table in 15 minutes.

Shopping list                                                         

1 bottle Apothic Red

2 Lamb Shoulder chops

1 Small Lemon

1 Salad in a bag Kit

Pantry Items: 

1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil 
Koser Salt - To Taste
Fresh ground black pepper - To Taste
1 tsp Rosemary

Directions:

 1.    Open wine and let breath

 2.    Turn broiler on high or grill

 3.    Rub chops with olive oil and season                                                                            

        with salt, pepper and Rosemary

  4.   Place chops on broiler pan and broil 5 

        minutes on each side

  5.   Prepare salad to directions

  6.   Cut Lemon in half

  7.   Remove chops and let stand

  8.   Pour wine

  9.   Squeeze lemon on chops and serve and enjoy

Have any comments or your own pairing to share, Please feel free to do so

The Wine Bug

You can find The Wine Bug at http://www.WineBugAccessories.com

Wine 102

Wine 102 - By the Wine Bug   

What is Wine?

What is wine?  Seems like a stupid question as we all know what wine is.  Wine can be simple or complicated.  Making wine is a scientific biological process of fermentation and how the variables are manipulated make a big difference in the outcome.  So I have asked friends this question, What is Wine? and I got some interesting answers.

Wine is adult grape juice. This was the most popular answer that I got.  Well yes it is.  Wine is adult because of the alcohol content.  How does that happen?  It happens in a natural scientific biologic process.

By definition wine is the fermented juice of grapes, made in many varieties such as, red, white, sweet, dry, still or sparkling, for use as a beverage, in cooking, in religious rites etc., and usually having an alcohol content of 14% or less.¹

In real words it is grape juice mixed with natural occurring yeast from the vineyard, or so they say.  The yeast, any yeast feeds on the natural sugar in the juice and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide in the fermentation process.  Fermentation is a change brought about by a ferment, such as yeast and it’s enzymes that convert sugar into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Man can influence the fermentation process by manipulating or changing variables:

•  Type of container - Oak barrels or Steel
•  Size of container - The volume or how much it holds
•  Temperature - A critical variable in the fermentation process
•  How long to age the wine - The time from bottling to popping the cork

If making wine was easy we would all be making it.  Please feel free to leave your comments or opinions

References:

1.  Wine for Dummies 4th edition, McCarthy & Ewing-Mulligan

2.  Winefolly.com


You can find the wine bug at http://www.WineBugAccessories.com