Of all the articles that I have written, I consider this article of Wine Appraisal to be my best article. Hope you feel the same too.
Wine Making Tips from Andre: Fruit Wines and Fruit Winemaking ?Part 1 of 2
Once again we have advent of the summer season in Western New York and Ontario and while some home winemakers limit their endeavors to the grape, others, including myself, anxiously await the arrival of the fresh fruit. Once dismissed out of hand by some as inferior and often quaintly referred to as ?country? wines, fruit wines are enjoying a surge in popularity never seen before, embraced by amateur and professional vintners alike.
And why shouldn?t they? Our region has the good fortune to possess a burgeoning agribusiness in fruit other than grapes and, as many fruit farmers have discovered (as indicated by the surge in farm winery licenses), wine returns a much more appealing margin than fruit alone. For those who are still on the fence about the virtues of fruit wine, may I suggest that you take a day to tour some of the local wine trails and try them.
For me, a family outing to the local fruit farms, especially a ?U-Pick,? was always gleefully anticipated as a summertime ritual. The delicious baked goods and the jellies and jams made from the fruit could be enjoyed into the cold winter months. That is, of course, if they lasted that long.
We still make and love all these things, but taking the extra time and expense to produce wine from the strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, and other fruits adds another dimension that will challenge and hone your skills. This is because, unlike grapes (especially those varieties which one may regularly vint year after year), fruits, berries, and other feedstock used to make these wines have less predictable characteristics in their pH, acid, and sugar. Therefore, careful testing and attention to making the proper adjustments is important to producing a good fruit wine.
There is an abundance of websites that have good basic fruit wine recipes, and even recipes to make wine from vegetables and herbs. Simply plug ?fruit wine recipes? into a search engine.
Now for another reason why home winemakers should have a second look at fruit wines. Today, people are more health-conscious than ever. Almost every day for the past decade, starting with ?The French Paradox,? we?ve been bombarded with one clinical study after another that touts the health benefits of drinking red wine in moderation.
Well, surprise! The same health-promoting compounds found in Pinot Noir are found abundantly in fruits and berries. The polyphenol pigments that impart color to the fruit are known collectively as anthocyanins, a family of powerful antioxidants. The compound found in Pinot Noir called resveratrol is produced in greater amounts in this varietal as an antifungal because the skin of the grape is thin and susceptible to splitting. Resveratrol has been studied for its ability to block cell inflammation and oxidative stress related to arthritis and other degenerative diseases, as well as cancer treatment and prevention. *
Blackberries, mulberries, and especially blueberries are rich in powerful antioxidants like resveratrol. Blueberries also contain phytosterol and pterostilbene, which have recently been shown to be useful in lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol, preventing heart disease, and protecting the body against certain cancers.
None of these beneficial compounds are lost in the winemaking process, so why not raise a glass of fruit wine and drink to your health?
*Joseph, J.A., Shukitt-Hale B., Denisova, N.A. Bielinski D., Martin, A., McEwen, J.J., and Bickford, P.C. "Reversal of Age-Related Declines in the Neuronal Signal Transduction, Cognitive, and Motor Behavioral Deficits with Blueberry, Spinach, or Strawberry Dietary Supplementation," Journal of Neuroscience, September 15, 1999, Vol. 19, No. 18. pp. 8114-8121.]
Winemaking Tips from Ande Pazik of www.bubbleflo.com
E-mail Contact: dkceo@bubbleflo.com
Author: Andre Pazik of www.bubbleflo.com
Southern Wine
Take a chance and explore the vines of countries like: Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, among others, and discover great wines, �undiscovered� varietals and significant value. These up and coming regions offer something for everyone�if looking for a �refreshing, light and interesting� white: Torrontes, might be it. If you like big, fruit bombs for a red: try decanting a Tannant.
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Conundrum Wine
There are clubs on every type of wine under the sun. There are Californian- only wine clubs, red wine clubs, sweet wine clubs, port wine clubs. There are "all the best across the world," "the tiny wines you can't find anywhere else," and all sorts of other combinations.
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Cabernet Franc
If you want to put together a cheese plate for a wine and cheese party, keep it simple. It is best not to present too many different flavours at once. Try a cheese plate with three styles, such as soft, creamy, and hard. A classic BC version would be fresh goat�s cheese (soft), a soft-rinded brie or camembert type (richer, creamier), and a cheddar (hard). Now choose an adaptable wine to use � the best choices would be a light-to-medium dry white (BC pinot blanc, pinot gris, or unwooded chardonnay) or a fruity, not-too-heavy red, such as pinot noir or merlot. These wines can easily accompany a range of flavours, but it is still best to avoid very strong or pungent flavours if you are going to mix and match.
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Wine List
Your first inclination is to taste your sample. Stop for a second and look at the wine. Tilt the glass and look at it against a white background. A shirtsleeve will do in a pinch. What do you see? Red wines vary greatly in color. As they age, you will see hints of reddish-brown around the edges. White wines become more golden as they age. Generally speaking, the darker the wine, the more full-bodied the taste.
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The first lesson of collecting wine is to buy what you like. The market could go south, wine could not appreciate the way you feel it might, but in the end if you have wines you love, you haven't lost everything. Spend some time figuring out what you personally enjoy. Try different wines, and read web reviews and talk to friends for for best buy suggestions. Visit wineries and learn about how wines are made.
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The Scene - April 28 - Akron Beacon JournalMon, 28 Apr 2008 12:51:30 GMT
The Scene - April 28Akron Beacon Journal, OH - Apr 28, 2008An Antique and Treasure Appraisal Fair to benefit the CARE Center at Akron Children's Hospital will be from 9 am to 2 pm at the Considine Professional ... |
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