Red or white? When it comes to choosing wines, this is the dilemma that many wine drinkers face. For some, there’s not much difference between the two. For others, though, the differences are so vast that that their similarity ends with both of them being a beverage.



If your preference is red, you’re also faced with that decision on whether to pick a Pinot Noir, a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon, or a Shiraz. How the wine that ended up being bottled tastes depends on the grape variety that was used. The last name on the list, also known as ‘Syrah,’ is something I usually get because of its distinctly strong and full-bodied profile. The question for those who also prefer this type is, how do you pick a good Shiraz? Read on to find out.



Profiling Shiraz



Just like when choosing someone to hire, employers profile their applicants first based on their resume and after having an interview with them. That’s pretty much the same thing with wines. Well, you don’t get to interview them, but you get to read their ‘resume.’



Of course, you need to know first the characteristics of Shiraz: anywhere from medium red to rich purple or even black; fruit characters including mint, spice, herbs, menthol, and dark cherry; its primary aromas and flavors can evolve into more complex characters.



But wait, you can actually also ‘interview’ a Shiraz to get to know it more. This can be done by taking a sip of it and experiencing in your palate plenty of flavour.

Picking a Good Shiraz



Choosing a particular will have to depend primarily on your preferences. If you feel like going for a young, full-bodied Shiraz, you can drink it immediately after getting it from the shop. If it’s young, it would generally have higher tannins and higher alcohol content. If it tastes too strong for you, you might want to put it in the cellar first for a little while.



If you’re looking for old vintages, make sure that the level’s good at the top of the neck. Ensure, too, that there’s no wine leaking through the cork. You should also ask where it came from and how long the bottle has been there. If you’re given a chance to have a sip before you buy a bottle, look for the defining fruits that I mentioned above.



Want to make sure the wine came from excellent Shiraz-producing regions? Go for those produced in Australia, including the iconic Barossa Valley and Eden Valley.



Keep these things in mind when getting Shiraz so you can be sure that the bottle you’ll get is one that suits your preferences when it comes to this excellent red variety.

You’ve been given a bottle of wine as a gift but you don’t have any plans of drinking it soon. Is it possible to prolong the life of your wine without sacrificing its taste?

There are ways to store your wine properly so you can still preserve its original flavor even as time passes by. I’ve been drinking wine for years and I guess it’s safe to say that I’ve learned a few things about how to do this right.

With these simple storage tips, you can keep your wines as fine as it was when you first received it.   

1. Keep in a cool, dry place

The first lesson you have to learn about wine storage is this – heat is your enemy!

Ideally, wine should be stored in a place where the temperature is at least 45°F to 65°F. Anything higher than that (let’s say 70° F) can directly affect the wine’s taste and aroma so you really have to be careful with that.

Be warned, however, not to stock your wine in a colder place. While it is generally okay to put it in the refrigerator for a month or two, this is definitely not a good idea if you are thinking of long term storage. Doing this can dry out the cork which could permit air to enter the bottle and destroy the taste. Also, never freeze your wine! This could cause the cork to push out without warning.   

2. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight

Ever noticed why most wine products have colored bottles? Manufacturers explain that the purpose of this is to filter ultraviolet rays from the sun. Besides, continued exposure to UV rays can cause premature wine aging.   

3. Place it horizontally

If you have visited wine shops and stores in the past, you have probably noticed that most wine bottles are stored sideways. The explanation for this is that this helps the cork avoid drying out.

Another obvious benefit of this storage style is that you can save a lot of space. So as you place your Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and everything else, keep everything sideways and you will be able to store more bottles than you can expect.

These tips can be a big help for you whether you are a casual wine buyer or a certified wine collector. To learn more about correct wine storage, click this link and get more information.

Sparkling wine is always one of the top favorite among true wine connoisseurs. Its distinct texture and satisfying bubbly taste makes it an absolute must-try for everyone who wants to get into the hobby of wine drinking.

Those that fall under this wine category include Champagne, Cava, Franciacorta, Metodo Classico, Asti, Cap Classique, Sekt, and many others. These products are produced from different parts of the globe such as France, Portugal, Italy, South Africa, United States, and more.    

If you have recently purchased a bottle and you are planning to serve it for a special occasion, the good news for you is that there are so many different ways to enjoy sparkling wine.  

Champagne Cocktail

This cocktail is really easy to make. Just get a sugar cube, a lemon twist, some Angostura bitters (Peychaud’s bitters can be a good substitute) plus Dry Champagne.

Put the sugar cube on a saucer and add a small amount of bitter (at least two to three dashes will do). Next, put the sugar in a champagne flute and start pouring the wine. Do this slowly and carefully. Finally, twist the lemon peel and add it as a garnishing.

What’s good about this cocktail recipe is that you can always use any sparkling wine in case you don’t have Champagne.

French 75

Named after a gun, the French 75 is a fun cocktail that mixes the tastes of champagne, gin, and lemon juice.

For this one, you will need two ounces of gin, one ounce of lemon juice (preferably a freshly-squeezed juice), two teaspoons of sugar, a bottle of Champagne and a lot of ice.

Put the gin, lemon juice, sugar, and ice together in a cocktail shaker. Shake it for at least 15 seconds. Strain it and pour to a champagne flute. Next, fill it with champagne and stir mildly. You may also add a cocktail cherry for garnishing purposes.

Negroni Sbagliato

Finally, we have the Negroni Sbagliato. This cocktail will require you to use one and a half ounces of sweet vermouth, one and a half ounces of Campari, plus one and a half ounces of Prosecco (or any sparkling wine you plan to serve).

Use a mixing glass and combine Campari and vermouth (with some ice, of course). Stir it well and chill. Strain and transfer it into a champagne flute and then add the prosecco. Stir it for the second time around.

These cocktail ideas can be perfect for your next party. Whether it’s a birthday or a New Year’s gathering, make sure that you celebrate it with a sparkling wine cocktail!

Wine tasting can sometime be a serious affair. Apart from the rituals of presentation and the theories on pairing, people who attend wine tasting can sometimes be quite pretentious. As wine lover, it gives these kinds of fun and easy events an air of snobbery. While wine should be given in high regard, these kinds of things can be a turn-off to some people. Sadly, it is one thing that can discourage people to try wine and have fun with it. What can you do to even thing out? Why not make a fruit punch with wine? Everyone loves a cooling beverage once in a while.


Here are a few things you will need:

A bottle of Red Wine or Sparkling Red Wine
A half cup of Brandy or Triple Sec
A mix of Apples, Oranges, Lemon or Lime
Half cup of sugar
A jug or pitcher
A lot of Ice
Optional: A couple of Cinnamon sticks

Making a punch is quite easy. To prepare it, cut up the apples and oranges into quarters. Place them into pitcher and combine the wine with the triple sec or brandy. Put in a good measure of sugar. Put the ice in and stir well. Use the lemon or lime slices to garnish the pitcher or the glasses you will use. Serve in a wine bowl with ice. If you plan to prepare it overnight, give it a little zing by adding cinnamon sticks to the punch. Just take it out before you serve. This kind of wine punch is sometimes called a “Sangria;”roughly translates as “blood” for the use of red wine base.

Wine drinking does not have to be a stuffy affair. Lighten things up with a cold sparkiling wine punch. Visit winemarket.com.au for more info. If you want to learn more about different kinds of wine, visit my other blog.

Because Cabernet Sauvignon wine is considered to be an aristocrat in the world of wines, it is really not surprising why its blends are some of the top choices by people who wish to give wine gift sets. After all, apart from its enticing aroma and taste, this wine goes well with roasted beef or lamb. However, with or without food on the side, there is no denying that this red wine is a perfect gift for any wine drinker. So, if you are uncertain of what gift to give to a friend, neighbor, or work colleague, view website and choose a Cabernet Sauvignon wine of your choice as a wine gift.

It has been discovered in a medical study that red wines are actually beneficial to a person’s health because it contains a high level of Resveratrol. Resveratrol is a very powerful antioxidant that has been proven to prevent various diseases, including cancer.  This is one reason why many people these days prefer to drink red wine.  This is one good reason why you should give Cabernet as a gift. Click here to to know more about this red wine.

However, in the event that you are skeptical about the health benefits of red wine, this doesn’t mean that you should not give one as a gift. Apart from the strong taste and aroma of the blends of Cabernet, this red wine is also ideal for cooking. In fact, the number of people that use wine in the dishes that they cook is on the constant rise. This is because wine is not only a good meat tenderizer, but is good at bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients, too. Therefore, this is another reason why you should give a gift of Cabernet like the Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon. Know more about Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon by clicking through.

If you visit this website, you can marvel at the different brands and blends of Cabernet. This is a definite advantage, especially if you are planning to purchase in bulk. Apart from the wide variety of choices, as compared to the traditional wine stores, online wine stores offer a good deal of discount to buyers who purchase in bulk. So, if you are planning to purchase a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon because you believe that they are ideal gifts for any occasion, the best way to purchase them is through online wine stores.

While it is true that a bottle or two of Cabernet is already enough to get the nod of your recipients, you can make your wine gift even more special if you add blue cheese or premium chocolates inside your wine basket. After all, cheese or chocolates are best to nibble while drinking a glass of this savory wine.  Beyond the shadow of doubt, your wine gift will be even more appreciated and paint a smile on your recipient’s face. Here is the link to your wide array of choices for wine gifts. 

If you don’t know where to buy Pinot Noir or any other types of wine, you have come to the right place. When it comes to buying wine, there are actually a lot of places you can go to. The only thing you need to realize is that buying wine is not as easy as it may seem. For one, there are different types and brands of wine, and even those who are in the wine game for years now are still confronted with tough choices from time to time.


The first secret to buying wine is to know your supplier. Different stores or suppliers have different focus. While one store may focus on red wine, another store may focus on another type of wine. The pricing structure may also vary from store to store. For instance, you may find that this particular store sells a Penfolds Grange for $500 while another store sells it for $600. By being familiar with reliable suppliers in your area, you can certainly save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on wine. To find a reliable store that gives you more than what you pay for, click here.


Another secret to buying wine is to buy it online. While there are a lot of local wine stores that can provide you with high-quality wine, buying wine via the internet poses a lot of advantages and benefits. Today, there are a number of websites that offer first-class wine to all wine lovers out there. Such websites are dedicated in providing different types of unique and high-quality wines that you can get at very friendly prices. For a list of the best wines in the land, you can visit this website here right now.



Meanwhile, the main advantage of buying wine like Pinot Noir and Grant Burge from web-based retailers is that the prices for such products are ridiculously affordable online. Believe it or not, you can get a $200 Grant Burge for only $92 on the Web, and that is only for buying a single bottle! Just imagine how huge a discount you can get if you can buy a case of your favorite wine straight from the World Wide Web. For affordable yet top-of-the-line wine, check here.



Whether you are new to the wine game or are already a veteran, you cannot deny the fact that the best way to get excellent deals on wine is to find a reliable supplier and to find one online. If you put these things into remembrance every time you shop for wine, you can be confident that you will be getting super premium wine at a price that is right!