August 2011
2 posts
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BAD WINE: Signs of Heat Damage
Read the full article about wine heat damage and oxidation at JennaAndWine.com
July 2011
3 posts
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Dinosaur Terroir
FACT: The plot that the Terra Fossil grapes are grown on was at one time a paleontological dig site where dinosaur bones were discovered.
‘Wow’, I thought, ‘I wonder what this wine will taste like? How would dinosaur fossils affect the flavor, texture, bouquet, and color of the wine?’ I had to try it! Just the concept alone of being able to state that I had tasted a wine from dinosaur terroir...
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June 2011
7 posts
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'09 Coppola Diamond Collection Claret
Coppola didn’t just slap a black and gold label on this bottle for the fun of it… this blend is like liquid gold, but without the gold rush price! An excellent, medium-bodied red that is smooth and supple - perfect for pleasing a variety of tastes and crowds. I paired this with a truffle-infused pasta meal (white sauce-based) but it also paired well with chicken marsala.
This...
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4 Napa Wine Tasting Deals
One of the distinctive differences between wine tasting in Napa vs. Sonoma is the cost. What you will often find is that your total trip in Napa will cost substantially more than if you were to visit Sonoma – even though the two are right next door to one another. Many tasting rooms in Sonoma are free, while just about every tasting room in Napa charges. For this post, I’ve put together some Napa...
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As the season for wine tasting has begun, I thought I’d share some basic do’s and dont’s that I have learned along the way. Watching this video could be the difference between appearing quite professional, or ridiculously unprofessional (a lush). *Special thanks to Cave B and Boudreaux Cellars for putting up with my continued antics…
Fact: In 2010 Americans spent more $ than the French on wine!
– - Time.com
Note: French are still spending more on wine per capita.
May 2011
2 posts
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The Perfect Baby Shower Gift: Grand Cuvee
My coworkers must know me better than I thought (or maybe they were sick and tired of hearing me complain about not being able to drink while pregnant) because not only did they coordinate a wonderful office baby shower, but they also gifted me some extremely generous gifts!
First, for baby - a very generous Babies R Us gift card, which by the way, I have already spent.
Next, for me - an...
April 2011
3 posts
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Washington Wine Character #2 - Rob Newsom, Boudreaux Cellars
When I first tasted this wine, I immediately sensed something different and unique - a smoky type of essence. After asking winemaker, Rob Newsom from Boudreaux Cellars what was going on…he shared his secret for how he incorporates this unique flavor into his reds…
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Thinking back to my Washington wine trip, I realized that I had left some of the best and most exciting winery stories out of my blog. Therefore, I am going to be publishing a series of Washington Wine Characters, to share some of the eccentric, innovative and forward thinking of Washington wineries. Character #1 – Don Phelps, Hard Row to Hoe Winery Don is definitely a character. He loves to...
February 2011
2 posts
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Areas suitable for growing grapes in the US will shrink by as much as 81%, due...
– National Academy of Sciences; estimates based on global warming effects by the end of this century
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How to Pair Chocolate & Wine (for your sweetheart)
Valentine’s Day is this Monday and if you are in a pinch for ways to spark the romance, why not rely on the tried and true for your sweetie? Sure, you can invest excessive thought, time and planning into this Hallmark holiday, but why bother, when all you need is a quick trip to the local liquor store and corner candy shop? With these 2 ingredients alone, you can make this special day...
January 2011
1 post
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December 2010
5 posts
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WINE CORK CENTERPIECE I often visit friends houses and notice stashes of used corks stuffed in kitchen corners and lying on counter tops. When asked, few people seem to have actual plans for the corks that they save, with the 2 most common responses being: 1) I was going to make a corkboard out of them 2) I was going to make a cork trivet (or 2) with them Although I find these ideas somewhat...
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A video that’s perfect for all the fancy holiday parties you may be attending!! I tried escargot for the first time this summer at the Waterfront restaurant in Seattle, Wa. I had no idea what to expect, so here it is. Also, discover what wine (Chardonnay or Riesling) paired best with this flavorful morsel.
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I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.
– W.C. Fields
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My Wine Cooler: Cracked Glass
A Wineless Winter Story
‘Twas a month before Christmas, when all through the house Not a sound could be heard, but a bone in doggie’s mouth; When out from the kitchen arose a loud clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter; Straight to the wine cooler I flew in a flash, Only to see all the cracked glass! The sparkle and crackle of glass in the door, Created a wonderful...
November 2010
5 posts
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In this clip, I review 3 wine accessories considered for my online wine store: 1) Santa Wine Bag 2) Slate Cheese Board 3) Snowglobe Stopper Two of these items passed with flying colors, while one did not do so well. View the clip to see which item failed and therefore, will not be sold in the online wine accessory shop, SecretWineFinds.com
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Win a Holiday Wine Gadget!
I’ve just launched the Secret Wine Finds Giveaway (Sweepstakes) for all of my friends and fans to enjoy! I am very excited about this launch since it comes just in time for the holiday season, which is all about enjoying good food & drink with family and friends! Here’s the best part: The first 50 fans to enter will receive a free gift from SecretWineFinds.com!
Grand Prize:
...
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The Pregnant Wine Blogger
I found myself in a bit of a predicament recently. I guess you can call me the Pregnant Wine Blogger (at least for the time being). Yes, now you know what it is - I am expecting!
But what I wasn’t expecting was for this master plan of mine to happen so quickly. The master plan was to gather a vast quantity of posts and footage, map it all out ahead of time and post throughout my pregnancy,...
September 2010
1 post
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WINE PRESERVATION TIP: How to keep wine tasting as fresh as the day you opened it - up to a week later!!
*The wine gadgets reviewed in this video are available at SecretWineFinds.com
August 2010
6 posts
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Ancient Wine Preservation Technique
Ancient Preservation Technique Video.
One segment of a recent test I conducted which focused on AFFORDABLE wine preservation methods. This particular method focused on the ancient methods where olive oil is poured on top of the wine, so that it floats on top and then can be poured via a spout on the bottom. I didn’t have the necessary tools, but still managed to give it a taste! Watch the...
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If you ever get hint of ‘pencil eraser’ in your wine, the industry...
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I received a bottle of wine from a friend that I was downright scared to taste, since it looked just like a large bottle of cologne. After getting past the fear of what it would do to my tastebuds if swallowed, I took a sip and was very surprised!
Find out what region bottles of this shape come from…
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Dana Dibble from Riverhaven Cellars (Oregon) is one of the most informative and down to earth vineyard owners I have ever met. He is not only a wealth of knowledge when it comes to agriculture in general, but makes splendid wines as well. In addition to his own Riverhaven Cellar wines, Dana also grows grapes that are highly sought and purchased by other Washington and Oregon wineries. Here is a...
July 2010
8 posts
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Bastille Day Pairing:
Chicken Provencal & Cotes de Provence Le Cengle Rose
– This pairing is like heaven - simply put, the two were made for each other
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Many knife accidents are the result of dull blades…watch this video to see why this man chooses to wear red gloves when sabering his bottles! (Don’t worry- Nobody gets hurt here!)
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Sneak Preview: A Boxed Hit!
Wine: PepperwoodGrove Chardonnay*
Price: $19
Volume: 1 box = 4 bottles!
Release Date: July 2010
Container: Box ( A Big Green One)
Blend: 88% Chardonnay, 10% Chenin Blanc and a splash of Viognier
When you think of boxed wine, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For some its college or high school parties, when the point was to have fun and get plastered, with complete disregard for...
Fun Fact: During my 4-day Washington wine experience, I tasted 300+ wines.
– Next blog post: How spitting saved my life!!
June 2010
5 posts
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Guess what I paired with my Japanese pork cutlet dinner…
Hint: It’s harder to say than Tonkatsu
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