Another little tid bit for those interested:Even though French wine laws are very strict, oftentimes dictating what variety of and how grapes used for wine are grown, and even aging requirements, there is nothing in French law that requires them to use French oak barrels to actually age the wine.

Most French Oak comes from one or more of the forests that were planted in the days of Napoleon for shipbuilding. Five primary forests used for wine barrel production are Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Trancais and Vosges.

So this is from a wine calendar that I have, from yesterday, regardless that it is supposed to be a “wine horoscope” for a Virgo, I think it can be said it has some truth to it:

How many bottles are gathering dust in your cellar because you’re afraid they might not be ready to drink? It’s your nature to want things to be in order and correct, but remember there’s no single optimal moment to drink a wine. And besides, if you wait too long, you just might end up with nothing but a lot of wine that’s over the hill. Better to drink too young than too old. DO: allow yourself that glass of wine at lunch; it makes the food taste so much better. Don’t spend too long vacillating over which wine to buy at the store. You can always go back for the one you left behind.

Hmmm. I guess that means I should probably start drinking the more than 80 bottles of wine I have huh?

Your loved ones may be hundreds of miles away, but a new invention from students at MIT might allow you to nonverbally communicate. The idea, high tech wine glasses that glow using white and red LED lights when a person picks up the cup or puts it to their lips to take a sip.

Less like wine glasses and more like large tumblers, “Lovers Cups” were created by Jackie Lee and Hyemin Chung, who were both looking for ways to have nonverbal communication with their loved ones in Taiwan and Korea. In short distances the glasses can communicate with each other with wireless connections within the glasses, but farther distances require communication over an Internet or mobile phone connection.

“Wine is a living liquid containing no preservatives. Its life cycle comprises youth, maturity, old age, and death. When not treated with reasonable respect it will sicken and die.” Julia Child

“What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch?” W.C Fields

“I have enjoyed great health at a great age because everyday since I can remember I have consumed a bottle of wine except when I have not felt well. Then I have consumed two bottles.” Bishop of Seville

“In victory, you deserve Champagne, in defeat, you need it.” Napoleon

“Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.” William Shakespeare

“I can certainly see that you know your wine. Most of the guests who stay here wouldn’t know the difference between Bordeaux and Claret.” John Cleese (Basil Fawlty), Fawlty Towers [“Claret” is an English term for red Bordeaux.]

“By comparing what we know today with what the ancients appear to have known we can guess at the kinds of wine they drank.” Alec Waugh

“Burgundy for Kings, Champagne for Duchesses, and claret for Gentlemen.” French Proverb

“I like Champagne, because it always tastes as though my foot’s asleep.” Art Buchwald

“When a man drinks wine at dinner, he begins to be better pleased with himself.” Plato

“Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.” Alexander Fleming

[at his first sip of champagne] “Come quickly! I am tasting stars!” Dom Perignon

“Men are like wine - some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.” Pope John XXIII

“My dear girl, there are some things that are just not done, such as drinking Dom Perignon ‘53 above the temperature of 38° Fahrenheit.” James Bond in Ian Fleming’s Goldfinger

The next time you go to a wine tasting remember this simple rule: do not wear perfume or cologne. Why? The answer is quite simple, wearing a perfume or cologne that is very aromatic can interfere with the ability to smell the wine. As we have seen in previous articles and blogs, the sense of smell affects the sense of taste. If you are unable to properly smell a wine, chances are good you will not be able to taste the wine well. And what is the point of going to a wine tasting if you can’t properly taste the wine?

We are very excited to let you all know that in the next week or so we are going to be adding some new products to our inventory! We are adding a nice line of hand made steel wine racks in a variety of sizes and styles. Along with these new wine racks we are also pleased to be able to add a variety of hand made glass cork stoppers as well! We hope that you will enjoy these new products as much as we do and we are hoping to have them up and ready for sale as soon as possible!

Fortified Wine: the alcohol content of a particular type of wine is greater than what natural yeast fermentation could give. Wines are “fortified” to higher alcohol content by adding brandy or another neutral spirit. Originally port wine came from Douro valley in northeast Portugal. Examples of fortified wine are Port, Sherry or Madeira.

To make a fortified wine you must start with very ripe grapes, generally higher than 25 brix (sugar content). Low vigor yeast is used to extract maximum color and tannin from the grapes. After a few days when the sugar content drops to around 8 brix (measured using a hydrometer), a brandy or neutral spirit containing 80% alcohol by volume is added. Only enough is added to bring the alcohol content in the wine up to around 18%. This high alcohol content kills the yeast and after a few days the sugar level will be around 6 brix.

I’m sure this is probably already common knowledge to most, but if you are looking for really great decorative wine glasses Pier 1 Imports is the place to go. I don’t think I have ever seen to many unique and high quality glasses for such inexpensive prices. Whether you want clear or colored glass, stripes or polka dots, Pier 1 seems to have it all. My hand painted multi colored polka dot glasses are always a hit at dinner parties. And they are not that expensive either when you think of the quality you are getting. Starting out at roughly $4.00 a piece for the more decorative glasses you could have a collection of 8 beautiful festive glasses for around $32 that will be sure to have your guests talking.

I am always looking for new wines. Whether they are red, white, dry, or sweet I am always looking for new wines to try and add to my collection. Perhaps that is why I absolutely love going to wine festivals.

Wine festivals are held all over the world at various times throughout the year. These festivals are great not only because you get the chance to taste new and different wines, but also because oftentimes the vendors are selling their wines at discounted “festival” prices. Last year, Ken and I had the opportunity to attend a wine festival in the Business Design Centre in Islington, North London and never had so much fun. And because a lot of the vendors were selling their wine at discount, we left with 20 bottles to add to our collection.

I know, some of you are saying, well I live in the US, so where are the festivals near me? The best answer to that is the Internet. You would be surprised what a quick search can do.

Coming later in the week, we at Finest Wine Racks are going to be posting a new e-book for people who register with us to download as a gift!

I can hear some of you saying, “what’s an e-book and why would I want one?” Well the answer is simple, because our e-book offers a lovely essay pairing wine and food to create the perfect meal, as well as some delicious recipes to make at home! As well as an e-book, those who register will also get a coupon to use at our store! All this just for registering! So be sure to tell your friends about it and check back in a couple days it should all be up and running by then!