Happy holidays!

1.  Many quality wine makers produce more affordable versions of their top-of-the-line wines.  Ask at a wine shop for “second label” recommendations.

2.  Find a wine by-the-glass that you like in a restaurant.  If it sells for $40 a bottle there, you can usually find it in a store for half that.

3.  Throw a tasting party.  Ask guests to each bring an under-$20 bottle and find what’s best.  It’s fun and everyone gets great recommendations.

4.  Explore new territories.  Australia makes great cabernet and zinfandel, while Washington and Oregon are good for lighter wines like pinots.

5.  Don’t turn your nose up at screwtop bottles - some contain great wine.  (But they are bad for storage, so drink up after opening.)

Photo from FineLiving.com.

On Monday, January 5th, we will put out our call for nominations in fourteen different categories, and this is your chance to nominate the food and drink blogs that you think are the best of the best.  The nominations period will close on Friday, January 9th, 11:59 pm, EST, giving you five full days to nominate your favorite blogs.  Any nominations after that period will not be considered.

On January 19th, we will post the Top 5 nominations in each of the fourteen categories.  These spots are decided by our judging panel, and only blogs nominated the week before will be considered.  The amount of times a site is nominated does not have any bearing on its placement, it only puts it in the running.

Once the top 5 sites are announced for each category, the voting begins.   Voting will be open from Monday, January 19th until 11:59 pm EST on Friday, January 23rd.  You will have five full days to vote for your favorite site, determining the winners. The winners will be announced on Monday, January 26th. 

During the rest of this pre-Food Blog Awards time, we will be unveiling our distinguished panel of judges, the official rules of the Food Blog Awards, and the list of prizes donated for the winners from our very generous sponsors.

Go on and spread the word … and let the fun begin! ]]> http://thespiritworld.net/2008/12/15/2008-food-blog-awards-kick-off/feed/ http://thespiritworld.net/2008/03/26/the-health-benefits-of-drinking-wine/ http://thespiritworld.net/2008/03/26/the-health-benefits-of-drinking-wine/#comments Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:37:42 +0000 Cate O'Malley News & Views Did You Know? http://thespiritworld.net/2008/03/25/the-health-benefits-of-drinking-wine/ We can rationalize anything.  Or it certainly seems that way sometimes, doesn’t it?  Dark chocolate is good for us for its antioxidant properties, and there are proven health benefits to drinking wine.  All things in moderation, of course.  The American Heart Association’s research says that there are health benefits from “moderate wine consumption,” which is defined as one to two four-ounce glasses a day.

Need more info?  In a recent Food & Wine article, they extolled the specific benefits.

Promotes longevity.  Wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than beer or spirits drinkers.

Reduces heart-attack risk.  Moderate drinkers suffering from high blood pressure are 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack than nondrinkers.

Lowers risk of heart disease.  Red wine tannins contain procyanidins, which protect against heart disease.

Reduces risk of Type 2 diabetes.  Moderate drinkers have 30 percent less risk than nondrinkers of developing type 2 diabetes.

Lowers risk of stroke.  The possibility of suffering a blood clot-related stroke drops by about 50 percent in people who consume moderate amounts of alcohol.

Cuts risk of cataracts.  Moderate drinkers are 32 percent less likely to get cataracts than nondrinkers; those who consume wine are 43 percent less likely to develop cataracts than those drinking mainly beer.

Cuts risk of colon cancer.  Moderate consumption of wine (especially red) cuts the risk of colon cancer by 45%.

Slows brain decline.  Brain function declines at a markedly faster rate in nondrinkers than in moderate drinkers.

Photo courtesy of Morgue File.

Raspberry Champagne Spritzer

6 strawberries, diced, plus 8 beautiful whole strawberries for garnishing
6 tablespoons raspberry sorbet
15 mint leaves, torn apart
1 bottle brut champagne or prosecco

Slice the whole strawberries vertically, just halfway up to the crown.  Set aside to use as garnish.

Just before serving, place a tablespoon of sorbet in the bottom of a champagne flute.  Place the mint leaves and some chopped strawberries in the glass and pour in the champagne, being careful not to fill it so much that it froths over.

Garnish each glass (makes 4 to 6) with a sliced strawberry and serve immediately.

Looking for the perfect cocktail for Valentine’s Day? Try this one:

Tickled Pink
Take 2/3 glass of champagne and pour X-Rated over it.

Doesn’t get much simpler than that, and it sounds like the perfect way to begin an evening of romance. If that doesn’t do it for you, you can find many more pink treats right here.

Bottoms up!

Photo courtesy of X-Rated.

These Wine Lovers Gift Tags run $13 for a pack of 50, and come in various shapes and sizes and even include the ribbon for tying it to the wine bottle.  They might just add a little bit of humorous conversation to the next party to boot.

Myth:  A screw cap means the wine is cheap.
Fact: Some of the world’s most forward-thinking wineries are using screw caps these days.  They’re easy to open and reclose, and they preserve the wine longer.

Myth: Older wine is better.
Fact:  Most wine sold today isn’t meant to be aged.  If it’s from a reputable source, it’s safe to assume that it’s ready to drink.

The average cost of corkage around the country is about $25, which is infinitely more reasonable, but even those establishments that have reasonable corkage fees, they, perhaps surprisingly, come with their own set of rules.  One of the more popular restaurants in San Francisco, Michael Mina, for example, has a two-bottle limit with their $35 per bottle fee, and the bottles that you bring can’t be something that they have on the house list.  That certainly makes sense, and if you’re planning on bringing your own bottle of wine to your next dinner reservation, it’s a good idea to call ahead to inquire as to the restaurant’s fee and their own individual rules.  You know, “know before you go,” and all that.In her recent Corkage article, Lettie shared seven cheap corkage spots for your drinking pleasure:

Where to Go

Metro Marche, New York City ($10).  This bus-station brasserie has good food and cheap corkage.  625 Eighth Avenue, 212-239-1010

Sip Sak, New York City ($13).  Great Turkish food and a low corkage fee.  928 Second Avenue, 212-583-1900

Dehlia Lounge, Seattle ($15).  Corkage here is just $15, as it is at all of Tom Douglas’s restaurants.  2001 Fourth Avenue, 206-682-4142

Market, St. Helena, California ($15).  Corkage is free on Tuesday nights at this friendly diner.  1347 Main Street, 707-963-3799

Charlie Palmer Steak, Washington, DC ($25).  If you bring an American wine, the corkage is free; otherwise, it’s $25.  101 Constiutution Avenue NW, 202-547-8100

Naha, Chicago ($25).  There are lots of great corkage spots in Chicago, but this restaurant also has terrific food.  500 North Clark Street, 312-321-6242

Michael Mina, San Francisco ($35).  This top restaurant has a great wine list and a fair corkage fee as well.  335 Powell Street, 415-397-9222.