The Spirit World

The festive period is nearly upon us and, as the drinks begin to flow during the ultimate party season, how can you be sure that your Christmas party shines brighter than the rest? Throwing the perfect party and making sure your guests have a good time is always stressful but worry not because help is […]

Snooth, the cellar management/wine tasting note resource, has just introduced Group Pages where you can find in-depth information about your favorite wines. Explore the Grapes, Regions and Wineries as well as the Stores they are available in. Individual Group Pages offer detailed information you can rely on to help guide your purchasing decisions. As their tag line explains […]

Honestly there are few things in this world as creepy or disgusting as the anatomy of an eyeball. Remember the scene from Hostel? I still can’t watch that one because my eyes are too near and dear to my livelihood and just the thought of an eye popping out of the socket creeps me out.
As […]

Packing wine bottles for transport is simple with the correct supplies. When packed correctly, your wine collection is sure to arrive at its destination safely.
Materials needed:
Box with dividers - You can purchase these from moving companies or get them free at wineries, liquor stores, grocery stores, and restaurants.
Shipping tape
Wrapping paper or bubble wrap
Packing peanuts or […]

Do you know your Chardonnay from your Chablis? Your Loire from your Mosel? If you don’t, or even if you do and want to increase your knowledge of wine at no cost, then check out the following three quizzes.
Test your general wine knowledge over at Tom Cannavan’s Wine Pages. There are 20 questions in each […]

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most versitile of wines when it comes to matching with food. Whether your bottle comes from the hills of Sancerre or from the coast of New Zealand the style of the wine is easy to match with food.  
My favourite ‘wine with food book’ - What To Eat With What You […]

One of my favorite pastimes — when I have the time — is to page through old old cookbooks and try out recipes to sample the taste of ages past. In particular I have always been fascinated by the beverages: the shrubs, cordials, non-grape wines, syllabubs and such. More intriguing among these are the vinegars […]

My latest artist pick (wine under $10/bottle) is the 2005 Castle Rock Petite Sirah. Grown in the Russian River Valley of California where well drained soils and a fog cooled climate offer ideal growing conditions, this medium-bodied lush wine with juicy berry, mocha and candy apple on the nose is on the verge of jammy […]

It’s been said before (because it’s a great pun and very true), but again, simple syrup is simple – Dissolve equal parts (sometimes 2:1) sugar and simmering water and allow to cool.
It doesn’t have to be that simple, not when adding just a little mint, lavender, ginger or even eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Martini pictured) can jazz […]

I attended a tasting recently which reminded me to keep an open mind when it comes to the wine world.
The Kiwis don’t have a monopoly when it comes to making great sauvignon blanc. Sauvignon from the Loire in France is often dismissed unless it has a Sancerre label. I tasted a wonderful 2006 Touraine sauvignon […]