If you are going to be visiting Tuscany you are in for a lot of fun. One of the biggest problems that you will run into is what activity you want to take part in next. There are a few things that you want to make sure that you do not miss while in Tuscany. One of these "must sees" are the many food and wine tours that have become famous in Tuscany. If you are in the area you will want to go on at least one of these tours. They are tons of fun, and at the same time you will have the chance to learn a lot as well.
There are two different types of tours that you can take while in Tuscany. You can either opt for a food tour that usually consists of visiting farms, or you can look into a wine tour. Either way you will have the chance to see how the food and drinks of this area are produced.
The great thing about a food or wine tour is that you will be led through the area by a guide who is familiar with the culture. Regardless of what language you speak you should not have any problems finding a guide who you can communicate with.
Many people prefer to soak up the atmosphere when going on a food or wine tour, and for this reason they do not want to take their own transportation. If this sounds like you, your best bet is to find a tour that offers a car or other vehicle driven by your own personal guide.
Remember, there are many different types of food and wine tours that you can go on while in Tuscany. Before you book any tour make sure that you are fully aware of what is available. You may find out that you can book many other activities that correspond with your tour. This allows you to see more of Tuscany than you ever thought possible.
If you are going to be in Tuscany you need to set some time aside for a food and/or wine tour. They are fun, educational, and delicious!
by Robert Palmer
Build Your Own Wine Cellar
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Surprising Facts about Dessert Wine
Napa" means a land of plenty. This part of world is full of rivers, migrating birds especially waterfowls and the valley of greeneries with plenty of wildcats, elk, black bear and grizzlies. But the most precious asset of this valley is the winegrapes.The early visitors like George Calvert found the valley's wine grape productivity skill. He took the initiative to harvest wine grapes in this valley in 1836.The other main pioneers of this project were John patchett the first person to plant vineyard commercially along with Hamilton Walker Crabb,who researched with over 400 species of grape.
If you want to spoil your sweet tooth right after every meal, you can opt to enjoy the whole meal and end it with a delectable dessert wine.
Dessert wines refer to wines that are generally served after meals together with the desert. However, this particular kind of wine can also be gulped on its own -- that is even without those sugary desserts. Examples of popular dessert wines are "trockenbeerenauslese," "Sauternes," beerenauslese," and "Tokaji Asz?."
To learn more about dessert wines, here is a list of some facts about these delightful and extremely sweet wines:
1. Dessert wines are mainly produced from special fruits that were left to ripen on the vine. The main purpose of this is to make the flavor stronger. The kinds of fruits used in making dessert wines are the ones that define the overall taste or flavor of the wine.
2. In the United States, dessert wines generally contains 14% alcohol, though, it may contain than 14%.
During the ancient times, dessert wines were primarily used as "table wines." For this reason, ancient dessert wines only contain 12.5% alcohol or less. This means that the alcohol content is so mild that you can almost drink it as a substitute for water or any beverages during meal.
3. The more ripened the fruit is, the more alcohol is generated when produced into dessert wine. Most of these wines are classified as "dry" and "unfortified" or those that were not combined with spirits like brandy. The inclusion of spirits during the fermentation of the wine is the process of fortifying the wine.
Adding spirits at the early stage of fermentation results to a sweeter wine. However, its alcohol content is raised to as much as 15% to 20% upon the swift concoction of alcohol.
However, there are unfortified wines that can still reach up to 15% alcohol content. These kinds of wines, like the "Zinfandels," are charged with higher tax rates.
4. Not all dessert wines are alcoholic beverages. Many dessert wines contain lower amount of alcohol content. Most of these non-alcoholics or with low alcohol content wines are those from Germany. These kinds of dessert wines contain the slightest amount of alcohol or only goes to as much as 8%.
Given all these facts, dessert wines aren't just wines suited for desserts, as its name suggests. With their remarkable features, the possibilities of enjoying dessert wines are definitely endless.
If you want to spoil your sweet tooth right after every meal, you can opt to enjoy the whole meal and end it with a delectable dessert wine.
Dessert wines refer to wines that are generally served after meals together with the desert. However, this particular kind of wine can also be gulped on its own -- that is even without those sugary desserts. Examples of popular dessert wines are "trockenbeerenauslese," "Sauternes," beerenauslese," and "Tokaji Asz?."
To learn more about dessert wines, here is a list of some facts about these delightful and extremely sweet wines:
1. Dessert wines are mainly produced from special fruits that were left to ripen on the vine. The main purpose of this is to make the flavor stronger. The kinds of fruits used in making dessert wines are the ones that define the overall taste or flavor of the wine.
2. In the United States, dessert wines generally contains 14% alcohol, though, it may contain than 14%.
During the ancient times, dessert wines were primarily used as "table wines." For this reason, ancient dessert wines only contain 12.5% alcohol or less. This means that the alcohol content is so mild that you can almost drink it as a substitute for water or any beverages during meal.
3. The more ripened the fruit is, the more alcohol is generated when produced into dessert wine. Most of these wines are classified as "dry" and "unfortified" or those that were not combined with spirits like brandy. The inclusion of spirits during the fermentation of the wine is the process of fortifying the wine.
Adding spirits at the early stage of fermentation results to a sweeter wine. However, its alcohol content is raised to as much as 15% to 20% upon the swift concoction of alcohol.
However, there are unfortified wines that can still reach up to 15% alcohol content. These kinds of wines, like the "Zinfandels," are charged with higher tax rates.
4. Not all dessert wines are alcoholic beverages. Many dessert wines contain lower amount of alcohol content. Most of these non-alcoholics or with low alcohol content wines are those from Germany. These kinds of dessert wines contain the slightest amount of alcohol or only goes to as much as 8%.
Given all these facts, dessert wines aren't just wines suited for desserts, as its name suggests. With their remarkable features, the possibilities of enjoying dessert wines are definitely endless.
by Barry Lans
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Exploring Wineries in Ithaca, New York
Although most people look to the West Coast for the top wineries in the United States, New York has a lot to offer the wine enthusiast. Exploring wineries in Ithaca, New York, is a good way to verify this.
Exploring Wineries in Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, a small town located in western New York, may not seem like the place to go for great wine. A closer look, however, shows that Ithaca is located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, a region that is known for producing some of the United States' best wines. New York wines are gaining in popularity - due to the different varieties of wines and blends that are produced here. The climate and soil is excellent for growing grapes, and Ithaca winery excursions are becoming a large part of many tourists' vacations in the area.
One of the most popular winery exploration packages in the Ithaca area is offered by Finger Lakes Winery (315-828-6289), based out of nearby Geneva, New York. Finger Lakes Winery offers many different forms of transportation for your experience; including stretch limousines, cars, buses, and trolleys. The company is willing to pick you up from any spot in New York State (although most people choose to stay in the Finger Lakes region). The company is also willing to create a custom private experience for you and your group, and can accommodate groups that are large or small in size.
When touring the wineries of western New York, you have a choice of several different "wine trails". The Seneca Wine Trail is most often recommended to people who only have a short amount of time to see the area. There are over 30 different wineries that are located on this trail, and each of them is open and willing to do tastings for groups. Many different varieties of wines are produced on this trail, and you will be able to taste all of the different types from the region while visiting this area. The Cayuga Wine Trail is a bit more relaxed - here, you can take the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Finger Lakes region as well as see the vineyards.
The Keuka Wine Trail includes eight wineries, but some of these are the most well known of the area. Your trip on this trail starts with a horse drawn hayride through a vineyard, and you will learn about the wine making process while riding. Additionally, you can enjoy the scenery of beautiful Keuka Lake (one of the few "Y" shaped lakes in the world) as well as stopping at world renowned wineries Bully Hill and Dr. Frank.
Experiencing all of the wineries in Ithaca, New York, can't be done in a single day, so if you want to see all three of the wine trails, you will need to spend quite some time here. Of course, the beauty and surroundings of the Finger Lakes make a longer vacation here very enjoyable.
by Xavier Moldini
Exploring Wineries in Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, a small town located in western New York, may not seem like the place to go for great wine. A closer look, however, shows that Ithaca is located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, a region that is known for producing some of the United States' best wines. New York wines are gaining in popularity - due to the different varieties of wines and blends that are produced here. The climate and soil is excellent for growing grapes, and Ithaca winery excursions are becoming a large part of many tourists' vacations in the area.
One of the most popular winery exploration packages in the Ithaca area is offered by Finger Lakes Winery (315-828-6289), based out of nearby Geneva, New York. Finger Lakes Winery offers many different forms of transportation for your experience; including stretch limousines, cars, buses, and trolleys. The company is willing to pick you up from any spot in New York State (although most people choose to stay in the Finger Lakes region). The company is also willing to create a custom private experience for you and your group, and can accommodate groups that are large or small in size.
When touring the wineries of western New York, you have a choice of several different "wine trails". The Seneca Wine Trail is most often recommended to people who only have a short amount of time to see the area. There are over 30 different wineries that are located on this trail, and each of them is open and willing to do tastings for groups. Many different varieties of wines are produced on this trail, and you will be able to taste all of the different types from the region while visiting this area. The Cayuga Wine Trail is a bit more relaxed - here, you can take the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Finger Lakes region as well as see the vineyards.
The Keuka Wine Trail includes eight wineries, but some of these are the most well known of the area. Your trip on this trail starts with a horse drawn hayride through a vineyard, and you will learn about the wine making process while riding. Additionally, you can enjoy the scenery of beautiful Keuka Lake (one of the few "Y" shaped lakes in the world) as well as stopping at world renowned wineries Bully Hill and Dr. Frank.
Experiencing all of the wineries in Ithaca, New York, can't be done in a single day, so if you want to see all three of the wine trails, you will need to spend quite some time here. Of course, the beauty and surroundings of the Finger Lakes make a longer vacation here very enjoyable.
by Xavier Moldini
Exploring Barossa Wineries Down Under
With a name like Barossa, your taste buds should be tingling with anticipation if you are going to make the trip to Australia. Here is some information on exploring the wineries of Barossa that will help you set up your trip.
Exploring Barossa Wineries Down Under
The Barossa Valley in Australia is home to many different wineries and vineyards. Australia is relatively new to the wine making world, but more and more varieties and wineries from this country are becoming popular in the US and Europe. Known for introducing the world to the red wine known as Shiraz, Australian vineyards are producing wines that are rivaling those from the Napa Valley in California, and even those that come from France. Barossa wine excursions are a great way to explore this part of Australia, and enjoy some of the wines that this area has to offer.
One company that has spent years introducing wine enthusiasts to the Barossa Valley and surrounding areas is Barossa Vintage (+61 8 8524 5353), located in Lyndoch, Barossa Valley. Barossa Vintage offers chauffeur driven excursions to the many wineries in the area, as well as packages that include accommodations or transfers to and from the airport in the region. The company will be happy to help you arrange accommodations in one of the many bed and breakfast establishments located in Barossa Valley, or if you've booked a room already, they are willing to pick you up from any area spot in Barossa Valley, Adelaide or Adelaide Hills.
Most of the packages offered by Barossa Vintage take place in their roomy Kia Carnival (a minivan type of vehicle) and can range from a short half day to a custom full day event. The half day package will take you to at least three wineries in the Barossa Valley, and include either morning or afternoon tea. This is a good way to get a glimpse of the wineries available in the area, but most people opt for a full day outing in order to enjoy all of the wineries and tastings Barossa has to offer.
A full day excursion starts out with a morning tea, which is provided by the local Lyndoch Bakery (known for their fresh baked cakes) and also includes a "bistro lunch" where wine can be purchased by the glass. You will be able to see at least four different wineries while on the full day excursion, and you will be able to taste some of the many full bodied red wines produced here, as well as some white wines and even fortified wines (such as port). Additional stops can be arranged to see different parts of southern Australia aside from Barossa Valley. These stops can include seeing the McLaren Vale wine area or the Clare Valley wine area.
The Barossa Valley of Australia is fast becoming a popular destination for wine lovers from all over the globe. If you enjoy the full bodied taste of an Australian red wine, then this trip is for you.
by Xavier Moldini
Exploring Barossa Wineries Down Under
The Barossa Valley in Australia is home to many different wineries and vineyards. Australia is relatively new to the wine making world, but more and more varieties and wineries from this country are becoming popular in the US and Europe. Known for introducing the world to the red wine known as Shiraz, Australian vineyards are producing wines that are rivaling those from the Napa Valley in California, and even those that come from France. Barossa wine excursions are a great way to explore this part of Australia, and enjoy some of the wines that this area has to offer.
One company that has spent years introducing wine enthusiasts to the Barossa Valley and surrounding areas is Barossa Vintage (+61 8 8524 5353), located in Lyndoch, Barossa Valley. Barossa Vintage offers chauffeur driven excursions to the many wineries in the area, as well as packages that include accommodations or transfers to and from the airport in the region. The company will be happy to help you arrange accommodations in one of the many bed and breakfast establishments located in Barossa Valley, or if you've booked a room already, they are willing to pick you up from any area spot in Barossa Valley, Adelaide or Adelaide Hills.
Most of the packages offered by Barossa Vintage take place in their roomy Kia Carnival (a minivan type of vehicle) and can range from a short half day to a custom full day event. The half day package will take you to at least three wineries in the Barossa Valley, and include either morning or afternoon tea. This is a good way to get a glimpse of the wineries available in the area, but most people opt for a full day outing in order to enjoy all of the wineries and tastings Barossa has to offer.
A full day excursion starts out with a morning tea, which is provided by the local Lyndoch Bakery (known for their fresh baked cakes) and also includes a "bistro lunch" where wine can be purchased by the glass. You will be able to see at least four different wineries while on the full day excursion, and you will be able to taste some of the many full bodied red wines produced here, as well as some white wines and even fortified wines (such as port). Additional stops can be arranged to see different parts of southern Australia aside from Barossa Valley. These stops can include seeing the McLaren Vale wine area or the Clare Valley wine area.
The Barossa Valley of Australia is fast becoming a popular destination for wine lovers from all over the globe. If you enjoy the full bodied taste of an Australian red wine, then this trip is for you.
by Xavier Moldini
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Making Red Wine
Of the number of wine types available on the market, red wine is considered as one of the best. It comes in a number of types though, but all are produced following a single process. For instance, red wine is made from black grapes, with its color drawn from the skins of the grapes.
Throughout the creation of red wine making, the selected grapes will be place on the grinder. At this point, the skins of the grapes will be shatter efficiently on the grinder. Depending on what type of wine is done and the tannin that has required, the stems do or they are utilized or are rejected on this point. After that, the grapes are put in a vat of fermentation with the skins. This procedure will take longer, taking several weeks to complete. Additional color and tannin will be extracted of the grapes when it is used on a top temperature.
The entire grapes use is sealed fermented vats when making the softest wine. The carbon dioxide that trapped in the vats on the additional value becomes sealed ferments the grapes under the difficulty that is normally a quick procedure, carrying only few days. You consider, it is based how lengthy the fermenting procedure takes between the color and tannin content of the wine. But when the fermenting procedure takes a long moment, then the wine becomes usual more taste and color hold.
So as to remaining loaded with the grapes it will pass across a printing, having shattered to create a wine of tannic. Occasionally, tannic wine is added with more formation to the wine mixtures. It will take long one for the second fermentation, although it puts emphasis on the value and the taste of the wine.
When the tanning wine is being crushed, the enduring size of the grapes will go through a press. Tannic wine is added more formation and added with an open run wine on the way to combine. Then it will move to the barrels or tanks for a second fermentation from the press and vat wine. It will take long for the second fermentation even though the taste from the wine brings out the excellence.
A least of a year in the barrels will spend all types of fine red wine. Other red wine will spend a few more years in the barrels and spend a lot more time. Red wine is also fine tuned with egg whites, which the yeast and some solids found in the wine will suspend earlier than the wine is racked, filtered, and finally bottled. When it is bottled, the wine will be transport and advertise on the market. Several of wines stock up a period of time in the bottle before it is presented to the market.
By: Dirk Blurd
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Dirk is the owner of The Wine Site , At this site you can find a wealth of information about wines, its types, as well as the art of wine tasting. You also find a lot of ideas about wine racks and other great wine gifts.
Make Your own Wine
Throughout the creation of red wine making, the selected grapes will be place on the grinder. At this point, the skins of the grapes will be shatter efficiently on the grinder. Depending on what type of wine is done and the tannin that has required, the stems do or they are utilized or are rejected on this point. After that, the grapes are put in a vat of fermentation with the skins. This procedure will take longer, taking several weeks to complete. Additional color and tannin will be extracted of the grapes when it is used on a top temperature.
The entire grapes use is sealed fermented vats when making the softest wine. The carbon dioxide that trapped in the vats on the additional value becomes sealed ferments the grapes under the difficulty that is normally a quick procedure, carrying only few days. You consider, it is based how lengthy the fermenting procedure takes between the color and tannin content of the wine. But when the fermenting procedure takes a long moment, then the wine becomes usual more taste and color hold.
So as to remaining loaded with the grapes it will pass across a printing, having shattered to create a wine of tannic. Occasionally, tannic wine is added with more formation to the wine mixtures. It will take long one for the second fermentation, although it puts emphasis on the value and the taste of the wine.
When the tanning wine is being crushed, the enduring size of the grapes will go through a press. Tannic wine is added more formation and added with an open run wine on the way to combine. Then it will move to the barrels or tanks for a second fermentation from the press and vat wine. It will take long for the second fermentation even though the taste from the wine brings out the excellence.
A least of a year in the barrels will spend all types of fine red wine. Other red wine will spend a few more years in the barrels and spend a lot more time. Red wine is also fine tuned with egg whites, which the yeast and some solids found in the wine will suspend earlier than the wine is racked, filtered, and finally bottled. When it is bottled, the wine will be transport and advertise on the market. Several of wines stock up a period of time in the bottle before it is presented to the market.
By: Dirk Blurd
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Dirk is the owner of The Wine Site , At this site you can find a wealth of information about wines, its types, as well as the art of wine tasting. You also find a lot of ideas about wine racks and other great wine gifts.
Make Your own Wine
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