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Wines We Tried (and Loved!) This Week

YumSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:30:05 PST

In some ways, sipping the world's wines can be a hopeless endeavor; there's so much wine out there that we could sample wine all day long and still get nowhere near tasting everything. That doesn't mean we won't try! From an Italian Prosecco to once-in-a-lifetime 1983 Château Mouton Rothschild, here are some memorable wines we quaffed this week, as well as reasons why we loved them.

5 Sparkling Wines We Can't Wait to Drink on New Year's

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:25:04 PST

Why is it that we so often squirrel away sparkling wines for so-called special occasions, only to dig them out of the cellar at year's end? This will always remain a mystery - but this week, our inner opportunist is looking on the bright side. After all, there are a bevy of bubblies to be enjoyed right now!

We subjected ourselves to the toil of breaking through bottle after bottle to discover some of our favorite sparkling wines (for any budget!) to enjoy on New Year's Eve - or, of course, any time of the year. Click through to see them all - and share your sips with us. What'll you be drinking come Dec. 31?

A Primer on How Champagne Is Made

Katie Sweeney — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:25:56 PST

Recently, while sipping a glass of excellent Champagne, I had a horrible realization. I know nothing about the way Champagne is produced! Sure, I can read the label, pair it with food, and select a decent bottle, but when it comes to the hard-core technique that is the Methode Champenoise, I know very little. Naturally, I decided to learn all about it and share the process with you:

It begins like any other wine making procedure: the grapes (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay) are harvested, pressed, and the juice is placed in vats.
Next yeast is added. The yeast reacts with the sugar in the grapes, and this produces alcohol. This takes about six months. At this point, the wine is flat. Thus, begins the second fermentation process that turns it into bubbly.

Keep reading for the rest of the Champagne-making method.

Red Wine Lovers, Vote For Your Favorite Wine!

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:32:16 PST

Red wine is romantic, complex, at times intense, relaxing, and delicious - all qualities every great lover should have. We know this question may be a little bit hard to answer, given that each type of wine is quite different from one another, but we're still going to ask. If you had to choose one type of red wine as your favorite, which would it be? Vote for your choice below!

What Is Your Favorite White Wine?

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:12:56 PST

Many red wine lovers discredit the crisp, fruity flavors in white wine, but here at YumSugar, we are equal-opportunity wine drinkers. White wine varies tremendously from bottle to bottle and we want to know where your preference lies. Do you stray toward sweeter whites like Rieslings or do you prefer a drier white like a Chardonnay? Vote for your white wine preference below.

5 Wines We Tried (and Loved!) This Week

YumSugar — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:58:18 PST

In some ways, sipping the world's wines can be a hopeless endeavor; there's so much wine out there that we could sample wine all day long and still get nowhere near tasting everything. That doesn't mean we won't try! From a Spanish Rias Baixas Albariño to an Australian Cabernet blend, here are five memorable wines we quaffed this week, and why we loved them.

What Do You Know About Wine Pairings?

Susannah Chen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:50:17 PST

I'll start off by saying that pairing wines with food can be subjective. But over the years we've talked or listened to many culinary experts and sommeliers - from Rick Bayless to Peter Marks.

At tastings, festivals, dinners, and food events, these authorities have shared their knowledge of the art of wine pairings.

Since I trust the know-how they've gleaned over the years, here's a quiz on tips for pairing nibbles with sips. So pour a glass of your favorite Sauvignon Blanc or Cab, and take this wine pairing quiz. When you're done, raise a glass to learning something new!

Take the Quiz

For the Best Wine Deals, Now's the Time to Buy

Susannah Chen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:25:02 PST

Sure, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over - but for all you wine lovers out there, you should know that right now's still the time to get the best beverage deals.

According to Ray Isle, executive wine editor for Food & Wine, when it comes to Beaujolais - especially Beaujolais Nouveau! - you should buy it right after Thanksgiving. Beaujolais Nouveau, that unaged red that's the first of the harvest in the northern hemisphere, is most anticipated when it's first released the third Thursday of November, and its bright, fruity flavors make it a popular part of the Thanksgiving meal. But Beaujolais Nouveau, which is meant to be enjoyed immediately, shouldn't be kept into the New Year, so it's quickly marked down to keep it flying off shelves.

You might be surprised to hear that bubbly is discounted this time of year, but according to Isle, sparkling wine has major discounts during the holiday season as well. The important thing to note is timing: "There are big Champagne markdowns until two weeks before Christmas," he reminded me at a New York City Wine & Food Festival seminar.

With so much holiday entertaining on the horizon, it makes sense for many of us (myself included!) to stock up now. Where have you spotted wine discounts recently?

The Holiday Wine Lover's Tech Guide

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:43:19 PST

With the holiday party season nearly in effect, you can count on dozens of dinner parties and family gatherings. Naturally, these occasions call for a bottle of wine worth celebrating. Whether you're playing host and looking for the right food pairing or searching for the perfect bottle of red as a "thank you" to the hostess, check out our list of apps and gadgets to keep you swishing, sniffing, and sipping throughout the season.

Hello Vino - This free app for iPhone and Android devices packs an encyclopedia's worth of wine knowledge into you smartphone. Search for wine of all price points based on food pairing, taste, occasion and region. Naturally, there's a social aspect, allowing you to share wine discoveries with like-minded friends via Facebook and Twitter.
Snooth - There may be more social networks out there than one person can keep up with, but Snooth is a community catering exclusively to the oenophiles of the world. Use Snooth to interact with wineries, industry insiders, and fellow aficionados on everything from the history of a specific grape varietal to the best finds in coastal Greece to pairing recommendations for a Summer cookout.
Cooper Cooler Rapid Beverage Chiller ($70) - We'll admit it, we've gone for a subpar white wine at the grocery store just because it was already chilled. Never put convenience in front of quality again, with this beverage chiller, which will get wine bottles down to the proper temperature in six minutes. Add a tray of ice cubes, some water, press a button and let the machine work its magic. Can beer drinkers aren't left out either, as the gadgets adds chill within a quick one minute.

Three more must haves for techie wine drinkers after the break.

10 Exceptional Thanksgiving Food and Wine Pairings

Susannah Chen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:09 PST

This year, don't spend countless hours deliberating over what should go into your Thanksgiving food spread only to overlook what you'll be drinking; after all, the wines served can make or break your turkey day feast.

For the ultimate holiday food and wine pairing guide, we consulted wine expert Eugenio Jardim, who offered his favorite accompaniments for every classic dish, from mashed potatoes and gravy to pumpkin pie. Want to be sure this year's your best Thanksgiving ever? Then keep reading for some of Eugenio's suggestions.

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