The phrase, “all wine improves with age” is not entirely true. There are only a few red and white wines that truly get better with age. The wine aging process is completely dependent upon the presence of tannins which help slow the oxidation process. Tannins are the result of the grape skin, and oftentimes seeds, fermenting with the grape juice to create better aging potential. Lighter, fruitier wines are not meant for aging.

Red Wine Aging

Many red wines, with proper storage, really do get better as they age. Wine makers often use the entire grape in production which increases the amount of tannins in the fermentation process. Wine makers monitor the level of tannins present by manipulating the “cap” created when the grape’s skin rises to the top of the juice. Tannins become less bitter as sediments form at the bottom of the bottle. The maturity of a wine can be gauged by the presence and amount of sediment present. Wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux, for example, will improve and mellow for up to 15 years, while Zinfandel and Pinot Noir will age well for up to 10 years after the vintage date.

White Wine Aging

Most white wines should be enjoyed while they are young and fresh. The tannin compounds present in red wines are absent from the majority of white wines. White wine’s juice is pressed out of the skin before fermentation, which accounts for it’s lack of color and tannins. High-end vintage Champagne’s, Fine German Rieslings from Rhine and Mosel, and the best Chardonnay’s all display an increase in richness and complexity after a few years of aging while other white wines such as Petit Chablis should be consumed within a year of purchase.

Young wines full of tannins can be undesirably bitter and often undrinkable. When aging wine, it should be placed on its side in a dark, cool (55 degrees) place for a few years and gradually, the tannins youthful astringency will mellow. Once the wine is past its prime, it gives off a more amber hue.

The good news about aging bottles of wine is that in most cases, you don’t have to! Most bottles are pre-aged and meant to be enjoyed when uncorked! Please visit our website for more of the ins and outs of learning about vino! Wine Beginners is the ultimate source of information and recommendations for the aspiring wine enthusiast. Thanks in advance for visiting our site!

What is the optimal temperature to serve White Wine? This is one of the most commonly asked questions by beginning wine drinkers and shoppers. Temperature is crucial when looking for a true sense of a wine’s body and flavor.

White wines are typically served chilled (unlike reds which are best served warm). This is often a good rule for beginners.

A common understanding of the word “chilled” will greatly enhance the beginner’s enjoyment. The optimal temperature to serve white wine is usually between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. More specifically, some whites (rich whites like chardonnay) are best at the higher end of this range. Other whites (like tart whites) are best served at the lower temperature range. Sparkling whites should be served more in the middle of the temperature range.

It is important to note that variations in wines such as tannins, percent of alcohol and fruit content affect the necessary temperature to serve white wine. For this reason there is still much debate on the subject.

Compare this recommendation with the average refrigerator temperature, which is 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Most refrigerators are, in theory, too cold for directly serving white wine out of. White wine served straight from a home refrigerator may taste dull or bland. At the very least, it will be difficult to distinguish fruit or oak flavors when it is too cold.

Check your refrigerator’s interior temperature if you are unsure. Purchase a thermometer designed for the inside of a refrigerator.

Alternatively, you can pour a glass of liquid that has been thoroughly chilled in your refrigerator. Then, test the liquid with a liquid thermometer. (Make sure it’s able to register low temperatures.). This will give you a better idea of your own home refrigerator’s internal temperature.

Other factors also affect the temperature. Some sections of your home refrigerator are cooler than others (like the top shelf versus the bottom shelf or the shelf versus the door). You may want to test different areas of your refrigerator to find the spot with the most optimal temperature for storing white wine.

It’s likely that your refrigerator will be much cooler than 40 to 55 degrees. If so, wine growers recommend letting the bottle sit in room temperature for a few minutes (or more) before serving. This will allow the temperature to rise to the appropriate range and the flavors to be brought out before serving.

Serving white wine at the correct temperature will allow the consumer to better distinguish flavors.

http://trueblueridge.wordpress.com The True Blue Ridge blog covers news, events, wine, food, and attractions of the Cascade Highlands, a true blue ridge destination of North Carolina and Virginia. The region is home to Mount Airy (known as “Mayberry” on The Andy Griffith Show), the highest peak in Virginia, the New River (the second oldest river in the world) the Blue Ridge Parkway, an emerging Yadkin Valley wine region, and frankly, we are the birthplace of bluegrass music.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with the size of your Christmas list and already daunted by what to get, especially for co-workers and bosses, Gift-of-the-Month Clubs offer a unique gift giving solution.

The Wine Club featured is one gift-of-the-month club that’s sure to delight both your co-workers and your boss. The most discerning wine lover is sure to love the two bottles of handcrafted wine that they will receive every month with membership in the Wine Club. Wine connoisseurs taste test dozens of rare, handcrafted wines taken from independent wineries and boutiques worldwide.

Only award-winning wines are selected to become part of the Wine Club. Depending on the tastes of the wine lover on your Christmas list, you can choose for them to receive both red, both white or a bottle of red and white each month when you buy them membership in the Wine Club. Your unique and personal gift will be shipped with a personalized gift announcement and each month your wine lover will receive a wine lover’s newsletter. There’s nothing for your gift-recipient to do – you choose whether they will receive red or White Wine and we choose only the very best wines for their pleasure. It’s a hassle free gift that keeps on giving.

The Flower Club is a great way to brighten your co-workers and bosses homes or better yet, a great desk top item to enjoy every day in their office. Floral experts choose our extraordinary monthly selections of exotic and seasonal arrangements. Flowers selected for the Flower Club are guaranteed fresh and fragrant each month. Flowers chosen also have to meet our demanding criteria of being exquisitely beautiful and a delight to the senses. Express delivery ensures maximum longevity.

Membership in the Flower Club includes a personalized gift announcement with the first shipment, free shipping every month and a monthly newsletter for the flower lover on your Christmas list. Membership in the Flower Club is guaranteed hassle free since your gift recipient doesn’t have to fill out any postcards or choose their flowers. Save yourself time and the hassle of shipping for the perfect gift by buying a membership in the Flower Club for your co-workers and bosses.

The Flower Club offers four distinct club types. There is a three month, six month, twelve month and Flower-of-the-Season Club that offers flowers specifically for each of the four seasons. Like the Wine Club, the Flower Club offers four club types as well. Both clubs are 100% guaranteed to satisfy the co-workers and bosses on your Christmas list. It takes only minutes to order your Gift of the Month Club for the coworkers and bosses on your Christmas list.

Gift-of-the-Month Clubs was provided by the web site http://www.VeryCleverGifts.com – Orders for the clubs can be made online at the web site. Scott Moger is an International Entrepreneur and author. He is CEO of E-Max, Inc. (EmaxVentures.com) and is publishing an e-book on international Internet marketing and will include a profile of the websiteshttp://www.ownapieceofamerica.com – favoritefreebies.com, and ownapieceofamerica.us as well as others. Mr. Moger also writes under the nom de plume of Jack Torrington and Jonathan Plight.

White wines, although sometimes dismissed by red wine aficionados, can be the elegant companion to a fish dinner. Compared to red wine, white wine tends to be slightly sweeter and lighter, and usually is served with less complex fare. However, on occasion a glass of white wine is welcome even to the most dedicated red wine drinkers, if only to remind them of the wide variety of tastes and textures that a single grape can produce. Surprisingly, while many white wines are best in their youth, a few rare breeds get better with age.

Pinot Grigio has become one of the most readily identifiable white wines. The grape used to produce Pinot Grigio is a mutated version of the darkly complex red wine Pinot Noir, giving Pinot Grigio a slightly weightier taste than other white wines. Comparable to the sensation of inhaling the vapors of a burbling freshwater river, Pinot Grigio initially presents with a smooth, feathery taste. A perfect accompaniment for very delicately spiced food, such as a perch or sea bass dish, this wine will not overwhelm the flavor of the fish, but will contribute to an overall feeling of joviality and camaraderie. Pinot is best drunk soon after bottling.

Due to the tenacity of the grape from which it is produced, Chardonnay is enjoyed worldwide. Known for its dryness and slightly fruity highlights, this wine pairs exceptionally well with saltier meals, including pork and garlic dishes. Some vintages emphasize Chardonnay’s buttery flavor. Usually best when served during its youth, Chardonnay provides an elegant balance for a rich meal.

In certain specialized regions of the world, Chardonnay can be refined into what is arguably the finest wine, the white burgundy. Depending on the particular vintage, a white burgundy will become more flavorful and complex with age. Such varieties as Grenouilles, Les Preuses and Blanchot are best after ten years, and make exquisite additions to a meal of sauteed trout. For the most memorable experience, a fine white burgundy is best stored in a specialized wine refrigerator, which will maintain a specific temperature and minimize vibration.

Many connoisseurs will agree that an occasional foray into the realm of White Wine will enrich the senses. As always, however, the quality of the wine is ultimately enhanced by the caliber of the company drinking it.

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