- Wine 101
- Wine Trivia Challenge
- Health & Fitness
- Recipe of the Month

January 2007

1 -- New Year's Day
15 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

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Strategy is buying a bottle of fine wine when you take a lady out for dinner. Tactics is getting her to drink it.
-- Frank Muir

Decanting a Wine

If you've been enjoying wine for any significant amount of time, you've most likely come across the term "decant" more than a few times. But, what does this actually mean and when is it necessary?

Apart from some very expensive red Bordeaux or port, you don't need to decant wine. Red wine used to be decanted in the old days when all red wines threw a sediment in the bottom of the bottle. Today, a majority of wine is filtered and made to be drunk within a few years so no sediment is formed.

On the other hand, you may have heard someone say they wish to let the wine "breathe" for a while. Letting a wine breathe means you deliberately expose the wine to the air. This has an effect on the wine's flavor as well as making the wine easier to smell.

However, just uncorking a bottle does very little to "mix up" the air and wine molecules. The small amount of surface area touching the air in the bottle neck will cause no real change in the wine -- even after a few hours.

This is where decanting enters the stage. Decanters are designed to expose large amounts of the wine to the air, to help the wine and air work with each other. This helps older red wines "wake up" and start to have a full aroma. In addition, a young wine from Bordeaux, Rioja, Tuscany or Napa Valley might benefit from a little air -- though many think a proper glass is decanter enough.

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Wine is bottled poetry.
-- Robert Louis Stevenson

Wine Trivia Challenge

Question #1: Air space at the top of a sealed bottle is called what? a.) Badinage b.) Arbitrage c.) Remuage d.) Ullage

Question #2: Oregon is particularly noted for which world-class wine? a.) Petite Syrah b.) Gamay Beaujolais c.) Chardonnay
d.) Pinot Noir

Question #3: Meritage is? a.) A reunion of two wine growing families b.) A mixture of two or more grape varieties c.) An award for best grapes grown in a region

Question #4: How many U.S. states have at least one producing winery? a.) 21 b.) 32 c.) 43 d.) All 50

Question #5: Fume Blanc is the same as? a.) Pinot Noir
b.) Pouilly Fume c.) Sauvignon Blanc d.) Blanc de Blancs

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If you trust Google more than your doctor then maybe it's time to switch doctors.
-- Cristina Cordova

Listen to Your Body

Here's a New Year's resolution that is very important, yet simple to keep: Listen to your body!

Whether you're feeling tired, anxious, depressed or "just not feeling right,” listen to what your body is saying.

You know yourself better than anybody. And, you need to be your own best advocate. If you are not comfortable or satisfied with the doctor’s advice, get another exam or a second opinion from another doctor. As many will attest -- this can save your life.

And if you feel great all the time -- good for you. You should still get a physical once a year or more depending on your age.

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Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.
-- W.C. Fields

Poached Pears in Gewurztraminer

Offered by Brit Elders from Shirley MacLaine website

Serves a couple of sweet lovers
Here's an easy, tasty recipe that I love as a light dessert anytime of year.

    Ingredients :
  • 2 pears, ripe but firm
  • 2 cups Gewurztraminer Eugene Meyer, Alsace wine
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup organic maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Whipped cream
  • Mint leaves
    Poaching the Pears :
  • Remove the bottom of the pear so it will sit flat in a pan
  • Set pears in the pan
  • Cover and bring to a boil
  • Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes until pears are tender
    Sauce
  • Remove ½ cup of the wine from the large saucepan and place in a small saucepan
  • Bring the wine back to a boil, and then turn the burner to medium heat.
  • Whisk in the maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla.
    To Serve
  • Place the pear in a shallow bowl
  • Spoon about a tablespoon of the sauce over the pear
  • Top with whipped cream
  • Garnish with mint leaves

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Veronique's Wine Club

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Each month, you'll try new vintages and rare editions of the best wines we carry. And, as a welcome gift with your subscription, you will receive an extra bottle of wine, FREE! [Currently a Champagne-style wine from the South of France]

Click here for more information.

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Wine Trivia Answers
#1. d. Ullage
#2. d. Pinot Noir
#3. b. A mixture of two or more grape varieties
#4. c. 43
#5. c. Sauvignon Blanc

This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary.