Everyone's Blog Posts - Wine To The Face

RARA for ZAZA

2009-10-31T23:26:53.714Z

Zaza Puchilia of the Atlanta Hawks recently bought Eno Restaurant in Atlanta. Planning to stock it with Georgian (the country) wine, Zaza joins the list of Celebrity wino's. I am fifty on fifty on Georgian wine. With out a quality assurance program in place similar to the old world regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Chianti, consumers are forced to assume the risk of an international market constantly under political duress. Will Atlantaites pass over the corporate sprawl for an international experience?

Antonio Banderas Does Wine

2009-10-17T20:37:12.496Z

Antonio Banderas has bought into the winery Anta Banderas. I have not scene their wines here on the west coast, but I am intrigued by anything from Ribiero Del Duero in western Spain. He seems to blend Cabernet and Merlot with the usual Tempranillo. In short... new world wines from an old world source.

How to Remove Wine Stains From Clothing

2009-07-19T19:47:17.402Z

1.) Blot dry with a paper towel on both the front and back of stain. Note to self: Do not push hard because this will make the stain worse 2.) mix a small amount of laundry detergent (no bleach) with hydrogen peroxide in cold water and dunk the stain for one to two hours. 3.) If stain is still present, sprinkle kosher salt or baking soda over the stain and let sit for a few minutes. Wash away the salt with a damp cloth. 4.) Once complete with steps one to three wash normally with a washing machine in cold water.

Wine Tourism in Douro Valley... wine tour on 1st October to 5th 2009

2009-07-08T18:51:11.501Z

Wine Tours to the Douro Valley and Vinho Verde Wine Regions Associated with Vitoria Koi Limited, Portugal Next trip, primarily by UK wine-trade visitors, envisaged as being from: Thursday, 1st October ~ Monday, 5th October 2009. Programme Subject to convenient Outward & Return Flights – TBA. 1st Day (Thursday, 1st October 2009) Flight arrivals (from UK / Europe) to Oporto by all visitors must arrive ready for departure before or by 12 Noon. 13:00 hrs – LUNCH Special Charter Minibus (with seating capacity for up to 22 people plus luggage & driver) to take visitors to Oporto (northside of river Douro) to Maré Baixa Restaurant (c/o Antonio) to arrive by 1.00pm. 14:30 hrs Visit to Offley Port Lodge (by prior arrangement). 15:30 / 16:00hrs Douro river boat trip – up and down river to river mouth & back. 17:00 hrs Charter Minibus to take visitors to Aguas Hotel, Mondim de Basto for night. [Douro Valley boys to Quinta do Fundo, Mondim de Basto]. 21:00 hrs Optional excursion to see Senhora da Graca on mountaintop. 2nd Day (Friday, 2nd October 2009) 11:30 / 12:00 hrs Charter Minibus to take all visitors (inc. their luggage) to visit Joclara Vinho Verde vineyards and winery / entertainment complex. Tasting followed by BBQ lunch. 16:00 hrs Visit to Casa St. Eulalia, producers of Vinho Verde wines. Vineyard & winery tour, followed by tasting of Casa St. Eulalia Branco, Plainas Branco, Plainas Rose and Plainas Tinto with snacks. 17.30 hrs Charter minibus driver to take all visitors to Hotel Rural, Flor do Monte, Alto Douro. 20:00 hrs Dinner in dining room for visitors to meet Victor’s family & associated winemakers. Wine Tours to The Douro Valley and Vinho Verde Wine Regions Associated with Vitoria Koi Limited, Portugal 3rd Day (Saturday, 3rd October 2009) 09:00 ~ 10:00 hrs Leisure activities 10:30 hrs Portuguese petanque 11:30 hrs 4x4 Jeeps arrive to take visitors on tour of vineyards followed by BBQ lunch on hillside. 15:00 hrs Visit to Bodegas – bare foot “treading of grapes” by all visitors + wine tastings, wherever possible. 17:00 hrs Return to Hotel Rural, Flor do Monte. 19:30 hrs Dinner at hotel. 4th Day (Sunday, 4th October 2009) 10:30 hrs 4x4 Jeeps arrive to take visitors to San Lorenzo – to see “thermal waters” and old-fashioned baths. Optional visit to see Jorge’s paintings in Chapel. 11:30 hrs 4x4 Jeeps drive to Tua station – to board riverboat for cruise on the Douro & Tua rivers. 13:00 hrs Lunch at café – opposite Tua railway station. 14:30 / 15:00 hrs Visits to Port wine farms & tastings, wherever possible. Rest of afternoon free. 19:30 hrs Dinner in hotel restaurant. 21:00 hrs Optional excursion to visit “floodlit town” Vila Flor” followed by visit to nearby mountaintop to see Senhora da Assuncao. Wine Tours to The Douro Valley and Vinho Verde Wine Regions Associated with Vitoria Koi Limited, Portugal 5th Day (Monday, 5th October 2009) 09:30 / 10:00 hrs Charter minibus returns towards Oporto – via Sao Bento da Porta – surrounded by the mountains of Peneda-Gerês National Park with the nearby Caniçada lake. Local market shops are close, for good selection of souvenirs or presents. 12 Noon Charter minibus drives to Hospedaria das Oliveiras restaurant,Guimaraes for lunch at 13:00 hrs. 14:15 hrs Charter minibus returns visitors to Oporto airport – for your departure to UK. ETA at Oporto airport = 15:00 hrs. A video that shows how great a wine tour can change your life. Thank you so much for your time. Big hug from Douro Valley. Victor Marques, Nicholas Collis and Bill Warry. Compiled & produced by: Senhor Don Nicholas Collis Vitoria Koi – Global Ambassador

PRESENTATION OF PORT WINE... Victor Marques Douro Valley

2009-06-22T22:25:54.229Z

Our port is divine The sky is light blue, The river still there for you, Horizon with candles waiting for the night, Presents and tears without a fight. Colored rainbow sleeps with the vines, Port ruby, tawny, white can combines. Lemon yellow or green is a good neighbor, Drink a port with aroma and flavor… A celebration and a very special moment at any time, Drink a glass of port and you will be fine, Don’t drink any other kind of wine, Just ours because is divine… Kindest regards from Douro Valley. Victor Marques

Douro Valley... Great Place..Victor Marques

2009-06-22T22:23:27.847Z

Thanks Bob for coming to Douro Valley.. One of my poems: Networking in a sunny day, Living along life in a very fresh way, Up the hills with your brave heart, You are made of love and fine art. Smile on your face, No colors, one race, Instant and kind care, Passionate and fair... With you the world is a better place, The flowers are positive and free, The horizon look at you and me, Happy sky, happy nature... Kindest regards from the best region for Port wine,,,Douro Valley. Your wine heart friend. Victor Marques

Douro Valley... Great Place..Victor Marques

2009-06-22T22:23:23.721Z

Keating Malbec... Best Malbec Outside of Mendoza

2009-05-31T16:51:17.744Z

It is hard to compete with Mendoza, but Keating Wines makes a killer Malbec that reminds me of the southern hemisphere. The grapes are sourced from rockpile in northern Sonoma and there is clearly a good amount of sun and heat in the wine. Fanatastic balalnce and fantastic stuff.

London International wine fair... 12th -14th May.. Victor Marques

2009-05-21T23:31:35.758Z

The London Wine fair it was for me a fantastic experience regarding my passion for wines and people! As a proud producer from Douro Valley arrived very early and parked the car! After a few minutes Nicholas Collis Join me at Excel Building. Carry on meetings with amazing people interested in my wines...Red Velvet, Xara, D.Paio Velho,Elite Marthas, Plainas and Piano . Alan Mayne and Martin Strauss came to join us in the afternoon and had a pleasant talk ...They are in Ecademy also. Some photos and lot of glasses of wine...only for taste with cheese... A very special bronze machine… please have a look... And my dearest friend Charles Metcalf that wrote the most amazing book regarding food and Wine.. Thanks a lot to everyone and I raise my full glass to the ones that love wine and love to helping people... Kindest Regards. Victor Marques www.vitoriakoi.pt www.flordomonte.com

Ridge, Cabernet/Merlot, Santa Cruz Mountains, 2004

2009-04-18T17:31:56.969Z

I have only been lucky enough to try some of Ridge's Zinfindel's and two different Syrah's, but no Bordeaux Verietals from Santa Cruz. This guy is dense and dark with lots of length that seems to stretch out for a good twenty seconds. What made it a cut above my usual Cabernet was the silky texture that can not be ignored. I drank it out of paper cups at an Indian Restaurant in the tenderloin in San Francisco and had trouble focusing on the meal.

Gary V Is Still Doing Stuff

2009-02-27T19:27:16.648Z

The in-your-face Jets fan, turned wine drinking icon, has just launched a TV show aimed at women in the 25-55 age bracket. Look out Opera, Gary V is comin' to get ya!! Read on

Poetry is people, good wines, feelings, hill sides, rivers..

2009-02-25T14:54:41.355Z

Poetry is a great way of showing yourself. . The major markets are dominated by fiction, self help, political and business books. Most new books of poetry sell fewer than a thousand copies and those that reach the tens of thousands are considered highly successful. . Most book publishers don’t even publish poetry anymore. So, I want to tell you that I network with my poems. Poetry is not, however, without its fans. I have been posting my poems in so many different social sites and networking groups. There is a small but thriving poetry community. There are also poetry festivals and poetry slams (competitive poetry events) that take place in some communities. The Internet is also a great place to show your talent to everyone…Did you receive one of my poems…! What you think about networking poems… Poetry is connected with your feelings, your soul. Your chances of making a living as a poet are not good as before. Poetry is people, wines, parties, positive spirit, and love. To be good poet is a much more subjective question. A good poet tell what he has inside, mere words can describe a situation in a sweet and honest way. I write poetry is because it is something I enjoy doing or at least it is something I get some sort of emotional or spiritual benefit from doing it. I have good reasons to write poetry. I want to express myself and join a community of people who like to do network and find friends for life. If you love to write poetry, do it. Always try to improve, but don’t worry about whether you are “good enough” or if you “have what it takes” because poetry is about the journey far more than the result. One of my poems… Every day is a new day… It doesn’t matter what you had in the past, The millions that for you can last, Your heart was broken in a different way. Our God just asks to you” stay and pray…” The old time doesn’t come back again with pain, Plant the seeds that you can in the same lain, So, without seeds flowers you can’t see, Be alive everyday with care and cosmic energy. Mere words can’t talk or describe, What you have everyday inside, Close your eyes and tell me what you see? A great smile always for free… Kindest regards. Victor Marques

Sisab 2009 Wine international food fair Lisbon 9th - to 11st February

2009-02-25T14:53:14.164Z

SISAB 2009 SISAB 2009 – International Trade Fair for Wine, Seafood and Agricultural Products – was Holden from 9 to 11 of February, 2009, in Lisbon, Portugal. It was the fourteenth edition of the initiative established by the international market as the “Biggest Annual Meeting” of the sector, specialized on export of Portuguese food and beverage products. SISAB 2008 witnessed a 40% increase of national and international presence and surpassed all the initial expectations of its organization. The space was filled in with the finest selection of the most important Portuguese companies of the following sectors: wines, soft drinks, fish and seafood, livestock, dairy products, confectionery, fruits, vegetables, organic products, etc. Vitoria koi wines were there with M.cunha, since in just two and a half days I was in contact with the main deciders of the 400 biggest Portuguese companies of the food and beverage sector. I materialize business deals in order to guarantee representation and promotion of Douro valley wines and products in the markets that i represent based on competitive advantages and quality of Vitoria koi products. Vitoria koi has been growing and we seek importers for wines, olive oil, honey, jams, Portuguese traditional products and lately with frozen food for catering.. Vitoria koi promotes Portugal and Douro Valley in a very strong and powerful manner: tourism in Flor do Monte Hotel and with Barca Douro on the river Douro. We are also in cork business from 2 generations’, cork stoppers for great wines. Welcome to Portugal and Douro Valley. I Will be happy to meet you one day and share a full glass of D.Paio velho Wine. Warmest regards. Victor Marques www.vitoriakoi.pt www.flordomonte.com www.barcadouro.pt www.ecademy.com

Wine Tourism in Douro Valley

2009-02-25T14:51:23.417Z

Wine tourism in Douro Valley Firstly, let's keep it simple. If tourism is simply the provision of goods and services that attract tourists, then 'wine tourism' is the same but has the added influence of wine. Wine tourism is not only associated with cellar door wineries, rather all business that are involved in the wine, tourism and associated industries with the wine region. This includes accommodation houses, rural hotels, and tour operators with trips on the River Douro. Gift shops, national parks, restaurants, farms of port wine to visit, wine tastings on the boat. Let’s raise glasses of great wines and enjoy every second of our precious life. Is clear We can focus on attracting tourists to our wine regions in my case to my lovely Douro Valley and improve business and target specific customers to our region. We integrate wine with quality food in a fantastic way. Food plays an important part in adding to a region's ambience and unique character. . Identifying and consistently delivering a unique wine experience is what We do in Douro Valley. Flor do Monte Hotel is the right placed in Douro Valley for food and great wines. A visit and a taste in a port wine farm that start producing wine in 1736. Quinta da Cuveta is where you will enjoy a port with some goat cheese. Many innovative products and experiences are being professionally promoted offering tourists an ever-increasing range of options in Douro Valley like: gastronomy days, net walking, sunsets views, thermal waters, networking events, international events fishing, horse riding, golf, trip on the boat in River Douro. I Raise my full glass of wine to all the wine lovers all over the globe. Kindest regards from Douro Valley. Victor Marques www.flordomonte.com

Introduction to Mendoza's Uco Valley

2009-01-19T17:23:36.505Z

Mendoza has become a household name for even non wine afficianados, but no one knows the sub districts off hand unless you have travelled to the land closer to Santiago Chile then Buenos Aires and the rest of Argentina. Of all the sub districts in Mendoza, the Uco Valley is has the highest elevation and the most prestige. Wineries are still filling out the desolate mountain ranges and are planting mostly Malbec for the world's pleasure. The higher elevation means the skins and roots of the grape plants have to struggle more and develop thick skins and stalks that add to the complexity of the grape juice. The color is as dark as any wine in the world and has a flavor profile similar to Australia's fruit bomb Syrah, just with out the sugar. The Uco Valley reminds me that Malbec, like Petit Verdot, originated as a grape used for color in BOrdeaux and thirves in high altitude. Argentina Malbec's are great, but the Uco Valley brings out the best.

International wine challenge 2008 London... our wine red velvet was bronze medal...

2009-01-14T10:35:40.394Z

Douro Valley is a fantastic place for viticulture and producers are victims of the portuguese paradox, despite being one of the most important and oldest wine region. Douro valley its not only Port wine,, in 2 years time Touriga nacional will be a target for wine lovers...All the wines from Douro start to appear in international markets. I really believe that we dont have a steady strategy of marketing the excellence of our great wines... The wines need the love of everyone and time to be ready...like networking is question of time... The International wine Challenge London 2008 it was great for us...Red Velvet reserva 2004 was BRONZE MEDAL. Today i was in Douro Valley and talked with my fantastic team...I said to them:" Next year i want a silver medal!" They said no Mr. Marques, we want the golden medal..." Can you believe this from a small producer that compete with 296 different wines from all over the world.... Great grapes, but a very special touch from Mr. Valter Silva made this great wine RED VELVET 2004 RESERVA. Warmest regards from Douro Valley. Victor Marques

Appalachian Apropos

2008-12-29T02:56:29.972Z

After hitting the trail near sundown, lugging tons of gear uphill, and without much idea how far away The Trail was...we settled into a makeshift clearing and called it camp. Dinner was heating up, fennel chicken sausage and fusilli with peas, what better time to help lighten the load than by breaking into the vino. When I purchased Waters Crest Merlot in the East End I was nervous, the tasting room was in a strip mall -- last time I get snooty about that. It was gloriously raw, like the rich earth we had plunked ourselves on.

We then bit into Osborne's Porto. While tasty next to the stove, I must suggest a pairing with a day's long trek and an open fire.

A Recession Hits, but a Stronger US Dollar Means European Wine is Less Expensive

2008-11-27T16:19:26.871Z

The current economic woes are bad and all, but check out how the US Dollar has strengthened against the Euro since the summer. Although the move has only made up some of the ground lost against the Euro over the last five years, that Mouton Rothschild should be roughly 30% less expensive than it was in July.

KO Prime in Boston Needs Better Wine Glasses

2008-11-27T16:22:29.930Z

KO Prime is one of the better restaurants I have eaten at in Boston, but for such a swank place the wine glasses were too small. I need room to swirl and really get my nose in there. No such luck. I should have ordered more Sam Adams.

I Go All the Way To MenDoza - And This Website has All the Wines I Was not "Allowed" to Ship Home

2008-11-18T12:02:52.216Z

Vines of Mendoza has... 1.) 40 wines I have only scene available before in Argentina 2.) Argentina wines classified by local growing district and not just "Mendoza" 3.) UNfortunately - A viscious shiping cost of roughly ten dollars per bottle. Final verdict - If you are willing to throw down forty bucks a bottle for killer Malbec, sure - it makes sense. For the rest of us - the twenty dollar highly distributed big producer Malbec for twenty bucks makes more sense.

7 Places to Find Wine Discounts When Buying Online

2008-11-12T21:44:37.387Z

Holiday season is almost upon us and there are plenty of places to find wine discounts online. While we all drink 2x more wine, here are a couple places I've found that will help you save money when buying wine online. Many online wine retailers will be offering free shipping, plus flat or percentage discounts on wine purchases. Here we go: RetailMeNot - Wine - My favorite of all the online coupon sites. Browse by vendor. Nice looking pictures too. AnyCoupons - Wine - Online coupons for buying wine online. CouponMountain - Wine - and more discounts Wine.com Online Discounts - Get discounts at Wine.com My Wines Direct Online Coupon - Coupon Codes at My Wines Direct Wine Rack Discount Coupons - Discounts on all types of wine racks from multiple vendors Free Shipping on Wine - Find free shipping deals on wine Anyone know of any other specials?

Yulamba

2008-11-12T05:20:43.680Z

Anyone familiar? I fell in love with the shiraz....love a dry wine...

Oh look - a post about Obama

2008-11-07T19:56:48.295Z

The Morning After “What an election”, she sighed – rolling over. That obama was something else. “Huh? Oh, yeah – definitely”, Duncan wasn’t really paying attention very well – his thoughts were elsewhere, not terribly far, but not there with Alison, her newly cropped jet black hair or her obama. On his way to work in the 30x bus from the Presidio on down to Montgomery St. there were still seats available, and he was lucky enough to get a spot next to some fairly quiet and pleasant smelling people. Until, just after the “woof-woof” ring of an iPhone, “Oh my God, I know it’s like a totally black President – like finally”, shit, he thought as it continued, “hey so are you going to the obama on Sunday?” missing the other half of the conversation, “Oh definitely, he’s obama.” Okay, off the bus, up the elevator, turn the wrong way towards that investment bank and not his office, a bagel and some obama with milk – amazing. He settles in, checks his work email and his gmail, he prints an email his brain feels will make more sense if he can hold it. The sun sets at four o’clock, in his interior office it’s either dark save a desk lamp or a blinding 1.21 giga-watts of fluorescent light. His right chino’s pocket vibrates and scares Duncan – again. “YO! Buddy, I have a king’s thirst - let’s go get some obama’s at the bar.” Duncan is pretty tired by this point, but what the hell. Chicken strips, Anchor Steams, French fries, an obama-ginger, an obama break on the patio and it’s time to head home. If I never did that after work, I don’t think I’d miss anything – but its fucking obama. At the clack of the latch the Australian shepherd flies around the flat, “Obama! How was your day boy?”, kneeling to scratch behind the dogs ears and the bathroom door creaks producing Alison just out of the shower, clean but exhausted from the day. “obama rub?”, “sure, let me put my things down and take an obama first.” After a dinner of obama and potatoes they listened to some obama then went to bed and obama’d – as Duncan’s mind was leaving for the night Alison whispered, “do you ever think about getting obama’d and having obama’s someday?”

Odd combo

2008-11-05T01:55:40.198Z

Good Combo: Sauvignon Blanc + Spicy Doritos + Dill Pickle Dip. Maybe its just me.

new Fav!

2008-11-02T02:54:23.067Z

Cooralook Pinot Noir.. Au Mm m m .. good! .an "oak woody" tase and smell with that "fresh from the wine barrel taste that I personally love" 8-) A new winner for me.

Ode to.... Second Job?

2008-11-01T21:56:13.691Z

Last weekend I went back to Behreins and HItchcock for the first time in twelve months. The wines are still as big and beefy as red wine can get. For the second time in twelve months I was blown away with a style of red wine that is that much more real than the rest of Napa's overly oaked Cabernet's. Like Grape? Out of the eight bottles I tried last Sunday the Ode to Picasso has as much grape character as any Behreins wine. I cannot afford to drink it every week, but it is a four times a year bottle.

A Simple Wine Pairing Chart.

2008-09-23T01:30:05.889Z

I am just starting to get into cheese, but I found this chart to be helpfull. Wine type is on the left. Asti Spumanti - baby swiss Beaujolais - US brie, feta, muenster Bordeaux - havarti Cabernet Sauvignon - US brie, camembert, strong cheddar, Danish blue Champagne - vintage brie, mild cheddar, chevre, colby, edam, gouda Chardonnay - mild cheddar, gruyere, provolone Chenin Blanc - camembert Gewurztraminer - boursin, caraway, chevre, swiss Madeira - bleu Riesling - cheshire, colby, edam, gouda, monterey jack Rioja - strong cheddar, havarti Sancerre - goat cheese Sauternes - gorgonzola Sauvignon Blanc - strong cheddar, gruyere Sherry - bleu Sherry, sweet - vintage brie Port, Tawny - bleu, roquefort, stilton Vouvray - goat cheese White Zinfandel - cream cheese Zinfandel - muenster

Another Point for Cork

2008-09-17T21:22:08.033Z

( CC BY-NC-ND, Mmm...Fiber! Flickr) Corks rule, thank you Umbra

A Quick Trip to Croatia

2008-09-13T23:07:54.224Z

After needing an inexpensive white wine to open after four tremendous bottles, I casted a nervous eye on the Krizevci, Grasevina, 2006. I have not had much Croatian wine, but I tend to find the whites better than the reds. I love Croatian Zinfindel, but they do not stand a chance against the Zinfindel's of California. Grasevina is the Croatian wine for Zinfindel, but this wine is not as heavy as a Riesling from Grrmany or Washington State. Very light in color and acidity it will be hard to not like this wine.

Twenty Bucks for Marsalla!!? Atleast the Wine List is Legit

2008-09-12T00:08:00.183Z

Some observations on Gaylord's Indian Restaurant in downtown San Francisco: 1.) It is expensive. We are talking 20 bucks an entree. (I may have read through the check three times in disbelief). 2.) It could be the best Indian Food in the city. We are not talking overly experimental - like Dolsa in the MIssion, which was just plain wierd. It is simply fresh ingrediants and chefs who care. 3.) The Wine List is legit. Notice "Wine List" is capitalized. Granted I am jumping head first into Corporate America, but I was very excited to see a Jordan Cab and a Stags Leap Syrah. The Chilean Cabernet for ten bucks at any other Indian restuarant was thankfully not included. No Kingfisher this time!