WINE STAIN REMOVERS......FOR YOUR TEETH!!!!!

Wine stain removers   for your teeth! Recently my friend showed me an ad in a magazine for wine wipes. We had a good chuckle over this. So I decided to do a blog about this product and in my searching on the net I found there are numerous brands out there. Something for everything & everyone! This product comes neatly packaged for carrying in your purse or pocket. It is a quick fix for removing wine stains from your teeth and mouth they say. I have been around alot of wine drinkers and never upon drinking a glass of wine with them have I noticed their teeth turning red. (or becoming stained) You can read the reviews  and see if perhaps this is something you would like to purchase. Of course it would be a great conversation piece to carry around on a night out! And if you can't wait to get to a place you can brush your teeth then you just might want to have these with you. 

WHICH WINE FOR EASTER DINNER?

If ham is on your menu for Easter dinner you may wish to serve a white wine with dinner. Chardonnay, Riesling or Gewurztraminer may be a good choice. These will smooth out the saltiness of the ham. 
If you are having a red meat such as prime rib you may like a Shiraz/Syrah or even a Bordeaux.  A Meritage would be a good choice. Well blended wine suitable for this menu. 
For those of you having turkey or chicken then you may like Pinot Noir, Syrah or Shiraz if red is your wine choice of preference. Some prefer Chardonnay with their turkey or chicken. 
Once again I believe it is truly in your preference of "which do you like"? Red or White? Just remember to enjoy your family, enjoy the time together. Relax, Sip, Reflect....and please do not drink and drive. Life is precious.
Salute'

Cakebread Wine...over the weekend..YUM!

Over the weekend I uncorked a bottle of Cakebread Cellars wine to share with a friend. A gift from another friend, I was saving it for a special occasion. I have had this delicious luxury several years ago when a friend of mine introduced me to the wines of California. I loved it then & I love it now!

Cakebread Cellars of Napa Valley had their first vintage in 1973. They produce world-class wines. I have been honored to have been given several bottles of their outstanding wine. I remembered well as I lifted that glass to my lips. When you have a luscious wine you can almost always recall the smell & taste even if it has been several years since it hit your palate. It was all I had remembered and more. The color bold & beautiful, deep & dark. Berry scents from blackberries to boysenberries. Touched with earthy scents & violets, soft and gentle. With hints of coffee & mocha. It was grand to drink of this fruit once again. The tannins were soft and silky. It is indeed still one of my favorites & I am touched to have been given this wine once again as a gift. For me it is a special occasion wine I would bring out for my friends....that is if I happen to receive another bottle as a gift! The alcohol content is 15.1% .It is made from 100% syrah grapes seasoned in French Oak barrels. I would love to go to a Cakebread Cellars tasting.....to me it would be like going to the spa...exciting then relaxing and refreshing at the same time!

RESVERATROL....HEART HEALTHY

SHOWN IS ONLY 1 SUPPLIER OF RESVERATROL...THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE
This blog relates to both my health blog and wine blog today so I am publishing it in both...guess it is just a lazy Sunday morning for me....

Red wine and something in it called resveratrol may be good for you. It is found in the skins of red grapes. For a long time red wine has been thought to be heart healthy if taken in moderation. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of good cholesterol and protecting against artery damage. Too much alcohol consumed can have damaging effects on your health. Still according to the Mayo Clinic doctors agree that something in red wine appears to help your heart. Researchers believe it is the flavonoids or resveratrol which is responsible for this and have heart healthy benefits for you. Antioxidants aren't the only benefiting factor in red wine for your body. It is also the alcohol content.


How is red wine heart healthy? Some studies show that red wine has even more heart health benefits than other types of alcohol while some other studies show that red wine is no better than beer, liquor or white wine. They still have not found that red wine is superior to any of these.


The studies supporting the red wine theory suggest the antioxidants called poylphenols will help protect the lining of the blood vessels of your heart. These antioxidants come in 2 forms flavonoids and nonflavonoids.

• flavonoids....found in oranges, apple, grape juice, onions, tea & cocoa. Red wine has higher amounts than beer or other alcohol.


• nonflavonoids...these appear to keep the arteries from blocking with fatty deposits. Studies though have only been done on mice...not humans. Resveratrol is the nonflavonoid which has drawn the most attention to the scientists.

Resveratrol might be the key ingredient in red wine which helps prevent damage to blood vessels , reduces bad cholesterol and prevents blood clots.

Resveratrol in red wine comes from the skin of the grapes used t o make the wine. Because red wine is fermented with the skin of the grapes longer than white wine this is the reason for higher content of resveratrol in the red as opposed to the white. You could of course eat grapes or drink red or purple grape juice but the content in red wine is higher because of the fermentation process. Blueberries, cranberries and peanuts also contain resveratrol.

How does alcohol affect your heart? Or benefit it?

• raises the good cholesterol levels


• reduces formation of blood clots


• helps prevent artery damage caused by bad cholesterol

Neither the American Heart Association or the National Heart Lung & Blood Institute recommend that you start drinking to prevent heart disease. Alcohol can be addictive and can cause other health issues. Drinking too much increases the risk of high blood pressure, liver damage, obesity, certain cancers, accidents and other problems. Even small amounts can cause heart failure in some people who have unnoticed health issues.

If you already drink red wine please do so in moderation. Moderate drinking is defined as 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled alcohol. The limit for men is higher because men are generally weigh more than women and have more of an enzyme which processes alcohol than women.

7 DEADLY ZINS

Schulenburg's vines, grubby with GREED,
Embrace Lodi's soil, to drink and to feed.
Oh Lord, forgive me my zin.
Secure in it's strength, weathered with PRIDE,
Standing like soldiers, the forest of Snyde.
Oh Lord, forgive me my zin.
Hearts filled with LUST, ole Maley's trees.
Court Lodi's sun, and flirt with it's breeze.
Oh Lord, forgive me my zin.
Good Bishofberger did raise some GLUTTONOUS beast,
Vines fattened like turkeys before Thanksgiving feast.
Oh Lord, forgive me my zin.
With the tilt of the glass, I commit seven zins,
Oh Lord, with your help... I'll do it again.
Indulge!

This is one of my all time favorite wines! Made from the old vines......This Zin was created by 2 brothers who decided to blend together the fruit of Lodi's finest vineyards. In the end 7 vineyards were picked superior to the rest and chosen for this wine....the brothers came up with this unique name relating to their Catholic upbringing and teachings of the 7 deadly sins. 7 old vine zins make up this outstanding wine. Try it you will be very satisfied I am sure. I owe this experience to my friend Paul who introduced me to many fine tasting wines several years ago.
Sweet plums and peppery notes and flavors of peppery, raspberry, blueberry with a touch of cinnamon delight your palate. With soft and silky tannins to make this a most pleasing wine for any occasion.
This is just 1 of the fine wines created by Michael~David Winery
read about more of their wonderful vine at the link provided!
Salute'

Rosa Regale...Rose Wine

Rosa Regale - Be Enchanted:

Another Valentine's Day Choice! Rosa Regale a dry, softly sweet sparkling wine which would go very well with chocolate. This wine is from Italy's Piedmont region. Floral...sweet....sparkling.....a bit of everything most ladies hope for on Valentine's day...."all in 1 bottle !" Go to their website and read how this wine came about! Pair it with some Godiva Chocolate and "WOW"! This wine is perfect for the celebration of a special occasion for even the occasional wine drinker who chooses just a sip or 2 of bubbly to celebrate!...Not a wine I would care to have on hand always....but for the right time to pull a bottle off the shelf...this one would be special.
So guys...(and ladies, too) when planning your special day to share with your special someone on February 14......(which is right around the corner) this is just another choice to have in mind......set the scene.....candles, rose petals, chocolate & a wine of your choice in nice crystal stemware...add a bubble bath and I will leave the rest up to you to finish the picture with your imagination....
Salute!

WINE & CHOCOLATE...2 of my favorite things!

Red wine & chocolate! Great combination! But did you know that chocolate can be great with the right whites also? Actually in my readings lately I learned that "certain" types of chocolate are best with "certain" types of wines. I had always been under the assumption that dark chocolate and red wine were best together. i will give you some examples I have found and am hoping to try soon. Perhaps our normal wine tasting will turn into a one time "Wine & Chocolate Taste" . I am going to suggest this to the ladies and see their thoughts on this. I will be now referring to Lindt chocolates, but other brands of your choice are just as worthy. Lindt has a bar EXCELLENCE which is 70 % cocoa goes great with MERLOT.
There 85 % cocoa is wonderfully paired with a
ZINFANDEL (perhaps a red). The EXCELLENCE "A touch of sea salt bar" is great with a RIESLING. And they have a CHILI bar which is told to be grand with PORT. Visit their website on the link provided above and see all the wonderful chocolates you can pair up with your favorite wines.

CHOCOLATE AND WINE TASTING PARTY
Go to the above link and see just how to throw a party!



CHOCOLATE WINE Chocovine
I found the link above for the Chocolate Wine on the right. This is definitely something I am hoping I can find at the store!
Above are just some fine Valentine gift ideas for the man who has no idea what to do...."chocolate is a great way to a woman's heart"...and a bit of "wine" ....oh my!

Rex-Goliath Shiraz Wine came to dinner

Rex-Goliath.....this was the New Year's Day wine Gaynor brought to dinner. I have just this morning read the back of the bottle (as I was way to busy yesterday preparing dinner and analyzing what I was drinking.) In a moment I will share my findings with you. But on the back of the bottle I have just read the "Legend of Rex-Goliath". At the turn of the century, HRM (His Royal Majesty) Rex Goliath was a treasured circus attraction. He weighed in @ 47 lbs. Rex was billed as the worlds largest rooster.
HRM Rex-Goliath winery of Woodbridge, California have given a tribute to Rex with their wines. Just like Rex, their wines have a larger than life personality. They also have big fruit forward flavors which are sure to please. Their direct quote is " Peppery and plummy, our wine is a demonstration of why the world has gone ga-ga over Shiraz."
Well needless to say if you have been following my blog since the beginning of its birth you will know Shiraz from Australia is my fav. WELL.....Australia you have a run for your money here! I am learning more and more with each sip of wine I take that Americans do know quite a bit about wine making. The color was a rich, deep burgundy which actually matched the fluffy robe I was wearing. The aroma was rich with goodness of what my nose tells me Shiraz should be. Upon the swirl legs were slow to come but upon their entrance they were thin and even around the glass...this I knew would have it be nice and dry (as I like) in my mouth. I tasted oak, pepper and berries. The wine was soft in your mouth not harsh and bitey. Tannins were low. All in all the bottle went down very well before, during and after dinner. (Yes I shared it!) Our dinner was a pork loin marinated in black pepper. Served with sauerkraut which cooked 5 hours in the crock pot with half an apple to take away the bitterness and when the loin was put in the oven to roast I added the kraut to the side of the same pan and cooked along with the roast. Cheddar cheese mashed potatoes were the side dish and appetizers were just veggies & dips with pretzels & foccacia crackers. Yummy, yummy....yummy! We ate, drank, ate & drank.....I have 2 slices and some kraut left for today and actually can't wait till dinner time so maybe it will be my lunch. However I do not have any of Rex left to enjoy...but I will in the future be purchasing a couple bottles for my wine collection. REX-GOLIATH
go to the link I have provided and see for yourself just how amazingly priced this wine is! It just goes to show that although an expensive wine might be quite tasteful and pleasurable you can get the same quality or perhaps even better in this bottle. Looks and pricey, classy is not always what it is cut out to be....remember this men (and women) when not only picking your wines but when picking your mate or partner or even a date. Just because a lady (or man) might like fancy, impressive items and have you shower her (him) with them...take a brief moment to actually look around you and see if perhaps someone just a bit simpler (or should I say...does not require all the frills in life....who knows how to have plain old fashioned fun and be happy with that), go for the entire package....not just for an attraction but for the one who not only satisfies your likings but also your wallet. With the money you save on expensive wines .....who knows...you might be able to take and extra vacation or 2 ! (sorry...I just went on rambling a bit....that's the writer in me....just sometimes can't stop these fingers!)

A Wide Variety to Choose From....

Different grape varieties are plentiful! I have always loved fruits, but since beginning this study in wine I find myself actually admiring each grape singularly. I had never noticed the depths of color or shadings of the colors in all my 58 years on this earth. I just would plop the luscious fruits in my mouth and enjoy. But now I find myself analyzing the structure of the grapes and thinking. (Of course when I point this out to some of my friends, I know they are thinking I have gone off the deep end!) My friends just look at me and smile. That is of course not the case of the friends who share this common interest of mine to learn about the fruit from the vine to the glass. I have decided to do a bit each day on each different type of grape in the wine making. I have learned there are some 24,000 varieties of wine grapes which Ampelographers believe these represent about 5,000 truly different varieties. Most varieties I have learned have numerous names depending upon the area they are grown. Of the 5,000 varieties only 150 are planted commercially and of the 150 varieties there are only 9 varieties considered classics.
WHITE GRAPES:

• CHARDONNAY
• CHENIN BLANC
• RIESLING
• SAUVIGNON BLANC
• SEMILLION

RED GRAPES:

• CABERNAT SAUVIGNON
• MERLOT
• PINOT NOIR
• SYRAH

Tomorrow or later today I will begin the study starting with the whites....In the mean time I will go have a nice bowl of red grapes with my granola this morning.
Chow!

WINE STAINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Have you ever had a party and once everyone left...you were left with wine stains on your carpet, counter tops and maybe your pretty white blouse or dress? It is bound to happen. I learned many years ago that if drinking red wine you should have a bottle of white wine or club soda close by, just in case. For the carpet and clothing if you have spilled or had someone spill red wine on it the white wine will work wonders removing the stain. Next choice would be club soda but I have found this does not work quite as well.
Then of course we have the counter tops and table tops which gather drippings. for laminated tops any all purpose cleaner which has a bit of clorox in it will do wonders immediately! Without any elbow grease!Let it set a few seconds and wipe and rinse. Mr Clean magic erasers are wonderful to have on hand for this!
Now with all the kitchen remodels being done with marble and granite counter tops, you need to get to these FAST! They are more porous and the stain will sink in deeper. Even if it is sealed. If the stone cleaner you have been using will not lift it out for you try this. Tap water can leave a residue so if you have any distilled water on hand wipe the stain with this and take some WHITE paper towels which have been folded into a padding and soak these with hydrogen peroxide. Cover in plastic wrap and tape down on the counter. Then say a prayer....chuckle....or maybe no chuckle....Seriously, after 1 day remove the plastic and let the towels sit on the stain and dry naturally. This may take another day. Remove, rinse and dry....you will be surprised at your results! I have cleaned houses for many years for a living, or should I say mansions, and this is what they had me doing and at the time I thought it was senseless...but it did work.....Sometimes there is nothing as good as the all natural way, not only in eating but also in cleaning!
Hope this helps you....I hope no one really has to use this information....try to keep all those luscious drops of wine inside the glass so you enjoy your party thoroughly!

Tuscan Wines

Tuscany is known as one of the most romantic places on earth. Is it because of the background scenery or is it because of the wines?........or might it be a blend of the two? Which ever you decide..... remember "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Wineries can vary in size from tiny farmed estates to the huge colassal firms. Which would you like to visit? I like quaint, old things....I can imagine myself going to the tiny farmed privately owned vineyard. I like a home feeling. I am not into overpowering estates. Although they may be nice or maybe nice is too gentle of a word. Being of Italian heritage I would just love to visit a small vineyard, sit in the Italian flower garden and look out into the fields at a distance while sipping my wonderfully made glass of wine. Taking in every moment around me...the air, the sun, the conversation and every taste of the grapes...to just totally loose myself in the moment of time and keep not only a visual picture in my mind but also the scents of the air around me. My dream vacation...sometime in the future I am sure. Napa Valley and Tuscany....not in any order but both are planned in my mind. On my next trip to the wine store in Boardman, Ohio, my favorite wine store around, I am going to purchase a Tuscan Wine or 2 and hold a taste for myself and then report for you. Even though I am of Italian Heritage I do not really drink Italian wines, shame on me...I know, This will need to change. Although at Thanksgiving dinner a family my son knows who live locally own a vineyard in Italy and their daughter runs it, they brought a couple of bottles to dinner and it was rather enjoyable, pleasing to the palate and of course had good legs. Shame on me again I was so into the turkey and the stuffing that I did not retain the name of the wine in my mind. I will find out soon....promise.....till later...Cin Cin! (Cheers!)

Poppa Donne' homemade wine....

Growing up part Italian, my father was full blooded Italian, I have wonderfully fond memories of my great grandfather "Poppa Donne" and the times I spent with him. He spoke English but chose to speak Italian more. All that was missing at his home was the fact that it was in Pennsylvania on a farm and not in Italy on a vineyard estate. Each and every Sunday Poppa would have the entire family for dinner. Dinner would consist of homemade spaghetti (handmade noodles) homemade sauce from the tomatoes and herbs of his garden, and homemade wine. Poppa would give each great grandchild a shot glass full of his homemade brew. Our parents would argue...No...but Poppa won each time. "Good for their blood" he would tell them! The old timers knew what they were talking about. It was a wonderful celebration each and every Sunday I will never forget. Running and playing on the farm with the fresh air. Climbing the plum trees and picking fruit while Poppa watched with a careful eye as he sat under his grape arbor where he would gaze upon the fruit he would change to wine when harvest season came. I spent many afternoons and evenings sitting with Poppa listening to his stories in broken English of how he made the wines. I would look at the grape clusters and vines and leaves and think "my what a gorgeous site" Never did I think I would someday be doing a study on wine and yearn to be sitting at my Poppa's feet again, not as a young girl of 9 or 10, but as a woman in her late 50's. If only I could have one more sitting with Poppa it would not be just a one way conversation...but now I could chime in with my bits of knowledge I am learning. So my first experience with wine was at about age 7 or 8 and Poppa's was the first to give me happy memories. Now a plan of homes is on the site of Poppa's farmland.....a cousin of mine lives in one of the homes, and we still remember times on the farm & those Sunday meals with Poppa and our family. I had a very fortunate childhood. I not only had both sets of grandparents from mom and dad I also had a great grandfather who was remarkable.
My father's father was Roman, his mother was a Brazilian Italian. I have learned that in ancient Rome wine was linked to authority. If you had a vineyard you had power. Here in America I think Tuscany is the area most people want to visit for wine. Wine is on every table for every meal with the exclusion of breakfast (maybe?) sometimes the meal itself is a slice of bread and the wine. I have been know to do this after a long day at the office and not even bother with a meal...I guess it is my heritage coming through.
The whites grapes of Tuscany are: Chardonnay (the regions most expensive white) Malvasia (now the grape most known for vin santo the desert wine), Sauvignon Blanc (very limited amounts are grown),Trebbiano (used for dry whites), Vernaccia (Tuscany's most traditional refreshing white wine). The reds grapes of Tuscany are Cabernet Sauvignon (often times blended with sangiovese to make Chianti), Canaiolo (declining in use) Merlot (also used to make Chianti), and Sangiovese (the major Tuscan grape).
There is so much to cover with Italian wines. I will get deeper into the study in the next day or so. Some times I need to reread a section to be sure I have the proper understanding. It is written in English but the depth of what they are relaying to the reader is a lot to behold. So till tomorrow....Chow!

Mixing Coca-Cola with Wine is not only done in China!

CNN article

OC WEEKLEY

FOOD 52

Recently I was told about wine being mixed with Coca-Cola. I did not find this appealing, but then again I have not touched a soda since I was 24 years old. So to spend the last 34 years without remembrance of the taste of Coke maybe I can not make a clear statement as to if it would be tasty or not. CNN did an article about the Chinese mixing these 2 drinks together. So I ran across 2 other articles about other people doing so. It appears people all over the world have done this. If you have already tried this please leave a comment below of your likings. Also there is a poll at the right of this post if you would care to participate. I will not be trying this....I just can't imagine ruining my luscious glass of red wine....and when I come across a bad tasting wine I usually cook with it or use it to make a salad dressing. Do you think Santa in the pic has any wine in his bottle?

A New Wine Box In Our Wine Store

It had been a month since Gaynor had brought my box of wine to me, when she did my shopping for me after my surgery. It was empty and time to replenish. This would be my 5th time to leave the house in a month. I had an appointment in town so to make best use of my time away from the house I would make as many stops as possible and of course one of them would be our wine store. Instead of grabbing my usual box...I have been going out on a limb the last couple months with my box wine favorites and trying new adventures in taste. On sale for $17.99 was this box of SEVEN. I asked the man at the desk if it were good...he said it just came in this week and he had no idea. Price was right....container was attractive...when reading the side of box it had a list of 7 different wines and Shiraz was at the top of the list, so that being one of my favorites I decided to give this box of wine a try. Upon returning home I settled in with my glass of wine and did my little test. My findings were it was lighter in color than the wines I prefer, but I would give it a chance. The smell was light and weak to me. The taste was the same. But then again I prefer full bodied, dry reds. I will drink this wine for the next 30 days or so and see if my appeal for it changes. It is not bad tasting, just not what my palate prefers. It is sort of like if I could compare it to a date.....being out with a man and you enjoy his company and dinner is fine, but something is missing for you to want to have a deeper relationship with this man....nothing is wrong with this man....just not the main man for you. Can any of you out there understand this? Iam a woman who knows what she likes in her man and her wines and I hate to waste anyones time. I do hope I get some visitors this month to help me empty this box of wine. Maybe I will start to like it more, we shall see. I would although have this box of wine in my house for a party where some of the guest are not into the heartier wines. For them I think this would be a great wine. Maybe this wine would be the stepping stone to fuller bodied wines for the white zin drinker. To ease them on their way to darker reds.
This wine is a Spanish blend of 7 different varities of grapes.
Shiraz
Cabernat Sauvignon
Graciano
Garnacha
Tempranillo
Merlot
Petit Verdot
If one or more of your favorite reds are in this blend, give it a try. Your opinion may be very different than mine.

Cooking with wine.....

It used to be 37 years ago when I was first married that I would want to cook with wine. So off to the supermarket I would go looking for cooking wine. I was naive enough to think that you wouldn't dare add the real thing to your dish. Then one day about 14 years ago while cooking some pasta and shrimp for my dinner and drinking a glass of Cabernet I thought "I'll just add a splash of this".....To think I had never ever thought to try "real" wine in cooking prior! That moment was the beginning of a new journey for me when in the kitchen. I wanted to add a splash to everything. One of my best findings was on the day I was drinking White Zin. I had some left a few days after opening the bottle....It was not pleasing to drink anymore but so not to waste it I added it to some extra virgin olive oil, a bit of balsamic vinegar, put some herbs for added flavor and viola! Zinfindel dressing which has become one of my favorites to use on greens and pasta. So don't dump out that bit of wine or the wine that is just not pleasing to you....save it on your counter and use it in your cooking. My son has taught me to use leftover red wine to dye unfinished wooden picture frames. Now I do this quite often. (That's a tip for crafters) Today I leave you with the thought to be creative in your cooking. Just do not over do it. You really don't need as much as you think...more is not better all the time. One of my best findings is wine added to burgers! I think a bit of wine pulls out the natural flavors a bit more....and if you have a favorite recipe that you add wine to and would like to share it, please do so in the comment box.

Ricotta Pasta & Spinach
1 box pasta
1 C ricotta cheese
1/3 C romano cheese
2 T butter
1 package FRESH spinach...cleaned and stems removed
white or red wine to taste (I like to use between 1/4-1/2 C)

Cook pasta, drain (save 1/2 C cooking water for sauce) rinse
Toss with butter
Combine reserved water with ricotta in mixing bowl
Add your wine
Stir till blended
Mix in the Romano
Toss in fresh spinach...it will wilt

Serve with alone or with a side of chicken or shrimp. Or even chop up and place in your pasta. Make a nice field greens salad
Pour your self a glass of wine & enjoy!