Is decanting wine necessary?  There are hundreds of lovely wine decanters out there, and you might think they look great on the dinner table.  But do you really need a wine decanter?

Actually, decanting wine is really on necessary when there is heavy sediment at the bottom of the bottle.  This usually occurs when the wine is very old.   If the wine has been laying on its side (which is should be) then you might want to stand it for a day or so before consuming.  This should let any sediment settle.

If your wine is not very old and somewhat inexpensive, there probably isn't a need to decant.  However, it certainly cannot hurt.  If you plan to consume it in a short period of time and prefer the look of a nice wine decanter (versus the bottle), then go ahead and pour away!

Remember, don't leave older (and more expensive) wines exposed to the air for too long - they might end up losing all of their flavor. And isn't that the point of buying a great wine?

CHEERS!!  AWineBoutique.com

It's January!  That means the temps are about as cold as they will get this year... And for those of you that live in states that get snow, it's time to hunker down with your favorite bottle of vino!

What are some of the best cold weather wines to sip on those frigid January evenings?  Here are a few for you to try that come highly recommended.  And don't forget the appropriate glassware to enhance your wine-drinking experience!  http://awineboutique.com/category_1/Glassware-and-Carafes.htm

- 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Chateau Chabiran)

- 2007 Vintage Port (Taylor Fladgate)

- 2009 Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel

- 2009 Maison Bleue Chardonnay

- 2009 Azo Petite Chablis (Burgundy, France)

Enjoy your wine, stay warm, and.... CHEERS from your friends at http://awineboutique.com/index.htm

Happy New Year from your friends at AWineBoutique.com.  http://www.awineboutique.com/.

Celebrate safely tonight and any night when there is alcohol involved.  But this blog is not about the usual "make sure you have a designated driver" speech... This is about protecting your eyes from serious injury when you pop your champagne.

According to Dr. Monica of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the number of eye injuries on New Year's Eve is on the increase - because of accidents with the champagne cork!  A flying cork can reach speeds of up to 50mph, which is strong enough to shatter glass (imagine what it could do to your fragile eyes!).

For your safety, follow these steps published from the Academy of Ophthalmology:

Chill champagne to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or colder before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly.

Don't shake the bottle!  Shaking increases the speed that the cork will fly from the bottle!

Be sure to point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and any bystanders and hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood on the bottle.

Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle and grasp the cork.

Twist the bottle while holding the cork at a 45-degree angle to break the seal.

The "body" of a wine is sometimes called its "heft".  It really means the weight you feel in your mouth when you drink it.

For the novice wine-drinker, some of the terms you could use to describe the body are:
Big, chewy, fat, fleshy, full, light, soft, syrupy, thick, velvety, watery or weighty.

To find just the right wine takes some sampling (which is the fun part).  Sounding like you know what you are talking about takes even longer.  But, the more you sample, the more experienced you will become.  Find your own terms and follow your heart.  You can't really be "wrong" when you give your opinion about the "body" of a wine you are sampling.

Be sure to have the appropriate glassware to enhance your wine-drinking experience.  Check out all of our glassware and carafes at AWineBoutique.com.  Many items are NOW ON SALE!

CHEERS!

Wine clubs are becoming very popular since many of us don't have a lot of extra time to browse for wine. Plus, with the internet becoming the main form of shopping for so many people, it's nice to shop from the comfort of your own home.  And of course that includes shopping for the wine accessories and glassware that go along with that wine purchase! 

If you want to receive newsletters on wine, get member discounts, and occasionally receive free samples, then a wine club may be right for you.

The downside of course is that you don't get to sample the wine first.  And since online retailers want to make sales, the "easiest" way to do that is to sell wine that is pretty "mainstream". 

If you have any interest, there is A LOT of info on the internet, in wine magazines, and in wine stores.  Do some research and decide for yourself!

Happy browsing and don't forget http://www.awineboutique.com/ for your glassware, corkscrews, decanters and more! 

CHEERS!!

If you are considering buying a wine refrigerator in the near future, good for you!  Today there are a large variety of wine refrigerators and wine coolers to choose from at all sizes and price points.  Here are a couple tips to help you out:

• If you have or plan to have a large, expensive collection of wine that you want to keep for years to come, a wine cellar may be a better option for you.  A wine refrigerator is usually best for wines under maybe $20 in price range - and those that will be consumed within a year or two.  Keeping your wine in a good wine refrigerator until opened will preserve the quality of your wine.
• If space is a consideration, opt for a wine refrigerator that can be stored on top of your counter or under your counter.  Many fridges today are made for small kitchens, bar areas, etc. 
• If you don't actually have a "collection" of wine, maybe a wine cooler/chiller is right for you!  They work well for smaller events or dinner parties; plus they make a great decoration on your dinner table.

Remember:

•  Keep the bottles on their sides until opened.  The cork needs to stay moist.
•  Try to find a room in your home that is vibration-free - - no jostling of the wine bottles!
•  If possible, place your wine refrigerator in a room that is relatively consistent in temperature, such as your basement.

For a large selection of wine refrigerators, coolers or chillers, visit AWineBoutique.com
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS OVER $150.00.

Happy Shopping!

CHEERS!!!

If the supermarket isn't quite the place you would choose to buy your wine, the independent wine store is what you want.  If you want something a bit more "special" and want the service that goes with it, then look for a wine store that specializes in, well... wine!

The staff at these types of establishments are well versed in what makes a good wine.  They can recommend not only a vintage, but also the "right" glass to serve it in. 

Most of these stores let you sample the wine before you buy - something your local supermarket does only with big sales.  They also usually deliver for free (depending on where you live) and may lend you glassware and accessories for your big party. 

Check with them in advance... And it's always a good idea to build a relationship with your local, independent wine store.  With the amount of competition in today's market, they will value your loyalty as much as you value their expertise.

For all your wine party entertaining accessories and glassware needs, check us out at http://www.awineboutique.com/

CHEERS!!!