Unique Alcohol Gifts

Let the Party Be-Gin

Gin is definitely the ideal go-to alcoholic beverage for almost any type of occasion. Go for a tasty and creative mini gin and tonic gift set to ensure a super fun time! These sets are of great quality and will be responsible for the life of the party.

Gin is loved and appreciated by many people, and that’s for some good reasons. Gin is known to be the only alcohol that is super low on calories. That being said, bloating is completely off of the table and your waistline is out of risk. Next up, gin is known to be very rich in antioxidants, which means it will speed up your body’s regenerative process, contributing to glowing and wrinkle-free skin. It also helps fight off all sorts of diseases, mainly heart-related ones.

To make the most out of your gift, ask yourself – what goes with gin as a gift? You can get creative with your present and add personal notes inside the box, or you can opt for getting delicious foods that will put an accent on the taste of gin. Foods that pair perfectly with this type of spirit are cheese and meat platters, nuts and seeds, berries and a dish of smoked salmon. Gin can also be mixed with lime juice which has its own health perks. Overall, this gift idea makes an excellent choice for a holiday party.

For Wine Lovers

Another great option is wine. It is definitely a Christmas’ favourite and people can’t deny that they love it! It has been around for a very long time and given that we still drink it, it’s undeniable that its taste is definitely timeless. So, yes – you cannot go wrong by bringing along a quality red wine pack for an unforgettable holiday event.

Firstly, as mentioned above, wine has been consumed by our ancestors all the way back to 7000 BC. It is a historically-significant drink that has been adored by people throughout time. Some cultures were even entirely dedicated to the existence of wine itself, and they worshipped and drank it daily. To this day, wine is still widely popular. Even doctors recommend drinking one glass a day, mainly because of its’ healthy properties. It is very rich in antioxidants which help protect our bodies from all sorts of diseases, mainly heart-based ones. So, not only will wine boost your mood, it will help your overall well-being too if consumed in moderation!

Now, for Christmas, more specifically, it’s usually red wine that is preferred. You won’t fail to impress if you choose well-aged shiraz, merlot or sauvignon. During the cold season, it’s also quite popular to drink mulled wine, which is a heated up variety. It will perfectly warm you up and really spark up the mood.

Lastly, wine-food pairings are a must. Top up your red wine pack with some creative gourmet dishes that will put an accent on the wine taste and make the guests fall in love even more. However, it’s important to be careful when picking the food platter when it comes to wine, as they all are of a different taste. For example, chardonnay matches perfectly with any type of fish, the rose goes with a nice serving of multiple cheese varieties, cabernet is best with red meat and syrah is topped off with spicy dishes. Knowing your wine and wine combos before purchasing is crucial, so remember to read up.

Fun O’Clock With Whisky on the Rocks

Lastly, you can warm up the party with a nice set of well-aged whisky specials that will add to the holiday experience. Whisky is especially favoured during the cold season because of its significant inviting flavour and aroma. Now, there are various different kinds you can choose from when it comes to this spirit.

You can opt for a heavier, more robust taste with a touch of caramel, oak or butterscotch. This flavouring usually goes for the bourbon or scotch type of whisky. It’s perfect if you really want a stronger taste that will go down causing a tingly feeling in your throat. Next, if you prefer a lighter taste, another variety you can go for is the sweet kind. It mainly gives attractive aromas of vanilla or coconut along with a fruity flavour that will feel soft and smooth as you drink it. This lighter kind of whisky can be much more tolerable for some people too, so it’s smart to bring at least two different, elegant bottles that will offer both strong and gentle tasting.

To really add to the joy, consider pairing the bottles with whisky-suitable foods such as Christmas cookies made of dark chocolate, a delicious apple pie, pork or smoked salmon, dried nuts and any type of cheese you prefer. This type of menu will bring out the significant taste of the whisky even more, and the guests will love you for it.

In conclusion, bringing whisky on a holiday or on any other type of event will make both you and the party-goers happy. Besides the distinctive flavour, it also offers health advantages as well. Various studies have shown that it is able to help fight cancer and heart diseases, aid in weight loss, reduce stress and it is even good for diabetics as won’t cause the blood sugars to spike up.

Final Thoughts

Overall, mixing up the holiday gatherings with quality, flavourful spirits will definitely boost up everyone’s mood. So, next time don’t go empty-handed and prepare yourself. Pick from a nice mini gin and tonic gift set, an elegant pack of wine or some classic whisky specials to ensure a good time. You can even get your present online and save yourself time shopping. Happy holidays!

source: pinterest.com

What Is Rose Wine?

As the name implies, rose wines have a pinkish colour that is obtained by using the juice of red wines grapes. The pink hue is obtained from pressuring the red grapes’ skins for a short period of time with the juice. The longer they made contact, the deeper the colour which explains the deeper colour of some rose varieties. They can keep the juice somewhere between 2 and 24 hours. In order to be made, winemakers can use literally any grape variety. Depending on the wine style, it could be a single variety or a blend of several in order to give the wine more depth. When it comes to producing pink champagne or sparkling wine, winemakers mainly use three grape varieties with classic champagne: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

How Exactly It’s Made?

There are three techniques used for producing exquisite organic rose wine. The most popular one is called ‘maceration’ which is done by pressing the skins with the juice before removing them after which the winemaker continues with its regular winemaking process. The reason why this technique is the most commonly used one among winemakers is that the final result is an aromatic, fresh and easy drinking wine.

The second method is also known as bleeding or ‘saignee’ . It involves portioning off some juice from a red wine production after which the rose is made the usual way. By using this technique, the obtained rose is richer and deeper than the previous version.

The third method involves blending a small amount of red wine into a vat of white wine. This is the least common way of making rose wine, however, it’s the most preferred method for making rose champagne.

Source: parade.com

What Goes Well With Rose Wine?

Generally speaking, almost all rose wines are dry, hence, crispy, vibrant and refreshing. Given the fact that each wine region and each country, in fact, has its own signature in making organic rose wine, thus, wines coming from the Old World especially the European region are more mineral. This makes them perfect to be paired with vegetable dishes, salads, raw and grilled seafood and cheese of all kinds, but mainly goat cheese.

Rose wine coming from the New World, but mainly from Australia and California are richer and more full-driven. This is achieved from the use of riper fruit made from different wine varieties with thicker skins. These rose wines can go perfectly with barbeque and spicier dishes.

Reasons to Love Rose Wine

As we already mentioned, organic rose wines can be paired with almost any kind of food as they’re not as heavy as red and not as light as white. Everything from salads, cheese, seafood, steaks, chicken and even red meat dishes can be paired with this women’s all-time-favourite drink. They are available in different styles from dry to sweet in order to meet anyone’s taste.

When compared to other varieties, rose is one of the most affordable organic wines on the market. It’s great to be used in cocktails because its delicately sweet flavour and amazing light pink colour can make the cocktails tastier.

Source: economist.com

Some Notable Rose Wine Regions

Provence, France

If you like a dry rose then you should certainly try the rose wines coming from the Provence French region. Generally speaking, rose wines of this region are made with Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes which is the main reason for the wines’ light-body and refreshing taste and flavour.

Southern Italy and Spain

These regions are known for their full-body rose wines that have a little more oomph. When compared to the ones coming from the French region, these rose wines are more flavourful and have a deeper pink hue.

Rhone Valley France

These rose wines are known for their earthy and fruit-forward flavours. Usually, they are made with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc grapes.

Northern California

Rose wines coming from this region have a fuller body, however, this region is also known for its delicious and crips rose wines. Portugal, New Zealand, Oregon, and England are known for their delicious sparkling rose wines.

In the past decades, wine tasting started growing into some sort of a science of its own with many wine contests happening worldwide to find the quality wine everyone should be after. However, with so many tastes and so many different palates, it is impossible to rely on an expert’s opinion to choose your own wine. More often than not, people overspend on wine or buy it from supermarkets simply because it is a fast option. Supermarkets are not always the best way to go though, if you want to get wine that your palate finds exquisite, and here are a few reasons backing this.

The first reason people buy wine from supermarkets is the convenient price. However, a great discount does not always indicate a great deal. You will find many wine offers that seem ideal or too good to be true (which is usually the case), but the price you get to pay is not a deal price as you believe. If you visit the supermarket some time later you would see the same wine costing much less so you actually pay more than the wine’s worth.

If you do your own research, you will be able to find online wine special deals that are more to your liking. You get to do all this from the comfort of your home, and still find the ideal wine because with the right warehouse, you get to see the exact quality, read all about the wines for sale and get the right wine. While in supermarkets you tend to overlook some wines due to the large quantities that surround you, online you can check them all one by one carefully and then make your decision.

Though everyone is familiar with “wines age well”, supermarket wines you buy at a discount will turn out to be a waste of money if you intend to store them for special occasions and open them 10 years later only to find out you have to throw them away. Keeping such wine longer will not improve its taste. Also, you do not have much choice with buying wines on a bulk if you consider the quality, basically you are left with supermarket wines as your best bet in getting value for the money you spend on a bottle.

With online wine special deals this is not the case. You get to pick from a huge selection of wines based on their price and the region they come from. You do not have to necessarily choose French wine to know you have chosen quality, but you can also get the same from nearby regions. For instance, you cannot go wrong with the Barossa Valley Estate Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre if it is rich fruit taste you are after.

Once you have found your wine, you have to remember moderation is key.

Wine has been a huge part of the human experience since ancient times, probably the most widely chosen beverage to enjoy at any kind of social gathering or in the privacy of one’s home. One awesome and little-known fact about wine is that it was initially invented as to purify undrinkable water. This ancient times wine was a lot stronger even though they used to mix it with water. Strangely enough, back in those days people weren’t drinking wine to get drunk and they did not drink it for the flavour either. Water purification was the only reason for quite long until one special day dawned and wine’s reputation grew strong.

Today wine is used as a pleasure juice for so many festive occasions, or (if you are like me) wine can also keep you great company for those nights when all you want is to stay at home and watch a film on Netflix.

The majority of people tend to see the price as a starting point when comparing and assessing different types of wines. But is the price what really defines wine? If you ask me, I will surely say -”No!”. I have tried many expensive wines, made by the best grapes, kept in the oldest and most expensive wine barrels made in France. But were those the best? Well, not really. To be completely honest, I had to break the bank for a bottle of wine a couple of times in order to understand that $20 wines are not that bad at all – and that is an understatement. Whenever I drink cheap wine, I just cannot get enough. It suits my taste, it is colourful and intense!

Is It Just My Point of View or Can Science Prove It Too?

Well, if we take into consideration the research done at The University of Hertfordshire, then the answer is – yes, yes, yes! They tested over 600 people with double blind wine study and neither the researchers nor the participant knew which ones were the expensive wines and which ones were the cheapest ones. The cheap wines costed less than $10 per bottle, and the expensive ones were priced between $20 and $60. They used a various mixture of red and white wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Rioja, Claret and many more. The average person could not guess the expensive bottle more than 50% of the time. It is just like flipping a coin. The results confirm my previous assumption that price is not as relevant as it may seem to some.

There was a similar study back in 2008, where researchers assembled 6000 people to taste wines ranging from $5 up to $150 per bottle. The results revealed that more than 60% of the people that were asked to choose the best wine, picked from the cheapest wines.

The results showed that the best wines are the ones we love and it seems like price has little to do with that. Therefore, whenever I drink cheap wine, I realize I don’t have to pay a lot to get what I want!

Versatile

One of the most important reasons to opt for Pinot Noir is its versatility. It can be paired with almost any kind of food. If we have to name type of dish to avoid with these wine, it will have to be the overly spicy ones. Not to say that the pairing will be wrong, but the spices will prevent the full development of the spectacular taste in the palate, and you don’t want that, of course. Simple, yet enriched dishes are the best choice for this intense wine. If you are entertaining guests for the night and are serving mushroom based meal, get a bottle or two of the seductive 2013 Mandala Yarra Valley Pinot Noir.

Prominent

It is almost as if there isn’t a part of the world that doesn’t grow this type of wine. Coming mainly from Romania, France, New Zealand, this wine always entrances with incredible taste and its name triggers a vision of luxury and prestige. Not only when you want to feel glamorous should you opt for Pinot Noir, but it is surely a wine that can accept almost any kind of challenge. Pinot Noir is also one of the three grape varieties that are used for the making of Champagne – the world’s most famous sparkling wine! Yes, you cannot get higher than being one of the three and only ambassadors in the palace of Champagne.

Omnipresent

Many of the most expensive wines in the world are made from the Pinor Noir grape variety, so there is no wonder how it became famous in the world of glamor. Its name always triggers positive emotions as it is also contemplated as a wine used for celebrating the joys of life. There simply cannot be one sole reason for not trying this wine on several occasions, be it an important event or a casual dinner, this wine is your social butterfly in the wine and dine universe.

Deep Roots

Along with all other positive features, Pinot Noir also has history on its side. This might have been one of the oldest grapes ever harvested and produced. It is thought that the ancient Roman started the craze, and we are left with the duty to maintain and better it.

In fact, French wine is a mirror of the French people themselves – elegant, sophisticated and well-dressed, with a special affection and appreciation towards the good things in life. And wine, is definitely a good thing in life, won’t you agree? By being exceptionally tasty, beautiful and well-mannered, French wine makes a perfect companion to different types of food, especially when it comes to delicate and luxurious meals that simply leave you without breath.

The truth is, bottles of French red and white that come with low price tags, still feature great quality. And not to mention the quality of the most expensive bottles of special French wine. But what is it that makes special French wine so wanted? Why are French wines top rated by passionate wine lovers and those not-so-crazy-about-wine?

As wine experts say, many qualities make French wines authentic. The number one reason is the fact that they have been making wine longer than anyone else. The second reason would be their winemaking philosophy – matching the grape with the right type of soil and climate. And finally, the amazing variety. France does not produce a couple hundred different grapes (as is the case with cheeses), but the country does offer different types of wine. The top-quality and special French wine come from the Bordeaux region. Other renowned wine brands coming from the magical land of cheese, wine and romance, are the reds Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and the whites Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Each wine region in France produces wine with special characteristics that cannot be found in the composition of any other wine. From Alsace’s stylish white and the classics of Burgundy and Bordeaux, to the cool bottles of wine from the Loire Valley, the warm Languedoc-Roussillon wines, the powerful offerings of the Rhone and the northern fastness of the Champagne, choices for ultimate pleasure and perfect wine moments are unlimited.

Trust me, if you were to choose a wine from one region, you’d probably choose a French wine. It will never bore you.

Bottles of finest wine are made out of highest quality grapes and they normally come from world’s best vineyards and most acclaimed winemakers. Fine wine differs from ordinary table-wine in many aspects, particularly when it comes to complexity, balance, concentration, focus, typicity, elegance and power.

No matter if red or white, a bottle of fine wine has always been the perfect companion for every occasion and every meal. In other words, there are no flavour limits when it comes to complementing dishes with a quality fine wine. Every sip of old, fine wine fits perfectly with every bite. As simple as that.

If you are running out of ideas to enrich your delicious wine and food menus, we have couple of interesting combinations prepared for you. Be ensured that ultimate pleasure is 100% guaranteed.

• A Bottle of Chardonnay for Fatty Fish and Fish in a Rich Sauce – No matter if it is a salmon or any other type of seafood, if served in a lush sauce, there is no better wine dressing thаn the noble Chardonnay.
• A Bottle of Pinot Grigio for Light Fish Dishes – The unique flavour of light fish dishes are best when combined with a glass or two of grayish, age-worthy Pinot Grigio.
• A Bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for Tart Dressings and Sauces – Tangy dishes like spring vegetables (artichokes and asparagus), or spaghetti with Anchovy Carbonara sauce cannot be tastier than when combined with the aromatic Sauvignon Blanc.
• A Bottle of Riesling for Sweet and Spicy Dishes – As a superior quality fine wine, the sweetness of Riesling will tame the spiciness of many Asian and Indian plates. You can try for example, the chicken burritos with black-bean salsa and pepper jack. Or, if looking for a simpler and lighter option, try ham and gruyère French toast sandwiches with a serving of an easy-drinking Riesling.
• A Bottle of Pinot Noir for Earthy-Flavoured Dishes – The savory depth of red, full-bodied Pinot Noir makes an unforgettable experience when combined with dishes rich with mushrooms or truffles. A great recommendation is to try wild mushroom and burrata bruschetta accompanied with the luxuriously exquisite and elegant Pinot Noir.

Want to know how wine can make your life better? Read on.

Wine Is A Source Of Youth

Many believe wine to be a secret youth elixir. This is because wine is loaded with resveratrol, great anti-aging compound that helps slow cell aging. Also, studies have shown that people who consume wine are more likely to live a long life than those who prefer to drink beer or other type of alcohol.

Wine Can Preserve Your Memory

One research where memory quizzes where done with people in their 70’s proved that wine improves memory. Candidates that consumed one glass of wine a day scored better than those who did not drink. This is because resveratrols in wine help prevent blood clots, prevent and reduce blood vessel inflammation.

Wine Can Help You Keep Your Scale Away

Many researches have found that those who drink wine on a regular basis (in moderation, of course) have less fat around their waist and lower body mass index. Wine is so powerful it actually ‘makes’ your body burn calories even 90 minutes after you have finished your glass. So, what are you waiting for. Drink up!.

Wine Can Boost Your Immune System

Did you know that a glass of wine a day can reduce your chances of infection by 11%. It can protect you from getting infected by Helicobacter pylori bacteria (causes gastritis and ulcers) and salmonella (causes food poisoning).

Wine Can Help You Build Better Bones

On average, people who drink wine in moderation (a glass a day) tend to have higher bone mass. Researchers have found that wine increase levels of estrogen which helps slow down bone loss.

As you can see, you can benefit from wine in many ways. Just remember, moderation is the key.

Pinot Noir, although for many may simply be just another grape varietal, is in fact a seductive, velvety and elegant red wine which is far less intense than Cabernet Sauvignon. And let’s not forget that Pinot Noir is a very difficult grape to grow, even though it does well in cool, consistent climates, which allow grapes to ripen slowly and steadily over time. Traditionally grown in the Burgundy region of France, it has been successful grown in other wine regions all over the world.

Despite its heritage, Pinot Noir is one of the most appreciated wines in the world. Subtle and complex, silky and mysterious, Pinot Noir is for many one of the most amazing wines they have ever tasted. So, why not join the club. Here are few more reasons why you nee to buy Pinot Noir now.

Food-friendly – Pinot Noir is a versatile wine that pairs well with a wide range of foods. From salmon to roasted chicken or duck, from beef to various pasta dishes, Pinot Noir is the perfect addition. Lazy to cook? No problem. Order a pizza as Pinot Noir pairs well with tomato sauce.

Beyond the boundaries – Pinot Noir is probably one of the most versatile wine types as there is a style for that caracterizes every region. For example, in Burgundy, France flavors vary from vineyard to vineyard, from earthy and with hints of blackcurrant, to mushroomy. Other regions like Yarra Valley in Australia and Sonoma in California, are known for producing a more powerful fruit styles of Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir is a great bargain – You can easily buy Pinot Noir (produced in Australia) at very reasonable prices. That’s because regions like the Yarra Valley, Tasmania, Geelong and the Mornington Peninsular are producing as stunning Pinots as Burgundy region, only at a fraction of the cost. Also, an increased production, demand, and consumer interest are other factors that drive the Pinot Noir prices down.

Be part of a trend – As the demand for a more complex and elegant wines grows, winemakers introduce new Pinot Noir styles that pair perfectly with simple and gourmet food. Simply said, Pinot Noir is what’s in fashion now. Concentrated and intense, complex and elegant, Pinot Noir has an incredible taste that you must try. Thus, buy Pinot Noir and be part of a trend.

• Want to stay beautiful and young? Then, a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon per day can help you with that. It’s widely known that most red wines contain anti-aging antioxidant ( resveratrol) that protects the skin from the harmful UV radiation that comes from the sun. Now, the question is whether all reds offer that benefit? The answer again is no. Most people prefer to buy Cabernet Sauvignon, simply because it has the highest concentration of antioxidants.
• Do you have sleeping troubles? You can forget about using sleeping pills. One glass of this red wine will help you sleep like a baby. Now, why is that so? It’s recommended to buy Cabernet Sauvignon, simply because this wine contains the highest concentration of melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy at night.
• Many people buy Cabernet Sauvignon simply because of the good smell and taste. Despite its deep flavor and aroma, Cabernet Sauvignon is also good for your heart. That’s because the grapes are rich with resveratrol, a component that lowers the production of artery-blocking LDL cholesterol.
• Recent studies show that a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon per day might prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The two most popular components included in the grape, resveratrol and proanthocyandin, reduce the oxidative stress and protect the body cells against free radical damage.

• Want to get rid of acne? Then, it doesn’t hurt to buy Cabernet Sauvignon! It may sound strange, but this wine can actually help you to eliminate the acne problem. That’s due to the high concentration of polyphenol resveratrol, a chemical component that prevents inflammation.
• According to a recent study, drinking Cabernet Sauvignon moderately can help people fight with obesity. If you have weight problems, all you need to do is to buy Cabernet Sauvignon if you want to burn fats quickly and easily.