As the world moves to a greener frame of mind, just recycle wine. I’ve been in many discussions with clients and friends about the topic of an unfinished bottle. In my opinion, you have 3 options: drink it, preserve it or recycle it. For the sake of argument, let’s remove the drink it option and you are left with preserve...
Looking for a new holiday drink to add to your party repertoire? How about one that combines your love for delicious holiday cheer with your love for delicious wine? Try this recipe for Hot Mulled Wine, similar to the traditional German Glühwein. Bonus: since you're changing the flavor anyway, you don't need to use an expensive bottle. Also, the recipe isn't strict...
Are you tired of throwing out half-full bottles of wine? (If this is a frequent problem, maybe it's time for a preservation system!) Do you wish you could put those leftovers to good use? You can! Try making homemade red wine vinegar. Not only is it a great way to use up the ends of bottles, it's easy and the...
This morning, I picked up a bottle of sherry for dinner tonight. Not to drink, but to cook with. But then it struck me: why was I abjuring it from my glass, and banishing a cup to the soup pot and the remainder to a slow death in the cupboard? Sherry is wine, after all. Why don't we drink it...
16th century wine press I love to cook with wine. But I admit it, sometimes, pouring a cup or a bottle of perfectly good wine into the cooking pot can seem a little sacrilegious. Is using your good wine in your food worth it? In a word, yes. Wine imparts a richness and depth of flavor that is simply hard...
One of our most popular posts on the Vintage Cellars Blog has been How to Make Your Own Red Wine Vinegar. Our readers seem to love the idea of using up bottles of red that are a little past their prime to make something delicious and useful. But did you know that it's just as easy to make your own...
We've discussed how your can use your leftover bottles of red and white wine to make delicious homemade wine vinegars. If you've already tried this, you know that homemade vinegars are infinitely better than anything you can buy at the store. They make better vinaigrettes and sauces, and are just plain tastier. Homemade vinegar is easy to make and very...
Here on the VC Blog, we've talked about wine vinegars a lot. We've discussed how to make delicious homemade red wine vinegar and white wine vinegar from those leftover bottles taking up space in your kitchen. We've also talked about how to then take those tasty vinegars to make individual bottles of flavored vinegars that are equally great to use...
Here's an easy summer dessert perfect for wine lovers. The best part? No hot oven required! Although you might not normally think of drinking a wine with dessert (unless of course, we're talking about dessert wines), fruit and wine make a natural pairing. They play off each other perfectly: the fruit really brings out the sweet, fruity flavors in the...
As the cold weather approaches, my tastes start changing. After months of craving chilled Rosé or Pinot Grigio, I start to want deeper, richer wines. I'll start with rich, buttery Chardonnays, turn to Pinot Noirs, and eventually end up wanting only the biggest, boldest reds, like Cabernet Sauvignons. My cooking starts to reflect this change, too. I begin to shun salads...
I promised you plenty of perfect wine recipes for fall, and I plan on keeping that promise. I love classic, slow-cooked dishes (if you missed our Bouef Bourgignon post, check it out now), so today the Vintage Cellars blog is bringing you another French favorite: Coq au vin. Coq au vin couldn't be simpler: a chicken braised slowly with...
Everyone knows the key to any successful party: good drinks! If you're hosting a Halloween party this weekend, you can't go wrong with this "Bloody" Orange Mulled Wine recipe. And it's a snap to make! Here's the recipe: "Bloody" Orange Mulled Wine Combine in a large pot or slow cooker: 4 bottles of your favorite red wine 4 peeled and...
A white wine sauce is an invaluable tool for any cook to have up her sleeve. It can be made in a few minutes with very few ingredients, and it really jazzes up an otherwise plain dinner. White wine sauces are great with simple sauteed dinners: if you're making that weeknight staple, chicken breasts, for example, a white wine sauce...
We've posted on how to make a white wine sauce. But we'd be remiss in our duties to provide you with wine know-how without teaching you how to make a red wine sauce as well. A red wine sauce is a richer, more delectable counterpart to its buddy, the white wine sauce. Just like a white wine sauce, though, it...
Dying for some grilled food? I know I am. In the dead of winter, when it seems like all I'm eating is roasted and slow-cooked meats and hearty pastas, I sometimes get a craving for something a little more fresh tasting. Nothing satisfies that craving better than a big grilled steak and a crisp green salad. So put on your...
Domaine Monte De Luz 2008 The Tannat grape is believed to have its origins in the Basque region; however, its use in winemaking is associated with the Madrian region in southwestern France. One of the easiest varietals to grow, Tannat does quite well in South America, Uruguay in particular. The Tannat Domaine Monte de Luz 2008 is a very rustic...
Although “cooking wine” is sold in supermarkets across America, I would never use it for cooking. The myth that “since wine evaporates while cooking no one can tell the difference” is flat wrong. If this were the case, why bother cooking with wine at all? Yes, many sulfates disappear during the cooking process; however, a wine’s essence and characteristic flavor...
After my pleasant Chardonnay experience in early March, I decided to try my luck at incorporating a few Chards into my recipes. To my delight, many of my dishes turned out quite well. First of all, I used some splashes of Chardonnay on pan-fried salmon, covering both sides. This proved delightful, especially when a creamy parmesan cheese sauce was drizzled...
I was recently exposed to a surprisingly flavorful salad dish prepared by a friend. It's finally warming up, and there's nothing quite like indulging in a cool, crisp, hearty salad. My friend was not sure where she picked it up, but it was good enough to inspire me to share it with you. Although a variety of spices are required...
Here’s a fast and easy chicken recipe that’s perfect for a quick, healthy meal in! You’ll need: 2 to 4 boneless chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 4 cloves of finely-chopped garlic (minced garlic will also do), 2 tablespoons of corn starch, 1/2 cup dry white wine (your choice), and the juice of a freshly-squeezed lemon. Wash your boneless...
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