Articles & News
There is a large demand on the market for wine accessories. From stemware and decanters to bottle racks and aerators, they definitely all serve their purpose but one of the most useful of all of the accessories on the market is a wine journal. Wine journals can be a very handy tool for any wine enthusiast from beginner to expert alike. The reason being is that it's so easy to forget the details of wines while you are tasting them, remembering names, ages, those that you enjoy and also importantly, chronicling wines that you did not for whatever reasons. There is much more to keeping a wine journal than simply keeping track of your likes and dislikes though, particularly when you consider just how advanced the wine journal has become and in its advancement, has made this task much more easy to achieve. Take for example the new wine journal from the wildly popular Moleskine line. Moleskine has recently come out with a line called "Passions". The Passions line includes specialized journals for a number of passionate people such as music enthusiasts, film buffs, foodies and wine lovers. We are talking about so much more than a plain old blank journal though. As Moleskine puts it, "The Wine Journal is your ideal wine cellar on paper." The wine journal contains a variety of desirable features and is extremely customizable with theme based sections for detailed noting on all aspects of white wines, reds, rosé, sweet wines, sparkling wines and spirits. There are also 6 tabbed sections to further personalize the journal and 10 blank pages for additional notes. There are several adhesive tabs to customize your experience as well as a wine glossary and measurement and conversion chart. The Moleskine wine journal is full of categories that will make your wine journey more simplified, organized and even that much more enjoyable. POSTED March 3rd, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT The South Beach Wine and Food Festival 
If you happen to find yourself free this weekend and are looking for something to do in the Miami area, The Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival is coming to town. Presented by Food and Wine Magazine, this event is a four day extravaganza full of superstar chefs and wine professionals alike. The South Beach Wine and Food Festival is one of the largest and most popular in the Country and it is no surprise why. It boasts hundreds of presentations from some of the World's finest in the food and wine industry.
POSTED February 24th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT Decanting: When, Why and How-To 
Decanting wine is essentially the process of transferring wine, usually older wines or port, into a different vessel than its original bottle. It is a simple process with considerable benefits. Decanting is used to remove the sediment that may have accumulated in older wines but it is also a useful tool that allows wine to successfully breathe.
POSTED February 19th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
You've chosen your wine tastes, you know what you like but before you begin your wine collection it is important to consider proper storage for your wine. The reason storage is relevant is because there are many variables that can affect the final outcome of your wine, especially if you plan on storing it for longer than six months. Whether you are planning short term or long term storage, at a minimum, there are five basic factors:
POSTED February 10th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for A Wine Lover 
The most romantic day of the year is a couple of weeks away and if there is just one day of the year that all of the lovers of the world should be prepared for, this is it. This is not an occasion to be spontaneous unless of course your significant other finds that charming. A well planned Valentine's Day will be remembered for many a day.
POSTED February 2nd, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT The Limited Edition wine for February has arrived at The Home Vintner. Didn't order it, because you had never heard of it. You should check out the video at http://www.limitededition20.com/wines . If you want to learn just about Petit Verdot, just click on the #4 segment. If you want to learn about the whole series for this year, start at #1 and it will play all the way through. If you think you are interested in any of the wine, The Home Vintner has ordered extra kits for all of the wines, so just give us a call or send us an email message to let us know which ones you want. POSTED January 28th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS Successfully Serving Wine at Your Superbowl Party 
Dare you serve wine at a Superbowl party? Oh yes, you dare. If you're confused allow me to explain. Superbowl parties are no longer an event where only chicken wings and beer are allowed. The times are changing and believe it or not, serving wine at your Superbowl party is not only acceptable but widely welcomed. Sure, you'll also want to include beer and a few non-alcohol options but there is definitely room for wine. The key to successfully offering wine is to serve a variety of wonderful dishes that go along with it. Superbowl fare generally consists of chili, wings and chips and dip which are all delicious however, there's a new favorite to contend with and that is the New Orleans themed Superbowl party which thankfully, encourages serving wine. While it's famously known for its cuisine, New Orleans is equally known for throwing a good party. Put the two together and you have a surefire hit. POSTED January 26th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT If you have ever wondered what is fact or fiction regarding all of the many preconceived notions about wine, you are not alone. There are a staggering amount of theories about wine and many of them change on a regular basis and depending on who you ask and what day it is. Better Tasting Wine decided to take a closer look at some popular myths about wine. POSTED January 19th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
"What type of wine do you like?" This is likely the first question you'll be asked at any wine retailer but what if you're looking for something new, something different than your usual? This particular question is far too general and it may be difficult for you to communicate just what you are looking for. This Detailed Wine Search is a uselful tool to get you started but beyond that, there a few more things to consider while assessing your own tastes.
POSTED January 11th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT STUDY SHOWS – WHEN THE BAROMETER'S RISING – THE WINE'S FERMENTING A new study by Home Vintner client Edie Moehrle appears to confirm what many Home Vintners have long suspected – that there is a definite link between barometric pressure, and the actions of wine. POSTED January 9th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT
Customers who purchase any 5 Limited Editions kits in total will receive a Vinturi Wine Aerator at no charge! Retail value of the Aerator is $49.95. There is a limited amount available, so this promotion is 1 per customer only. POSTED January 9th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS Wine Making Classes for January
The Home Vintner teaches a Novice Winemaking Class in which you are introduced to the basic skills necessary for making a quality wine from a kit. As well, attendees are given lots of background information on what to avoid when making your own wines. POSTED January 9th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS 
Learning about wine may seem like a daunting process but it doesn't have to be. By familiarizing yourself with a few wine terms you can easily remove the mystique. Perhaps the simplest beginning for anyone looking to build their knowledge of wine is with the glossary below. This list provides a general understanding of some commonly referred to wine terms and although it's certainly not necessary to remember all of these terms, knowing just a handful is a good place to start. Acid: An aspect of taste in a wine. Sometimes described as sour or tart. The taste buds that detect acid are on the sides of the tongue. The acidity of a wine is an important component that should be in proper balance. Proper acidity provides crispness and life to the wine. POSTED January 4th, 2010 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT Mimosa-A Perfect Cocktail for any Celebration 
The Mimosa is a popular cocktail dating back as far as the 1920's and is most commonly served at brunch but is the perfect cocktail for any celebration. A traditional mimosa consists of chilled champagne or sparkling wine and orange juice, served in a champagne flute. While the original mimosa is delicious in it's own right, modern day time has extended the mimosa to a variety of flavors that are only limited by one's imagination. Mimosas are wonderfully festive and even better, they are so simple to make. In lieu of orange juice, some popular alternatives are raspberry, grapefruit, pear and quite fittingly for this time of year, cranberry. Many variations also welcome a splash of Triple Sec or Grand Marnier which always add a little extra joy to any occasion. Serve mimosas at your next gathering and you can guarantee a great time will be had by all. POSTED December 17th, 2009 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT The holidays are a wonderful time to treat your friends and family to a great bottle of wine. Everyone enjoys a little Christmas cheer, right? But gifting wine can sometimes be a little intimidating. There a few points to consider this holiday season, or anytime for that matter, when buying wine for gifts. Obviously it would be ideal to know the tastes of wine for the people you are buying for but if you're not in the know, don't worry. The first thing to consider is what you do know about the person. Now is not the time for experimentation or trying to introduce your friends to something completely obscure. However, if you have a personal favorite and you think your friends would enjoy it, by all means. That being said, if you are still a little unsure, a nice bottle of sparkling wine is always a festive and safe choice, as are classics like a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or a Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are concerned about wine gifting breaking your budget, don't be. There are plenty of fantastic values like a Zinfandel/Cabernet or a German Muller-Thurgau. Also, going with the less expensive bottle allows for some creativity and expansion on your part such as including the wine in a gift basket with say, some beautiful wine glasses, a decanter or even a variety of cheeses. All of these things are thoughtful, easily accessible, affordable and most importantly, very much appreciated. POSTED December 10th, 2009 | 0 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT |
