Blurbs by PEAKerQueen - Fun Wine Facts
Hi PEAKers !!
This is a place where I will answer common questions or post interesting Wine Blurbs! I will try and make them concise and informative.
You may also be interested in following me ("PEAKerQueen") on Twitter where I will post more often - just some quick info - so you will be the "first in the KNOW"!
What Does Drinking Wine & Foreplay have in Common?
The word OPEN! Ok, as a disclaimer - no I'm not currently drinking or engaged in foreplay - so why am I writing this - well .......I don't know. I just think it's interesting (at least to me) that if you take time with a wine (especially a young wine) and let it "Open up" by decanting or gently swirling it in your glass for a period of time - the flavors, aromas and enjoyment shared can be remarkable. Which leads me to think of foreplay and I better let you draw your own conclusions on where I was going on that one......
"My Palate's BIGGER than Your Palate" or other more serious reasons why you should TRUST what you like regardless of Ribbons & Medals or others' Opinions ~
I just read an article from the Wall Street Journal that is a good combination of serveral articles that I have read in the past ... and does a great job discussing Parker and other critics and wine competitions. Very interesting testing of the judging of the "judges" at the California State Fair http://tinyurl.com/yjmq4zz Lot's of money spent each year by wineries entering competitions in hopes of getting a little recognition - but is it really worth it??? The bottom line - if you like it and think it's a great wine - then it is! - My favorite saying is - "if it blows my dress up - then I'm all over it"....but come to think of it - I don't wear dresses much any more.
How to Store Open RED Wines ~
This is a popular question for good reason as many people wonder what to do with an open bottle - (actually with my friends this is usually not an issue but I thought I would address it anyway.)
Some people refrigerate both open white and red wines; I like my red wine "READY & Working" (just like my men) and prefer to store the red wines on the counter so they are at room temperature and ready to drink when I am. You can use any one of many "evacuation" devices (small pumps and stoppers) that remove some of the air for a short period, or you can buy a canister of inert gas and a stopper. There are many such products on the market, and most cost $20 or less (we have a great pump and two stoppers at the winery that we sell for $9.99 - BEST DEAL AROUND).
As to how long a wine is good after opening, there is no simple rule. Many young, powerful red wines are actually better - more open and revealing - the next day, or even the third day. Most wines, however, tend to deteriorate within a few days. That's why marinades are a good thing! You could also fix this delima by getting new friends that drink like mine do....then you don't have the issue. I find this last solution the most satisfying.
To Decant or Not to Decant - That is the Question -
All wines benefit from decanting, because it aerates the wine (lets it breathe.) Only very old red wines should not be exposed to air for very long times because they have such a fragile, delicate aroma.
Every other type of wine needs air to release the beautiful aromas that have been trapped in the bottle. PEAKERQueen believes that especially young reds need oxygen to mellow their tannins. But just opening the bottle several hours in advance "Just Doesn't Do It!" (Sorry Nike). Wines can no more "breathe" through the bottle neck than you could suck a pork chop through a straw. Splash that sucker into a decanter and make it PANT. Heavy breathing in this case (and most that come to mind) is a good thing.
Professionals decant older red wines or vintage Porto off their sediment and that is the main purpose of decanting these types of wine. PEAKerQueen thinks that "Not to Decant" is best in most of these cases. You just shouldn't "jiggle" the bottle and remember to always pour them very carefully - gentle is the word that comes to mind. In the case of older red wines (and not women) - it isn't necessarily true that they're good "down to the last drop". Oh there I go - dating myself again.
Spare the Brush and Save the Smile Acid and tannin from wine-tasting is hazardous to your teeth, but according to Dr Diane Hunt of the
PEAKerQueen thinks this is one small step for dentistry and one giant face-plant for your social life. She also thinks that wearing perfume to a wine tasting is a very bad idea - just like not brushing your teeth - and hopes you do too!
Until the next update - PEAKerQueen Signing OFF!
