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OPERETTA DISARONNO
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Sometimes you just got to do something different! From the 2016 Farmers' Almanac the following are natural ways to help keep you hair looking its best:
Micro beers are the newest, yet oldest, craze with beer drinkers. Every time you turn around it seems a new micro brewery is selling their line of products. There are now over 50 micro breweries in Nebraska alone! Micro beers have now a larger following than does the main line beers [Budweiser, Coors and Miller].
Some micro breweries have quite a following of loyal customers, while others are trying to establish that trend. Right now, the largest selling micro beers in USA is the Leinekugel Grapefruit. Who or what will be next is unknown, but you can rest assured that others are coming all the time. Here at Kirk's Korner we have by far the areas largest and best selection of micro beers. In fact, we have such a large variety that there is not enough cooler space for all varieties, resulting in an entire "warm" beer area. Kirk's Korner offers micro beers from 18 ounce single bottles to 12 packs representing the different styles and tastes. Come and visit our micro section. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised, pleased and find that special something just for you! YES, you can and here's how!
Wine continues to develop and age naturally even while in the bottle. This is nothing new or unusual; however, some folks see elements in a bottle of unopened wine and think that wine is no longer good to drink and enjoy; however, this might well be an incorrect belief! You will know if a wine is no longer good if it smells or tastes like vinegar. In fact, this is how vinegar is made by deliberately the spoiling wine! So here's a hint, if the bottle smells or tastes like vinegar then you have just made your homemade vinegar and, if you want, can use it as such. If the bottle of wine has aged naturally and elements exist, simply poor the wine through cheese cloth to remove the elements and then enjoy the wine! I have found frequently the developed and mature wine is more enjoyable than some of the 'fresh' wines. Secondly, when you 'DE-cork' a bottle of wine make certain you plunge the corkscrew all the way through the cork. If you do not, then the cork will tend to break in half. If the cork has broke, then carefully place the corkscrew fully back into the cork taking care not to push the cork down into the bottle and, once done, remove the cork. Should the cork fall into the bottle, then simply use cheese cloth to strain the cork from the wine into a decanter and enjoy! These are a couple of simple things that will save you $$$ and frustration! Wines are great party and couple favorites. Whether selecting a bottle of wine to go with Chinese carry-out or formal dinners, there are a number of guidelines to follow:
With its overwhelming volume of esoteric varieties, a wine purchasing experience can be as unwelcoming as the Harvard Law School Library. Winemaker Austin Hope has some suggestions that makes wine sound more like shopping for the right pair of shoes. Mr. Hope's first suggestion is "It doesn't need to be that complicated".
Hear are Mr. Hope's simple wine rules to live by: TRUST THE EMPLOYEES: His first rule is easy. Wine and Bottle Shops have usually experienced employees or can get someone to answer your questions, so do not be afraid to ask. "Unless you're a 7-Eleven or grocery store, they're going to steer you the right way" Mr. Hope states. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH A CHABLIS: "You can pair wines with anything, but if you really want to be safe, get a Chablis", Mr. Hope states. Chablis will generally please everyone and is versatile with food because of its flavor, as a dryer white wine, will not overpower the palette. Men will love it as well! LOOK FOR THE APPELLATION: If it says California and that's all it says, it's probably going to be grown from less desirable areas per Mr. Hope [who is from California]. They will be from bigger wineries and the quality is not going to be as high. Appellations, like NAPA Valley or Sonoma, is important when buying wines under $20. Usually, the better the wine, the higher the price; but, bargains can be found under $20 that are very good wines. GO WITH SIMPLER LABELS: Labels can be overwhelming. Eye-catching labels can overcompensate for what's in the glass. It may not be the coolest label, but the chances of it being a good wine is greater. Simple labels are the historic sign of the better wines. THE HIGHER THE ALCOHOL %, THE HEAVIER THE WINE: To address this point, Mr. Hope suggests "go to your cabinet, grab a glass and pour some vodka straight into it with no mixer. You can feel how heavy the sensation is, the weight of it across your palette". This is due to the higher proof. The 'sweet spot' is a wine between 11% and 13%. As you increase the alcohol, you get more tannins, more richness, more weight. Hope states that at 14% you start to feel the difference. Very rarely will you find a wine under $20 that is a 15% alcohol [at a party, you'll need foods for these!]. PRICE DOES NOT MATTER BELOW $50: The truth is a $15 wine can be every bit as good in most cases as a $25 wine. Find a brand you like and stick with it, but do not be afraid to experiment occasionally. If you're over $50, you're going to get a darn good bottle of wine. The higher the price, typically the better the wine per Mr. Hope. Try these suggestions by Mr. Hope and, hopefully [no pun intended], it will work for you and yours! Ports, originally from Portugal, have become ever more popular throughout the world. Many great Ports are now made in California and Australia. The grapes that Port is made from historically were Tinta Francisca, Tinta Ruriz [Tempranillo], Bastardo Tina Cao, Souzau, Mourisco, Torigas Nacional; however, now there are over 85 varieties adding to the wider styles of today's Ports.
Fermentation in the old country was short, but naturally preserving natural grape sugars from any metabolization by the yeast. Even today in Portugal many Ports are juiced the old way - by stomping in a vat with human feet! California varieties are mechanized from start to finish - no human feet. Also, in the old country when Ports are ready to be drank a priest would bless the Port and then a three- [3] day festival would occur with music and dancing into each night. What exactly does the different Port names entail? TAWNY PORT: Spends most of its life in a barrel causing the pigments to oxidize taking on a hue of oak. Produces an onion skin color or the word TAWNY. Must be aged a minimum 6 years and bottling date on the label. It can only be bottled in increments of 10 years. Great taste of dried fruits and nuts in the aroma and a little less sweetness. COLHEITA PORT: A tawny port from a single vineyard. Must be aged minimum 7 years and up to 50 years. VINTAGE PORT: made only from the best grapes from the best vineyards. Must be bottled only between July 1st of the 2nd year and July 31st of the 3rd year after harvest. Naturally, it is more expensive. Sweet, fruity and nutty with aroma very pleasing to the nose. LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT: A single vineyard Vintage Port bottled between July 1st of the 4th year and December 31st of the 6th year following harvest. CRUSTED PORT: A blend of vintages, usually bottled early [3 to 4 years]. RUBY PORT: shows off its youth rather than maturity. Generally aged in stainless steel or seasoned [older] barrels for 2 to 3 years. The lower tannin in the wine will make them more friendly with fruit and cheese. Sweeter than other Ports, although all Ports are considered sweet. Ready to try a Port? Those who do frequently keep a stock in their best wine cabinets for "personal" enjoyment. Women who want to try a red, but do not like the boldness of a red wine should try a Port. My loving wife LOVES a good port! Malbec has become increasingly popular throughout the United States. It was originally near the Bordeaux Region near Midi, but more recently has become the home of New World wines especially Argentina. Malbec adds color, body and richness along with berry fruit and structure in each glass.
Here is Malbec's universe of flavors: [varies from winery to winery] FRUIT: Blackbery, Black Cherry, Black Olive, Black Plum, Mulberry FLORAL: Tobacco EARTH: Mineral WOOD: Chocolate, Mocha, Vanilla OTHER: Black Licorice Malbec goes great with beef, hamburger, game of all types, rich root vegetables such as parsnips or carrots, stews, and stronger cheeses such as Roquaefort, Gorganzola, Port Salute and others. Avoid aggressive washed rind cheeses like Epoisses or Chimay. Malbec will overwhelm fish, cream base sauces, most Asian dishes, and delicate white meat such as pork, poultry or veal. At Kirk's Korner we carry a variety of Malbec from around the World and at price friendly cost to the consumer. Next time you want a full bodied Red, try a Malbec! Some of the world's oldest wines come from Italy. Did you know Italy has over 2,000 native grapes?
Many customers do not recognize the various names of Italian wines, such as: Barbera, Lambrusco, Cuvee, Sauvigon Blanc, Moscato, Cortese, Dolcetto, Barolo, Barbaresco, Rose', Chianti, Valpolicella, Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Montepulciano, and many others too numerous to mention. But, they are all great wines! What makes Italian wines different is the soil and climate. Different regions in Italy have different soil conditions and minerals, different growing conditions and different climate from sea side to mountains. Italian wines are full bodied, yet sweeter than many others [with exception of German wines]. Let's discuss the most widely known Italian wine, the Chianti. The region lays between two great art cities of Florence and Siena. The altitude ranges from 300 feet above sea level to around 2,000 feet above sea level. The area is 1/5th mountain and 2/3rd hills. The coastal area is open and flat. The basic soil type is sandy-calcareous marl, variations in the mix of clay, stones and minerals. The most prized soil contains a flaky compressed clay called galestro or a rocky substance called alberese. The climate is hot, dry summers with risk of harvest rains. The coastal climate is warm and dry. July, for instance, averages 75 degrees F. Now, I don't know about the grapes; however, the weather is perfect for me! Don't be afraid to experiment with your wines. Variety is the spice of life! Try different varieties to determine those that meet your requirements best. At Kirk's Korner we carry a variety of Italian wines and will try to suit any call needs you might have. The Perfect Pour is here for our customer's enjoyment and love of wines! |
The Perfect Pour
Author: Tom Mason
Owner of Kirk's Korner in York, Nebraska, Tom is well-educated when it comes to Spirits, Fine Wines and Beers & Microbrews. The Perfect Pour provides a space for you to explore the ins and outs of your favorite adult beverages. Have comments? Please comment or contact us so we can chat more! Archives
October 2015
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