Food & Beverage http://food-and-beverage.net Food, wine, beer and more Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:47:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 en Do Boutique Wines Make Your Taste Buds Tingle? http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/20/do-boutique-wines-make-your-taste-buds-tingle/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/20/do-boutique-wines-make-your-taste-buds-tingle/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:39:10 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=69 If so, you’ve come to the right place. BoutiqueWineries is a group of wine lovers from “down under” who just love the romance of finding interesting and unique wines. Whether you are a veteran of many years Cab’s and Chardonnays or just starting on your journey of discovery, we’re here for you. 

We particularly love to hear from wine aficionados who’ve discovered a secret stash of delightful wine from an unheard of cellar. We would like nothing better than for you to break open a bottle, top up your glass and describe for us in mouth watering detail, your latest discovery in our WineLover’s Blog. We’re all here to learn and experience the joys of wine and wine making. 

We know it can sometimes be difficult to decide on the perfect gifts… or maybe you’ve just left it to the last minute. Either way we have the perfect solution! Send a BoutiqueWineries Gift Voucher! That’s an easy way to give Boutique Wines to your friends without knowing what type of wine they like. 

When you have discovered that perfect wine on your latest wine tour, isn’t it frustrating to find that after the last bottle has been joyfully uncorked, you can’t find it anywhere in your local stores? Happily for you, we have the answer to this frustrating scenario. BoutiqueWineries.com.au is the place we go for those hard to find wines. The range is vast, with over 135 boutique wineries marketing their wines through the site. 

Come back often as you journey through the wine country and let us know what you find. Help us enjoy the simple pleasures of fine boutique wines with your experiences and thoughts.

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/20/do-boutique-wines-make-your-taste-buds-tingle/feed/ Sonnett Beers http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/15/sonnett-beers/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/15/sonnett-beers/#comments Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:41:50 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=67 Beer isn’t just for guzzling, it can be an adventure. It is always great to try different beers and experience them from start to finish: Smell, Sight, Texture and Taste. No two beers are alike, even within the same style of beer, there are subtle differences. One of my rules when I’m visiting friends or on vacation is to always try the regional craft brews, it’s such a great way to experience new beers. These are some of the many reasons I love beer.

Sonnett Beers is a Cincinnati based beer blog about the different beers that I drink. Posting a picture of the beer bottle with short descriptions on smell, appearance, taste and overall experience with the beer. Happy Drinking!

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/15/sonnett-beers/feed/ Vigna Uva Vino (Vine Grape Wine) http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/13/vigna-uva-vino-vine-grape-wine/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/13/vigna-uva-vino-vine-grape-wine/#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:22:03 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=62 In 2006 I was struck by a thunderbolt. I had taken a cycling tour thru Tuscany, the heart of wine country, when I discovered a deep passion for wines. Up until that time I had dabbled but the great Brunellos and Chiantis from the region opened a new door that I knew I wanted to walk thru, so I did and never looked back. Since then I’ve taken Italian language classes, written about every wine I’ve tasted in a journal, and ultimately started a wineblog where I talk about everything I love about wines.

So here it is! Vigna Uva Vino (Vine Grape Wine)… NOW, you can find: interviews with wine personalities, info on developing wine sense, reading labels, and great buys as well as handy tips like: which wine glass to use… how to find a great bottle of wine for under $20, or even under $10. And especially comprehensive is my extensive list of tasting notes on over 150 wines.

So welcome to Vigna Uva Vino, and I hope this information will help make you a smarter wine drinker.

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/13/vigna-uva-vino-vine-grape-wine/feed/ Wines in Scandinavia http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/13/wines-in-scandinavia/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/13/wines-in-scandinavia/#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:34:19 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=58 In Norway and Sweden wines are only sold through Alcohol Retail Monopoly. They exist for one reason only: To minimize alcohol-related problems by selling alcohol in a responsible way, without profit motive. Denmark has more continental laws and sells wines all over.

In Norway it is called Vinmonopolet and they have stores all over the country. The Swedish version is called Systembolaget. It has as I can see it a couple of advantages.  First of all the prices on the best and the most expensive wine can be very nice. They have a fix profit on every wine regardless of its good, bad or popular.  So when the marked in other countries turn the price up on the best ones, we can buy it at a fix cost. We in Winesworld have a website where we have tasted, compared and reviewed wines.  We have a search page were you can find the best wine and compare the prices. Since there is only one store that sells wines, you can get it there and all the wines have they own item number so it is easy to get the right one. We have a link on every wine to the official sites were you can see if it is available directly and which store who has it on stock. We have a high tax on alcohol in Norway and Sweden so the low-priced wines are quite expensive. You cannot find a bottle of wine in Norway below $9. 

To sum up it all up the benefit of having monopoly is that it is good organized, a wide range of wines, easy to find and you can do a scoop on the most wanted and best wines.

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/13/wines-in-scandinavia/feed/ Budget Gourmet http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/10/budget-gourmet/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/10/budget-gourmet/#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:53:51 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=55 Budget-Gourmet.com is your Ultimate Gourmet Consumer Guide!  We are your one stop gourmet directory for coupons, discounts, deals and freebies for high quality gourmet foods and food gifts and offer you savings of up to 60%. We also offer  nutritional information, specifications and advice about  chocolate, gourmet coffee,tea, cheese, seafood and a variety of specialty foods.

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/10/10/budget-gourmet/feed/ Veganism - The Happy Vegetable http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/09/22/veganism-the-happy-vegetable/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/09/22/veganism-the-happy-vegetable/#comments Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:51:45 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=50 orzo
Vegansim is rapidly gaining acceptance in the food world as being not only a healthy choice, but an environmentally conscious one. However, if you’re used to using meats and cheeses as meal staples, attempting to create a meal revolving around plant based foods can take some getting used to. But don’t give up! Many vegan meals are actually easier to prepare than meals that involve meats. For one, cooking time can be cut way back since plant-based foods generally cook through much quicker than animal products. And you don’t have to worry about the dangers of consuming something that’s undercooked like you do with meat. In addition, your pocketbook will thank you for not having to spend so much money on expensive meats. At happyvegetable.com, a tasty vegan blog, you can learn a great deal about the vegan lifestyle including recipes (under the “yummies” category), nutritition information, and much more. I even discuss the raw lifestyle, provide some recipes, and take you on my journey of 40+ days when I ate only raw foods.

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/09/22/veganism-the-happy-vegetable/feed/ All About Bordeaux http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/29/all-about-bordeaux/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/29/all-about-bordeaux/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:52:18 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=32 When I fell in love with wine I fell in love with Bordeaux.  It seemed a natural course of events for me – the wine is a reflection of the soils, air, waters and above all the passion that it springs from.  My father taught me to love wine and introduced me to Bordeaux reds and whites that  he brought back from foreign business trips which we would have with our Sunday lunch.  My interest in wine stayed with me through my days in catering and accountancy and remains one of my life’s greatest pleasures. I have been very fortunate to have travelled many continents and tasted wines from around the world. Bordeaux wine, however, remains my favourite for their food enhancement qualities, variety, complexity and lack of “the morning after” feeling.

I began seriously collecting and investing in blue-chip claret over a number of years for my personal cellar and after visiting Bordeaux on a regular basis, began to realise the sheer scale and potential of France’s largest fine-wine region. I was also honoured to be awarded the title of pru d’homme by the Jurade of Saint Emilion, an ancient brotherhood of wine dating back to 1199. I realised that there were an almost limitless number of petit châteaux producing wine of extraordinary quality, yet at bargain prices. The problem was that these wines never crossed the Channel. Realising this gap in the market, I established my online mail order company, Bordeaux-Undiscovered.

The wines which I discover in Bordeaux often have local cult followings which are usually unavailable to the rest of the world due to the huge number of thirsty enthusiasts who snap them up directly from the vineyards.  These wines are made to traditional methods handed down from generation to generation, often from organic vineyards and often by award winning wine makers.

Bordeaux-Undiscovered buys straight from the châteaux which means that we are able to offer the wines at very reasonable prices.  Many of our wines are exclusive to us and all are incredible value for money.  The Daily Telegraph recently recommended one of our clarets - Château Chadeuil (£4.85) which is made by Dominique Hébrard and the Musset family.  Dominique’s family are famous for the prestigious Château Cheval Blanc which took pride of place in the film Sideways.

Bordeaux-Undiscovered offers rosé and white wines as well as claret.  The rosés are unusual in that they are Bordeaux Clairets.  Bordeaux has been making Clairet for centuries – in fact it’s where the word claret originates from.   These wines are steeped on the crushed grapes for longer using the saignée method which gives them superior fruit driven flavours.  We also offer Champagne from Philippe Seconde whose vineyard is one of the top 17 Grand Cru vineyards with Champagne Houses such as Taittinger and Möet for neighbours.

I created Bordeaux-Undiscovered’s sister company, Interest in Wine, to bring  the Classified Growths of Bordeaux to a new wave of lovers of fine wine – whether they were connoisseurs, enthusiasts, en primeur buyers, students or investors and collectors.  Between 1995 and 2003, the value of my wine investment increased by over 43%, compared to a fall in the FTSE by nearly 6%. Moreover, the last three Bordeaux vintages have produced substantially better return than stocks and shares.  I do not see why these wines should be kept only for those “in the know” and believe that every one should have access to them.

I have developed a new website for interestinwine.co.uk (to be released shortly) as I found that people wanted to know more about the châteaux, the people, appellations and wine makers who strive so hard to create perfection.  interestinwine.co.uk has in-depth resumes of each Château we represent and comprehensive Tasting Notes from Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson, a Blog which updates you on the ever moving world of wine – including vintage releases and fine wine prices – as well as detailed notes and maps of the Appellations of Bordeaux.

I am blessed with a wonderful wife, Sue, and together we write daily blogs on the world of wine.  Sue writes specifically for women at Ladies With Bottle and covers wine on the cat walk, beauty, health, food, film and in the lives of celebrities.

Together we hope to bring a little Bordeaux into every wine lover’s life.

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/29/all-about-bordeaux/feed/ WonderToast: Foodie Kids Clothes & Coloring Book http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/14/wondertoast-foodie-kids-clothes-coloring-book/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/14/wondertoast-foodie-kids-clothes-coloring-book/#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:21:05 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=31 Will your kids be as adventurous with food as you are? Make sure they are by introducing them to WonderToast!  With this charming toasty character, they can explore the world’s great culinary delights and learn some really cool facts about the origins of exotic dishes. Check out WonderToast’s comic book/coloring book that teaches the ABCs through adorable illustrations such as “K is for Kimchi”, “Q is for Quesadilla”, and “Y is for Yorkshire Pudding”!

Put those COOL DESIGNS on KIDS CLOTHES, and you’ve got a recipe for success!  Deck out your baby in an organic onesie that sports “N is for Nigiri” or for the pre-school set, try a t-shirt with “F is for Falafel”.

FOODIE PARENTS just can’t go wrong with WonderToast.  For something extra special, pick up a gift set: shirt with an autographed book all wrapped up in a colorful chinese take-out box.  Artist Anna Woltz will even include a fresh little drawing along with a personalization for your little one.  Need a baby shower gift?  Or maybe a child’s birthday is fast approaching? You’d be sure to impress with WonderToast!”

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/14/wondertoast-foodie-kids-clothes-coloring-book/feed/ Good Spots For Wine Info http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/09/good-spots-for-wine-info/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/09/good-spots-for-wine-info/#comments Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:07:52 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=30 On Must Love Wine you can find a lot of good wine info, meet great well informed oenophiles and also learn a lot. Here are a few quick links to help you find what you want:

There is also a wine forum for members and if you are looking for a local wine group to join check out Local Wine Groups.

 

]]> http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/08/09/good-spots-for-wine-info/feed/ Nibbles of Juicy Looking Tidbits http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/07/31/nibbles-of-juicy-looking-tidbits/ http://food-and-beverage.net/2008/07/31/nibbles-of-juicy-looking-tidbits/#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:50:27 +0000 Dave http://food-and-beverage.net/?p=28 Does the title make you hungry?  If not, some of the pictures will.  Nibbles of Tidbits is a Food Blog published by Shelly Borrell, a Freelance Copywriter based in Costa Mesa, California.  It specifically emphasizes the good, the bad and the funny regarding food, by featuring many terrific meals and recipes, as well as those dishes gone wrong.  There?s no shame here.  The writer hopes you?ll learn from her mistakes and others, and hopefully not your own.  Nibbles of Tidbits includes restaurant reviews, cooking tips and experiments, taste tests, and stories about all things food-related.  Shelly Borrell has been cooking and writing for more than twenty years and has extensive knowledge regarding food.  She?s also been lucky enough to win a couple recipe contests.  As a matter of fact, she won the Grand Prize in the Soup category in a contest sponsored by Milk.  Her picture and recipe ended up in a Gourmet and Bon Appetite Magazine issue.  Nibbles of Tidbits is updated daily, so check back for the many informative posts to come. 

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