From San Francisco to Napa Highlighted Booking: Napa Valley Winery Tour Venture out of San Francisco to the famous vineyards of Napa Valley. Do you prefer boutique wineries or big-name brands? Or perhaps a mix of the two? Do you have a must-see winery on your list? Our San Francisco to Napa Tour can offer … Continue reading
Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at Authentic Wine Country!
We’ve all been to parties, or seen movies, where the host pops a bottle champagne. It spills all over, everyone laughs, and a joyous time is had by all. Okay, it’s fine to do that if you have an extra bottle or three of champagne around, because that bottle was strictly theater. When you open … Continue reading
Here is a shocker: White wine is made from white grapes. (There is an exception. Black grapes may be used if they’re not crushed and are pressed immediately.) After the sediment in the juice has settled, fermentation follows. The exact temperature and time varies with the style of wine being made. First, the grapes have … Continue reading
An environment that gives a constant temperature is the most crucial factor for keeping your wine in great shape. A cave is perfect. Fluctuations in temperature can harm wine. Taking out a nice bottle for company and realizing its gone south is a disappointment, to say the least.
When you buy wine from a wine store ask a few questions: 1) If it doesn’t say on the label, what grape variety is the wine made from? 2) How long will the wine keep? 3) Should it be chilled or decanted? 4) Will the shape of the glass affect the taste? 5) What foods … Continue reading
The whole process of making red wine is similar to that of making white wine—but maybe a little more complicated. Here is how it is differs: The grape skins are kept in constant contact with the fermenting juice. This gives a much greater depth of flavor and color. Fermentation, lasting from 10 – 30 days, … Continue reading
This is like guessing how many jelly beans are in a jar. 10,000 grapes in a glass of wine? 1,000? 7? The Sonoma County Grape Growers Association has, quite handily, worked it all out for us. What would we do without associations? Okay, here goes. An average vineyard yields about 5 tons, or 10,000 pounds, … Continue reading
Food and wine is like a good marriage. The best of both complement each other and one does not overpower. Ask for advice, but don’t be a slave to the experts. Drink what you prefer with which foods. That being said, here is a general guide:
Store your wine horizontally, the way it is in a wine store as opposed to the supermarket. And if you buy cases, stack them on their side. This keeps the corks moist. When they are moist they are fat, which means no oxidation. Ever had a bottle that had turned? Bleck. These little tips will … Continue reading
