What are some of the reasons for cooking with wine? Ask The Wine Ladies.

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Cooking with wine

Cooking with wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

I am a culinary student and am part of a group project that is looking at cooking with alcohol. What are some of the reasons for cooking with wine, what does it do to the food and does the acidity in wine play a role?

Cynthia

Brampton, Ontario

Ask The Wine Ladies

Ask The Wine Ladies- Please submit your questions to info@thewineladies.com

 

Dear Cynthia,

 A splash of wine or definitely a cup or two depending on the recipe can definitely add another dimension to the gastronomic experience. Cooking with wine adds extra flavour; it acts like a turbo booster, just as garlic, salt, pepper and even lemon does. It can also add extra body, complexity and texture. It is great for adding acidity to rich dishes, can serve to tenderize and impair flavour as well. A few hints we’ve garnered over the years from award winning chefs include;

1.       Make sure you let the wine cook off before adding another liquid such as stock. If you add them together the result will have an “uncooked wine” flavour.

2.       Reserve the better wines for the finishing off of a dish when the flavour will be more present, for dishes that require longer cooking time such as braising, a lesser wine will be fine.

3.  For a winning combination using our iconic icewine try this recipe we  found “Vineyard Leg of Lamb with Icewine Fig Compote. It can befound in the book Icewine, by Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, foundersof the beautiful, award winning winery Inniskillin.

4. To “save” a dish in which you’ve used too much wine, re-establish  balance by adding more butter or olive oil.

Submit your questions to The Wine Ladies, Georgia and Susanne to info@TheWineLadies.com

Spanish Map

Can you tell us a little about Spanish wines? Ask The Wine Ladies as heard on ConnectMeRadio.com

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Dear Wine Ladies,

Over the last little while it seems that Spanish wines seem to be popping up at various dinner parties and get-together’s more and more. We really enjoyed one of our most recent white wine discoveries called Viura (we think). Which we were told was a Spanish wine that cost less than $15.00. Neither my boyfriend or I can remember where it came from in Spain. We were wondering if this is the name of an area, a brand name or a town. Any additional info on this wine would be appreciated.

Barbara

Barrie, Ontario

Dear Barbara,

To be sure it seems that the wines of Spain have been enjoying an increase in popularity over the last little while. The wine you are asking about is actually the name of an historic grape variety. It is the most planted white grape in the legendary red wine region of Rioja in the north-east. It is also widely planted in other areas of the north-east of Spain where it goes by the name Macabeo.  And in Roussillon in southern France where it is known as Macabeu.

Typically Viura can be made as a single varietal wine or blended with other grapes (as in Rioja where regulations now permit international varieties such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to be used up to 49% of the blend). It is a varietal that presents its challenges in the vineyards but more and more producers in the area are getting serious about Viura and willing to take the necessary steps, some quite costly to get the best out of the grape. The plantings in Rioja are quite old, many going back up to 45 years which allows for greater complexity in the final product in the hands of a good viticulturist and winemaker. Well balanced, lively crisp wines with alluring aromas of apple, lemon and sometimes hint of honey can be found, and are delicious to be sure. Perhaps you recently tasted the Beronia 2012 Viura which was available in Ontario for $14.95, a great buy to be sure.

Please submit your questions to The Wine Ladies, Georgia and Susanne to info@TheWineLadies.com

Submit your questions to info@thewineladies.com and listen to our answer on the radio.

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TABLE TOPS SOIRÉE

Join us May 24th TABLE TOPS SOIRÉE featuring BRYAN & SARAH BAEUMLER hosted by The Wine Ladies

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TABLE TOPS – DECORATING & ENTERTAINING TRENDS – GENERAL ADMISSION – TICKETS $30.00

SATURDAY, MAY 24 + SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2014 – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Designer Showcase l Speaker Series l Forget-Me-Not-Café l Prizes l Bake Sale

Showcasing the stunning artistic talents of 30+ interior designers, event planners, decor stores and more

While viewing these ‘tablescapes’ stop by and visit our ‘Ask An Expert’ Booth

Enjoy a relaxing break in our Parisienne inspired Forget-Me-Not-Café where tasty refreshments are available to purchase

Your one day admission includes our Speakers Series focusing on all topics decorating and entertaining

Click here to view/download the Speaker Series schedule and presenters.

Purchase tickets and pre-register for our Speaker Series (space is limited) here

TABLE TOPS SOIRÉE

TABLE TOPS SOIRÉE

TABLE TOPS SOIRÉE featuring BRYAN & SARAH BAEUMLER – TICKETS $85.00

SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014 – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Entertainment l Fabulous Silent Auction l Great Food l Beverages

join us for an evening with delectable savouries from Award Winning Cookbook Author and Food Expert, Nadine Hughes

hosted by The Wine Ladies

stroll the ‘tablescapes’ designed by our talented interior designers, event planners, decor stores and more

learn more about ROCK – Reach Out Centre for Kids, recipients of all net proceeds from our Table Tops Event

Your Table Tops Soirée ticket includes a one day General Admission and access to our Speakers Series for either Saturday, May 24th OR Sunday, May 25th.

Click here to view/download the Speaker Series schedule and presenters.

Purchase tickets and pre-register for our Speaker Series (space is limited) here.

Broadway to Barbados at Saint Peter’s Bay Luxury Resort & Residences.

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IN AID OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL (QEH), BARBADOS’ PRIMARY ACUTE CARE MEDICAL FACILITY. Broadway to Barbados Saint Peters Bay Luxury Resort & Residences on the North West coast of Barbados will be home to a high quality cast of New York Broadway performers from 19 th – 29 th March, 2014.  The performers will be […]

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Wine Trivia from The Wine Ladies. Which is not true of Luxembourg?

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Luxembourg

Luxembourg

Which is not true of Luxembourg?

1. The country is not overly concerned with export as most of the country’s wine production is consumed at home.

2. There is a 2000 year old tradition of winemaking.

3. It is second in highest wine consumption per capita in the world, first is Vatican City.

4. The country  is primarily producing red wines.

Quiz! Daily Wine Trivia Game from The Wine Ladies – Friday, March 14th, 2014

Wine Trivia Game from The Wine Ladies. Bubbly and more bubbly. Champagne must come from Champagne. In Spain they call it Cava. Where do they call it Methode Cap Classique, a term coined in 1992?

Quiz! Daily Wine Trivia Game from The Wine Ladies – Thursday, March 13th, 2014 1

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SORRY! The answer is #2.

Napa County is in the North Coast region while Los Angeles County and San Diego County are in the South Coast.

Please try again tomorrow!

Which of the following groupings do not fit?

1. San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz County 20%

2. Napa County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County 45%

3. Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Marin County 35%

Quiz! Daily Wine Trivia Game from The Wine Ladies – Thursday, March 13th, 2014

 

The Wine ladies TV… Adventures around the globe “Taking Life one Sip at a Time”

Tweet to Win!A pair of The Wine Ladies signature wine glasses!

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TWEET TO WIN!

A pair of The Wine Ladies signature wine glasses!

We are celebrating our brand new website!

 

It’s easy as 1-2-3

1.Make sure that you follow both of us on Twitter @TheWineLadies @WineGlasses

2. From Friday, April 4th,2014  7:00am EST until Friday, May 2nd, 2014 5:00pm EST tweet the follow #TWLWineGlassesContest Below are examples that you can use and modify as you see fit.

Example Tweets:

ENTER ME #TWLWineGlassesContest WIN a pair of @TheWineLadies signature @wineglasses  Bottega del Vino Value $600.00

 

@TheWineLadies luv our @wineglasses now u can win a pair! #TWLWineGlassesContest  Bottega del Vino Wowee Value $600.00

 

If the wine matters so does the glass! WIN @TheWineLadies signature @wineglasses Bottega del Vino Value $600.00

 

@TheWineLadies celebrating our new website www.thewineladies.com WIN our big @wineglasses #TWLWineGlassesContest  Bottega del Vino $600.00

 

3.Each time you tweet (or re-tweet our Tweets) using the hash tag #TWLWineGlassesContest  your name will be entered into our draw for a chance to win the prize. Keep entering as often as you like. Be sure to add @thewineladies at the end of your Tweet as well to help track it.

 

4.If you don’t TWEET you can also enter on The Wine Ladies FACEBOOK Fan page too right here.

The winner will be randomly selected at 6:00pm on Friday, May 2nd, 2014and notified via TWITTER and FACEBOOK.

 

Win a pair of these glasses!


Calice means chalice in Italian, so in using this ceremonial decanter, you are literally using the “Chalice of the Bottega del Vino”

As all crystal from Bottega del Vino, this decanter is also mouth blown and finished by hand. It will decant a full magnum and its beveled rim prevents dripping.

A well designed center of gravity makes pouring from the Calice surprisingly easy. Height: 13 ½, Capacity: 97 oz

 

www.bottegadelvinoceystal.com

 

Good Luck everyone!

Susanne's Wine Pick

Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

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Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc

Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc

Susanne and Sauvignon Blanc. The perfect pairing!

I love a fresh, crisp, aromatic wine packed with grapefruit and gooseberry… with good acidity to stand up to my penchant for a rich dish!

Ontario Residents:

Vintages  #981670  $17.95     

 

Mount Riley Wines

Website: mountriley.co.nz/wine/  

Facebook:  Mount-Riley-Wines


Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2013 from Marlborough, New Zealand delivers!Much loved and consistent Mount Riley is a family owned company dedicated to crafting wines of exceptional value. Cheers to a superb Sauvignon Blanc with intensity of purity of the fruit shining through from the nose to the palate!

Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc

Coming Up Next On The Wine Ladies Audio Podcast.International Sauvignon Blanc Day May 4th, 2018, #SauvBlancDay

Georgia's Wine Pick

La Crema Pinot Noir Los Carneros 2012, Georgia’s Wine Pick.

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La Crema Pinot Noir Los Carneros

La Crema Pinot Noir Los Carneros

Although known as “the heart-break grape” this Pinot Noir  is heart warming, mouth watering and simply delish! Ooh how I love this wine! The rich velvety texture, the  the ripe cherry fruit, earthy spice, creaminess and lingering finish.

Ontario Residents:

Vintages  #58024  $44.95

La Crema Winery:  www.lacrema.com

Follow us on Twitter:  @LaCremaWines

 

This appellation is known for producing California’s most elegant Pinot Noirs.

The Carneros appellation which straddles the county lines of both Napa and Sonoma is known for producing some of California’s most elegant Pinot Noirs. The appellation is situated not far from the shores of the San PabloBay. One of the key factors is the constant wind acting as a relentless cooling force. Keeping the heat in check and the availability of ample acids required for well balanced and lively wines. 

 

 For this vintage, the winemaker’s  notes tell us that the grapes were harvested primarily from one of their favorite Los Carneros estate Pinot Noir blocks – Ahmann – which is found just two miles from the bay on the Napa side of Los Carneros. The cooling influence of the wine and the fog allows the grapes ample time on the vine to develop the full concentrated flavours and velvety texture we so enjoy with this Pinot Noir.

Santorini

Quiz! Daily Wine Trivia Game from The Wine Ladies – Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

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For wine lovers, wine fanatics, wine novices and oenophiles, you too can learn quirky, shareable facts about reds, whites, and more. Simply select your answer. Test your wine knowledge!

Quiz! Daily Wine Trivia Game from The Wine Ladies – Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Winemaking on the island of Santorini dates back as far as the Bronze Age. A volcanic explosion circa 1650 left the island covered with lava, Pumice stone and ash which laid the foundation for unique and perfect soils for the production of distinct wines today. Which of the following is false?

1. Santorini is one of the wine producing regions of the Aegean Islands of Greece.
2. Santorini is a designated AOC region.
3. Santorini is well known for producing classic varietals Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
4. The grape Assyrtico and the world famous Vinsanto are both very important  to the island of Santorini.