wine Archives - thedancingcucumber.com thedancingcucumber.com Wed, 22 Nov 2023 06:10:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Easy Homemade Mulled Wine https://thedancingcucumber.com/easy-homemade-mulled-wine/ Fri, 24 Nov 2023 16:16:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=9186 As the winter season trundles along and things start to feel more festive, the time comes when it’s acceptable to drink mulled wine all the time. There’s nothing more warming on a cold winter’s night than some hot, spiced, sweet red wine. Even more delicious than shop-bought mulled wine is the homemade version, and it’s […]

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As the winter season trundles along and things start to feel more festive, the time comes when it’s acceptable to drink mulled wine all the time. There’s nothing more warming on a cold winter’s night than some hot, spiced, sweet red wine. Even more delicious than shop-bought mulled wine is the homemade version, and it’s so simple to do. You can choose how much of each spice you put in depending on your taste. 

Ingredients:

  • Bottle of red wine
  • 1 piece of star anise
  • 1 stick of cinnamon
  • 1 piece nutmeg 
  • 1 piece ginger
  • ½ orange
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

  1. Peel the ginger 
  2. Slice the orange into semi-circles
  3. Pour the wine into a large pot and add all the spices
  4. Put this on a low heat
  5. Continue to heat, giving a little stir from time to time
  6. Make sure it doesn’t boil as this will affect the taste and alcohol levels of the wine
  7. After about 10 minutes of heating, add the sugar and the orange slices and stir through
  8. Continue to heat, stirring occasionally
  9. After another 10 minutes, take it off the heat
  10. Leave to sit for about 5 minutes
  11. Strain the wine into glasses, and enjoy!

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5 Ways to Reuse Wine Corks And Create Something Useful https://thedancingcucumber.com/5-ways-to-reuse-wine-corks-and-create-something-useful/ Sun, 29 Oct 2023 16:35:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=7493 Next time you open a bottle of wine don’t throw away that wine cork, because these little bottle stoppers can be used for fun DIY projects. Put all these wine corks to some good use by creating these useful and unique items for your home. Coasters A wine cork coaster looks very stylish and rustic […]

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Next time you open a bottle of wine don’t throw away that wine cork, because these little bottle stoppers can be used for fun DIY projects. Put all these wine corks to some good use by creating these useful and unique items for your home.

Coasters

A wine cork coaster looks very stylish and rustic and it’s a simple DIY home project you can complete in just a few hours.

Plant Labels

Don’t waste your money on buying plant labels when you can create unique labels from old wine corks that look stylish.

Bathmat

Even though it sounds weird at first, a DIY wine cork bathmat can be a nice addition to your bathroom. This unique and soft bathmat is easy to craft at home, but keep in mind that you’ll need at least 170 wine corks to make it.

Jewelry Holder

Looking for unique ways to store and display your jewelry collection? Use your wine corks to create simple but unique holders for necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry.

Frames

In case you love fun DIY home projects and you have a lot of wine corks to recycle, put them to good use by making a unique frame for mirrors or pictures.

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Here’s What to Do With Leftover Wine https://thedancingcucumber.com/heres-what-to-do-with-your-leftover-wine/ Fri, 01 Sep 2023 10:59:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8222 We know what you’re thinking: leftover wine, what’s that? If a wine isn’t good enough to drink, it certainly isn’t good enough to put in your food. But just in case you find a few drops that didn’t make it into your glass, here are some fabulous things that your Merlot or Riesling can be […]

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We know what you’re thinking: leftover wine, what’s that? If a wine isn’t good enough to drink, it certainly isn’t good enough to put in your food. But just in case you find a few drops that didn’t make it into your glass, here are some fabulous things that your Merlot or Riesling can be used for.

Sauces and Stews

American comedian, W.C. Fields, is known to have said, “I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food!” Wine is the perfect addition to sauces and stews as it adds body and flavor, and can also be used for de-glazing.

Homemade Vinegar

Both red and white wines can be used to make vinegar, depending which you prefer. A fair bit of patience is required as the alcohol needs about eight weeks to ferment, but once it has, you can make your very own vinaigrette from scratch.

Poached Pears

If you’re seeking a grown-up dessert, look no further than poached pears in wine. While red wine is traditionally used (giving the fruit a gorgeous pink hue), you can choose to go lighter with a dessert wine like Moscato.

Wine Gummies

Who said sweets are just for children? If you’re an adult with a sweet tooth, you’ll adore this version. A wine of your choice or even Champagne can be used to make gummies that will be just too good to share with the kids!

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Did You Know Wine Could Be Made With These Fruits? https://thedancingcucumber.com/did-you-know-wine-could-be-made-with-these-fruit/ Thu, 19 May 2022 15:17:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=6687 When you think of wine, you probably think of a tasty alcoholic beverage made with fermented grapes. This is the traditional way of making wine, but did you know there are other fruit that can be used in the process? Let’s check out three fruit you likely didn’t know could be used to make wine. […]

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When you think of wine, you probably think of a tasty alcoholic beverage made with fermented grapes. This is the traditional way of making wine, but did you know there are other fruit that can be used in the process? Let’s check out three fruit you likely didn’t know could be used to make wine.

Bananas

Bananas have long been used to make alcoholic beverages in banana-growing regions of Africa, and now they are starting to expand and be commercially produced. The high sugar content of bananas makes it a prime choice for fermentation, resulting in a white, semi-sweet wine.

Pomegranates

The Caucasus region and the Middle East are the main centers of pomegranate production, and some winemakers have mastered the technique of turning this ruby red fruit into wine. Pomegranate from Israel is a well-known variety, and many Armenian wineries are also starting to produce pomegranate wine.

Pineapples

Are you a fan of tropical flavors? If so, pineapple wine is a great choice for you! Sweet and usually drunk as a dessert wine, you’ll find producers in places like Hawaii (the pineapple capital of the world) and the Dominican Republic churning out this unique product.

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Visiting Portugal as a Wine Lover https://thedancingcucumber.com/visiting-portugal-as-a-wine-lover/ Mon, 10 Jan 2022 08:52:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8026 Portugal has some of the best wines in the world, and if you enjoy drinking, there are many amazing places you should visit. The most famous wines may come from France, Italy, and Spain, but Portugal definitely has a lot to offer. Here are some of our warmest recommendations. Try Port in Porto If you […]

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Portugal has some of the best wines in the world, and if you enjoy drinking, there are many amazing places you should visit. The most famous wines may come from France, Italy, and Spain, but Portugal definitely has a lot to offer. Here are some of our warmest recommendations.

Try Port in Porto

If you visit Portugal, you’re probably going to check out Porto anyway. Why not try some of the delicious local wines you can find in the city or just outside of it, in the famous wine region of Duoro Valley. If you have time, definitely schedule a trip and check out the shops and restaurants located there.

Vinho Verde Route

Portugal’s Vinho Verde is the local “green wine” made of grapes that grow in the cooler part of the country. The grapes are harvested before they ripen, which gives the wine an acidic and floral finish with just a little bit of sweetness.

Try Famous Madeira

Madeira is probably the most famous wine from Portugal. It’s made in the tropical climate and comes in a range from dry to sweet. You probably know about popular Madieria wines like HM Borges, Henriques & Henriques, and J. Faria & Flihos.

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European Wineries Are Testing Underwater Wine https://thedancingcucumber.com/european-wineries-are-testing-underwater-wine/ Sat, 18 Sep 2021 06:09:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=7536 Ever since a batch of amazing-quality wine has been discovered underwater in Finland in 2010, European wineries have been on a quest to see if this can be done on purpose. Winemakers from Spain, France, and Croatia started keeping batches in the sea hoping for the best. They kept some of the same wine in […]

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Ever since a batch of amazing-quality wine has been discovered underwater in Finland in 2010, European wineries have been on a quest to see if this can be done on purpose. Winemakers from Spain, France, and Croatia started keeping batches in the sea hoping for the best. They kept some of the same wine in the regular storage so they can compare the results.

As for the original underwater wine found after sitting in the water for nearly two centuries, the experts agree that it tastes great, has a sweet style, and bright golden color (as mentioned by WT Magazine), but can this be achieved over a shorter time period? Probably not, so underwater wine is still seen as a novelty and a way to charge premium prices. It’s understandable that the winemakers are eager to try something new since there weren’t any innovations in their industry for a long time.

One thing that makes this more difficult is the cost. Regular wine bottles can’t go deep enough to reach the dark places underwater. The process requires stainless steel drums that coat each bottle in a specific way so the glass stays intact. Remember, this is supposed to be a premium product, and packaging is an important part of the deal.

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Does Cooking with Wine Really Have Value? https://thedancingcucumber.com/does-cooking-with-wine-really-have-value/ Mon, 12 Oct 2020 11:35:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5578 If you’ve done any significant amount of cooking, you’ve undoubtedly come across a recipe that calls for a splash of wine at some point. But does wine really add flavor or texture? Doesn’t the alcohol burn off once you start cooking it? Is it really just an excuse to open a bottle of wine and […]

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If you’ve done any significant amount of cooking, you’ve undoubtedly come across a recipe that calls for a splash of wine at some point. But does wine really add flavor or texture? Doesn’t the alcohol burn off once you start cooking it? Is it really just an excuse to open a bottle of wine and indulge while you’re busy preparing dinner?

These are all valid questions, but the truth is that wine can do quite a bit to improve the flavor profile of your dish. Here’s how it works.

Alcohol Enhances a Food’s Natural Flavor

Although most of the alcohol does burn off in the cooking process, the molecular structure allows it to bond with the fats and water molecules in food, bringing out even more flavor and tenderizing dishes such as meats and vegetables.

The Best Flavors are Left Behind

Boozy flavors will cook off, leaving only the tastiest aspects of the wine behind. This is why it is always recommended to only cook with wine that you would drink yourself.

It Adds Balance

Wine comes in many varieties, and depending on which you use, it can help to balance out your dish. White Wines can add an acidic touch like vinegar, while buttery red wines can create a deeper, richer flavor. 

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Step Up Your Wine Game with Penny Sadler https://thedancingcucumber.com/step-up-your-wine-game-with-penny-sadler/ Sat, 26 Sep 2020 10:30:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5192 Makeup-artist-turned-travel-blogger Penny Sadler knows her wine. Her blog Adventures of a Carryon documents her travels, offering first-hand accounts of the places she visited and restaurants she dined in—with special focus on wine and wineries. “You might find me stomping through vineyards in the Italian countryside, or flying over Napa Valley wineries in a hot air balloon,” she relays […]

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Makeup-artist-turned-travel-blogger Penny Sadler knows her wine. Her blog Adventures of a Carryon documents her travels, offering first-hand accounts of the places she visited and restaurants she dined in—with special focus on wine and wineries.

“You might find me stomping through vineyards in the Italian countryside, or flying over Napa Valley wineries in a hot air balloon,” she relays on her website. “But most of all, you will find me wandering through the streets and alleyways looking for the unseen, overlooked, hiding-in-plain-sight stories and connections that make life exciting.”

Naturally, her two favorite places to travel to are France and Italy. “The best vacation I’ve ever taken is usually the most recent,” she told Travel Awaits, “because I only travel to places I am sincerely interested in. That said, I loved Alsace, France. The wines are my favorite, and the people are so lovely. I’m also crazy for Rome! I loved it from the moment I first saw it—and I always will.”

But with international travel largely restricted, Sadler’s recommendations and blog posts have also gone through some changes.

“Are you drinking more this summer?” she asked in a recent Instagram posts, explaining how numbers show that since the beginning of the pandemic, Americans are drinking more than usual. “In fact I think liquor and wine sales [are] up 35% from last year,” she writes. “Anyway I’m here to help you find some new things to drink this summer.”

Sounds like a plan!

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The Best Wines for the Fall Season https://thedancingcucumber.com/the-best-wines-for-the-fall-season/ Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:47:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5068 The fall is finally here, which means it’s time to move on from the light and sunny white wines of the summer and transition to more appropriate grapes for the new season! If you’re looking to explore and try some new wine varieties from now until December, here are three great options that pair well […]

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The fall is finally here, which means it’s time to move on from the light and sunny white wines of the summer and transition to more appropriate grapes for the new season!

If you’re looking to explore and try some new wine varieties from now until December, here are three great options that pair well with the season’s typical cuisine and the falling temperatures.

Tempranillo

This Spanish red wine variety is the country’s most popular grape and constitutes the majority of red wines produced by famed growing regions such as La Rioja. Its medium, dry body and the tannins, cherry, and tobacco flavors that come from this wine make it a perfect choice in fall.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is often blended with other French grape varieties, but if you can find it on its own, it’s a great selection for the fall on the red wine front. It’s a moderate wine in its overall profile with great notes of plum and strawberry, without being too sweet.

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Tart blackberry, dried tobacco, almost-ripe pomegranate. Crunchy boysenberry, wrought iron, fresh black currant. An edgy and energetic procession of wild mulberry, blueberry, and sour cherry highlights a delightfully tart and tense fruit core intricately overlayed with fragrances of sandalwood, cedar, and potpourri. Notes of worn leather, rust, and loamy soil swiftly emerge revealing incredible earthy and tertiary complexity that is balanced by mint leaf, dried basil, and a medley of dehydrated herbs. Hints of anise, sweet paprika, and cinnamon advance the deep yet restrained aromatics with a dusting of spice that collides with coffee beans, cacao nibs, and sarsaparilla in a display of decidedly old world decadence. Throughout the terrifically layered attack impressions of incense and smoke compliment haunting pefume while bolstered by subtle wafts of rose petal and charming cellar funk. Perfectly classic and elegant on the nose while remaining serious, grippy, and structured on the palate; exhibiting enviable depth and dimension expressed in an unmistakably Bordelais style. Merely medium in body with powerful tannin supported by a vein of pronounced acidity. This 2012 "Danube Valley" Szekszárd Cabernet Franc by Twickel Szőlőbirtok is an impressively complex and age worthy red from Hungary.  Though as a country it is most known for the legendary sweet white wines of Tokaj, Hungary has a long history of producing world class dry red wine from a number of local and international grape varieties. This bottling, crafted by Twickel Szőlőbirtok using Cabernet Franc grown in the region of Szekszárd, showcases how well Bordeaux grapes can thrive in Hungary's warm to moderate continental climate. Made in a distinctly old world and elegant style this wine reveals incredible depth and dimension after only a few minutes of air. At 8 years of age its fruit is remarkably fresh and integrated perfectly with tremendous herbal, earthy, and spiced nuances. This contains genuine Bordeaux sensibility and complexity without the hefty price tag, and is absolutely worth Seeking out. Available in the USA thanks to PB Importers.  Have you tried red wine from Hungary? @pbimporters

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Gewurztraminer

Are you looking for a white wine for this fall? Look no further than Gewurztraminer, a German white wine variety with a medium body that goes great with meats like turkey and also fall pasta dishes. You’ll find notes of apricot and other stone fruits in this pleasant wine.

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Happy Wine Friday🍷 Any delicious planing for the weekend everyone? 💫 I am in love with – Paul Blanck Gewurztraminer 🍷😉 @domainepaulblanck #gewürztraminer #alsatianwine The Domaine Paul Blanck – A deeply-rooted family winery owned 86 acres, 5 grands crus and 4 lieux-dits in Alsace started back to 1610 🇫🇷 It’s all about Alsatian “terroir wines”, expressions of the unique combinations of grape varietals, soil, climate and craftsmanship 🌟 This 100% Gewürztraminer from 20-year-old vines, in clay and limestone soil, gentle slopes, south-facing; crafted with infinite care. The wine is beautiful yellowish and bright. The richness and intensity aromas of classic Alsatian Gewurz varietal lift clearly from the first waft. It’s off-dry with rose geranium flower aroma, an exotic palate of fresh lychee, grapefruit, ripe nectarines, honey-crispy apple, a Turkish delight backnote, and subtle ginger spice with minerality, poised and elegant throughout. Absolutely delicious with my home cooked Thai green curry😋 If you like Gewurtz, you will love this. I look forward to exploring more of their wines 🍇🍷 Are you a fan of Gewürztraminer? Cheers my wine friends 🥂💕 #wsetglobal #winetasting #winelovers #instawine #wino #winenot #wineporn #wineoclocktips #wineofinstagram #winereview #frenchwinelover #italianwinelovers #winegeek #winetravel #wineinspires #wineblogger #winestory #winetoenjoy #foodandwinepairing #wineofnight #foodiewinelover #sipsaroundtheglobe #girlswineclub #gewurztraminerwine #gewurztraminer #alsacewine #ワイン #葡萄酒

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Organic Wine is Making Its Mark in 2020 https://thedancingcucumber.com/organic-wine-is-making-its-mark-in-2020/ Sat, 05 Sep 2020 14:21:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=4633 Do you remember the organic food boom of the early 21st century? Shortly after the beginning of the new millennium, consumers began to demand more and more food grown and made without the help of pesticides and other non-natural processes. While organic food has now become fairly commonplace in our lives, there’s a new sort […]

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Do you remember the organic food boom of the early 21st century? Shortly after the beginning of the new millennium, consumers began to demand more and more food grown and made without the help of pesticides and other non-natural processes. While organic food has now become fairly commonplace in our lives, there’s a new sort of organic product that is finding its way to more and more kitchens and tables, especially in 2020—organic wine.

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CHÂTEAU CROIX DE LABRIE 2019, Primeur, Saint Émilion Grand Cru 🍷🔥 (English in comment 👇below). • • La campagne des primeurs a été perturbée cette année par la crise que nous traversons mais elle a quand même pu trouver sa place ! J’ai eu l’occasion de vous faire suivre quelques dégustations primeurs que j’ai faites mais j’aimerais revenir sur un vin qui m’a vraiment marqué ⚡! • • Suite au live que nous avons fait ensemble je suis allé faire un tour à Saint Christophe des Bardes, chez Axelle et Pierre Courdurié 👌. @croixdelabrie , c’est un Saint Émilion Grand Cru « vin de garage ». Que des micro parcelles, travaillées au cheval 🐴 et en Biodynamie. • • Cette cuvée est issue de deux parcelles : l’une située sur Badon et l’autre sur Saint Christophe des Bardes. • • 🍷Dégustation : Nez👃notes d’écorces d’oranges, mûres, myrtilles et framboises écrasées, bois noble, épices douces relevées par la réglisse et un côté encre. La bouche 👅quant à elle est extrêmement élégante. Bel équilibre entre le volume, l’élégance et la finesse. Le grain de tannin est extrêmement fin. Arômes de fruits rouges et noirs. Quelle longueur ! La finale se montre sapide et saline 😍 • • Grosse énergie et grosse claque. Voilà un vin 🍷racé ! J’ai hâte de le revoir après qu’il ait fini son élevage ! • • 📝: 96+/100 ❤ • • . . . . . . #saintemilion #saintemiliongrandcru #grandcru #primeur #bordeauxwine #degustation #biodynamie #organicwine #croixdelabrie #winesofinstagram #wineoftheday #glassofwine #redwinelover #wineadvocate #winequotes #uncorked #wineblog #sommelier #wineconsultant #wineinfluencer #winegram #instawine

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Generally, organic wine is made following the same principles as organic food—pesticides, herbicides, and other unnatural chemicals are not made in the process of grape-growing which gives birth to wine.

There are some slight differences between how organic wines are defined in the U.S. and in Canada/Europe. According to American definitions, organic wine is “a wine made from organically grown grapes without added sulfites.” This means that the wine has absolutely no non-natural products, but also that it has a lower shelf life.

In Canada and Europe, however, sulfites may be added after a natural growing process. This makes it easier on winemakers, who have more control over the shelf life and taste of their wines following this process.

While the taste of organic wine is generally no different from that of “normal” wine, its natural constitution is definitely a draw for those who like their food as unadulterated as possible. Look for organic wine to become even more popular in the coming years.

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ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> wine Archives - thedancingcucumber.com thedancingcucumber.com Wed, 22 Nov 2023 06:10:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Easy Homemade Mulled Wine https://thedancingcucumber.com/easy-homemade-mulled-wine/ Fri, 24 Nov 2023 16:16:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=9186 As the winter season trundles along and things start to feel more festive, the time comes when it’s acceptable to drink mulled wine all the time. There’s nothing more warming on a cold winter’s night than some hot, spiced, sweet red wine. Even more delicious than shop-bought mulled wine is the homemade version, and it’s […]

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As the winter season trundles along and things start to feel more festive, the time comes when it’s acceptable to drink mulled wine all the time. There’s nothing more warming on a cold winter’s night than some hot, spiced, sweet red wine. Even more delicious than shop-bought mulled wine is the homemade version, and it’s so simple to do. You can choose how much of each spice you put in depending on your taste. 

Ingredients:

  • Bottle of red wine
  • 1 piece of star anise
  • 1 stick of cinnamon
  • 1 piece nutmeg 
  • 1 piece ginger
  • ½ orange
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

  1. Peel the ginger 
  2. Slice the orange into semi-circles
  3. Pour the wine into a large pot and add all the spices
  4. Put this on a low heat
  5. Continue to heat, giving a little stir from time to time
  6. Make sure it doesn’t boil as this will affect the taste and alcohol levels of the wine
  7. After about 10 minutes of heating, add the sugar and the orange slices and stir through
  8. Continue to heat, stirring occasionally
  9. After another 10 minutes, take it off the heat
  10. Leave to sit for about 5 minutes
  11. Strain the wine into glasses, and enjoy!

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5 Ways to Reuse Wine Corks And Create Something Useful https://thedancingcucumber.com/5-ways-to-reuse-wine-corks-and-create-something-useful/ Sun, 29 Oct 2023 16:35:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=7493 Next time you open a bottle of wine don’t throw away that wine cork, because these little bottle stoppers can be used for fun DIY projects. Put all these wine corks to some good use by creating these useful and unique items for your home. Coasters A wine cork coaster looks very stylish and rustic […]

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Next time you open a bottle of wine don’t throw away that wine cork, because these little bottle stoppers can be used for fun DIY projects. Put all these wine corks to some good use by creating these useful and unique items for your home.

Coasters

A wine cork coaster looks very stylish and rustic and it’s a simple DIY home project you can complete in just a few hours.

Plant Labels

Don’t waste your money on buying plant labels when you can create unique labels from old wine corks that look stylish.

Bathmat

Even though it sounds weird at first, a DIY wine cork bathmat can be a nice addition to your bathroom. This unique and soft bathmat is easy to craft at home, but keep in mind that you’ll need at least 170 wine corks to make it.

Jewelry Holder

Looking for unique ways to store and display your jewelry collection? Use your wine corks to create simple but unique holders for necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry.

Frames

In case you love fun DIY home projects and you have a lot of wine corks to recycle, put them to good use by making a unique frame for mirrors or pictures.

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Here’s What to Do With Leftover Wine https://thedancingcucumber.com/heres-what-to-do-with-your-leftover-wine/ Fri, 01 Sep 2023 10:59:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8222 We know what you’re thinking: leftover wine, what’s that? If a wine isn’t good enough to drink, it certainly isn’t good enough to put in your food. But just in case you find a few drops that didn’t make it into your glass, here are some fabulous things that your Merlot or Riesling can be […]

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We know what you’re thinking: leftover wine, what’s that? If a wine isn’t good enough to drink, it certainly isn’t good enough to put in your food. But just in case you find a few drops that didn’t make it into your glass, here are some fabulous things that your Merlot or Riesling can be used for.

Sauces and Stews

American comedian, W.C. Fields, is known to have said, “I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food!” Wine is the perfect addition to sauces and stews as it adds body and flavor, and can also be used for de-glazing.

Homemade Vinegar

Both red and white wines can be used to make vinegar, depending which you prefer. A fair bit of patience is required as the alcohol needs about eight weeks to ferment, but once it has, you can make your very own vinaigrette from scratch.

Poached Pears

If you’re seeking a grown-up dessert, look no further than poached pears in wine. While red wine is traditionally used (giving the fruit a gorgeous pink hue), you can choose to go lighter with a dessert wine like Moscato.

Wine Gummies

Who said sweets are just for children? If you’re an adult with a sweet tooth, you’ll adore this version. A wine of your choice or even Champagne can be used to make gummies that will be just too good to share with the kids!

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Did You Know Wine Could Be Made With These Fruits? https://thedancingcucumber.com/did-you-know-wine-could-be-made-with-these-fruit/ Thu, 19 May 2022 15:17:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=6687 When you think of wine, you probably think of a tasty alcoholic beverage made with fermented grapes. This is the traditional way of making wine, but did you know there are other fruit that can be used in the process? Let’s check out three fruit you likely didn’t know could be used to make wine. […]

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When you think of wine, you probably think of a tasty alcoholic beverage made with fermented grapes. This is the traditional way of making wine, but did you know there are other fruit that can be used in the process? Let’s check out three fruit you likely didn’t know could be used to make wine.

Bananas

Bananas have long been used to make alcoholic beverages in banana-growing regions of Africa, and now they are starting to expand and be commercially produced. The high sugar content of bananas makes it a prime choice for fermentation, resulting in a white, semi-sweet wine.

Pomegranates

The Caucasus region and the Middle East are the main centers of pomegranate production, and some winemakers have mastered the technique of turning this ruby red fruit into wine. Pomegranate from Israel is a well-known variety, and many Armenian wineries are also starting to produce pomegranate wine.

Pineapples

Are you a fan of tropical flavors? If so, pineapple wine is a great choice for you! Sweet and usually drunk as a dessert wine, you’ll find producers in places like Hawaii (the pineapple capital of the world) and the Dominican Republic churning out this unique product.

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Visiting Portugal as a Wine Lover https://thedancingcucumber.com/visiting-portugal-as-a-wine-lover/ Mon, 10 Jan 2022 08:52:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8026 Portugal has some of the best wines in the world, and if you enjoy drinking, there are many amazing places you should visit. The most famous wines may come from France, Italy, and Spain, but Portugal definitely has a lot to offer. Here are some of our warmest recommendations. Try Port in Porto If you […]

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Portugal has some of the best wines in the world, and if you enjoy drinking, there are many amazing places you should visit. The most famous wines may come from France, Italy, and Spain, but Portugal definitely has a lot to offer. Here are some of our warmest recommendations.

Try Port in Porto

If you visit Portugal, you’re probably going to check out Porto anyway. Why not try some of the delicious local wines you can find in the city or just outside of it, in the famous wine region of Duoro Valley. If you have time, definitely schedule a trip and check out the shops and restaurants located there.

Vinho Verde Route

Portugal’s Vinho Verde is the local “green wine” made of grapes that grow in the cooler part of the country. The grapes are harvested before they ripen, which gives the wine an acidic and floral finish with just a little bit of sweetness.

Try Famous Madeira

Madeira is probably the most famous wine from Portugal. It’s made in the tropical climate and comes in a range from dry to sweet. You probably know about popular Madieria wines like HM Borges, Henriques & Henriques, and J. Faria & Flihos.

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European Wineries Are Testing Underwater Wine https://thedancingcucumber.com/european-wineries-are-testing-underwater-wine/ Sat, 18 Sep 2021 06:09:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=7536 Ever since a batch of amazing-quality wine has been discovered underwater in Finland in 2010, European wineries have been on a quest to see if this can be done on purpose. Winemakers from Spain, France, and Croatia started keeping batches in the sea hoping for the best. They kept some of the same wine in […]

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Ever since a batch of amazing-quality wine has been discovered underwater in Finland in 2010, European wineries have been on a quest to see if this can be done on purpose. Winemakers from Spain, France, and Croatia started keeping batches in the sea hoping for the best. They kept some of the same wine in the regular storage so they can compare the results.

As for the original underwater wine found after sitting in the water for nearly two centuries, the experts agree that it tastes great, has a sweet style, and bright golden color (as mentioned by WT Magazine), but can this be achieved over a shorter time period? Probably not, so underwater wine is still seen as a novelty and a way to charge premium prices. It’s understandable that the winemakers are eager to try something new since there weren’t any innovations in their industry for a long time.

One thing that makes this more difficult is the cost. Regular wine bottles can’t go deep enough to reach the dark places underwater. The process requires stainless steel drums that coat each bottle in a specific way so the glass stays intact. Remember, this is supposed to be a premium product, and packaging is an important part of the deal.

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Does Cooking with Wine Really Have Value? https://thedancingcucumber.com/does-cooking-with-wine-really-have-value/ Mon, 12 Oct 2020 11:35:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5578 If you’ve done any significant amount of cooking, you’ve undoubtedly come across a recipe that calls for a splash of wine at some point. But does wine really add flavor or texture? Doesn’t the alcohol burn off once you start cooking it? Is it really just an excuse to open a bottle of wine and […]

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If you’ve done any significant amount of cooking, you’ve undoubtedly come across a recipe that calls for a splash of wine at some point. But does wine really add flavor or texture? Doesn’t the alcohol burn off once you start cooking it? Is it really just an excuse to open a bottle of wine and indulge while you’re busy preparing dinner?

These are all valid questions, but the truth is that wine can do quite a bit to improve the flavor profile of your dish. Here’s how it works.

Alcohol Enhances a Food’s Natural Flavor

Although most of the alcohol does burn off in the cooking process, the molecular structure allows it to bond with the fats and water molecules in food, bringing out even more flavor and tenderizing dishes such as meats and vegetables.

The Best Flavors are Left Behind

Boozy flavors will cook off, leaving only the tastiest aspects of the wine behind. This is why it is always recommended to only cook with wine that you would drink yourself.

It Adds Balance

Wine comes in many varieties, and depending on which you use, it can help to balance out your dish. White Wines can add an acidic touch like vinegar, while buttery red wines can create a deeper, richer flavor. 

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Step Up Your Wine Game with Penny Sadler https://thedancingcucumber.com/step-up-your-wine-game-with-penny-sadler/ Sat, 26 Sep 2020 10:30:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5192 Makeup-artist-turned-travel-blogger Penny Sadler knows her wine. Her blog Adventures of a Carryon documents her travels, offering first-hand accounts of the places she visited and restaurants she dined in—with special focus on wine and wineries. “You might find me stomping through vineyards in the Italian countryside, or flying over Napa Valley wineries in a hot air balloon,” she relays […]

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Makeup-artist-turned-travel-blogger Penny Sadler knows her wine. Her blog Adventures of a Carryon documents her travels, offering first-hand accounts of the places she visited and restaurants she dined in—with special focus on wine and wineries.

“You might find me stomping through vineyards in the Italian countryside, or flying over Napa Valley wineries in a hot air balloon,” she relays on her website. “But most of all, you will find me wandering through the streets and alleyways looking for the unseen, overlooked, hiding-in-plain-sight stories and connections that make life exciting.”

Naturally, her two favorite places to travel to are France and Italy. “The best vacation I’ve ever taken is usually the most recent,” she told Travel Awaits, “because I only travel to places I am sincerely interested in. That said, I loved Alsace, France. The wines are my favorite, and the people are so lovely. I’m also crazy for Rome! I loved it from the moment I first saw it—and I always will.”

But with international travel largely restricted, Sadler’s recommendations and blog posts have also gone through some changes.

“Are you drinking more this summer?” she asked in a recent Instagram posts, explaining how numbers show that since the beginning of the pandemic, Americans are drinking more than usual. “In fact I think liquor and wine sales [are] up 35% from last year,” she writes. “Anyway I’m here to help you find some new things to drink this summer.”

Sounds like a plan!

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The Best Wines for the Fall Season https://thedancingcucumber.com/the-best-wines-for-the-fall-season/ Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:47:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5068 The fall is finally here, which means it’s time to move on from the light and sunny white wines of the summer and transition to more appropriate grapes for the new season! If you’re looking to explore and try some new wine varieties from now until December, here are three great options that pair well […]

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The fall is finally here, which means it’s time to move on from the light and sunny white wines of the summer and transition to more appropriate grapes for the new season!

If you’re looking to explore and try some new wine varieties from now until December, here are three great options that pair well with the season’s typical cuisine and the falling temperatures.

Tempranillo

This Spanish red wine variety is the country’s most popular grape and constitutes the majority of red wines produced by famed growing regions such as La Rioja. Its medium, dry body and the tannins, cherry, and tobacco flavors that come from this wine make it a perfect choice in fall.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is often blended with other French grape varieties, but if you can find it on its own, it’s a great selection for the fall on the red wine front. It’s a moderate wine in its overall profile with great notes of plum and strawberry, without being too sweet.

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Tart blackberry, dried tobacco, almost-ripe pomegranate. Crunchy boysenberry, wrought iron, fresh black currant. An edgy and energetic procession of wild mulberry, blueberry, and sour cherry highlights a delightfully tart and tense fruit core intricately overlayed with fragrances of sandalwood, cedar, and potpourri. Notes of worn leather, rust, and loamy soil swiftly emerge revealing incredible earthy and tertiary complexity that is balanced by mint leaf, dried basil, and a medley of dehydrated herbs. Hints of anise, sweet paprika, and cinnamon advance the deep yet restrained aromatics with a dusting of spice that collides with coffee beans, cacao nibs, and sarsaparilla in a display of decidedly old world decadence. Throughout the terrifically layered attack impressions of incense and smoke compliment haunting pefume while bolstered by subtle wafts of rose petal and charming cellar funk. Perfectly classic and elegant on the nose while remaining serious, grippy, and structured on the palate; exhibiting enviable depth and dimension expressed in an unmistakably Bordelais style. Merely medium in body with powerful tannin supported by a vein of pronounced acidity. This 2012 "Danube Valley" Szekszárd Cabernet Franc by Twickel Szőlőbirtok is an impressively complex and age worthy red from Hungary.  Though as a country it is most known for the legendary sweet white wines of Tokaj, Hungary has a long history of producing world class dry red wine from a number of local and international grape varieties. This bottling, crafted by Twickel Szőlőbirtok using Cabernet Franc grown in the region of Szekszárd, showcases how well Bordeaux grapes can thrive in Hungary's warm to moderate continental climate. Made in a distinctly old world and elegant style this wine reveals incredible depth and dimension after only a few minutes of air. At 8 years of age its fruit is remarkably fresh and integrated perfectly with tremendous herbal, earthy, and spiced nuances. This contains genuine Bordeaux sensibility and complexity without the hefty price tag, and is absolutely worth Seeking out. Available in the USA thanks to PB Importers.  Have you tried red wine from Hungary? @pbimporters

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Gewurztraminer

Are you looking for a white wine for this fall? Look no further than Gewurztraminer, a German white wine variety with a medium body that goes great with meats like turkey and also fall pasta dishes. You’ll find notes of apricot and other stone fruits in this pleasant wine.

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Happy Wine Friday🍷 Any delicious planing for the weekend everyone? 💫 I am in love with – Paul Blanck Gewurztraminer 🍷😉 @domainepaulblanck #gewürztraminer #alsatianwine The Domaine Paul Blanck – A deeply-rooted family winery owned 86 acres, 5 grands crus and 4 lieux-dits in Alsace started back to 1610 🇫🇷 It’s all about Alsatian “terroir wines”, expressions of the unique combinations of grape varietals, soil, climate and craftsmanship 🌟 This 100% Gewürztraminer from 20-year-old vines, in clay and limestone soil, gentle slopes, south-facing; crafted with infinite care. The wine is beautiful yellowish and bright. The richness and intensity aromas of classic Alsatian Gewurz varietal lift clearly from the first waft. It’s off-dry with rose geranium flower aroma, an exotic palate of fresh lychee, grapefruit, ripe nectarines, honey-crispy apple, a Turkish delight backnote, and subtle ginger spice with minerality, poised and elegant throughout. Absolutely delicious with my home cooked Thai green curry😋 If you like Gewurtz, you will love this. I look forward to exploring more of their wines 🍇🍷 Are you a fan of Gewürztraminer? Cheers my wine friends 🥂💕 #wsetglobal #winetasting #winelovers #instawine #wino #winenot #wineporn #wineoclocktips #wineofinstagram #winereview #frenchwinelover #italianwinelovers #winegeek #winetravel #wineinspires #wineblogger #winestory #winetoenjoy #foodandwinepairing #wineofnight #foodiewinelover #sipsaroundtheglobe #girlswineclub #gewurztraminerwine #gewurztraminer #alsacewine #ワイン #葡萄酒

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Organic Wine is Making Its Mark in 2020 https://thedancingcucumber.com/organic-wine-is-making-its-mark-in-2020/ Sat, 05 Sep 2020 14:21:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=4633 Do you remember the organic food boom of the early 21st century? Shortly after the beginning of the new millennium, consumers began to demand more and more food grown and made without the help of pesticides and other non-natural processes. While organic food has now become fairly commonplace in our lives, there’s a new sort […]

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Do you remember the organic food boom of the early 21st century? Shortly after the beginning of the new millennium, consumers began to demand more and more food grown and made without the help of pesticides and other non-natural processes. While organic food has now become fairly commonplace in our lives, there’s a new sort of organic product that is finding its way to more and more kitchens and tables, especially in 2020—organic wine.

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CHÂTEAU CROIX DE LABRIE 2019, Primeur, Saint Émilion Grand Cru 🍷🔥 (English in comment 👇below). • • La campagne des primeurs a été perturbée cette année par la crise que nous traversons mais elle a quand même pu trouver sa place ! J’ai eu l’occasion de vous faire suivre quelques dégustations primeurs que j’ai faites mais j’aimerais revenir sur un vin qui m’a vraiment marqué ⚡! • • Suite au live que nous avons fait ensemble je suis allé faire un tour à Saint Christophe des Bardes, chez Axelle et Pierre Courdurié 👌. @croixdelabrie , c’est un Saint Émilion Grand Cru « vin de garage ». Que des micro parcelles, travaillées au cheval 🐴 et en Biodynamie. • • Cette cuvée est issue de deux parcelles : l’une située sur Badon et l’autre sur Saint Christophe des Bardes. • • 🍷Dégustation : Nez👃notes d’écorces d’oranges, mûres, myrtilles et framboises écrasées, bois noble, épices douces relevées par la réglisse et un côté encre. La bouche 👅quant à elle est extrêmement élégante. Bel équilibre entre le volume, l’élégance et la finesse. Le grain de tannin est extrêmement fin. Arômes de fruits rouges et noirs. Quelle longueur ! La finale se montre sapide et saline 😍 • • Grosse énergie et grosse claque. Voilà un vin 🍷racé ! J’ai hâte de le revoir après qu’il ait fini son élevage ! • • 📝: 96+/100 ❤ • • . . . . . . #saintemilion #saintemiliongrandcru #grandcru #primeur #bordeauxwine #degustation #biodynamie #organicwine #croixdelabrie #winesofinstagram #wineoftheday #glassofwine #redwinelover #wineadvocate #winequotes #uncorked #wineblog #sommelier #wineconsultant #wineinfluencer #winegram #instawine

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Generally, organic wine is made following the same principles as organic food—pesticides, herbicides, and other unnatural chemicals are not made in the process of grape-growing which gives birth to wine.

There are some slight differences between how organic wines are defined in the U.S. and in Canada/Europe. According to American definitions, organic wine is “a wine made from organically grown grapes without added sulfites.” This means that the wine has absolutely no non-natural products, but also that it has a lower shelf life.

In Canada and Europe, however, sulfites may be added after a natural growing process. This makes it easier on winemakers, who have more control over the shelf life and taste of their wines following this process.

While the taste of organic wine is generally no different from that of “normal” wine, its natural constitution is definitely a draw for those who like their food as unadulterated as possible. Look for organic wine to become even more popular in the coming years.

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