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04/16/08 - Wine Ingredients

The Best Articles on Wine Ingredients

Rioja Wines



The Rioja region in Northern Spain is situated in the Rio Ebro valley, it's northern
border being bounded by the Sierra de Cantabrias mountain range and it's southern
by the Sierra de la Demanda. The resulting geographical location creates
conditions that have produced a perfect environment for vineyards.


The Denominaci?n de Origen Calificada Rioja covers some 57,000 hectares
located in 3 Autonomous Communities those of La Rioja, The Basque country
and Navarra. Between them they produce around 250 million litres of Rioja wine per annum
Of which 85% is red and the rest whites or ros?s.


Wine has been produced in this area for centuries, initially by monks in
the middle ages but as far back as 1635 the Mayor 0f Logro?o decreed
that no carriages were to pass along the roads next to the cellars for
fear that the vibration from them might affect the juice and the ageing
of the precious Rioja wines.


In 1102 we find the first document making reference to the safeguarding
of the quality of Rioja wines when King Sancho of Navarra legally recognized
the wines from this area. Then in 1787 the Real Sociedad Econ?mica de
Cosecheros de Rioja (Royal Economic Society of Rioja Winegrowers) was
established with the sole purpose of encouraging the cultivation of
vines, wine production and its commercial development.



In 1902 came a Royal Decree which defined the "origin" applicable to
Rioja Wines and then in 1926 came the Consejo Regulador (Control Board)
with responsibility to define the designated boundaries of the Rioja region,
supervise and issue the "seal of approval", and to recommend the legal action to be taken
against mis-use of the name Rioja. In 1945 the board received it's
legal structure and then in 1953 finally became officially
established from which time it has set out the foundations for a
modern and efficient production of these world famous Spanish wines.In
1970 this responsibility was clearly defined thus, "The Control Board
shall uphold the Designation of Origin and implement, monitor and
foster the quality of its wines."


The long history of the production and development of Rioja wines
has resulted in a wine of outstanding quality which can confidently stand
shoulder to shoulder with many of the worlds finest wines. This was
further acknowledged when on April 3rd. 1991 a Ministerial Order
granted the category of "Calificada" to the D.O., the first and only
wine designation of origin in Spain to attain this ranking.



Rioja Wines, Grape Varieties.


For many centuries wine has been produced in the Riojan area and obviously
this lengthy passage of time has resulted in the natural selection of grapes best
suited to the area and best able to produce wines of the highest quality.
Factors such as soil type and climate play a large part in this
selection process but of course the resultant wine is an all important
consideration as well.


Today seven varieties of grape are permitted by the Regulations of
the Denominaci?n de Origen Calificada Rioja, these are:-


Red grape; Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano and


White Grape; Viura, Malvas?a and White Garnacha.


Types of Rioja Wines.



Most Rioja wines are normally the result of the harmonious
combination, in varying proportions, of the different varieties
grown in the region and the different sub-areas within them.


Rioja wines exhibit much aromatic complexity. They are fresh, with a
medium body, a balanced structure, and an excellent bouquet.


* Red wines: Classic wines of bright colour with a fresh, penetrating
aroma; light in the mouth with medium alcohol content. Tempranillo is
the predominant variety used to make these wines.


* Ros? wines: Bright pink wines with a strong fragrance. They are
light and fresh in the mouth, with medium alcohol content. Garnacha
is the predominant variety used to make these wines.


* White wines: Greenish-yellow, which can be more or less pale. They
exhibit fine aromas and prove light in the mouth with fairly low
alcohol content. Viura is the predominant variety used to make these
wines.



Ageing Rioja Wines.


Rioja wines are aged in 225-litre oak casks, with periodic
rackings, followed by a further period of bottle ageing. There are
over 270 ageing bodegas in Rioja which have a total of over 900,000
casks. The different Rioja wine categories are based on minimum
ageing periods, which can vary between 1 and 3 years in casks and
between 6 months and 6 years in the bottle, depending on whether the
wine is to be a Crianza, a Reserva or a Gran Reserva.




Rioja wines are aged in oak casks of 225 litre capacity with periodic rackings.
Then follows a period of bottle ageing. The length of the ageing process
differs between different categories of Riojan wine and can vary from
1-3 years in the cask and 6 months to 6 years in the bottle depending
on whether the wine is to be a Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva. Today there
are over 270 ageing bodegas in Rioja with over 900,000 casks.



The lengthy tradition of winemaking in the Rioja region of Northern Spain
with the inherent wealth of experience that such a period of trial, error,
disaster, success and experimentation produces has resulted in blessing
the world with a marvellous wine which will satisfy the most discerning palette.

About the Author


Article submitted by
Ruth Polak the owner of title="www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com" target="_blank">www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com
A web site specializing in holiday villas and apartments on the Costa
del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also find a wealth of information
about Spain and Andalucia, in particular.

Thoughts about Wine Ingredients

Serving With Wine Glasses: What's Behind Glass Number 1


Alcohol, as a rule, is generally easy to serve. For beer, you simply hand someone a can or a bottle and, if need be, a bottle opener. For hard alcohol...


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Featured Wine Ingredients Items

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cocktails and beer and wine

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Ingredients processed cereals, fermented and brewed, mostly barley, hops (those are the hops plant, with the hemp) for the sound to brew distinctiveness of bitterness and malt. The beer is light in the dark ales stouts function of the proportion of malt and barley. As a rule, the darkest color of the beer, the calorie count.

Spicy red cabbage.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:00:33 PDT
As well as adding a gorgeous splash of colour to the plate, this dish has adeliciously tangy bite. Try it with sausages or pork chops and mashed potatoes.Ingredients1 red onion, thinly sliced500g red cabbage, shredded1 large cooking apple, peeled, cored and diced4 tbsp red wine vinegar60g butter or margarine

Beer and Wine Making

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:19:09 PDT
Describes the different ingredients and materials used for home beer brewing and wine making.

The Greenhouse Tavern, Jonathan Sawyer’s certified green gastropub, to sprout on East Fourth this fall

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:01:21 PDT
After months of speculation, the details of chef Jonathan Sawyer’s long-awaited gastropub – the first in the region to be certified “green” by the Green Restaurant Association -- are becoming clear. The Greenhouse Tavern should sprout sometime this fall at 2038 E. 4th St., in the Cort’s Building – putting it between Wonder Bar and HOB, and just a few doors down from Lola, where Sawyer’s pal and colleague, Michael Symon, hangs his toque. ... Sawyer, a Cleveland native whose resume includes s


Wine Online
Wine Valley

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12:40 AM

April 16, 2008 - Beer Basket

Beer Basket For Your Reading Pleasure

Modern Wine Cellar Coolers



It was only a few years ago that if you hear the word wine
cooler the name Bartles and James came to mind. And if
someone was telling you about their wine collection you
pictured a massive underground vault. But the modern wine
cellar coolers are nothing like those of the past.


Only a few years ago a cellar would consist of rows and rows
of wine neatly organized and aged to maximum perfection.
It was easy to enjoy a good glass of wine when out for an
evening but virtually impossible to have that capacity within
the home. But then the modern wine counter cooler came
along. Today anyone can turn their kitchen into a wine
cellar with little effort.


Fine wines cost a lot and they are only worth the cost if you
have the proper place to store them. See wines are alive
and they are continuously changing depending on the
environment they are in. There are many things that affect
how a wine changes. Those include humidity, temperature,
ventilation, calm, and even the angle the bottle is stored at.
A quality wine cooler considers all of these elements.


Your wine should be stored horizontal in a stable
temperature at the lowest possible place that has no
vibration. You also need to make sure its away from any
strong odors.


The perfect temperature is between 50 and 55 degrees
with a 70% humidity level. A wine fridge can accomplish this
easily. A regular refrigerator isn't as effective because it is
just a little too cool plus temperatures fluctuate.


A wine cooler's temperature never changes which maintains
the wines flavor. These coolers are also designed so that
you can lay the bottle down so the wine is always in contact
with the cork.


An under the counter wine cooler can be built right into
your kitchen. This also gives extra protection to the wine
from natural lighting. There are a few common mistakes
that are made when shopping for a wine cooler. Make sure
you don't make these mistakes.


You need to stay away from the clear door coolers. There's
no question these look great because you can see all your
bottles of wine. But the light from the kitchen, especially
fluorescent lighting will actually ruin your wine over time.
There is actually a name for this "light struck." Buy a cooler
with the darkest door you can find.


Another common mistake is installing it near a heat source.
Your stove isn't your only heat source. Dishwasher and
refrigerators both throw heat and dishwashers also vibrate
which is bad for your wine. Try to install it where it is more
isolated.


These coolers are commonly installed in the kitchen but of
course they don't have to be. You can install them in any
room that you wish as long as you stay away from any heat
or vibration.


The modern wine cellar coolers will let you serve perfect
wine to your guests anytime you feel like it. What a great
addition to your room!




About the Author


April used to be a bartender with over 7 years of experience. She later retired to become a freelance wine critic and a writer for a number of wine books. In these books, she specializes on finding the right glassware and utensils for your bar. Visit http://www.ebarware.com for a list of "must haves" such as a wine
glass rack
for your bar.

A Short Beer Basket Summary

The Perfect Wine Cellar Equipment


Congratulations on your move from wine lover to wine
connoisseur. If you are planning to buy a wine cellar this
guide will give you some information...


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Headlines on Beer Basket

BEN column (Bridgeton News)

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:29:09 PDT
Good morning! Get outside this week. Move around. Get the blood in the bottom of your feet circulated to the top of your head.

SHOUT FROM THE CASTLE: It all started like it ended: with a ball (Ball State Daily News)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:18:35 PDT
Sports. You either love it, or you hate it. If you love sports, you have a favorite team, favorite players, possibly even a favorite coach. If you don't - well, then you're like me.

Comments divide voters in ‘Rust Belt’ (The Pottsville Republican & Herald)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:34:35 PDT
SHENANDOAH — Yes, some Democrats in Pennsylvania’s so-called Rust Belt communities were upset by Barack Obama’s suggestion that voters there “cling to guns or religion” because of bitterness about their economic lot.

Weekend Calendar for Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 (Carroll County Online)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:03:39 PDT
Pancake breakfast: 6-10 a.m., Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren, 818 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster. Bake table available. Donation: $6/adults, $3/children. Information: 410-848-7478/410-239-3689.

Gluten-free options are increasing (WSLS Newschannel 10 Roanoke)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:52:49 PDT
Janet Heitler walks down the Whole Food ailse as she looks for Gluten free foods, thi is to accompany a story by Mary Shedden.

Remarkable support for the Cedar River Complex, Hawaiian-style (Mitchell County Press-News)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:46:30 PDT
Story created Apr 15, 2008 - 10:18:54 CDT. Sunny Brae Country Club was wild with brightly colored shirts, palm trees and flower leis earlier this month, during the Hawaiian Luau hosted by the Cedar River Complex Osage public relations committee.


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