Crystal Wine Glasses

f_21311076743_p1390470-1.jpgMany wine experts say that wine must be served in the best wine crystal glasses to get its full blessing, although not of necessity. There are a few central principles to keep in mind when choosing wine crystal glasses that will help one get the utmost from their favorite bottle. It is however true, that the aroma, appearance, and even the taste of the wine is enhanced through using the proper wine crystal glass.

The oldest wine glass with a stem and foot that are fifteenth century enamel glass holds more than four ounces of liquid. Near the end of the sixteenth century in Germany, wine glasses were etched as decoration. France introduced fine wine crystal glasses at the end of the eighteenth century.

Wine crystal glasses were frequently fabricated in sets of dozen during the nineteenth century, each set for burgundy and claret, port and sherry, liqueur glasses, and champagne glasses. In the 1950′s, Reidel Crystal and some other manufacturers advanced the design of wine crystal glasses with unique shape and sizes for nearly all wine variant.

When choosing wine crystal glasses, always remember to first select a plain crystal glass to accent your best wines. Do without colored or even those wine crystal glasses that have tinted bases or stems. One of the most essential things to consider when choosing a wine crystal glass is the way aromas are captured within the wine glass. Glasses with a wide bowl that narrow toward the mouth will allow more room for swirling and the narrow mouth channels the aroma to the nostrils efficiently, unlike large glass openings that disperse aroma rapidly.

Red wines are usually served in larger glasses than white wine because they need more space to develop and breathe, but take note that a wine crystal glass can never be too large. Sparkling wines should be provided in thin glasses with straight side so that the bubble is retained. An all-purpose wine glass has been developed by the California Wine Institute. The wine glass is a five and a half-inch tall glass with one and three quarter-inch stem, with a tulip-shaped bowl that holds a capacity of up to eight ounces.

How to set wine glasses at dinner is also a consideration when serving different types of wine all through the course. Wine glasses should be positioned in the right order they are to be used and right to left. Starting with tall stemmed glass for white wines, followed by big wine glasses for red wine, and ending in short smaller glasses for sherry or port, may be a good idea.

Always remember that regardless the type of wine served, the right wine crystal glass will enhance the features of the wine and will allow a more enjoyable wine drinking.

Organic Wine, Beer And Spirits

f_01311078354_supper2.jpgIn the UK and USA, producers are increasingly making wines labeled organic or produced from organically grown grapes. The meaning and legal force of these terms can vary significantly from one country to another.

A key point to add at this stage is the difference between organically grown grapes – fruit from vineyards grown without the use of industrial fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides – and wines made without synthetic preservative additives.

Organic Vineyards — Where it all begins!

An organic vineyard is one where grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals. This prevents damage to soil and ensures that no chemicals end up in the wine as residue. Organic farmers aim to maintain healthy, biologically active soil whose fertility is provided by plants that fix nitrogen from the air. In the vineyard it means planting cover crops between the avenues of the vines instead of applying herbicide. Naturally occurring plant or mineral extracts leave no residue in the soil, and weeds are kept down with the use of mechanical and hand hoes. Biodiversity is promoted through the plants, which help regulate the vineyard soil by attracting beneficial insects, spiders and predatory mites.

The Role of Certification and the Organic Market

When a label says organic, it means the wine has met certain standards that are set by a government agency. Different nations have their own certification criteria, so whats organic in one country may not be so in another. In the UK the Soil Association is the most recognized and used certification body.

Many wineries that are technically organic still choose not to be certified. There are many reasons for this. Some do not want the added costs and bureaucracy of registering. Others may disagree with their governments standards. Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use organic on their labels.

There is a national government target for 30 per cent of all UK farmland to be organic or in conversion by 2010, and 20 per cent of the food consumed to be organic by 2010. The UK grocery market was worth $206 billion in 2006 and USA 634.7$ billion. This growth in the organic food market will have a knock on effect on the drinks industry and will meet the ever-growing demand from consumers for organic wine, which is better for drinkers and better for the environment.

Financial Incentives to Companies to turn Organic

In 2005, 39% of the world organic farmland is in Australia and New Zealand. To combat this The European Union (EU) offers financial support to organic farmers as an incentive for farmers to convert to organic production and help the sector grow. These grants provide farmers with assistance during the period of conversion to organic farming which usually takes three years.

Organic Beers and Spirits

While not so widely available as organic wine, organic spirits are available through specialist suppliers. The production process for organic spirits does not differ widely from conventional production. The main difference lies in the use of organic raw materials. Organic beers are now available in a number of pubs and supermarkets and tend to use organic hops.

Fancy visiting an organic vineyard?

If you are into Organic wine why not visit Englands Premier organic vineyard. In addition to processing fruit on site, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard is one of the main tourist attractions in the 1066 Country region in and around Hastings attracting some 5,000 visitors per annum to its Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting.

Food Glorious Food

f_11310684406_ninaspictures021.jpgThe most enjoyable events are often those in which the food is divine. Oliver Twist said, “Please Sir, can I have some more?- And although it is doubtful that you will be serving gruel at your next catered event, you’ll want your guests feeling pleased.

If Woody Allen is on your guest list, be certain to alert your catering service when you sit to menu plan. Allen has made it very clear, “I will not eat oysters. I want my food dead. Not sick, not wounded, dead.” Perhaps Woody Allen would prefer to eat your mother’s fruitcake; some caterers will prepare ‘family favorites’ upon request. According to Harper’s Index, 1991, the ratio of the density of the average fruitcake to the density of mahogany is 1:1.

Henry miller wrote, “Americans will eat garbage provided you sprinkle it liberally with ketchup.” Well, maybe not exactly garbage but Richard Nixon liked ketchup on his cottage cheese.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s catering service knew that the English adored their sausages when hot dogs were served to King George VI of England during his 1939 visit to the United States.

Jimmy Carter is pleased that It takes about 550 peanuts to make a 12 ounce jar of creamy peanut butter. People who become hysterical when peanut butter sticks to the roof of their mouth have ‘arachibutyrophobia’. If someone attending your catered event has a tendency to suffer from this condition, be certain to alert your caterer about this dietary restriction.

If you are planning to request that your catering service provide ice cream at your event, remind your guests not to eat too quickly because they may get a very painful headache. This is caused by blood vessel spasms which are triggered by the intense cold from the ice cream. The resulting headache is much the same as a migraine – the spasms interrupt the blood flow and cause the vessels to swell.

Quiche is a popular item to serve at events. Depending on how many guests will be attending your event, it is good to know how large a quiche can be: The largest being a quiche made in Paris, November 22, 1997. Chef Alain Marcotullio used 125 quarts of milk, 1,928 eggs, 156 pounds of bacon, 134 pounds of butter, and more than 140 pounds of flour to make the world’s largest quiche. It baked for over 18 hours and fed more than 125 people.

Since you cannot book the late Chef Boyardee (born in Italy, worked at the Plaza and the Ritz-Carlton in New York) to cater your event, browse the The Catering Services Directory for a caterer near you.