Choosing the best wine to go with a meal is not always an easy task for there are many different varieties and styles to choose from. We all know the basics of red, white and rosé but there is far more to it than that. For example, Wikipedia’s exhaustive glossary of wine terms is full of terms and abbreviations which mean little to the average drinker, who would be stuck when it came to the differences between the Italian Frizzante (semi-sparkling) and Frizzantino (slightly sparkling) wines!

It is this variety which is partly the reason behind the popularity of wine and the size of the hobby community which has grown up around the industry. Each country’s wine producing regions bring their own style and approach to their vintages, and there are some unusual types which perhaps aren’t so common.

Grape varieties

The common varieties available to buy off the shelf tend to be made from a select handful of grape – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and so on. In reality there are hundreds of different types of grape used around the world. This includes hybrids within and across species, resulting in a dizzying array of choice.

Hungary has a long history of wine-making, with Aszú being one of its best-known wines. At least five varieties of grape originate here, and there are other possibilities which are as yet unproven.

New Zealand is not known as the most prolific producer, yet it lays claim to some of the very finest, including perhaps the most highly rated Sauvignon Blanc in the world.

Switzerland perhaps lives in the shadow of France when it comes to wine, yet it is famous for its Oeil de Perdrix style of rosé, of which White Zinfandel is one. This variety was actually discovered accidently in the 1970s yet went on to become extremely popular.

Production varieties

Ice wine is made from grapes which freeze whilst still on the vine, which produces a sweeter wine due to the higher concentration of sugars. The Romans are believed by many to have produced wine using similar methods, backed up by anecdotal evidence found amongst writings from the period. Today, Canada and Germany, where it is known as eiswein, are the world’s foremost producers.

Some wines are made from grapes affected by a harmless fungus, noble rot, which again produces sweeter tasting wines. With its earliest origins in Hungary and central Europe, this area remains the main producing region for this type of wine.

Another type of wine found in German is May wine, an aromatic variety which uses sweet woodruff herb. This herb can actually be poisonous in larger quantities, so it’s best not to attempt to make this one without expert advice first!

Other varieties

Fortified wines, such as Sherry (originally from Spain) and Port (from Portugal), benefit from adding a distilled spirit, such as brandy. This helps to preserve the wine but can also add new flavours and of course makes it stronger in terms of alcohol content.

There are also many varieties of fruit wine, made from other fruits such as elderberry  or apples, though many other types or plant are used to make fruit wines. Dandelion is one such variant, as are vegetables such as potato and parsnip. There are even variants made from tree saps, such as maple and palm.

Wherever you look throughout the world, there are subtle differences between countries and regions which add much to our choice of wine.

Jack Ryman enjoys a nice glass of white, or indeed rosé, in the evenings. He knows more than he should about the industry due to his work for a printer of wine labels.

Living in the city means that you have to keep up with the fast paced lifestyle most people have, which is the reason why once in a while we take a break to get away from it all. This quick and easy cocktail recipe reminds me of just that. Each refreshing sip transports me to a relaxing getaway. It is a perfect cooler for a warm night or a fun drink for afternoon barbecues.

For this recipe we used coconut flavored rum since it is readily available, but if you have fresh coconuts available, you can add coconut juice and meat to this drink and use white rum instead.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped fresh or frozen strawberries

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

4 cups ice cubes

2 cups coconut-flavored rum

Fresh coconut for garnish

Fresh strawberries for garnish

Place the strawberries, lemon juice and sugar in a blender. Blend it for one minute or until it is smooth. Add the ice cubes and rum and blend it for another 1-2 minutes or until the ice is crushed. Adjust the taste and place more rum if desired. Transfer the drink to a large pitcher or into individual glasses. Garnish with fresh coconuts and strawberries before serving.

Photo Courtesy Of:  emilyonasunday

Have you ever heard of tequila shots with tabasco sauce? Apparently some people like taking alcoholic drinks to the next level, which is why I decided to choose a recipe that would serve the same purpose only that its taste is a bit lighter. The hot chili flakes is an interesting contrast to the mint leaves, making this refreshing drink unforgettable.

Serves 8

Ingredients:

3/4 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon dried chili flakes

2 egg whites

16 fresh mint sprigs

2/3 cup lime cordial

2 limes, coarsely chopped

24 ice cubes

320ml white rum

Soda water or lemon flavored soda, for serving

Ground the chili flakes and sugar in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Transfer the ground mixture to a plate and set aside.

Whisk the egg whites in a medium sized bowl until it begins to froth. Turn the glasses upside down and dip it into the egg whites and then place the coated rims into the sugar and chili mixture to rim the glasses. Repeat this with the remaining glasses.

Crush the ice using a rolling pin and place equal parts of mint, lime, cordial and ice in the serving glasses. Pour some rum and soda water into them. Slightly mix. Serve immediately.

Photo Courtesy Of:  Pixelicus

Photo Courtesy Of: dmitri_krendelev

“There are only two absolutes in life: friends and vodka. And the best times usually involve both” – Unknown

For those who don’t know, yesterday (October 4^th) was National Vodka Day.  This famous drink is considered as the national drink of Russia, Poland, Sweden, Finland and many other countries. Its popularity has spread across the globe and it is now the widely consumed hard liquor in the United States because its neutral taste allows it be mixed with different drinks such as juices, sodas and even energy drinks to name a few. Moreover, it is also very interesting to know that despite its intoxicating tendencies, the smell does not stick to your breath.

Vodka is made of ethanol, water and other ingredients such as potatoes, beets, molasses, sugar cane, grains and fruits. These ingredients are fermented and then it goes through multiple distillation processes to remove impurities. The procedures may differ depending on the brewery, but charcoal is the most common filter as it removes unpleasant tastes and harmful chemicals. Nowadays brewers prefer to create pure vodka instead of masking the impurities with various flavors.

This drink has a magical power. It strengthens the weak, and revives those who have fainted. Those tired after work and physical activity can return their life forces by this drink much sooner than by nourishment. … It works as a diuretic, an appetizer, an antitoxin..

— Carolus Linnaeus, Vodka in the Hands of a Philosopher

Beyond being an alcoholic beverage, vodka has other uses. It was once marketed for medicinal purposes and called aqua vitae or “water of life”. This started when alchemists from the medieval ages experimented with minerals and different kinds of produce to find an elixir that will grant eternal youth.

Back in the 17^th century they believed that this magical drink gave them strength, energy, vitality and happiness (which are all side effects of being drunk as we all know). The Absolut vodka website says that “it was a medicine that cured everything from colic to plague”.  It served as an antiseptic, anesthetic and antibiotic too. Vodka was used to clean wounds and given to patients before and after surgical procedures.

Nowadays vodka is often taken as a drink or used for cooking. Surprisingly, it also has household uses. It can be used as a multi-purpose cleaner for removing odors, stains, fighting molds and mildew. I would suggest that you use the cheap type of course. I don’t think you’d enjoy using Belvedere, Absolut or Grey Goose to scrub your floors right?

Photo Courtesy Of:  norwichnuts

I personally use vodka for cooking especially when I prepare seafood, since it removes the “fishy” taste thus making the food more aromatic. Family and friends often call these dishes “drunken seafood”. Vodka penne or spicy sausage and penne pasta are the most common recipes that use this ingredient, but there are others such as vodka lemon chicken and even vodka tiramisu.

Photo Courtesy Of:  BluEyedA73

As we all know alcoholic beverages should be consumed in moderation because too much can lead to accidents or health problems. With this in mind, let us toast to this brilliant crystal clear drink that has given us great drinks, great food and great times despite the hangovers. What a good excuse to celebrate and have a martini or my favorite, vodka cranberry. Cheers to drinking, cooking and eating with vodka today!

This refreshing drink is perfect for hot days. Feel free to add as much fruit as you like. It is also a good idea to include some cucumber slices to make it more refreshing than it already is. Apple cider or light sparkling wine instead of soda water is another option. I would definitely suggest fruity flavors like zinfandel, as it can make this drink more interesting.

Ingredients:

1 cup powdered pink lemonade

4 cups cold water

1 apple, sliced

1 orange, sliced into rings

1/4 cup mint leaves

2 cans soda water

Combine the powdered lemonade and water in a large pitcher. Mix well until the powder is dissolved. Add the sliced oranges and apples. Stir in the mint leaves. Lastly, pour in the soda water. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to let the flavors set. Add ice cubes and serve.

Photo Courtesy Of:  chee.hong