FROM THE VINE

2008 FEBRUARY  NEWSLETTER

Happy Valentines Day – hope you remember to have a glass of red wine and some wonderful chocolate with a special person in your life. Chocolate (especially dark chocolate) brings out wonderful flavors in your red wine.

IT’S TIME

The deadline for entering the Winemaker Magazine International Wine Contest is March 17^th. Think about the wines you have made and decide which one or ones you want to enter in the contest. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have or to assist with the application and shipping. Last year 10 entries were awarded 4 Silver and 3 Bronze medals. Let’s go for the GOLD. The Wine Shipping Boxes are in stock.

ANOTHER CONTEST

From The Vine is a member of the Home Wine and Beer Trade Association. This Association also holds an International Amateur Wine Competition. The deadline for entries is April 19, 2008 and the judging will be held on April 26, 2008. An HWBTA retail member must sponsor all entrants.

Only one bottle is required for each entry and the fee is $12.00. Application forms are available at From The Vine.

DID YOU KNOW

Our store carries wine concentrate kits from:

Most retail stores carry one or two brands. We want to offer the best quality and variety available. We recently discovered a company in Upstate New York that has been in business since the 1960’s and manufactures wine and beer kits. Made in the USA – what an unusual occurrence. Our plan is to order a few kits and test them for quality. If the kits meet the standards of the Canadian wine kits, we will add the line to our inventory.

A TIP

Did you know oak cubes from your wine kits can be reused on your charcoal grill? Toss them on hot coals and let them smoke while grilling. The cubes can be stored in the freezer and used when it is time to grill.

COMING SOON

Brewers Best announces WITBIER. This beer is a classic Belgian white wheat ale. And is brewed with both wheat, barley, and lightly hopped. Its unique style comes from the introduction of spices such as bitter orange peel and coriander in the brew. It is fermented with a specialty yeast strain that results in a fruity spicy refreshing beer with a dry finish.

Brewers Best Witbier is slightly cloudy with orange hues and makes the perfect summer time cooler that is great with food. The will be a special order and available by the end of March.

HOW DO YOU SAY _____________?

Given the popularity of the grape, you probably already know your way around a wine list as far as most varietals go, and we're not going to suggest that you pronounce Champagne as "shahm-pahn-yeh" because people will think you're affected. And they'd be right. Still, there are a few that are sometimes mispronounced. Here's a list for the record.

Beaujolais: bow-zhuh-lay

Cabernet Sauvignon: cah-burr-nay  sow-vee-nyohn

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: shah-toe-nuff due pahp

Gewürztraminer: guh-vurtz-trah-mean-er   

Malbec: mall-beck

Muscadet: moo-skuh-day

Muscat: muss-cat

Pinot Grigio: pee-noh gree-gee-oh

Pouilly-Fumé: pooh-yee few-may  

Rioja: ree-oh-ha

Sangiovese: san-joe-vay-zee

Sauternes: so-tern

Sauvignon blanc: so-vee-nyohnblahn (swallow the "c")

Sé millon: say-me-yohn

Shiraz: Australians call it shih-razz, Americans say shih-rahz. Now who's putting on airs?

With a little practice, no waiter will shame you and no menu will daunt you. Although, when it comes to ordering Thai food, you're on your own.

Telephone – 706-896-1411
Retail Store Hours
Tuesday thru Friday
10 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM
Email:     fromthevine2001@yahoo.com
Web Site:      fromthevine.com