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18 Alcohol Education

An Introduction to Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the most popular type of white wine, found all over the world. The flavor, taste, and aroma of it will vary depending on where it was made and what processing methods were used.

Chardonnay originated from the Burgundy and Champagne areas of France. Although white Burgundy is a popular wine that is prepared with Aligote, a lesser known grape, the fact remains that white Burgundy can’t be made without the use of Chardonnay grapes. They can also be used in making Champagne and other types of sparkling wines. Although Chardonnay wine is the most popular use, there are several other uses for the grape that lead to some truly fine wines.

In appearance, Chardonnay grapes are green in color with thin skins. The grape is a result of the Pinot and Croatian Blanc grape, which are both now extinct. The Chardonnay grape, however, is a major player in the wine-making world. As a result of its popularity, the making of this fine wine has spread throughout Europe and other locations of the world such as Australia and California. The grape variety also grows quite well in South Africa. The richest and most complex Chardonnays are American and French, which are also among the most preferred white wines.

Chardonnay is usually fermented and aged using oak barrels that help to bring out the vanilla flavor the wine is well known for. It can also be aged and fermented using bottles, although it won’t age quite as much as red wine. Once bottled, it will be good for many years, but it can suffer from fatigue sooner than most reds.

Almost all Chardonnay wines are meant to be chilled, making them work extremely well with dishes that contain butter and cheeses. The wines also have less acid content than other white grapes which makes them work well with seafood. There are numerous foods that you can pair Chardonnay with, which is what makes it so popular.

At Rembrandt’s, we offered three different Chardonnays on our menu, and we often featured others. The ones we kept in stock were Grayson Cellars Chardonnay and Frank Family Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay (both from California) and Dipinti Unoaked Chardonnay, which is Italian with a different flavor than most because it isn’t aged in oak barrels.

8 Alcohol Education

Are You a Supertaster?

When it comes to tasting wine, some people have an advantage. It’s called “supertasting”, and it’s a superpower that YOU might have and not even know it!

So how do you discover your superhero-ness without getting bitten by a radioactive spider? It’s easy, and it involves drinking wine (so of course, we’re all for it)!…

Read More

5 Alcohol Education

5 Ways to Open a Bottle of Wine Without a Corkscrew

Picture this: you bought a bottle of interesting-and-tasty-looking wine earlier in the day, looking forward to sharing it with someone special later in the evening. Now, the evening has arrived, and you can’t find a corkscrew ANYWHERE. (It was definitely in the drawer… you think….)

So what do you do? Do you get out your trusty sword and chop the neck of the bottle off like a YouTube star? Hold a flame to the neck until the cork pops out? Wrap yourself in blankets and cry? No!!! You know how to open the bottle SAFELY without glass in your wine or crippling depression (because of this post!). 

This is obvious, but before you try any of these suggestions, make sure your bottle doesn’t have a twist-cap. If it does, twist and go!

If not, here are 5 ways to get that cork out:

1. Push it in.

It’s usually easier to push the cork into the bottle with something blunt than it is to try to pull it out with something that wasn’t designed for that purpose. Try using the handle of a wooden spoon; tap it lightly with a rubber mallet, meat tenderizer, rolling pin, or whatever’s handy. Once the cork is inside the bottle floating in the wine, pour!

2. Break out the toolbox.

Two options. For the first, you’ll need a good-sized screw. Using a screwdriver, carefully(!) screw it into the cork, leaving a little sticking out the top. Use the claw end of a hammer as a lever to pull it (and the cork) out. OR use a power drill and drill down into the middle of the cork (be careful not to hit the bottle!). Use the drill itself to pull out the cork.

3. The Hook Method.

This one takes some muscle… but you know you have one of those hooks with a screw at the other end around somewhere. Find it, and screw it into the cork. Put a wooden spoon handle through the hook to form a “T”. Twist this clockwise and pull on the cork, while turning the bottle the opposite direction. With some work, you can get the cork out, as long as the hook doesn’t tear the cork. If it does, try the power drill.

4. Use a bike pump.

Use a bicycle pump with a basketball attachment. Insert the needle down the side of the cork, then pump until the cork starts raising out of the bottle. You can then either keep pumping until the cork pops out and flies across the room, or you can use some pliers to pull the cork the rest of the way out.

5. If all else fails: The Desperation Method.

If you don’t have ANY of the tools listed above, there is one thing you probably do have: a shoe. Take it off of your foot. Take the foil off of the top of the wine bottle. Insert the base of the bottle into the shoe and hold it there. Then, find a wall, tree, or something sturdy and start hitting the heel of the shoe against it. (You’re basically using the rubber sole of the shoe to cushion the bottom of the glass bottle.) After multiple hits, the cork should start to pop out of the top of the bottle. It actually works!

By now, you should have your wine bottle open so you can enjoy it. If not, I guess go for the YouTube sword method.

1 Alcohol Education

The Beauty of Sparkling Wine

Did you know that there are many types of sparkling wine besides Champagne? Lots of you that have visited us at Rembrandt’s love Serena, a sparkling Moscato/Brachetto sweet red wine. Other sparkling wines include Riesling, Prosecco, and Brut (to name a few). Read on to learn more about these fizzy drinks…

Sparkling wine is well known for its tiny bubbles that race to the surface. Sparkling wine is one of the most exotic yet refreshing types of wine, providing memories and happiness once the cork is released into the air. For many years, this exotic wine has proven to be among the most popular types of wine for celebrations and special achievements.

By looking at sparkling wine, you’ll find it to be a complete mystery. When tasting the wine, friends and lovers choose to discuss the refreshing, nutty aroma. Even though this type of wine is very popular, it can be hard to describe. Although the taste and aroma can be right there, lingering in the air – it’s still something that is nearly impossible to find the words for.

When you first open a bottle of sparkling wine, the carbon dioxide aroma that instantly fills the air is an experience that you have to smell to believe. A true feast for all of your senses, sparkling wine can instantly put you at ease. Drinking this wine is a feast for your taste buds, bringing several different flavors to rest on your tongue at the same time. Similar to the shine and splendor of the finest diamonds, sparkling wine emits a truly elegant aura and romance that makes it easy to distinguish from other types of wine.

Sparkling wine was first discovered in France by Dom Perignon, who was a monk in the Champagne region. He actually stumbled upon this fine wine while performing his duties as a cellar master in the Benedictine Abbey. Dom would hide his discovery for many years, as the public didn’t really respond in the way that he had been hoping.

Although Dom Perignon’s sparkling wine wasn’t popular at first, it would grow and become more popular over the years. Once people in France and people around the world caught wind of this amazing sparkling wine, they simply had to experience it for themselves. At this point, it didn’t take long for Dom Perignon to become a legend and one of the most important winemakers throughout the rich and cherished history of France.

The formula and techniques that Dom used to produce his sparkling wine eventually become known as the traditional way of making Champagne. The process is still used throughout the world today, producing some of the best sparkling wines. Even though sparkling wine is made in various locations, many agree that the best place is the Champagne region of France, which is where sparkling wine first began and was first introduced to the world. True Champagne can only come from this region – otherwise, it is called a sparkling wine.

These days, sparkling wine is an essential part of life, for celebrations and events. With most celebrations, sparkling wine is simply a must-have. No matter where the future of wine goes, sparkling wine will never die. It will always be the wine that sparks celebrations, and the wine that makes events come to life.

1 Alcohol Education

5 Ways to Avoid a Wine Hangover (and 3 Ways to Get Rid of One)

We love that you’re able to get together with friends and eat, drink, and have a great time! Unfortunately, sometimes wine can make you feel awful the next day if you have too much. That said, here are 5 ways you can avoid getting a hangover before one can even start:

1) Water, water, and water:

Water is the key to get over a wine hangover. Drink plenty of water. Alcohol has a tendency to dehydrate your body. If you want to stay away from overindulging in wine, the best way is to have a glass of water for each glass of wine you have. Wine technically is a great source of water, but the presence of alcohol tends to cancel that out and dehydrate you. Hence, it is necessary to keep hydrating your body with water.

2) Eat first:

Sounds great! Believe us, it really works. Eat your favorite meal or some snacks an hour before a drink. This will save you from overindulging and getting a hangover. The meal or snack should include bread or pasta.

3) Milk:

Drink a glass of milk prior to consuming wine. This will provide a protective coating in your stomach and help you absorb the alcohol in the wine.

4) No salt:

Salt can prove dangerous as it tends to maximize the process of dehydration. You should stay away from salt if you plan to drink (even if you’re having margaritas!).

5) Drink white or rosé wine:

Darker alcoholic drinks are more likely to give you a hangover. This applies whether you are drinking whiskey, rum, or wine. If you’re prone to getting hangovers, try drinking a lighter colored wine instead of your usual Cabernet.

So what if you were good and did all those things but still wake up with a hangover?
Try this:

1) An aspirin (if you’re not allergic):

An aspirin or two will help you to get rid of your headache. Avoid taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medicines can have adverse effects on the body after the consumption of alcohol.

2) More water and electrolytes!

Rehydrate your body as much as you can following a night of drinking. The sooner your brain gets moisture back into it, the sooner your headache will go away. Don’t drink traditional sports drinks to rehydrate because they are mostly sugar, but get some electrolytes back into your body by drinking coconut water or eating watermelon instead.

3) Eat a healthy meal:

We get it. Sometimes during a hangover, the last thing you want to do is eat. If your stomach can handle it, though, try to eat a healthy meal containing protein and complex carbohydrates. Eggs are a great choice because they contain L-cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down any lingering alcohol in your body. If you can’t bring yourself to eat due to nausea, sip on ginger tea throughout the day to help settle your stomach and normalize your blood sugar levels.

We here at Rembrandt’s are (obviously) wine lovers, but we want you to enjoy the experience! Try to stay away from overindulging in alcohol, and make sure to eat and drink water as well.

1 Alcohol Education

Understanding the Flavors of Wine

Although the four main flavors – sweet, salty, sour, and bitter are all your tongue is really capable of tasting, the long-lasting impression that wine leaves in your mouth is far more complex. When you drink or taste wine, your taste buds and your sense of smell are involved, adding to the way you interpret wine overall. The flavors, aromas, and sensations that wine is comprised of provide the interaction that you taste when you sample wine.

Sweetness

Sweetness is something that wines are well known for. With most types of wine, grapes are responsible for the sweet taste. Grapes contain a lot of sugar, which breaks the yeast down into alcohol. The grapes and yeast that were used to produce the wine will leave behind various sugars, which your tongue will be able to quickly detect. Once your tongue detects these various sugars, the stimulation of sweetness from the wine will be present in your mouth.

Alcohol

Alcohol is also present in wine, although your tongue doesn’t really know how to decipher the taste of alcohol. Even though the tongue doesn’t really taste the alcohol, it is present in the mouth. The alcohol found in wine will dilate blood vessels and therefore intensify all of the other flavors found in the wine. After you have sampled a few types of wine, the alcohol level can easily have an effect on your taste buds, making it hard to distinguish other drinks that you may have.

Acidity

Another flavor is acidity, which will affect the sugars. With the proper balance of acidity, the overall flavor of wine can be very overwhelming. Once you taste a wine that contains it, the flavor of the acidity will be well known to your tongue. Although acidity is great with wine, too much of it will leave a very sharp taste. With the right levels, acidity will bring the flavors of the grape and fruits alive in your mouth – providing you with the perfect taste. A good wine will have balanced acidity to support the other flavors.

Tannins

Yet another variable that affects flavor is tannins, which are the proteins found in the skins of grapes and other fruits. If a wine has the right amount of tannins, it will give your tongue a great feel, and bring in the sensations of the other flavors. Once a wine starts to age, the tannins will begin to break down in the bottle, giving you a softer feel to the taste. Tannins are essential for the taste of wine – providing the wine has been properly aged.

Oak

The last flavor associated with wine is oak. Oak isn’t put into the wine during the manufacturing process. It is actually transferred during the aging process, as most wines will spend quite a bit of time in oak barrels. Depending on how long the wine is left in the oak barrel or cask, the ability to extract the flavor will vary. Most often, wines will be aged just enough to where the oak taste can be detected, and to where it adds the perfect sentiment to the taste.