Sip and Be Happy

Wine Diamonds

Wine diamonds?  Well, actually this is fermenting wine with a good yeast production going on.  But, there are such things as wine diamonds or wine stones.  That's what vintners call the white crystals in the bottom of a bottle of finished wine.  It's not bad for you.  The wine will be fine.  Cold temperatures cause it, more commonly in red wines, but can occur in whites.  It actually is a natural process and actually represents a high quality wine that will taste and smell wonderful. 

You can prevent these crystals from precipitating by putting the entire carboy into a refrigerator or cold storage prior to racking and bottling.  That's 40-46 degrees for 7 to 10 days.  Cold temperatures will accelerate the formation of the crystals.  Once they have formed rack and bottle immediately.  If the wine is then refrigerated at a temperature lower than the temperature the carboy was in, more crystals may form.  This is a natural phenomenon.

However, there are those that say that the cold stabilization actually will change the nature of the finished product and would rather that the wine not be as aesthetically pleasing as those in the US are used to.  In Europe people actually seek out the diamonds as they feel they are getting a wine at just the right time - at the peak of it's development.

In other words, the longer the grapes stay on the vine, the more wine acid will accumulate in the grape.  The more time these grapes are given to ferment, the less wine diamonds will fall out of solution during fermentation, but the greater chance they will form in the bottle.  In other words, they are an indicator that the grapes have ripened long and have been fermented slowly and with great care.

So, just what are the crystals?  Cream of tartar!  Just like the cream of tartar used in cooking.  So, don't worry if you see those little crystals in your wine.  It's tartaric acid crystals from some really good grapes. These wine diamonds actually help preserve the wine and give some of the tartness to the wine, although citric and malic acids also play a role. 

They can form spontaneously on corks or drift to the bottom of the bottle.  Either way, while you will probably want to decant it off, it's still some really good stuff.  In fact,fermentation of grapes is how commercial cream of tartar is made.  So when you see cream of tartar in the baking aisle remember that somewhere there's some grapes that went to good use.

 

 

Preserving Your Wine

Want to save that half empty bottle of wine for use in a few days? After all, you worked hard to make it or buy it. At the winery we recommend two methods. One is the Vacuvin Vacuum system. It comes with a rubber stopper that allows you to hand pump and remove the excess air. It gives you a few more days to consume the wine. The second method is the Private Preserve Wine Preserver, which is what we use. With 120 uses available, while the can seems empty, it actually has a nitrogen-based gas that will cover the wine for about 4 days and help keep out the air that can ruin the wine. Both of these, as well as decorative stoppers, are available at the winery and are inexpensive.

Making Your Wine at Unicorn Wine Guild

Graduations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, celebrations or just because are all good reasons to make wine at Unicorn Wine Guild.  We have a Home Winemaker's Center not found in many wineries.  Here are a couple of commonly asked questions and hopefully useful answers. 

"I've never done any winemaking on premise, what do I need to know and how much work is required of me."

The process of making wine on premise starts with choosing the type of wine you want to make and what quality of wine kit you want to use. The TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau - it used to be ATF)  requires that the customer own the ingredients and begin by sprinkling the yeast on the juice to begin fermentation. We assist you at all times to whatever extent required. After the batch is started the customer has no further obligations until the wine is ready to be bottled. When you arrive for your bottling appointment you need to sanitize your bottles, fill & cork them and finish by applying labels and shrink caps. We provide all the necessary equipment and assistance for you to accomplish this with ease.  That's it.  Sprinkle the yeast and then make an appointment to bottle when it's ready.  TTB says you have to do the bottling.  Bring along a few adult helpers and make the event into a work party.  It's fun and gets the work done.

"How long will it take?"

We offer you the choice of 5-week, 7-week and 8-week wine kits. Our 5-week wines are made from the finest blend of grape juice and concentrate. They are usually ready to drink in a few weeks after bottling. Our 7-week wines are made from premium quality grape juice blends. They are fuller bodied and require a longer aging time (at least 2 to 3 months). Our 8-week wine kits, with 100% varietal grape juice from country-specific vineyards, Selection Estate Series has re-defined the quality expectations of the advanced winemaker and the wine kit industry alike.

"How much does it cost?"

Depending on the kit selected (which make about 30 bottles of wine), the cost of the wine will be about 1/3 less than the cost of buying the finished wine off our shelves.  Dessert wines make 30 375 ml. bottles.  Other wines make 30 750 ml. bottles (that's a regular size bottle.) 

"When will the wine be ready to drink?"

Again, this depends on the kit selected.  Island Mist kits are ready shortly after they finish.  Medium whites may reach their finest ready to drink state in a couple of months.  Reds will probably reach their ready state in 6 to 8 months.    That means that if it's spring, you just might want to be starting your holiday reds.   

The vintner is happy to provide any assistance needed to make your selection.  And, in many instances, you can sample the product before you select what you want to produce.

Wine and Cheese

Wine-tasting parties have been around for a long time, but when you invite your friends for a wine- and cheese-tasting party, you're bound to be voted "Hostess of the Year." Your buffet will be the center of attention, so think of where you want to place it. On the coffee table for an evening of watching a special event on television, in the dining room for more formal events, the kitchen table for a homey feel, or even on the patio in good weather. Look around your home. Be creative. The coffee table allows people to reach for the cheese and wine and compare tastes without having to make disruptive trips to another room for refreshments.

What to serve? A tray of crackers, French bread, Rye bread, and perhaps another bread or pita chip will compliment the cheese. A cutting board will hold wedges of cheese such as brie, edam, gruyer, cranberry cheddar, etc. The cheese is your choice. Of course, matching the cheese with the wine is to be desired. Bold flavors call for bolder wines. Want a blind tasting? Cover the bottles with bags, either the cloth numbered ones available at the winery or a decorated paper bag. Make it fun.

By serving the cheese and wine at the coffee table, the dining table is freed for a mealtime buffet. Soup and salad may be enough - along with dessert. Perhaps a nice tomato soup and tossed salad with a rich torte for dessert. You could even go one step further with the cheese and make it a fondue party. Once popular in the 60's and 70's, this easy to prepare appetizer or even full meal is becoming popular once more. Use your imagination. This quick and easy entertaining idea is perfect for your book club, for the basketball playoffs, race, pre-theater gathering or even chick flick. And you can use the idea year round. Enjoy.

Wines of Winter

Sure, we all associate red wines with winter. Belle Prairie Rouge (a Cabernet Sauvignon) is perfect for steaks, stews and chili. Other good choices would be Patriot, a Cab. and Merlot blend and Big Red, a proprietary blend. (Think "Cab and cow.") G'Day, an Australian Syrah, goes well with leg of lamb or other lamb dishes, or with a vegetarian dish of braised Shitake mushrooms with savory and thyme. And, of course, Rockland Rouge, an old vine Zinfandel, goes well with Italian red sauces, cheese and chocolate.

But, a white can also be a wine of winter. They also need to be big wines such as Golden Eagle, a Chardonnay, Blanco Real, an African Chenin Blanc or Crusader, a proprietary blend. These go well with white bean chili, clam chowder, buttered mashed potato and roasted chicken. Experiment. You will enjoy the experience of maybe finding a new best combination. Have fun. And keep warm.

Valentine's Day is Coming

February 14, a day for lovers, a day for friends, a day of joy. Chocolate and wine. Candlelight and snuggles. When was the last time you took some time just to be alone with each other? Maybe you can make an arrangement with another couple to watch each other's children for a night so you can each have a night alone with your spouse. It's not necessarily the date, but the time. Whether you opt for dinner and a movie or an evening in with the fireplace and TV, every couple needs a bit of time for renewal.

Winexpert recommends a rack of lamb that pairs well with De Seda Alise, our Chilean Pinot Noir. You can find the recipe at http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/lamb-recipes/roast-rack-of-lamb-with-crushed-potatoes. For dessert, chocolate covered strawberries go well with a dessert wine. Or just some chocolate squares will be nice if strawberries are not available. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and take some time to yourselves.

Grape and Raisin Toxcity in Pets

Today's topic is not the nicest, but it is important.  I don't remember exactly how I found out that dogs and grapes and raisins don't get along, but eating too many can kill them.  Cats are also at risk. However, there seems to be a bigger concern for the dogs.  It is not known what causes the problem exactly, but scientists think that it is something in or on the grape skin.  It doesn't matter if it's red, white or purple, grapes harm dogs.  A half an ounce per pound of grapes and around a fourth an ounce per pound of dog for raisins is enough to cause kidney damage.  If you suspect the dog has gotten into them, call the vet immediately.  How do you know they are in trouble?  They vomit, develop diarrhea, excessive thirst, excessive urination or lethargy.  They go into acute kidney failure within 1 to 3 days.  If the process is allowed to continue, the kidneys shut down and the dog's breath may smell like urine.  They may get ulcers on their gums.  They will eventually go into a coma.  There is no antidote, but early treatment may save the dog.

If you can get the dog to the vet within 2 hours of ingestion, the vet can induce vomiting to get the grapes out and administer charcoal to absorb toxins.  The doctor will watch the kidney function and support it as needed.

Prognosis depends on many factors such as how many grapes the animal ate, how soon treatment is initiated and whether or not the kidneys have shut down.  Prevention is much easier.  Keep the animal away from grapes and raisins.  Don't share food with the animal if it contains grapes or raisins and do not use them as treats. 

Onions, chocolate, cocoa, macadamia nuts avocados and foods containing the sweetener xylitol can also be fatal to your pet.

Yes, it's nice to have your four legged companion "help" you make wine, but be careful that the dog doesn't get in the must or the pomace (what's left after pressing the grapes - skins and pulp.)  Dogs seem to love to roll in some of the darndest things, don't they?

Wine Storage Tips

Yes, I know we've been through this before.  But, for those of you who are new to  the winemaking process (and from the looks of our wine making supplies I'd say there are a lot of you) I'm sure that after all that work you'd like to preserve it in the best manner possible.  So, here are some tips.

When you bottle, store the wine upright for the first 3 to 5 days, especially if you use cork corks.  This allows the air pressures to equalize and the gases that escaped to dissolve back in the wine.

After that, the wine should be stored on it's side to keep the cork moist.  This is especially true for cork corks.  Synthetic corks can be store upright for a longer period.

Store the wine in a cool, dark place.  Light, heat and wine do not like each other.

Store the wine where the temperature is consistent.  Bright light, temperature fluctuations and movement (vibration, even) can negatively affect the quality of the wine.

Do not constantly turn your wine.  Red wines (and the mojito and margarita wines) will sometimes "dust" (leave residue on the inside of the bottle.  This is normal.  Simply decant the red wines.  For the margarita and mojito, turn them gently to reincorporate these flavor additives.

Do not store your wine directly on a cement floor.  The floor absorbs the heat, cold and vibrations.  Put a piece of wood under the wine storage boxes. 

Do not store your wine on heated floors.  The heat transfers to the wine.

And don't forget to enjoy the wine.

Thanks, Winexpert, for the tips.

Wine isn’t Just for Bottles Anymore. These Days, You Can Have Your Wine

…in plastic?

While not a mainstream vessel for wine, plastic wine bottles do exist. The concept seems harmless enough – take everything that you love about bottled wine and place it in a more durable, less breakable container. In reality, though, plastic wine bottles would find better use holding water as they have little purpose outside of an airline refrigerator. While it is said that plastic wine bottles promote “green” behavior by giving wine drinkers a recyclable alternative, let’s face it; Plastic bottles are more likely to end up in a dump than glass bottles, therefore nullifying any real benefit. Unless, of course, you are the type of person who breaks wine bottles on a regular basis, in which case we can suggest some better alternatives to wine storage, such as…

… in a can?

That’s right. Aluminum cans aren’t just for beer anymore. This is a more recent phenomenon within wine culture, and you are not likely to see this very often in American stores, but canned wine has grown in popularity in other areas of the world. The concept sounds goofy but there are some positives to canned wine. First, it’s convenient. No more corks and bottles, no more wine cellars; With canned wine, you can buy a twelve-pack, throw it in the fridge, and be good to go for your weekend. Furthermore, canned wine has been shown to have a high recycling rate amongst those who drink it. That said, canned wine is expensive as it is more or less a novelty. Furthermore, aluminum cans offer very little protection against heating, which can ruin a perfectly good drink. Because of this, we’re not entirely sold on wine in a can. It may be convenient for those who don’t wish to trifle with the traditional cork and bottle method, but if one wants convenience, one can always have their wine…

…in a bag?

Bagged and boxed wines can be found in almost any supermarket. Though they are not recyclable, wine bags are incredibly convenient to use and do a good job of blocking out sunlight. Like their canned counterparts, however, wine bags do not keep wine safe from fluctuations in temperature. Furthermore, other than bottled wine, wine bags are the easiest wine medium to find in mainstream American markets. If you don’t wish to go with the traditional cork and bottle, bagged wine is likely your best bet.

As for us, well, we’ll stick to the old cork and bottle. There’s many ways to have your wine, but when it comes right down to it, traditional methods really can be the best.

 

A little about us: Unicorn Wine Guild is a winery and wine resource center located in Belpre, OH. You can check out some of our wares at our online store. We're constantly updating and changing our internet specials, so be sure to keep checking back. Furthermore, you can follow us on Facebook here and receive regular updates. Cheers!

Spooky Sipping: Impress Your Friends with Halloween Wine Tasting

Do not mind the howling beneath the pale and gazing moon. It’s just the wind. We promise.

As the nights grow chill and dark and the eve of All Hallows nears, the time has come to hang the cobwebs, carve the pumpkin, and listen to the whisperings of ghoulish delight – preferably with doors locked tight – and raise a toast to all things that go bump in the night.

If you are planning on hosting a wine party around Halloween, you may consider spicing your gathering up by incorporating a few crafty thematic flourishes with both drinks and decorations. There are several inexpensive ways to spook up your party, here are a few ideas:

 Decorative Wine Bottles

This is a great option for homemade wine, as these generally come without labels; however, you can use any bottle or brand of wine for this. Simply remove the label and either print custom Halloween labels, or decorated your bottle accordingly. Your guests will appreciate it. There are plenty of crafting guides online, as is featured here. 

 

Spooky Spirits

If you plan on including spirits or other mixed drinks along with your wine, there are a plethora of thematic drink recipes online ranging from non-alcoholic punch to heavy-hitting zombies (for those with sturdy constitutions). There are whole websites dedicated to thematic drinks, so you should have no problem finding recipes for your party. Here is a page dedicated entirely to Halloween-themed drinks. 

 

Blood-Tingling Wine

If pressed for time, you can always purchase premade drink mixes for a special flare. Bloody Mary’s are always a great mixed drink for Halloween parties, and can be purchased in pre-mixed packs. Even wine has its own macabre line. The morbidly sweet Vampire wine brand comes bottled and ready to serve. You can check it out here. 

 

There are no limits when it comes to planning a Halloween party. You can borrow your party ideas from the internet, or plan your own creative endeavors. The most important thing to remember is that themed parties are meant to be fun – so have a blast! And remember, the glass is always half full!

 

A little about us: Unicorn Wine Guild is a winery and wine resource center located in Belpre, OH. You can check out some of our wares at our online store. We're constantly updating and changing our internet specials, so be sure to keep checking back. Furthermore, you can follow us on Facebook here and receive regular updates. Cheers!