Latest news with #Beaujolais
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Two wines from Dunnes that work well with salads
Marlborough sauvignon is one of our favourite wines and with good reason. Coming from grapes grown in the cool maritime climate of New Zealand, the wines are an irresistible combination of clean ripe fruit and zesty lime acidity. Nautilus is one of the top estates in the region. Brouilly is one of the top 'crus' or villages in Beaujolais and produces some of the finest wines. As with most Beaujolais it supple and fruity, the perfect summer wine that pairs very nicely with a wide range of foods. The wine below is from a single vineyard. Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 13% abv €15 Benchmark Marlborough sauvignon with lifted herbal aromas, lightly textured mango, lemon curd and lime zest. Very keenly priced. This would make a great al fresco summer sipping wine or enjoy it with seasonal salads. Dunnes Stores READ MORE Brouilly 2023, Château des Tours Brouilly 2023, Château des Tours 13.5 % abv €15 Medium to full-bodied with very moreish concentrated blackcurrant and dark cherry fruits. Fantastic value for money at €15 a bottle. This would go with a wide variety of foods, including most cheese, charcuterie, roast ham or pork. Try it with a salade Lyonnaise. Dunnes Stores
Evening Standard
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Josh Barrie On the Sauce at Blinds, Hackney: Skin contact heaven for naturalists
I can only give it my full support. I liked it a lot. Why wouldn't I? The wines change but there might be pinot from the Jura, a Beaujolais or two. The muscadet from the Loire is glorious, especially with pickles. So long as nobody's forcing Riesling on me, I'm happy. Some push towards being expensive but many aren't. Also, who can be grumpy with a chilled red in the sun?
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Best glass wine decanters
If you're a wine enthusiast, you probably know certain wines that taste better when they're exposed to the right amount of oxygen. A glass decanter makes the process much easier, so you can enjoy the full flavor and aroma of your wine that much faster. A glass wine decanter not only helps bring out the fruity and floral notes in your wine, but it can also look great on your dining table or bar. If you want a highly rated, hand-blown decanter, the Le Chateau Wine Decanter is the top option. Decanting process Decanting is also known as aerating, which is a process that introduces air to wine. It's usually done in a large glass container to expand the wine's surface area for greater air exposure. If you leave the wine in its bottle, there's very little air exposure to soften the tannins, giving it a more bitter flavor. However, just pouring wine into a glass decanter isn't enough to accelerate the process. The longer you leave your wine in the decanter to aerate, the better it'll taste. Wine type While any wine can be decanted, it isn't necessary for some varieties. Wines that typically require aeration are full-bodied reds, like petite sirah or cabernet sauvignon. Older reds also often require decanting to help soften their flavor. Lighter-bodied reds, like Beaujolais or pinot noir, generally only require 15-20 minutes of decanting. However, it's not always necessary to aerate these wines. Medium-bodied reds, like sangiovese or merlot, typically require 30-60 minutes of decanting. Full-bodied reds usually require one to two hours of decanting. Some wine bottles have aeration instructions listed on the label, so check before decanting. Flavor While decanting is usually done to soften the flavor of the tannins in wine, it can also help bring out its flavors and aromas, so you may want to decant a lighter-bodied red. Decanting can often improve the taste of inexpensive, newer wine, too. You usually don't need to decant white and rosé wines because they have strong aromas that start to dissipate as soon as you open them. However, if your white wine has a burnt or mineral smell when you open it, decanting it for less than 30 minutes may improve its scent and flavor. Size and shape Most glass wine decanters feature a wide base, a wide mouth and a long, thin neck, but you can find other sizes and shapes. A decanter's width is important because full-bodied wines are more effectively aerated in a decanter with a wide base. A medium-bodied wine does best in a medium-sized decanter, while a light-bodied wine can be aerated in a smaller decanter. It's not always necessary to match the size of the decanter to the type of wine, but the wine can be aerated more efficiently if you do. If you usually drink full-bodied reds, opt for a larger decanter. If you don't ever reach for a bottle of cabernet sauvignon or Petite Sirah, you can size down. Material You can find wine decanters made of glass or crystal. Design Some glass decanters have fairly elaborate designs, while others are simpler. A swan design is a popular option, featuring two open, curved ends, resembling a swan's neck and tail, and a central base. The wine's usually decanted in the wider portion and poured through the smaller end. While these elaborate decanters are more striking, they typically aren't dishwasher-safe. Accessories Some glass decanters include accessories to help you enjoy your wine. Some come with a stopper, so you can stop the decanting process when necessary. Other decanters may also include a drying stand, allowing you to stand the decanter upside-down for air-drying after washing. Cleaning brushes are also helpful accessories as they make it much easier to get down into the decanter's long neck for cleaning. You'll usually pay between $30-$100 for a glass wine decanter. Standard glass decanters may only cost around $30, but you'll pay up to $50 for more elaborate glass or crystal models. High-end crystal or borosilicate glass decanters usually range from $50 to $100 or more. Do I really need a decanter? A. If you're a fan of full-bodied red wines, a decanter can definitely help enhance your wine drinking experience. It also looks great sitting out on your dining table, bar cart or cabinet. Swirling your wine around in your glass can help aerate it if you don't have a decanter, but it takes longer. You can also substitute a wine aerator for a decanter if you prefer. What's the best way to clean a glass wine decanter? A. Even if your glass decanter is dishwasher-safe, you're better off hand-washing it to avoid breakage or scratches. Cleaning a decanter by hand can be challenging because of the slender neck. When cleaning the decanter, it's best to use fragrance-free dish soap to avoid leaving behind scents that might affect the taste of your wine. A decanter or bottle cleaning brush makes it easier to get into the hard-to-reach spots in the decanter's neck. If you don't have a brush, you can use a long-handled wooden spoon to push a sponge around the neck to clean it. It helps to have a decanter dryer or a decanter stand to set the vessel upside-down for air-drying. Top glass wine decanter Le Chateau Wine Decanter What you need to know: Featuring hand-blown crystal, this decanter is easy to use and features a striking beveled top that looks lovely on your table. What you'll love: It features an 8 ½-inch wide bottom, allowing for optimal aeration and can hold an entire 750-milliliter bottle of wine. The crystal is lightweight, lead-free and dries more quickly after cleaning than other decanters. What you should consider: It doesn't include a top or stopper. Top glass wine decanter for the money Nutriups Wine Decanter with Hollow Design What you need to know: An excellent basic decanter, this model features a stylish hollow design that will stand out on your bar cart and boasts an affordable price tag. What you'll love: With a capacity of 750 milliliters, the hollow design makes a striking statement in any bar setup. It's constructed with lead-free crystal, and its slanted spout makes for easy, drip-free pouring. The decanter comes with a flexible cleaning brush, too. What you should consider: The base is on the small side, so the decanter may have trouble standing up without wobbling. Worth checking out Brew To A Tea Wine Decanter What you need to know: This high-capacity wine decanter comes with a stopper, so you won't have to worry about where to store your wine. What you'll love: It can hold up to 54 ounces of wine, and the slanted top makes it easier to pour. What you should consider: The stopper isn't completely airtight. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Irish Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Riesling, muscadet, sherry: Time to give these unloved wines a second chance
This week some great unloved wines . They include once popular regions, countries and grape varieties that have fallen out of favour for a variety of reasons. Often it happens when the producers of a popular region meet increased demand with cheaper and inferior versions of the real thing. Not surprisingly sales drop and it can be difficult to rebuild a name. Muscadet, sherry, and German wine arguably fall into this category. Other wines have managed to seduce us back. Austria, once shunned by Irish wine drinkers following a scandal in the 1980s, is now back on our shelves, where it is joined by an ever-growing array of fantastic Beaujolais. Muscadet has always puzzled me. It is generally light, fresh and fruity, perfect for all those albariño and sauvignon blanc drinkers. The multiples offer decent inexpensive versions, and some of the independents have a few seriously good wines that offer great value. At one stage, Alsace was one of our go-to wine regions. Names such as Trimbach, Hugel and Schlumberger appeared in every restaurant wine list and wine shop. As with Muscadet, the style is generally very appealing; fresh, dry white wines without any oak influence. READ MORE Riesling in general, and German riesling in particular, is one of the world's great wines. Wines labelled Trocken are dry, those labelled Kabinett deliciously delicate, low alcohol and off-dry – perfect for sipping over the summer months. [ Two German wines that are a little bit more expensive, but certainly worth it Opens in new window ] I have come to accept that there will never be a real sherry revolution. It will remain an object of adoration to a small group of aficionados (I include myself) who are aware how great these wines are and what value they offer. Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie, Château de l'Auberdière 2023 Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie, Château de l'Auberdière 2023 12%, €9.20, €11.50 Light and fresh with mouth-watering orchard fruits, lemon zest and a lip-smacking dry finish. This would be perfect with mussels, oysters and other seafood. From Aldi Kuentz-Bas Mosaïk Riesling 2022 Kuentz-Bas Mosaïk Riesling 2022 12.5%, €21.95 An excellent racy refreshing dry riesling with vibrant citrus and minerals. Perfect with chicken, pork and fish dishes as well as summery salads. From O'Briens Wagner Stempel Riesling Trocken 2023 Wagner Stempel Riesling Trocken 2023 12%, €23 Floral, with succulent elegant ripe peach fruits, a touch of spice and a dry finish. This would go nicely with Asian seafood and chicken dishes. From BaRossa, D4; Baggot Street Wines; Martins, D3; Green Man, D6; Donnybrook Fair; Lilith, D7; Mortons, D6 Lustau Puerto Fino Sherry Lustau Puerto Fino Sherry 15%, €13-€14 per half-bottle Delightfully racy, tangy green apples, with almonds, green olives and a lovely saline note. It finishes dry and long. Heavenly with almonds, Iberico ham and fish tapas. From Mitchells, Glasthule, Hatch Street and Avoca stores; Prim's, Kinsale; Whelehan's, Loughlinstown; The Vintry, D6; Ardkeen, Waterford; Redmonds, D6; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny; Barnhill Stores, Dalkey; Bradleys, Cork
Business Insider
06-05-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
I had my daughter at 44. I'm sometimes mistaken for her grandmother, but it was the right time for me.
I became a mom at 44, and it was the right time for me. However, I know I'll likely have less time with her than younger parents have with their kids. I'm making the most of the time we have together. As an older mom, I'm cognizant of the possibility of dying before my daughter is grown. For me, this is the most difficult thing about being an older parent. I want as much time with her as possible. I don't want to leave her motherless too soon, both for her own sake and, selfishly, for mine. I'm often the oldest mom in the group The uterus is less like a cabernet sauvignon that improves the longer it ages, and more like a Beaujolais that is best shortly after it ripens. My uterus was carefully monitored throughout my geriatric pregnancy. Preeclampsia. Emergency c-section. Baby. Since giving birth, my hair has turned a dignified gray. I have new wrinkles. I've gained weight thanks to medication, perimenopause, and regular sedentary WFH days. When my daughter finishes high school, I'll be rounding the bend toward retirement. If she goes to college, I'll be nearly 70 at graduation. It's no wonder that folks on the bus, at stores, on the playground, or at the library mistake me for my daughter's grandma. Even though I understand why, it causes a pang every time. Aging visibly in a culture that glorifies young, glowing moms full of vivacious energy feels fraught on many levels. There are benefits to my age I answer my daughter's many questions and follow her down rabbit holes full of follow-up questions until we either satisfy her curiosity on a topic or determine that we need to, as Elmo says, "LOOK! IT! UP!" Years in therapy have given me the perspective to be a more patient person, which makes me a better mom than I would otherwise have been. After decades of building a career, I have the credibility to request flexibility to tend to my family's needs — not something I would have had in my 30s while juggling part-time jobs and grad school, nor in my 20s when I was constantly broke. I'm in perimenopause while my daughter is in preschool, but reliving the wonders of discovery through the lens of childhood distracts me from some of its more difficult aspects. Whether examining lizards sunning on rocks, listening to birdsong, or peering into the night sky at planets, rekindling my own curiosity as a byproduct of my daughter's is one of many rewards of parenting. Night sweats pale in comparison to the joy of exploration. Oh, and the dance parties. I'm old enough to dance like no one's watching. So many dance parties! I'm teaching my daughter about living in the present I hope to grow old without burdening my daughter with my care or worrying that I won't be with her for as long as she'd like. But chasing the illusion of eternal youth entails waging a losing battle against time. As an older parent, I try to teach my daughter that living well means cultivating kindness, relishing the present moment no matter what came before or what we expect of the future, and keeping our eyes up to carry the world with us. These are lessons I'm learning too, but none were my top priorities when I was a younger, child-free person. I can't help but think that my daughter is getting the best of me as an older mom.
