Wine Faults & Wine Closures & Goodbye

Guys, we have to say that this is our last post tonight… So sad, right?!

So, first of all, Winosaur would like to THANK YOU, for being here every week and reading our articles. We had so much pleasure finding new funny subjects and share, in our words, our passion for wine. We hope that you enjoyed it, just like us…

To conclude, we would like to talk about some faults you can find in a wine. Actually, our team had a great idea, a new product, very innovative. That is why we won’t have time anymore to write this blog. We can not say more about our project by now but it’s linked with our today’s topic…

So, what about the wine faults?

#1 Oxidized Wine: Contamination caused by too much oxygen exposure. Just like when you leave a sliced apple out and it turns brown. Oxidization is the most common wine fault in older wines. Oxidized wines lose their brightness, both in color and in flavor.

#2 Cork taint & Trichloroanisole (TCA): A chemical containment that found its way into your bottle somewhere in production, usually from real cork. TCA can be present in oak barrels, or the processing lines at the winery as well. It will smell and taste like wet newspaper, moldy basement or smelly dog. The wine will be fruitless and dominated by the off flavors.

#3  Sulfur Compounds: Some sulfur is added to almost all wines to stabilize them. Sulfur dioxide or SO2 manifests as sort of smokey, struck match aroma, but isn’t bad for you at all. The most frequent manifestation of a sulfur-related flaw is mercaptin: for example if you notice rotten egg, burnt rubber, or skunk in your wine.

#4 Cooked wine or heat damage: The wine smells jammy, or like a wine reduction sauce, mixed with a nutty, brown, roasted sugar-type aroma. Heat damage often compromises the seal of the bottle (the expansion from the heated air pushes the cork out) so it can be accompanied by oxidization.

#5 Secondary Fermentation: You can see tiny bubbles where there shouldn’t be any, or listen for the “psssst” like a schweppes…This usually happens with young bottles of red wine, or when the wine is accidentally bottled with a few grams of residual sugar and then re-ferments. This most frequently occurs in low-intervention winemaking.

It exists some ways to fix these problems, some tricks or accessories to avoid them. You can also find alternative wine closures as the screw caps, the crown caps, the glass stopper or vino-seal…

Now, just for fun, we have selected some funny corks and stoppers, a great idea four your Valentine maybe?!

To the plumber inside of you…

If you’re a little bit paranoid…

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you like Michael Jackson…

…or if you prefer street style!

 

If you’re cold

 

 

If you like BLING BLING

 

 

If you are afraid of the dark…

If you smoke…

Winelentine’s Day

Hello dear Winosaurs, an important date is coming and we hope you didn’t forget! In case you did, Valentine’s Day will be here soon and  we will do our best to help you please your loved one by giving you some advice about… Wine of course.

First it will depend on what kind your Valentine’s Day is going to be. Idyllic, Cuddly, Suave or Torrid? Make your choice and follow us, we will explain you everything.

Let’s begin with the first one:

Idyllic you said? Well the perfect wine for you is Le Blanc du Clos des vins d’Amour, Idylle 2014, which is an AOC Côtes du Roussillon. This wine is produced in an organic agriculture. With its aromas of citruses and white flowers, this wine will blow your mind. It will bring you a breath of freshness and surely help you to enjoy a magical night with the person of your dream.

With the Château Moulin Caresse, Cuvée Cent pour 100, Montravel, you will pass a Cuddly night, we assure you. By the way, François Hollande said about this wine that it was “a little bomb”. So if a President enjoyed it, be sure that your partner will too. Enchant yourself with this wine and his promising name…

If you want to spend a Suave party, then you shall try Eternelle Favorite, Rosé 2015, AOC of Provence. With a gorgeous bottle and aromas of jasmine, rose and wild strawberry, you will warm your lady’s night up. This rosé wine, very classy and gastronomic, will make the difference.

Torrid, really? Be prepared then, because this Cuvée des Demoiselles 2014 of Château Hostens-Picant – Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux, will answer to your wishes. With aromas of acacia, lilac, quince or pear, prepare yourself to be seduced. Impossible to resist, it will tantalize you, promise of Winosaur – Rooar !

But maybe you would like something less classic and more surprising. Well just take a look; we have something perfect for you…

If none of those wines seduced you, we also can propose a special one. A rosé wine which helps you to declare your undying love to your lover. Indeed, on the bottle a special note is written and it’s revealed at less than 6 degrees. And the surprise is that even the buyer doesn’t know the message. Between surprise and sweet words, your Valentine’s Day will be full of promises.

And if you are single, don’t worry it happens sometimes, you still can go to the Cité du vin in Bordeaux. A conference will be held on this beautiful place, and the subject is special Valentine’s Day:  Is the wine aphrodisiac or not? Everyone is welcome and it takes place the Tuesday, 14^th of February at 7 p.m.

Have a good Valentine’s Day, and if you’re still not convinced, you still can watch Fifty Shades Darker meanwhile. Maybe it will give you some ideas!

Rooar- The Winosaur Team

White House wine – Do the presidents show good taste?

The new president Donald Trump of the United States has proclaimed himself tee-total, and the ancient French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated: “Je n’ai jamais bu une goutte d’alcool de ma vie” (I’ve never had one sip of alcohol). Winosaur thinks, they should have done better. Your favourite drink and your choice of wine is definitely a statement! Take a look at the president’s favourite alcoholic drink, referring to Will-Weber’s book “Mint Juleps with Teddy Roosevelt: The Complete History of Presidential Drinking”.

Donald Trump

Although President-elect Donald Trump owned the unsuccessful brand ‘Trump Vodka’ and his family runs Trump Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia, he doesn’t drink.

Thumbs down to Donald Trump’s taste

Barack Obama

Barack Obama is proud of the American wines and likes to serve them at special occasions. He found out that wine is not only delicious but this cultural product can also contribute to diplomacy. In 2014 he served US wines from estates founded by African-Americans at a White House dinner for African leaders.

President Barack Obama is not only a wine drinker but also a big fan of beer. Under his administration, the White House has brewed its own honey ale. Winsoaur votes for good taste and self-initiatives.

Richard Nixon

Nixon’s favourite wines were the First Growth Château Margaux and Château Lafite Rothschild. However, the president was too stingy to share his Bordeaux wine:

‘His guests were typically given a decent (but far less expensive) wine — and the waiters were instructed to serve it with a towel wrapped around the bottle so as to hide the label.’

This makes Winosaur laugh, but he doesn’t like egoistic people, even if they show good taste, so Nixon falls down the ranking.

Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection/REX

JOHN F. KENNEDY

John F. Kennedy had a passion for Champagne, and the First Lady, Jackie Kennedy’s favourite was Veuve Clicquot.

The former managing editor of the Washington Post Ben Bradlee wrote about the bubbly White House dinner parties with the Kennedys: ‘Champagne was flowing like the Potomac in flood, and the president himself was opening bottle after bottle in a manner that sent the foam flying all over the furniture…’

This reminds us of The Great Gatsby and Winsosaur already has a penchant for this president.

Caroline breaks a bottle of champagne on the bow of the USS John F. Kennedy © CNN

Thomas Jefferson 

‘Jefferson will always be regarded as the First Father of Wine in the United States’, asserted Will-Weber. It travelled in the 18^th century to southern France and the Italian Piedmont and loved European fine wine: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Sauternes, white Hermitage and Madeira.

Unfortunately, Jefferson’s wine obsession put him on the brink of financial ruin. 

How to Overcome the Sunday Night Blues

The best cure for the Sunday night blues is a glass of wine. Luckily I’ve had five so I don’t know what day it is anymore!

The weekend passed by so quickly and it feels as if Friday was just five minutes ago. Winosaur helps you to beat the Sunday night blues with some great movies highlighting some classic wine brands, grape varieties or wine styles. Pyjamas on, pull off the cork and lean back! And don’t be melancholic, the next week could be the luckiest of your life!

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Silence of the Lambs

A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

In this scene, Hannibal Lecter tries to scare off Jodie Foster, in the role of a FBI trainee. Well, you probably don’t know that this famous moment should mention the Amarone wine rather than Chianti. They finally changed the script because of a lack of knowledge on Aramone.

Really scary, right?

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God father

Hard to make a movie about the Italian mafia without wine. The only thing that is more red than the wine in this movie is the blood shed…

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The Great Gatsby with Moët&Chandon

 

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James Bond

A long and beautiful love story between James Bond and wine or Champagne, impossible to select only one movie from the saga.

Dr No (1962)

“That’s a Dom Perignon ’55,” says Dr. No. “It would be a pity to break it.”

Bond shrugs, puts the bottle down, and says, “I prefer the ’53 myself.”

Goldfinger (1964)

“My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done, such as drinking Dom Perignon ‘53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs!”

Die Another Day (2002)

The first thing James Bond asks after a 14-months stay in a Korean prison is a bottle of Champagne Bollinger 1961.

Goldeneye (1995)

James Bond takes a bottle of Bollinger Grand Year 1988 with two flutes of the steering wheel of his Aston Martin.

Casino Royale (2006)

A bottle of Château Angelus can be seen in the train scene.

 

Winter is coming…

© La Dive - Bouteille/ Michel Tholmer

Winosaur prepares you for Apres-Ski!

Good day dear Winosaurs, we hope you’re well and warm!

As you might have seen, winter is here: coldness, short days, the urge to lay in bed all day drinking a hot chocolate (or wine) while watching movies and petting your cat.
We can’t bring back the warm days of summer but we surely can help you go through those hard times with some seasonal food and wine pairings.
Oh, and last but not least as it is the perfect time to go skiing, we will help you getting the most of it by giving you tips on what to eat and drink after a good day enjoying the snow.

Raclette:

It is a traditional Swiss dish that can be described as melted cheese eaten with boiled (or roasted) potatoes with small gherkins and delicatessen. It is a perfect meal after skiing and to enjoy a great bottle of wine next to any fire places.

A pint of beer is a great match with it, but if you want to go a little bit further you can try:
For the whites, Chenin Blanc, Savoie Wines and for the reds, Pinot Noir, Cotes du Rhône, Rioja.

Fondue:

It is a mix of melted cheeses usually Comté, Beaufort and Tome of Savoie in a pot where you dip little pieces of bread.
it is meant to eat with potatoes and delicatessen.

You can pair it with Muscadet, Chablis Pinot Noir and Savoie Wines.

Tartiflette and Croiziflette:

The classic Tartiflette is made by baking oignons, lardons, tome cheese, potatoes together in a clay plate.
For the croiziflette you just replace potatoes by crozet pasta, a typical squared pasta from Savoie.

Savoie Wines, Jura, Cotes du Rhône would be a great match for those ones.

We also have a little extra for you, the ice wine.
Do you know anything about it?

It is made by harvesting when the grapes are frozen, creating a sweet wine. The price tag is a bit higher than the other sweet wines and the bottle is also looking a bit different but we can assure you that it would match your deserts perfectly!

Oh, and if you’re a little bit scared about the calories, don’t worry about it, good food and good wines after a hard day of ski is just what you need to start again the next day!

Coldly yours,

The Winosaur Team.

 

Written in the Stars: Which wine pairs with your zodiac sign?

Admit it: you check your horoscope once in awhile. Winosaur has found your perfect match. The next bottle you gonna go for will be perfect for you, it’s practically written in the stars.

Astrology can give us a glimpse of a person’s basic characteristics, desires and preferences. The astrological cycles have an impact/noticeable effects on plant growth (see biodynamic agriculture), on the quality of the wine when the winemaker’s farming activities are aligned with the natural Cosmic and Earth rhythms (see calendar of Maria Thun) and on the wine preferences of the consumer. While we can’t know whether or not our fate is truly written in the stars, there is one thing we can always count on: wine. For today’s horoscope prediction, we’re making a bet that you’ll always choose the favourite wine of your invitation, of your tinder date (ask his/her birthday date) and you will understand YOUR personal wine preferences.

 

& Biodynamic wine: Aquarius-born are deep thinkers, highly intellectual people and extremely innovative. Using your eccentric personality and immense brainpower, you’ll enjoy a Biodynamic Wine. Being biodynamic means the wine is made in conjunction with the balance of the moon cycles and nature. If you’re an Aquarius, that offbeat wine sounds just for you.

 

& Pinot Noir: Pisces are emotional, compassionate and romantic. Some may say that Pisces live the lush fantasies of their lives through… a glass of a lovely Pinot Noir. A silky and fruit-driven Burgundy with hints of fresh cherries and vanilla flavours is more than enough to take a Pisces away to a magical place.

& Orange Wine: If you’re an Aries, you’re both energetic, impulsive and courageous. Aries have a burning desire for starting something new and are continuosly looking for new challenges and competitions. Your wine match must be original and innovative. In a world of red and white wine, go fort he standout orange. Technically a white wine, it’s made like a red by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice, creating a deep orange-hued wine. You like the challenge of using little to no additives, not even yeasts during the winemaking process. Sure, you two might get some jealous stares. But ignore the haters like James Franco in The Interview: They hate us cause they ain’t us (anus).

& Red Bordeaux: As a Taurus, you are a true hedonist and you enjoy the finer things in life. You prefer full-bodied and strong wines with finesse and quality. There’s only one thing that can quench your thirst for all things chic: Left Bank Bordeaux. The famed Cabernet Sauvignon dominated reds from the best Bordeaux appellations are some of the most expensive but also best money can buy. Embrace the excessive and get a bottle of a 1855 Classified Bordeaux wine, because you’re worth it.

& Riesling: Just like a good Riesling, Geminis can be both sweet and sour. You may have a dual personality, but you’re likeable 100% of the time. Dry or sugary, Riesling’s bright acidity and playful citrus notes are appropriate for any situation you’ll find yourself in.

 

& Rioja: Cancers are known for having a tough exterior, but once you get to know them, they’re some of the kindest and most loyal people you can count on. A Rioja is just like that – if you take a sip right after opening the bottle, all you taste is alcohol. Give it its time, decant it, and the Tempranillo will show its charming side.

& Blue Wine: Leos are charismatic leaders, intuitive and brave. Sometimes, they also can be exuberant, but without arrogance or superficiality. Leos like to discover new wines, and share them with friends and family. They wish they will be the first one to discover a new wine-growing region, a new winemaker. For example, Leos could really appreciate tasting the newest blue wine, revolutionary!

 

& Sancerre: If you’re a virgo, you’re charming, very sociable…but eager too: you need balance and stability! So, you need light, subtle and delicate wines. Mineral wines, or white sweet wines could be perfect to contain your susceptibility. Why not a Sancerre? Its acidity will permit to keep him many years in your cellar.

 

& Sparkling White: Libras like to work together with others. The camaraderie that comes from clinking a glass with others is exactly what Libras crave, so pop open a bottle of sparking white wine and let’s share the festive bubbles!

 

& Syrah: Frank, extremely motivated and determined, with a strong capacity to lead ambitious projects…Syrah is the right choice, lusty in nature just like you. Despite all that, both you and Syrah are agreeable!

& Argentinian Malbec: Philosopher and concentrated, Sagittarius are not really patient and often struggle with commitment. However, their strong interest in travelling could lead them to choose a wine with a beautiful story, which could remember them their last holidays, as an Argentinian Malbec, so exotic!

 

& Ice Wine: Persistent, working hard, Capricorns will climb to the top to get money, power, and glory. The perfect partner for that? A glass of ice wine of course! Waiting until the perfect moment to produce an unprecedented sweetness, the grapes finally share the same mantra as the Capricorns.

 

 

 

Happy Hangover!

How to Saber Champagne

The team at Winosaur hopes that you all had a wonderful Christmas Eve with delicious food and great wines and that the culinary delight will continue!

Now, let’s entertain you again. New Year’s Eve is already next Saturday, so we thought you need to be prepared for your Champagne saber performance to impress party guests!

“Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!”

Dom Pérignon

There is no way to open a bottle of Champagne that’s more fun than sabering, the act of taking a large blade (or a chef’s knife) and popping off the cork with one smooth motion. As it turns out, it’s so easy to do that anyone can pull it off. Watch our video with the  step-by-step sabering tutorial and… May the force be with you!

You only need a knife and an ice cold sparkling wine (Champagne, German Sekt, Crémant, Cava, Prosecco, and other amazing sparkling wines that won’t break your budget…).

Video HOW TO SABER CHAMPAGNE

 

Step by Step Guide to Saber Champagne

1. Chill Champagne to reduce pressure – it must be ice cold
2. Completely remove Champagne foil
3. Reposition cage carefully to first lip
4. Choose Your saber –we used a long knife
5. Hold Champagne at 45° angle
6. Slide saber in a smooth motion along the seam of bottle

 

Safety Warning Be careful. Don’t poke your eye out attempting to saber Champagne.

Thanks for checking us out and stay tuned to Winosaur for another fun filled scenario arriving the New Year!

Love & peace,
Léa, Maxime, Sandy, Karin

10 things you absolutely have to do before Christmas

“What? Christmas? Next week?”

Yes, how could you miss it? Haven’t you seen men wearing Christmas sweaters and thinking they look cute or sexy? Haven’t you tasted awful sweet mulled wine? And haven’t you already bought your Christmas presents?

But do not panic, if you’re a little late (no judgment), we can help you, now, to prepare and get ready for Christmas. Check and fulfil the following 10 steps to pass a happy Christmas!

1. Christmas tree: make it as beautiful as you can, to make sure that Santa Claus appreciates it (and maybe gives you some gifts).
2. Christmas jumper: as our beloved Mark Darcy, you should – no, you have to – find the jumper which will impress your family, or shock your old aunt, it’s up to you.
3. Diet-before-Christmas: can you imagine? Foie gras, oysters, salmon, Christmas turkey, chestnuts, yule log… You have to prepare your liver. So this week, soup, soup and soup (and one glass of wine!).
4. Last-chance list to Father Christmas: do not worry, now he’s also hyper connected, you can send him an email if you forgot to post your letter to the North Pole.
5. Christmas desert: find an original recipe to prepare a wonderful wine-based desert.
6. Advent calendar: “Ooops, I forgot my chocolate last week, and yesterday too…nevermind…” No! You have to be ready on all aspects. So eat chocolate, eat, this is an order…”But what about the diet?” you might say. I would answer: chocolate is totally part of it…everybody knows chocolate is healthy right?
7. Christmas songs: if you want to be in a Christmas mood, we highly recommend you to listen and relisten all of the Christmas hits. Not that stimulating in the beginning, but we promise you, finally you will really appreciate them. Am I not right Justin?
8. Prepare your cat: yes, your cat also merits a wonderful Christmas…So as you could decorate your Christmas tree, you should pair its clothes with yours. 
9. Chill & Christmas movie : before Christmas, you have to rest (but only if you have respected all the previous rules). So, hot chocolate, sofa, your favorite movie and your cat, that’s all you need. 
10. Gifts: VERY important… If you forgot to buy them and amazon can’t guarantee that it arrives before Christmas, then grab a glass of Chardonnay and DO-IT-YOURSELF !

DIY glass holder for wine bottle. This wine glass holder is a personal homemade gift and you won’t need to worry about the delivery time. You can cut the wooden board larger so that it serves as an appetizer board! Let’s get started and follow the instructions.

 

 

 

DIY Wine Bottle Lamps. And the best part of this gift is, it has to be consumed before you can offer it.  Each bottle starts with a delightful and tasty wine. Once you have consumed it’s extreme deliciousness, you can insert the light. There is a step-by-step tutorial of Wine Bottle Light available here.

 

 

 

DIY Cork Key chain. This lucky person will always think about you.
To read the full tutorial of Cork Key Pendant, click the link.

 

 

 

CORAVIN – a wine gadget that every real man should have! This intuitive wine system allows you to pour your favorite wine by the glass, without pulling the cork.You can find it at almost every wine shop. To discover more about the awesome Coravin Wine System, click the link.

 

Wine-O-Thrones

Game of Thrones. Lots of blood, suspense, of “OMG what will happen to Jon Snow”. But above all : Wine, wine and more wine.
Follow us, we will explain you everything about it in case you’ve missed it.

Be careful dear Winosaurs, winter is coming.

Arbor :

 

Similar Wines :

Californian Chardonnay
Northern Rhône White

You are made for Arbor wines if…

You want to have the best of the best, the cream of the crop and you’re willing to spend your money to get it. You like buying wine that you know will be amazing and that your friends will love, too. The price is worth it.

The legend tells that Joffrey Baratheon is dying to getting another glass of it.

Dorne:

Similar Wines :

Spanish Ribera Del Duero Red
Chilean Pinot Noir

You are made for Dorne wines if…

You feel passionate about red wine, and your friends might say you have a hot-tempered, ardent personality. You love wine that evokes emotion, doesn’t please everyone, but pleases you and your lovers.

Prince Oberyn once said:

“When it comes to love… I don’t choose sides. When it comes to war I fight for Dorne. And when it comes to wine, I choose Dorne Grand Cru, the best wine in all of Westeros.”

Highgarden:

Similar Wines:

Spanish Rioja Red mixed with juice, sugar, limes and spice… Like a Sangria in fact !

You are made for Highgarden wines if…

You’re classy but don’t always need to stick with strictly wine. You can enjoy a gin and tonic, a mojito, and while your friends might be popping a fine Bordeaux, you love a summer sangria, as long as it’s made by a mixologist who knows what he/she is doing.

What Hodor thinks about this wine: “Hodor !”

Casterly Rock:

 

Similar Wines:

Italian Amarone
German Riesling

You are made for Castertly Rock wines if…

You sometimes refer to yourself in the third person, and above all else, work to be powerful in life. You’re the gentlemen or lady who shows up to the party with the most expensive bottle of wine, even if the guests don’t know wine very well. You say to yourself, “[Your last name]s always bring an expensive bottle of wine.”

This is the wine that Jaimee Lanister gives to men of the Kingsguard.

Lys:

Similar Wines:
Spanish Albariño
Argentinian Malbec

You are made for Lys wine if…

You enjoy drinking wine alone every once in awhile. While wine is great socially, there’s also a place for it when you’re by yourself and need some time to unwind, relax, and settle into your own thoughts.

“I do not stand for Lys and their slavery. But I do find this wine mesmerizing.” once said Daenerys Targaryen.

Volantis:

Similar Wines:

Portuguese Port
Californian Zinfandel

You are made for Volantis wine if…

You love over-the-top wines to match your larger-than-life personality. Sure, port and massive Zinfandels are almost not even wine, but so what, are you really the person to worry about such nuances?

Who do you think this wine suits the most in the show? Be sure to give us your answer, you might be surprised of the answer !

Oh, and good news, HBO is releasing a line of Game of Throne themed wines…
Be sure to check it out !