by billaday

A question asked by greasydame: Advice on trip to Monterey Peninsula.
Trip Plans For late August or Early September:

I live in the South Bay and would like to visit Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, and Carmel. I’d like recommendations on things to do (and see!) in those cities. I’m looking for must see views, cool areas to explore, wild life, and tide pools. I’m not interested in wine tasting. I’d like to add that I’m on a budget so I can’t spend too much. I already know that I want to go to the aquarium, Lovers Point and Point Lobos. I’m still not sure about the 17th-Mile Drive…is it worth visiting? Now for some more questions:
1. How much time should I devote to this trip. Is one day enough?
2. What are some great places to have lunch and dinner? I need to add that I nor my trip-mate like seafood. Oh and remember nothing expensive.
3. Will these places be very crowded? Any tips on how to avoid the crowds?
4. What will the weather be like. How should I dress?

Hope I can get some good answers. Thanks in advance!

Most detailed answer:

Answer by Steff
Might need more then one day, lots of places on the peer to have meals, places might be crowded on weekends only, weather is usually windy, bring a light coat.

=]

Do you know better? Why not leave your own answer in the comments below!

Technorati Tags: Advice, Monterey, Peninsula., trip

by Urban Mixer

Question by samiam29: Where to go wine tasting in southern/central california?
I live in Newport Beach. I’m trying to plan a wine tasting day trip but not sure where to go. I’m renting a limo for the day to take us to and from the wineries. Would Paso Robles or Santa Barbara be to far for a day trip?

The top answer:

Answer by SECRET DESTROYER
* Temecula is a town around a hour or so north of San Diego has wineiers.

Provide your own answer to this question below!

Technorati Tags: california, southern/central, tasting, Wine

Also known as ‘Eikestad’ (Town of Oaks), Stellenbosch stands out as the oldest town in South Africa immediately after Cape Town, a 45 minute drive away. Founded in 1679 by governor Simon van der Stel, the Stellenbosch Wine Route is South Africa’s oldest and perhaps the most acclaimed. Having been set up in 1971, today it offers 106 cellars in the outstanding Jonkershoek valley.

Modern-day Stellenbosch is a buzzing place populated by students, academics, business people and their familys. You should not overlook Dorp Street, a national monument with certainly one of the longest rows of historically maintained structures – which includes Georgian, Cape Dutch and Victoria architecture – in South Africa.

With scores of open-air cafes, eating places, galleries, shops, hotels and guest houses – many housed in these ancient properties – it’s the ideal base for a winelands of the western cape adventure. Then there’s the wine route itself, with about 130 wineries and 5 sub-routes, known for their wine production – notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. The five sub-routes are Bottelary Hills, Greater Simonsberg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Berg and Stellenbosch Hills.

Half and full day wine tours are very popular and may be booked at the tourism office. Otherwise, you are more than welcome to drive yourself to any of the wine estates even though that would mean the driver missing out on testing any of the wine.

There is a wide range of accommodation offered with everything from camp sites, youth hostels, B&Bs up to deluxe hotels. The needs of just about every type of traveller are catered for which is ideal for the independent visitor to use as a base to discover the numerous sights of the Western Cape.

The best approach to orientate your self would be to join one of the regular walking tours that head out from from the tourism office at 11am and 3pm every day. Otherwise, you’re able to check out by yourself and footmaps are available. As Stellenbosch is located in a valley, there’s also backpacking routes outside of the town which allow you to absorb some of the wonderful landscapes and nature.

The Cape Winelands are one of the most well known places for visitors in the Western Cape.. This article, Cape Winelands – Discover Stellenbosch has free reprint rights.

Technorati Tags: Alcohol, destinations, holiday, leisure, outdoors, recreation, south africa, travel, vacation, Wine

by JaguarJulie

A question asked by blahdeedah.: Wine tasting for parents at a 5 year old’s birthday party?
My husband and I are planning a birthday party for our soon-to-be 5 year old daughter. We’ve decided on a movie party. He wants to have an activity for the adults as the kids are watching the movie. My suggestion was a wine tasting. We are both wine lovers and have been wanting to have a tasting. Would it be tacky to have one while the kids are watching their movie?
Trust me, it won’t be a boring movie party. We will have a theatre style set up. The last birthday party we went to, the kids were wanting to watch tv anyway. We’ll have games for about an hour before the party, a theatre style popcorn machine, prizes, and other neat stuff for the kids.

Best answer:

Answer by Trevor H
I think if you make it good in taste, it will be good in taste.

What do you think? Leave you answer below!

Technorati Tags: birthday, old's, Parents, party, tasting, Wine, year

They are like flowers slowly losing its beauty but they are dignified and determined like a bottle of vintage wine. Their faces might be flooded with wrinkles and age marks but their hearts stay as loving as always. Moms might age but doesn’t mean that they should turn off the beats of life’s party music and pack up. They say that life begins are 40. If you are one of those loving motherswho have raised a kid or two, this one is for you. Without a doubt, don’t stop the music when you turned 40. Raise you wine glasses up and feast on the glorious years of motherhood with these splendid non-alcoholic cocktail mixes that you can shake and drink.

Shirley Temple

Ingredients:

3 oz lemon-lime soda 3 oz ginger ale 1 dash grenadine Maraschino cherry

She will always be the face of innocence and the archetype of youth. Her name is Shirley Temple and her name is adopted into a sweet cocktail drink that your mamas can drink. Simply mix equal parts of lemon-lime soda and ginger ale in a cocktail shaker. Shake it well and strain over a glass of promotional wine glass or a Collins glass and jack it up with grenadine. Finish it off with a Maraschino cherry and party.

Sparkling Cranberry Punch

Ingredients:

2 quarts cranberry cocktail juice, chilled 1-6 oz can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed 1 quart sparkling water, chilled

Mothers should always shine and sparkle. They might not have the brilliance of their youth but the appetizing taste of Sparkling Cranberry Punch will consistently make them feel youthful and glowing. Savor the sparkle of glowing youth by mixing all ingredients in a punch bowl. Indeed, preparing this fruity concoction is no sweat. Serve it on a custom made wine glass or the ordinary cocktail glass and cheers for the years that you have endured as a woman of might.

Spring Fever

Ingredients:

3/4 oz lemon juice 3/4 oz mango syrup 1 1/2 oz apple juice 2 oz blood orange juice

Mother’s day falls on the spring season so it would be superb to serve Spring fever cocktail to celebrate this considerably special event. Bring them to intoxicating heights minus the alcohol by simply merging all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake it well and pour the non-alcoholic mix into a custom printed wine glass or any cocktail glass of your choice. Always make sure that your glass will be half-filled with crushed ice before you head on for a toast to motherhood.

These are three highly recommended non-alcoholic cocktail mixes that you can lightly prepare in the name of your loving moms. They might be aging but they can still be as vicious as a tiger but as disciplined as a rabbit.

Neela Vazzana is a promotional items guru on Promotional Drinking Glasses & Custom Printed Mugs & Steins. Read posts by Neela Vazzana on how you can improve your marketing needs.

Technorati Tags: advertising, business, corporate, corporate gifts, corporate giveaways, marketing, promotional items, promotional products, trade show giveaways, Wine

by foodfreak

Question posed by delilah123: does sugar play a big role in the fermentation of wine?
I searched it up on wikipedia and so far I see that the yeast plays a big role and because of different types of yeast etc. the wine types can come out in different varieties. I was wondering if sugar level affected wine fermentation as well. I`d appreciate it a lot if someone could explain in simple terms what the whole process is about. Thanks!

The No 1 answer:

Answer by Cody
Sugar has a huge importance in the fermentation of wine. Sugar is the food for the yeast. No sugar = no food for yeast = no alcohol. So yes sugar plays an important role in the alcohol level and taste of the wine as well.

But be warned. Be carefull about adding too much sugar as the yeast dies after a certain alcohol level is reached and if you have too much sugar you are going to have some really sugary wine. I will try to find my guide on how to make apple wine i have saved on my computer. I will edit this post if i find it.

EDIT: I found a webpage that should tell you everything you need: http://homedistiller.org/wash-sugar.htm#neutral and be careful, make sure you use an air lock and pasturized materials when making wine because if outside things get inside during the fermentation cycle it can create deadly chemicals. So be careful.

Whether you agree or disagree, why not leave your own thoughts below.

Technorati Tags: fermentation, play, role, sugar, Wine

by tomylees

Question by jewelsfn: Most types of white wine, how long?
I would like to know how long a bottle of white wine, (all types) once open will last in the refrigerator? I run into this problem a lot and never know how long is too long so I end up throwing them out.

The best answer:

Answer by Megan
a couple of days maybe. it goes downhill pretty fast once opened.

wrap a piece of aluminum foil tightly around the top for max results.

If you know better then please let us know below.

Technorati Tags: long, most, types, white, Wine

At the beginning of every New Year, as the frost begins to melt and spring flowers begin to appear thoughts wander to the summer months. Plans for holidays, hot sunny days with a picnic surrounded by family, friends and neighbours gathered for a barbecue and of course the food to be served and the wine to serve with it.

To counteract the summer heat many of us are instinctively drawn to white wines to serve well chilled and these can indeed be perfect however, for many occasions a carefully selected good quality red wine can be an even better choice.

Before you choose red wine or white, think also about the occasion or event and what food will be eaten. Many a happy day can be spent at the seaside or in the country with family and a delicious picnic. The children have juice and cans of pop, but have you packed a bottle of wine for the adults to savour with lunch?

You can find some lovely refreshing fruity flavoured French wine which is lower in acid content and lower in alcohol percentage, without being completely low alcohol, which could suit your occasion. If you are drinking in the middle of the day and still want some energy for the rest of the afternoons activities with the family these could be an ideal choice! There are all sorts of wines that would fit the bill so make your selection from light whites, crisp roses and fruity reds.

Summer means barbeque for many families and is often the man’s domain, standing watch over the hot coals cooking great chunks of glorious meat! Barbeques, generally, are meat based with simple lighter accompaniments and salads. The flavours of a grilled meal are in themselves much simpler than a more complex dinner party meal and the wines you choose should reflect that.

For hearty foods such as steaks, sausages and burgers choose from the selection of more robust wines, although historically red wine was considered the perfect match for red meats it is possible to get full bodied white wines too if you prefer them and they are an equally good pairing with the food.

If your grill is an array of white fish, chicken and delicate vegetable flavours then look for a classic French wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, although this is now produced by many vineyards out of its country or origin.

To give your party a real feel of celebration then look no further than sparkling wines! With something to suit every pocket from a reasonably prices sparkling rose to the highest standard Champagne from famous French wine producers. Start your party with the pop of cork from any one of these and the evening will surely go with a swing! All that is left is to cross fingers for the weather to keep its side of the deal and provide sun shine day after day for the summer months!

Looking to find the best deal on wine, then visit www.everywine.co.uk to find the best advice on french wine for you.

Technorati Tags: french wine, Red Wine, Wine

by Dave Photography

Question posed by metrosoccerfan: Wine tasting in culinary school for non-alchohol drinkers?
Hello. I am considering going to culinary school but I was told by someone who used to attend it that you have to taste wine. I don’t drink alchohol because of my religion & my health. Can anyone offer me some advice? Is wine tasting a requirement for studying culinary arts? Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Dannii n Sac
I doubt they would force you (You have a valid reason). I’m sure they would give you some sort of alternative assignment

Provide your own answer to this question below!

Technorati Tags: culinary, drinkers, nonalchohol, school, tasting, Wine

A wine merchant is far more than the man that you buy your wine from. Over time he will become your advisor, friend, and person you go to when you need help with selecting wine. A good wine merchant will have a vast amount of experience trying and testing all varieties of wine, and be able to advise you on any wine from all over the world. They are experts in their own right, and would have spent many years learning the information.

Although it may seem simpler to grab a bottle of wine when you are in the grocery store, this will often leave you feeling disappointed. No thought or effort needs to be placed into the decision process of the wine. You will end up drinking the same wine that tends to be over priced, and quite frankly boring. Very few people understand the wine they are buying, and tend to buy the bottle because they have drunk it in the past.

When you visit a wine merchant, you will be going through a voyage of discovery, and learning so much about the wine. You can impress your family and friends, when you tell them all about the wine they are drinking. The wine merchant will be able to get to know you, your tastes, and what type of wine you enjoy. They will be able to advise on wine for birthdays, celebrations, and for parties. You will never feel uninspired when buying wine ever again.

Initially you may be worried about taking the wine merchants advise on the wine, and many people do not like change. However, if you place your faith into the expert’s hands you will surprise yourself. The wine merchant will very rarely get it wrong, and they will never cease to amaze you. Although buying wine this way does tend to be slightly more expensive, you will be able to receive discounts and offers, especially if you become a regular customer.

The wine that is on offer from the wine merchant is of far better quality, and often it is selected especially with the customers in mind. Good wine merchants will have a vast selection of wine on offer, from vintage champagnes, to new offerings from local wineries. Many of the wine merchants today are located online, and you will find it very easy to use their websites.

Many of these websites will enable you to learn everything you need to plan your wine list, and enjoy your purchases. If the website is professional, and informative you can be sure that the wine merchant behind the site is as knowledgeable. Good quality wine merchants are proud of the knowledge they have, and will want to share it with people.

Overtime your wine merchant will have a clear picture of exactly what wine you, and your friends, and family enjoy. They will be able to advise you, and ensure that the wine you take to the next party will be perfect. Next time you are in the grocery store you can walk past the wine knowing that you have the best possible avenue for selecting your wine. Your wine merchant will be placed in the top people that you call when there is some type of event being planned.

Visit Laithwaites, a quality wine merchants with many years of experience. We have a fantastic selection online and in our stores.

Technorati Tags: Buy Wine, Buy wine online, Wine