Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between a “good” wine and a “bad” wine? A: If YOU like the taste of the wine, it is a “good” wine. If YOU do not like the taste of a wine, it is a “bad” wine. Simple as that.
Q: Why is it important to pair the right wines with food? A: Well, YOU can drink whatever wine YOU like with whatever food YOU like, really. However, the main reason you would choose certain wines with certain foods is so you can taste the wine and the food. For example, if you are eating a spicy red sauce pasta, or a rich steak, you may want to choose a bolder red wine. This is simply because the flavor of this food will overpower a milder white wine to the point you cannot taste it.
Q: Why and how should I let my wine “breathe”? A: Wine needs to breathe just as you and I do. Oxygen gives us life, and so it does with wine! You can pour your wine in a fancy decanter to aerate it, or you can use this simpler method. Pour your wine in a good wine glass. Swirl the wine around in the glass about 5 to 10 times to let the air in, and the fragrant aromas out. Drink and enjoy!
Q: How should I store my wines? A: Wine is best preserved in a cool, dark place. Light and heat are wine’s worst enemies. White and blush wines can be kept in your refrigerator, as they are best served chilled. Wine should be stored on its side to keep the cork moist, unless the bottle is closed with a synthetic cork or a screw-top cap.
Q: What are synthetic corks, and why do you prefer them? A: Synthetic corks look just like the natural ones, but they are made of synthetic rubber-like materials. Real cork can taint wine (ruin it) if the cork itself is polluted, if the cork goes bad, or if the bottle is not properly stored. We feel synthetic corks are a surer way to avoid cork taint. (continued)
Q: Why are the red wines in green bottles and the white wines in clear bottles? A: If a red wine is exposed to excessive light, it will turn brownish and lose its great taste. The green bottle protects the color and flavor of our red wines.
Q: How long does it take to make the wine? A: As long as it takes. Seriously. I mean it. If you honestly must know, it takes at least six weeks, but I wouldn’t drink it that soon. Some wines take as long as two years to make, but I don’t have that much patience!
We will list many more questions we hear from you on this page. Stay tuned.