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Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Wine Lovers

2/3/2020 3:24 PM

Gifting a bottle of wine to any wine lover is easy, but what if you would like to add a little something extra to show how much you care?

Flowers, balloons, and stuffed teddy bears are thoughtful gifts but may end up in the trash after the holiday is over. Today we are rounding up some of our favorite gift ideas for him or her to make this coming Valentine’s Day one to remember.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Vinotemp vs. Eurocave

1/24/2020 2:02 PM

When researching wine refrigerators, two brands seem to dominate the market; Vinotemp and Eurocave.

Both brands have over thirty years of wine storage experience and have set the highest standards for wine storage. Today we will explore wine refrigerators made by both Eurocave and Vinotemp to see how the two brands compare.

What is a Eurocave?

Eurocave is a wine storage manufacturer sold exclusively in the United States by Wine Enthusiast. Made in France, Eurocave makes wine cabinets (wine refrigerators), cigar humidors, and cellar conditioners (wine cellar cooling systems).

What is a Vinotemp?

Vinotemp has been a leader in the wine storage industry since 1985. Based locally in the USA, Vinotemp specializes in wine refrigerators, cabinets, cellar cooling systems, wine racks, wine accessories, and more. Vinotemp’s work can be found in popular Las Vegas hotels, sporting venues such as Dodger Stadium, popular hotels like the Ritz Carlton, and in private residences all over the world.

Comparing Large Capacity Wine Refrigerators

Garage 300-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler by Vinotemp

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Vinotemp vs. Eurocave

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

How Do I Set the Temperature on My Vinotemp?

1/24/2020 11:07 AM

How Do I Set the Temperature on My Vinotemp?

All Vinotemp wine refrigerators offer the convenience of a digital control panel. This convenient feature allows you to monitor the temperature inside the cooler with ease. Today we are talking about how to use the control panel, including how to set the wine cooler temperature, turning the refrigerator on or off, and how to adjust the temperature settings on both single-zone and dual-zone wine coolers. You may need to consult your specific unit’s owner’s manual for more detailed instructions.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

What is the Best Wine Cooler?

1/23/2020 3:39 PM

According to Consumer Reports, the best wine fridge will maintain a cool, even temperature that is ideal for wine storage.

Today we will look at the criteria set forth by Consumer Reports and review how Vinotemp wine refrigerators match these criteria. We hope to help you find the best wine cooler that meets the needs of your collection.

Vinotemp 24-inch Panel Ready Dual-Zone Wine Cooler

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wine cooler

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Buying Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Wine

1/8/2020 10:46 AM

Many people around the globe are shifting their habits and adopting eco-minded practices.

Many people around the globe are shifting their habits and adopting eco-minded practices. If you are trying to make more conscious choices, you may be wondering what to do about wine. Wine as a consumer good requires many resources to transport and produce. Not to mention, not all winemakers are committed to responsible practices.

One of the benefits of purchasing eco-friendly wine is increased quality. Since there are fewer chemicals or materials added, the wine has a pure and fruity taste. It provides a clearer expression of the eco-system in which it was grown. Another bonus is that eco-friendly wine is available at all price points.

If you are committed to reducing your carbon footprint and buying “green” wine, here is what to look for while shopping.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Emerging Wine Trends for 2020

1/8/2020 10:34 AM

As the wine industry enters a new decade, there are a few trends to take note of.

An industry that was once very classic or traditional must now adapt to value-oriented customers desiring ethically-minded products. Here are some of the biggest trends we will see this year.

Lower Alcohol and Lower-Calorie Wines:

As more and more adults try to reduce their alcohol intake and take charge of their overall wellness, expect to see lower alcohol and lower-calorie wines on the market. Low alcohol means less than 13% ABV.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Are Sulfites to Blame?

1/8/2020 10:29 AM

The infamous red wine headache, it is probably something you have heard discussed after an evening of dinner and drinks.

While many attribute wine headaches and allergies to sulfites, the truth is that sulfites are largely misunderstood and most likely not the cause of allergies, headaches, or other symptoms. What are sulfites? Are they truly the enemy? Let us explore what sulfites are and whether or not it is making people ill.

Sulfites

Sulfites are sulfur dioxide (SO2), a chemical compound composed of sulfur and oxygen. It is a legal preservative used predominantly in the wine and food industries because it contains antioxidants as well as anti-microbial and antibacterial properties. It can occur naturally but can also be produced in a lab. If you have ever had dried fruit or any processed food, you have consumed sulfites. Per government standards, wine that contains more than 10 parts per million (ppm) must be labeled “contains sulfites”. It is important to note that the number of sulfites in wine is considerably lower than the amount contained in most processed foods.

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Wine Caves

1/2/2020 1:04 PM

The term “Wine Cave” has quickly become a buzzword thanks to a few newsworthy political candidates mentioning it during a presidential debate.

After hearing so much talk about wine caves, you may be curious about what a wine cave is, what makes it special, and how you can incorporate one into your home.

The ideal wine storage solution is a wine cave. According to Wikipedia, a wine cave is a “subterranean structure for the storage and aging of wine.” The reason wine caves are so vital for the wine industry is that they naturally create the best conditions for the aging of wine; they are cool, humid, dark, and allow the wine to rest uninterrupted for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, wine caves require a lot of logistics and resources to build. If you do not have the space, time, or budget, here are some storage solutions by Vinotemp that allow you to create the same conditions on a slightly smaller scale.

VinCave Wine Cellar 200 Bottles

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wine caves

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Ring in 2020 with a Vinotemp Wine Refrigerator

12/13/2019 10:56 AM

Ready to give your wine the proper storage solution?

When space is limited and it’s not in your budget to build a wine cellar, the best alternative is a wine refrigerator. A wine fridge will keep your wine safe from its main enemies; UV rays, vibration, temperature fluctuations, and oxidization. Since we are about to celebrate the end of the 2010s, we thought it would be fun to share our favorite Vinotemp wine refrigerators that will have you toasting to a new decade in style. We are showcasing all different sizes and styles, something for both novice collectors and serious wine aficionados.

12-Bottle Dual-Zone Thermoelectric Mirrored Wine Cooler

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sale

Comments | Posted By Desiree David

Which Came First, Cork or Corkscrew?

12/12/2019 2:58 PM

As we discussed in a previous post, wine was once stored in terra cotta pots and wood barrels and was not aged long term.

Around the 1700s, glass blowing technology evolved to produced wine bottles with narrow necks that provided for an air-tight storage option that enabled the aging of wine.

Image by Creative Market

The English were the first to use cork to seal bottles, sourcing cork from Portugal and Spain. Cork is derived from cork trees, which are a species of Oak grown in Spain. As it became commonplace to use cork to seal bottles, the need to extract the cork grew. According to corkscrew historian Ron McLean of “the Virtual Corkscrew Museum”, the first corkscrews originated from the gun worme which was a tool used to clean stuck bullets from rifles. Around the 17th century, blacksmiths began to make corkscrews specifically for removing corks from bottles .

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Comments | Posted By Desiree David