Why Should You Join a Wine Club?

Not sure what wines to buy? Always buy the same thing? Looking for a regular supply of wines direct to your door? If the answer is yes to any of the above, then you should consider joining a wine club. Wine clubs have become increasingly popular in recent years and offer a number of benefits when it comes to buying wine.

The main advantage of joining a wine club is that you get to enjoy a regular supply (monthly or quarterly depending on the wine club) of expertly selected wines. Unlike a supermarket or wine shop when you are faced with rows and rows of wines and unsure what to buy, with a wine club all the research is done for you. You get to taste a whole host of award winning wines, customer favourites, pre-releases and undiscovered gems that you otherwise may not have chosen. What’s more, you’ll be sure to have a bottle of wine to hand, perfect for every occasion.

Another advantage of joining a wine club is that you will receive detailed information about each of the wines. This can help when it comes to picking out wines in the future (particularly if you are new to wine), as you get to learn more about what you are drinking and the winemakers who produce the wines. Some wine clubs encourage you to rate or comment on the wine. This can be useful as you get to remember your favourites and you also get to see what other customers think of the wines before you taste them.

Joining a wine club is one of the easiest ways of buying wine. As you sit back and enjoy your wines, you can rest assured that the hard work is being done to prepare your next wine club case for you. And with delivery direct to door, you don’t have to lift a finger.

Some wine clubs offer an incentive to encourage you to join, such as a price reduction or free gift. Once you’ve joined, you’ll also probably benefit from other savings such as discounted cases or exclusive promotions. Virgin Wines’ online wine club goes the extra mile and offers a money back guarantee, so if you find that you don’t like a wine that has been selected for you, you can get your money back.

In addition, as a member of a wine club, you may receive invitations to tasting sessions or events. These can be a great way of meeting other people interested in wine, chatting to the experts who select your wines and trying new ranges.

Finally, with many wine clubs to choose from, it’s worth picking one that offers you freedom and flexibility. So if you decide that you want to skip a case or modify the selection where you don’t like a wine, this shouldn’t be a problem.

A wine club is a great option if you are looking to learn more about wine and they are a really convenient way of keeping stocked up with wine. Wine clubs do vary from one to another, so it’s best to check the details and terms first to ensure that you choose the best one for you. To find out about Virgin Wines’ Discovery Wine Club, which specialises in bringing you boutique wines from up and coming winemakers, and which offers all of the benefits mentioned above plus more, visit virginwines (dot) com.

Louise Truswell has been working in and writing about the wine industry for a number of years. More Information about Virgin Wines, please visit us - http://www.virginwines.com/wine-club

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Where Are The Most Romantic Destinations?

Is it time for a romantic getaway? If you had to think a moment, chances are it is. The truth is, anytime's the right time for a romantic getaway. The hard part is coming up with the best destination to let the sparks fly. Here, then, are some of the best romantic destinations in the world.

Paris

Paris is known as the "Romance Capital of the World," and for good reason. For lovers there are so many romantic places to visit: The quays of the Seine, its leafy squares and elegant parks, the many small and romantic restaurants. Or better still, you could book a cruise on the River Seine.

Barbados

Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island sometimes referred to as the “lover’s paradise.” If walking with your loved one along miles of unbroken sandy beaches appeals to you, then Barbados is your romantic destination. While there try one of the local sunset cruises on a yacht or tall ship.

Gretna Green

Never heard of Gretna Green? You should. It's often referred to as the "Wedding Capital of the World." Gretna Green is a small, historic village on the west coast in the south of Scotland, on the Scottish/English border, where everything, it seems, is geared to romance. While there you might want to stay at Comlongon Castle, which is located 15 minutes from Gretna, and also serves as a very popular castle wedding venue. A restored 14th Century Medieval Scottish castle, Comlongon offers 14 individually themed 4-poster bedrooms perfect for romance.

Poconos

The Poconos in Pennsylvania is another destination which has been called the "Romance Capital of the World," popular as a destination for couples getting married or on their honeymoon. If you want the ultimate in romance, check out the Roman Tower Suite at Pocono Palace, which is designed with a Grand Roman theme. Of course, what's grand to some is gaudy to others, but the Roman Tower Suite comes with floor-to-ceiling columns, vaulted ceilings, and a 7-foot tall Champagne Glass Whirlpool Bath built for two.

Niagara Falls

What the world needs is another "Romance Capital of the World." That's why there's Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River on the border between New York and Ontario. It's not the tallest waterfall in the world, but it's certainly the most famous - for its beauty, its power, and its weddings. Niagara Falls is actually a collection of three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls (called by some the Canadian Falls), the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.

Virginia

Yes, Virginia, Virginia is for Lovers, as the tourism and travel slogan goes. And, romantic it is. With over 5,000 miles of shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, how can you possibly not find romance in Virginia? And, for those wine lovers among you, Virginia is also home to over 60 wineries. While there you might want to stay at one of Virginia's most romantic B&B's, Cedars of Williamsburg Bed & Breakfast, located just a 7-minute-walk to Colonial Williamsburg.

Catalina Island

Catalina Island is so romantic, they had to write a song about it. The "Island of Romance," located approximately 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles, has been host to romantics and newly-wedded couples for decades. Try timing your visit with a special event held at the Casino Ballroom, one of the most wonderful art deco treasures in Southern California. If you have an opportunity to dance at the Casino, you have to take it.

Tips to Consider When Planning Your Romantic Getaway

Consider booking the honeymoon suite, if your hotel has one. Honeymoon suites are not just for just-married couples. For a bit more money, you may be able to get a Jacuzzi in the suite, rose petals scattered around or even a heart-shaped bed.

Consider room service. Your romantic getaway can be even more romantic when you include a candlelight dinner in the hotel room itself.

Consider what’s around your hotel or lodging. Think about a romantic walk to a nearby park, or an excursion to a beautiful museum, or a romantic dinner out. There are many things that you can do to increase the romance. Find out what there is to do around the hotel that will be romantic. Remember, planning a romantic getaway is more than just picking a romantic location.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Lost Valley Winery

If you're an Australian wine lover with a taste for Italian wines, there's no need for an expensive plane ticket to get your fix. You can enjoy an exceptional Italian wine in the form of Lost Valley Winery's Cortese wine, famous not only for its unique, refreshing flavours, but also because it's the only wine of its kind produced in Australia. Respected wine critics like Robert Parker, Huon Hooke and Ralph Kyte-Powell have only good things to say about the Lost Valley Cortese wine, impressed at the winery's commitment to keep producing excellent vintages of their interesting wine.

Lost Valley Winery is widely recognised as one of the top boutique wineries in Australia, and possibly the world. Their wines are exported to Canada, the United States, Hong Kong and Indonesia. You know you're on to something special when the top American wine distributors single out your wine as "incredible" when compared to other producers in the same category. This doesn't just apply to the Cortese wine either; an Italian wine variety. Their Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Shiraz have all won multiple accolades and praise in the local wine community. Lost Valley Winery has gone beyond merely churning out bottles of wine year after year; they've set a standard in the industry for everyone keen on making lasting impressions in the national and international arenas.

Situated on the sloping hills of Great Dividing Range in Victoria, the two vineyard sites in the Upper Goulburn region yield Lost Valley Winery's four main varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz and the interesting Italian wine Piedmont native, Cortese. Despite the warm temperatures during summer, the cool air of the mountain is soothing and allows for a slightly slower ripening period. The grapes to reach full maturity at more relaxed pace. The high slopes keep the frost off the vineyards during the colder months, and the precious rainwater nourishes the clayey soil before it filters into the King Parrot Creek, a tributary of the Goulburn River. The conditions of this region can be extreme, but all four wines emerging from the Lost Valley Winery plantings are consistently rich, complex and of excellent quality. Alex White, widely regarded as one of Australia's best-known and skilled winemakers, is the man behind the award-winning Lost Valley wines. Alex is directly involved in the wine-making process, from tending the growing vines to overseeing the wine-making process itself.

Lost Valley wines are widely available in stores throughout Australia, but to sample some of the special stuff they hold back, take the day and venture out to the winery in the Goulburn Valley region. Be sure your directions are accurate though: the owners only found the place because they got lost, hence the name. The wines at the cellar door aren't typically the wines in the stores and restaurants, so more than just experiencing the beauty of the winery's setting, you're also enjoying the exclusivity of some very fine wines, including Italian wine varieties. You can order the wines direct from Lost Valley Winery’s cellar door at www.BoutiqueWineries.com.au/winery/LostValleyWinery

Tried Ice Wine

Wine is really becoming very popular and is often drunk by people everyday. Although it's important that you don't drink too much, a glass per night is perfectly OK. Some people drink wine just for the alcoholic effects whilst other people drink it because they understand the complex flavours and how they interact with the food that they are eating. There are so many different types of wine and it's important that you learn about what wines should be taken with which foods. Although you will know of popular wines such as Chardonnay and Chianti, you might not know what an ice wine is.

Basically ice wine is made from grapes that have been harvested much later than most other types and are then turned into wine during the winter. The reason they harvest the grapes later in the year is so that they can absorb plenty of sunlight and produce as much sugar as possible.

The grapes are protected form the cold with covers and then harvested in the middle of winter so that they can then be turned into what we know as ice wine. Because there is a lot of sugar in ice wine, the levels of alcohol need to be increased so that the yeast is killed off. This is why you will find that ice wine has a very high alcohol content in comparison to most other types of wine. 20 to 40% alcohol is typical.

Because of the sweetness and alcohol content, this is not the sort of wine that you drink in large quantities. Instead you sip it in small amounts and you can have it well chilled. If you want to have it with a dessert then you will find that fruit tarts are very complimentary.

Canada is very well known for ice wine however you are now seeing it in other countries too.

In addition to ice wine, other types of dessert wine include port and sherry. Port originates from Portugal, hence the name and can be eaten with strong cheese such as stilton. A variety of red grapes can be used but white grapes aren't.

Sherry is another popular drink, although you would never call it "trendy" as the older generation tend to drink this. You can drink sherry before the meal begins and is something that you should try even if you do think it's just a drink for old people.

If you think of wine as something that you want to learn about and not just drink for the purposes of getting drunk then learning about all the different types of wine can actually be very enjoyable as well as educational.for information please visit http://www.pointarticles.com/

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peller wine club

The Peller Estates Wine Club gives us the chance to share our wines with you. Personal service, exclusive offers and a taste of wine country delivered to your door are just some of the benefits members enjoy. A Wine Club Membership also makes a great gift for family, friends and business associates.

Join our wine club and every month you will receive two bottles of our premium VQA wine, accompanied by insightful tasting notes written by Winemaker Lawrence Buhler. Each wine is also paired with a recipe created by Chef Jason Parsons from the Peller Estates Winery Restaurant. At the winery, you and your guests will receive complimentary tastings, seminars and invitations to exclusive members-only events. These are just some of the membership benefits you can look forward to. if you want more information please visit www.peller.com

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Information on Ontario’s Wine Region

Ontario’s Wine region is blessed with a ‘cool climate’ that means that at the time of harvest grapes have more concentrated flavors and balanced acidity levels. Further, the “lake effect” caused by lakes Erie and Ontario protects the precious vines from frosts in the spring and grants the benefits of an extended growing season in the fall. Add to this the influence of Ontario’s soils on the quality of grapes; there are many different varieties of grapes that can be produced in the four viticultural areas of Ontario.

Sandy loam soil is found near the Lake Ontario shore, while silty clay is found on the escarpment bench areas. Because of the unique quality of these soils the Niagara Escarpment wineries and Lake Ontario have been able to create a microclimate suitable for the production of World Class Wines.

Wine Tours

To experience some of the most incredible wines you can opt for Niagara on the lake wine country tours. These wine tours offer you the thrill of enjoying a multi-course lunch or dinner at a scenic winery location. You can choose from beautiful courtyard settings, bistros with expansive vineyard views, exceptional award winning Niagara on the lake restaurants.

peller Winery

peller is one of the best Niagara on the Lake wineries that captures the essence of Niagara’s wine lifestyle in a stunning and relaxed environment. Hillebrand ice wine was the first icewine to come out of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Icewine is produced by allowing the grapes to freeze naturally on the vine. Grapes in this condition acquire the optimum level of sugar and flavor. Ontario’s Niagara region is currently the largest producer of icewines. Hillebrand also pioneered the production of Trius in the Niagara region. Trius is a blend of selected best Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes.

Grape And Wine Festival Wine enthusiasts can also look forward to the Niagara grape and wine festival that takes place in the middle of September when the area celebrates the annual harvest of the grapes. Over a hundred exciting events take place during this ten day celebration. The attendees get the opportunity of wine tasting, sampling the best of the regional cuisine, being entertained by live concerts and enjoying the pageantry of two outstanding parades. If you’re visiting in late January, the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has an Ice Wine Celebration based around the harvesting of the ice wine grapes.

The VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) consists of a set of standards for winemaking excellence from the vineyard right through to the bottling line. Every Ontario VQA wine earns its position by meeting demanding standards and then undergoes complete laboratory and taste testing. If a wine has VQA on its label, you can be sure that it represents authenticity and quality. Perfect grapes, a Passion for winemaking and an Obsession for quality is the essence of VQA certified Ontario wines. more information please visit www,peller.com

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A gift from canada: Ice wine

As the cold winter months arrive, so does one of the wine world's best-kept secrets: ice wine. Truly Jack Frost's gift to the wine lover, ice wines are dessert wines made from frozen grapes. The water inside these frosty berries has crystallized, leaving a juice highly concentrated with sugars, acid and extracts. The result is wine with intensified flavors and complexity.

The making of ice wine is part of its allure. True ice wines require the grapes to freeze naturally on the vine (as opposed to the mechanical freezing of them after harvest). This requires a hard frost (below 15 degrees F) to occur after ripening.

Most icewines grapes must hang on the vine for months and aren't harvested until December or January. The berries must still be frozen when pressed, so harvesting often occurs by hand and in the dead of night.

Once picked, the grapes are pressed within hours in an unheated facility. The frozen water crystals are left behind and only the concentrated juice runs from the press.

Keep in mind that each frozen grape only yields a few precious drops of juice. Combine that with the extreme working temperatures, and it's easy to see why ice wines can be expensive. Expect to pay upwards to $40 a half-bottle -- but these wines are well worth it.

While the distinction of making the first ice wines belongs to the Germans, Canada has become the world's largest producer of this winter nectar. This is because the cold winters and unusually consistent freezes provide ideal growing and harvesting conditions. In Canada, ice-wine production is regulated; grapes must freeze naturally to be called ice wine.

Founded in 1975, Inniskillin Wines grows its grapes in the appellation of Niagara's Peninsula in Ontario. It's become one of Canada's premier estate wineries and producers of exceptional ice wines.

The Inniskillin Riesling Ice Wine, 2002, is racy and intense with orange blossom, dried apricot and honey. The initial sweetness of this wine bursts on your palate with a beautifully delayed, mouth-cleansing acidity.

Also excellent is the Inniskillin Vidal Oak Aged Ice Wine, 2002. Rich and thick with a sweet-tart character, this wine possesses aromas of mango, guava and apricot.

If you prefer non-oaked whites, try the Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine, 2003. This ice wine has a beautifully fruity, floral nose and a lingering finish with litchi, apricot and caramel notes.

Also from Ontario, Magnotta Winery has earned a reputation for its fine ice wines. The Magnotta Vidal Ice Wine, Lake Erie North Shore, 2003, is the winery's flagship ice wine and has become one of the world's best-selling.

Vidal Blanc grapes are often used in ice wines because their thick skin enables the clusters to withstand the inclement weather. Magnotta's Vidal is smooth, with luscious tastes of apricot, peach, papaya and a hint of spice and honey.

Red grapes are also used for ice wines, primarily the Cabernet Franc. While the thinner skin of this grape makes for riskier harvesting, the resulting wine is both elegant on the nose and aggressive on the palate.

The Magnotta Cabernet Franc Niagara Peninsula, 2003, contains flavors of strawberry jam, ripe watermelon, cranberry and dried figs.

Another red option comes from Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery in the western part of Canada. The climate in this region is dryer and warmer during the summer, which produces ripe grapes and intense, pure fruit flavors in the ice wine.

The Gehringer Cabernet-Merlot Ice Wine Okanogan Valley, 1998, is somewhat reminiscent of a port with more upfront fruit flavors.

Ice wines generally go well with aged cheeses, such as cheddar, or blue cheeses, such as Stilton. Although these wines are intensely sweet, be careful when pairing with a dessert. A dessert that's too sweet will make even these wines taste sour and flat.

The general rule to follow is to reduce the sugar in the recipe and have the wine be sweeter than the dessert. Fruit pies and tarts are excellent choices, as well as Bavarian creams and rice puddings.

Whatever you pair them with, ice wines are the perfect winter treat and are a true symbol of the season.

article source :- A gift from canada: Ice wine

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niagara falls winery

A natural wonder formed 12,000 years ago continues to attract the attention of Pittsburghers. Millions of people from around the world travel to Ontario, Canada, each year to view the magnificence of Niagara Falls. The American side of the falls in Niagara, N.Y., is just as popular and has become a favorite driving destination for residents of the tri-state region.

"Niagara Falls, whether it's the American or Canadian side, has always been one of the top 10 driving destinations from Pittsburgh,'' said Ruth Nagy, director of travel operations for AAA Travel in East Liberty.

"A lot of people like to go to Niagara Falls, N.Y., for the weekend, so we book a lot of hotels there. For those who haven't been there for awhile, it's worth the visit to see how the area has grown, and it's close enough to Canada if you want to go to the theatre in Toronto.''

Ms. Nagy, who has 22 years of experience in the travel industry, visited Niagara, N.Y., more than two decades ago and has since returned about five times. Her most recent trip this summer featured a journey to Goat Island, which separates the Canadian side of the falls from the United States.

She said visitors of all ages are attracted to New York not only to see the falls, but also to participate in a variety of other available activities, such as fine dining, shopping, outdoor activities, fishing and gambling.

The Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp., based in Niagara, N.Y., knows Pittsburgh is a major market for falls visitors and has commissioned a study to determine how it can increase the number even further. The NTCC targeted Pittsburgh, along with Cleveland and several cities in New York, in a major advertising campaign that kicked off in July.

"As soon as we rolled with our campaign in Pittsburgh, the numbers spiked out of proportion to other cities,'' said David Rosenwasser, president of the NTCC. "The drive for Pittsburghers is about 240 miles, or about four hours, and it's very affordable. Niagara USA has a lot of attractions and many of them are free of charge.''

Mr. Rosenwasser said the Pittsburgh-Niagara connection demonstrates a travel industry trend that has been noticeable since the terrorist attacks of September 2001. People want to stay close to home and enjoy vacations where they can travel by car and take the entire family.

He first noticed the strong connection between Pittsburgh and Niagara when he moved to New York from Wisconsin to accept his current position in May 2003. He initially stayed in hotels when he moved to Niagara Falls and found himself talking to a lot of people from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

"I wasn't extremely familiar with Pittsburgh, although I had been in the city every few years for business reasons or to attend a Pirates game,'' he noted. "When I took this job, I quickly realized that Pittsburgh was a major feeder market for tourism here. That was the first time we decided to concentrate on that market and do an analysis to determine how we could get even more people here.''

The NTCC commissioned Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y., to conduct a two-year study to determine what regions visitors are coming from and what portion are from the Pittsburgh area. The study includes interviews with people at strategic points, including rest areas and state parks, between Pittsburgh and Niagara. One of the questions survey participants are being asked is whether they are repeat visitors to the falls.

The results from the first quarter of this year show that most people who were on their way to Niagara were from the Pittsburgh or Cleveland areas. The second-quarter results will be available in about a month.

Another indicator that reveals how much interest Pittsburghers have in Niagara, N.Y., stems from the number of inquiries the NTCC receives via e-mail and phone requests for more information, as well as the number of visitors to the Web site at www.niagara-usa.com. Mr. Rosenwasser said the inquiries indicate that this section of New York is a popular attraction for Pittsburghers throughout the year, although the prime tourism season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Tourists aren't just coming to see the falls anymore, though. They want to explore all of Niagara County, N.Y., Mr. Rosenwasser said.

"The falls are, of course, a real magnet, but we're letting people know how much product we have throughout the county,'' he said. "If people in Pittsburgh come for the falls, they come for the region, as well.''

A sampling of the other attractions include the Seneca Niagara Casino, the Herschell Carousel Factory Museum, the Aquarium of Niagara, the Niagara Aerospace Museum and a wide range of fishing, golfing, wine-tasting and hiking activities. And Buffalo, N.Y., is only 30 minutes away by car.

Mr. Rosenwasser said there are plenty of other attractions, including the Pocono Mountains in northeast Pennsylvania, that compete for tourism dollars. However, he believes Niagara, N.Y., can hold its own and continue to draw people from across the country and around the world. Travel Magazine named the New York attraction as a Top 10 destination for honeymooners again this year.

The NTCC will continue to concentrate on the Pittsburgh metropolitan region by conducting focus groups. Mr. Rosenwasser said a professional firm will be hired to talk to Pittsburgh residents about their favorite aspects of Niagara, N.Y., and what else they would like to see.

"At the end of the next season, we should be able to see how much money is coming into our area from Pittsburgh,'' he said. "This will play an important role in determining how much money we should invest in advertising there.'

MS. CARBASHO is a freelance writer.