Ma.gazin.es

Drink Your Way to Better Health? Organic Beer and Wine | By Laura Klein

Whether you’re getting married and looking for the best wine for your celebration or planning a quiet barbecue get-together with friends in your backyard and in need of a good beer, you may want to consider organic options for their health and environmental benefits. And like eating organic food, you may just find that imbibing these brews is tastier, too!

Like most conventionally-grown foods, the grapes for wine and the grains for beer are treated with loads of pesticides and herbicides to fend of insects and weeds. But these chemicals will also land up in your beverage. The hops, yeasts, and malted grains (wheat, corn, barley, and rice) used to make beer are all laced with agricultural chemicals. In a 2003 study by the US Food and Drug Administration, it was found that 17 percent of barley and 32 percent of wheat products sampled had pesticide residues (which have been linked to human health problems). The organic varieties, on the other hand, had less than 5 percent.

The production of wine tells a similar story. Grapes grown for the making of wine are treated with more chemicals than any other crop in California (the biggest grape-growing state in America). Biodynamic and organic wines, on the other hand, severely limit the use of these chemicals.

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Although the US Environmental Protection Agency claims that the levels of pesticide residues in our food and drink are safe, there are those who believe more studies need to be done to determine the effects of combinations of so many chemicals on the human body.

Choosing organic beer and wine may be good for your health, but it is also no surprise that the earth will thank you, too. Chemicals used on conventional crops not only pollute our waterways, they can harm birds and kill other beneficial insects and plants in our landscapes.

So when shopping for beverages for your next event, big or little, check out organic options. If it is labeled 100% organic, that means it contains 100 percent organically-grown grains or grapes. An “Organic” label means that up to 5 percent of the ingredients can be conventionally grown, while 95 percent must be organic.

Biodynamic is another option, and although this label is not controlled by the USDA, it does signify a healthier, more sustainable product. Biodynamic farming is totally chemical-free like organic farming, but this approach is also closer to the land.

Responsible drinking isn’t just about avoiding driving drunk, it’s also about responsibility to your own body and to the planet. Plan your next party without the side of pesticides.

Consider organic options for your health and environmental benefits. And like eating organic food, you may just find that imbibing the brews is tastier, too!

Want more information on Organic Food tips and tricks? Sign up for the OrganicAuthority.com newsletter and get your free report How to Shop for Organic Foods on a Budget, brought to you by Laura Klein Green Living Expert.
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The Different Types of Beer | By Joseph J King

Beer is a favorite drink of millions of American men. It is a great beverage to have while watching the Sunday afternoon football game with the buddies. Beer is an alcoholic drink made from the fermentation of wheat, barley, hops, rice or corn. Beer has a very long history going all the way back to when the egyptians walked the earth. Now a days there are thousands of different types of beer around the world. I will briefly discuss some of the most common types that you can find at your local liquor store.

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Ale: Has a higher alcohol percentage than most beers. Usually tastes a little bitter and is made from hops.

Bitter beer: The beer is from England. It is usually very bitter beer as it has a very high content of alcohol.

Bock: Lager beer made from malt. Dark and strong, a little sweet tasting.

Ice: Smooth tasting beer that is brewed in below freezing temperatures.

Lager: Beer that is fermented for months at a time.

Lambic: Beer from Belgium. Beer that is brewed with different fruits.

Light: Reduced calories and alcohol percentage.

Malt Liquor: Fermented at high temperatures with a higher than normal alcohol percentage.

Pilsner: Lager that is made from hops.

Sake: Beer that is made from rice. It is drunk at room temperature.

Stout: Made from barely. It is very dark and color and bitter.

Trappist: Made in Belgium and the Netherlands. It is made by Trappist monks.

Wheat: This beer is made from wheat.

Now you are informed of every type of beer. Next time you go out to buy some you will know how each one is made.

Joseph has a passion for Computers, Search Engine Optimization, and Internet Marketing. Visit his latest site at http://barneypartysupplies.net/ which helps people find Barney Party Supplies for their child’s perfect birthday party.

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Getting Started in Home Brew Beer and Wine | By Dean Novosat

Home brewing is a growing hobby for people who want to drink something that cannot be found in the aisles of a local liquor store and it is becoming more popular all the time. Home brewing is not that difficult, although beginners should follow recipes carefully in order to ensure results that are drinkable. When you are getting started, it is important to follow a recipe until you learn all about the home brewing process. Home brewing is evolving from a simple hobby into an alternative source of cheap alcoholic beverages. It is simply the process where any person can make beer or wine from grains and fruits, in their home from choosing their own ingredients to the bottling and consumption of the finished product. Home brew beer is typically a very strong beer, with higher density than store bought beers of a similar style, and should always tastes fresher since you make it, chill it, bottle it, and drink it while it is still fresh.

Saveur - Subscription Saveur is for people who experience the world food first. It was created to satisfy the hunger for genuine information about food in all its contexts. With its emphasis on heritage and tradition, home cooking and real food, the magazine evokes the flavors of food from around the world (including forgotten pockets of culinary excellence in the United States). It celebrates the culture and environment in which dishes are created and the people who create them. It serves up rich, satisfying stories that are complex, defining and memorable. Saveur is the definitive culinary and culinary-travel magazine of its generation.

Home Brewed Beer

Beer has been around for a long time, in different cultures from all over the world. Beer is basically just fermented grains, just as wine is fermented fruit. Beer generally falls into two categories: ales and lagers. Today, beer is still made with all manner of herbs and spices like ginger, clove, cinnamon, etc. Beer making may be more fun that what you think. It is fun to try to make your own, and it is not difficult at all. Much of the excitement of making your own beer is the anticipation of what it will taste like when it is ready! Beer is made from fermenting cereals and hops so in that regard, beer is a living organism, which needs time to grow. Beer brewing is easy: just find a room you can control the temperature of and pick the right yeast. The natural process of fermentation does the rest. All you need is a little patience!

Making Your Own Wine

Wine making is the next step for anyone that has already tried their hand at brewing their own beer. Wine making used to be done by stepping on grapes and allowing the grape juice to ferment, but now you can order your own wine making kit online and have wine in just a few weeks from such varieties as zinfandal, cabernet, chardonnay, riesling and merlot. All you need is the correct quantities of grapes and other fruits, herbs, and spices, and you can make all types of wines. Plus, when you make your own wine, you aren’t limited to grape-based wines. You can use any fruit that is in season. You can try raspberry wine, pear wine, cherry wine, or even banana wine!

Home brewing is a fun and rewarding hobby. Home brewing is both extremely simple, and yet surprisingly complex. Making your own beer or wine is the process where you choose the ingredients, ferment them, bottle your end-product, and, best of all, drink the finished product. Home brewing is an inexpensive way of producing beer or wine that can taste just as good as the beer or wine that big corporations make. And you get the bragging rights of putting your own name on the label!

Dean Novosat has tips and recipes for making your own Home Brew at http://www.wwwhomebrew.com Home Brew
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Like Wine, the Right Beer Can Complement Any Meal | By Bill Garlough

This month, my wine column switches gears from wine to beer. With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, many of us become a wee bit Irish and celebrate the occasion with a pint or two.

Beer and wine share many similarities. Both were made and refined by monks. Also, both are influenced by the fermentation process. Wine can be broadly segregated by white and red; beer is divided between ales and lagers.

The type of yeast selected and the temperature of the brewing process determine if the brew will become an ale or a lager.

Ales are brewed with top fermenting yeast (yeast remains at the top of the barrel during fermentation) at approximately 70 degrees, resulting in a more fruity taste. Examples of ales include porters, stouts, wheat beers and pale ales. These are best served at 45 to 50 degrees.

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Lagers are brewed at a colder temperature of 50 to 55 degrees with bottom fermenting yeast, which produces a more round, clean and crisp beverage. Examples of lagers include pilsners, bocks and Oktoberfest beers. These are best served at a cooler 35 to 45 degrees.

The Irish typically prefer beer served at a warmer temperature. Cold beer in a warm stomach releases more carbonation, creating an uncomfortable bloated feeling.

To evaluate a beer, it is best to smell the aroma while the head is present. A head that quickly disappears suggests a lower malt level and excessive carbonation. A quality beer has flavors of hops and barley-malt. Evaluate a beer like you would a wine – should swish the beer in your mouth to determine its balance, sweetness level, body and finish (aftertaste). Good beer begins with an aromatic hoppiness, offers flavor (like malty sweetness) and has a long aftertaste.

Food pairings

Given its international popularity, beer plays a significant role in meals, social outings and celebrations around the world. Around St. Patrick’s Day, every tavern becomes Irish. They offer beers with Irish inspired dishes, including the traditional corned beef and cabbage. With this fare, a good match is an Irish ale such as Bass Pale Ale, Goose Island Red Ale, Caffrey’s Irish Ale or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Though the Irish may protest, Germany is synonymous with beer, with approximately 1,200 breweries and a per capita consumption of 39 gallons. Germany’s annual three-week Oktoberfest celebration in Munich centers on beer. In our area, Oktoberfest celebrations offer a good opportunity to experience quality beers from local microbreweries.

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Other cultures also feature beer with their everyday cuisine. As an example, at Kiku’s Japanese Steakhouse in Naperville, the proprietor Steve Shorin pairs full-bodied Sapporo Beer with teriyaki-glazed chicken skewers (Yaki Tori) and also recommends Kobe beef barbecue – a wonderful combination!

As with wine, beer can be paired with food. Ales are best with red meat and lagers work well with white meat. A beer’s hoppiness level is similar to wine’s acidity level. A higher level (within balance) tends to be more food friendly. Local microbreweries and imports tend to have more hops in their product than America’s national brands.

More intense hoppy flavor profiles range from Guinness’ rich creamy texture with a roasted flavor (and surprisingly has fewer calories per ounce than skim milk) to Bass Ale’s smooth notes with a bitter aftertaste to Sierra Nevada’s malty profile to Harp’s strong but not overpowering beer flavor (ideal summer beer as it is best served chilled).

Most popular pubs offer 10 to 15 draft beers to choose from, so exploring new flavors is readily available. Next time, try matching a recommended pairing of an ale or lager with your meal, to see how they complement each other.

As Quigley’s Irish Pub reminds us, a great Irish pub offers fun, good conversation, good music and food and great people. Sounds like a great recipe for a perfect pairing. Happy St. Pat’s Day!

Beer Basics

Match Game

Matching a beer type with the various dishes or courses, the following generalizations apply:

Ales: Salads, corned beef, beef, lamb and dessert

Lagers: Pizza, fish and German sausages

Picks

Two Brother’s: Domaine DuPage Ale

Walter Payton’s: Payton Pilsner

Guinness: Extra Stout

Harp: Lager

Caffrey’s: Irish Ale

Bass: Pale Ale

Sierra Nevada: Pale Ale

Bill Garlough is a Level 1 Master Sommelier and an owner of My Chef Catering in Naperville, the winner of the U.S. Chamber’s 2007 Small Business of the Year award. For more from Bill Garlough’s Perfect Pairings check out My Chef. Bill can be reached at or wineparings@mychef.com

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Health Benefits of Drinking Red Wine | By Kimberly Akey

It isn’t breaking news that red wine can be beneficial to one’s health. There have been studies galore concluding that moderate consumption of red wine can improve coronary health, prevent certain cancers, and reduce the risk of stroke. Some studies attribute improved health to alcohol in general, and others give the non-alcoholic ingredients in red wine the credit. Nevertheless, sufficient research has been done to prove that the alcoholic and non-alcoholic components in red wine, when consumed in moderation, can work in favor of your body’s defense system.

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The Science of Red Wine

Red wine is packed with antioxidants called polyphenols, which help to protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. Polyphenols have two main forms: flavonoids and nonflavonoids. Red wine has higher levels of flavonoids that other forms of alcohol, but these antioxidants can also be found in apples, oranges, onions, and tea. Nonflavonoids appear to help keep arteries clear from blockages of fat. A particular nonflavonoid – resveratrol – is of particular interest to those studying the effects of red wine.

Where does resveratrol come from? This antioxidant is found in the skin of grapes that are used to make wine. Simply eating grapes will yield resveratrol, but the added alcohol in red wine will also help to raise levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and thin the blood, resulting in improved cardiovascular health. In addition to clearing arteries, resveratrol is known to decrease blood clotting and prevent free radicals from damaging cells in the body.

Decreased Risk of Heart Disease, Cancer, and Stroke

For years, the French population has sparked many studies on the health benefits of drinking wine. Eating a diet high in fat, but drinking red wine regularly, the French have a significantly lower rate of heart disease, cancer, and stroke than other countries with similar diets but less wine consumption. Numerous studies have shown that red wine does in fact contain antioxidants that protect arteries and cells from destructive molecules.

Red wine is found to have equal health benefits in men and women. The alcohol in wine lowers levels of “bad” cholesterol, and the resveratrol is believed to also protect one from diabetes and obesity, both of which are linked to heart disease. Cancer studies have shown that moderate consumption of red wine can help to decrease the risk of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer. Protein in red grape skins has been linked to the destruction of cancer cells. Cleaner arteries, due to the high level of antioxidants in red wine, help to reduce the risk of stroke in both men and women.

Moderation is Important

All the health benefits discussed in this article can be wiped out, and one’s health can be made worse, if moderation is not observed when drinking red wine. One drink of wine is a 5-ounce glass. In order for wine to be safe and effective, men should drink no more than two drinks per day, and women should have no more than one drink per day. However, the American Heart Association does not recommend that non-drinkers start drinking to improve their health. Due to the addictive nature of alcohol, moderation should be observed by everyone, whether drinking for health benefits or not.

The research is in – moderate consumption of red wine, along with a healthy diet, can work wonders for your health. So enjoy!

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How to Maximise Your Enjoyment of Wine | By Christ Ooper

Ask anyone who is passionate about a particular sport or hobby and they’ll tell you that to get started, you need the right equipment – a cyclist needs a decent bike and helmet, a golfer needs a good set of clubs. What they don’t tell you up front is the kind of stuff that matters – the stuff that makes you feel like you’re a part of it – like knowing where everyone meets for that caffeine fix after the Sunday morning ride, or how to get nominated into the best golf course.

The same can be said for anyone getting into wine or getting serious about it. So, how do you maximise your enjoyment of wine? We’ve put together a list of tips, ideas, and equipment for any self confessed wine lover. If you can’t tick each of these, you’re not getting the best out of it, and boy, you’re missing out.

Wine Education – expand your wine knowledge
A good way to start here is to get your hands on a good wine book and subscribe to a couple of wine sites plus a magazine or two. The major newspapers have regular features recommending wines so try these and see what you think. You may find that you disagree with some wine writers and that your taste is aligned with others. There’s no right and wrong when it comes to wine, all that matters is what you like to drink. You could also attend a wine course which is a bit of fun.

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Next, get to know a reputable wine retailer and introduce yourself to someone there who has broad knowledge in both local and overseas wines. Tell them what you like and don’t like and ask them to suggest which wines you should try. Buy a bottle or two then give them feedback on the wine they recommended. If you really like something and it will improve with age, buy a half dozen to pop into the cellar.

When visiting wineries, try a few wines at their cellar door and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Again, you can just buy a bottle or two of what you like and subscribe to their mailing list if you really love their wines.

Wine Racks – great for short term drinking
A wine rack at home is fine for short term wine storage, wines that you aim to drink within a couple of months. Of course, your choice of wine rack will depend on a number of factors, including space, budget and aesthetic preference. There are a myriad of wine racks on the market to suit all of the above, but please, please don’t keep wines there you plan on cellaring long term.

Wine Storage – start a cellar and maintain good records
There is probably no better sense of satisfaction for a wine enthusiast that opening a bottle of wine you’ve cellared for a few years. Assuming it was a decent wine to start with, the quality of the wine after cellaring will depend largely on how and where it’s been cellared.

Ideal conditions for cellaring wine include a consistent low temperature, high humidity, low vibration, minimal lighting and good air flow. So, storing wine in the home simply doesn’t cut it.

Your options here are offsite storage in a professional facility, a good wine cabinet, or wine fridge as they are more commonly called, or to build your own cellar. Of course, each option depends on a number of factors and each has their advantages and disadvantages so you really need to do the research to determine the best option.

Serve Wine at its Ideal Drinking Temperature
Whilst all wine needs to be cellared at the same storage temperature, its ideal drinking temperature depends on its variety, as the table below clearly illustrates (temperatures are in degrees Celsius):

Wine Variety Storage Temperature Drinking Temperature

Cabernet / Shiraz:  14 to 18
Pinot Noir: 14
Chardonnay: 14 to 10
Sauvignon Blanc: 14 to 8
Champagne: 14 to 6

Easy to say, but how do you determine the wine’s temperature? If you consider that your fridge at home is set at around 4 degrees Celsius, you could take out the bottle of white a bit before drinking, and with reds kept at room temperature (which is around 21 degrees), you could put it in the fridge a bit before drinking. If you want something a bit more precise, there are a number of wine temperature gadgets on the market that will do the trick.

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Corkscrews
Get yourself a decent corkscrew. Here are three that I can thoroughly recommend:
1. Screwpull’s LM400 Lever Model Corkscrew – a heavy duty corkscrew from a very reputable brand and the easiest corkscrew I have ever used.
2. Forge Laguiole corkscrew – a classic every wine enthusiast should aspire to own.
3. Pulltap corkscrew – a good basic corkscrew to keep in the wine bag or picnic basket.

Decanters
Decanting aerates wine which releases aromas that accentuates the nose and palate and almost every bottle of red will benefit from decanting. Some people collect decanters, but you can’t go wrong with the following:
1. Riedel Tyrol Decanter – to impress at your next dinner party.
2. Parabola Decanter or Cantatrice Decanter – something different for you or a great gift for someone else.
3. L’Atelier du Vin Lola Carafe – because it’s easy to use everyday.

If you can’t be bothered or don’t have the time to decant, get a wine finer or wine aerator, which will basically do the same thing. Heck, get one anyway and put it in your wine bag for that weekend getaway.

Glassware
Do yourself a favour and buy some decent wine glasses. Anyone who has ever attended a masterclass where they have tasted the same wine in different ‘vessels’ will tell you what an incredible difference it makes to the smell and taste of the wine and that you’ve got to get it right. Here are three glasses you will undoubtedly enjoy:

1. Whilst Riedel is a well known brand, they have so many ranges and shapes that you really need to speak to someone who knows what they’re talking about. Riedel Vinnum is a good place to start and buy at least two for your favourite wine variety and you will feel like a king when you drink out of them. Don’t let them get too dusty though, use them whenever you open a great bottle.

2. Spiegelau Authentis – also made of crystal and impressive enough for the dinner party but won’t send you broke if someone breaks a glass, so great for everyday use too. Best of all, you can put them straight into the dishwasher.

3. The Wine Enthusiast Fusion Break Resistant Glassware – perfect for outdoor entertaining because it takes a lot to break them. Dishwasher friendly too.

Wine Care
There are a heap of ‘wine care’ products that make your life easier when it comes to looking after glassware, like decanter cleaning beads, a stemware cleaning brush (which we use almost every night and wouldn’t wash a glass with anything else), a stemware drying mat, decanter drainer and the list goes on.

Wine Preservation – for leftover wine
Whenever we talk to people about preserving an opened bottle of wine, they invariably respond with ‘but we always finish the bottle’. What they don’t get is the flexibility it gives you. It means you can open that special bottle without having to worry that it will go to waste if you don’t drink it all. You can also open a bottle of white before dinner and have red with your meal. Most products will preserve your wine for a day or two but there is a new product on the market that will keep your wine as fresh as the day it was opened for up to 10 days. Again, we’ve listed a few options below:

1. Vacuvin – easy to use manual vacuum pump system that preserves wine for a day or two.
2. Wine Preserva – a thin disc is inserted into the bottle and provides a barrier, keeping wine fresh for up to 5 days.
3. Sowine – unique and high-quality preservation system that keeps your favourite wines at the perfect tasting temperature and preserves your wine for up to 10 days.

Wine Gadgets – toys for the wine enthusiast
This is where we get to the fun stuff, the bits and pieces that you probably didn’t know you needed but wouldn’t be without once you have them. Examples are label savers, foil cutters, a wine quiz, wine journal, and Le Nez du Vin (a set on scents that allow you to learn about the different smells in wine).

Drink wine at its Peak / Cellar Management tools
Many wine guides will give you an indication of the maturing age of most wines. The idea here, especially if you have bought at least a half dozen, is to try a bottle a couple of years beforehand to see how it’s travelling. You can keep manual notes in a wine journal or, if you have the time and discipline, purchase wine software. Don’t let the wines go beyond their recommended cellaring dates in hope that they will get better because they won’t.

Consider selling wines as your tastes change
You may find that your taste in wine changes over time. If they do, consider selling some of your collection. There are a number of wine auction organisations that are always on the lookout for interesting wines. They generally charge a percentage to do the job and you can put a reserve on the wine.

So, there you have it. We hope we’ve shed some light on how you, as a wine enthusiast can get the best from your drinking experience.

If you’re after the world’s leading wine fridge, building a wine cellar, or sourcing wine racks MacPhee’s has everything you need.
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