TheWineBag.com Blog

Wine Purses – All the rage!

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and you need to get something for the Mom in your life.  How about one of TheWineBag.com’s Wine Purses?  These Wine Purses are fun and functional.  Available in many colors and styles, TheWineBag.com’s Wine Purses are sure to please!  All our Wine Purses can hold a single bottle of wine, but they look like a stylish purse!  And several of our Wine Purses have a little extra space so that you can carry a key, ID, and credit card.

Your mom like animals?  Go for the Safari collection!  Or choose from a  Giraffe Wine Purse,  a Cheetah Wine Purse, or a Pony Wine Purse! We have other animals to choose from too!

Your mom prefer more of a classic look?  Check out Picnic At Ascots new Wine Purse Collection.  They are elegant, but still fun.

Whatever look your mom prefers, TheWineBag.com’s Wine Purse Collection has something to offer!

Sure, you know how to open a bottle of wine. Or do you?  There are a few little tips and tricks that might help you in your quest to open and drink your favorite beverage…

First of all, you need to remove the foil or wax capsule from the wine bottle.  This capsule is an added layer of protection for the cork and the top of the wine bottle. You can remove either the entire capsule, or just the top part that covers the cork.  There are even some fancy wine accessories that assist you in removing this piece.  However, in a pinch, a knife will work.

Once the capsule has been removed, the cork is exposed.  Now you have a huge decision…which one of the 100’s of wine openers out there should you use?  Well, our Deluxe Wine Opener Set is the perfect choice!  It includes a foil/capsule cutter (see above), and an easy to use wine opener.  While opening the wine, did you happen to get a little cork in it?  No worries!  A little cork in your wine will not hurt a thing.  After you pour the wine, just fish them out with a spoon and you are good to go.

After opening the wine, but sure to examine the cork.  Check to see if it seems dry or crumbly.  If so, this means that the wine have been “corked” – the wine may be tainted because the cork did not have a secure fit.  Look also to see if the wine has seeped up the side of the cork – an additional indication that the wine may be “corked”.  However, the condition of the cork is not the only way to determine if the wine is drinkable.  At this point, smell the wine and then taste it.  THAT is the ultimate test of wine.

Be sure to enjoy your wine while using one of our excellent Wine Totes!

When looking for wine, the first thing that you probably notice is…the label!  A label can be fancy or plain, with pictures, artwork, etc.  And, although that picture might be pretty, it doesn’t really tell you about what you are about to buy (or drink!).  So, take a more careful look at the label, and you might be amazed at what it will tell you about the wine you are about to enjoy…

Here we have a lovely bottle of white wine (you can see that from the color of the wine in the bottle).  Let’s look at what additional information the wine label can give us…

1. First, we see that this wine is a “Rodney Strong”.  This first line on the label is the brand name of the wine.  ”Rodney Strong” is the wine brand.

2. The next line shows “Estate Vineyards”.  This indicates that the grapes were grown and bottled by Rodney Strong owned vineyards.  Sometimes wine makers purchase their grapes from different vineyards.  Sometimes wine makers don’t even grow any of their own grapes – they just purchase the grapes and make the wine.  ”Estate Bottled” or “Estate Vineyards” means that Rodney Strong winery controls the wine process from grape to wine.

3. Vintage – 2010 – This is simply the year the wine was made.

4.  The lovely picture.  I believe on this bottle of wine it is a representation of the vineyard.

5. “Charlotte’s Home”.  This is the name of the actual vineyard where the grapes were grown.  Rodney Strong has several vineyards.

6. “Sauvignon Blanc”.  This is the type of grape used in the wine.  (See last weeks post on more on Sauvignon Blanc.)

7. “Northern Sonoma”.  This line states that this wine was made in Northern Sonoma county in California.

Confused yet?  Don’t be!  You just successfully read a wine label!

And, while reading that label, don’t forget to carry that wine in one of TheWineBag.com’s lovely Wine Totes, Wine and Picnic Backpacks, or Wine and Picnic Packs.

Last time we looked at some common red wine grapes.  This time, lets look at just a few of the white varieties that are out there for your enjoyment…

Chardonnay – The grand-daddy of whites.  When most people think of a white wine, they think of a Chardonnay.  Chardonnay grapes are grown all over the world, and of course the different weather and soil conditions can vary the taste of any wine.  However, in general, a Chardonnay often shows tastes of butter, toast, and vanilla.  It is not a sweet wine, but it can often have a hint of fruit as well.  In general, if you want a white that can go with most anything, give a Chardonnay a try.

Riesling - Riesling grapes tend to grow best in cool conditions, in places like Germany and northern France.  Riesling wines often taste of fruit and flowers, and can run from semi-dry to sweet.  Rieslings are often best served chilled.

Sauvignon Blanc – Sauvignon Blanc also originated in the Bordeaux region of France.  However, it’s popularity has increased and the grape is grown across that world.  A Sauvignon Blanc (also know as a Fume Blanc) often have some fruit flavors, such as melon or citrus fruits.  A Sauvignon Blanc can be a very refreshing white wine to enjoy.

Well, there you go folks.  A quick tutorial on white wines.  Again, there are many more, so experiment and try them all!  And while you are doing so, be sure to tote them in one of TheWineBag.com’s stunning selection of Wine Totes, Wine Picnic Backpacks, and Wine Picnic Carriers.  Enjoy!

Whew!  Happy 2012! It has been awhile since we posted, but hey, we had a busy holiday season…Thank You Customers!

To start off TheWineBag Blog in 2012, we thought we would go back and review some wine basics.  Could be, you already know all of this.  Could be, you might learn something.  Regardless, thanks for reading…!

Question 1 – Dear WineBag Blog, can you help me figure out what type of red wine to buy?

Well, we at TheWineBag are experts on Wine Totes, Wine Picnic Packs, and Wine Carriers,  but we would be happy to hand out a little “un-official” and entirely opinionated information on buying wine!  :)

We at TheWineBag think that there are a few  things that might help you pick out a bottle of wine from that huge selection at your local store.  One thing in particular to look for is the type of grape used.  Certain grapes tend to have certain characteristics that translate into certain wine tastes.  So, while looking for wine,  look for these “varietals”, or variety of grapes:

Cabernet Sauvignon – This grape is often used in California red wines and Bordeaux wines from France.  The Cabernet grape is used extensively in red wines, and tends to have a bold, “full-bodied” taste.

Merlot – This grape is the “kinder, gentler” sibling to the Cabernet grape.  Wines of this variety tend to be smoother, lighter, and less tannic (that dry feeling you get on your tongue when you taste the wine) than their Cabernet counterparts.

Pinot Noir - Pinot Noir is often the grape of choice in France’s Burgundy region.  So if you are drinking a “Burgundy”, you are probably drinking something with a lot of Pinot Noir grapes.  Pinot Noir wines may have a little sweeter, softer taste, and is lighter in body than some of the other reds.

Syrah/Shiraz- This varietal is a newer kid on the block to many wine drinkers.  Gaining popularity in the last decade or so, Syrah/Shiraz is full-bodied and rich.  Complex and tannic, this wine may be an acquired taste for one new to the world of reds.  But once you love it, you love it forever! (OK, it’s my personal favorite!)

There you go…an intro to red wines.  By no means does this address all the red wines out there, but it sure gives us a start.  Next time, look for Wine 101 – Whites!  In the meantime, be sure to check out all the fun and fabulous Wine Totes and Wine Carriers at TheWineBag.com!

Being a woman means many things, but for many of us, it means that you like to buy purses and shoes!    Well, we can’t really help you in the shoe department, but we at TheWineBag now have an offering in the Purse Department – Wine Purses!

These Wine Purses are fun and funky, stylish and sophisticated, and actually do have a purpose – to carry a wine bottle in style!  Or, you can use it as an actual stylish purse!  We have many different Wine Purses to choose from, but here a few of my favorites:

The Gala Quilted Wine Purse: This lovely wine purse has a quilted cover in Pink, Red or Silver.  The Silver Wine Purse looks wonderful with an evening dress.  The Pink Wine Purse or the Red Wine Purse makes a statement no matter what you are wearing.

For something a little more whimsical, check out the Gala Sasha Wine Purse.  This lovely Wine Purse comes in some fun patterns – like the Charm Heart Wine Purse and the Red Heart Wine Purse.  SOOOOOOOOO Cute!  You know you want one! Or two!  Or three…!!!

Take a look at our entire line of Wine Purses at TheWineBag.com.   And accessorize to your heart’s content!

This week we at TheWineBag would like to feature one of our new products – The Double Bottle Artist Wine Bag!  This stunning wine tote is a sophisticated mix of functionality and art – literally – the art is on the wine tote!

Boasting such famous artwork as “The Kiss” and “Starry Night”, this two bottle wine tote is perfect for the art lover.  The Double Bottle Artist Wine Bag is insulated to keep your wine cool and comfy, and the adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry.

The Double Bottle Artist Wine Bag – get one for all your art loving (and wine-loving!) friends!

We at TheWineBag are proud to present a new vendor:  Picnic Plus!  Picnic Plus offers a full line of wine and picnic products:  Wine Totes, Wine and Picnic Backpacks, Wine and Picnic Baskets, and much more.  Check out the new collection of Picnic Plus Wine and Picnic Products at TheWineBag.com! 

No matter the stage you are at in life, you probably know someone who is moving – moving in, moving out, moving to a new home, new apartment, new state, new job, etc.  We are certainly a country on the move!

So, of course, you should celebrate that move – with a lovely gift from TheWineBag.com!  It could be a Single Bottle Wine Tote in Summer Bloom for that friend moving into her first apartment.  It could be a Picnic Backpack for Two for that newly wedding couple moving into their new house.   It could be a Picnic Basket for Four for that family that has outgrown their smaller home and are moving into a larger one.

No matter the occasion, we at TheWineBag have a full line of Wine Totes, Wine and Picnic Backpacks, Wine and Picnic Baskets, and many other wine gifts for those friends and relatives!  Need a suggestion on what to get?  Check out our Gift section at TheWineBag.com, or simply email us at sales@thewinebag.com, let us know your price range, and we can help you pick out the perfect gift.

Cheers!

This week let’s address an issue that we, as wine lovers, often run into:  Wine Temperature.  Now, I am not a wine expert.  I don’t claim to be.  I am, however, a wine drinker with a fairly expanded palate (and some wine drinking experience!).  I know what I like, and I know what I don’t like.  And I don’t like hot wine.  Ick.  Nothing is more frustrating that going to a nice restaurant, sitting down to an expensive dinner, and getting bath-water warm wine.  One standard rule of wine…don’t store it at over 78 degrees.  The wine can spoil if it is too warm.   And please don’t serve it at that temperature either – at least to me!

Now, that being said, what temperature SHOULD you store and serve your wine at?  Well, at the risk of repeating myself, the standard room temperature in America of  72 – 78 degrees is too warm.   The experts seem to differ a bit, but, after years of research (wine tasting research is such a hassle – I hope you understand what I go through for you!  : ) LOL  ), here is a list of guidelines for wine temperatures…

Storage – Most wine should, if at all possible, be stored at about 55 degrees.  That is a bit warmer than your regular refrigerator, so it can be a challenge if you don’t have a wine cooler.  However, most experts do seem to agree on 55 degree-ish as primo storage temp.  No wine cooler?  Your basement is nice and cool.  No basement?  A dark closet would work.  Just keep the wine away from sunlight and extreme temperatures to protect it.

Serving – Serving temperature for wine varies by type, and can vary depending on who you ask.  Here are some recommendations:

Sparkling Wine – 44 – 50 degrees.  To get it to the right temp, you might want to pop it in the fridge for a while before drinking, or put it in a bucket of ice.

White Wines – 50 – 60 degrees.  Lighter white wines, like Fume Blanc, would be best at the lower end of the temperature range.  Heavier white wines, like an oaky Chardonnay, would be best at the higher end. Again, a few minutes in the fridge or a bucket of ice will get your wines to the temperature they like best.

Red Wines – 55 – 68 degrees.  Again, the heavier the wine, the higher the temperature.  A Pinot Noir, 55 degrees.  A Cabernet, 68 degrees. Ish.  If storing at 55 degrees, you might need to get your red wine out of the wine cooler and let it warm up on the counter for a few.

Now, these are guidelines, not rules.  Your preferred temperature may depend on your mood, the temperature outside, and the wine that you are drinking.  Younger wines seem to taste better a little chilled.   Chilled wine tastes better here in Florida.  A more expensive Cabernet may require a little warmer temperature, and some aerating, to savor all the layers of taste.  You will need to experiment, and see what works best for you.  But please, do try and store your wine in a cool, dark place in your home.  Otherwise, when you go to open that new bottle you got for your birthday, you might be drinking vinegar!

Oh, and before I forget, all our Wine Totes are insulated to help you keep your wine cool and ready to drink!  Visit us at TheWineBag to find your perfect wine tote!

As always, Cheers!