How Much Wine Should You Pour in a Glass?

Do you want to get the most out of all your favourite wines? If so stick around, as the Ideal Wine Company asks: how much wine should you pour in a glass?

Complex tipple

Wine boasts so much variety; it’s produced from a wide range of grapes and each type of wine contains a unique balance of wonderful flavours. For instance, if you opt for hearty Pinot Noir you might expect to pick out hints of mushroom, tobacco or caramel as your sip.

Knowledge is power; if you know about wine, you can determine how to draw out its heady mix of flavours as you drink. It’s in your best interest, for example, to pour your favourite tipple into the right glass, because this really matters. A study carried out by Tokyo Medical and Dental University scientists found that the right wine glass filters ethanol out of the product, so you can really appreciate a wine’s amazing aromas and flavours as you consume.

Pouring advice

Also, we’d advise you to ask yourself; how much wine should you pour in a glass? It may seem pointless, but this is really important. Pour too much and you won’t be able to swirl the drink, a great way of unlocking its vibrant flavours and aromas, without spilling it.

Bustle writes that most experts believe that the ideal wine serving is roughly five to six ounces. This sounds good in theory, but those five to six ounces can look very different, depending on the size and shape of glass you’re using. If you’re using smaller wine glasses you may end up pouring way too much!

As a rule of thumb, an expert at Wine Spectator suggests that a wine glass “should be no more than a third full.” This gives you plenty of room to swirl the tipple in the glass without spilling it all over your carpets! It also allows you to dip your nose into the glass and a take a good sniff, so you can enjoy your tipple’s wonderful aromas before you drink!

Test your knowledge

Now you know how much wine you should pour into your new glass, you might want to try out your knowledge by serving yourself a nice glass of red! We’d suggest you buy the Chateau Cheval Blanc 1981 from the Ideal Wine Company for your experiment. This rich, complex Bordeaux red will delight your taste buds with every sip! 

Five Tips for Choosing Wine for Your Wedding

A new study from events company Chillisauce shows that Valentine’s Day is the second most popular time of the year to propose marriage, after Christmas Eve. If you popped the question to your loved one this Valentine’s, you might want to start thinking which wines you’ll have on your big day. Here comes the Ideal Wine Company to the rescue, with five tips for choosing wine for your wedding.

Buy enough

First, you need to make sure you have enough wine for all your guests. Wine buffs estimate that you can pour six glasses of wine and eight flutes of Champagne per bottle. Multiply these by the number of guests you’re inviting and you’ll know how much wine you need for your wedding!

Check with your venue

Wedding venues can set you back a pretty penny, so you might as well get the most out of your investment. See whether they offer wine or Champagne and if they’ll include them in the price of the venue, so you can make some savings on your wedding day. If you decide on wine from your venue, make sure you taste a selection of drinks from the venue’s wine list so you can see which vintages will work best for your special day!

Think of the season

When are you holding your special day? If you’re hosting it in the colder season you might want to go for a hearty red, as they taste fabulous on a chilly winter’s night. In this instance you might want to buy the Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT 1990 from us. Lighter, more refreshing wines are more suited to the summer, so you might want to opt for a white or a rose in this case.

Focus on the toast

When choosing wine for your wedding, make sure you include something that’s appropriate for a toast. If you learn how to give a toast and do so with an excellent Champagne, you can really set your day off right. Here, you might want to purchase the Dom Perignon 2000, which you can secure from the Ideal Wine Company for just £140 per bottle!

Pair with food

Choose the right wine when pairing it with a meal and it can highlight the cuisine. Therefore, you should use your wedding menu to guide which wines you should serve on your special day. For example if you’re wanting to pair wine and cheese and you’ve opted for a strong Camembert, put it with Champagne. The bubbles in the drink act as the perfect foil to the richness of Camembert, wiping your tongue clean so you crave another bite.

Go for the best

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, so you need to go for the best vintages. We’d advise you to choose wine’s from the Ideal Wine Company website’s Occasions page. With a fabulous array of luxury tipples, this page includes a number of bottles that’ll help you celebrate the special days of your life in style! 

Cognac Houses Unite to Address Climate Change

The Ideal Wine Company team has learned that several prominent Cognac houses have united to tackle the effects of climate change on French luxury brandy production.

Effects of climate change

Mediterranean countries such as France boast the perfect climates for grape growing, meaning they’ve developed world-class wine production industries. But climate change is warming these regions up and as the Ideal Wine Company has explained, this could forever alter France’s wine and Champagne industry.

Our neighbour across the English Channel is also the home of the world’s Cognac industry. One of the requirements of this signature brandy is that it must be made with grapes like Ugni Blanc, which boast high acidity levels. However the rising temperatures that are a hallmark of climate change could compromise acid levels found in grapes used to make Cognac.

New solutions

The industry has tried to tackle this issue by harvesting grapes earlier in the season. In the past 30 years, the harvest has been moved by 10 days to overcome higher temperatures. But with climate change becoming a more pressing problem by the day, this is a temporary solution at best.

Cognac houses Courvoisier, Hennessy and Remy Martin – you can buy the Remy Martin XO Champagne Cognac from us by the way, have united to try a new solution. According to Imbibe they’ve formed a research committee to test a new hybrid grape that will hold its acidity even when grown in hotter climates. Called Monbadon, the first crop of the grape will be harvested in 2018; the resulting eau de vie will be aged for at least three years before being used for Cognac.

Hybrid grape

Commenting on the project, Courvoisier master distiller Benoît De Sutter said: “We planted areas with Monbadon and a mix of Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche in April 2015, testing different soils… Courvoisier’s vines are planted in the Fins Bois region, while Hennessy and Rémy Martin’s are in Grande Champagne.”

Continuing, De Sutter explained: “We’re doing the research to find whether the aromatic profile of Monbadon will be similar to Ugni Blanc… We already know that it has a higher level of acidity and lower level of alcohol than Ugni Blanc… It’s a very long experiment, but it’s for us to be ready in 30 years when global warming will really impact us.”

Try our Cognacs

We’re glad to hear this project could help Cognac overcome climate change. We love Cognac too much to lose it! If you want to see why people across the globe lover this unique French product, why don’t you purchase one of the Ideal Wine Company’s Cognacs? You’ll soon see why it’s so important we safeguard the Cognac industry from the effects of climate change! 

Is There a California Wine Shortage?

Last year, an epic wildfire raged through California. Many people have since asked; will there be a wine shortage in the Golden State? 

Devastating wildfire

Here at the Ideal Wine Company, we sell a range of luxury California wines. The US’ largest wine making state, California boasts a number of famous wine making areas such as Lake, Napa and Sonoma Counties. Over the years, they’ve developed a reputation for creating some of the world’s most sought after vintages from high-quality grapes like Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 2015, fierce wildfires ignited across the state and we wondered whether it would damage California’s 2015 grape harvest. The fires burned in Lake, Sonoma and Napa Counties and many producers suggested that smoke taint could impact their grape harvests. However, industry body the California Wine Institute said: “The smoke has not lingered in the vineyards because of winds and many grapes are already picked because of the abnormally early harvest. Smoke taint impacts grapes that are in a growing stage of rapid expansion, [but] the grapes are well advanced at this point.” 

Wine shortage

Now, people are asking whether the wildfires could lead to a California wine shortage, according to The Drinks Business, an online trade portal. They noted that the Guardian US recently ran a story which suggested that smoke taint has so severely impacted grape growing regions in the Golden State that it would threaten wine stock levels this year and drive wine prices higher.

The article suggested that wineries in Sonoma and Napa will “look North to Lake County for cheaper grapes” to support production. The publication reportedly paraphrased a statement issued by the California Wine Institute, noting that smoke taint in Lake County has seriously reduced the amount of fruit available for wine blending purposes. This has been categorically denied by the Institute; a spokesperson for the body said “we find this story to be completely out of context and inaccurate.”

Blown out of proportion

Elaborating, the Institute said that stock levels wouldn’t be a problem. There has been a 10% rise in California vineyard acres since 2010, while the state saw record harvests in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The California Wine Institute did warn that 2015s grape harvest figure will be a lot lower than usual. But it added that increases in vineyard acres are still “estimated to be high.” Along with record harvests, this should prevent a California wine shortage.

The Institute also argued that the smoke taint issue has been blown out of proportion. Continuing, the spokesperson said: “I’m happy to report that after talking with many other growers and winemakers, not one test result or sensory assessment has shown a perceptible level of taint.” Going on, the spokesperson addressed the issue of prices, saying: “With the recent large harvests, it doesn’t make sense to suggest increase in prices due to short supply.”

Try California wine

Commenting further, the spokesperson argued: “[California] wineries are responding to this demand for upscale products and are offering a huge diversity of wine types and prices.” If you want to see what kind of luxury products the Golden State produces, buy the Harlan Estate 1998 from the Ideal Wine Company; this robust California red will blow your taste buds away! 

Port Becomes UK’s Fastest Growing Fortified Wine

New figures have shown the Ideal Wine Company team that Port became the UK’s fastest growing fortified wine category in 2015.

Port wine

Port is a unique style of fortified wine, which uses grapes that are grown exclusively in the Douro Valley region of Northern Portugal. Port tends to be a sweet red wine which is often served with dessert, although producers also make dry, semi-dry and even white varietals as well.

Like Champagne, the use of the word ‘Port’ for wine products is regulated around the world. For example in the European Union, the label ‘Port’ is safeguarded by Protected Designation of Origin guidelines, which are designed to shield the reputation of specific regional foods and drinks. Use of the word ‘Port’ isn’t regulated in the US, although three producers in the Napa Valley region of California recently agreed to stop using it on their wine labels.

Growing category

Online publication The Drinks Business recently reported that Port became Britain’s fastest growing category of fortified wine last year. Figures from Nielsen, a global information and measurement company, indicate that Port wine sales equalled more than £79 million in 2015.

Therefore, UK Port wine sales eclipsed figures for other styles of fortified wine such as Madeira, Vermouth and Sherry last year. The Nielsen data also suggested that Port now commands the largest market share for fortified wines in the UK and that branded Ports now make up 71% of UK Port sales.

Reputable brands

The Fladgate Partnership, which owns Port brands such as Taylor’s, Fonseca and Croft, saw particularly high UK sales volumes in the famously busy Christmas trading period. Commenting on the release of these statistics, Andrew Hawes, managing director of Mentzendorff & Co, which represents The Fladgate Partnership, noted:

“Port’s 2% value growth [in 2015] was driven by its two strongest brands, with Taylor’s leading the 12 week Christmas 2015 period with a 27% off-trade value share, with the nearest competitor at 20.2%. On an MAT [moving annual total] basis Taylor’s holds a 21.8% value share with Cockburn’s [made by Symington Family Estates, one of the largest Port Companies on the planet] at 22.2%.”

Buy Fonseca Port

Fladgate Partnership Port brands such as Taylor’s and Fonseca have proved consistently popular with UK consumers for years. If you want to see why British fortified wine enthusiasts love Fonseca, why don’t you buy Fonseca's Finest 1977 Vintage Port from the Ideal Wine Company? This famous vintage boasts a rich flavour that’ll provide you with the drinking experience of a lifetime! 

Courvoisier Announces Global Champagne Cocktail Competition

The Ideal Wine Company has learned that Cognac house Courvoisier has decided to launch its first global bartender competition. Entrants will be asked to whip up a new Champagne Cocktail recipe.

Vital ingredient

Champagne is so much more than the most prestigious sparkling wine in the world. The protected French product is incredibly versatile, which means you can use it to make a number of delicious alcoholic concoctions. For example, mix it with a sugar cube and some Cognac and you can create a gorgeous Champagne Cocktail. Add a little juice and you can turn it into a spooky Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail - perfect for Halloween!

Courvoisier competition

Historic Cognac company Courvoisier recently decided to see just how creative some of the most talented bartenders in the world can get with the classic Champagne Cocktail. Online wine and spirit publication Harpers reported that the house has launched a competition which will task entrants to come up with a new twist on the drink using the Courvoisier VOP product.

There’s one catch; they must use the Golden Age of Paris to inspire their creation. Generally defined as the period between 1870 and 1910, the Golden Age of Paris refers to the years where the arts flourished in the French capital, just before the horrors of World War One. The competition will serve as an extension of the brands current ‘The Toast of Paris Since 1889’ marketing campaign.

“Looking forward.”

The event will be split into stages. First, bartenders from the same country will go head-to-head. Entries from the UK must be submitted by 25^th March 2016. Courvoisier will choose the six best entrants, who will compete against each other in a semi-final in London the next month. The UK winner will go on to compete in the global final in May 2016. They’ll also get the chance to visit the famous Courvoisier Chateau in Jarnac, France, where the brand was first founded.

And for the global winner? They’ll receive a special blend of Courvoisier Cognac from 1889, which will be presented to them in an engraved crystal decanter. Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Chris Anderson, Maxxium UK’s (which owns Courvoisier) marketing controller for the luxury brands said: “We are looking forward to seeing how leading bartenders across the country recreate the Champagne Cocktail and represent the Paris Golden Age with Courvoisier at the centre.”

Give it a go

Here at the Ideal Wine Company, we can’t wait to see what they come up with. If this has inspired you to try creating your own version of the Champagne Cocktail, why don’t you buy the Krug 1988 from the Ideal Wine Company? This smooth, delicious sparkling wine will help you craft a killer concoction! 

How to Make a ‘Pomme Rose’ Cocktail

Are you looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day drink? If so you might want to try whipping up a Pomme Rose, a new take on the classic French 75 cocktail. Below, the Ideal Wine Company explains how to make this fabulously romantic drink.

Mood for love

Christmas has gone and now we’re slowly inching our way through January. But thankfully, this means we’re not that far away from Valentine’s Day – the one day of the year society sets aside to celebrate the romantic love between two partners.

Are you planning to cook a nice meal for your partner this Valentine’s Day? No romantic dish is complete without a fabulous drink to complement the subtle complexities of your cuisine. But what drink should you choose; how about you really get into the spirit of the season, break out the sparkling rose and serve your partner a Pomme Rose this Valentines?

French 75

To learn how to make a Pomme Rose, first you have to understand how to create a French 75. This famous drink was invented by barman Harry MacElhone at the New York Bar in Paris (now Harry’s New York Bar) in 1915. Legend has it that MacElhone christened his new cocktail the ‘French 75’ because it packed such a punch, that drinking one felt like being shelled by the powerful French 75 millimetre field gun.

According to Esquire, a men’s fashion and culture magazine, the French 75 is a gin-based drink. Therefore to make one you’ll need two ounces of gin.  You’ll also need one teaspoon of superfine sugar, half an ounce of lemon juice and five ounces of Brut Champagne. The Dom Perignon Brut 1993, which you can buy from the Ideal Wine Company, would work fantastically here.

Add sparkling rose

The French 75 is really easy to make. Pour all the ingredients except the Champagne into a cocktail shaker filled with cracked ice and shake vigorously. Then strain into a ‘Collins glass’ which is half-full with cracked ice and then top off the mixture with Champagne. You’ll only need to do one thing to turn a French 75 into a Pomme Rose.

Just substitute the gin and Champagne for around seven ounces of sparkling rose wine. You might want to purchase the Dom Perignon Rose 1996, a mind-blowing vintage, from the Ideal Wine Company for the occasion! Follow the same method you would use to create a French 75 (but obviously don’t top it off with Champagne) and you’ll end up with a rich, woodsy, slightly sweet cocktail that your partner will love when you serve it to them this Valentine’s Day!