Personal Wine Blog

How to Pronounce Wine Names

Posted by Personal Wine on February 28, 2016

Taste testing wine once it has arrived at your table is easy, proper pronunciation when ordering can make anyone a little nervous. You may be out to dinner with clients to close a deal, celebrating a milestone with colleagues, or just enjoying conversation with friends, but in any scenario, knowing the proper pronunciation for different types of wine brands is a quick way to impress.

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Tags: Education

How to Read Wine Labels

Posted by Darren Scott - Sommelier on February 21, 2016

Wine labels contain quite a bit of information, some of which is crucial to understanding what’s inside the bottle, and some of which is simply there to draw the eye of the consumer. Here’s a quick guide that will explain what to look for on a wine label, as well as what to ignore.

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Tags: Education

5 US Presidents' Favorite Wines

Posted by Personal Wine on February 7, 2016

Wine has been enjoyed by leaders for thousands of years. From ancient Greece to modern-day America, it plays a critical role in the culture, cuisine, and even politics of a nation.

Whether entertaining foreign heads of state or Members of Congress, the White House must ensure events run smoothly so the nation can conduct its business. One way the presidents have done this is through their love of wine.

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Tags: Education

The History of Wine

Posted by Darren Scott - Sommelier on February 5, 2016

The world of wine is vast and exploring all of it would take a lifetime, but even learning the basics can be fascinating and serve as a great jumping-off point for further explortation. Our goal for this series is to introduce the casual wine drinker to some of the more nuanced aspects of wine without any drab jargon or pretension. We are firm believers that at the end of the day wine is best enjoyed and not studied, but we hope by introducing a few new concepts we are able to help grow your appreciation for this wonderful beverage.

This first post will provide a brief history of wine, with further posts covering the basics of wine styles, glassware, tasting and more. In no way is this series meant to be exhaustive, but by the end you should be able to navigate the wine menu at your favorite restaurant with poise.

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Tags: Education

How to Remove Wine Labels

Posted by Personal Wine on January 11, 2016

How to Remove a Wine Label

 

There are multiple ways to remove wine bottle labels. If you are removing an existing label to apply your own then the process is relatively simple and you most likely have all the necessary supplies. However, if you are removing an existing wine label in order to preserve it as a keepsake, it will require a bit more finesse and special supplies.

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Tags: Education

10 Ways To Pop The Question: Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

Posted by Personal Wine on January 3, 2016

Popping the big question to your ‘maids is almost as exciting as getting engaged. Sure, your besties will say yes no matter what, but you can get a bit more clever than a phone call to ask them to be in your wedding.

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Tags: Education

DIY: Wine Bottle Chandelier | Glass Bottle Chandelier

Posted by Personal Wine on December 27, 2015



The wonderful thing about wine is that no two bottles are exactly the same. You’ll always have your favorite wines but each glass has its own unique experience meant to be savored and cherished.

Not surprisingly, wine bottle crafts are like glasses of wine in the sense that no two are exactly the same. One popular craft is a DIY lamp made of wine bottles. With minimal financial investment and a few hours of handywork, your new DIY wine bottle chandelier will become the perfect centerpiece in your home.

7 Steps to Make a Chandelier from Old Wine Bottles:

  1. Gather your tools and materials
  2. Score and cut your wine bottles
  3. Add the necessary electrical wiring
  4. Shape your wooden base
  5. Set your wires in place
  6. Shape the ceiling canopy
  7. Connect the plank and canopy piece
  8. Light up the room!
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Tags: Education

How To Open A Champagne Bottle With a Knife (Sabering)

Posted by Personal Wine on December 20, 2015

Whether you are hosting a company dinner party, a big birthday bash, or even performing the maid of honor role at your best friend’s wedding, knowing how to open a champagne bottle with a knife (sabering) is a guaranteed way to liven up any occasion.

Follow these four steps to open a champagne bottle with a knife:

  1. Grab your champagne—be sure to chill it before you start.
  2. Grab your knife—use a blunt blade or the back of the knife to prevent it becoming dull.
  3. Remove the foil and wire cage—hold the bottle firmly at the bottom, loosen the wire cage around the cork and reposition it up to the next lip, or remove it completely.
  4. Get the angle right—Angle the bottom of the bottle up 30-45 degrees and place the blade against the bottle neck at a 45 degree angle. Run your blade gently and slowly up and down the seam of the bottleneck to get a feel for the bottle sabering motion.
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Tags: Education

4 Ways To Uncork Wine Without A Corkscrew

Posted by Personal Wine on December 13, 2015

It’s a familiar tale - maybe you’re hosting a housewarming party and your kitchen gear is not yet unpacked, or perhaps you’re at an outdoor soiree and the hostess forgot that one tiny but important detail.

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Tags: Education

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