Archive for October, 2008

Tannins are an often-discussed topic when it comes to wine. You hear about how the bitterness in wine is due to tannins, and how you need to aerate wines to soften the tannins, and how you need to wait ten years for the tannins to subside in some wines. So the question becomes, WHY? Why do wines have tannins? Why do wines need tannins? Aside from the fact that tannins are antioxidants and an important contributor to the health benefits that wine provides, the answer, like the answer to many wine questions is both very simple and very complicated. Let’s take a look.

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One of the most common and important questions we are asked is the difference between a recessed and a built-in wine cellar. People want to be sure that the cellar will fit in the space they have allocated for it, but of course it needs to function properly. If a unit is built-in and it’s unable to exhaust the warm air, it may cause excess heat to be trapped behind the unit.  If this happens, the unit won’t be able to maintain proper temperature and your wine may be effectively, ruined. Therefore, it is just as important to determine the correct size and features, of your cellar, as it is to decide on the right application. This is where these terms come in handy:

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In these trying economic times, the last thing anybody wants to do is re-purchase broken wine glasses because you knocked one over and broke it. When you purchase a vessel for your wines, you want it to be elegant and long lasting. Our popular line of Fusion stemware certainly fits that bill. The glasses are so elegant in their design, that they’re often mistaken for more expensive brands. Yet the glasses are so strong, they can handle any knockdowns by clumsy guests. We even recommend that you put them in the dishwasher. Fusion is European crystal fused with super-strong magnesium to form a durable, lightweight, graceful wine glass.  As we say, Fusion is truly “science meets sophistication.”

We’ve always been proud of our Fusion line, but with our new 10-Year Limited Warranty, we have something to stand behind.

We promise that if you purchase our Fusion stemware and it breaks within 10 years, we’ll replace it for free, you just take care of shipping and handling. In the unlikely event that this occurs, we have a Fusion Hotline, waiting to assist you at 800.648.6058.

Are you tired of broken glasses? We hear your frustration! Leave a comment, and fill us in!

In support of National Breast Cancer month (October), Wine Enthusiast has an assortment of “Pink” products, of which portions of the proceeds go to cancer research, education, and/or patient support. It includes some product favorites such as the Vinturi Wine Aerator and the Rabbit Corkscrew, in fashionable pink. Purchase any of these accessories and anywhere from 5-15% of the total will go to the cause. There’s no better time to accessorize your wine lifestyle, and feel good doing it!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I’m also looking forward to our annual Breast Cancer Walk, which takes place in Purchase, NY on October 19th. It’s always a lovely time when the company gets together on a beautiful day for some exercise and charity. Here’s a shot of some of us, on the right. If you’re interested in donating to this great cause, check out our team’s page here. We welcome all donations!

As a Wine Cellar Design Specialist, I’m often asked: “where do you start?” The task of planning and building a wine cellar can sound difficult, but we do our best to make the process simple. Of the utmost importance is of course a customer’s satisfaction with the end result. One of my recent clients, the Santos family, was so happy that they sent photos of our design work. The key is open communication and listening to your customers needs.  Before doing anything, we discussed their wine cellar dreams, so that I could tailor the cellar to meet them.

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