History of Wine
"And David's Lips are lock't; but in divine
High piping Pehlevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine!
"Red Wine!"---the Nightingale cries to the Rose
That yellow Cheek of hers to incarnadine."
Omar Khayyam
History of Wine
Persian philosopher Omar Khayyam was the connoisseur and keen admirer of such noble fermented beverage as wine and he was the one of billions of other wine lovers in all ages of history. Fermented beverages have been preferred over water throughout the ages as they are safer, provide psychotropic effects, and are more nutritious. Some even said that alcohol and especially wine was the primary agent of the development of Western civilization. The history of wine is very rich and extensive and there were many reasons for such tremendous popularity of wine starting from the ancient times such as conspicuous display (the earliest Neolithic wine, which might be dubbed "Chateau Hajji Firuz" (the most ancient wine vessels that were discovered at Hajji Firuz Tepe, the territory of contemporary Iran) was like showing off a bottle of Pétrus today); a social lubricant; economy, trade and cross-cultural interactions and, of course, religion (wine is right at the center of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, regardless that it was forbade by the Islamic Code).
Most of the world population adores wine of different variations and of various types. Wine has always been an indispensable attribute of any celebration, but have you ever thought about the ancient history and origin of wine? The ancient history of wine has begun as long time ago as from the Neolithic period (4000 to 3000 BC!). Historians generally agree that wine was probably discovered accidentally in the Fertile Crescent area, the region between the Nile and Persian Gulf during the time of the world's first civilization. According to ancient history and origin of wine sources, gradually winemaking spread throughout the Mediterranean region and eventually through much of Europe by Phoenician, Greek and Roman traders.
History of wines has left its traces in Near East, particularly Mesopotamia (Iraq, Iran territory), later – in Persia (Iran), Egypt, Ancient Greece, Roman Empire. Think of Greek classical pottery and Dionysus cavorting with his satyrs and maenads and you will get a clue of the ancient history of wine that created immortal legends. Egyptian history of wines origin in Nile delta – the fertile land where grapes grew and white wine made from what is today called the Muscat grape of Alexandria. It is not surprising that the early Egyptians attributed this drink with the god Osiris and used it during funerary rituals.
Since Roman times, wine (potentially mixed with herbs and minerals) was assumed to serve medicinal purposes as well. It was not uncommon to dissolve pearls in wine for better health. Cleopatra created her own legend by promising Marc Anthony she would "drink the value of a province" in one cup of wine, after which she drank an expensive pearl with a cup of wine. From Rome winemaking greatly prospered under the Catholic Church who held widespread influence over Christian Europe. Eventually, winemaking capability and practiced extended to far-flung places like England who enjoyed wine varieties of Sherry, Port and Madeira. Christian monks of France and Northern Italy kept records of their winemaking practices and grape cultivation. By 1800, France would be recognized as the best of the wine-producing regions of the world.
Whatever the reason, we continue to live out our past civilization by drinking wine made from a plant that has its origins in the ancient Near East. Your next bottle may not be a 7000 year old vintage from Hajji Firuz that was thought of as a divine gift, but we appreciate and live it no less than our ancestors. Originally decorated bottle of wine with metal wine bottle holders from Metal Imagination could be an ideal gift for any celebration and occasion.
Wine Classification
Wine is probably the most widespread and historically significant beverage starting from ancient times. Wine is the drink of kings, just as it is the beverage of choice for ordinary people. Wine has played a major role in the rise and fall of countless individuals, nations and even civilizations. History of wine is very long, interesting and intricate at the same time; nevertheless, classification of wine is no less capturing and complicated as its history.
Types of wines are normally classified by vinification method, by taste, by vintage, by wine style, and / or by quality. Vinification refers to how the wine is made. Vinification wine classification refers to three major categories: table wines, sparkling wines, and fortified wines. Types of wine can also be classified by taste. Table wines, for instance, are classified by character as dry (not sweet), semidry, semisweet; sweet wines are classified as dessert wines.
Apart from palate, types of wines can also be distinguished by sugar and alcohol percentage. Dry wines contain 2-3% of sugar and about 10% of alcohol – such wines are the lightest. Semisweet wines have sugar - 5-6% and alcohol 13-14%, while semidry wines are a little bit sweeter than semisweet ones. Dessert, or sweet wines contain the highest percentage of sugar and alcohols than other types of wine – about 14-16%, and 16% of alcohol. Table wines are also further classified by color, as red, white, or ros (pink). In addition to this wine classification, wines may also be classified according to specific flavors, types of grape they are made of and origins where this grape grew.
Table wines, also called still or natural wines, are consumed mostly with food, they tend to compliment the meal. White dry wine is usually served with seafood, fish, cheese, or nuts. Red dry wine is served with meals of meat and vegetables that are roasted, stewed, smoked, etc. Fortified or dessert types of wine, such as sherry or vermouth, are most commonly drunk before or after meals and are served with various cakes, pastry, chocolate, fruits, etc. Fortified wines are also frequently used in cooking. Concerning sparkling wines, for example champagne, is distinguishable by its effervescence and is drunk for the most part on festive occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and during the holidays.
Wines are usually named either by their grape variety or by their place of production. Generally speaking, European wines are named both after the place of production (e.g. Bordeaux, Rioja, Chianti, Cotnari) and the grapes used (e.g. Pinot, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot). Wines from everywhere except Europe are generally named for the grape variety. Whether you prefer vintage wine or not, and whatever the classification of wine you like, wine is a ideal gift for any special occasion, especially when it is served in a unique metal wine bottle holder that you can easily find at Metal Imagination.
Serving Wine
One of the most important things to take into consideration when serving a wine is the right temperature. If wine is served at the wrong temperature it could severely hinder the taste and experience of the drink. Do you know how to serve a wine with the right temperature so that the wine would gain a balance and a taste that is unmatched? If you want to find out how to serve a red wine or how to serve a white wine, at Metal Imagination you can find the answers on all your questions.
If you want to know how to serve a red wine, just remember that it must be slightly below room temperature or around 67-68 degrees Fahrenheit. When red wine is served too warm, it develops a strong alcohol taste and the real taste of wine is all but vanquished. Now let’s find out how to serve a white wine. White wines are served best just slightly below 50 degrees and when cooled properly it has a fresh clean fruit flavor that seems to be full of life. If white wine is chilled incorrectly, it will taste weak and lifeless with dulled and faded flavor.
So, how to serve a bottle of wine at the right temperature in order to keep its unique flavor? Most of us usually put it in the freezer for 10 minutes, but please, don’t kill your wine by freezing it unless you really want to see the entire odor wave on its way out the door. You should fill the ice bucket with water and ice and submerge the bottle of wine into the bucket just to the base of the neck. Red wine should be chilled in the ice bucket for about 15-16 minutes and white wines – between 20-25 minutes and should be served immediately upon opening.
Another easy and helpful way to chill wine to the right temperature is to have a wine cellar. You can get a wine cellar for a few hundred dollars that can hold about 24 bottle of wine. On a wine cellar you can set the temperature of the wine to the exact temperature you wish to store it and when you are ready to serve it, simply uncork and enjoy.
A very important tool to have, especially when you are entertaining guests, is a long probe wine thermometer that should be insert to the uncorked bottle of wine to see how the wine is close to being ready to serve it. Whether you prefer a red or white wine, now you know how to serve a bottle of wine at the right temperature. And at Metal Imagination you will find unique wine bottle holders in order to make your wine not only taste well, but also have an original look.
Whiskey
Classifications of North American Whiskies
North American whiskies are essentially classified by the type or variety of grains in the mash bill, the percentage or proof of alcohol at which they are distilled, and the length and manner of their aging.
Bourbon Whisky must contain a minimum of 51% corn, be produced in the United States, be distilled at less than 80% ABV (160 proof) and be aged for a minimum of two years in new charred barrels, although in practice virtually all straight whiskies are aged at least four years. Any Bourbon, or any other domestic or imported whiskey, for that matter, that has been aged less than four years must contain an age statement on the label. Small Batch Bourbons are bourbons that bottled from a small group of specially selected barrels that are blended together. It should be noted though that each distiller has their own interpretation of what constitutes a "small batch." Single Barrel Bourbon is Bourbon from one specifically chosen cask.
The Taste: Flavor descriptors such as toffee, pralines, vanilla, and dried fruit to describe the initial rush of flavors in a good, well-aged Bourbon. The charred oak barrels give Bourbon a distinctive spicy oak firmness that is unique to American whiskeys.
Origins and History of Bourbon Whisky
The first waves of British settlers in North America were a thirsty lot. It is recorded that the Pilgrims chose to make final landfall at Plymouth, Massachusetts, even though their original destination was elsewhere, primarily because they were almost out of beer.
The first locally-made alcoholic beverage was beer, although the limited supply of barley malt was frequently supplemented by such local substitutes as pumpkin pulp. Distilled spirits soon followed, with rum made from imported Caribbean molasses dominating in the northern colonies, and an assortment of fruit brandies in the south.
In the early 1700s a combination of bad economic times and religious unrest against the Established Church in Great Britain set off a great wave of emigration from Scotland and Ireland. These Scots, and the Protestant Scottish settlers from the Northern Irish province of Ulster who came to be known as the "Scotch-Irish" in the new World, brought to North America their religion, their distrust of government control, and their skill at distilling whiskey.
This rush of humanity, augmented by German immigrants of a similar religious and cultural persuasion, passed through the seaboard colonies and settled initially in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and western Virginia. Mostly small farmers, they quickly adapted to growing rye because of its hardiness, and, in the western counties, Native American corn because of its high yields. Grain was awkward to ship to East Coast markets because of the poor roads; so many farmers turned to distilling their crops into whiskey. In Pennsylvania these were primarily Rye whiskies; farther to the west and south Corn whiskies predominated. By the end of the American War of Independence in 1784, the first commercial distilleries had been established in what was then the western Virginia county of Kentucky. From the start they produced corn-based whiskies.
In 1794 the new, cash-strapped Federal government imposed the first federal excise tax on distillers. The farmer-distillers of western Pennsylvania responded violently in what became known as the Whiskey Rebellion. Federal tax agents were assaulted and killed by angry mobs. Order was finally restored when the federal government sent in an army of 15,000 militiamen, led by George Washington, to put down the revolt. The ringleaders were convicted and sentenced to be hanged, but cooler heads prevailed, and after jail time they were pardoned and released.
This situation did provoke a new migration of settlers into the then-western frontier lands of Kentucky and Tennessee. In these new states farmers found ideal corn-growing country and smooth, limestone-filtered water—two of the basic ingredients of Bourbon whiskey.
The name "Bourbon" comes from a county in eastern Kentucky, which in turn was named for the Bourbon kings of France who had aided the American rebels in the Revolutionary War. Bourbon County was in the early 19th century a center of whiskey production and transshipping (ironically, at the present time, it is a "dry" county). The local whiskey, made primarily from corn, soon gained a reputation for being particularly smooth because the local distillers aged their products in charred oak casks. The adoption of the "sour mash" grain conversion technique served to further distinguish Bourbon from other whiskey styles.
By the 1840s Bourbon was recognized and marketed as a distinctive American style of whiskey, although not as a regionally specific spirit. Bourbon came to be produced in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, among other states. Nowadays Bourbon production is confined to Kentucky and Indiana, although the only legal location requirement for calling a whiskey "Bourbon" is that it be produced in the United States. Initially Bourbon was made in pot stills, but as the century progressed the new column still technology was increasingly adopted. The last old-line pot still plant closed in Pennsylvania in 1992, but the technique was revived in Kentucky in 1995 when the historic Labrot & Graham Distillery was renovated and reopened with a set of new, Scottish-built copper pot stills.
The late 19th century saw the rise of the Temperance Movement, a social phenomenon driven by a potent combination of religious and women’s groups. Temperance societies, such as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League, operated nationally, but were particularly active in the southern states. The notion of temperance soon gave way to a stated desire for outright prohibition, and throughout the rest of the century an assortment of states and counties adopted prohibition for varying lengths of time and degrees of severity. This muddle of legal restrictions played havoc in the Bourbon industry, as it interfered with the production and aging of stocks of whiskey.
National Prohibition in 1919 had effects on the Bourbon industry beyond shutting down most of the distilleries. Drinking did not stop, of course, and the United States was soon awash in illegal alcohol, much of it of dubious quality. What did change was the American taste in whiskey. Illicit moonshine and imported Canadian whiskeys were lighter in taste and body than Bourbon and Rye. The corresponding increase in popularity of white spirits such as Gin and Vodka further altered the marketplace. When Repeal came in 1933, a number of the old distilleries didn’t reopen, and the industry began a slow consolidation that lasted into the early 1990s, at which time there were only 10 distilleries in Kentucky and two in Tennessee.
It may seem odd, but Scotch whisky may be Bourbon’s inspiration for long-term revival. The steady growth in sales of single malt and high-quality Scotch whiskies has not gone unnoticed in Bourbon country. All of the Kentucky and Tennessee whiskey distilleries are now marketing high-end "single cask" and "small batch" whiskies that have found great success among upscale consumers. Three small specialty distilleries have opened in the last few years in Kentucky and California to cater to this increasing demand for quality over quantity. The United States may yet, in the words of one commentator, "turn away from foreign potions and return to its native spirit."
How To Serve Scotch Whisky
Serving Scotch Whisky
The best way to serve Scotch is ‘on the rocks’. In other words, you should not add anything to it, before serving. Just pour it in a glass, directly over the ice cubes. Scotch lovers believe that adding anything to the drink masks its smooth taste and rich aroma.
If you are serving single malts, it is advisable to use a large bowl for the same. The glass will usually taper up to a narrow neck, while its lip will be flared. While the bowl captures the aroma of Scotch, the narrow neck directs it to your nose.
Scotch whisky can also be served in a snifter. The glass is characterized by a wide base and a wide mouth and is smaller than a wine glass. It has a slight taper towards the mouth, which directs the focus of the person on the drink’s aroma. Make sure that the snifter is clean, so that the person drinking it can get a clear view of the drink and appreciate it as well.