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Older Entries
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Ask Sid: Does putting your fingers around the bowl of the wine glass actually warm the wine up?

September 27th, 2017 by Joseph Temple
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Does putting your fingers around the bowl of the wine glass actually warm the wine up?

Question: Does putting your fingers around the bowl of a wine glass actually help warm the contents?

Answer: Long time Montreal IWFS member Ted Pearson raised this interesting question and experimented for an answer. He took two identical glasses and poured an identical amount of cold wine into each. The temperature in each glass on a food thermometer showed 46.9 F. Ted grasped one glass by the bowl that still had the thermometer in it with his thumb and the tips of three fingers and counted to 1 minute and 42 seconds. The temperature in that glass had gone up to 47.5 F and he immediately moved the thermometer to the other glass and the temperature was the same at 47.5 F. Ted did not expect that result and concludes that the wine in the glass was affected only by the ambient temperature and not by holding it with his fingers. He believes the thickness of the wine glass and the temperature of each person’s fingers may have some impact on a different result but we know glass is a poor conductor of heat. Interesting result as I use this technique to warm the contents of my wine glass. Note the normal human body temperature is usually around an average of 98.6 F (or 37 C) but that is taken as an oral temperature through the mouth and not by the fingers which would be lower (though some people including myself have much warmer hands than others). The ambient room temperature could be an influence as well with a warmer room likely leading to this result in the short term while in a cooler room the cupped glass might result in a higher temperature. As well a longer test period may help raise the temperature of the held glass. What are your experiences?


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Does putting your fingers around the bowl of the wine glass actually warm the wine up?

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15 of the best ways to eat chocolate

September 24th, 2017 by Joseph Temple

different ways to eat chocolate

By Joseph Temple

Hot or cold, crunchy or ooey gooey, chocolate is one of the most popular and comforting foods.  There are hundreds of ways to enjoy this delicious treat.  Here are just a few of the very best.


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1. Chocolate Bark
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2. With Fresh Fruit  – A Fondue
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3. White Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream Cake
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4. Warm Chocolate Brownie
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5. Chocolate Cake
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6. Fresh From The Oven Cookies
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7. Cupcakes
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8. Velvety Chocolate Mousse
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9. Chocolate & Wine Pairing
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10. Hot Chocolate Drink
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11. Triple Chocolate Ice Cream
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12. Dark Chocolate Ganache French Macarons
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13. Double Chocolate & Chocolate Chip Muffins
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14. Milk Chocolate Truffles
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15. Rich Chocolate Pots De Creme
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Ask Sid: Rubber Smell in Wines?

September 20th, 2017 by Joseph Temple
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wine that tastes like rubber

Question: Recently tried a few wines that showed a rubber smell. What is that and how can you get rid of it?

Answer: Probably a sulphur issue or mercaptans – giving off those rubbery strong onion & garlic aromas. Also can be the result of a reductive style of winemaking or screwcap closure (resulting in an absence of oxygen) that may be improved by decanting the wine. Another thing to try is adding a penny (an old one made of real copper) into the decanter or your glass. Not always totally successful but usually helps. Just like trying that trick of plastic wrap for a corky TCA problem. Good luck.


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Top ten desserts made with wine

September 17th, 2017 by Joseph Temple

Wine and desserts
By Joseph Temple

Want to add flare to your next dinner party? Try using wine in your favorite dessert recipe. Traditional all American apple pie with red wine caramel sauce. Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon move from the dinner setting to the sweetest part of every meal.


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1.
Vidal Ice Wine Ice Cream with fresh fruit

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b2. Chardonnay Roasted Apples with Custard Sauce
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3. Madeira Soaked Fruit Cake

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4. Riesling Fall Fruit Compote and Creamy Yogurt Parfait
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5. Merlot Cherry and Blueberry Chocolate Cake
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6.  Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Cabernet Franc Poached Cherries

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7. Gewürztraminer and Rose Sorbets with Coulis

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8. Sauvignon Blanc and Lime Refresher
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9. Stone Fruit Bread Pudding with Moscato Reduction

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10. Riesling Poached Pear Almond Cake
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Ask Sid: Are the words “Variety” & “Varietal” interchangeable?

September 13th, 2017 by Joseph Temple
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variety varietal wine what's the difference

Question: Confused about the wine speak words of variety or varietal. Are they interchangeable?

Answer: Not really.

“Variety” is best used to describe the grape type: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir etc.

Use the word “varietal” only to describe the wine made from that specific variety: a varietal wine made from the grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot, or Pinot Noir etc. Not used for blends.


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