Fall Fruit Savory Or Sweet

 This is the season for apples, plums pears and grapes. All of these make wonderful tarts and corstatas but they can also be put into salads of all sorts of cooked with meats such as pork roast or chicken.

Here's the question - what  would you  rather use fall fruit in? Savory or sweet dishes? To be honest poached pears in wine are a great autumn dish. however a good pork roast cooked with apple slices and onions also make for a delicious meal.

Let us know how you like to use fall's bounty.

Your Holiday Home Bar

 With home parties comes the promise of heady drinks. However the last time most home bartenders checked their liquor cabinets since the last end of summer parties. It's time to check to see what you have and what 's needed.

What you may not need is the hard liquors.Opened brandy can last anywhere from six months to two years and even longer if it's a better brand. The same goes for whiskey. Vodka is one of the alcohols with the highest level of longevity. Once opened it can last anywhere from ten to twenty years.Any flavor of schnapps can last indefinitely. If you do need new bottles here;s the question - do you go with the highly expensive brands or cheaper ones, knowing that it will be gone by the night's end.Most mixologists or bartenders tend to go with a mix of high and low end , while many prefer a mid range selection of spirits.It really depends on your budget. If you'd rather spend it on food , then have a good variety of low end brands with maybe one or two mid range ones. Check out groceries like Lidl and Shop Rite that offer budget based ones.LIdl has an excellent selection and you can always find what you're looking for there.There are also liquor stores that are having sales right now. Check those out to see if you can score a few deals.

Is champagne a must for holiday parties? The bubbly works for New Year's Eve  however it doesn't really fit in to a holiday party.(unless it'sa  double celebration like an engagement or an accomplishment). wine is the best glass here and make sure you have a selection of whites and reds to go with the food you'll be serving. If it's more a chicken, fish and veal menu then have more whites than reds. If the party features beef Wellington and filet mignons, then serve a medium bodied dry red wine with them, Keep in mind that you'll also need sodas and juices Some guests would rather have a spritzer made with wine and seltzer. Flavored seltzers add a kick of flavor and elevate the mixed drinks to another level. Three or four bottles with one plain and three flavored should be part of the home bar. Orange juice should be on hand for those who want screwdrivers and have a bottle or two of cranberry juice for making Cape Codders. Keep in mind that fruit juice and seltzer make for a lovely mocktail for non drinkers too.Fresh lemons, limes and oranges should also be on the ready for garnishing along with green olives and pearl onions for any dry martinis.

Is your home bar fully stocked for your holiday parties? Do inventory and get what you have to. THis makes for a stress free night of fun bartending.

Thanksgiving Advice Just Breathe

 The next two days will resemble a baking contest and the popular comedy"The Bear" . The best advice is to just breathe. Home chefs, you got this. Just take time to give yourself some culinary me tine.

List making helps. f you haven't;t bought anything, tomorrow is the day to do it. Try to find shortcuts to ease the cooking, especially if you're busy at work. Get a simple turkey breast  if  there's just two . It saves on having a ton of left overs. Besides the breast meat is the most tender anyway. Get jarred gravy and stove top stuffing too. This saves on a lot of work. As for mashed potatoes, instant is your best bet. Frozen Brussels sprouts or green beans can be your side. Most big supermarkets like Acme and Lidl sell in store baked pies and rolls. Buy these. If you're planning a bigger meal, then ask for help. Guests love to come early and help out in the kitchen. It's a great way to catch up and chat instead of trying to talk during the whirlwind of putting food on the table and the cacaphony of other guests.The same goes for pie baking. It's a fun way to gossip and share a coffee while rolling out dough and coring apples.You and your fellow bakers can also go in on the costs too if they're also part of the Thanksgiving guest list.

As for yourself - relax. It's so popular  (and traditional) to order a pizza the night before the big day. Consider it tomorrow. Hot slices are always a big hit with the kids too. Chinese food won;t go amiss either. Save your energy for the next day. Take a relaxing bath or drink and herbal tea to ensure a good night''s sleep. No one can function or a limited amount of shut eye. As for Thanksgiving morning, don;t go crazy and create a hearty breakfast or brunch. Keep it simple.There's cereal and instant oatmeal to tide the family over. If you have to cook something hot, stick to any kind of eggs and bacon, whether real or plant based. Check your lists as to what needs to be done first.  Is the bread torn for stuffing along with the celery being washed and cut for it? Again when it's time to start prep, ask for as much help as you can,  Are the pots and pan ready to go ? It's time to take the turkey out of the fridge and getting it ready for the oven. Keep in mind that holidays today are not the formal affairs of the past yet if you want to pamper yourself with  make up and fancy dress, then do so.It's a fun  break from kitchen duty. Grab a glass of wine but don;t go overboard. No one needs a tipsy cook.

It may be Thanksgiving with non stop cooking and breaking but it's also a time to enjoy family, friends and food. Take it easy. Take care of yourself. It'll ensure a less crazy ,less hectic cooking day.

Table Set

 Does anyone know how to set a table? Yes you put plates in a certain way along with cutlery and glasses. Many of us, though have been doing it wrong, There is a right   and elegant way of doing such.

A basic table setting just has the dinner plate flankled by one fork on the diner's left and a knife on the diner's right.next to the knife is the dessert spoon (or soup spoon if soup is being served.) The fork is placed on a napkin, although if you want to be traditional , then place the napkin on the diner's right hand side. A water glass is also placed on this side as well. If you're planning a more formal dinner then you'll have to add salad forks and dessert spoons and forks. The salad fork is place directly to the right of the dinner fork. The dessert spoon and fork are placed on the top section of the place setting. A smaller plate for your dinner roll is placed  on the left along with a smaller butter knife.On the right hand side there should be three glasses arranged in a triagular pattern. The bottom two should be the water on the left hand side while the glass for the white wine sits opposite it. In back of these is the red wine glass. If you want to be fancy add place tags. These are placed behind the dinner plate and sometimes flanked by small individual salt and pepper shakers.

What about a buffet table? Do the rules of etiquette apply to it as well? Not really. The integrity of the food is what matters here. Hot food should be on one end, while cooler dishes like salads and cold cuts should be on the other end. The two temps should not be mixed. You can add a wooden block to the middle of the table for the chafing dishes. This highlights the main sides like gravy and stuffing. Another idea is placing the hot dishes on another table for complete separation. Doing such will allow guests to choose what they want first. The first items on the buffet table should be plates and cutlery. It's up to you as the host to decide whether to use your good china if you have enough to suit a lot of guests or  elegant plastic ones. Many choose the last and luckily they're easy to get from Amazon. At the end of th e t able are the napkins (and wet wipes if there are sticky or messy finger foods).After dinner the tables are cleared and then the desserts are put out. Again follow the same protocol but add cups and saucers for coffee and tea. Put urns of coffee and hot water where the chafing dishes were along with a basket of assorted teas and sweeteners. You can also have creamers on the table or place them on individual tables along with sugar or honey. 

A well set table reflects on the host. It's showing a level of tastefulness that will add to the dinner. The perfect place setting is the key to the perfect meal. 

The Forgotten Black WIne Professionals

It's strange to think that the wine industry can have prejudices. One would think the industry would be above that be and be more sophisticated and color blind. Yet it's not. There's a shocking amount of prejudice against people of color in every aspect , from sommelier to grower to reviewer. Hopefully, with the world rapidly changing it will be a thing of a past era.

Eric Asimov, who writes The Pour, the New York Times Food section's weekly wine review, wrote about this blatant but very rarely discussed racism. He interviewed African-Americans in from all aspects of the wine industry. All had the same experiences  which should never exist - not in the 21st Century, yet are still alive sadly enough. Mr. Asimov spoke with T.J. Douglas owner of The Urban Grape in Boston. He and his wife, Hadley, have this shop and also the business online. A white internet customer came into the store, walked by Mr. Douglas and went to a white sales rep, assuming he was the owner. Then there is Julia Coney, a Houston, wine writer and educator who regularly leads tasting and teaches wine education. yet as a consumer, wine merchants feel they have to tell her how to hold a wine glass and why she has to swirl it. They also steer her towards cheaper and sweeter wines, based on stereotypes.Growing tired of tokenism, she has created Black Wine Professionals, a database for African American wine growers and sellers. Stephen Satterfield , publisher of the quarterly food magazine, Whetstone. He was a sommelier but left due to the rampant racism.

Perhaps the most obvious is with Ntisiki Biyela, a South African wine marker. The industry has been white for the last four centuries, no surprise because the country suffered from apartheid since the early 1990's. Ms. Biyela was the first female black winemaker and in 2016 established her own company, Aslina Wines. Hers was the toughest battle (although all their battles were the toughest). She could not speak Afrikaans ,an offshoot of the Dutch accent and her fellow students asked why she was even there.  "You're not welcome here." was really its' undercurrent. Then as she moved into her career , growers didn't want to deal with her along with building an audience. Black South Africans are not versed in European wine speak. Ms. Biyela had to explain it in terms they would understand. Instead of a wine smelling like truffles  she would tell them it smells like amasi a sort of fermented milk. Others , from Carlton McCoy Junior, a master sommelier and Madeline Maldonado, a beverage distributor at Greenwich Village's Da Toscano have experienced white people's ignorance and stupidity.It is the same for wine server Andre Hueston Mack and Zwann Grays, the wine director at Olmsted. Yet it is Tammie Teclemriam, a Brooklyn freelance food and drinks writer who fired a good shot at Bon Appetit's editor-in-chief and his insensitivity towards African-Americans, and appearing in black face.He had to resign because of it.

The wine  industry, like the food industry should be free of prejudice and open to everyone. It's stupid and 19th Century to think that whites are better sommeliers and winemakers. Luckily it's the writers and publishers who will be shattering these old concepts.

Your Elegant Hosting Guide

Spring ushers in a season of entertaining with lovely meals served on elegant china at exquisite tables. Yet it can be hard to not only plan a meal but set the right mood. Thankfully there is new book that gives not only serving suggestions but also what kind of tableware to use as well.

Kristal Damron, a caterer, wrote this picture filled guide Entertaining And Celebrating: An Elegant Feast For Every Season (published by Reward Your Appetite Catering 2019).It gives  hosts and more expressly, caterers  ideas about how to serve a simple ,classy feast for any celebration. It is a glossy coffee table book, with elegantly taken pictures. Every celebration is covered, from showers to Christmas dinner and the book is divided into the four seasons. One page shows how the table should be set  while the other has the ala carte menu. The meals are divided into four courses starting with an amuse bouches - appetizers and ending with desserts The dishes given are all season appropriate. A Mother's Day brunch offers zucchini gazpacho and red grouper Poele while the Christmas Day dinner has such suggestions as roasted Cornish hens with mushrooms duxelles stuffing, and baked eggplant with marinara sauce.

This book may not be for the home chef looking for recipes.  This is  one strictly  for caterers, especially those just starting  out in the industry. There are so many ideas for what to serve and jumping off points for the more creative. One of the best pluses is the wine and tableware guides located in the appendix. The tableware is all Lenox and her choices are stunning.Some are delicate, some look utilitarian yet fresh. The same goes for the glass and tableware. To be honest this section is a good guide for those just starting their household. Chef Damron's choices work well together, and can definitely serve as inspiration for householders wanting to pair the appropriate glassware and plates together. Another source of inspiration are the centerpieces. These are lovely seasonal arrangements that complement the tables and can be used for any family dinner or celebration.

Entertaining And Celebrating:An Elegant Feast For Every Season is a must have for every caterer.It offers a plethora of recipe ideas as well as suggestions for wine and tableware. Buy it today, not just for these but also for the beautiful photographs of elegantly set tables.

The Best Of Summer Wines

What to bring to someone's house for a barbecue or dinner by the firepit? A summery, light wine that everyone will enjoy.It could be red or white, domestic or foreign as long as the wine is refreshing as a warm weather breeze or afternoon sun shower.

Eric Asimov  has given a list of the twenty best summer wines that was published in yesterday's New York Times Food section A summer  wine, he asserts should be less than fourteen per cent in alcohol. This makes for a lighter , more brut tasting drink along with out  any consequences . (think inebriation followed by a possible hangover or at least  a morning headache). Mr. Asimov  also recommends going for wines that are between $15 and $25 in price. It's not as cheap  and you get better quality along with being not so extravagantly priced.One of the more elegant is the Chateau Tour Grise Saumaur Brut Non dose 2004 12. percent 2004. This is a sparkling white wine made from the chenin blanc grape.It's pure and refreshing , perfect for any chicken or fish dinner, The wine has the perfect summery notes of honeysuckle, lemon and chamomile. Another French import is La Ferme Du Vert Gaillac L'Ange Lou Mousseux Brut,2013, 11 percent. This relatively new wine derives from Mauzac grapes, a little known variety grown in the French Southwest. It is light and sparkling too, with notes with apple , straw and herbal flavors. Serve it iced on a hot evening for complete refreshment.

A surprise wine is a merlot from Argentina, a country that usually gives us malbec.It is Bodega Chacra Amor Seco Pantagonia Merlot,2012, 14 percent and is a bit high on the alcohol side. Mr. Asimov likes its' deep and fruity flavor, redolent of red fruits..It has a bitterness that keeps it refreshing The company is also known for their pinot noirs too. Bring it to a party where there are steaks on the grill, waiting to be paired with it.Another dark wine comes from Piedmonte, De Forville Dolcetto D'Alba 2013 13.5 percent. It is another refreshing bitter wine with an undertone of dark chocolate. I would suggest having it  with an outdoor bagna calda., the anchovy and garlic dip  that the region is famed for. Both are perfect for a cooler summer night gathering. Celebrate July Fourth with an American wine made in the Finger Lakes region.This is Eminence Road Farm winery Ganay Noir  Cayuga Lake 2013, 11.3 percent.It is made from the area's grapes. It is light bodied , earthy and fruity along with being seriously delicious. Drink lightly chilled  when watching the fireworks.If you want another white wine, then try Julian Haart Mosel Riesling 1,000l, 2014 10.5 percent. It's a very light wine but has a mix of minerality and creaminess to it. Open it up to share with friends during a picnic.

The summer is here. Crack open a bottle of chilled wine on a warm evening or to round out a barbecue. There are many to choose from , and many to try.


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Purifying The Vinyards

No one ever thinks of pesticides when they drink wine. The grapes used, maybe .definitely the bouquet , along with the taste and after notes  No oenophile ever thinks about the possible blight a wine's purity. Yet it's important to do so and to whether what they're drinking is organic or not.

This debate has been polarizing vintners throughout France and even the Piedmonte section of Northwestern Italy.Elaine Sciolino reported on it in yesterday's New York Times food section. Along with interviewing various wine growers she also attended some tastings as well.To most, especially to the people who make wines there is no difference between regular and pure wine. Pure wine comes from non pesticide sprayed vines.  Hipster  wine tasters and sellers want organic wine, :according to them it tastes better. More experienced vintners say this is balderash.Organic wine is the same as wine made from sprayed grapes. Either has the potential for excellency or disaster.  To be honest there is a limit of how much chemical can be sprayed on grapes to protect them.Many vines have been saved from flavescence d'or or golden rot, a deadly bacterial disease thanks to mandatory treatment in some areas. However winemakers could look to Piedmontese vintner Stefano Belloti who planted different crops around his grapes to inhibit pests. His grapes are surrounded by peach and almond trees along with mustard plants. He also has ducks and chickens around to  eat  plants that would also threaten his grapevines

Of course there are vintners who go against pesticides. There is money made on anything untouched by chemicals and organic wine is big right now. These naturalist winemakers, such as Emannual Giboulot , who refuse to use anything on both plants and soil. Monsieur Giboulet even won a court case allowing his vines to forgo any treatment.It was not without trauma and drama. He was threatened with a six month jail stay and a $33,000 fine, in 2014 he also refused to spray his vineyard with Pyrevert. a much used pesticide in France It resulted in a thousand dollar fine . along eith annoying and angering  nearby winemakers. They feel that unsprayed crops could bring about contagious diseases and destructive insects. Many associate it with parents sending unvaccinated children to school. Monsieur Giboulet asserts that going without spraying is better. It even allows insects beneficial to the growing process, to thrive as well The soil is also not contaminated which is good for upcoming plants.. Another plus of not spraying is that the wine can be sold as organic. However that means less sulfites as well which could result in selling a wine that's more like old grape juice than , well, wine.

Most purists these days will buy an organic wine or one that started out with pesticide sprayed grapes. The question is will this purity make for a better bouquet and flavor? That's up to the individual. Ms. Sciolino found that what she savored had the same rough edge as her grandfather's wine. If that;s what works , then  stick with the purer vino.

A Summer Gift For A Summer Party

Party or dinner invites usually mean bringing some kind of gift to the hosts.This is easy in the winter.Colder weather means you can buy a nice cake or even brandy to the table.Candy is also welcome during the winter season. problem is you really can't bring any of these to a summer gathering.What to do? Chill.Literally.Bring gifts that are cool and refreshing. One of the best host gifts is fruit.It travels well and unlike cake, won't become warm and gooey.Many supermarkets sell fruit trays with prettily cut melon, watermelon, strawberry and even pineapple.Some supermarkets such as Stop & Shop and The A&P also include a vanilla cream or yogurt dip.This is one of my favorites to bring to any warm weather backyard party.There is such a variety that everyone gets to have their favorite.The pieces are cut the same so they're perfect for kids to nibble on.I also bring cookies, usually just the plain butter kind for added oomph.Of course, even a small watermelon is welcome.It can be easily sliced and always refreshing after a spicy barbecue.If you're bent on bringing something homemade, then stick with easy crumbles or crisps.These are great way of taking advantage of summer harvests along with being easy to prepare and bake.Another idea is making a Jello no bake or an easy cream pie using instant pudding and ready made crusts.Make the pies the night before so they're perfectly chilled for the gathering. No one can go wrong with wine.or even champagne at a summer bash.Remember to pick one that goes with the main course, whether it be fancy or plain.Try a Merlot or a Pinot Noir if the fare being served is chicken or chops?for fish or shellfish gift your hosts with a nice Sparkling Chardonney.Sauvignon Blanc makes an excellent accompaniment For lighter fare such as lemon grilled chicken or vegetables.This white also is good with salads.Just a thought, the wine also depends on if there's a barbecue sauce on the meat too.Choose accordingly with this because the last thing you want is the wine warring with the sauce's sweetness or heat.Surprisingly even hot dogs can be paired with wine(although if you want ,some good ale or hard apple cider would maybe more appreciated)Even more startling Asti Spumente would be an excellent choice with wieners and even burgers.The bubbly sweetness plays off the unami flavors of the grilled food, sort of like the way Coke or Pepsi does.You could also try a Rose ,not only with these but with nachos and dip. Go chill with summer party gifts for your host.A fruit tray or a good bottle of iced wine is always a nice way of saying thank you for the invite.They're not too fussy , only simple and good ,the way a summer gathering is.

Passover:New And Traditional Foods

Passover is starting soon and with it the special recipes that have been handed down. The holiday is celebrated all over the wold and with that come international recipes.Cooks , well versed in the tradition can change It up a bit. Novice ones can fall back on the traditional but traditional with a twist.

Both Elaine Scolino and Melissa Clark touched on this yesterday in Wednesday's New York Times Dining section.Ms. Sciolino lives in Paris and creates a French styled seder for her husband (she is Sicilian and Catholic) Instead of the usual chicken fat or schmaltz she uses duck fat. The matzoh is  infused with orange and wine ,w hile the noodles are made from potato and egg. She is able to buy ground almonds because the French sell them in their marketplaces.. Here she makes ossobucco and a Sephardic Jew tradition rice (the Ashkenazis ban it completely from the Passover table.)If you;re not too much into tradition, you can try this as well.

Melissa Clark goes for the traditional by making use of Manishcwitz Wine, a jammy port like brew. The wine has been standard for generations here in the States. It is primarily used in haroseth , a loose paste  made with chopped apples, walnuts and cinnamon, She takes it  a step further with an endive salad with relatively the same ingredients. To this she adds the walnuts but coats them with a bath of egg white and cayenne mixed with the Manischewitz for bite and sweetness..

Passover seders have always relied on the traditional. However it's nice to experiment or add from other tables, It makes for an interesting meal , not to mention an interesting palate.

Marinade Season -Make The Best One For Your BBQ

Now that we're into the grilling season , it's time for good marinade recipes. Marinades are fun and easy to make . You can customize them to your tastes and make them four alarm spicy or tangy sweet.Marinades are one of the easiest barbecue recipes to make. They just require a dash of this and a pinch of that.


Any marinade starts off with liquid. This could be olive oil , juice, wine, honey or even vinegar.Then you can add what you want to it. For a zesty marinade, try any citrus juice including freshly squeezed grapefruit (or a cup of the store bought unsweetened). and some pepper flakes. For a more traditional one you can add some oil,vinegar, freshly picked and crushed rosemary . and oregano If you're looking for a traditional Southwest one, think about adding agave juice and some jalapenos with a touch of sugar to balance out the heat. Adding any fresh herbs or spices can turn a blah marinade into something wonderful. Experiment with different ones to give you the flavor that you most like

Sometimes it's the meat that demands a certain kind of marinade. Just plain lemon juice and oregano work on lamb while pork ribs call for something sweeter. Chicken and steak can be versatile. You can marinade them both with a traditional bath or try variations to make their flavor pop. Fish calls for a light marinade such as a lemon based one, possibly infused with thyme or dill. Anything too oily and it will create havoc with the meat's natural oiliness.

It's time to start creating amazing marinades. You can use time honored recipes or whip up your own creations. Either way they'll add zest and character to any barbecue.

Olives For The Picking

What would summertime be without the olive? This millenniums old staple is always a welcome guest at picnics and barbecues. It's perfect chopped in salad or just on it's own. Foodies know that there are several different kids of them.It isn't just black and green but many shades in between.

Everyone knows olives are ancient but do they know how ancient? Legend has it that the goddess Athena first brought the fruit to the city named after her, Athens. The real story is that olive trees were first planted in the Mediterranean basin about 6,000 years ago. The plants originally came from Syria, Palestine and Persia (present day Iran). It was reportedly the Minoans source of wealth and what made their empire one of the wealthiest in antiquity. Religions also picked up the olive using it and its' oil in rites and symbolism. There are olive trees in Jerusalem that were first planted when Christ was there. America first saw the plant when Franciscans brought it with them to California. Currently it is still the Mediterranean that produces 93% of olives. In the states it is California that gives North America its' olive crop.

There are many different kinds of lives. Most of us usually just stick with the basic pimento stuffed green ones or the pitted black. These are good but if you want one with really rich and intense flavor then buy the Greek kalamata ones. These have been treated and pickled in a red wine vinegar brine for 12 months as opposed to the regular olives that have been given a lye bath. These are an intense deep purple color . Greece also has given us the Halidiki olive which is a tangy and green. It's the perfect mate for creamy feta . Southern Italy also produces its' large share of olives. The two most notable are the small fruity Bitetto and the larger, more robust Cerignola. You can serve these with a well rounded antipasto of provolone , prosciutto and mortadella along with crusty loaves of Italian bread. For fun snacking try the Gaeta, a purplish brown extra salty olive that is just good eaten by itself. Olives also come from France's lush Provence region where the tender Nicoise olive is grown. This is used in salads and making pissalderie a type of olive pizza.There are also the jet black Nyons and the verdant crunchy Picholines. The last has a wonderfully fruity taste and is perfect served for the holidays. Spain, another huge producer has a wide variety too.Their Arbequinas is of the green variety, small and bitter, while the Manzanilla, a large green kind that are familiar in America. The North Africa country of Morocco also produces olives, Theirs is the Beldo and is a small type of olive used more in cooking and salads and mixes.

A summer party deserves olives. There are so many to choose from , from the tart and winy Kalamatas to the Beldi and Gaeta for outdoor Southern Italian style feasts. Don't just settle on the every day ones. Experience all the different types of this ancient, delicious fruit.

Organic Wines - Foodie Ambrosia

Here's a question - what does a foodie bring to a guest's house for dinner?

Organic wine, silly.

Having a pesticide free, all natural wine is a foodie's idea of the perfect drink. According to some it has a sweeter, purer taste with no lingering bitterness or funny "chemical" aftertaste, As with any other organic product it is truer in flavor than a regular wine would be.

What exactly is an "organic" wine? As per the USDA it's technically the grapes that are organic not the finished product. It also means that the fruit has been grown without using the conventional pesticides as well as petroleum and sewerage sludge based fertilizers, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. Basically it's how our ancestors grew their grapes. Early vintners only used manure from their farms and allowed all sorts of insects to live on the vines. Organic vineyards also have biodiversity meaning that other plants are allowed to grow alongside the grapes. Vintners allow weeds that are eventually pulled out by hand as to opposed to being eradicated by chemical based weed killers. Other methods may include letting armies of ladybugs and lacewings out on the vines to kills predator bugs, plants or fungus.

For you newbies looking at your first bottle , remember that the label may say one of three things: 100% organic, organic or made from organic grapes. The first signifies that the wine is indeed purely organic and that no sulfites have been added. Organic means that 95% of the final product is made from certified organic sources while having 5ppm (parts per million) of sulfites. If your wine claims to have been made from organic grapes then only 70% of it is organic. It also has sulfur dioxide added to it.

Where can you buy organic wines? Most big liquor stores today carry a full range but if you're still having trouble then search the web. There are several fine organic wine companies that produce everything form Cabernet to Champagnes. Organic wineries will also offer other fruit wines made with blueberries, strawberries or melons as their base. If you're new to the experience then I recommend sticking with the traditional wines you 're familiar with like dry whites and reds.

There's nothing like a wine that is organic. Some wines are good for you and having them made as they were centuries ago is even better. It's one more step towards a healthier and flavorful life style.