Vinobite.com: Take a bite out of wine.

Vinoculture: The art of sabering

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Legend has it that in Napolean's time, soldiers liked to take their Champagne to go. But rather than bother with twisting off the wire cage and popping the cork the old-fashioned way, they simply slashed the top of the bottle off with their swords, then drank right from the bottle while galloping into the sunset.

Obligatory warning: sabering is dangerous. Don't try this at home. But if you want to see details on how it's done, this slow-motion video is quite good:

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Hot Dish: Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks with Herb Dipping Sauce

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This simple, tasty recipe from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine features light, flaky tilapia baked in a light, crispy panko bread crumb coating. Panko areJapanese bread crumbs; they're light and super-crunchy and make everything from chicken to veggies taste a million times better. With the herb dipping sauce, these fish sticks are a great match with sparkling riesling.

I tried this dish! Rate it.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Wine Find: Pacific Rim 'White Flowers' Sparkling Riesling NV ($16)

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I'm a sparkling wine and a Riesling nut, so when I saw Pacific Rim's new sparling Riesling, I had to try it. It tastes like sweet and sour green apple Jolly Ranchers, without the creamy toastiness of Champagne or the earthiness of Cava or the complexity of great California sparkling wines. But the White Flowers Sparkling Riesling is definitely distinctive, interesting, and ultimately addictive.

Find it: This wine is nationally distributed. Call your wine store to see if they have it or

Buy online
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I’ve had this wine! Rate it 1-5 stars and hit the comments with your notes.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Freebie Friday: Etched Images Custom Wine Bottle

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This week's giveaway is really cool: Etched Images, a company in the Napa Valley, creates custom wine labels etched right into the wine bottle. I can think of a number of situations a custom-etched bottle would be perfect, from a very special marriage proposal to a company holiday gift.

Enter to win a handcrafted Etched Images bottle with an image of the Napa Valley--just leave a comment on the site with something you'd like to see etched into a wine bottle!

Read the contest rules (short version: one entry per person, must be 21 or older and have a U.S. mailing address, enter by midnight Eastern time the following Thursday).

Web find of the week: Swan Lake on wineglasses

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Go Vino: Barossa

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Wine tasting in the Barossa Valley by Tasmin Slater

If you find yourself in South Australia's Barossa Valley just north of Adelaide, stop by the Penfolds Winery for a free tasting and--if you have 65 Australian dollars, or approximately $60 U.S. bucks, you can go into the Winemaker's Laboratory to create your own blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, like Penfolds own Bin 138. You get to take your blend home in a personalized bottle--stay tuned for tomorrow's chance to win just the thing to get it back safely.

Been to the Barossa Valley? Leave a comment about your favorite winery there.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Vinoculture: Syrah/Shiraz Showdown

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Big(ger) Reds @ Coupe Space's Tasting Club by LexnGer

You say Syrah, I say Shiraz? They're the same grape, actually: Syrah comes from the Northern Rhone in France, and Shiraz is the Australian name. French Syrahs are typically more austere and meatier, while Aussie Shiraz is rich, bold, opulent, and sometimes a bit sweet. Elsewhere, the wine can be called either name, and it's not always easy to tell the style. I like them both, but my favorite is an in-between style that's both serious and a bit opulent, like many Syrahs from Washington state.

Have a preference for Syrah versus Shiraz? Dish in the comments!

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Hot Dish: Meat Lover's Pizza

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

20090505 @ Ziti's by Patricia W.

Syrah and Shiraz are traditionally good pairs with roasted meats and other hearty foods, but an inexpensive, screw-top wine like Boxhead calls for an equally casual dinner. Meat Lover's Pizza fits the bill--order in or make your own.

What are your favorite pizza toppings? Dish in the comments!

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Wine Find: Boxhead Shiraz 2008, South Australia ($9)

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Now that we've broken out the winter coats, it's nice to warm up with a big, bold, high-alcohol wine like Boxhead Shiraz from South Australia. It's a pretty typical inexpensive Aussie Shiraz, with jammy, dark berry flavors and a hint of sweetness underneath its brash weight, but the Boxhead stands out on the shelf with its pretty geometric label.

Find it: This wine is nationally distributed and easily available. Call your wine store to see if they have it or

Search wine stores around the U.S.
Compare prices

I’ve had this wine! Rate it 1-5 stars and hit the comments with your notes.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Freebie Friday: Wine Diaper

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

So the Wine Diaper sounds like something for soccer moms who imbibe too much, but it's actually for "pampering" your wine when you travel. It's an inexpensive, disposable bag that seals up the wine, so if it does break, your clothes don't get soaked.

Enter to win a set of two Wine Diapers--just leave a comment on the site with your go-to wine brand.

Read the contest rules (short version: one entry per person, must be 21 or older and have a U.S. mailing address, enter by midnight Eastern time the following Thursday).

Congratulations to Chrysa of Cambridge, MN, winner of the Food Tee.

Web find of the week: Red Wine Haiku

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Go Vino: Stellenbosch

vino@vinobite.com (Gretchen Roberts) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Beyerskloof Wine Farm

Stellenbosch, South Africa, is probably the country's best-known wine region where, according to the Stellenbosch Wine Routes website, they've been preparing for your visit for the past 320 years. Download the tasting route map.

Been to Stellenbosch? Leave a comment about your favorite winery there.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.