Size Matters - When It Comes To The Size Of Your Glass

There are so many different size wine glasses out there. From 120 mL to 750 mL, wine glasses vary in size as well as shape.  They also have different purposes. A larger wine glass is good for proper aeration of the wine which exposes it's aromas better and different style glasses compliment different grape varieties.

But did you know that the larger the wine glass, the more you drink?

A study that was conducted by the University of Cambridge and funded by the UK department of health said that when wine is served in a larger glass people drink it faster, therefore consuming more.

To test their theory, their experiment was conducted in a Cambridge pub for 16 weeks. They served wine in 370 mL and 252 mL glasses where it usually was served in 300 mL glasses. At the end of their experiment they found that about a tenth more wine had been consumed than with the standard glass size.

Surprisingly, they noted that while they increased the size of the glass, they didn't increase the amount of wine that was served, yet people still consumed more. Unsure of the reason for this, they speculate that it may be due to the change in perception people have toward the wine; therefore, they drink faster and order more.

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Sonoma County, California

Located in northern California, Sonoma County is the largest producer of California's Wine Country region. Sonoma was one of the original county's formed in 1850 when California became a state. In 2010 the county had a population of 483,878.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sonoma County consists of 1,576 square miles of land and 192 square miles of water, totaling 1,768 square miles. The county is located to the left of Napa County in the North Coast Ranges of northwestern California.

There were 256 wineries in the county in the 1920s; however, during the prohibition period, that number decreased to less than 50. With the increase in wine consumption in the late 1900s, Sonoma County now consists of over 425 wineries but the county has 60,302 acres of vineyards, with over 1100 growers. Sonoma County is known for wines such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot noir, Merlot and Zinfandel.

With all the wineries located in Sonoma County, it may be hard to choose which ones should be on your list to visit. Click here for reviews on some of the best wineries in Sonoma!

Napa County, California

Located in northern California, Napa County is known for its regional wine industry. One of the original counties of California, Napa was created in 1850 at the time of statehood and its population grew as entrepreneurs and pioneers moved to the area. With a 2010 population of 136,484, Napa County has really expanded.

Napa County has an area of 789 square miles consisting of 748 square miles of land and 40 square miles of water (according to the U.S. Census Bureau). It's located more East than Sonoma County and has a warmer summer climate which makes it favorable for wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Considered one of America's most viticulteral areas, Napa County has a history in wine that dates back to the early 19th century. The county consisted of over 140 wineries in the late 19th century and now has about 400 wineries with many of the original wineries still operating today. With grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and others, Napa is famous for it's popular flavors and has approximately 5 million visitors every year!

With all the wineries located in Napa County, it may be hard to choose which ones should be on your list to visit. Click here for reviews on some of the best wineries in Napa!

What Wines To Bring Where

When going to a party, whether it be a backyard barbecue or a three-course dinner party, it's rude to show up empty handed. One of the best, most appreciated gifts to bring is a bottle of wine. However, you're not going to bring the same wine to such different events. Here's the best wines to bring where:

The barbecue

Barbecues are usually casual, laid back, and easy going so bringing a wine that matches is a must. A wine that is fruity and light will pair great with a summery day and delicious barbecue foods like ribs, burgers, and salads. Some of these types of wines include:

• Napa Cellars Pinot Noir 2014

• Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2016

• Talbott Kali-Hart Pinot Noir 2014

The casual get-together

The casual get-together is the perfect occasion to bring a wine that is easy to drink and interesting without being expensive. A good choice would be wines such as:

• Scarpetta Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

• Nozzole Chianti Classico

• Yalumba Antique Tawny Port

The Holiday party

The Holidays are usually a time of celebration so bringing a sparkling wine would be a great option. Sparkling wine also pairs well with appetizers which are popular for Holiday parties. Some wonderful choices for sparkling wine include:

• Korbel NV Blanc de Noirs

• Loosen Bros. NV Dr. L Sparkling Riesling

• Hermann J. Wiemer 2006 Cuvée Brut

The dinner party

Dinner parties are generally more formal and require a wine to match. If you don't know what's being served for dinner, it's a good idea to bring a versatile wine such as:

• NV Sorelle Casa Secco Italian Bubbles Rosé

• 2009 Leo Steen Saini Farms Chenin Blanc

• 2007 Château de la Font du Loup Châteauneuf-du-Pape

New Wine Trends For The New Year!

The wine industry, like many other industries, is constantly growing and changing. Not only are new wines being introduced, but new trends are being introduced as well. Here are some wine trends that are projected to be very popular in 2017. 

General Growth - Now that they are of age to drink, about 28% of millennials drink wine on a daily basis, making them bigger wine drinkers than the baby boomer generation in 2016. However, like anything else that appeals to millennials, a catchy name or a visually appealing bottle is more popular with them than aged wine.

Natural Wines - Women of the millennial age are opting for more sustainable, organic wines which is making biodynamic and minimal intervention wines very popular lately. These "natural" wines are made from organic or biodynamic grapes through a process that does not effect the earth.

Bourbon Barrel Wine - Aged wine may not be as popular with millennials as it is with others, but daring wine drinkers may want to try bourbon barrel wine. This wine is aged in refurbished barrels that once held bourbon or whiskey. Since this creates a different aroma and flavor, it's popularity has sky-rocketed.

Drinking Out VS. Drinking In - Maybe it's due to the increased price, or the lack of variety, but drinking wine while out is on the decline, whereas buying wine by the bottle and drinking at home is becoming more common. This is consistent for beer sales as well.

Wine Slushies - Blending wine, fruit, and ice to create a slushy has been around for years but with everyone in DIY mode it has become a new fad. It's easy to find recipes online, but pretty soon we expect to see them in restaurants and bars.

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