What Youve Heard

This month we take in the Overberg region, mountains, country rivers and vast tracks of open space, a little west from Cape Town then onward onto the Garden Route culminating with a private wildlife reserve 80 kilometers inland from Port Elizabeth. As we strive to bring you updated and useful properties of exceptional added value and beauty, we close off this months reviews in the heart of our culinary & wine offerings, Franschhoek.

Colin compiled this seven night itinerary for a return English client traveling with her American travel companion Penny. Camilla has visited southern Africa five times through Centre Stage Travel over the last nine years and this time asked if Colin was able to accompany her along with Penny. In true “ yes “ style, Colin agreed on the basis of being the unofficial chauffeur and wine taster for dinner. Armed with a group B Budget hire car, loads of luggage, cordial banter and a warm African sun overhead, they set off.

Over to you Colin:

Cape Town is as much a cosmopolitan city as the majority worldwide. However once outside the city limits, passed Cape Town International airport heading east, the vista is transformed into regal mountains, world class roads and coastal beauty. Our route took on the coastal road through Gordons Bay, Pringle Bay passed the Harold Porter Botanical Reserve and onward for lunch at the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa. Positioned overlooking the largest inland lagoon in Africa and in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, it offers impeccable service, huge inviting lounge sofas combined with a vista and calm enhanced a lunch of beautifully presented rare roast beef sandwiches and percolated coffee.

Our destination this evening was Blue Gum Country Estate outside Stanford. Country style living, vast expanses of space and true country hospitality awaited our arrival. Andrew and his two Labradors Odi & Herbanna, fresh from their afternoon run across the vlei & local dam, greeted us with gusto. An excellent choice for either overnighting en route to the Garden Route or to use as a base for discovering the Overberg, Blue Gum Country Estate combines their surrounding elements so well. Mountain bikes are available & I did attempt this art of mobility but after 4 kilometers reverted to Hobson’s Choice.

Deep in the countryside, surrounded by 130 acres of wheat fields, vineyards and pastures – far from roads and highways – it’s hard to believe that we were close to 20 nature reserves and botanical gardens, 16 museums, 20 art shops and galleries, 24 beaches and over 100 restaurants.

We took pre dinner drinks with our hosts on their viewing deck and meandered into the dining room. Dinner was a lazy affair under the watchful eye of Renny & Cynthia our waitrons. In true country style, the portions were quite adequate, presentation quite superb and for our two clients, our wine selection was well received. As we went our separate ways, the night sky was alive with constellations, shooting stars amidst our better known stars.

Moving further along the N2, we traveled close to Mossel Bay, drove passed the historical and golf famous George to our next stop over at Point Lodge in the heart of our Garden Route, Knysna. Ryk & Amanda have owned & run this well positioned bed & breakfast for eight years now. On the lagoon overlooking the Knysna Heads and only two kilometers for the town centre, their inimitable style of hospitality is well recognised through their many repeat clients from around the globe. The weather was being a little hard on us with a grey canopy overhead and strong winds, we however toured the town centre taking in some of the eclectic art shops along the main street.

The following day saw our African sun back with a vengeance. Penny & I decided to take a paddle cruise plying the lagoon offering great views of the Knysna Heads. Our captain today was none other than Mr. Knysna, William Smith. We chatted about some of the major developments coming through to Knysna and how the recent floods had effected the planning phases for property owners. The Paddle Cruiser caters for cruises on the lagoon as well as a great dinner venue. In fact Knysna has a very divergent offering to dinner goers. Along the Waterfront and Thesen’s Island is an array of restaurants, cafes and eateries. Knysna is an excellent base from which to view some of the places of interest.

Onward now to the aptly named city of Port Elizabeth or to use today’s correct name, Nelson Mandela Bay. This stop over was used to facilitate a coming together of family friends who are based here. Our accommodation was The Protea Hotel Edward in the centre of this bustling metropolitan city. She has seen better days and the general condition of the surrounding residential properties was in line with the overall degradation of the area. We would not recommend this hotel for a number of practical reasons.

Over dinner with friends, we talked about the following three days to be spent at Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve. An African wildlife experience is very dependent on the ranger & tracker allocated to guests. Spending up to eight hours each day in their company, it is of paramount importance for these good folks to have the interpersonal, experience and knowledge skills to share Mother Nature with their guests.

We drove out from Port Elizabeth on excellent roads heading inland towards Graff Reinet. The scenery changed from industrial car assembly plants to much greener plants, trees and undulating mountains. One of the distinct advantages to staying at Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve is the close proximity to their access tarred road. Visiting other game lodges can require long distances of gravel roads of varying condition. This visit for Penny was to be her highlight of her first trip to Africa, for Camilla simply an extension to many other quality lodges she has visited in South Africa & Zimbabwe. We arrived at Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve to be greeted in the reception parking with a welcoming committee. Such a warm touch to be greeted by management and staff on entry.

With only seven luxuriously appointed chalets, each featuring all one would expect from a first rate property, our stay at Baauwbosch was destined to be a load of fun, educational and inspirational. We took lunch on the patio overlooking a vista of sheer magic. Distant mountains shimmering in the heat with an open valley in between. A simple lunch but beautifully presented with the staff making sure we received their full attention. An afternoon siesta is mandatory on safari. One of the key elements to taking in Mother Nature in the Eastern Cape is the fact that it is a malaria free area. It would remiss of me not to mention the topography at Blaauwbosch. Stark rocky mountains, deep walled valleys, open plains, dry river beds are all to be found here. Somewhat unique in my experience and made for some excellent driving by our ranger Siphwo who has been at Blaauwbosch since its inception some six years ago.

After an excellent afternoon tea of sweet and savory treats it was time to track wildlife. Imagine if you would a hot African afternoon moving into a cooler evening, shadows stretching longer, it is time for drinking, finding a place of shelter and for the predators, time to stretch their muscles for activities to come…… We saw a varied amount of large & small game on our first outing and as we gently fell under the spell of silence, smell and solitude, we spotted them ! A female cheetah and her five young cubs! So special! She was completely relaxed with our presence not more than 80 meters away. Her brood ever inquisitive, acknowledged our presence, eventually reverting to their playful antics as if we did not exist. There are three females here, two with five cubs each and the third one a little chasten by the other females. Two male cheetahs were killed by the lions some time ago. This is normal in the perennial fight for space and dominance between the predator species.

Over the next three days we experienced lion sightings, elephants up close a remarkable scenario of a wet & bedraggled male white rhino seeking out his mate and a myriad of antelope species from kudu across to the smaller duiker. Penny and Camilla felt that their experience was optimal as I am sure the majority of first time visitors would. I however felt that Siphwo could have shared more of his knowledge on the flora ( flowers, plant life, trees ), topography and general information on the importance of the Karoo with his guests. There was a great deal of time where animal sightings were sparse and this transfer of knowledge would have been well received and would have brought greater understanding of the importance of balance between Mother Nature & mankind.

Our meals and co guest interaction were excellent. Our hosts had with sensitivity, facilitated tables together to match the vehicle complement. This allowed for stimulating dialogue over dinner and opened up a key part of human interaction, sharing our life’s experience. On our second evening, we all sat around an open fire in their boma ( circular structure to offer protection from the elements and wild animals ). We absorbed the moment, drank in the night sky and for a few hours under a canopy of jet black velvet festooned with talking “ eyes “ we communed. Nothing of great significance was said, no, this is the beauty of Africa, it is not us humans that make the experience so meaningful, it is the serenity, largesse of unity and simply order that is to be found in our land, our sky and in her purpose.

We all flew back to Cape Town from a delightfully efficient and pretty Port Elizabeth airport. For my charges, it was time to close off this visit in Franschhoek. So named after being the “ French Quarters “ for the Huguenots, this village oozes charm, has more restaurants than churches and for the foodie in all of us, takes pole position. Our choice of accommodation is The Franschhoek. Part of the family run and managed The Last Word group of exquisite boutique styled retreats positioned at strategic venues throughout the Cape region. Our choice of The Franschhoek is based on the exclusivity of the property, close proximity of excellent restaurants and the centre of the Franschhoek village. Our host Sam effused a typical African welcome, took the ladies off to their room as I sat by the pool taking in the late afternoon rays along with a glass of excellent Sauvignon Blanc.

There is something a little different to be found within The Last Word properties. It may be the relaxed ambience, it could also be the quality and purpose of their furnishings, it is definitely their aim to be the best possible hosts though. This along with their extensive knowledge of all things local, ability to chauffeur their guests to local places of interest and provide the exclusivity we strive to offer our clients made these last few days a culmination of experiences, emotions and adventures for both Camilla & Penny.

For those of you who have yet to experience an African safari, start planning now. Claire & I grow in our experiences in order to share these with you. Whether you come with family, friends or as a group, its time to come and share our Africa.

The first POS systems appeared in the latter parts of the 1800s. In1870, James Ritty was fed up with his dishonest employees who pocked cash instead of depositing it with the OH Saloon in Dayton. So, he started to search for ways to automate the cash registry of the Saloon what specialized in pure Whiskies, Wines and Cigars.

It was during a trip that Ritty took on a ship when he got the idea of an automated mechanical cash register. He, being technical minded himself, was quick to catch the technique that the ships maintenance staff used to keep track of the number of revolutions the ship's propeller for maintenance work. When James returned of Dayton he teamed up with his brother John and got to work making the first automated mechanical cash register that recorded transactions at the saloon. They called this patented device the 'Ritty's Incorruptible Cashier".

This first cash register allowed a clerk to calculate the transaction and return the correct amount of change to the customer. The mechanical cash register had a cash draw that opened each time a transaction was negotiated to allow the clerk to make changes to the deposit by putting in cash and taking out the correct change before the draw was closed. It was mandatory for the draw to open and close before the next transaction could be carried out.

The cash register allowed the streamlining of the accounts to be maintained. These were the basic mechanical cash registers and nothing much changed for a very long time. Then the electronic cash registers come in frontier.

The mechanical cash registers had many drawbacks. For example, they could not maintain a record of the inventory in the store. If an item was sold the item would have to be manually removed from the inventory. Cashiers had to manually type in the amount. This was not the case with the electronic cash register that was fully automatic and allowed for streamlining of the checkout system.

Electronic cash registers had an additional tool called the "bar code scanner". The product just had to be passed over the barcode reader and the cash register would automatically calculate the amount and add it to the bill. There was little need for typing in the amount of the item being sold. One more action the electronic cash register carried out was to automatically delete the item sold from the inventory. This reduced a lot of work for the staff on the shop floor and thus saves time.

The cash register has come a long way in history from the time it was invented. From the simple mechanical cash register to the today's complex networked computerized electronic cash register, the cash register obviously does a lot more than just manage cash.

Today's point of sale systems are faster, safer,  more secure, and more reliable than their ancestors, and allow retailers to operate every aspects of their business with a single, integrated point of sale system.

Giving gifts to your loyal customers simply means giving back the blessings they have contributed to make your business successful. Choosing the best customers gifts is a great way to motivate customers to continue patronizing your company. There are thousands of gifts ideas to make the best customers gift. Here are some of those gift choices to choose from:

Personalized Hourglass Sand Timer. A perfect customer's gift with classic sensibilities, this lovely Personalized Hourglass Sand Timer is a stunning thank you gifts to your business patrons. This gorgeous hourglass sand timer handsomely accentuates a traditionally furnished office, adding old world charm with contemporary appeal. This classic hourglass sand timer can also make a sophisticated gift to  commemorate a promotion or a retirement. A business colleague will treasure this beautiful, decorative sand timer, displaying it in an office or at home with pride as well.

Personalized Leather Mini Jewelry Case. For a customer who looks her best wherever she goes, the perfect gift is our Personalized Leather Mini Jewelry Case! In supple genuine leather, this travel jewelry bag is a charming business gift...a truly stylish way to show your appreciation.

Personalized Leather Wine Case. Give thanks to your loyal customer with a special bottle of wine and a gift of our Personalized Leather Wine Case!

This elegant wine tote is a great way to savor a prized bottle. A lovely gift also for colleagues...or clients...this personalized wine case is an enduring way to show your appreciation. Made of genuine leather, this travel wine case is lined in suede and boasts a corkscrew and a bottle opener. A matching leather hang tag can be personalized with a name or initials. This attractive wine case is available in Black, Burgundy, Coco or Tan.

Personalized Cigar Case with Lighter & Cigar Cutter Set. Have a loyal customer who enjoys a fine cigar on a night out? A gift of our Personalized Travel Cigar Case is perfect gift any kind of occasion! Surprisingly affordable, this engraved cigar case makes a fantastic gift for the cigar aficionado who has been patronizing your products.

Silver Frame with Border. A thoughtful way of saying thank you and showing appreciation to your loyal customer, this sleek, silver frame is a great gift your customer will surely treasure. This classy gift is a wonderful desk accessory that will look lovely adorning his desk and displaying his favorite family photo. Have this gift engraved with a congratulatory message for a personal gift that your associate will treasure.

Personalized Cigar Humidor. Impress a customer by giving him this exquisite and whimsical cigar humidor, personalized with his name and an artistically-rendered pub-themed design, chosen specifically to match his interests! These fully-functional humidors make wonderful gifts for anyone who loves a good cigar, commemorating an achievement, a retirement...or for a birthday or the holidays!

These are only few of gift ideas you may consider to give to loyal customers. You may also give other great gifts such as personalized pocket watches, jewelry gift boxes, engraved pens and many more.

It's cold outside, buyers aren't motivated do anything but sit by the fireplace and sip hot chocolate, and your properties are just sitting there on the market. What to do? How to move those listings? Here are three ideas to get people in your office, and considering buying one of your listings.

Winter Sales Idea 1: Make Your Office Holiday Party Public!

Do you really want to have a party with just the people in your office that you see everyday anyway? Forget the usual drab office party and throw a massive party open to the public, with free wine and egg nog, maybe a little live holiday music, some hors d'oevres, and the local forth grade class's holiday artwork (that will at least bring their parents).

And all that is fun, and will get people in the door, but once they're there, get them excited about the idea of buying a new house for the new year! Everyone dreams of a more luxurious house, a better neighborhood, more yard space, or more bedrooms. You don't have to stand up and make a speech pushing your listings, keep it subtle and simply put information about your listings in visible places around the office. Instead, try to engage people by talking about their goals for the new year, their new year resolutions, what kinds of schools they want their kids to attend, etc. Open the door for them to imagine, to dream, and once their minds are open they'll actually notice the listings and start paying attention.

A final note: have everyone there sign up for your mailing list.

Winter Sales Idea 2: Host a Free Personal Finance Course Open to Everyone

Personal finance is on everyone's minds these days, with the economy in turmoil, debts at all time highs, and the unemployment rate disturbingly high. In short, people aren't buying houses because they're nervous about money, so turn that disadvantage around by tackling it head-on.

You can talk about everything from downsizing to a more affordable home, to ways to improve credit, to monthly savings tips, to tax strategies associated with real estate, to low mortgage programs, to helping with monthly finance budgets. The list is endless, and all of it lends itself to a conversation about real estate. Another discussion point can include the possibility of signing a rental agreement on homeowners' existing homes, instead of trying to sell; have a discussion about the risks and benefits of renting versus selling, and remember to bring up plenty of examples of homes you're currently listing.

Winter Sales Idea 3: Get Creative with a Public Forum

People like getting dressed up and having an opportunity to show off their predictions for the future, it makes them feel sophisticated. Consider a social forum; for example you could host a party called "Brews 'n Clues," with craft microbrew beer provided by the boutique brewery down the street, and host a public discussion about projections for real estate values in the next five years. Everyone loves supporting local businesses, everyone loves beers, everyone loves pontificating their opinions, and you can address head-on the community's concerns that real estate values won't improve.

Bring plenty of stats, facts, tax strategies, and other compelling arguments, and prove to the community just how compelling an investment real estate really is!

The trick with all of these strategies is to simply get bodies in the door, and to initiate a dialogue with them to open their mind to the possibility of a new abode in the new year. Get them excited, get them dreaming, help them with their finances, and open their minds to the fun and exciting prospect of a new home!

If you are obliged to attend a special event but unsure about the kind of gift to buy for the guest or guests of honour, then consider buying them a piece of beautiful glass. While glass may seem impersonal there are plenty of ways that glass gifts can be personalised to give them that special touch and make them more meaningful. Everyone appreciates a beautiful piece of glassware and adding that personal touch by engraving it with a message will ensure that it is greatly appreciated by the recipient.

Giving glass as a gift is ideal for any number of occasions and can be selected to suit either men or women. A main benefit to glass items is that they are relatively inexpensive; price is dependant on the quality and detail of the particular piece. If you decide to purchase an item from a reputable supplier you will often find that any engraving is free and it will be delivered in a beautiful presentation box.

It is common knowledge that deciding on a gift for a wedding can be a difficult decision to make. This is especially true if you don’t know the bride or groom particularly well but don’t want to turn up empty handed. On such an occasion a glass gift can be the perfect choice as it is a gift that will be valued as well as look good. It is much easier to buy presents for a bride and groom you know very well and choosing something tasteful, such as engraved champagne flutes, will be appreciated and accepted with much praise. Or if you know they like fine wine then how about giving them something to suit their tastes, a stunning set of engraved wine glasses, for instance?

There is an incredible range of glassware available these days, and adding beautifully inscripted engravings will give that special personal touch. Many people when considering glass as a gift will think their choices are limited to glasses and goblets, however investigate further and you will soon realize that the possibilities are endless.

Giving a unique glass gifts for a wedding event can be extended to all members of the wedding party. Individual paperweights to those in the bridal party, or stylish wine glasses for the women and glass tankards for the males attending. Everyone gets something different and personal when it is engraved with a message of your choice.

For other events, including birthdays and christenings, glassware also has a wide range of options to choose from. If you have been invited to a retirement function and know the favourite beverage of the person, then a glass item in the form of a tankard or elegant wine glass can be deeply appreciated.

Many glass items have been designed using a mixture of glass and metals. Silver stemmed wine or Champagne glassesprovide a unique touch and also make wonderful gifts for a whole host of occasions.

Many of you will have received coffee mugs or similar from businesses, given as special celebratory gifts, there are glass options available for such occasions. Paperweights can be engraved with photographs as well as text which make them an impressive corporate gift and one that won’t be forgotten in a hurry. If you are looking for a special gift to give valued clients or employees then engraved glass decanters are ideal to help celebrate a company milestone.

Glass making itself, as well as decorating and engraving techniques, has been around for centuries. Previously, the engraving process involved cutting and grinding methods, however with advances made in technology practically anything you choose can now be added to glass products, even photographs can be easily etched onto glassware.

A beautiful set of engraved wine glasses can make a great gift for all kinds of occasions. Next time you are stressing out about what to buy someone as a gift, check out the glass gift options available. Search online to find great items that are reasonably priced and watch out for offers of free engraving and beautiful gift boxes.

There's no shortage of fine art paintings for sale today, but narrowing down the choices and deciding what represents your personal sense of style can be difficult. Pino and Cao Yong paintings, for example, include numerous pieces that many fine art collectors would love to have in their collection. Every art lover is different, though, and since tastes are so subjective there is no way of knowing whether a particular artist is a good choice for your collection unless you really get a feel for their work. Pino art prints are very popular for their beautiful and romantic visions, often of the female form in all its glory. The artist simply called Pino, whose full name is Pino Daeni, has studied art all over the world including the Art Institute in Bari, the Academy of Brera in Milan, and throughout the United States. He has been a part of the art scene since the 1960s, when he became passionate about painting nudes and also came under the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites and Macchiaioli before experimenting with Expressionism. Since leaving Italy to work in the United States, Pino has been responsible for numerous gallery exhibitions and also does private sittings. Cao Yong paintings are a fine example of an artist working within the fine art painting medium. This Chinese-born painter starting training at age 11 and eventually earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Henan University and a position as assistant professor of Art at the University of Tibet. This was where he developed his appreciation for the spare beauty of remote and isolated land, as well as a great understanding of natural, human, secular and spiritual worlds. He is especially fond of images of city squares and manmade marvels colliding with natural wonders that capture the soul. Cao Yong and Pino art prints or painting are just a couple examples of the multitude of fine art for sale today. Whether it's wine art prints, personalized paintings or any other type of art that you prefer, it is important to figure out what your tastes are. Then you will always know what to look for in the fine art painting for sale today.

Perfect Pairings

As Published in the Naperville Sun, Beacon News, Courier News, & Herald News

Summer sure has arrived. It's hot and humid here and other parts of the country are suffering from 100-plus degree temperatures. This time of year we need to slow down and be careful. We should monitor the amount of sun exposure, stay hydrated and eat lighter.
This column explores favorite summer wines and pairs them with light meals. Whether the menu is for a family meal or entertaining, lighter food and beverage is sure to please during these hot summer days.

Lighter style wines

White wines are generally enjoyed in the warmer months, as they are a light, refreshing beverage. Wines that are lower in alcohol and have good acidity are ideal. The acidity helps cleanse your palate and provides a mouth-watering experience that stimulates your thirst and appetite. The challenge is to find summer wines that are satisfying with ripe fruit. The global market has introduced many new wines to try, which is both fun and a goal of this column. When thinking of white wines that are light summer sippers and also pair well with food, a number come to mind, including: Pacific Northwest Rieslings and Pinot Blancs, Italian Pinot Grigio and Soaves, Argentinean Torrontes, Chilean Sauvignon Blancs, South African Chenin Blancs and French Muscadet and Sancerre. While some summer sippers are popular, they are not food friendly. An example of this would be some New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, as they tend to be overly citrusy and make pairing with food difficult.

Lighter fare

At the beginning of each summer, we clean up our grills and get ready for some serious backyard barbecue. Memorial Day, Father's Day and July 4th weekends are all holidays where we grill steaks, bratwurst and ribs. These bold, spicy meals are often paired with big red wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandels.
Now that the summer heat is on, many folks turn to grilling lighter fare like fish and chicken. The wines that pair best are the lighter styles, like Pinot Noir (red) and Pinot Gris (white) with salmon or Pinot Grigio and Torrontes with chicken. The French love to pair Muscadet with shellfish.

Something my wife and I like to do during the hot summer months is to add meat to a side salad and transform the dish into our entrée. An easy example is to add grilled chicken or shrimp to a leafy green salad.

A favorite green salad base can include red and green leaf lettuce and add any number of ingredients such as strawberry slices, mandarin orange sections, toasted slivered almonds, blue cheese crumbles and shaved shallots. Fresh orange and white balsamic vinaigrette enhances this salad and its toppings.

Summer Citrus Vinaigrette

¼ cup Chopped Onions

2 Cloves Garlic

¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

¼ Cup Vegetable Oil

4 Each Juice from Four Freshly Squeezed Whole Oranges

¼ Cup Sugar

2 tsp Dijon Mustard

¼ Cup White Balsamic Vinegar

Salt & Pepper to taste

In your blender, add the onion, garlic, orange juice, sugar, Dijon mustard, Balsamic vinegar and blend. Slowly add both oils. Once emulsified, salt and pepper to taste.To create a simple pasta salad entrée, take a pasta side salad with a creamy base dressing and add some grilled salmon, gently flaked with a fork. This is a wonderful way to use leftover grilled salmon. A favorite pasta salad includes lemon, dill, onions, cherry tomatoes and peas. Here's a quick and easy recipe.

Dilled Pasta Salad with Grilled Salmon or Shrimp (optional)

Serves Four
6 Cups Cooked Pasta

2 Tbsp Fresh Dill

2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice

¼ Cup Green Peas, cooked

¼ Cup Chopped Red Onions

10 Ea Cherry Tomatoes, quartered

½ Cup Mayonnaise, light or regular

½ Cup Sour Cream, light or regular

Salt & Pepper to taste

8 Oz Flaked Grilled Salmon or Shrimp (optional)

Add all ingredients except salmon or shrimp in a bowl and toss. Gently fold in salmon or shrimp. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Bill's Summer White Wine Picks(with suggested retail prices)

Green lettuce salad with chicken

• Argentinean Crios Torrontes: floral, tropical aromas (90 pts. R. Parker $11

• Italian Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio: light, straightforward (87 pts. R. Parker) $12

• Chilean Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc: appealing, uncomplicated (NR) $10

Pasta salad with salmon or shrimp

• French Pepiere Muscadet: dry, acidic, great value (89 pts. R. Parker) $11

• Oregon A to Z Pinot Gris: Pinot Noir influences, always good (87 pts. R. Parker) $12

• Italian Tamellini Soave: terrific wine, great balance & finish (89 pts. R. Parker) $13

Wine of the Month

2008 Domaine de la Pepiere MuscadetSuggested retail price: $11

In honor of Bastille Day, I have selected a French wine to feature. French Muscadets offer a terrific value and are a perfect light summer wine. This dry and acidic wine is popular in Europe with shellfish, particularly oysters. Robert Parker gives the 2008 vintage 89 pts. and says it is irresistibly refreshing, and has a fresh lime aroma with green apples and raw almond notes.

For millions of people a cup of coffee in the morning is the spark plug to get them started and able to face the battles they may encounter during the day. There are several different types of coffee one can choose from in order to suit their specific tastes. In addition, there are numerous different ways to prepare your coffee as well. You can either go to your local coffee shop or you can make your own cup of coffee at home. Most individuals brew their coffee with just an ordinary electronic coffee maker. However, there are better ways to make a good cup of coffee without spending big dollars on an extravagant cappuccino maker or something else equally expensive that are difficult to master and keep in good working condition. These expensive machines become outdated requiring you to purchase a new one every couple of years. The French press was invented over a hundred years ago. It has received a few improvements over the years but remains relatively the same today.

One of the best ways to prepare coffee is by using a French press coffee maker. A French press coffee maker is perfectly named for what it does. The basic operation of how it functions goes like this: You add your coffee grinds into the pot and then you add the boiling water. You then you are ready to begin applying the pressure on the plunging type tool which presses down on the coffee, filtering out the grinds with the screen on the plunging tool and brewing up a tasty cup of wonderful coffee. It really is that easy. You might be wondering what the benefit of a French press coffee maker, so let me tell you. French press coffee makers produce a stronger cup of coffee then would your traditional electric coffee maker. This is great for those who like their coffee full of that robust coffee flavor. It is recommended that you drink your cup of coffee right away, while it is still piping hot, to get the best results.

Coffee to most people is as routine as brushing your teeth in the morning. When using a French press coffee maker, you save quite a bit of time because it does not require the time it takes an electric coffee maker to brew a fresh pot. Because it does not require electricity, you can take it with you anywhere you go and prepare a fresh cup of coffee wherever you are. Even when you are camping in the wilderness you can have a rich and robust cup of coffee freshly pressed. While in west Africa recently, far from the comforts of home, we were able to have coffee prepared in a French press. This made the trip bearable and mornings there worth jumping out of bed. Coffee is the fuel for countless people. If you are one of these coffee addicts and like a full flavored type coffee, consider a French press coffee maker and see taste the difference. Once you try it, you will be a French press convert.

A review about the best resveratrol supplements available

Best resveratrol supplements

resveratrol has been storming in to the world of science and media recently because of the benefits scientists have discovered while consuming it. It was originally hauled out of red grapes, which was perhaps a reason for the good health and young looking wine drinkers within the Mediterranean region. Resveratrol is also extracted from a Chinese plant via polygonum cuspidatum - and it balances the naturally active components. Supplements which use resveratrol contain potent antioxidants which help prevent and even reduce the creation of free radicals. Partly because red grapes are used for producing red wine - red wine concurrently contains the same compounds. Considering the best resveratrol supplements, we'd come across many. Some of the best include: BioForte, Natural, Resvinex 500, Source Naturals, etc.

List of Best resveratrol supplements

1.BioForte

amongst the best resveratrol supplements, BioForte ranks amongst the leaders. The supplement has attributes which provide anti aging, cardio health, anti cancer as well as energy boosting capabilities. BioForte contains about 250 mg of trans- resveratrol - with other ingredients including polydatin, emodin, resveratrol glucosides, etc. The supplement has no synthetically manufactured ingredients, therefore it is 100% bio-enhanced. Because the BioForte capsules do not contain any titanium oxide, they become very appropriate for vegetarians.

2. REZVDAILY

Rezvdaily also contains anti aging properties, in fact it helps boost your energy levels too. The included ingredients in the supplement consist of added Apple cider Vinegar which helps the body in regulating blood pressure efficiently. Kelp, which lowers down your cholesterol levels and Acai - extracted from omega oils, they help reduce your weight.

Other basic properties include:

1.Boosting energy.

2. Anti aging.

3. Protects you from bacteria and parasites.

4. Claims to flatten your stomach

5. Creates healthy circulation for your blood pressure.

3. PureRezVo

This product is comparatively new in the market as far as resveratrol supplements are concerned. But user experiences and studies are giving positive feedback to the product. There have been a few stories regarding weight loss as much as 10 pounds within a week, growing up to 30 pounds in a few months. With a lot of positive feedback, the Purerezvo is fast ranking amongst the best resveratrol supplements. They also offer a free sample if you want to try it.

It's basic properties include:

1. Weight loss

2. Anti aging

3. They claim life extension (by healthier means).

4. The product also boosts energy levels.

Although these may rank amongst the best resveratrol supplements, you may like to browse across the internet for additional information - so you could make your own educated decision.

Click Here To Find The Best Resveratrol Supplements

Best resveratrol supplements

Pinot Grigio grapes and Roussanne grapes are two of the most common grape varieties used to produce white wines.  Over the past three decades, white wines have achieved outstanding developments and were able to match the quality and personality of fine red wines.  Among different grape varieties, Roussanne is highly favored by wine connoisseurs because of its vibrant taste and flavors.  However, you can not discount the value of Pinot Grigio which is considered by many as a wine that has its roots in the classical middle ages.

Roussanne grapes produce complex white wines.  Most people can not describe the sensations they experience when drinking a fine bottled Roussanne.  This wine has a tricky personality.  It gives rich minerality and acidity and possesses a broad range of subdued fruity flavors.  In other words, Roussanne grapes have everything you want from a white wine.  The overwhelming sense of flavors will make it difficult for you to pin down the right taste to describe a vintage Roussanne.  Unfortunately, such quality may not be suitable for some people who love wines that have distinct flavor structure.  But for most wine experts, the vivacious personality of a Roussanne makes this white wine very attractive and compelling.

Roussanne grapes have the ability to age for very long periods.  In some instances, you can hold on to your Roussanne for as long as thirty years so you can be rewarded with a honey flavored white wine that has superior viscosity.  This unique trait will make a Roussanne white wine at par with vintage fine champagne.  Of course, not everyone would be keen in waiting for thirty years to enjoy a bottle of exquisite vintage wine.  There are so many bottled brands today especially those coming directly from France that will give you the grand taste of vintage Roussanne.  This type of white wine is perfect with seafood dishes, oysters, grilled fruits, and lighter meat.

Pinot Grigio grapes have a different story.  Some connoisseurs and experts often have a low regard for Pinot Grigio wine.  This is due to the fact that Pinot Grigio grapes are used to produce mass-marketed white wines.  However, you have to take note that a Pinot Grigio, especially those originating from Alsace France, could age well and possesses an exquisite and complex vintage taste.  Pinot Grigio grapes have higher sugar content so the fermented finished products may have a distinct sweet flavor with high levels of alcohol.  This type of white wine has a floral and sometimes fruity aroma.  For varieties grown in the vineyards of California, the wine could have a slight spicy flavor with crisp taste and lighter body.

Pinot Grigio and Roussanne are best for white meats such as chicken, turkey, and other poultry.  They are also perfect for white meat fish, salmon, shrimp, oysters, and other sea foods.  Just remember that white wines may not go well with spicy and heavily flavored foods.  To get the most delightful result, make sure that the flavor of the main course will not overpower the sweet and fruity taste of Pinot Grigio and Roussanne white wines.

Packing and marking is an essential part of delivering goods from one place to another. It’s of great importance to pack and mark your goods proper way to have them in the right conditions in the right place.

Packing goods for export is a highly specialized job. If the goods are improper packed and marked, the carrier will refuse to accept them, or will make qualifications about the unsatisfactory condition of packing in the Bill of Lading.

Packing can be:

-                           external (crate, bag)

-                           internal (box, packet, flask, etc.) – in which the goods are sold.

In case of consumer goods packing has a double function:

-                           protection

-                           advertising of a product (to attract customers)

The main conditions of the packing usually mentioned in contract are the follows:

The equipment and spare parts are to be shipped in export sea packing meeting the requirement of each particular type of equipment. The packing is to secure full safety of the goods from any kinds of damage and corrosion during transportation by sea, rail way and combined transport. The packing shall be suitable for loading by crane, by autocrats, by tracks or manually. The seller shall be responsible for any damage to or breakage of the goods that may be caused by poor packing or for corrosion which may appear due to improper or insufficient coating.

Marking should be in indelible paint with recognized kind of marks. Often there are instructions to the crane driver: e.g. use no hooks, stow away from boilers, fragile, this way up. The shipping marks are important for loading because the cargo, which is going to be unloaded in the last port of call, has to be loaded first and vice versa.

The main conditions of the marking usually mentioned in contract are the follows:

The cases in which the equipment is packed are to be marked on three sides: on the top of the case and two non-opposite sides. The marking shall be clearly made with indelible paint in English and language of origin All cases which need special handling must have an additional marking (handle with care, top, do not turn over) as well as other indications if specific handling of a particular case is required.

Usually, when we talk of packaging, we mean the wrapping of products for display in shops such as packets of biscuits, boxes of matches and jars of jam. The term packing refers to larger quantities packed for transport such as tea chest, crates of machinery and barrels of wine.

Nowadays more and more goods in foreign trade are carried in large containers. But there are still many ports and ships, which use the old kind of packing. That means that goods are packed separately (break-bulk) and not in bulk quantities.

Inspite the fact of the automatization being so advantageous, old stile loading is still often used. Many goods ‘re palletized .. The sacks or cartons ‘re stacked on pallets which ‘re than lifted by crane or folk-lift trucks.

I also can’t but mention the way the Exporter calculates the freight costs. The price of sending goods by sea, the freight charges, is measured either by volume or weight. If the goods ‘re made by heavy materials the freight is calculated according to weight, if the goods are made of light – according to volume. The measurement ton for sea freight is 40 cubic feet (over 1 cubic metre). If one ton of the goods takes up less space than 40 cubic feet the freight is charged according to the weight, if more – according to volume. When u export goods & want to know the cost of freight, u need to know the stowage factor of the goods. The stowage factor is the weight of 40 cubic feet of the goods.

Big ports have changed completely in the last twenty years.  Docks and  ships look quite different nowadays.  Instead of  forests of tall thin cranes lifting pallets,  we see  a few  huge heavily built transporter cranes lifting big  steel boxes. Instead of  hundreds of  stevedores working in the  holds and   on the  quayside we see  no  men at  all;  we just  see  huge machines .  Instead of long warehouses at  the dockside,  we  see open spaces with stacks of boxes. Lines of goods trains with the same boxes  stand nearby.  The ships  themselves look like  huge steel tanks  with lots of smaller tans  stacked in them.

The capital cost  of containerizing ports is enormous. So the majority of ports  still  use  traditional  methods.

Containers are  steel  boxes  of different sizes  but usually 8 by 8 by 20 or 40  feet (2.4 by 5.9 or.12 metres). This size is  limited by the width of roads. But  all  containers are same  width and  height. This  is a revolution in transport.  The advantages are:

Handling at docks can be done mostly   by machines. Ships specially designed can receive the containers.

Very few  stevedores are needed.  A traditional  ship took one hundred  men,  three to four weeks to  unload.  A container ship of the same size  takes twelve to fifteen men,  three to four days.

Unloading and  loading a container ship is  very fast. Fewer ships can deliver goods more quickly.

Packing can be done  in  suppliers’  factories. Containers  needn’t  be  opened  except  for  Customs inspection until  they reach the customers.

Warehouses are unnecessary.  Containers  are  waterproof and  can  be  stacked  by   straddle  carriers   outside in  the  rain.

During Ro/ro transportation, containers can be handled in two ways: can be off-loaded from lorries belonging to traders onto slave trailers & parked to speed handling operations. Containers can also be double-stacked & than towed on board; or they can be stacked in the marshalling areas & carried on board by folk-lift trucks. Trailers too can be parked in the marshalling areas & then towered on board temperature controlled trailers can be connected to the electrical plant in the ship. Small-unit containers are pre-loaded onto slave-trailers & protected by tarpaulins if necessary these can be folk-lifted on board. Wheeled or self propelled  cargo such as cars, can be driven on board & stowed in the lower hold.

Ro/ro ships have lifts to take containers to upper & lower decks& can often carry as many as 3 hundred containers & a hundred 30 foot trailers.

One doesn't need to be a 'professional wine taster' a 'wine snob' or a fully paid-up member of 'CAMRA' in order to experience the most enjoyment from your favourite tipple in the right glass.

I'm not trying to preach to the converted or teach Grandma to suck eggs, there is already plenty written about choosing the correct shape glass to enhance the flavour of a whole variety of different grapes and grains. But in all honesty who invites eight friends for dinner and then provides a different glass for each drink; after all who is doing the washing up when they've all gone home.

What I'm trying to do here is offer a little practical advice on choosing the right glass for the right occasion without breaking the bank.

A Few Simple Rules when choosing the Right Glass

Crystal or Glass?
It really doesn't matter unless you're particularly interested in the ring you get when you tap your knife on the side of a crystal glass. What is important is the clarity with which you can see your drink, so a clear plain glass is best. If you really want a bit of colour keep it to a simple swirl so you can still appreciate the colour of your drink, after all this has been carefully created to be part of the enjoyment. For this reason I am not especially fond of cut crystal or frosted glass as it just serves to obscure. It is the drink you are appreciating not the glass.

Shape & Size?
Wine Glasses, - well traditionally they have a stem, which has its merits:-

You can hold your glass without affecting the temperature of your wine and obscuring the clarity with greasy finger marks.

You can give the glass a good swirl to release the aromas of the wine.

They definitely look more elegant when laid for a dinner party.

However a wine glass without a stem has its uses:-

For every day drinking they don't tend to get knocked over.

If you like to put your glasses through the dishwasher they are more likely to survive for longer.

There are times when they can add to the informality of the occasion, for instance when friends drop in unannounced or you are having a kitchen supper party.

As for size and shape this is purely down to preference but there are a few points you may like to consider.

A larger glass allows more room for the aroma of the wine to develop.

It is usual to choose a smaller glass for white wine and a larger glass for a more full bodied red.

Most serious wine drinkers like a glass with a rounded body and a narrower top to allow plenty of room to release the aromas of the wine in the body of the glass as you swirl whilst condensing them as you sniff and sip!

But if you are not particularly into swirling, sniffing and sipping just quaffing, I suggest you choose a contemporary shape that is attractive to the eye.

Beer Glasses - these are generally down to purely personal preference. You either like a handle or you don't! However there are a few points you might like to consider.

A straight glass tends to look a little more sophisticated and a handle slightly more manly - but hey who cares when you're watching the footy!!

A pint glass will require less trips to the fridge to top up, but I think a smaller glass so you can share a bottle with a friend is a nice approach.

Your smaller lager style glasses will double up for soft drinks and summer cocktails such as Pimms.

Champagne & Cocktail Glasses - Champagnes and sparkling wines are definitely best served in flutes.

The bubbles last much longer.

One tends to drink Champagne standing up so you're far less likely to spill it than in a saucer shaped glass.

A slim flute looks more elegant and the bonus is - it doesn't hold as much, which is definitely good when you are paying for the Champagne!

Whereas Cocktails tend to be better in larger glasses depending on there type and strength.

A Martini shaped glass is perfect for a simple cocktail that doesn't require too much adornment, it looks sophisticated and is synonymous with cocktails!

Tall hi-ball glasses are better if you want to pile in the crushed ice, fruit, straws and umbrella then party!!

Spirit & Brandy Glasses - a brandy glass pretty much speaks for its self. It needs to be large enough to give a good swirl and cup your hand around to warm your brandy. Spirit glasses take a little more consideration.

If you like your spirits straight or on the rocks, then a DOF a 'Double Old Fashioned' is the right glass for you. A small short tumbler big enough for a large shot plus a little ice or water.

Or if you prefer to take your spirits with a mixer then you need a hi-ball, a tall tumbler, great for gin and tonic with plenty of ice and lemon.

Either of these glasses will double up for soft drinks or water, it just depends on the size you prefer.

Liqueur, Port, & Sherry Glasses - unless you entertain a lot you probably don't use these very often. So in my opinion if you choose carefully you can choose one glass that will fill all these requirements.

Choose a glass that is sufficiently large to take a reasonable measure of sherry or port and remember it is not necessary to fill it up when pouring a liqueur.

Again a stemmed glass is more traditional and allows you to swirl to develop the aromas of your drink.

However a small shot type glass gives a more contemporary approach to serving these drinks.

In Summary:-

If you like to do a little entertaining here's what I suggest you might need:-

Champagne flutes and two sizes of wine glass.

A few beer glasses and either tall or short tumblers plus maybe some brandy and liqueur glasses.

How much you want to spend on these is very personal but I would suggest you buy a larger quantity of less expensive glasses than say just six of a more expensive glass. There is nothing worse than breaking one at a dinner party and then not being able to get a replacement as it has been discontinued. If you normally entertain 8 -10 people I would definitely start with a dozen glasses, that way they should see you through a number of years before needing to start again.

On the other hand if you can't stretch to that little lot, choose a nice contemporary decent size wine glass and a tall tumbler, then open another bottle! You may as well get your priorities right, there is always next year to buy more glasses.

Cheap Family Holiday Ideas:  Eurocamp on Costa Brava Spain

We were looking for a reasonably (cheap) priced holiday idea in The Med, something with lots for the kids to do, with plenty of other families around.  We knew another family that went  to Eurocamp every year and they gave it their endorsement.   So I hit the website(s) and found there was a family of companies doing the same sort of thing.   The Eurocamp website was quite slick with lots of videos of satisfied campers!  There was lots of organised activities the kids could be signed up for if you wanted to, or not.   Mostly these were free on site, so the cost was already loaded into the price.  Therefore if you are not going to make any use of them you might want to think again.

Family holiday ideas: Self-catering and Camping

So we booked 12 days at a site in Catalonia not far from Barcelona staying in one of the static caravans with three bedrooms and a shower.  The site, at Playa d‘Aro looked pretty on a wooded hillside looking out over a beach and the sea.  I booked the flights with EasyJet, almost simultaneously, flying from Luton to Barcelona.   Then I booked a hire car through the Easyjet website (with Hertz).  Although this was convenient subsequent investigation showed I could have got a better deal  (no prizes for guessing this) .   

The cost

Between these three elements, in the height of the season, the cost was beginning to add up.  It would certainly exceed late availability deals from most of the major operators for something equivalent staying at 3 star self-catering accommodation, but just pipped the full brochure prices. The reason we chose it was to ensure there would be plenty of families and children, and organised activities for them to join in when they needed extra entertainment.  I appreciate some people would avoid it like the plague for exactly the same reasons.   The cost of a tent was quite a bit  cheaper than the static caravan, but then you are into shared wash rooms and the trips to and fro with small children was not going to be entertained!

However as each plot comes with a table and chairs and a bar-b-que you can easily keep the bill for eating out and drinks very reasonable.  Even once the kids went to bed it was very pleasant just to sit outside sipping wine.

The holiday

The flights with Easyjet  were as expected.  The kids were well behaved and occupied with the small rucksacks packed full of stuff that we brought for the duration.  See the flying with kids website for more tips on how to keep them out of mischief.

Picking up the car was straight forward  - don’t forget your full UK drivers license.  The first pleasant surprise was that we got a brand spanking new, shiny black, Seat Leon turbo diesel, fully loaded, with just delivery miles.   The trip up the cost was fairly plain driving once we’d been round the airport twice.  Although the narrower Spanish lanes took a little getting used to as everything seemed very close.

On arrival at the campsite everything was much as expected, except the hill was even steeper than it looked , about 1:4 with loose sand and grit on the tracks, it was tricky to negotiate once a bit tipsy, or for small children!   The static caravan was also new, clean  and in very good order.  Being mid summer the campsite was absolutely heaving, living up to its name as Eurocamp. 

The pool s and facilities like shops were all good.  Judging by the numbers of young teenagers there it would be an ideal holiday for this age range to give them a little but fairly safe rope.  The internet cafe was popular with that age group to stay in touch with their friends too.  I think our youngest who was 3 nearly 4 was a bit too young to really join in with all the activities, but his sister (6) got stuck in.   The beach was good, but you had to cross a main road by footbridge to get there.  

In the evening it was certainly lively with lots of events going on around the restaurant/cafes and pools.  Again this was very popular for the teenagers to hang out.

How Successful was Eurocamp as a cheap Family holiday idea ?

The main downside, at least from my wife’s  point of view was the massive wood ants that got everywhere, including our bed.  It was also impossible to keep them or pine needles and sand  out of the caravan.  From my point of view it lacked any kind of charm or romance, or peace and quiet, that I normally like on holiday. Overall the kids enjoyed it but I would recommend it more highly at a slightly higher age. www.eurocamp.com

For more holiday ideas visit www.findholidays4u.com.  Get your own unique holidays activities tailored to your personal requirements.

If you are planning a European tourist destination, you should consider the Aosta Valley region of northern Italy bordering France and Switzerland. Depending on your specific interests, this beautiful area might be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. Although it is by far the smallest Italian region, the Aosta Valley boasts about 150 historic castles, forts, and towers. Its Alpine skiing is some of the best in Europe.

The medieval village of Bard is fairly close to the northern border of Piedmont. In addition to its historic homes perched on a mountain overlooking a gorgeous gorge you can visit the Twelfth Century Forte di Bard that held up Napoleon's military progress for almost two weeks. He had it destroyed. The fort was reconstructed in the Nineteenth Century.

St. Vincent, a spa resort for well over one hundred years, is home to the Casino de la Vall? It is one of the largest casinos in all Europe and a real favorite of the jet setters.

Breuil-Cervina is a skiing village at the base of the Matterhorn founded in the 1930s during Mussolini's rule. There are about 200 kilometers (120 miles) of ski runs on the Italian side of the mountain, said to be best for intermediate-level skiers. Experts will prefer the Swiss side of the mountain.

The city of Aosta has about thirty five thousand residents, more than one quarter of the region's total population. It was a Roman garrison two thousand years ago. The Arch of Augustus commemorates Rome's victory over a Celtic tribe. Be sure to see the Eleventh Century Gothic Collegiate Church of Saint Orso. The Porta Praetoria (Pretorial Gate) is still in good shape, some two thousand years after construction.

We end our tour of the Aosta Valley at Courmayeur located on the sunny side of Mont Blanc. Yes both easy and difficult ski slopes are lacking and it is sometimes overcrowded. But it's beautiful, and nightlife abounds. In the summer you should take the Telepherique de l'Aiguille du Midi and enjoy the spectacular view of a French glacier.

Aosta Valley cuisine is strongly influenced by five hundred years of French rule. The real Fontina cheese comes only from the Aosta Valley. See our companion article I Love Touring Italy - The Aosta Valley for a sample menu and more information on Aosta Valley wines plus an in-depth examination of the area's tourist attractions. Very little Aosta Valley wine is sold in North America. So that gives you another reason to visit this beautiful region.

Drama scoffs at the idea of getting inside a sitcom, but a partial script and some convincing from Eric and Phil start to alter his mind. Barbara demands that Ari give Lizzie a promotion, but they are not the only ladies leading to trouble for him. Turtle is nearly out of options when his employees quit on him, but some unpredicted assist may possibly conserve him yet. Scott Lavin continues to ingratiate himself with Vince pursuing a wine-auction road trip, rankling Eric within the process.

Entourage revolves around Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier). His very best buddy and manager is Eric Murphy (Kevin Connolly).<br> "E", as his good friends call him, is based on Mark Wahlberg's friend and executive producer Eric Weinstein. He's also been reported to become inspired by Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg's manager.

Vincent's older brother Johnny "Drama" Chase (Kevin Dillon), is Vince's private chef, trainer and bodyguard. Johnny is a D-list actor who was from the fictional show Viking Quest during his younger days. His part in the new fictional hit display Five Towns has begun to resurrect his fame and career, even though he nevertheless receives much less acknowledgment than he would like for it. This character is based on Johnny "Drama" Alves (cousin of Mark Wahlberg), whom Donnie Wahlberg had hired to keep his more youthful brother out of problems.

Rounding out the entourage of buddies is Salvatore Assante, recognized as "Turtle" (Jerry Ferrara), who is an additional of Vince's old buddies from childhood. Turtle's official role is as Vince's driver and assistant, however his value as this kind of is usually brought into query. This character is based on Mark Wahlberg's former "gofer" Donnie Carroll aka "Donkey". Carroll auditioned for your role, however the Boston-native was turned down when it was determined the actors would have to be New Yorkers. Carroll died on December 18, 2005 right after an asthma attack.

Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) is Vince's abrasive but lovable agent. The role has led to various nominations and Emmy Awards for Piven. Ari is dependent on Wahlberg's real-life agent Ari Emanuel.

Perhaps one of the most troubling problems which usually occurs that takes the enjoyment out of having a glass of wine is when even though your glasses are clean, look very foggy. We have all encountered it at one time or another and probably all can agree that there is something detracting about a foggy wine glass. Before you decide to throw out your glasses or invest in a set of inexpensive ones with the thought that fogging is inevitable so you might as well be ready to throw them away when the time comes, there are a few things that you can do to prevent fogging and bring back the glorious sparkle and shine to foggy glasses that you remember from when they were first purchased.

I know that some think that it's perfectly all right to put wine glasses in the dishwasher, and some machines even have special sections on the top rack to hold wine glass stems in place. We all know that crystal should never be put in the dishwasher, so I assume said stem holders are for everyday glasses. My dishwasher has them and I still won't use it to wash wine glasses. Why? There are two main reasons for this, the first is that dishwasher detergent tends to be a lot more harsh and abrasive and can etch your wine glasses making it fog with repeated washing, and second is that the temperature in a dishwasher can become so hot that it can actually cause a glass to crack.

With that being said, when washing wine glasses by hand the best method is actually quite simple, especially since you should be able to simply rinse out yours glasses to clean them. First, it is important to remember to use lukewarm water and not hot water. Abrasive cleaning agents should be avoided at all costs; and if you feel the need to use soap it is best to only use mild liquid dish soap. Remember to never use hard scrubbing sponges and cloths and to rinse the glasses thoroughly or the soap will leave a film deposit which will fog with build up and time and thus defeats the purpose of taking care when washing your glasses.

If you have taken care of your glasses and hand-washed them and still find they are starting to fog, there is still something you can do. Soak the foggy glasses in straight white vinegar for two to three hours. Then wash with warm water and mild liquid dish soap and repeat the soaking process if necessary to remove the remaining residue. It might be a bit of a time consuming process, but it will be worth it in the end when you have sparkling glasses that look beautiful!

If you are a serious fan of wine, and you love collecting it, you should know the importance of having the right temperature when storing your wine, as well as preserving the taste while keeping the bottles chilled to the perfect temperature. Have you ever considered storing and keeping your wine safe in a built-in wine refrigerator?

You will find various wine bottle refrigerators available in the market today. You have a kitchen refrigerator, of course, but it is infinitely better to find other options to help you preserve your wine collection properly so you and your friends can enjoy such pleasant-tasting wine for any occasion.

If you have little space available for the storage of your wine collection, you may want to have a wine bottle refrigerator that is sufficiently compact to fit in your kitchen or anywhere else in your house. There are tiny fridges available that offer you space to fit just 6 bottles and these can even sit on top of a table or counter. However, if you have more room for storage and a considerable collection of wine, then you might want to consider a larger model. The built in wine refrigerators work very well with any décor and come in a range of sizes to suit your needs.

There are different designs that fit into the space you have and are stylish enough to draw admiring comments from your visitors. Most of these built-in wine coolers have stainless steel doors, with glass panels, all the better to admire your wine collection. Many have the option of wooden panels, as well and can be completely customized to fit into your home as if they were made to be there.

Since the temperature and the humidity is also important when it comes to a variety of wine that you are collecting, you may also consider looking for a dual zone built-in wine refrigerator, where you can digitally adjust the temperature and set certain alarms as well as other adjustments separately in each area of the cooler.

There are a number of high quality wine bottle refrigerators on the market, you just have to keep in mind what features you need to keep your wine collection safe and properly preserved. A little bit research goes a long way when it comes to finding the perfect cooler. With so many options, you’re bound to find the perfect wine bottle refrigerator for your needs.