The Wine Lover’s Guide to Creative Wine Gift Ideas
Oh, my. What to do? It's time to find a corporate gift for your wine connoisseur friend or colleague, and you haven't a clue what to get. Yikes! Another bottle of Cabernet? Rather than fret and worry, I may just have the perfect solution for you, and I can pretty much guarantee that you'll be the only person who comes up with this idea.
Just don't tell anyone else, OK?
You can certainly buy a bottle of wine. Perhaps a fine Cabernet will do. Or, maybe focus on wines from Oregon Wine Regions. In either case, you're often stuck in the difficult position of finding the right kind of wine that suits the taste of your recipients.
While there is no doubt that a good bottle of Cabernet is always a good idea for a corporate gift, this is not necessarily your most creative or elegant solution. You don't want your recipient to utter under their breath, "Gee, thanks. Another bottle of Cabernet from Oregon Wine Regions."
How about this instead: offer up high quality vineyard paintings as your corporate gift.
As wedding presents go, you probably won't find anything as well-appreciated as vineyard paintings. Imagine, if you will, opening a corporate gift. You're a tried and true wine connoisseur who particularly loves wines from Oregon Wine Regions. There, in front of you, is the most luscious and delicious vineyard paintings from your favorite winery. It's the wine connoisseur's dream.
Sweet Dreams and Happy Memories for the Wine Lover
Whether you're the happy wine drinker, or you're working to get the perfect wedding presents for someone you know, I'll bet that vineyard paintings isn't something you've considered before. Consider it now.
As wine accessories go, this may be the most unique and lasting thing you ever get. Wine accessories are almost a dime a dozen. Everyone has trick corkscrews, but who in your circle of wine connoisseur friends has original vineyard paintings?
My guess is that the answer is a big fat zero.
I can't say that this is my original idea. I like art as much as the next guy, but vineyard paintings? Interesting.
I first learned about the idea from San Francisco artist, Ann Rea. (http://www.annrea.com). Ann just does vineyard paintings. Sure, she's quite capable of painting and mass producing paintings of seascapes or urban images with special "lighting" effects that seem to make things sparkle. But someone else already has that theme covered, and it's no longer unique or special.
Ann focuses on the Wine Counrty, mostly in California Wine Regions. The wine country scenery is majestic, and the way Ann finds the most elegant details is phenomenal. Any wine connoisseur worth his or her corkscrew would slobber all over you for one of Ann Rea's prints.
Winemakers take Rea on a tour of their vineyards, explaining their particular terroir (everything that defines their particular wine - soil, climate, slope, etc.). Then Rea actually sets up her easel among the vines and puts her oils to work capturing the unique essence of each vineyard. She has created what she calls "the perfect pairing" for wineries such as E & J Gallo, R.H. Phillips, Gloria Ferrer, Wente, and Markham.
Vineyards from any Oregon Wine Regions are popular in part because they make fabulous wines. But part of the joy of being a wine connoisseur is visiting the wineries. What better way to enjoy the experience for years to come than a fine art painting of the vineyard itself?
Following in the tradition of the French Impressionists, Rea has a growing national reputation for her distinctive use of color and her ability to capture the rapidly changing light of the vineyards on her canvases. Each of her paintings depicts a recognizable spot in the vineyard during a certain season.
Rea said, "My assumption was that the wine connoisseur is a collecting personality, and likely to collect art."
There is something truly special about art as a corporate gift. And vineyard paintings may be the ultimate gift for any wine connoisseur. The best part is the shopping, whether you're going online or (better) heading out to the wine country for a little wine tasting.
While you're at the vineyard, see if they've got any of Ann Rea's paintings. If not, ask why they don't. You may be surprised to learn they'd never even considered the idea. Now how odd is that?
Cheers!
Oh, my. What to do? It's time to find a corporate gift for your wine connoisseur friend or colleague, and you haven't a clue what to get. Yikes! Another bottle of Cabernet? Rather than fret and worry, I may just have the perfect solution for you, and I can pretty much guarantee that you'll be the only person who comes up with this idea.
Just don't tell anyone else, OK?
You can certainly buy a bottle of wine. Perhaps a fine Cabernet will do. Or, maybe focus on wines from Oregon Wine Regions. In either case, you're often stuck in the difficult position of finding the right kind of wine that suits the taste of your recipients.
While there is no doubt that a good bottle of Cabernet is always a good idea for a corporate gift, this is not necessarily your most creative or elegant solution. You don't want your recipient to utter under their breath, "Gee, thanks. Another bottle of Cabernet from Oregon Wine Regions."
How about this instead: offer up high quality vineyard paintings as your corporate gift.
As wedding presents go, you probably won't find anything as well-appreciated as vineyard paintings. Imagine, if you will, opening a corporate gift. You're a tried and true wine connoisseur who particularly loves wines from Oregon Wine Regions. There, in front of you, is the most luscious and delicious vineyard paintings from your favorite winery. It's the wine connoisseur's dream.
Sweet Dreams and Happy Memories for the Wine Lover
Whether you're the happy wine drinker, or you're working to get the perfect wedding presents for someone you know, I'll bet that vineyard paintings isn't something you've considered before. Consider it now.
As wine accessories go, this may be the most unique and lasting thing you ever get. Wine accessories are almost a dime a dozen. Everyone has trick corkscrews, but who in your circle of wine connoisseur friends has original vineyard paintings?
My guess is that the answer is a big fat zero.
I can't say that this is my original idea. I like art as much as the next guy, but vineyard paintings? Interesting.
I first learned about the idea from San Francisco artist, Ann Rea. (http://www.annrea.com). Ann just does vineyard paintings. Sure, she's quite capable of painting and mass producing paintings of seascapes or urban images with special "lighting" effects that seem to make things sparkle. But someone else already has that theme covered, and it's no longer unique or special.
Ann focuses on the Wine Counrty, mostly in California Wine Regions. The wine country scenery is majestic, and the way Ann finds the most elegant details is phenomenal. Any wine connoisseur worth his or her corkscrew would slobber all over you for one of Ann Rea's prints.
Winemakers take Rea on a tour of their vineyards, explaining their particular terroir (everything that defines their particular wine - soil, climate, slope, etc.). Then Rea actually sets up her easel among the vines and puts her oils to work capturing the unique essence of each vineyard. She has created what she calls "the perfect pairing" for wineries such as E & J Gallo, R.H. Phillips, Gloria Ferrer, Wente, and Markham.
Vineyards from any Oregon Wine Regions are popular in part because they make fabulous wines. But part of the joy of being a wine connoisseur is visiting the wineries. What better way to enjoy the experience for years to come than a fine art painting of the vineyard itself?
Following in the tradition of the French Impressionists, Rea has a growing national reputation for her distinctive use of color and her ability to capture the rapidly changing light of the vineyards on her canvases. Each of her paintings depicts a recognizable spot in the vineyard during a certain season.
Rea said, "My assumption was that the wine connoisseur is a collecting personality, and likely to collect art."
There is something truly special about art as a corporate gift. And vineyard paintings may be the ultimate gift for any wine connoisseur. The best part is the shopping, whether you're going online or (better) heading out to the wine country for a little wine tasting.
While you're at the vineyard, see if they've got any of Ann Rea's paintings. If not, ask why they don't. You may be surprised to learn they'd never even considered the idea. Now how odd is that?
Cheers!
Sharpening Knives and other Tips for Caring for your Kitchen Knives
Owning a set of kitchen knives, regardless of their type, requires certain use and maintenance in order to keep them sharp and working correctly. Whether you invested in quality kitchen knives or own a set of discount knives, you will want to keep them sharp and handling well.
The first rule of use for your kitchen knife is to be sure that your blade lands on a soft surface, such as wood or plastic, instead of a hard surface like ceramic or metal. Striking your kitchen cutlery against hard surfaces will rapidly dull the blade and hinder the performance of your kitchen knife, even if you are using high quality ceramic or stainless steel cutlery.
It’s sometimes tempting to use the kitchen knife to pry something, use it as a screwdriver or chisel and many other actions for which the kitchen cutlery is not intended. Even using the handle of your knife as a hammer is not recommended, unless it is specifically built for that task. The pins, springs and handle can loosen or break, rendering your kitchen knife useless.
You should keep your kitchen cutlery away from sand and gritty materials. Be especially aware when you are using your knives outside, for instance if you are camping, fishing or just barbequing outdoors. Be aware of your kitchen knife and if it gets wet, you should immediately dry it. When you are washing your kitchen cutlery, do so in mild, soapy water and then dry it completely with a towel, instead of allowing it to drip dry. You should always wash your kitchen cutlery by hand and dry it immediately after.
Wood tends to swell, so it you have wooden handled knives, it is best not to immerse them in water for any period of time. You can rub mineral oil on wooden knife handles to help them keep their luster. You can also increase the lifetime of your wooden handled kitchen knives by rubbing lemon oil or furniture polish into the wood handle occasionally.
Stainless steel cutlery should not rust in the humidity and it can withstand acids that it is exposed to in daily use. However, stainless steel does not mean 100 percent rust proof. The coarser the stainless steel surface is, the more likely it is to corrode. To ensure your stainless steel cutlery is corrosion resistant, you want to purchase knives with finely ground or polished surfaces.
Another option for kitchen cutlery is ceramic knives which are durable and long lasting. However, ceramic knives should also not be put in the dishwasher. They are very easy to clean; a wipe and a rinse is all that is needed to keep them in great condition for years to come.
When storing your knives, it is best to choose a knife block to protect the blades. Never put your knife into the wooden knife block wet – wood absorbs water and you could introduce mold and mildew into your knife block which could effectually ruin your kitchen knives. If you are going to keep them in a drawer, be sure that they are not tossed around too much. Jostling against other knives or instruments could cause your knife blades to chip or dull unnecessarily. It is fine to keep them in a drawer, but they should be sleeved or in compartments to avoid colliding with other utensils or inadvertently cutting you as you search in the drawer for the knife you need. Forged cutlery or stainless steel cutlery should be properly stored to ensure it lasts a long time.
Taking care of your kitchen knives is quite easy if you follow the steps outlined above:
- Keep knives out of the dishwasher
- Wash kitchen knives right after use and dry them immediately after washing
- Store them in a wooden knife block, in sleeves or in a compartmentalized drawer
Taking good care of your knives and using them properly will ensure that you will have great kitchen knives for years to come.
Ben Anton, 2007
Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for DLK.
We invite you to read more about the latest in kitchen cutlery at our wholesale knifes website.
Best Wheatgrass Juicer
What is the best wheatgrass juicer out there?
Once you’ve decided to pursue wheatgrass to juice, the next step is to obtain the best wheat grass juicer to fit your needs.
With that in mind, lets look at some of the options.
First there is the choice of centrifugal or masticating juicers.
In terms of product, best wheatgrass juicers are the masticating types.
The centrifugal juicer can’t extract as much juice and operates at a higher temperature, which helps to break down the nutrients you are extracting from the grass and leafy vegetables.
A centrifugal juicer will shred the vegetables or grass and the heat of the motor will partially cook the juice, trading some potential nutritional value and efficiency for convenience.
Next is the powered or manual choice. Powered juicers will normally run around $250, so most people will at least start with the manual, and arguably the best wheatgrass juicer is a manual in that it allows greater control over the output quantity and efficiency.
Given the high cost of vegetables, especially organically grown vegetables, it is important to get all possible value from them.
Best Wheatgrass Juicers
The Hurricane Stainless Steel Manual Wheatgrass Juicer is intended as an entry-level juicer.
It is about $105 for this manually operated machine, and has a $60 trade in value, for those who decide that they do want to upgrade to a powered model.
The juicer does require work to operate, but is also reportedly very easy to clean due to the efficient design and stainless steel construction.
The relatively high cost for an entry-level machine keeps this from being the best wheatgrass juicer.
The Back to Basics Stainless Steel Manual Wheat Grass Juicer is a $78 countertop system.
It is a manually operated juicer with a five-year warranty, and claims to be the most popular hand crank wheat and barley grass juicer on the market.
The Healthy Juicer, a manual wheatgrass juicer, is arguably the best wheatgrass juicer on the market today.
This is a four pound, $45 dollar countertop machine. The box comes with instructions, an instructional DVD and some spare parts. It is reportedly easy to clean and the pulp is dry.
For a manual crank system, this is easy to use and can even be taken on camping trips or used during power outages. There are some unhappy reviews, but examination suggests these were users who felt no need to read the manual or watch the DVD to assemble and use the system.
It is almost always worth actually reading the product manual for any system of any type. There is a return policy, reducing the risk for any unhappy customers.
The low cost, low risk, ease of cleaning and capable system combines to make this the best option available.
Alien writes for get rid of dandruff . He also writes for home remedies and dark circles