Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I want to learn more about wine. What books would you recommend?: A: A good book that gives you a broad spectrum of useful information is Kevin Zraly’s “Windows on the World”. He is an excellent writer in the sense that as you’re reading his book you feel like you’re having a lively conversation. He makes learning about wine fun! It’s also chock-full of great info—info that will come in handy the next time you’re looking at a long wine list wondering what to order! Andrea Immer, who by the way is a Master Sommelier (that’s huge), also has some good books. Check out “Everyday Dining with Wine.” It has a lot of easy recipes with great suggestions for wines that go with them.

Q: My husband and I love Mexican food. We usually drink margaritas or beer but we’ve noticed that more Mexican food restaurants are offering wine. Does wine really go with Mexican food?: A: Yes, it can, quite well. In fact, if you really want to raise a few eyebrows, try champagne with Mexican food! In general, fruity red wines like Zinfandels and Shiraz work well—Bordeaux style blends and wines with a lot of tannins, not so much. I also like pairing Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios with Mexican food. Experiment and let me know what you think!

Q: How do you get out red wine stains?: A: There is hope for your favorite white jeans! I keep a bottle of Wine Away in the cabinet at all times. It has saved many an outfit! If possible, spray it on the spill ASAP. If you’re not home, put a little cold water on the stain (don’t rub it) and keep it moist, if possible, till you get home and then use the Wine Away. The product is easy to find.

Q: What are your favorite inexpensive red and white wines?: A: There are so many new wines coming on the market all the time that my favorites often change. Try the Côtes de Ventouz. It’s a nice little Côtes du Rhône and it’s about $10 a bottle. For a good white, with summer temperatures, I would suggest a Sauvignon Blanc. Geyser Peak has a nice one, and it too is about $10 a bottle. Enjoy! There are LOTS more. Keep an eye on our website. We’ll post our ‘Best Buy’ finds every week.

Q: What’s the best way to keep wine fresh after you open it?: A: If it’s white, just put it in the refrigerator—it should last a good week. For reds, you can refrigerate, but then you have to plan ahead to give it time to warm up before you drink it. Try those mini wine bottle vacuum pumps like Vacu-Vin—they work reasonably well with red wine. You should be able to stretch a bottle over a few days with one of those.