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Classic Food and Wine Pairings

adam — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:31:43 +0000

These classic wine pairing suggestions are listed under White and Red

Wines in order of preference, and those that have a * are our favorites.

DESSERT (WHITE WINES) Late Harvest Riesling, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Moscato d’Asti (sparkling), sweet Riesling, Ice Wine, Vin Santo, Port (esp. Tawny or Vintage), any other dessert wine HOMEPORT TIP > Desserts need a wine that’s at least as sweet as the dessert.

DUCK (WHITE WINES) Riesling, Gewurztraminer (RED WINES) Pinot Noir*, Merlot*, Cotes du Rhone*, Chateauneuf du Pape*, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Zinfandel, Shiraz/Syrah

GOOSE (RED WINES) Merlot*, Cotes du Rhone*, Shiraz/Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

HAM (WHITE WINES) Riesling*, dry Rose*, Gewurztraminer*, White Zinfandel, White Merlot, Pinot Grigio, unoaked Chardonnay (RED WINES) Beaujolais*, Pinot Noir* HOMEPORT TIP > The best match will depend on the glaze.

LAMB (RED WINES) Bordeaux*, Cabernet Sauvignon*, Cabernet Franc*, Shiraz*, Zinfandel*, Rioja, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir

LOBSTER (WHITE WINES) white Burgundy*, Champagne*, oaky Chardonnay*, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Viognier, Vouvray, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc (esp. New Zealand)

PRIME RIB (RED WINES) Merlot*, Cabernet Sauvignon*, Cabernet Franc*, Shiraz*, Bordeaux*, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Super Tuscan

RAW OYSTERS (WHITE WINES) New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc*, Chablis*, Muscadet*, dry Champagne*, Pinot Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay, dry Riesling, Gruner Veltliner, Sake (esp. ginjo)

SALMON (WHITE WINES) buttery or unoaked Chardonnay, white Burgundy, dry Rose, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne (esp. Rose) (RED WINES) Pinot Noir*, Beaujolais*

TURKEY (WHITE WINES) Riesling*, Gewurztraminer*, Viognier*, Albarino, Chablis, Vouvray, Chenin Blanc, light or unoaked Chardonnay (RED WINES) Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Cotes du Rhone

VENISON (RED WINES) Shiraz*, Zinfandel*, Cotes du Rhone, Chateauneuf du Pape, Bordeaux, Merlot

Nothing else like it in South County!

Compound in Red Wine Fights Ravages of Age

adam — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:57:22 +0000

By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter
Thursday, July 3, 2008; 12:00 AM

THURSDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) — A key compound in red wine known as resveratrol appears to protect against many of the health ravages associated with growing old, new animal research reveals.

"It’s very hard to extrapolate from this finding to comment on the benefits of red wine directly, because red wine has many other compounds besides resveratrol, including ethanol, which have very active biological effects," noted study author Rafael de Cabo, unit chief of the laboratory of experimental gerontology at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore.

"But red wine is a good source of resveratrol," he added. "And, in this mouse study, we have shown that this particular compound has very strong positive effects on preventing cardiovascular disease, reducing heart inflammation, keeping bone health in terms of structure and function, and maintaining loco-motor and balance activity. So, if these effects translate into humans, it will have a very good impact on the standard of human health."

De Cabo conducted the research with David A. Sinclair, of Harvard Medical School. Their team is publishing its findings in the July 3 online issue ofCell Metabolism.

Daily consumption of the compound — also found in the skin of grapes and the crust of peanuts and walnuts — broadly improved the long-term quality of life of middle-aged mice, although most mice did not end up living longer.

Nevertheless, the age-defying health benefits of resveratrol closely mimicked those previously associated with rigorous calorie-restricted diets — raising hopes for simpler and easier means by which to help fight off age-related decline.

The authors noted that prior research has touted the healthy benefits associated with daily caloric restriction of between 30 percent and 50 percent below average, as well as with fasting every other day. Such diets have been linked to a reduction in the risk for age-associated disease and stress, alongside a slowing of age-related functional decline.

"But we can’t have half of America going permanently on a diet," said de Cabo. "We just can’t do it. It’s not practical, and it’s not going to happen."

Alternatively, he and his colleagues began to explore the potential of resveratrol — a compound that has already been shown to extend the lives of yeast, worms, flies and fish.

In initial studies, the team found that consuming the compound did improve the health and survival of obese mice — despite consuming a high-calorie diet.

To follow up, the researchers now compared the health and life spans of middle-age mice given either a standard diet or a calorie-restricted diet, with or without high or low daily dosages of resveratrol.

De Cabo and his colleagues found that resveratrol had the same positive impact on mouse livers, muscles, hearts and bones as calorie restriction alone.

Regardless of dietary protocol, the general health and vigor of mice on a long-term regimen (approximately one year) of resveratrol improved overall, without apparent side effects. However, only mice consuming resveratrol alongside a high-calorie diet were found to actually live longer.

"This certainly is consistent with previous studies," noted Dr. Edward A. Fisher, a professor of cardiovascular medicine and cell biology at the New York University School of Medicine in New York City. "So, I’m not surprised by the finding."

"But by looking at specific outcomes in specific tissues, this work is certainly more detailed and rigorous," he added. "And it further supports the hypothesis that this compound staves off the effects of aging."

On another food front, researchers out of Athens Medical School in Greece have published a new study in the current issue of theEuropean Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitationsuggesting that drinking green tea is good for the heart.

Consuming green tea, the authors noted, appeared to quickly improve the function of cells that line the circulatory system, known as endothelial cells. Because endothelial cell damage is a key contributor to the onset of atherosclerosis, boosting the performance of such cells could help stave off heart disease.

More information

For additional information on health benefits associated with red wine and resveratrol, visit the Mayo Clinic.

SOURCES: Rafael de Cabo, Ph.D., investigator and unit chief, laboratory of experimental gerontology, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore; Edward A. Fisher, M.D., Ph.D., professor, cardiovascular medicine and cell biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York City; July 3, 2008,Cell Metabolism, online

This Friday join the Sip Dip and Chill Party at HomePort

adam — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:52:31 +0000

Here’s the perfect way to kick start your weekend.

Join HomePort every Friday and taste wonderful wines, cheeses and dips. Meet up with old friends and make some new ones along the way. The fun begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 7p.m. So don’t forget to mark your calendar for this coming Friday’s party.

The party begins every Friday until the end of July. Only date change will be on Thursday July 3rd instead of Friday July 4th.

Here are a few of scenes from previous Friday get togethers.

Classic Cars, Classic Women, Classic Wines

adam — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:37:32 +0000

Sip Dip Chill

adam — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:52:23 +0000

Dear Wine Lover,

Yes, it’s summer at HomePort, and we’re kicking off its unofficial start this Memorial Day Weekend with our new SIP DIP CHILL series of wine and deli tastings. They’re FREE, they’ll be held at HomePort (instead of TopSide), and they’ll be on FRIDAYS between 4 and 7 pm.

Our first SIP DIP CHILL will be held this coming FRIDAY, MAY 23rd from 4 to 7 pm. In addition to tasting great summer wines and deli items, we’re also unveiling our new HomePort wine tote bags. They’re Earth friendly and hold 6 bottles of wine. Buy any 6 bottles of wine, and we’ll give you a FREE tote. They’re also available for purchase at the great low price of $1.99. You’ll want one for yourself, but they also make terrific gifts.

Other SIP DIP CHILL dates are FRIDAY, MAY 30th; FRIDAYS, JUNE 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th; and THURSDAY, JULY 3rd.

These free events are guaranteed to be (wine) barrels of fun! So start each weekend with a stop at HomePort. The delicious summer wines and deli items you’ll sample each week are perfect for your next picnic, boat outing, or just relaxing at home. So stop by and stock up each weekend.

While at HomePort, check out our newest wines and expanded deli section. We’ve added gourmet items such as nuts and chocolates. We also carry quality cigars displayed in our new humidor.

Memorial Day Weekend also marks the return of slices of West River Market pies. We’ve carried their delicious whole pies all winter, but pie by the slice will now be available once again. In addition to whole pies and slices, special orders are available (with at least 24-hours’ notice) by calling HomePort at 410-867-0800.

Cheers,

The HomePort Team

Taste wine like a pro using the FIVE “S’s”

adam — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:48:51 +0000

Happy New Year from HomePort

Did you know that there are 5 way to enjoy wine?

We named them the "BIG FIVE S’s."

This is not something that we discovered by ourselves; rather, we read about it in one of the many wine books and magazines we buy every year.

So here goes, here’s how to taste wine like a pro …

#1. SEE: Look at the wine for color, clarity and intensity.

#2. SWIRL: This releases the wine’s natural aroma and bouquet (it’s also fun to do).

#3. SMELL: Put you nose into the glass and look for recognizable aroma components such as fruits, flowers, spice and wood.

#4. SIP: Now comes the fun part. Swish a small taste around in your mouth to coat your palate. Look for the flavor characteristics you found in the aroma as well as tacticle components like temperature, texture, body, astringency.

#5. SAVOR: This is the part we like at HomePort. Evaluate the finish. Is it short, medium or long; pleasant or not. Make up your own mind if the wine appeals to your palate.

We all have different palates. Some of us have palates that are more sensitive. For example, my wife who is the wine buyer at HomePort has an extraordinary palate and is able to taste elements in a wine that I can’t. I have tried to taste them but have not had much success.

I subscribe to what Ernest Gallo had to say about good wine. "If I have a glass of wine and then decide later to have another glass, I deem that a good wine."

Don’t worry if you can’t taste everything "they" say you should taste. Go with what you like and go with your initial gut reaction. It normally will tell you if you are going to like or dislike a wine right away.

Here’s a knockout wine we love

This is an amazing white wine (hint it is not a chardonnay)

110 Wine Lovers Show up at our November Wine Tasting

adam — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:55:07 +0000

Our November wine tasting was a blast … 110 Wine Lovers showed up which made for a fun evening. We also discovered and tasted some really amazing wines.

Hope you can make our next wine tasting on December 11th

Still thinking what wines go with what foods? HomePort makes it easy for you this holiday season, find all the classic food pairings right here.





		Good wine, like good friends, gets better with age. Plan on enjoying both this holiday season.

Don’t miss out on our December wine tasting. We can’t guarantee you will see your picture up here, but we can guarantee you’ll have a good time and taste some delicious wines. Come join us on December 11th at 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and get into the holiday spirit.

HomePort for the Holidays

adam — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:04:28 +0000

There’s nothing like good food and good wine. The challenge has always been what food goes with what wine? Here’s the perfect food and wine pairings you need for all the upcoming holidays. Let HomePort take the stress out of the holidays by having our wine buyer personally select and put together a full case/mixed case of 12 bottles of wine. Call 410-867-0800. The service is free, and case pricing starts at as little as $99.

These classic wine pairing suggestions are listed under White and Red Wines in order of preference, and those that have a * are our favorites