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Freezing Wine: How it Works and Why You Should Try it

Freezing wine: how it works and why you should try it

Freezing wine: how to do it

“In Vino Veritas – The truth lies in the wine.” So wrote the Greek poet Alkaios of Lesbos. The philosopher Plato wrote: “Wine is a gift from the gods, they gave wine to man out of mercy.” Man has been making wine from grapes for centuries. The varieties are almost innumerable, everyone will find their favorite wine. But what do you do if there is still wine left at the end of the evening? Once opened, you can’t keep it for long. The taste wears off pretty quickly. But there is an option: Freeze. However, the wine is then less suitable for drinking.

There are several variants. One of them is to put the wine in an ice cube tray and then freeze it. Then, when you prepare a dish that requires wine, you simply take the appropriate amount of ice cubes and add them. This gives the sauce a light wine note. You can also use it for baking, but here the rule is: thaw beforehand. Alternatively, if a large amount of red wine has accumulated, you can use it for mulled wine or punch. Under no circumstances should you freeze wine in the bottle, it could burst.

No matter which variant you choose: you save money and don’t have to throw away your good wine.

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Lifestyle

Wine, Sparkling Wine, Schnapps: How Long Does Alcohol Last After Opening?

The bottle is open but not drunk empty: Depending on the drink, the shelf life of the alcohol varies. It is important to know how long each drink should be kept.

How long does wine and sparkling wine last after opening?

Surely you have already asked yourself whether you have to throw away the opened bottle of the alcoholic beverage. But this is not the case: if you store the opened bottle properly, you can extend its shelf life. The times given are not fixed, so if you notice that the drink has a strange smell or taste, you should not hesitate to throw the drink away before the time frame is up for health reasons. The reverse also applies: if the drink still tastes and smells good, even though it has been open longer than stated, it can still be enjoyed.

You should definitely store an open white wine in a cool place. Normally, if it is a strong white wine, it should retain its taste after about two to three days. If you have a light white wine, the taste can wear off after just a day or two. The same applies to rosé: lighter varieties lose their aroma a little faster, stronger wines only about two to three days in the fridge. Red wine is also stored refrigerated after opening. If the wine has a high tannin content, it can retain its aroma for around five to seven days; medium-bodied and light wines lose their flavor intensity over the course of three to four days after opening. If the wine taste has evaporated, but the wine is still good, you can use it for cooking, for example.

Opened sparkling wine, champagne or other sparkling wine bottles have a very short shelf life as the carbon dioxide evaporates quickly. When storing the bottle, it is important that you close it tightly and put it in the fridge: This way, they usually still taste slightly tangy after two days. After the second opening, the bottle should ideally be emptied. Whether putting a silver spoon down the neck of the bottle is helpful has not been scientifically proven.

High-percentage storage: You have to pay attention to this

The shelf life of harder alcoholic beverages depends on how high the alcohol content is. As the alcohol content increases, so does the shelf life; nevertheless, the other ingredients should not be ignored either.

If you are storing a homemade liqueur that contains perishable ingredients, you should always be extra careful. Before drinking, you should always smell it and try it to see if it’s still edible. Particular care should be taken, for example, with egg liqueurs, cream liqueurs, the well-known crème de cassis* and vermouth. It is important that you store the liqueur in a cool and dark place: it should keep for a few weeks.

With liqueurs that have an alcohol content of more than 30 percent, the shelf life is automatically longer. If you store these liqueurs in a dark and cool place, you can usually still enjoy them decades later.

Brandies or spirits that have an alcohol content of more than 37.5 percent are known to have a “shelf life forever”: If you keep them closed and in the dark, they actually have a very long shelf life. The only thing that can be lost over the years is the aroma of the drink.

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Food

Tuna Pasta in White Wine Cheese Sauce

Tuna Noodles with Capers in White Wine Cheese Sauce is a quick and tasty casserole. The subtle taste of white wine makes it an unusual and unusual casserole. Although it’s a fairly simple recipe, tuna pasta in white wine and cheese sauce is also great for surprising and pampering guests.

Ingredients for 4 to 5 people

– a pack of pasta (preferably spaghetti)
– 2 cups of sour cream
– 2 packs of melted cheese (cream or herb melted cheese, depending on taste)
– 300 ml of white wine
– 1/4 liter of broth
– a large onion
– 4-5 cans of tuna (preferably in sunflower oil)
– capers

Preparation

  1. Boil the noodles.
  2. In the meantime, you can finely chop the onion.
  3. Then the onion pieces are steamed in a slightly larger pot.
  4. For steaming, the sunflower oil can be taken from a can of tuna.
  5. The onions are already taking on the tuna taste.
  6. Once the onions are translucent, you can add 300ml white wine and 1/4 liter of stock.
  7. In addition, two cups of sour cream and two packs of processed cheese are placed in the pot.
  8. Let the contents of the pot simmer for a few minutes until the melted cheese and sour cream have turned into a creamy sauce.
  9. Depending on the consistency of the sauce, you can bind the sauce with a sauce binder or starch.
  10. Then you can put the capers and tuna in the pot.
  11. The easiest way is to cut the tuna into small pieces beforehand so that the whole sauce contains it.
  12. After the noodles are cooked, they are placed in a large casserole dish.
  13. On top comes the sauce with tuna and capers.
  14. Try mixing the pasta with the sauce so the tuna is evenly distributed and not just on top of the casserole dish.
  15. Then put the casserole dish in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.
  16. The oven should be set to around 175 C°.
  17. During the baking time, the pasta absorbs the sauce and its taste.
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Food

Basic Recipe for Mulled Wine with Variations

The cold season is ideal for drinking mulled wine. The health-promoting effect of mulled wine was discovered thousands of years ago. However, the rule here is that one or two cups have this health-promoting effect.

The hot wine tastes best and is healthiest when it is made by yourself. The wonderful scent of the spices warms you from the inside as soon as you smell it. Here is a delicious recipe for a homemade mulled wine.

Ingredients for six people

  • 1 liter of red or white wine
  • 1/2 liter of water
  • 10 cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 5 cardamom pods
  • brown cane sugar or honey
  • 3 unwaxed orange slices

Preparation of mulled wine

Bring all the ingredients to the boil very briefly and then leave them covered for about 30 minutes. Then strain the spices and the orange slices. The longer the ingredients are cooked, the more bitter the mulled wine becomes. Sugar or honey can also be varied individually, depending on how sweet the mulled wine should be.

Variation of mulled wine with a shot

A dash of fruit brandy or rum can be added to the basic mulled wine recipe, depending on taste. As a result, the mulled wine has a higher alcohol content and should therefore be drunk in moderation.

Variation with amaretto

30 ml Amaretto is added to the basic mulled wine recipe. This makes the mulled wine a special taste experience.

Glowing wine with a Caribbean flair

The ingredients of the basic mulled wine recipe are 30 ml coconut juice and 30 ml pineapple juice. This mulled wine is reminiscent of lonely beaches in the Caribbean. Due to the sweet taste, the alcohol content can often not be tasted and should therefore not be overlooked.

You can decorate the mulled wine in beautiful ceramic mugs with a handle. The mulled wine can be served with cinnamon sticks or unwaxed orange slices can be placed on the rim of the cup.

  • Type of preparation: light
  • Preparation time: 15 to 30 minutes
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Cooking Tips

Instructions for Making Wine Yourself with Tips

Clever tips for making wine and instructions for making wine yourself. Become your own winemaker now and become a hobby winemaker.

The vines have also crept into private gardens for a long time, and so many people dream of not only harvesting the grapes in autumn but also of making their own real wine. It’s not about big business, but simply about enjoyment and of course the pride when you can serve the house wine to your guests.

But what do you need to make your own wine?

Not only grapes are suitable for making wine yourself, but strawberries, elderberries, plums, or blackberries can also be processed into a bottle of delicious wine. You also need sugar, yeast, and antigen. The last two ingredients are available at drugstores and are used to stimulate the fermentation process and prevent the fruit from gelling during production and leaving you with jam instead of wine. The last ingredient is caloumpyrosulfite, which is also available in drugstores.

The best way to benefit here with regard to application and dosage is from the advice of the local experts. But the right equipment is also important, which is usually already available in the household: a scale, a thermometer to check the fermentation temperature, a few bowls, and buckets, and a funnel. You also need a fermentation lock and a fermentation tube, as well as a filter cloth and a fermentation container.

Your own wine production can start

The fruit must be cleaned, pitted, and stoned before it is chopped up in the food processor or immersion blender. It is also important that all rotten spots have been removed, as these can lead to an unpleasant aftertaste. For about one liter of wine, you need two kilograms of fruit and add two and a half liters of water. The mixture is heated to fifty degrees and mixed with the anti-gel and left to rest for a day. This resting period is important for the fermentation process, even if you can hardly wait for your own wine.

For one liter of wine, you need two grams of yeast nutrient salt, half a gram of potassium pyrosulfite, and one and a half kilograms of sugar. Now the fermentation process continues, but this time a temperature of twelve to eighteen degrees is ideal. Finally, the house wine can be poured out of the fermentation vessel into bottles with a funnel and corked.

  • Accessories for wine making
  • A fermentation vessel made of plastic or glass
  • A cover for the fermentation vessel
  • A fermenter
  • A suction hose
  • A precisely tuned scale
  • A vinometer is used to measure the alcohol content of wine
  • sugar
  • citric or lactic acid
  • yeast nutrient salt
  • Pure, liquid yeast (not to be confused with the common baker’s yeast)
  • lime
  • potassium pyrosulfite

Whole wine-making sets are great for the first time, but they’re only worth buying if you plan on making wine more than once. The accessories, which you don’t have in the household anyway, are not cheap, but careful use is very important to get a tasty result.

Winemaking tips and tricks

There are a few points that you absolutely have to consider in order to be satisfied with your own wine afterward. This includes working very precisely and hygienically, starting with the preparation of the fruit. The ingredients should also not be weighed roughly, but really carefully.

There are two types of winemaking: Maceration, described above, which uses all the fruit in a pureed form. This process is easier and the wine also gets a great color. Juice fermentation uses only fruit juice, which requires a good press. No bitter substances or other flavor influences can form and the finished wine has lighter color. This type is not suitable for some types of fruit, such as bananas.

Variants for experienced hobby winemakers

Changing the type of fruit suddenly results in a completely different wine and enjoyment, so we encourage experimentation as the process itself remains the same. Have fun! In addition, note how you can make bottle corks fit and our tips for a perfect party, maybe even with your own wine.

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health

A Glass of Wine a Day: Actually Healthy? That’s What Experts Say

A glass of red wine a day is good for the heart – right? Scientists have studied the effects of daily alcohol consumption on heart disease and found: This myth can be dangerous for some people.

Be careful with heart disease: it is better to do without the daily glass of wine

Dora Csengeri from the University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg explains the results as follows: “People with moderate alcohol consumption had a 16 percent higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation compared to abstinent people. Around 6000 of the study participants suffered during this time atrial fibrillation for the first time.” The cardiologist Csengeri confirms the connection between already low alcohol consumption and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.

It has long been known that excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to the heart. The difference to previous research with this study is that even small amounts of alcohol can trigger heart diseases such as atrial fibrillation, reports heart specialist Andreas Götte of the German Heart Foundation. The scientist and doctor Csengeri therefore emphasizes: “With regard to atrial fibrillation, regular consumption of even small amounts must be discouraged”.

Csengeri adds the following in connection with the misconception that regular consumption of small amounts of alcohol, such as a glass of wine, does not harm or even protect the heart: “20 grams of alcohol per day have a certain protective effect”. However, the researcher explicitly points out that this positive effect only relates to cardiac insufficiency and heart attacks – in no way to atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion: Is it safe to drink a glass of wine?

The heart expert Andreas Götte emphasizes that the right balance is relevant when consuming alcohol. According to the German Heart Foundation, his recommendation is as follows:

People who are completely abstaining from alcohol should not start because of possible health benefits.
People with atrial fibrillation should reduce their alcohol consumption significantly or even completely avoid alcohol.
People who only occasionally drink a glass of alcohol should not be afraid of atrial fibrillation and, at best, can benefit from the positive effects on the risk of heart attack and heart failure.
People who consume alcohol regularly should be aware of the risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

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health

Histamine Intolerance: When a Glass of Wine Has Unpleasant Consequences

Headaches, itching and gastrointestinal discomfort after a meal could be symptoms of histamine intolerance. More and more people are suffering from it, but the causes and a clear diagnostic procedure have not yet been scientifically clarified. How to recognize histamine intolerance and which foods to avoid.

Histamine intolerance: the cause has not yet been finally clarified

The exact cause of histamine intolerance is still being discussed by experts. There is a high probability that a deficiency or reduced activity of the enzyme that breaks down histamine (DAO) is responsible for this. But how do I actually know if I tolerate histamine or not? A red spot on the skin, often accompanied by itching after eating foods containing histamine, is one of the most obvious symptoms. According to the Swiss interest group histamine intolerance (SIGHI), stabbing headaches, abdominal pain and diarrhea can also be signs.

It is also important to know that an intolerance is not the same phenomenon as an allergy. These intolerances cannot be detected in either a blood test or a skin test. It’s a different story with allergies. If there is a suspicion of histamine intolerance, an allergist or a specialist in the field of nutrition should be consulted, who will then carry out detailed examinations.

A histamine intolerance is diagnosed when a person who suspects this intolerance in themselves deliberately avoids histamine in their diet for a period of time. A “dietary provocation” is then carried out for diagnostic purposes. This means that the person in question includes histamine-containing foods in their diet again. The reaction to this provocation then leads to a final diagnosis.

Foods rich in histamine that should be avoided in case of intolerance

What actually contains histamine? In short: all foods that are subject to microbial ripening. These include, above all, mature cheeses such as Emmental or mountain cheese, as well as raw sausages such as salami or raw ham. There is also a lot of histamine in other foods, such as nuts, spinach, fish preparations, sauerkraut, tomatoes or chocolate. But also foods that contribute to increased histamine release in the body. This includes any alcoholic beverages, as these increase the permeability of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

The treatment of histamine intolerance is currently carried out in two ways: On the one hand, the diet of histamine intolerant people should be adjusted accordingly and foods that trigger the symptoms should be avoided. On the other hand, there are so-called antihistamines, in capsule or tablet form, which can alleviate symptoms in acute cases.

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health

Beer, Wine and Schnapps: Study Shows at What Age Alcohol is Particularly Harmful

People like to drink alcohol after work, at the weekend or in a relaxed atmosphere. The results of a study now show at what age beer, wine & Co. is particularly harmful to us.

Alcohol more or less harmful? Age matters

However, there are phases in life when you should urgently avoid alcohol consumption. A study has identified three phases in which beer, wine, schnapps and the like are particularly harmful. The British-Australian study was published in the medical journal British Medical Journal

Heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy, for example, can cause enormous brain damage in infants. “Around 10 percent of pregnant women worldwide consume alcohol, with rates in European countries being significantly higher than the global average,” said Louise Mewton, who led the study.

Alcohol greatly reduces the brain volume of the newborn and can lead to cognitive impairment. This is also known as fetal alcohol syndrome.

Alcohol during pregnancy: How consumption affects the baby

But according to the study, even small amounts of alcohol are harmful: at a sensitive point in time, such as during the development of the brain in the embryo, even a few milliliters of alcohol are dangerous for the brain structure of the child.

The second highly sensitive phase is between the ages of 15 and 19. Heavy alcohol intoxication has serious consequences for adolescents. According to the study, about one in five young people would regularly consume 60 grams of pure alcohol. The result:
decreased brain volume
Deficits in cognitive performance
slower white matter development
According to the scientists, the delayed development of brain mass would result in an increased risk of traffic accidents and a higher affinity for suicidal thoughts.

Alcohol at retirement age: Even small amounts accelerate deterioration

The third critical phase of life concerns the older generations. According to the study, anyone who continues to drink alcohol regularly from the age of 65 upwards must expect a reduction in brain volume. Even moderate alcohol consumption would reduce the size of the brain. However, it is unclear whether this structural change in the brain also affects cognitive abilities. However, the authors of the study strongly believe that this is not the case.

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Storage and Optimal Drinking Temperature of Sparkling Wine

The optimal drinking temperature of sparkling wine. So that every sparkling wine is a pleasure. Also useful tips for the correct storage and preservation of sparkling wine in sparkling wine bottles. Sparkling wine in the fridge is also possible without a cork.

What is the optimal drinking temperature for sparkling wine?

The taste of sparkling wine (with the exception of red sparkling wine) develops best when it is generally drunk at a temperature of between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius. If it is warmer than 8 °C, the carbon dioxide evaporates too quickly and it tastes bland. If it is drunk colder than 6 °C, the taste buds will go on strike. The best drinking temperatures depend on the type of sparkling wine:

  • White sparkling wine between 5 – 7 °C;
  • Rosé sparkling wine between 6 – 8 °C;
  • Red sparkling wine between 9 – 11 °C.

If there is no cold sparkling wine in the fridge for a suitable occasion, do not put the bottle in the freezer, but preferably in a water bath or champagne bucket cooled with ice cubes for about 20 minutes.

How long can sparkling wine bottles be stored?

In contrast to quality wines, sparkling wine does not improve with storage! Over the years, it can lose bound carbon dioxide and pressure. Therefore, the sparkling wine should be drunk as soon as possible; he is a young drink. Sparkling wine in bottles can be kept for a maximum of 3 to 5 years, provided it is made from high-quality base wine. It also plays a role in whether a natural or plastic cork was used. With natural corks, the pressure is retained longer.

Store sparkling wine without a cork

If the cork can no longer be found and there is still something drinkable in the champagne bottle, there is the following trick: Put a teaspoon in the champagne bottle and the carbon dioxide remains in the champagne. This way you can drink and enjoy the champagne as if by magic even days after opening it a tingling experience;)

What does the right champagne glass look like?

A wonderfully sparkling glass of sparkling wine tastes best in slim, thin-walled glasses. They should have a tulip or flute shape so that the full bouquet can develop well. Deep champagne glasses that are slightly roughened on the bottom, the so-called mousse point, are ideal. The mousseux unfolds and rises to the surface as a pretty string of pearls. Champagne bowls, which were popular in the 1950s and 1960s, are taboo today. Glasses with wide surfaces are a taste killer for enjoying sparkling wine, as the bouquet escapes very quickly.

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Home Remedies for Removing Red Wine Stains

Tips and home remedies for removing red wine stains from fabric, carpets, sofas, or jeans. This is how you get the dark red stains removed quickly and easily without having to resort to expensive special agents.

A red wine stain on clothing is, in some cases, a medium-sized disaster. The red wine stains can be easily and safely removed with simple means. In this article, we will explain how you can get rid of red wine stains, which home remedies will help you, and what you should consider.

The best home remedies for removing red wine stains

You sit comfortably with the family and drink a glass of red wine and – bang – it happened: A sometimes only very small red wine stain is probably still spreading on white trousers or a white top. You can use a variety of home remedies to remove red wine stains. We present the four most effective means here with brief instructions for quick and effective help.

1) Soak stained textiles in mineral water

To remove a fresh red wine stain on clothing or other fabric fibers, soaking the affected garment in mineral water can help. You can either use mineral water from the bottle or from the sparkling water maker. The carbon dioxide bubbles it contains can loosen the red wine pigments from the fabric.

Then all you have to do is rinse the garment again with clear water and then dab it with a piece of kitchen roll. You should proceed cautiously if there are still red wine residues in the fibers. If you take a more resolute approach, you can work the remaining residues even deeper into the fibers in the worst case. You can also use this method to remove stubborn fruit stains.

2) Remove fresh red wine stains with baby powder

You can also powder baby powder onto the fresh stain, let it soak in, and simply wipe it off. The red wine is thus pulled out of the textile. This also works, for example, on sofas or carpets that you cannot easily soak and wash.

It is important that you then immediately rinse the stain with water or dab it off. If residue from the stain is still visible, rub the stain with salt for a few hours. You should then wash the textiles as normal. In addition, read how you can remove spinach stains and which home remedies help against grass stains.

3) Get rid of old red wine stains with lemons and salt

You only noticed the stain later and it has already dried up? Then first drip a few drops of lemon juice onto the red wine stain and then sprinkle it with salt. The salt pulls the red wine out of the tissue. Once dry, brush or vacuum off the salt and wash the garment normally. You can also easily remove tea stains with lemon juice and get rid of chocolate stains with flour and salt.

4) Remove red wine stains with window cleaner

Another variation is to remove the red wine stain with colorless window cleaner. To do this, soak the garment or stain it. You can repeat this until the window cleaner pulls all of the red paint out of the affected garment. You should then rinse the textile thoroughly with clear water. Also, note tips for removing deodorant stains from clothing.

After the easy removal with these home remedies, you can hopefully enjoy the red wine again without having to worry about possible stains. And if something goes wrong again, you now know how you can help yourself. With these tips, you can make the red wine glasses really shine for the next good drop.

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