There are few important factors to consider when storing wines properly. Temperature is one of these essential factors. Temperature can affect the taste of the wine to some extent, including its storage life. The ideal storage temperature is 13 degrees Celsius, although this is not scientifically proven. Chemical reactions may occur when wines are stored at extremely high temperature. This can cause deterioration of the quality of the wine.

Aside from that, the wine taste will also be affected when it is served warm, which, in this case, the alcoholic taste is more dominant. If you also store the wine at very low temperature, the flavours of the wine will start to deteriorate. For these reasons, it is important to observe the correct temperature level for storage of wines, if you like to improve or maintain its quality.

Similarly, what is essential is the relative humidity of the place. But this is not much of a concern for wines that are properly sealed and not yet opened. But for opened wines, it is best to store the wine at relative humidity of about 70%. This ensures that the cork of the bottle will never dry out or crack. In line with keeping the cork moistened to prevent drying out, it is also suggested to store wines in a horizontal position.

Another vital factor to consider when storing wines is light. To avoid gradual degradation of the wine quality, keep the wine safe from direct UV light exposure. Placing the wine in cellars or basements is the ideal place to store the red wine.  Observing all these things will significantly help in preserving the quality of the wine, thereby ensuring utmost enjoyment on your wine drinking.

Hungary has a wealth of native and international grape varieties and plenty of land suited to vineyards, with a wide range of climates, soils, and altitudes.

However, Hungary hasimproved significantly since the fall of the Berlin Wall and end of communism in 1989. Hungary’s wine consumption has increased significantly since the country gained independence from Communism, fueling an improvement in wine quality. International investment in vineyards and wineries has also made a huge contribution. In the past two decades both vineyard management and oenology have seen substantial modernisation, and now the country is producing wines that are not only technically sound but also deliver great value. Hungarian winegrowers are now paying more attention to indigenous varieties and many are focusing on expressing the terroir in their wines.

Hungary produces the equivalent of about 68 million cases of wine a year, most of which is white. Although the country is northerly, its climate is relatively warm because the country is landlocked and nearly surrounded by mountains. Hungary has 22 official wine regions, but their names are not yet particularly important outside Hungary.

The one Hungarian Wine region that does have international fame is Tokaj-Hegyalja, which takes its name from the town of Tokaj and owes its reputation to its world-class dessert wine, Tokaji Aszu. The word Aszu refers to nobly rotten grapes. The wine comes from Furmint and Harslevelu grapes, both native white varieties, and sometimes Muscat grapes. This region also makes dry table wines, such as the varietal Tokaji Furmint.

Tokaji Aszu wines are labeled as three, four, five, or six Puttonyos, according to their sweetness, with six Puttonyos wines being the sweetest. Tokaji Aszu wines vary not only according to their sweetness, but also according to their style. Some wines have fresher, more vibrant fruity character, for example; some have aromas and flavors that suggest dried fruits; some have the smoky character and tannin of new oak barrels; and some have complex non-fruity notes such as tea leaves or chocolate. This range of styles is due mainly to different winemaking techniques among producers.

Tokaji Aszu has a complicated production method that involves using a certain amount ofnobbly rotten grapes (which are compressed into a paste of sorts) as well as healthy, non-moldy grapes; the more moldy grapes that are used, the sweeter the wine.

Hungarian Wines are labeled in three different quality level: the highest level are classified as Minosegi Bor, followed by Tajbor (country wine) and Asztali Bor (table wine).

Hungary is member of the European Union since 2004 and proudly took over the rotating presidency of the European Union in January 2011. It’s the right time for Hungary not only resemble but to outshine wines of other EU countries.

Wine- Wine: Quality wine – Trebbiano D’Abruzzo x3

bAz. Agr. Valle Reale /b Az. Agr. Valle RealeThe Valle Reale project was started in the early nineties by the Pizzolo family assisted by Leonardo ValentiProfessor of Oenology University of Milan aiming to match the best Montepulciano clones to the best soils and microclimates available. The results after just a few vintages are spectacular: Wines packed with red fruit spice and soft warm tannins.2008 Trebbiano D’AbruzzoWhilst we originally only considered the reds from Valle Reale one taste of this and we were convinced to take their white too! Medium weight with flavours of pear and apple and a soft finish. Perfect for a summer afternoon.
Price: GBP 41.99

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Wine- Wine: Quality wine – Italian Star

Pinot Bianco 2007 and Pinot Grigio 2007 – Terlano TerlanoCantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinor Grigio 2007From vineyards at between 250-300 m on gravel and sandy clay soils this is a Pinot Grigio to banish memories of thin tasteless versions of this wine so often encountered. A fruity bouquet of ripe honeydew melon with a soft full palate balanced with a long clean fresh finish.Pinor Bianco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 44.99

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Wine- Wine: Quality wine – Aussie Aces

Henry Pike emigrated from England and established a brewery in Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills in 1886. It took the family almost 100 years to set up their own winery but it was worth the wait! The estate is in the Polish Hill River sub-region of the Clare Valley north of Adelaide where the relatively cool climate makes forfresh well balanced wines – a great destination for stylish elegant Aussies.2005 Luccio Red Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit VerdotA real one-off; savoury Sangiovese plus pure Cabernet blackcurrant fruit and a touch of black pepper from the Petit Verdot make for a barbecue classic.2008 Luccio White Pinot Grigio/Chardonnay/Sauvignon BlancA stylish flavour explosion! Take the perfume of Pinot Grigio add a pinch of Chardonnay peach fruit with crisp clean Sauvignon and you are onto a winner.
Price: GBP 35.99

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Wine- Wine: Quality wine – Sancerre Blanc

Domaine des Clairneaux 2007 Sancerre BlancA delicious stylish balanced Sancerre that drinks beautifully early on and develops well with age. Quite a ripe style for Sancerre with almost New Zealand like gooseberry fruit along with pear and apple. Zesty but ripe acidity lovely minerality anchoring it firmly in Sancerre! and a clean long finish.Jean-Marie Berthier created this domaine from scratch in 1980 in the north of the appellation. He grows the two classic grape varieties of the Sancerre appellation Sauvignon Blanc for the whites and Pinot Noir for the rosé and reds on the slopes above Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerre. He aims for delicate refreshing wines that reflect their origins in this classic Loire valley region. His 8 or so hectares are fifty-fifty chalky clay and flint and are exposed to long hours of sunlight so his wines have a combination of ripe fruit flavours as well as expressing the lovely natural flintiness of Sancerre.
Price: GBP 25.99

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Wine- Wine: Quality wine – New World 3

Vinedos Errazuriz Ovalle Colchagua Valley Chile Vinedos Errazuriz Ovalle Colchagua Valley ChileThe Errazuriz family have owned the majority of the vineyards situated at Marchigue which is within the famed Colchagua Valley for over 100 years. The climate is fantastic and the soils are predominantly clayish / pumatic but until recently they were content to sell their grapes off in bulk. In 2000 they built a brand new state of the art winery and since then they have been producing high quality but affordable wines from various varietals. The Sierra Cruz range has been chosen for its clean fruit driven unoaked style.2006 Sierra Cruz ChardonnayPale gold hints of green good aromatics Peach pear on the nose. Fresh clean fruit flavours in the mouth – good acidity and balance. Medium long clean finsih2006 Sierra Cruz Cabernet SauvignonMedium/ruby red. Hints of cassis and red fruits. Fine tannins structure red fruits. Good structure on the finish
Price: GBP 29.99

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Wine- Wine: Quality wine – Chateau La Noe Muscadet x2

Chateau La Noe Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie Loire Valley France The vibrant and refreshing wines of Muscadet from the western Loire near Nantes have been having a well deserved resurgence in popularity recently and we think the wines of Chateau La Noe are amongst the best. The current home of the Comte de Malestroit his family have been based here since 1741 has been growing vines since the 17th century. 2007 Muscadet sur LieCrisp green apple fruit and a balancing nutty richness from the lees ageing. Refreshing acidity and an impressive finish. A perfect match with seafood especially oysters and a joyous reminder of how enjoyable Muscadet can be.
Price: GBP 30.99

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Wine- Wine: Quality wine – 2007 Pinot Bianco – Terlano

Cantina Terlano was founded as a co-operative back in 1893 and now numbers over 100 contributing producers all farming tiny plots on terraces cut into the slopes of Mount Schöggel at altitudes of up to 1000 metres. These south-facing slopes strewn with crystals and volcanic rock give rise to wines of wonderful elegance complexity and minerality and give spectacular views into the Bolzano Valley below – this is where Italy meets Germany in more ways than one. What is so striking about Cantina Terlano is the consistent excellence of the wines produced vintage after vintage and the varietal character that marks every single wine without oak to cloak the aromatics. ‘Kellermeister’ Rudi Kofler aims for wines of typicity and longevity and he achieves this with impressive regularity.Pinot Blanco 2007The Pinot Bianco benefits from the coolness of vineyards between 300-600 m on free draining and warm sand and gravel soils. Six months ageing on the fine lees adds complexity and length to this orchard fruit apples and pears scented wine. In 2006 the Pinot Bianco was awarded the honour of best value Italian white by the influential Gambero Rosso guide and this is just as good.
Price: GBP 20.99

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Wine- Wine: Quality wine – Lively Loire 1

Domaine des Clairneaux and Domaine Couly-Dutheil Chinon France Domaine des Clairneaux Sancerre FranceJean-Marie Berthier created this domaine from scratch in 1980 in the north of the appellation. He grows the two classic grape varieties of the Sancerre appellation Sauvignon Blanc for the whites and Pinot Noir for the rosé and reds on the slopes above Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerre. He aims for delicate refreshing wines that reflect their origins in this classic Loire valley region. His 8 or so hectares are fifty-fifty chalky clay and flint and are exposed to long hours of sunlight so his wines have a combination of ripe fruit flavours as well as expressing the lovely natural flintiness of Sancerre.2007 Sancerre BlancA delicious stylish balanced Sancerre that drinks beautifully early on and develops well with age. Quite a ripe style for Sancerre with almost New Zealand like gooseberry fruit along with pear and apple. Zesty but ripe acidity lovely minerality anchoring it firmly in Sancerre! and a clean long finish.2008 Sancerre RoséA beautiful glass of wine – it even looks gorgeous. 100% Pinot Noir rosé of delicacy and elegance. Medium bodied with fabulous summer pudding fruit; strawberry redcurrant and raspberry. Stunning. Domaine Couly-Dutheil Chinon FranceWhilst many people associate the Loire valley exclusively with white wine Sancerre Pouilly Fumé etc. much of the Touraine region on the banks of this river are planted to red varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Gamay. Amongst the best of these wines come from Chinon and this well established domaine in the heart of the appellation has been given a new lease of life by the younger generation. Jacques Bertrand and Arnaud Couly have recently closed down the negociant side of the business thank goodness! to concentrate on making wines exclusively from their own grapes and the change has been immediate dramatic and impressive.2007 Chinon La Gravières The Chinon La Gravières is from a vineyard next to the River Vienne a tributary of the Loire and is a perfect summer red packed with juicy dark fruits blackcurrant leaf and capsicum. It provides instant pleasure the moment the cork is drawn.
Price: GBP 44.99

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