Home-made Strawberry Wine - The Simplest Recipe

With a perfect blend of the freshest and sweetest fruits, strawberry wine is among the delicate and exquisite wines you can make at home. If you are unrelenting in making a strawberry wine, you should plan this in advance especially if you are thinking of serving this for a particular occasion because strawberry wines need to age for one year.

To start the winemaking process, gather the needed ingredients. They include seven pounds of whole, freshly picked strawberry fruits. Wash them and hull. You will also need 2 galloons of boiling water, lemon juice and five pounds of sugar.

Wine

To begin the preparation, mash the strawberry fruits in a large crock, or any fitting casserole. Cover the mashed strawberries with boiling water. Add the lemon juice and stir the mixture quickly for around two minutes. You may set this aside, covering with a linen cloth. Rest the crock in a dark and cool area, and make sure to stir it everyday for a week.

After a week, purify the concoction through cheesecloth that is double layered and strain them in a large bowl, thoroughly discarding the strawberry pulp. Mix the strawberry liquid and the sugar, stirring them constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a container and let it stand for another week, still stirring daily.

When the second week is over, you may pour the strawberry juice into a galloon of wine bottle, preferably glass-made. Cork them loosely. Let it rest in a dark and cool place for about three months. When you see that the wine is no longer bubbling and perfectly clear, you may pour it into individual wine bottles, cork them and let them age for a year. By doing so, you will be serving and tasting a deliciously homemade strawberry wine. This recipe can yield about 40 servings or two galloons.

Strawberry wine may vary accordingly. You can choose to taste it semi sweet, lightly sweet or sour or completely sweet.

Strawberries provide favorable effects to one's health. In addition to having low amount of calories and fats, these fruits are also rich in fiber, folate, antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C. compared to bananas, oranges and apples, they top as far as nutrient contents are concerned.

Apart from strawberry wine, the fruit can also be a perfect ingredient to make cereals, salads, yogurts, muffins, cakes and desserts. They can be eaten dried, frozen or fresh.

Home-made Strawberry Wine - The Simplest Recipe

Milos Pesic is and internationally recognized expert on wine, wine making and wine tasting. He runs a highly popular and comprehensive Red Wine and White Wine web site. For more articles and resources on wine making and tasting, wine recipes, wine reviews, vintage wine and much more visit his site at:

=>http://wine.need-to-know.net/

How to Make Your Own Homemade White Wine

There are normally several steps involved in making a great homemade wine. The recipe given here
uses grapes but you can also use blueberries, raspberries or any other berries of your choice. If you choose to use berries instead of grapes, just the same directions, adjusting the sugar to taste. You will need more sugar for fruits other than grapes as they are much lower in sugar content.

1. The first step in making wine from grapes (or any other fruit of your
choice) is to pick grapes at the peak of their flavor. Under-ripe or green grapes and fruit will make your wine very acidic and sour which is undesirable. Some of the best grapes for making wine include Merlot, Concord, Niagara and Catawba. These are but a few of the many varieties of grapes available for making wine.

Wines

To test whether your fruits are ripe enough mash up a good double handful,strain the juice and then measure the sugar level with a hydrometer. A hydrometer is a device that is used to accurately measure sugar levels and they are available from any winemaking supply shop near you. You should aim for a sugar density around 22° Brix - this equals 1.0982 specific gravity or 11 percent potential alcohol - and the fruit should have a sweet, ripe and slightly tart flavour.

You will have to make sure that the grapes are clean and free of insects and other debris. Get rid of any grapes that look rotten or not usable. You also need to make sure that all the stems are removed before mashing the grapes otherwise it will give your wine a bitter taste.

2. Rinse the grapes under running water to thoroughly cleanse them. Next you will need to crush and press the grapes to separate the pulp and juice from the skins. A good way to do this is to place the fruit in a mesh or nylon bag and press the juices out by hand, or, if you are making a large batch, stomping on them with your feet using clean Wellington or gum boots.

3. If you prefer a sweeter wine, you can also add purchased juice or juice concentrates to your mixture. These juices are available online or from your local wine making shop.

4. Next, add sugar, acid nutrients and yeast to achieve your desired ratio.

Here is a basic white wine recipe:

1 gallon of the fruit of your choice (crushed)

5 pounds of sugar

1 gallon of water

1/8 teaspoon of wine yeast (can be purchased from a winemaking supply
store or ordered online)

Campden tablets

Tartaric Acid

Let the yeast dissolve in a cup of warm water. Use a container of 2-gallon or larger to combine the remainder of the ingredients in. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Next, add the yeast and stir until mixed in properly. You can add more sugar at this stage if you prefer a sweeter wine.

5. Next you should add some ingredients to help you control the process and improve the flavor of your wine. At this stage you should ad a crushed Campden tablet to your must; this is a sulfur tablet which helps control the growth of natural yeast by slowing it down .

6. You can buy a special acidity testing kit to test the acidity of your wine if you desire. Following the instructions that come with the kit, check the titratable acidity (not the pH) and adjust with tartaric acid if necessary. You should aim for around 8 to 10g/L.

For the purpose of good winemaking it is also recommended that you purchase a hydrometer to check the sugar levels. This is used to check the SG (specific gravity level) gravity level on the hydrometer.

Normal table wine has a specific gravity reading of 1.090. Desert wines will have a higher reading, and dry wines, lower. The hydrometer is also used to measure alcohol levels.

Consult the instructions that comes with the hydrometer for doing proper readings. Both the acidity testing kit and the hydrometer can be purchased from a winemaking supply store near your or you can order it online.

You should also use small taste tests throughout the winemaking process to determine if your wine is developing without problems.

7. Ensure that all containers and utensils you use have been cleaned thoroughly and sterilized. Unsterilized and dirty equipment will result in fermenting bad bacteria with your wine which will give it an off taste.

The usual container used for fermenting wine is called a carboy or demijohn. These come in glass or can also be purchased in plastic. Just make sure that if you elect to buy the plastic one that the plastic is food graded. Using any other plastic may cause chemicals to leach into your wine that will make you sick as well as change the flavor of your wine.

8. Cover the container loosely and allow the must to ferment 7 to 10 days at room temperature (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or a little above). The container should be glass, ceramic or food grade plastic. Metal containers should be avoided could cause a negative chemical reaction due to the acids in the wine. Stir the must at least once a day.

9. Once the primary fermentation stage is complete, strain the liquid and place in a jug filling the jug nearly to the top to ferment. You will need to put an airlock on the mouth of the jug to allow the gases caused by the fermentation process to escape. (An airlock is a device made specifically for winemaking and can be purchased from any winemaking supply store. This airlock allows carbon dioxide to freely escape the wine while preventing oxygen from entering) Place the jug in a warm place to allow fermentation to continue. During this process, bubbles will rise out of the must mixture for six weeks or longer. When the bubbles have ceased, the sugar is all gone or the yeast have finally expired.

10. At this stage you can take a taste of your wine if you are curious about the taste, but do not drink a whole glassful. The wine is still fermenting and will probably result in an upset stomach! It is OK to taste little bits of wine as you go, but not drink too much of it the whole process is complete and the wine has had a chance to age.

11. At this stage, you can now rack the wine into a container for aging. Racking is the term used for siphoning the fermented wine into another container with the use of a siphoning hose. You can use fine mesh or cheesecloth to siphon the wine through. Let the wine sit until it clears.

12. When the liquid is clear and and no longer bubbling, this means that the fermentation is complete and you can now bottle your wine and cork it.

13. You can create your own labels and identify your wine with the year and your family name or you can give your wine a special brand name. You can handwrite the labels or create them in a word program and print them.

14. For the first several weeks, you should store your wine on its side - this will prevent the corks from drying out. Your wine should be stored in a clean place that is preferably cool and not subject to temperature fluctuations.

15. To develop the wine to best flavor, store it for at least 6 months to a year before drinking. Most wines improve in flavor if aged longer.

16. Now it is time to practice patience. Winemaking is not a hobby for people who are impatient. Wine can take anything from several months to several years to reach its full potential and flavour and you will be fully rewarded for waiting!

How to Make Your Own Homemade White Wine

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Crafting With Vintage Linens

As collecting, displaying and decorating with handwork and textiles becomes more important, "perfect" vintage textiles are becoming much more difficult to find. Chances are, when you are able to locate a perfect piece, it will be extremely expensive. Less than perfect pieces of vintage embroidery, clothing, doilies, quilts and coverlets are very easy to find, and are much less expensive than their "mint condition" counterparts. Vintage pieces have also stood the test of time, and are very durable. Frequent laundering has made these pieces luxuriously soft, and fading and minor flaws only add to their charm. You can make a variety of new projects from these slightly flawed pieces.

Part of the fun of working with vintage pieces is selecting just the right items for a project. I like to maintain a stash of linens in my studio. That way, when I am ready to work on a project, the right items are on hand. Most of the items I use are one-of-a -kind, so it is difficult to go out and purchase to order. I generally have to buy an item when I see it, and save it until I need it. Here are some things to keep in mind as you shop.

Vintage

Things to look for:

Look for items that have are in fair to good overall condition. Examine the piece carefully and check for stains, yellowing, or tears. You should also smell any piece you are considering buying. Some odors, like the slight mustiness of storage, will come out. Others, like smoke and mildew, will not. If the piece is in less than perfect condition, look for salvageable areas. Small stains and tears on a handkerchief render it unusable, but the same small tears and stains on a bedspread leave plenty of usable material for crafting and sewing projects. Don't be distracted by perceived flaws like incomplete trim or missing buttons. These items are not for use as-is, and their less than perfect shape allows you to cut into them without guilt, and also allows you to purchase items at a great savings.

Some specific information on the various types of vintage linens, and some pointers for selecting each:

Handkerchiefs:

Hankies are great for making smaller projects, or for adding a splash of color to larger ones. Handkerchiefs come in a huge variety of colors and styles. They can be embroidered by hand or machine, printed with floral or other patterns, or trimmed with crocheted or lace edges. Children's and souvenir hankies are also available, but are prized by collectors--they are often more expensive than "regular" styles. When you shop for handkerchiefs, look for pretty, clean pieces in colors you like. While a perfect crochet or lace edge is nice and gives more options, hankies with imperfect edges can often be used for sewing projects.

Be on the lookout for sets or singles. Sets of three to four hankies can sometimes be found in the original packaging. If you see a handkerchief with your initial, or the initial of someone close to you, buy it! These will come in handy when you need to add a personal touch to a project.

Hankies are still a great bargain. I have spent anywhere from .25-5.00 on a single handkerchief, depending on the quality and how much I liked it. Buying hankies in a "lot" at auction often yields a lower per-piece price.

Embroidered Accessories:

Embroidered accessories like placemats, table runners, pillowcases, and napkins were often made for home décor. They almost always feature "pretty" images like flowers, animals, and monograms, and add a great handmade touch to your vintage linen projects. They can be used for small to medium sized projects, or to add a special touch to larger ones. Embroidered accessories can be purchased in groups, or as single items. Buy embroidered accessories in matching groups if you are planning a quilt, or a series of items that match. If you are working on a single project, like a pretty accent pillow or accessory, a single piece is all you need.

"Cutter" Quilts, Bedspreads and Sheets

Quilts, bedspreads, and sheets work well for any sized project. They are large enough for covering furniture, making or backing new quilts, or creating matched sets of items. When you purchase these items, check the entire surface for flaws. Most "cutter" or craft" quality items will have some flaws, usually small tears or stains you can work around.

Quilts

Making a quilt takes a huge amount of time and commitment. Sadly, the art of quilting was unappreciated for many years--and many great quilts suffered as a result. Poor treatment, inadequate storage methods, and shoddy care have damaged many quilts beyond repair. While quilts damaged in this manner may be unusable for the originally intended purpose, they are perfect for crafting. Damaged, or "cutter" quilts are sold whole, in pieces, or as tops only. Look for cutter quilts at independent quilt stores, quilt shows, as well as the venues listed below. Most of the cutter quilts in my collection were purchased for under , and large scraps can be found in the .00-20.00 range from most sources.

"Orphan" quilt blocks can also be found from a wide variety of sources. Orphan blocks are single quilt blocks, or a small set of quilt blocks that were never incorporated into a larger project. The original quilt maker may have decided not to complete the project, or may have leftover blocks when she was finished. Either way, the resulting blocks, or "orphans" work great for smaller projects.

Bedspreads

Bedspreads are wonderful to work with. They provide a great quantity of fabric, for a minimal price. The types I prefer to purchase are either vintage cotton printed spreads, or cotton chenille spreads. A full sized chenille bedspread in "craft" condition will yield about four yards of fabric, for about , or about .00 per yard. New chenille of the same quality is about per yard--a substantial difference in price!

Sheets and pillowcases

Vintage sheets and pillowcases are usually soft cottons, often with pretty vintage floral patterns or ticking stripes. Sheets and pillowcases are great for a variety of projects--especially when soft, draping, fabric is a must. Use a pretty vintage sheet as a backing for a quilt, or as the lining for a jacket. Expect to pay under .00 each for sheets and pillowcases in good condition. Many of the sheets in my collection were purchased for under .00 each.

Clothing

Vintage clothing works well for a variety of projects. Clothing items are especially suited to memory projects. Use "special" items--baby clothing, flannel shirts, ties, scraps of dresses and aprons--even t shirts--to personalize your projects. Don't forget the details--lace and embroidered collars and cuffs, pretty buttons, smocked dress fronts, etc. Use special clothing pieces from your own family, or snip accessories from vintage finds.

Things to avoid:

Your eyes and nose are the best judges for what to avoid--stains and odors are the big culprits with old linens. Be sure to give everything a good looking over. Unfold and examine any item you are interested in purchasing. Minor flaws can be worked around, but you need to look the whole piece over to be sure it is in useable condition. If you have a chance to handle the item, crush the fabric lightly in your fingers. If it crackles at all, do not purchase it. Lastly, give it a sniff. Smoke, water, and mildew odors are next to impossible to get out. Avoid items that are damaged beyond repair either by age, poor storage, bad odors, staining, or major flaws in embroidery.

Watch out for linens that have been excessively starched. They may feel crisp when you purchase them, but starching can make the fibers brittle and too fragile to work with. Items that smell of bleach may be a very bright white but often retain the bleach smell after repeated washings. Heavy use of bleach also damages the fibers, often resulting in damage when the fabric is washed or exposed to sunlight.

I also avoid using true antiques or collector's items. Save these for display to accent your creations. Not only are antique or collectible quality pieces expensive, they are usually too beautiful to cut into. There are so many less than perfect items out there, I prefer not to cut into an item that is in collectible condition. This is a personal preference, so if you find the "perfect" pieces for your project, and don't mind the extra expense, go for it!

Although many less than attractive linens are salvageable, true "uglies" should be avoided. Unusable items include linens with ugly or harsh colors, awful fabrics, lumpy texture, huge, unattractive patterns, and fabrics that feel terrible to the touch. If you do not like the initial piece--color, texture, embroidery etc, you will not like the finished project! It is sometimes hard to decide which piece to start with--these are often one of a kind items, so some reluctance to cut into a piece is normal. Don't work with pieces you don't care for just because you don't want to wreck the "good" stuff.

Crafting With Vintage Linens

Samantha McNesby

What Causes Wine Allergies?

Although not as common as food allergies, people affected by wine allergies have as severe reactions as with any allergy. Sometimes people are even unaware that they may have these allergies, chalking up symptoms to "something they ate" or even being "hung over". The symptoms can be hives, severe headaches after just a small consumption of wine, itchy eyes, skin rashes and this can even trigger an asthma attack.

What Causes It

Wines

Even though, the first thought when someone has this allergy, could it be the alcohol? There are many more ingredients that are the probable culprit in this type of allergic reaction. The production of wine is somewhat complicated, using a method to produce the wine; and then, one to preserve it. In both processes there are many additives used to complete the entire wine making process. A common element found naturally in wine is sulphur dioxide. This compound is found on growing plants, including grapes. It is additionally added by winemakers because it helps to prevent organisms from growing in the wine. In addition, it keeps the wine from turning to vinegar by slowing yeast growth. There are limits to how much sulphur dioxide can be added to wine. For many, this ingredient may be the cause of their condition. Sweeter wines contain more sulphur dioxide; these are more likely to be white wines.

Red wines contain a larger variety of ingredients, and people allergic to wine may have more reactions when drinking red wine. Histamines can be found in red wine, and this could be a trigger for some with wine allergies. The reaction seen from histamines is usually like a hay fever attack, with sneezing and itchy eyes.

To discover exactly which component is causing the allergic reaction, a patient can through a skin-prick test. If there is no skin reaction to any of the ingredients, than the patient has a wine intolerance, not wine allergies. With diagnoses of intolerance, further steps can be taken to learn how to eliminate that ingredient from your diet.

Organic wines are becoming more popular, enabling people with wine allergies to still enjoy a favorite beverage. There are several organic vineyards that can be located through internet searches. These vineyards are kept to strict standards to maintain the integrity of the organic label.

Learning what ingredients causes and possible ways to avoid the ingredients can enable people to enjoy a glass of wine.

What Causes Wine Allergies?

Roger Mitchell has been freelancing as a writer for several years now. His articles on popular health topics include allergies, weight loss and various product reviews can be found on many news sites. His latest contribution at http://www.canopybedframe.net where he share tips on how you should choose a canopy bed frame for your bedroom.

How to Create Green Patina on Copper Crafts For a Vintage Look

A patina can be defined as a thin layer of colored oxidation which occurs on some metals over time, such as the green or gray rust on copper or bronze. The romantic name is verdigris: Think of crusty old copper roofs or a weathered bronze statue. When making crafts using natural copper, adding a green patina can create the old-world appearance of a vintage artifact.

Here are five techniques to add patina to natural copper - and one outrageous shortcut. But before you start: Clean the copper to remove any grease or coating. With these recipes, be very careful with chemicals or ammonia: wear chemical gloves and work in a ventilated area. The solutions can be applied to the copper by spray, brush or sponge. The patina usually appears after the copper has dried completely. It may take several applications and results can vary wildly.

Vintage

Okay, ready? The first four recipes are for the purists who must do everything from scratch.

1. Apply a mild solution of 20% salammoniac (found at metal supply stores) dissolved in 80% distilled water.
2. Apply a solution of 50% Dormant Spray (Lime-Sulfur Fungicide found at garden supply stores) and 50% distilled water.
3. Apply a solution of salt (10%), ammonium chloride (10%), liquid ammonia cleaner (20%), and wine vinegar (60%). Ammonium chloride can be purchased from chemical suppliers.
4. Put the copper in a plastic or glass air-tight container. Cover the copper with a light layer of salt and put an open container of ammonia with it. Seal the container overnight.
5. Purchase a copper patina solution at your craft store and follow the directions. This always works.
And one outrageous shortcut:
6. Sponge or brush on an imitation patina using blue, green and gray craft paints. Use your best antiquing techniques of dabbing and wiping. It is much faster and much more controllable than chemical mixtures.

Verdigris patinas can be delicate, so protect your final dry copper surface with a clear finish like polyurethane or lacquer. Have fun making instant antiques!

How to Create Green Patina on Copper Crafts For a Vintage Look

Scott Henderson founded Vintage Image Craft (http://www.vintageimagecraft.com) for crafters and scrapbookers who love creating with vintage images. Visit for free ideas, techniques, instructions and vintage image downloads.

Summer Events and Attractions To Check Out In Blenheim

Are you planning a holiday in Blenheim during the popular summer month of February? Interested in music and relaxing nights at local wineries enjoying fine wine while listening to the musical lyrics of local New Zealand artists? Then Blenheim is definitely the place to be. Take a few days and book into a luxury boutique hotel. Many of the hotel establishments in Marlborough have award-winning restaurants and stunning views overlooking the region. Booking boutique accommodation in Blenheim for a special occasion, such as a honeymoon, is a must do. While in Blenheim this February, be sure to book tickets to these local events:

1. The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival - This local event is held in February at Brancott Estate on State Highway One. Enjoy a day in the sun tasting local wines and fabulous cuisine. Entertainment takes place throughout the day. Enjoy listening to the famous Kiwi musicians.

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2. For an enjoyable evening listening to famous New Zealand musicians and bands, make you way to the Villa Maria Marlborough Winery on New Renwick Road, Fairhall during the summer month of February. This annual tour is well worth buying tickets for.

3. Framingham Wines located at Conders Bend Road, Renwick, celebrate the beginning of the harvest season with an intimate concert at their vineyard. If you have recently married, booking your honeymoon in Blenheim is certainly an option worth considering with the special events such as the Framingham Harvest Concert.

There are also many wine tours around Blenheim worth checking out. We recommend contacting one of the following tour operators:

1. The Bubbly Grape Wine Tour Company. Let the tour guides from the Bubbly Grape Tour Company pick you up from your boutique accommodation in Marlborough and take you on fabulous tour of local vineyards in their comfortable Mercedes van.

2. Marlborough Wine Tours offer personalized and flexible tours to suit their clients' needs. Tours range from 3 - 7 hours in duration. Check out their website for more information.

3. For something a bit different, 'Wine Tours By Bike' are a local tour operator whom have been operating for 12 years. Take in the beautiful Marlborough wine region while you cycle between vineyards. With flat sealed roads and short distances between vineyards, this tour is a unique and fun day out. Again, find out more information on their website.

February is a fantastic month to plan a holiday and book accommodation in Marlborough there is always a local event to attend.

Summer Events and Attractions To Check Out In Blenheim

Offering the perfect place to relax after a day exploring Marlborough's many attractions, Hotel d'Urville is a small hotel with eleven large, well-appointed rooms and a signature restaurant.

If you are looking for luxury boutique accommodation in Blenheim, New Zealand, book a stay at Hotel d'Urville located in the heart of Marlborough's central business district: www.durville.com

Chandeliers and Cocktails Make the Perfect Accessory

Chandelier earrings and big cocktail rings were a hot jewelry trend in 2009 and it looks like they are going to stay hot into the 2010 season. When it comes to earrings and rings, the bigger the better. Instead of letting your outfit scream for attention, the 2010 season is all about bold accessories. Metallics like bronze, gold and copper can be seen everywhere. Big stones in colors like coral, yellow and green are also popular this year. Here are some tips and trend watches to help you score big in fashion in 2010.

The great thing about chandelier earrings is that they look great on any face shape. There are so many different options to choose from that you are bound to find a pair or two that are perfect for you. Celebrities can be seen wearing chandelier earrings to red carpet events all the time. What's great about a big, bold pair of earrings is that you don't need other accessories to complete the look. These dramatic earrings are the perfect ultra-feminine accessory for any outfit.

Vintage

The obvious time to wear chandelier earrings is a night out on the town or any other glamorous event you are attending. They go great with a gown and an updo or even a nice pair of jeans and party top for the club. Fancy chandelier earrings can be found in just about any shape, size and color you can imagine. Anything with bronze or gold bases in large, fanning vintage designs is a sure-fire hit. Look for earrings with yellow, coral or green gemstones to be on the cutting edge of color trends. Surprisingly, chandelier earrings can also be worn with a very casual outfit. If you throw on a jersey and a pair of jeans for the game on Sunday, add a great pair of chandelier earrings for an unexpected feminine touch. Stay a bit simpler when going this route with a few long strands and a matte stone like turquoise or coral.

Another great accessory that can stand on its own is a cocktail ring. These can be so much fun to wear and can add a little something different to your outfit. Just like the chandelier earrings, bigger is better when it comes to cocktail rings! Choose something with a huge, sparkling stone or a big metallic flower. Yellow gold is really popular when it comes to cocktail ring styles. When going with yellow gold, find a ring with big emeralds or amethyst stones for an eye-catching accessory. Another big trend is a white gold ring with a huge black or peacock Tahitian pearl sitting up in a high setting.

Remember, when you put on a huge pair of chandelier earrings or a cocktail ring, you don't need many other accessories, if any at all. The purpose of these oversized pieces is for them to make a bold statement on their own. Don't be afraid to go a little bit crazy with accessories like this. A lot of times, the bolder you go, the greater the impact!

Chandeliers and Cocktails Make the Perfect Accessory

Piper Smith is the VP of Marketing for Museum Way Pearls, a leading provider of pearl jewelry such as Tahitian pearl necklaces and black pearl stud earrings. Museum Way Pearls can be found online at: MuseumWayPearls.com.

New Trends in Business Card Cases

Some people give business holder case as gifts to their business buddies. It is ideal and nice business gifts that make a perfect sense of taste. are available in various styles and patterns to choose from. Besides the available designs, you can engrave or monogram the to bring a personal touch.

Customized deluxe holder comes in gorgeous leather texture that attracts both men and women. This type of is very sleek and professional. You can make it more professional by adding initial or name of the person. Some leather features two interior credit pockets, an inside window-view I.D section, a fully gusseted inside pocket and an outside pocket. All these make leather business case the perfect gift for business people. Aluminum and wooden business holder are unique gift choices for your colleague who just attained a career milestone.

Vintage

It is ideal with both casual and formal wears. These types come in sleek black textures with beveled edges on the front. Wooden business holder case perfectly keeps the cards clean and pristine. Business wallet is a distinctive gift for buddies who quickly mounting the corporate ladder. It includes matte line accents echoing the classic pinstripe suits. Business are very affordable and fashionable option for all business people. Wooden business come with vintage charm which keeps up to 50 cards cleanly and pristine. For men, stainless steel business are available in the market which can carry credit cards, cash, mints, keys etc.

To get unique and attractive, business case This is the most renowned and reputed online source where you can get splendid range of business. Business case also offers authentic and elaborated information on.

New Trends in Business Card Cases

You will get a clear idea about how to choose from business card case, what are the new trends in business card holder industry and so on. This site also offers free shipping over the purchasing of 0. Don't think more!

Vintage Crochet Patterns - As Old As Time

Crocheting, I bet you've heard of this before. Most people have, it's a hobby as old as time. It's been around for years, and it's been estimated that the hobby started as far back as the 1500s! Unfortunately no proof has ever been brought forth as to when it actually originated.

Have you ever wondered where and when this needlework hobby started? According to the September 1997 newsletter of the Crochet Guild of America, a researcher theorized that the art of crochet could be traced as far back as 1500s in Italy. However, there is no solid evidence for this statement.

Vintage

But even so, we can only imagine that this craft has been around for the longest time. And it has evolved from making only home décor works to stitching clothes and other fashion accessories as well.

Reminiscing

Crocheting can let you do a lot of things. From small purses to jackets and sweaters, there are a lot of options to choose from. But there are probably some hobbyists that are looking for those old, classic patterns that can usually be seen during the early 1900s or even earlier. To help you in finding those hard-to-look for patterns, here are some resources that you can check out in the World Wide Web.

- Vintage Crochet Patterns. Tabitha Gibbons, the owner of this web site, offers several volumes of crochet patterns books. She sells a wide selection of vintage crochet patterns, from little doilies, rugs, afghans to bed covers and table cloths. By visiting her web site, one can fill out the name and email form to receive a free pattern book.

- Crochet Treasures. "Patterns from the past; Creating heirlooms for tomorrow..." This is the slogan of this web site with a collection of classic patterns. It is a member-based site that offers over 950 vintage patterns to its subscribers. For visitors, it also offers about 25 free vintage crochet patterns for personal use. However, it is not accepting new members at the moment until further notice by the owner.

- Celt's Vintage Crochet. Yet another vintage crochet patterns site, this really has a wide variety of vintage patterns to choose from. And the best thing about this site is that all of these patterns are for free! It also showcases the owner's finished projects, most of which are doilies and other table accessories.

- Soft Memories. This site brings you back to the past with its collection of more than a thousand vintage crochet patterns. The patterns are grouped in different categories - doilies, bed jackets and slippers, hanky edgings, potholders, ruffles and flowers, doll clothes, and other home décor pieces. All of these patterns can be viewed and printed out by subscribing to the site. There are also a few free patterns available for visitors to get a peak of what the site has to offer.

- Vintage Crochet Patterns e-book. This sort-of e-book contains 20 wonderful vintage patterns that are easy to crochet and can be hits in fairs and bazaars. Some examples of the patterns available are the crochet work bag, beaded doily, and the wedding ring bedspread. This is a portable document file (pdf) that can be downloaded for free from Crochet and Knitting web site.

- 1800's to Early 1900's Vintage Pattern Links. This site, authored by a lady named Martha who is also known as StarGazer, has several links to patterns that were designed way back 1800s up to 1930s. These patterns can be accessed for free. The site also has links to other web sites that offer vintage crochet patterns.

- Antique Crochet Patterns. This section in the web site Knitting-Crochet has almost a hundred of vintage patterns categorized into baby pieces, men's or ladies' wear, slippers, tablecloth, doily, and many others. It also offers to convert your knitting patterns to crochet and vice versa. Best of all, these patterns are free to access and print for personal use!

- Antique Crochet Patterns. This one is different from the site above as this is the web site name itself, not just a section. This site offers vintage crochet patterns from 1850s to 1950s and all of these are baby items such as bonnet, booties, hat, jumper, afghan, and a lot more. It also provides free lesson for the wannabes and beginners of this needlecraft.

These are just a few of the tons of resources you can find online that offers hard-to-find vintage patterns. Whether free or fee-based, these sites and resources can surely take you back in time with the wonderful, classical patterns that they offer.

If you are a crochet hobbyist you may seriously consider checking out these online resources. You should be able to find a huge variety of patterns for free, as well as purchasable ones. Whether you're a crochet master, or a novice of this eloquent hobby, these patterns will surely please you in many ways.

To learn more about getting started in crochet please visit [http://www.startcrocheting101.com] now.

Vintage Crochet Patterns - As Old As Time

Crocheting is a great pasttime with lots of history behind it. If you are interested in learning more about beginning crochet or are already involved and would like to further your knowledge, please visit [http://www.startcrocheting101.com].

What Makes Dry Wine?

A person who is interested in wine will have a lot to say about dry wine. With each wine, the exact color, taste, and bouquet is very important. For the most part, dry wine can be either red wine or white wine.

The Taste

Wine

The taste is what makes a dry wine actually seem to be dry. When a wine is a dry wine, there is going to be a bitter and almost thick taste to it, as opposed to wine that is not a dry wine, otherwise known as a sweet wine. The drier that a wine is, the richer it is going to feel while you are drinking it.

The taste of the dry wine comes from many different areas. First of all, the taste is mostly found in the ingredients. In all wines, there is a certain amount of things like fruit, floral, and other types of flavors. The dry wine is going to have more of a full bodied flavor, with lots of rich types of ingredients.

Another aspect in the making of dry wine is going to be the length of time that it is set in the bottle before it is actually drunk. The amount of time is part of what makes a wine either dryer or sweeter. The longer a wine that has the right ingredients is in the bottle, the dryer it is going to get.

Therefore, if you are looking for a good dry wine, you want to find one that has a lot of rich and woody flavors, and one that has been in the bottle for a very long time. Remember that the labels of the bottles can be very important when you are choosing wines, because you will be able to find one that has the descriptions of the various tastes that you are looking for. When you are drinking a dry wine, you are going to want to be eating foods that compliment this wine as well. Some of these foods are rich meats and fish as well, although when you are looking at fish you are going to want to have a dry white wine and not a red one. This will complement the flavor much better.

Remember, also, that price doesn't have to be the best judge of a good dry wine. You might be able to find one for a much cheaper price than you would think. With wine, it is simply a matter of taste-testing until you find the type, the color, and the flavor that fits you the best.

What Makes Dry Wine?

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Champagne Bottles

It is a moment of great excitement when you lift up the champagne bottle to pop it open. Did you know that the shape, color and size of the champagne bottle also matter a lot? Well, each bottle of champagne is just not made to hold the contents inside it. It is actually made keeping in mind many things, some of which are the type of champagne, originality of champagne and the ingredients. Surprising, isn't it?

A champagne bottle retains its glamour and splendor even after consumption and adds class to the bar where it is stored. It can be gifted and presented to someone or can even be auctioned as a piece of rare art. This depends on what spectacular features the champagne bottle holds. Some wine producers follow the tradition of their local areas when choosing the shape of a champagne bottle. For example, straight-sided and high-shouldered champagne bottles depict the port, sherry and Bordeaux varieties, whereas tall bottles with sloping shoulders and a smaller punt stand for Burgundies and Rhone varieties. Some bottles have idiosyncratic styles that help in marketing the champagne.

Wines

The color and the punts of the champagne bottles also have some significance. Dark red and light green bottles hold dry whites; clear bottles hold sweet wines; and dark to medium green bottles usually indicate that a Mosel or Alsace is contained inside. Additionally, clear bottles have become among the most popular ones for white champagne with most of the producers. Lastly, it should be understood that no matter what the shape, size and color of the champagne bottle, it doesn?t make any big difference to the champagne or its taste.

Champagne Bottles

Champagne provides detailed information on Champagne, French Champagne, Champagne Glasses, Champagne Racks and more. Champagne is affiliated with Alcohol Treatments [http://www.i-Alcohol.com].

Vintage Guitar Values - How Much Is Your Guitar Worth?

Many of the visitors to my website ask about vintage guitar values. Do you have a guitar about which you would like to have information? Do you have a question about Fender guitar value, Gibson guitar value, or maybe the value of a Martin guitar? Even if you don't know what kind of guitar you have, a little research will help you to find the value of your guitar.

What makes a guitar valuable?

Vintage

Several factors figure into the value of a guitar. In general, the guitar must be one which is sought after by collectors and musicians. The demand for a guitar is determined in general by quality, beauty, and playability. This demand must outweigh the available supply.Age is an important factor in the value of a guitar, but a guitar is not necessarily more valuable just because it is older. It must have been made with a high standard of quality in the first place. An old mediocre quality guitar is just that--an old mediocre guitar! The actual year that a guitar was made may not be as important as the PERIOD in which it was made.

For example, electric guitars which are most valuable today include Fender Telecasters made before 1954, Fender Stratocasters made between 1954 and 1959, and Gibson Les Pauls made between 1958 and 1960. Acoustic guitars of the greatest value include Pre-World War II Martins and Gibsons.This is not to say that other guitars are not valuable. Many vintage guitars will bring a good price. The trick is to know approximately how much YOUR guitar is worth.

How Do I Determine the Value of My Guitar?

In order for you or anyone else to determine the value of your guitar, you must have certain information available. Ideally, you would know the brand, model, and serial number. The brand and model, however, can often be determined through the serial number. Then you must determine the condition of your guitar--prices differ greatly according to condition. Here are some guidelines: (these guidelines are from the "Blue Book of Acoustic and Electric Guitars")

100% - New - New with all factory materials, including warranty card, owner's manual, case, and other items that were originally included by the manufacturer. On currently manufactured instruments, the 100% price refers to an instrument not previously sold at retail. Even if a new instrument has been played only twice and traded in a week later, it no longer qualifies at 100%.

Excellent - this Excellent condition range is represented by both High Excellent and Low Excellent condition. High Excellent refers to an instrument that is very clean, looks almost new (perhaps a few light scratches/dings only), and has hardly been used. Low Excellent refers to a guitar that has been played/used, and has accumulated some minor wear in the form of light scratches, dings, small chips, etc. The older an instrument, the less likely it will be in High Excellent condition Even Low Excellent is seldom encountered on instruments over 50 years old, since most acoustic instruments were originally purchased to be played

Average - The Average guitar condition factor indicates an acoustic guitar that has been in a player's hands and has worn due to player use (hopefully, no abuse). High Average condition instruments have normal dents, small chips, and light dings on the body, and/or scratches on the top and back. However, there should be no problems unless indicated separately. Low Average condition instruments may reflect major finish problems, replacement parts, previous repairs (especially on older instruments), alterations, and neck/fret wear is typically visible.

Once you have this information at hand, you can attempt to find the value of the guitar by consulting various sources on the internet or you can have it appraised by an expert. Researching the value of your guitar on the internet may be free. The downside is that this research requires a big expenditure of time and a wide knowledge of guitar pricing resources. If you have your guitar appraised, remember that the appraiser may also be a dealer who is, after all, wanting to make a profit by reselling the guitar. For this reason, the appraisal MAY be biased.

Because so many of my website visitors have inquired about the value of their guitars, I have begun to offer a GENERAL guitar evaluation service. This service is FREE. If you are interested, please visit:

Vintage Guitar Values at the May Music Studio Website.

Vintage Guitar Values - How Much Is Your Guitar Worth?

http://www.may-studio-music-lessons.com

Visit this site for free (really--no trial periods, no tricks--just FREE!) guitar, drum, piano, theory and composition lessons.

When Wine Causes a Skin Rash - Sulfite Allergies

Many common foods we eat daily can cause a whole host of problems for any person sensitive to sulfites. This is because sulfites are used everywhere in the manufacturing industry as a food preservative. Its function is to stop the growth of bacteria, prevent oxidation (browning) and to extend the shelf life of the finished product.

The grape, the major ingredient in all wines, does have a percentage of sulfites in them naturally occurring right from nature. But after growing and harvesting (many farmers do not use any sulfites during this stage), the bottling and packaging process requires the use of some type of food preservative for extended shelf life. This preservative is needed to prevent the ruination of an entire crop of bottled wines. To date, there is no "all-natural or organic" preservative available for use in the wine industry.

Wines

Common to the wine collector or the wine dealer, a bottle of wine with an extended shelf life will fetch a better price than the same vintage of just a few years of age. Without sulfites, this extended shelf life is impossible. A bottled wine without sulfites can not last more than a few years.

Common Symptoms Of A Wine-Sulfite Allergy

Several of the reported symptoms of a sulfite reaction from assorted wines include:

• headaches or migraines
• gastro-intestinal symptoms
• skin rash
• respiratory symptoms (especially in asthmatics)

A sulfite allergy is especially hard on asthmatics because they already have a distressed respiratory system, hence major breathing problems. The additional swelling of the mucous membranes can result in troublesome wheezing or a severe asthma attack.

What Else Includes Sulfites

If you are sensitive to sulfites, there is a whole host of other items you may need to avoid other than wines. Some people actually can withstand a small amount of exposure but since it is a food preservative, it is found in many different places:

• grape juice or anywhere you see raisins, these need to be monitored slowly
• sulfites occur naturally in tomatoes so ketchup, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste or vegetable soup etc.
• deli meats, sausages, hot dogs etc.
• frozen pizza, frozen bread doughs, etc.
• almost all dried fruits were preserved with sulfites to prevent browning

Treatments Or A Sulfite Watch

Currently there is no treatment for a sulfite allergy other than avoidance. Sensitivities are so inconsistent between many patients, some individuals have found they can tolerate small amounts. But with over-indulgence or just too many food products reliant on sulfites that day, their allergy symptoms will flare up. Over the counter antihistamines (check these labels carefully though or ask the pharmacist - some of these also use sulfites) will help to reduce the skin rashes and minor swellings.

Asthmatics though must rely on their medications and inhalers for help. Re-opening their airway to further help their labored breathing is the #1 priority in case of accidental ingestion.

Sulfite allergies therefore do not lead to the standard anaphylactic reaction as is common in most allergies, but it does often lead to a fatality. Many asthmatics, without immediate medical intervention, will have an asthma attack and not be able to prevent suffocation.

When Wine Causes a Skin Rash - Sulfite Allergies

Kathi Robinson
Educate yourself about sulfites if you notice unusual signs, especially if you are an asthmatic. Sulfite allergy can be deadly. Know how to keep yourself safe. For more information, foods to avoid, and foods which are safe please visit my site at http://www.allergy-and-diabetic-health.com/sulfite-allergy.html

Get Ready For Easter With Vintage Dinnerware

Charming vintage dinnerware can make your holiday gatherings even more special. Pretty pale colors, shiny glassware, and bold clear accent pieces are reminiscent of the colored Easter eggs, jelly beans, marshmallow chicks and other treats that many of us remember from our childhood Easter baskets.

Easter was one of the big holidays at our house. Ham, mashed potatoes and cherry pie were sure to be on the menu. And colored Easter eggs, of course, to eat plain or turn into deviled eggs.

Vintage

To serve the afternoon dinner, Mom pulled out the big oval platters, large serving bowls, glass pie plates and other "best" dishes that were only used for Sunday family gatherings.

You can combine old and new dinnerware to put together a beautiful Easter table setting at your home this year.

• Start with a theme. It could be a motif (like bunnies or chicks) or a color scheme (like yellow and white).
• Choose tableware in light pastel colors and white. Lots of vintage wares in pale yellow, green and pink are in shades that go with home-dyed, colored eggs. These particular tints aren't often found in new dinnerware, but they are readily available in the vintage market.
• Select glassware and accent pieces in rich shades like red, purple, green or orange. The big, bright jelly beans that we had 40 years ago are still available at Easter time. And, if you leave your eggs in the dye bath longer, you'll also get these deep, vibrant colors.
• Use centerpieces and decorations based on common spring themes of bunny rabbits, baby chicks, and spring flowers like daffodils and tulips. All these things symbolize new life, a traditional Easter theme. Older dinnerware patterns feature these motifs, as well as use gingham, dots, checks and other border designs that can help tie your color scheme together.

Pretty vintage dishes can add to a beautiful Easter table setting, an enjoyable special meal, and inspire you to create new and different table settings throughout the year.

Get Ready For Easter With Vintage Dinnerware

Sally Kimbel is the owner of Kimbesa's Closet, Kimbesa's Closet 2 and Kimbesa's Finer Vintage, Internet retail establishments that offer vintage dinnerware and complementary new items for green living and enjoyment.

Vintage Lingerie

Lingerie is a vital element of every woman's wardrobe and is tastefully selected by most women. Lingerie may include sexy everyday items such as satin and silk underwear or exclusive lingerie designs such as "teddy" or "baby dolls" to be worn for special occasions. Typically, most women wear sexy lingerie to entice their partners and lure them in to passionate lovemaking. Many women are obsessed about lingerie and go to great lengths to find the right style. Some women like the exclusive vintage lingerie collection that offers an insight in to the style preferred by the women of yesterday. Vintage lingerie collection includes vintage slips, girdles, underwear, and camisoles. Other popular vintage lingerie products include vintage teddies, corsets, and baby dolls.

Various lingerie outlets sell vintage lingerie exclusively. They sell vintage collections of popular brands such as Vanity Fair, Lorraine, Lucie Ann, and Van Raalte that are well known for vintage slips and sexy nightgowns. Vintage bras are extremely sexy and made from rich satin and superior quality silk. Vintage slips are designed with lot of stress on comfort and fall smoothly along the curves. They can be either embroidered or simply plain. Vintage panties come in a variety of styles, textures, and patterns.

Vintage

Women, who love to flaunt different styles and love to experiment, are highly attracted to the vintage style of lingerie. Various movie production houses also require vintage lingerie collections. In case of any minor imperfections in the authentic vintage lingerie products, their details are included in the product description.

Plenty of manufacturers create reproductions of various vintage lingerie styles. Unlike authentic vintage collections, reproduction collections come at affordable rates. The biggest advantage of buying reproduction vintage lingerie is that they offer vintage designs that are combined with the comfort of contemporary style of lingerie.

All original vintage lingerie items can be ordered via the Internet. These items are carefully packed and shipped to the desired location.

Vintage Lingerie

Lingerie provides detailed information on Lingerie, Lingerie Model, Discount Lingerie, Plus Size Lingerie and more. Lingerie is affiliated with Corset Training [http://www.e-corset.com].

What to Serve With Lobster - Finding the Perfect Wine

If you are a lobster fan - and you probably are if you are reading this - then you would definitely appreciate a fine lobster meal with the best appetizers, desserts, side items, and drinks that all fully complement the lobster. After all, what to serve with lobster should revolve around one thing: the lobster itself. One of the most important components of a great lobster meal, I believe, is what you drink with it - and there is no better choice than a nice glass of wine. This article will tell you what to serve with lobster as far as wine is concerned, so that you can get a drink that truly brings out the flavor of your delicious seafood.

What to Serve With Lobster: A Wine Primer

Wines

Before I give you specific types of wine or brands to purchase, you should first know a couple of facts about wine and lobster. The first is that wine is really up to you, ultimately. While certain wines taste good with certain foods, you do not have to drink anything but what you like. With that being said, as a general rule you should stay away from red wines when eating lobster. Why? Red wines have lots of tannin, which give the red wine its signature flavor. Tannin will clash with iodine that is found in lobster, which will make your meal taste like metal. You can still drink red wine, but I would recommend staying away from it as much as possible.

Also, what you eat with your lobster will impact your choice of wine to some extent. In the guide below I will give you a few pointers regarding what wine tastes best with the respective side items or sauces you may be inclined to eat with your lobster. In general, though, the best category of wine for lobster, hands down, is white wine.

What to Serve With Lobster: White Wines

White wine is absolutely perfect for complementing the light, delicate taste of seafood, especially lobster. Red wines are too acidic and heavy and can overpower the meat, whereas white wines subtly complement the taste and texture of the lobster - making the meal taste that much better. If you had to pick only one type of white wine to drink with your lobster, I would recommend a nice California chardonnay, such as the Flora Springs Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2006. The all-around crips and sweet taste of the chardonnay goes great with just about any type of lobster.

If you tend to eat the lobster relatively plain, or with a minimum of side items, then I recommend a nice German or Austrian Pinot Blanc (which tend to be less full-bodied than other types). One nice offering is the Biegler Pinot Blanc 2005. Chablis is also good for lobster that does not have a lot of garlic or other seasoning, and is not as sweet as other types. Finally, just about any pinot grigio will work beautifully as well.

A good rule of thumb is this: The richer the food, the 'bigger' the wine. You will want a nice, full-bodied wine that can complement a thoroughly-prepared lobster. One of my favorite pairings for this type of lobster incorporates a crisp and bold New Zealand sauvignon blanc, such as the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2001. Austrian Rieslings are also great for lobster that in a cream sauce, or is heavily seasoned.

What to Serve With Lobster: Blush and Sparkling Wines

If you want a different variety than white wine to go with your lobster, then you can choose from either blush or sparkling wines. Sparkling wines are very light and tend to be sweet. The hands-down favorite choice for sparkling wine for lobster is a nice, light champagne. But if you do not want to shell out the money for a nice bottle of champagne (it can get pretty expensive), a nice bottle of Korbel will be just as good.

Another alternative to champagne is a delicious wine called Moscato d'Asti. It is my favorite type of wine because of its strong, sweet, and fruity flavor and light, airy body. Proseco is another choice from Italy that is light, bubbly, and has the slight taste of fruit, but not in a way that will overpower your lobster. And finally, if you want a blush wine (called rosè outside of North America), then I recommend a fruity yet not overly-sweet brand, like the La Scolca Rosa Chiara Rosato 2007. Any Italian rosato wine will more than likely be delicious, though.

When trying to figure out what to serve with lobster, just remember this: While these wines above are great matches, there is no better pairing with your food than a wine that you truly love.

What to Serve With Lobster - Finding the Perfect Wine

Hope you enjoyed the article and you are welcome to read:
How To Cook A Lobster Thermidor

How To Cook A Lobster

How Red Wine is Made

Red Wine is made almost exclusively from black grapes, the colour coming from the skins.

Firstly, the picked bunches of grapes are put through a crusher, which carefully breaks the skins. Depending on the type of wine being made, and the amount of tannin required, the stalks may or may not be discarded at this stage.

Wine

Then the grapes are moved from the crusher into a fermentation vats with skins. Fermentation can take upto 4 weeks or longer to complete. The higher the temperature, the more colour and tannin is extracted.

To produce soft red wines, whole grapes are fermented in sealed vats. Carbon dioxide trapped in the vat forces the grapes to ferment faster under pressure and this process can take as little a 5 days.

A wine's colour and tannin content is dictated partly by the length of time the fermenting must remains in contact with the skins and pips. Unless these are restrained by a mesh, they will be carried to the surface and form a cap. If there is no mesh to hold the skins and pips down, then the vat is flushed so the cap is broken up and the colour leeched out.

The weight of the mass of grapes is sufficient to squeeze the fermented juice out of grapes, and then this is allowed tio run into casks as free-run wine.

The rest of the bulk goes into a press and is crushed to produce a highly tannic wine. This may be added to the free-run wine to add structure to the blend.
The wine from both vat and press are mixed and transferred to tanks or barrels where a second fermentation will occur.

'Fine wine' almost always spends at least a year in barrels, large or small. The wine is fined with egg-white, which drags suspended yeast and other solids in the wine downwards before being racked, filtered, and bottled.

Finally, time spent in the bottle is important, but not every wine needs it. A complex (and expensive) bottle of red wine will almost certainly benefit from bottle ageing, as will white wine with both body and high enough acidity. Simple wines, intended for prompt drinking, will lose colour and freshness if left for too long.

How Red Wine is Made

Jason Hulott is Editor of UK Wine Online. UK Wine Online is an independent source for Red Wine [http://www.uk-wine-online.co.uk]. With guides on the major wine producing regions and content about each type of red wine.