Month: November 2022

Making wine is one of those age-old customs that has been around for virtually as long as humankind has needed a drink. But even though drinking wine has been a pleasure shared by people of many ages and countries, there is still some mystery around the specifics of how it is made.

When and where did winemaking begin?

It will be helpful to understand the context of wine’s history before we get into the specifics of how to produce wine from grapes. While France and Italy are the nations most closely associated with wine production, archaeological evidence indicates that wine production may have begun in China around 7000 B.C., with Armenia and Georgia following suit not too long after.

What are the steps?

The precise processes in the harvesting process will vary in time, method, and technology depending on the type of grape, the region, and the type of wine that a winemaker desires to produce. However, these fundamental vine-to-wine stages are generally present in every wine harvest:

1. Harvesting
2. Pressing
3. Fermentation
4. Clarification
5. Maturation
6. Bottling

Harvesting

Harvesting is the process of selecting and gathering wine grapes, much like any other ripe fruit. Destemming happens after the grapes are harvested from the vineyard, either manually or mechanically.

Pressing

Pressing, also known as crushing, is the process of pressing grapes to obtain the juice that will be used to make wine. Grapes for white wine are immediately pressed to prevent prolonged contact with the grape skins (hence the light color). Red wine grapes are crushed along with their skins and seeds, which add tannins and color.

Fermentation

Without a doubt, fermentation is the key to making wine. Depending on the winemaker, either wild yeast or cultured yeast starts the fermentation process, which turns the grapes’ sugar content into ethanol and carbon dioxide (i.e., alcohol content).

Clarification

As the name suggests, clarification is the process of cleaning the wine to get rid of any floaties or sediment that can give it a hazy appearance.

Maturation

The process of maturation occurs when wine keeps fermenting and adds complexity, tastes, and aromas. While some vintners choose to mature wine in stainless steel vats, others prefer oak vats, which can add spicier, warmer aromas. Wine ages differently from one bottle to the next, although in general, white wines aren’t aged as long as red wines.

Bottling

Bottling is the last step in the production of wine from grapes. Some wines are suitable to drink straight immediately, while others need to mature for years in the wine bottle.

Find new uses for your dusty, old shot glasses with fun and festive dining ideas. Show your guests the refined side of shot glasses at any gathering, whether it’s a formal dinner or a playful outdoor braai. Jello shots not allowed!

Here is a list of the top 10 unconventional uses for a shot glass:

1. Desserts

Having consumed appetizers, a starter, a filling main meal, and a few glasses of wine, your dinner party guests might be feeling a little overwhelmed by the idea of a large dessert being served to cap off the evening. How about offering delectable little desserts in shot glasses, like these no-bake strawberry lemonade cheesecakes, to still satisfy your sweet tooth?

2. Dipping Sauces

Serve your canapés in shot glasses with a selection of dipping sauces for guests.

3. Wedding Favours

Succulents make the most fantastic wedding favour or gift. A living succulent gift is stylish, charming and something that your guests can take home as a long-lasting memory of your special day.

4. Little Vases

Looking for a unique way to adorn your tables at special events? Display beautiful single-stem flowers in a shot glass for simple but effective decoration.

5. Candle-Making

Get crafty and make your own colourful shot glass-sized candles to brighten up your home or decorate your tables for a party. This article shows you how to step by step.

Our Favourite Shot Glasses:

Roly Poly Crystal Shot Glass 60ml

Duralex Amalfi Glass Tumbler 70ml

Duralex Picardie Glass Tumbler 90ml

With the ever-present effects of global warming and ecological issues growing significantly, industries are turning to sustainable materials that will lessen the effects and hopefully make a difference.

RCR is one of the companys that are at the forefront of eco-friendly processes as they boast emission-free productions and 100% recyclable glassware.

Faithful to the spirit of Italian artisan craftmanship since 1967, RCR Cristallia, adopts the latest, most innovative technology to make sure their glassware remains a reliable, durable and beautiful product.

What is Eco-Crystal?

Eco-Crystal is a material of the finest quality and produced with the utmost care for the environment that is used in the creation of all of our goods.

The whole production process is fully electric and aimed to a continuous reduction in consumption.

Energetic Savings

RCR has reduced its electric consumption by 45% which is the equivalent of average consumption of a village of 5.845 people.

Energy is constantly being recycled, thus there is never any waste. The energy released by machines is recovered and reused while the heating is conveyed in order to fuel the heating system.

Water Savings

40% of the water used in the production process is recycled, and the remaining water is decanted and purified to an exceedingly high standard.

RCR has also decided not to use raw materials that release nitrogen oxides, the main responsible for acid rain pigments

Choosing RCR Cristalleria Italiana and Crystal Eco-Crystal means counting on Made-in-Italy quality, knowing that you have done the right thing for your business and for the environment.

Our Favourite RCR Products:

RCR Adagio Whiskey Set 7Pcs

The Adagio Set is a timeless, retro-chic design with classy faceted ridges. This set of six whiskey tumblers includes cut variations to enrich your everyday life and bring a touch of sparkle to any occasion.

RCR Timeless Whiskey Set 7Pcs

Elevate your drinking experience with the truly striking RCR Timeless Whiskey Set. From water to whiskey, these wondrous tumblers are sure to add a special touch to any beverage.

RCR Invino Decanter

Slender and subtly faceted, this classic RCR Invino Decanter stores and serves your favorite spirits in sparkling style. The bottle makes a thoughtful gift for the cocktail enthusiast.

Stop! Did you know that using the appropriate white wine glasses can actually improve the flavor of your wine? Think about it before you pour that wonderful Viognier into any ordinary tumbler.

White wines (and rosés) are typically served in glasses with narrower bowls because the smaller size keeps the wine at the ideal serving temperature, which preserves the fruity flavors. These glasses are often just referred to as traditional white wine glasses, and are slightly tulip shaped.

These small-bowled wine glasses allow the drinker to fully appreciate the acidity of white wines with low body and high acidity because of their small size. Wines such as Riesling, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc taste best in these traditional glasses.

However, since Chardonnay and other full-bodied white wines are so aromatic, they benefit from a wider rim and a rounder bowled glass. Our advice? Serve your Chardonnay in a Bordeaux glass to save money instead of spending more on specialty glasses.

Don’t get us wrong, we would quite happily drink wine out of a shoe as long as the company was good and the wine was high quality. However, to really get the most of your wine, picking the right glassware is essential.

Our Favourite White Wine Glasses:

Crane Crystal Bistro White Wine Glass

With a perfect tulip-shaped bowl, a sturdy flat foot (the bottom of the glass), and a slender stem, this classic white wine glass from Crane Crystal is a great investment set. Better yet, it’s dishwasher safe!

Crystalex Sandra White Wine Glass

Crystalex drinkware is always impressive, but this long stemmed, super-light white wine glass is something special. Specifically designed for whites, this tulip-shaped glass helps to emphasize the fruity flavors of the wine. 

Crane Crystal Lara Stemless Glass

Made from the finest Bohemian crystal, the lead-free Titanium crystal content in this stemless wine glass will make the glass tougher, abrasion-resistant, shatter-resistant, crystal clear and have a brilliant shine.

Don’t get us wrong, we would quite happily drink wine out of a shoe as long as the company was good and the wine was high quality. However, to really get the most of your wine, picking the right glassware is essential.