Cool vs Warm Climate Wines

Some wines have an abundance of fruit flavours and some completely lack all flavour, all together. This can be quite frustrating for a newbie who is still learning about wines and figuring out how to select the right one.

The way your wine tastes has nothing to do with the quality and is only impacted by the climate.

Warm climate regions tend to have more consistent temperatures throughout the season. The slow change in temperature from summer into winter gives the grapes ample opportunity to become fully ripe but the natural acidity in the grapes is lost. It is a general rule that warm climates produce grapes with more ripe fruit flavours and less acidity.

Warm Climate Wine Regions
California
Argentina
Australia
Southern Italy
Greek Islands
Central & Southern Spain
South Africa
Southern France
Southern Italy

Cool climate regions can get as hot as warm climates in the peak of the season. However, it is a fact that the temperatures change quickly towards harvest and that makes the wines taste different. Lower temperatures preserve the acidity but make it difficult for grapes to ripen. Thus, cool climate wine regions tend to produce tart fruit flavours and have more acidity.

Cool Climate Wine Regions
Northern France
Oregon
Washington State (see chart)
New York
Chile
Hungary
New Zealand
Northern Italy
South Africa
Austria
Germany
Northern Greece & Macedonia

The climate regions listed above are generalised. It is possible to have a ‘micro-climate’ within a larger climate type.

So, the next time you are experimenting with a new wine brand or a new type of wine, simply read about where it has been produced to understand how it will taste.

You can visit www.bengalurudutyfree.in for wines from all over the world.

 

(Images taken from Freepik.com)

Yummy, refreshing Sangrias!

We’re always on the lookout for delicious, mouth watering cocktail recipes and we are delighted to share with you these fresh Sangria ideas.

So simple to make…

Watermelon Sangria

INGREDIENTS

1 Large watermelon
1 750-ml bottle white wine
2 cups white rum
1 cups Seltzer
1/3 cup lime juice (from about 6 limes)
2 limes, thinly sliced
2 cups assorted fresh or frozen fruit, such as pineapple, blueberries, and strawberries

DIRECTIONS

Slice off the top third of the watermelon lengthwise (save for later use). Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop out watermelon and transfer to a blender.
Blend watermelon until smooth. (If desired, strain the seeds.)
Add white wine, rum, seltzer, and lime juice and stir until combined, then add lime slices and fruit.
Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours, then serve.

 

Lemonade Sangria

INGREDIENTS

1/2 glass lemonade
1 bottle Chardonnay or other white wine (750 ml)
2/3 cup light rum
1/2 cup raspberries
1 Orange, sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, sliced

DIRECTIONS

In a large pitcher, combine lemonade, wine and rum. Stir, then add fruit.
Refrigerate for at least one hour and serve.

 

Coffee Sangria

INGREDIENTS

1 litre cold brew (iced coffee is okay too)
1 cup Tequila
1/2 cup Cointreau (or other orange-flavored liqueur)
1 tbsp. simple syrup
1 Orange, Sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, diced

DIRECTIONS

Combine cold brew, Tequila, Cointreau and simple syrup in a large pitcher, stirring until well mixed. Add fruit and refrigerate for an hour before serving.

Pour into glasses filled with ice and serve.

Shop for Tequila, Rum and other spirits at out store in Bengaluru International Airport. Pre order online to make the most of our monthly offers before stocks run out.

Cheers!

 

The right guide to pairing Wine with Chocolate this Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate and Wine are a match made in heaven. You’ll find a huge selection of Wines and Chocolates you can marry together and the best deals at our Bengaluru Duty Free store.

Christmas Cocktail Recipes 2016

Christmas is around the corner! Chances are, you will be spending the day with friends and/or family. Here are a few classic, must-know-recipes of delicious cocktails for your Christmas celebrations!

Classic Eggnog

The perfect blend of beaten egg yolks, sugar, cream,  , Rum, and Cognac. Refrigerate up to a day. Pour the egg-yolk mixture over fluffy egg whites and stir until blended. Serve immediately, while the whites are fluffiest. Add nutmeg to finish it off.

mygourmetconnection

Citrus-Irish Whisky Punch        

Combine  , tea, clementine juice, lemon juice, Oleo-Saccharum, Angostura bitters, and 1½ tsp. nutmeg in a large bowl or pitcher; cover and chill 3–8 hours. Strain into a punch bowl and add several lemon and orange wheels and 4 cups ice. Serve punch in cups over ice garnished with nutmeg.

bon-appetit

Classic Martini

Pour a little dry Vermouth in a chilled Martini glass and swirl to coat the inside of the glass. Dispose of excess Vermouth. Gently swirl or stir the   before straining into glass. Garnish with olives, lemon twist or cocktail onion and add rocks if you like.

food-network

Cranberry Cocktail

Pour cranberry juice and Gin over ice in a tall glass. Top off with tonic water, and then add a splash of lime juice. Garnish with a wedge of lime and a few fresh cranberries.

le-creuset

Christmas Punch

Mix pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, Vodka, Cointreau, club soda, lemon juice, and simple sugar syrup in a punch bowl. Fill glasses with cranberries frozen in ice cubes, and serve. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.

the-loop

Kir Royales

Pour Creme de Cassis into a champagne flute. Gently pour into 5 to 9 parts dry Champagne (depending on taste), being careful not to let it foam up too much.

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Pina Colada

Fill blender halfway with ice cubes. Add Rum, coconut cream, coconut milk and pineapple chunks. Puree and serve garnished with a slice of pineapple and maraschino cherry, if desired.

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Blood Orange Champagne Cocktails

Add 1 1/2 teaspoons each of Crème de Cassis into 8 Champagne flutes or other glasses. Add three tablespoons orange juice to each glass. Fill each glass with Champagne, stir gently. Garnish cocktails with slices of blood orange, if desired.

kitchen-treaty

Have a Merry Christmas!

 

Which Wine Best Defines You?

The Cabernet Sauvignon wine personality

The Rosé wine personality

The Riesling wine personality

The White Burgundy wine personality

The Chardonnay wine personality

Gift yourself the Magic of Savings!

This October, Bangalore Duty Free has a host of amazing gift options to ensure you’re spoiled for choice! From beverages to chocolates and perfumes, these offers that are just too magical to pass on!

1. Johnnie Walker
   If you buy Johnnie Walker worth $70 and more, Bangalore Duty Free is giving you the chance to win an additional discount of up to 15%.

   Our magical savings don’t stop there! You automatically save 10% when you buy any two Johnnie Walker labels. Stock up by pre ordering, here:  http://bit.ly/1y5bcyo.

2. Davidoff Fragrances

   Splendid gifts for the special women in your life. We have exciting offers on the entire range of Davidoff perfumes just for her.

   

   But wait! Bangalore Duty Free has also extended this offer to include a flat 30% off men’s Davidoff fragrances, too. So, shop away to your heart’s content. Stock up for upcoming birthdays and festivals!

   Did we mention you could pre order these, too? Simply click here http://bit.ly/1xwZAhK to avail this fantastic offer.

3. Lindt Chocolates

Nothing spells love, appreciation and thanks more than chocolates. Bangalore Duty Free boasts of a large variety of Swiss chocolates – arguably some of the best in the world.

Choose a smorgasbord of delicious chocolate flavours to share with friends and family by purchasing Lindt for a fraction of the cost. Because when it comes to chocolates, no one can eat just one. To help you save more, we’re offering a 40% discount on the purchase of 5 Lindt boxes.

Visit our online store to pre book your chocolates so that they don’t run out of stock: http://bit.ly/1xtbJcm

Our dhamakedar deals don’t end here! If you’re flying through Bangalore this month make sure to look up our other weekly offers on http://bit.ly/2cRhkq6. It’s simply a matter of ordering your items online and picking them up when you are at the airport.

Wineries of Asia

Think Wine, think France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile or the USA. We’re here to tell you that you can also look closer to home and find first class Wine, waiting to be tasted!
Asian Wine is very popular among Wine lovers for their variety in taste and method of fermentation. The most notable producers of Wine, in Asia are India, China, Japan and Thailand. Let’s take you on a tour to the finest wineries from these countries that are definitely worth a visit.

 

India

• Sula Vineyards
  
  Image Source: https://goo.gl/Lw2aGY

  Sula Vineyards is India’s most popular winery. Founded in 1999, Sula Vineyards has now developed into a world class winery with a market share of over 70% in India. The winery is open to visitors, who can enjoy a tour, tastings, courses, and fun events including the immensely popular Sulafest that’s held in early February each year. Soliel by La Plage, Goa’s iconic French restaurant, is an added attraction. If you want to extend your stay at Sula, you can rent a room at the cottage called Beyond, to let the scenic beauty of the place calm your senses.

• Chateau d’Ori
  
  Image Source: http://goo.gl/in58u2

  Chateau d’Ori had its first harvest in February 2007 and is the second largest winery in the Nashik region after Sula, with 400 acres of vineyards. The winery produces some top quality red Wines and has won a number of awards for them. The state of the art technology employed for the production of the Wines of Chateau d’Ori put it apart from some of the other, lesser known wineries of India.

China

• Grace Vineyard
  
  Image Source: http://goo.gl/in58u2

  Grace Vineyard, based in Taiyuan, is one of the largest and best producers of Wine from northwestern China. Named ‘best winery’ 2012 by the Chinese edition of oenophile bible La Revue du Vin de France, the family-owned vineyard in Taigu has only been operational for 15 years. The Wines from the vineyard have won numerous accolades nationally and are expected to carve themselves a niche in the international Wine market soon.

• Changyu Winery
  
  Image Source: http://goo.gl/hdx0yX

  The modern Wine industry in China owes its advent to the Changyu Winery, which was founded in 1892 and has since been awarded numerous awards, among which is the prestigious Grand Prize at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915 — for a Brandy, a red Wine and a Vermouth. The winery with its age old Wines and other fermented drinks, has upgraded to more advanced techniques of fermentation and continues to be a haunt for the Wine lovers of China and the rest of the world.

Japan

• Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery
  
  Image Source: https://goo.gl/gLcs3e
  
  The Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery was founded in 1755. This brewery has been instrumental in reviving traditional craft skills, preserving ancient buildings and forming beautification committees in Obuse. Visit the brewery to learn about the numerous methods of brewing Sake. You can also treat yourself to a tasting tour while you are there!
  
• Yamanashi Meijo Brewery
  
  Image Source: http://goo.gl/bn0Hwg

  The Yamanashi Meijo Brewery is located at the foot of the Japanese Alps, an area that is well known for the sweetness and freshness of its water. The brewery uses slow fermentation techniques, at a low temperature which give their Sakes their subtleness and freshness of spring water. Another reason to visit the brewery is the stunning scenic beauty surrounding its compounds. Head on for a trip to remember.

 

Thailand

• Chateau de Loei Winery
  
  Image Source: http://goo.gl/XxVTMY

  The Chateau de Loei winery was founded in 1995 and is situated at the northern part of Bangkok. Chateau de Loei is one of the first entrepreneurs in the region that has succeeded in building its own brand based on solid, internationally-accepted quality.The winery provides a complete experience to its visitors, which includes Wine tasting, sampling grapes and fresh vegetables from its orchard and farm. Additional facilities include a restaurant, accommodations and a touring route in the vineyard that is open to the public! Take some time out to go visit this beautiful winery on your next trip to busy Bangkok.

• Khao Yai Winery
  
  Image Source: https://goo.gl/S89uLH
  
  Khao Yai Winery sits atop a hill, surrounded by picturesque valleys, which provides it the perfect climate for harvesting Wine quality grapes. The winery is very visitor friendly and visitors are taken on a guided tour of the vineyard and winery before getting a taste of the sweet and fruity vino. For those willing to stay overnight, the winery provides accommodation and has a restaurant that serves Thai and western cuisines. The best time to visit is around March, when the place is dry and cool.

 

Don’t forget to schedule some time to see these wineries for a memorable time on your next trip around the continent. Until then, take a look at our delectable selection of wines here and sate your cravings 🙂

The Dos and Don’ts of cooking with Alcohol

After a hard week, a favorite leisure time activity that a lot of people see as a great form of relaxation is firing up the grill in their backyard with an ice cold beer or a glass of wine in hand. Whether you partake in drinking alcohol or not, all of us do however, like a bit of spirit tossed into some of our favourite meals. It’s not surprising at all that alcohol is a very commonly used ingredient in a lot of kitchens. It has various uses which make it a versatile ingredient.

In order to get started, one must have a basic understanding of pairing food and alcohol as part of the finished meal. The rule to cooking with alcohol is based on keeping it simple. Cooking with alcohol is also very similar to food pairings with alcohol. Which goes to say darker spirits work with darker meats, sauces and dishes that are heavy on proteins. On the other hand, light coloured spirits belong with lighter and white meats, sauces and low-protein food.

Image Source: bit.ly/1PimmDm

Another imperative rule of cooking with alcohol is also a safety tip of sorts – avoid the flambé technique if you’re not an expert. Flambé is a style of cooking where a generous amount of any spirit is poured on food and is set ablaze as alcohol has highly flammable properties. This is a big no-no to avoid any kind of home accidents.

Here are some of our favourite recipes, made using different kinds of spirits that you can easily experiment with at home.

Penne A ‘la Vodka

This dish is hearty and quite filling — not to mention the fact that it makes for great leftovers.

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 30 min

Total: 40 min

Image Source:  bit.ly/1zrXwd3

Ingredients

• 500 gms dried penne pasta
• 500 gms Italian sausage
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 onion, finely diced
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 500 gms button mushrooms, sliced
• 30 gms chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp. vodka
• 4 cups loosely packed spinach leaves
• Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, brown sausage in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat until cooked through; remove and drain on paper towels.
3. Melt butter in the same skillet; add onions and salt, and sauté until tender, about 6-8 minutes.
4. Add garlic, red pepper, and mushrooms; cook until mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes.
5. Add tomatoes, cream, vodka, and return the sausage to the pot. Allow the mixture to come to a slow simmer, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes uncovered.
6. Prior to serving, fold in the pasta, followed by the spinach, and toss until spinach is wilted and incorporated. Serve with grated cheese.

Beer Can Chicken

Often tried, but rarely perfected, this is one of those techniques which marks the real marriage of cooking and alcohol. The beer lends extra flavour and moisture to the chicken throughout the cooking process. To get the best results, use a gas grill over indirect heat. You can go old school and just invert the chicken up on the can.

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 60 – 75 minutes

Total: 1 hour 10 min – 25 min

Image Source: bit.ly/1gr55dv

Ingredients

• 2-3 kgs young chicken, washed and rinsed clean
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp. Creole seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 can beer, open and with a couple sips taken
• Beer can chicken stainless stand
• Butcher’s twine

Instructions

1. Prepare a charcoal smoker or gas grill for indirect heating/smoking over medium heat, about 130-150 degree celsius.
2. Meanwhile, coat chicken in oil, and evenly rub the Creole seasoning into the chicken, including the cavity. Stuff cavity with garlic and lemon, and place the chicken on top of the beer on the stand. Secure by tying the legs together with butcher’s twine.
3. Smoke the chicken, rotating on occasion, until the internal temperature reaches 75 degrees celsius.
4. Tent with foil and allow the bird to rest for 20 minutes prior to cutting and serving.

Blueberry and Peach Bourbon Granola Crisp

This is a simplified version of a classic cobbler, full of fresh peaches and blueberries. You can use this same fruit mixture for traditional cobblers or pies, the crispy granola crunch on top is what it’s all about though (apart from the Bourbon of course) – and is also much easier to prepare.

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 40 min

Total: 55 min

Serves: 6

Image Source: go.brit.co/1MWIEc8

Ingredients

Fruit Mixture

• 3 ripe peaches — pitted, peeled, and sliced
• 1 cup fresh blueberries, washed
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 2 tbsp. Bourbon
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg

Topping

• 1 cup granola
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 4 tbsp. cold butter, cubed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190 degree celcius.
2. Toss the fruit mixture together into a greased cooking pan until evenly combined.
3. Next, add the topping ingredients in a mixing bowl, cutting the butter into the dry ingredients until you get a coarse crumble.
4. Spread the topping over the top of the fruit mixture and bake for 30-40 minutes or until browned and crispy.
5. Cool slightly before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Any kind of alcohol can be used for cooking as long as you have a recipe in place. Browse through our vast collection of different spirits that can be used as an ingredient in any of your meals: http://bit.ly/1y5bcyo

How Wine boosts your metabolism

Yes, you read that right, Wine does indeed increase your metabolism! It is a relief to know this especially after years of listening to all the negative connotations associated with alcohol. But how authentic is this information? Let’s find out.

The intriguing part about Wine is that the Wine calories are digested differently from the food that we eat. The alcohol (ethanol) doesn’t break down like food does simply  because it is a toxic substance. As our bodies send excess ethanol into a complex metabolic process that involves the liver, acetic acid is released eventually in the form of secretions (urinating or sweating) and hence, all of it doesn’t get converted into energy, leaving us with better metabolism. When we drink Wine, the liver and fat cells use the extracts of four chemicals that are present naturally in dark-red Muscadine grapes (key component of red Wine). The most potent of these chemicals, ellagic acid stunts the growth of existing fat cells and prevents new ones from forming. Apart from this, a dose of the supplement resveratrol which is also a natural component found in red Wine is know to improve metabolism too. However, excess of anything is harmful for our body. For this reason, it is suggested that to maintain our metabolism, we must limit ourselves to a maximum of 2 glasses per day (for women) and 3 glasses per day (for men). It is highly recommended that we do not consume any more calories in the form of alcohol i.e. Wine in order to actually let it work as a metabolism booster.

Luckily for you, at Bengaluru Duty Free, we have a range of Wines to choose from. Indulge in a daily dose of a glass or two of the Cabernet Sauvignon with its bouquet of intense flavours rich in firm tannins with a touch of oak spiciness. Or Merlot’s velvety texture with the softness of rose petal-like flavours or another full-bodied pick of ours the Shiraz.

Have a look at our wide range of the best Wines from all around the world and pick what appeals to you. Find your favourite Wine under one roof, only at the Bengaluru Duty Free. Here’s our website: http://bit.ly/17A3P6X.

Cheers!