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Noisy Water Winery

Chelsie Pickard
 
December 17, 2019 | Chelsie Pickard

Why We Drink Sparkling Wine During Celebrations

 
The act of popping bottles to celebrate is nothing new. We drink bubbly to ring in the new year, toast a bride and groom, or to commemorate an achievement. You may have even purchased a bottle of our Bella Rossa or Ruidoso Bubbly for the occasion. But have you ever wondered why this is the norm?
 

It’s important to first understand what sparkling wine is and how it’s categorized before we can answer this question. Most of us think of immediately think of champagne when we think of sparkling wine. But for a wine to truly be a champagne,  it must come from the Champagne region in France. There is also a specific method to winemaking in Champagne, where bubbles are created during a “second fermentation” that occurs in the bottle.
 
This was initially thought to be a flaw of the wine, but once producers tasted it they found that it was delicate, refreshing, and crisp. It then became thought of as a high-class beverage, flipping the origins of the once “ruined” beverage on its head in the 15o0s. Other sparkling wines on the market are made by adding carbon dioxide under pressure in large tanks. This is the more affordable method out of the two. However, it took nearly a century for chemists to uncover the right amount of sugar to avoid an explosion when making sparkling wine. 
 
After this process was perfected, European royal courts began drinking it at parties as the supreme mark of sophistication. Sparkling wine was even marketed to have positive effects on the consumer’s wit and beauty. 

Once sparkling wine became a luxury, it was used to christen ships, celebrate the joining of families at weddings, or during religious events such as baptisms. The late 1960s winner of the Le Mans race is thought to be the first to celebrate his win with champagne, an act that many athletes participate in after a win today. 
Sparkling wine’s cultural significance throughout history makes it the perfect celebratory wine. The pop of the cork symbolizes an end and a beginning that everyone can relate to. When you crack open a bottle of bubbly, it overflows much like our happiness during special occasions. 
 Get some Bella or some Bubbly to celebrate the NEW YEAR!
 
🍾 Sparkling Wine 🥂
Time Posted: Dec 17, 2019 at 1:58 PM Permalink to Why We Drink Sparkling Wine During Celebrations Permalink
Chelsie Pickard
 
November 21, 2019 | Chelsie Pickard

5 Quirky Wines To Take To This Years Holiday Party

The holiday season is full of gift-giving parties, whether it’s your annual office party or a White Elephant exchange with your family. If you’re looking for gift inspiration for these festivities, we’ve got you covered! These 5 quirky wines sure to make your holiday party a memorable one. 
 
Unbearably Good

Why You Should Bring It: Unbearably Good features a spicy blackberry and raspberry middle with a slight herbaceous spice on the finish.
Who To Give It To: Any “outdoorsy” type who enjoys the thrill of adventure, nature, and the wilderness. 
 
Rose Heyyy

Why You Should Bring It: Rose Heyyy is a dry rosé with a floral nose and raspberry notes to taste. The slight strawberry finish makes this wine a hard one to put down!  
Who To Give It To: Your Pinterest-obsessed friend or anyone who isn’t afraid to dance (occasionally on the bar) like no one is watching!
 
Tighty Whitey White

Why You Should Bring It: Tighty Whitey White is a throwback to the humble beginnings of Noisy Water Winery, when all we had was our tighty whities and a couple of oak barrels. The label features our winemakers posing  in their tighty whities and it’s an International Gold Medal Winner!

Who to Give it To: Pinot Grigio drinkers are sure to love this semi-dry, crisp wine with notes of honey, peach, and a hint of spice on the finish. This wine is worth a try -- even for those who prefer boxers over briefs. 
 
Big Legs Red

Why You Should Bring It: This semi-dry red is named after the streaks of wine that fall down the side of your glass after it’s been swirled. A delicious jammy-cherry middle is followed by a finish that’s savory and smooth as silk.

Who to Give It To: The person in your life who is up for anything, just like this delicious red that can be paired with any meal or snack. 
 
El Cabron Viejo

Why You Should Bring It: This dry red blend has bold black pepper notes with a finish of velvet and smoke. 
Who To Give It To: The grouch that works in the office next to you or your cranky friend/family member. This wine is an ode to the people who make us want to drink!
Time Posted: Nov 21, 2019 at 12:53 PM Permalink to 5 Quirky Wines To Take To This Years Holiday Party Permalink
Chelsie Pickard
 
November 12, 2019 | Chelsie Pickard

Quick Tips For A Friendsgiving To Remember

 
Friendsgiving is meant to be a no-stress celebration of the season with your chosen family. It’s also the perfect time to express gratitude for your friends. While it’s usually held on the Wednesday before or after the traditional Thanksgiving holiday, the beauty of this holiday is that you and your friends make the rules! To ensure that your Friendsgiving celebration is fun and relaxing, we put together these quick tips for a party you and your crew will never forget. 
 
Have Guests Bring a Dish & a Drink to Share
Want a stress-free Friendsgiving? Have guests bring a dish and a beverage of their choice to share. You’re sure to have a great variety of food and drink choices by making it a potluck, and everyone contributes! You can even make a Facebook event page to send out Friendsgiving invites. On the page, you can delegate what sides are needed — that way you don’t end up with 4 of the same dish. If you need beverage choice inspo: Nebbiolo + turkey are a match made in heaven, while Petit Verdot goes well with ground beef burgers if you plan to keep your Friendsgiving simple.

Set the Mood With a Gratitude Playlist

Nothing sets the mood for an event better than the jams. Reflect the vibe you want your Friendsgiving to have with the playlist you choose. You could opt for some relaxing folk music or crank up the 90’s hip hop. Create your own playlist and include songs that you and your friends enjoy. You can also opt for a pre-made playlist, like this “Thanksgiving Dinner Playlist” on Spotify or this “Friendsgiving Feels” playlist on Apple Music. 
 
Offer a Pie Bar & Turn it Into a Bake-Off
Everyone knows that fall is basically pie season. Ask a couple of your guests to bring in their favorite Thanksgiving pie and set out a variety of toppings to go with each one. You can even turn it into a bake-off where everyone votes on the best one! The hazelnut and caramel flavors in our 2016 Alliance pair wonderfully with pecan pie. 
 
 
Craft a Signature Friendsgiving Drink
Create a signature Friendsgiving cocktail that you and your friends can enjoy year after year. Go for a recipe that features cinnamon for a fall-themed kick. You can also make a wine-based cocktail and name it after an inside joke instead. For example, here’s one of our wine-based cocktail recipes called “Riddle Me This,” which is named after our Head Winemaker and Owner. 
Riddle Me This
2.5 oz El Cabron + 2 dashes bitters + 3 cherries + 1 orange slice + 1 oz simple syrup
Muddle cherries and orange. Add 2 dashes of bitters. Mix simple syrup with a spoon. Add El Cabron Viejo. Top with ice and garnish with a fresh orange!

Time Posted: Nov 12, 2019 at 11:45 AM Permalink to Quick Tips For A Friendsgiving To Remember Permalink
Chelsie Pickard
 
October 31, 2019 | Chelsie Pickard

The Perfect Wine & Candy Pairings for a Happy HalloWINE!

Whether you’re a parent who sneaks their child’s Halloween candy or you’re simply waiting to stock up when candy is half off on November 1st, there’s no denying the glorious combination of some tasty treats and some delicious wine. 

That’s why we put together the ultimate Halloween candy and wine pairing guide. Drink up witches! 
 
1. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup & Black Cherry

Our port-style wines are sweet, decadent, and indulgent...just like the satisfying taste of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup!

 
2. Milk Chocolate M&M's & Demigod

Demigod is a lighter-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon filled with dark fruit flavors, vanilla, and a silky finish that pairs perfectly with M&M’s that melt in your mouth. 

 
3. Butterfinger & Zia Chardonnay

Our Chardonnays have a buttery texture that perfectly complements a crisp butterfinger. 

 
4. Starburst & Sauvignon Blanc

Our Sauvignon Blanc is full of peach notes, crisp, clean fruit, and acidity. It only makes sense to pair this easy-to-drink dry white with sweet and juicy Starburst. 

 
5. Hershey's Dark Chocolate & Dolcetto

Have some chocolate with a wine that has a soft toasted chocolate aroma! Berry notes and a smoky finish go great with smooth dark chocolate. 
 
6. Sour Patch Kids & Riesling

The pineapple and pear notes of this semi-sweet white pair well with the sour and sweet nature of Sour Patch Kids! (Plus, you can color the bottle! What’s not to love?)
 
7. Gummy Bears & Moscato

Our Moscato is a playful and sweet tropical explosion. Combine that with the sweet and fruity taste of gummy bears! 
 
8. Almond Joy & Malbec

The tannic finish of our chocolatey Malbec is the perfect mate for the chocolate and coconut flavors of an Almond Joy. 
 
 
 
Have a Happy HalloWINE!
and
take 15% off your entire order today only! 

Code:
HalloWINE19
+ FREE SHIPPING when purchasing 12 bottles or more

*cannot combine with any other offers or discounts
*offer expires 10/31/19 at the witching hour ( 
Midnight)
Time Posted: Oct 31, 2019 at 10:34 AM Permalink to The Perfect Wine & Candy Pairings for a Happy HalloWINE! Permalink
Chelsie Pickard
 
October 15, 2019 | Chelsie Pickard

Uncorking The Health Benefits of Red & White Wine

 
Booze probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your head when thinking about health. But when it comes to wine, our ancestors have used it to alleviate ailments and prevent disease for centuries. 

Harvard University researchers even found a jar in the tomb of King Scorpion I that was filled with wine and herbal residue such as mint, sage, thyme, and frankincense. 
Ancient Egyptian herbal wine jar

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that Egyptian herbal wines were used as a sacred medicine to treat everything from digestive issues to STDs!

In modern times, most people commonly associate red wine with heart health. But the benefits don’t stop there. Don’t be discouraged,  white wine drinkers. There are reasons to pour yourself a cool glass of white vino, too!
Zia Chardonnay is a great health-conscious dry white wine
 
White Wine Improves Lung Health
According to the University of Buffalo, those who consume white wine typically have better lung function compared to people who don’t. 

This is due to nutrients in wine that can help to keep lung tissues in good working shape. Red wine can also be beneficial to the lungs, but white wine has been proven to be the winner out of the two when it comes to lung health. 

Research suggests that this is due to antioxidants in white wine that halt the development of “free radicals” that damage lung tissue. 
 
White Wine May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease 
If you’re concerned about Alzheimer’s Disease prevention, white wine is a great go-to beverage. It’s been proven to improve memory function and delay or prevent cognitive issues and dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease, which currently affects around 44 million people worldwide. 

This is thanks to polyphenols in white wine, which are micronutrients usually found in most plant-based foods. 
Cheers to Improved Memory
 
White Wine Prevents Metabolic Syndrome
Alzheimer’s prevention isn’t the only thing that polyphenols in wine can help with. 

Polyphenols have been proven to be one of the most effective micronutrients for preventing metabolic syndrome, according to ScienceDirect. 

Metabolic syndrome is a group of different risk factors that can lead to the development of heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. 

Some dry wines of any shade can even help your body stay in ketosis, a process where body fat becomes a powerhouse for energy. (We wrote a previous article about it -- click here to read more on Ketosis!)
2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
$48.00
2017 Vidal Blanc
2017 Vidal Blanc
$27.00
Two Keto Friendly Wines
 
Red Wine Can Help Fight Diabetes
Research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that red wine, along with tea, can slow down the passage of glucose through the small intestine, where it eventually ends up in the bloodstream. 

This helps to curb the huge spike in blood sugar levels that patients with Type 2 Diabetes commonly experience. 
Red wine is the clear champion over white, slowing down glucose at a rate of almost 100 percent, while white wine only achieved absorption of glucose by about 20 percent. 

This reduction of glucose levels can even help you lose weight, especially if you choose a lower-calorie red wine! (Click here to read more)
 
Red Wine Improves Fertility
While we definitely don’t condone drinking during pregnancy, some studies have shown that red wine can improve a woman’s chances of conceiving. 

According to a study published in
Fertility and Sterility, large amounts of resveratrol in red wine can preserve cells and cause an increase in the number of eggs in a woman’s ovarian reserve. 

That being said, the CDC recommends that women who are actively trying to conceive should stop drinking to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. 
 
 
Red Wine May Prevent Cavities
If you’re concerned about dental health, drink up. 

A study found in the
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that red wine (even non-alcoholic red wine!) kills bad bacteria in the mouth, leading to the prevention of dental plaque, cavities, and even gum disease.

Maybe red wine teeth stains are worth it, after all.


Cheers!
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Time Posted: Oct 15, 2019 at 10:45 AM Permalink to Uncorking The Health Benefits of Red & White Wine Permalink
Chelsie Pickard
 
July 29, 2019 | Chelsie Pickard

Wine Terms 101, Learning the Tasting Room Lingo

At Noisy Water Winery, we make wine, grow our grapes, and take our craft seriously. In fact, our mission statement says exactly that!

It also states that we believe people should drink wine for fun! Not for prestige or approval from others. 

That being said, there are some commonly used wine terms that can make discussing wine seem a bit intimidating to some. Letting fancy language scare you away from wine could lead to a huge disaster -- like missing out on some of the best wines you’ve ever had in your life.
 


That’s why we put together this list to help you decode 10 basic wine terms (and ease your wine anxiety at your next tasting). 


Acidity

Acidity generally refers to the tart, sour, crisp, or fresh tasting characteristics of wine. Have you ever drank a refreshing glass of lemonade that made your mouth pucker or salivate? The same concept applies to wine. A wine with a high acid level will have a lower pH than a wine with a low acid level. 
As wine ages, acidity can also help with preservation since low pH wines ward off the growth of bacteria. This term is usually used to describe white wines (Tighty Whitey), although some red wines can also contain higher acidity (like our 2017 Sangiovese).
 
Aroma

Aroma refers to the smell of the wine in your glass, also called a wine’s “nose.” To examine the aroma of your wine, swirl your glass for several seconds to lift the wine’s scent upward. Then, stick your nose in the glass and give it a good whiff! The aroma of wine can be tropical, fruity, spicy, earthy, buttery, floral, herbal, and more.
 
Body

When talking about a wine’s body, one is referring to how heavy or light a wine feels inside the mouth. Wine can have a light, medium, or full body. A good comparison is to think of the weight of skim milk (light-bodied), whole milk (medium-bodied), and cream (full-bodied) inside of your mouth. Wines with higher alcohol content generally have a fuller body. 
 
 
Complexity

Wines with complexity have many different layers of characteristics to be discovered with each sip. Have you ever tasted wine and discovered several flavors in the glass? Was it fruity, yet spicy, while also earthy? This means that the wine has high complexity.  
 
Fermentation

Fermentation is a process that occurs in winemaking where yeast converts the sugars present in grape juice into alcohol. Fermentation can take place in stainless steel tanks, wine barrels, or inside of the wine bottle itself once bottling is complete.
 
 
Fortified

When a wine is fortified, a distilled fruit spirit is added into the wine that gives it a higher alcohol content and a distinct taste. Wine was originally fortified to help with preservation since alcohol wards off bacteria. In fact, Sherry, a type of fortified wine, may have been created as early as 1260 AD. Fortified wines are still enjoyed centuries later due to their unique taste. 
2016 Alliance is made with sweet white grapes that have been fermented with brandy
 
Legs

Legs or “tears” are the droplets or streaks that form on the inside of your wine glass as you swirl it around. Legs relate to the alcohol in wine, which has a smaller surface tension than the rest of the liquid inside your glass, causing it to run down the sides. Wine with a higher alcohol content will have slower, thicker tears or legs. Try our Big Legs Red to see this phenomenon in action!
See the Legs in Action
 
Port or Port-like

Port wines are sweet wines (usually red) from Portugal that have been fortified with brandy. Port-like wines refer to wines fortified with the same method that aren’t from the Portugal region. Port and port-like wines usually have hints of dark fruits, caramel, cinnamon, or chocolate. 
 
Sweet Temptation is a  "Port-Like" fortified wine where we have taken Ruby Cabernet grapes and infused with brandy for a dark and fruity traditional port-like wine. 
 
Tannin

Tannins are bitter compounds commonly found in nature. Tannin, also known as tannic acid, is present in tea, oak, plants, coffee, dark chocolate, cranberries, leaves, fruit skins, and more. Tannins are also found in wine thanks to grape skins, seeds, stems, and aging barrels, making the wine taste “dry” or astringent. 
 
 
Varietal

When talking about a wine varietal, one is usually referring to wine produced from a specific grape variety. For example, a Pinot Noir varietal wine is made primarily with Pinot Noir grapes, a world-famous grape that originated from France. 
 
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Time Posted: Jul 29, 2019 at 11:00 PM Permalink to Wine Terms 101, Learning the Tasting Room Lingo Permalink


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