People were amazed to discover that the type of foods eaten everyday were responsible for how young they looked. Some of those foods made people look younger because they contained the right amount of nutrients that the body needed each day to lose weight without adding harmful additives that could cause people to age even more. When these low calorie dieting efforts were combined with regular bouts of exercise, people began to notice subtle differences in their bodies.

As excess fat was removed from various body parts, people discovered that they looked leaner in the facial region. A gradual form of weight loss worked better because it made the body look and feel younger because skin was becoming taunt and tone instead of sagging and droopy and people found that they had more energy from the special food categories that they were eating. People learned about foods and how whole grains could change appearances over a certain period.

People began to fight aging with foods that had a therapeutic function. Unhealthy levels of cholesterol in the blood stream caused aging in older adults by hardening arteries. People learned that by adding whole grains to cereals and using breads with whole grain attributes, they were able to remove many impurities that caused the body to age faster than normal. Whole grain foods have antioxidants in them, and people used them for fighting aging and keeping hunger at bay. Since free radicals were removed daily, people felt better and looked younger each day.

People began to discover other foods that slowed down the aging process and allowed them to lose weight. Most people incorporate fruit into the diet regimen because they are delicious, and many dieters think that natural fruits have fewer calories than packaged diet foods and provide dieters with more tasteful choices. People that wanted to look younger included fruits such as strawberries, cranberries, and blueberries in their breakfast eating plans. Larger fruits such as apples and pears were included in desserts prepared for the evening meal.

Free radicals are abundant throughout the body because they transverse the body while attached to cells. Every area of the body they encounter is prey to cellular damage which ages the body to some degree. Eating fruits such as raspberries and boysenberries, which are rich in antioxidants, helps to keep free radicals to a minimal level. Antioxidants must be reintroduced on a daily basis by eating various foods or the cellular damage will occur and bodily organs will age.

People can fight aging with foods by consuming green leafy vegetables several times a week. While these foods are full of antioxidants, they also provide the body with enzymes that rid the body of impurities which cause the body to age on a cellular level. This natural source of vitamins and minerals is a natural detoxification tool that the body uses to force these impurities from the body. Green vegetables contain sulforaphanes which neutralize impurities while still allowing the body to assume the nutritional values of the food.

So I’ve been saving a specific bottle of wine to enjoy with my wife since my first trip to Napa and Sonoma after starting Uncorked Ventures, a Copain 2007 Monument Tree Pinot Noir.

I believe I’ve talked a little about Copain before in this space, but I am a fan of much of the wine they make and their winemaker Wells Guthrie. He has a rather unique style for the area and has really been at the forefront of pushing other winemakers to attempt to control the alcohol levels in their wine. Much of the wine that Copain makes ends up with alcohol content 1-2% lower then the competition. They’re able to do this by being very careful about where they source their grapes (usually colder climates) as well as how/when the fruit is harvested (middle of the night when possible to control heat transfer during fermentation).

From a business to business perspective I appreciate the way that they’ve treated us as a start up and as a consumer I greatly appreciate the fact that their wines occupy a range of prices starting at around $20 for their Tous Ensambles series. I do believe they leave some money on the table on a number of their wines which are sold in the $40-$50 range-which are consistently great values many scoring 90+ ratings from Parker and the Wine Entusiast.

Ok so about that Pinot…..as good as I remember it. In fact maybe a bit better given the 6 months or so of rest as well as the thirty minutes of decanting (yeah, yeah I know not ideal). On the nose it’s hard to pick up individual flavors, but it definitely is a dark berry type of smell. On the palate it is noticeably brighter then you’d imagine with cherry being the predominant flavor-the structure of the wine is quite good and really shows Wells ability as most Pinot’s don’t hold up this well.

Overall at around $50, to me it is a clear buy. I am an unapologetic Pinot Noir fan (both because of the flavor profiles and the story of the grape itself) which comes sometimes much to my business partner and father in laws dismay, but I will be interested in comparing this Pinot to some of the more highly hyped Oregon versions.

Lastly I would be remiss if I did not mention where the Monument Tree moniker comes from. Monument Tree is a vineyard about a two hour drive north of San Francisco. Since Copain aims to trim alcohol levels they source fruit from both the Central Coast of California (think on the ocean just north of Santa Barbara) as well as some of the cooler valley’s north of SF. As you can see Monument Tree vineyard is named after a redwood tree which still stands in the middle of the vineyard.

Vintners Quality Alliance, or VQA is a regulatory and appellation system. It assures the quality and authenticity of Canadian icewines. This regulatory system is same as the France (AOC), Italy (DOC), and Germany (QmP). The Canadian icewinesthat are approved by Vintners Quality Alliance are made from 100% Canadian grapes.

VQA Ontario icewine

Ontario wineries are known producing the best quality icewine in the region. The Ontario’s wine industry is nearly two hundred years old; with excellent quality standards it has made a foothold in the international market. Ontario wineries have been largely benefited from the excellent climate of the place that is perfectly suitable for growing icewine grapes. The diversity of glacial soils has an added advantage on the quality of the grapes. The moderate effect of the Great Lakes helps to produce excellent fruit for making high quality icewine.

VQA Ontario icewine means 100% quality wine from the vineyards of Ontario. VQA denotes the quality label for purity and authenticity of the wine. It is the tag of originality that reflects the ecology and inherent qualities of the wine. The icewine made in Ontario wineries is made from 100% Ontario grown grapes that are exclusively grown in Ontario.

VQA Wine Standards

The icewine that comply with certain set of standards is only marked by VQA; here is a list of some of the standards that Ontario wineries must be in regulation to assure VAQ label integrity:

• The icewine must be made from 100% fresh Ontario grown grapes.

• No artificial concentrates are permitted in the making of icewine.

• Water should not be used in the entire winemaking process.

• The labels fixed on the bottle should match accurately with the contents of the wine.

• The icewine should be vintage dated and meet vintage requirements.

• The icewine must be evaluated by an expert taste panel before it is marketed.

• The packaging must be of high quality and consist of a cork, synthetic or approved screwcap closures. If you are looking for VQA approved icewine then Peller.com is your right destination. Here you can get the best quality pure icewine. For more information on icewine, browse through http://www.peller.com/.

We are a family-owned winery specializing in wines from our estate Margarita Vineyard in Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast.

We focus on varietals that excel in our estate Margarita Vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles appellation. Margarita Vineyard’s unique microclimate and varied soils produce wines with natural dimension, balance and complexity.

Our current releases are :

2007 Sauvignon Blanc

A crisp refreshing wine with hints of green apple and pear. Recommended pairings include seafood, shellfish, and light pastas.

2006 Merlot

“Youthful and juicy up front with cherry and licorice notes…finishing with red currant, spice, and roasted sage tannins..88pts” Wine Spectator

2007 Merlot

Generous aromas of plum, raspberry, mocha, and toasty vanilla. THe palate is smooth and supple, unfolding with deep flavors of blackberry, plum, and cassis. Accents of clove spice accompany juicy tannins on a long, balanced finish.

2007 Zinfandel

Opens with bright fruit, aromas of cherry, plum, and vanilla spice. Juicy flavors of raspberry, brambleberry and black cherry unfold along a broad, seamless texture. Accents of black pepper add to a lively finish.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon excels in our estate Margarita Vineyard, where the varietal benefits from one of the longest growing seasons in the Paso Robles appellation. Here, our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes achieve full ripeness while maintaining exceptional balance and structure.

2007 Syrah

The 2007 Syrah offers rich, chewy flavors of blueberry and blackberry with accents of dark chocolate and cinnamon. Recommended pairings include sage-rubbed lamb chops, blue cheese hamburgers, and hearty red pastas.

The 2007 Malbec

begins with aromas of raspberry, plum, rhubarb, and forest floor. Deep, jammy flavors of boysenberry and blackberry anticipate accents of cedar, tobacco, and Asian spice. Juicy tannins embrace a supple, smoky finish.

2007 Petit Verdot

The 2007 Petit Verdot boasts deep aromas of blueberry and white pepper with brisk accents of graphite. A chewy texture opens with earthy flavors of black cherry and plum, followed by hints of brown spice and vanilla. Fine tannins and fresh acidity glide along a long, smooth finish. 98 cases produced.

2007 Petite Sirah

The 2007 Petite Sirah begins with smoky aromas of blueberry, plum, mocha and black pepper. Dense, chewy flavors of black cherry, blackberry and cedar unfold with nuances of vanilla and clove spice. A velvety texture finishes with meaty tannins and lingering black fruit.

2006 Oyster Ridge

This limited edition cuvee was crafted to honor the dramatic soils and distinctive qualities of the Margarita vineyard. 326 cases produced.

Buy Online Paso Robles wine at http://www2.ibgcheckout.com/ancientpeaks/catalog/index.jsp

On those chilling days of January when the temperature is below minus degree, the Niagara region celebrates the most awaited event in the region, The Niagara Icewine Festival. It is complete ten days fest that involves lots of fun and enjoyment. Ice sculptures are carved from crystals of ice and regions best ice wine is served paired with delicious cuisines of the area. Many renowned Niagara on the Lake Wineries participate in this legendary event to celebrate the world’s top class icewine. Chilled icewine from various vineyards is poured in by the famous Niagara wineries.

This year the Niagara Icewine Festival started on the 16th of January with commencement of an annual Icewine Gala at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls and concluded with 25th of January with the grand finale.  The top notch Niagara on the Lake Winery offer extensive variety of golden icewine and exclusive local delights. Every year thousands of tourist visit Niagara on the lake to enjoy this amazing event and taste the best ice wine.  It is the time when you can quench your thirst for the ice-wine by tasting some of the exclusive samples of award winning and much acclaimed icewines.

You can drive to the various vineyards by hiring a limo or taking a shuttle bus and see how the best ice wines are made. During your journey you will get to see some of the amazing places of the region.  Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for its exotic climate and breathtaking beauty that can leave anyone enchanted. You can find various spectacular restaurants, inns and wineries and see various icewine-related events and exhibits. January is the best time to visit  Niagara on the Lake Winery as this time for the big event where the best of wines are showcased by various famous Niagara wineries.

Winery tours and tastings, concerts, Niagara cuisine, artisan shows, wine seminars, live entertainment are the highlights of this amazing fest. Niagara escarpment wineries have won many awards and accolades at international wine competitions for producing the best ice wine in the world.

One of the leading wineries of the region is Peller, it brings in for you the largest variety of pure icewine from the vineyards of Niagara. For more information on icewine, browse through http://www.peller.com.