You don’t need a castle with a vast cellar to benefit from some basic wine storage knowledge. Anyone with a nice bottle of wine can benefit from learning how to store wine. This beginner’s guide to wine storage from Columbia Distributing provides some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your wine through proper storage.
Vodka is known as the unsung hero of the mixed drink world. This distilled alcoholic beverage has been the quiet foundation of many favorite mixed cocktails for decades. It’s smooth, subtle profile fits in well with so many different kinds of mixers; it’s not surprising that it is a staple of homes and bars across the globe. But most don’t know that there are vodka flavors so bold and unique that they not only complement great cocktails, they are also wonderful stand-alone beverages. Columbia Distributing provides distinctive vodka flavors to the retailers, restaurants, and caterers that we serve. Here are a few that you’ll find.
With the holiday season fast approaching, you might be concerned you’re falling behind on your gift buying for the year. Maybe you have a list of people who are hard to shop for, or maybe you want to be more intentional with your gift-giving this year. Here at Columbia Distributing, we love our wines, so it’ll be no surprise that we have a few wine gift tips to help you find the vintages that are sure to please your family and friends during the holiday season.
The days are getting shorter and the weather is cooling down, so why not curl up on the couch with a warm drink, or organize a holiday gathering complete with a few, delicious winter cocktails? If you want to spice up your holiday season, check out these winter cocktails that you can make with the spirits and liqueurs you’ll find at one of the thousands of retailers working with Columbia Distributing. Continue reading…
Wine and cheese nights have been adapting over the years. With an interest in health-conscious eating on the rise, people want to indulge mindfully when they savor a glass of their favorite vintage. Your next wine party could be the perfect opportunity to try some healthier snack options for your guests. A surprising number of health foods pair beautifully with red and white wines, and your guests will love feeling good about their food choices. Columbia Distributing wants to help you find the perfect array of healthy wine snacks so that your next party will be the talk of the neighborhood. Continue reading…
There are events in our lives that call for the delightful cheer of bubbles. It doesn’t matter if you’re serving 100 people or your own family; sparkling wine brings joy and togetherness with some tiny bubbles and a lot of great taste. It can be tough to pick the perfect sparkling wine but fortunately, Columbia Distributing is here to break down the basics so that you can choose the best bubbly for your next gathering. Continue reading…
In an ideal world, every wine would be fermented to absolute perfection and you would never have to worry about uncorking a musty or feral bottle right before a dinner party. While reality might not be that simple, the good news is that there are some easy tricks for identifying flaws in wine. Columbia Distributing breaks down some simple strategies to help you recognize wine faults so that you can expertly choose the best bottles in time for your next big event. Continue reading…
Winemaking has become immensely popular as both a business venture and a hobby in just the last 40 years, but the history of winemaking in the United States dates back to the first settlers of America. In fact, winemaking has a presence in almost every important period of American history. See why winemaking is an all-American pastime in this brief profile provided by Columbia Distributing. Continue reading…
Whenever your friend pours you a glass of wine, one of your first thoughts is to ask what kind of grape it is made from. Wouldn’t you be surprised to learn that the wine you are sipping was actually made from a fruit other than grapes? As strange as this may seem, wines made from atypical fruits are becoming more and more of a trend, both across the United States and around the world. Here’s a look at a few of the weird wine fruits you may find on the shelves at the retailers Columbia Distributing works with across Oregon, Washington, and Northern California.
Deep in the forests of New Hampshire, farmers are growing a type of kiwi without fur on its skin, and it turns out that these are the perfect types of kiwis to turn into wine. After the entire fruit is processed and fermented, the finished product reveals a semi-dry, tropical wine with tastes similar to a Riesling.
Offering a beautiful greenish hue, kiwi wine is highly refreshing and pairs well with a wide range of main entrees and desserts. While we believe wine drinkers can enjoy this kiwi variation year-round, it’s particularly popular during the summertime, as it pairs well with fresh fruit, salads, and cold soups like gazpacho.
One of the hottest trends of Japan has finally broken into the wine scene of the United States. Known across the world as plum liquor used in cocktails or enjoyed by itself, plum wine yields gorgeous shades of gold, pink, orange, purple, and red, depending on which type of plum is fermented. From Santa Rosa, Elephant Heart, and Red Beauty varieties to small wild plums, the wine this fruit produces gives off a drier taste the more it ages.
With an average alcohol content of around 12%, plum wine is approachable for all palettes and features a smooth, sweet mouthfeel and rich, tart flavors. Classified as white wine, it is typically served chilled or over ice and pairs excellently with sushi, chicken piccata, grilled tuna, or Chinese food.
They’re not just for adding to a glass of wine for a garnish or fancy finishing touch. In fact, a wide variety of wines are fermented out of berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. The perfect base for sangria, berry wines can be made out of a single fruit or blend of berries, producing a wide range of sweet, fruity flavors with a delightfully balanced acidity. They also make a wonderful complement to cheese plates, charcuterie, Italian dishes, and desserts.
With a deep red color easily mistaken for a red grape wine, pomegranate wine is ideal for dry wine lovers, featuring rich acidity and slightly sour flavors. It provides the perfect balance to particularly spicy cuisine, such as pepper-based recipes in Mexican, Indian, or Thai dishes.
Aside from its unique flavor profile, pomegranate wine is most known for boasting a number of health benefits. It is packed with antioxidants and vitamins A, B5, C, and E, it is known to help reduce inflammation, as well as improve the appearance of your skin. It’s also thought to decrease the risk of heart problems, the development of osteoarthritis and diabetes, and even the likelihood of being diagnosed with certain cancers.
After learning about these weird wine fruits, which ones are you most curious to try? Whether you’re shopping at your local retailer or sampling the drink menu at your favorite restaurant or bar, Columbia Distributing takes pride in providing quality wines made from various fruits to establishments in the Pacific Northwest. For more information or suggestions on what to try, contact Columbia Distributing today.
Whether you’re heading to your favorite bring-your-own-wine restaurant or creating an intimate dinner at home, date night calls for having romantic wines at the ready. From setting the tone for the evening to bringing out the best in your meal, you’ll also impress your partner with the exquisite tastes found across your collection. Here are just a few ideas on which romantic wines are sure to make your date night one to remember. Continue reading…