Classic Wines

Mmm, wine and chocolate. The Classic Wines Minute visits Pinot Boutique, a toy store for wine lovers, where Brian Freedman talks with the owner and samples a cabernet wine chocolate sauce that's out of this world. Join us as we find out just how many accessories there are for wine lovers! We talk about everything from gift baskets and decanters to refrigeration and corkscrews.

The type and size of glass that you use when tasting a wine can absolutely enhance the flavor and aroma of your wine. Today our host, Brian Freedman tastes a Burgundy - Jaboulet- Vercherre 2004 Gevrey - Chambertin. We test this wine in the Taste of Purple Vino2 glass and find out if it does indeed improve the flavor of our wine.

Have you ever decanted your wine? How about in it's own bottle? Join us this week as "The Classic Wines Minute" explains why the Soiree in-bottle decanter has earned a place on those crowded holiday and event tables. One-fifth the size of a traditional decanter, The Soiree aerates your wine in the same way that swirling in your glass does. We review a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley while using the Soiree as our go-to in-bottle decanter. Watch how the wine is swirled around, agitating the wine, bringing in the necessary oxygen that the wine needs. After decanting the wine, you'll be able to see how both the nose and palate become more enjoyable. Join us to learn why decanting your wine is so important, and let us help you find the wine that's perfect for you.

Older wines benefit from being decanted because when you bring oxygen to your wine it helps to bring out the flavor. Today we review an old Bordeaux wine, the Chateau Simard 1995 Saint Emilion . To help us decant the wine we use the unique looking Taste of Purple decanter with an easy to use pour spout - great for your holiday table. Learn more about decanting your wine in our latest video with Brian Freedman.

You don't always have to use a decanter to get more oxygen into your wines. Today, Brian reviews the Vino2 oversized crystal stemware made by Taste of Purple. The right glass really can make the difference in enjoying a wine, in this case the 2003 Luna Vineyards "Canto." So before making your next stemware purchase, take some time to review the difference in quality, materials, size and shape to find the perfect glass for that perfect bottle of wine.

At the Old Field Vineyards in Long Island we learn how they use the traditional French method of making champagne. Brian Freedman talks with Ros Baiz about the Blanc de noir champagne method sparkling wine that they produce and the careful steps it takes to make such a wonderful wine.

This week "The Classic Wines Minute" explains the importance of decanting your wine. We review three wines, a white 2005 Chardonnay, a red Chateau Haut-Ballet 2001 Bordeaux and the Mollydooker "The Boxer" 2006 Shiraz, a red wine from south Australia. Helping us decant our wine is a product called the Soiree decanter, an in bottle decanter.

How long should you age a bottle of wine? What should you do with the leftovers if you don't finish the bottle? And is there anything you can do to prolong its life before it turns to vinegar? Today, Brian discuss all the wine-storage issues that confuse so many people, and explodes a few ugly wine myths along the way.