Trilogy Life Blog | Active Lifestyle Communities » wine

High Tech Wine Gadgets

Trilogy at The Vineyards — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:26:21 +0000

At Trilogy at the Vineyards, we’re all about quality wine and enjoying the finer things in life. The art of appreciating wine has become even more sophisticated over the years, in part, due to the development of high-tech gadgets. Wine enthusiasts can do practically anything wine related with a nifty electronic tool. The next time you are shopping for a gift idea for your favorite wine lover, keep these suggestions in mind – or better yet, go ahead and give yourself a gift!

Electric Wine Bottle Openers

Avoid cork residue in your wine bottle by upgrading to an electric wine bottle opener. Almost every kitchen brand now makes electronic wine openers. They can be found in almost any store where kitchenware is sold. These cordless openers only require you to place the opener on top of the bottle and press a button. Less than 15 seconds later, you just remove the entire opener and your wine is ready to be poured. Directions for different electric openers may vary. One of the top rated electric wine-bottle openers in quality and affordability is the Oster Electric Wine Bottle Opener.

Automatic Wine Preservers

Avoid having to pour out good wine because the stopper did not preserve it well enough with an automatic wine preserver. The electric “cap” automatically pumps air out of your opened bottle of wine to help prevent oxidation in order to keep the wine fresher. Brookstone’s Automatic Wine Preserver has a built-in thermometer to ensure that you are serving your wine at the correct temperature.

Iceless Wine Chillers

A wine chiller is perfect for those unexpected guests or a long dinner party. These rapid coolers can quickly chill or warm bottles of wine to the appropriate serving temperature in just minutes. Most coolers have temperature setting options as well as countdown timers that let you know exactly when your bottle will be chilled to perfection. Brookstone’s Iceless Wine Chiller even has a database of wines to automatically cool your bottle to the recommended temperature.

Do you have a favorite electronic wine tool? Share it with us in the comments below!

Wine & Chocolate Pairing 101

Trilogy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:41:05 +0000

For most people, just the sound of these words separately would cause their mouths to water, but the two together can be a uniquely divine experience – an elusive culinary affair one isn’t soon to forget!

Through the marriage of bold, bitter, sweet and smooth flavors, people can experience their favorites at the peak of perfection. Fortunately, residents at Shea Homes Active Lifestyle Communities across the U.S. will be able to mix and match their favorites at the Wine & Chocolate Affair on August 20^th (Dates and times vary/ See below for details). The public is also welcome to attend this free event.

To prepare for a night of indulgence, here are a few tips to help you decide what wines and chocolates to put together.

Tip #1: Know what flavor you are looking for.

Wine and chocolate combinations can taste completely different to different people.
It’s highly recommended to be aware of your preferences and whether you want the wine to enhance the sweetness of the chocolate or act as a contrasting flavor.

Tip #2: Start from white chocolate and work your way up to dark.

When pairing wines and chocolates together it is best to start with lighter, more elegant chocolate paired with light wines. For example, white chocolate and sherry work off of each other extremely well.
As you move on to milk chocolate, you might want to consider a Pino Noir or a lighter-bodied Merlot.
Finally, when you think of dark chocolate, always put it with a full-bodied wines or even champagne. We recommend Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel with the rich dark chocolate, and if you want to try a truffle or dark chocolate dessert, a Port will create the ultimate flavor combination. But remember, it is all based on what YOU like!

Tip #3: Remember to savor the flavors at a pairing event the same way you would for a traditional tasting.

Take in the attributes of the chocolate. Note the aroma, examine the texture and savor the flavor of the chocolate in your mouth.
Next, do the same for the wine. Swirl your glass to look for the color and viscosity of your drink. Breathe in the smell and search for the identifiable scents.
As you sip the wine, let the flavor fill your senses and think of what elements come to mind (earth, wood, fruit, etc.).
Next, take a bit of the chocolate and let it linger on your tongue. As the chocolate melts, sip your wine again and notice how the flavors play off of each other.

With these tips in mind, come experience something you’ve never tried before and spend a night living the good life!

View this link to see the times for the Wine & Chocolate Affair at a community near you.

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Wine-leader Contra Costa Beats Out Napa Valley for Top Spot

Trilogy at The Vineyards — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:37:11 +0000

I know what you wine-lovers out there must be thinking, “There is no way!” … And if you live in Contra Costa County, I’ll take it one step further and say you’re probably thinking – “There’s ABSOLUTELY no way!”

But believe it or not, at one point it was true. Contra Costa was home to the world’s largest winery, Winehaven, in the early 1900’s, surpassing famous wine regions like France’s Rhône Valley and others. East Bay’s microclimates and geographic position allowed for complex growing regions that produced some of the finest grapes around. According to an article in Diablo Magazine, “By 1919, 40 percent of the county’s agriculture was devoted to grape growing“ and for good reason.

Contra Costa remained a serious competitor until prohibition hit in 1920, at which point growers turned to other forms of agriculture and the land was quickly filled with suburban homes and developments. Today, there are boutique wineries springing up throughout the suburbs, which all serve as reminders of the legendary wine institution Contra Costa used to be. Perhaps in several years, the world will begin to know Contra Costa for its wine again!

As Trilogy communities across the country prepare for the Passport to Summer Fun Chocolate & Wine Affair this Saturday July 23^rd, it’s only fitting that we take a closer look at East Bay’s Trilogy at The Vineyards, which boasts 30 acres of lush grapevines. Located in the city of Brentwood, The Vineyards is one of many developments and boutique wineries that has tapped into the rich land that makes Contra Costa’s wine so unique. We welcome you to experience all The Vineyards has to offer at its wine tasting this weekend. We hope to see you there! Call (800) 685-6494 to RSVP or for more information.

Click here for times and dates of a Passport to Summer Fun event near you.

Click here for more information on The Vineyards.

View this blog for information on wine & chocolate pairing.

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