CVS clusters convenience, fresh in Urban concept

CVS provided a healthy dose of convenience to urban dwellers with the opening of its Urban Cluster store concept late last year. The stores have a decidedly unique bend, being stocked with a broad range of consumables, including an expanded pantry offering and a selection of affordable wines priced under $7.

Trading Down and Trading Over, New Trends During Recession 10

The expanded consumables section has been moved to the left side of the store to be near the door--a prominent location that makes the section impossible to overlook and easy to access. Plans call for an expansion of the concept to 300 of CVS' 7,100-plus stores by the end of the year, according to company spokesman Mike DeAngelis.

Author: Dawn Wilensky

Global Wine Industry

NEW YORK, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

History of Wine 26Trendy Drink 18Distribution 18Chile, Germany, The US, South Africa, Portugal, New Zealand,Alcoholic Beverages: An Integral Part of Various Customs 11Santa Barbara 38Still Wines 28Chile 43Red Wines 4Health Benefits of Red Wine Consumption 14Europe - Traditional Producer 35Table 4: World Wine Exports (2005): Percentage Breakdown ofIndage Vintners Introduces Value-Oriented Wines 46Grgich Hills Launches First Biodynamic Wine 47Australia, Belgium-Luxembourg, New Zealand, United Kingdom,Canada, Belgium- Luxembourg and Denmark (includesNew World Wine Producers Capturing France's Global Market Share 12Domaines Auriol to Launch Low-Calorie and Reduced- Alcohol Wines 46Piedmont 37Cultural Issues 20Core Wine Consumers vs. Marginal Wine Consumers 17Table 2: Global Wine Market (2005): Breakdown of WineIce Wine 5California: Leading Producer of Wine in the US 37China 42Point-of-Sale Items 16Valle de Vin to Launch Zampagne Sparkling Wine in Brut RoseWine - Manufacture, Consumption and Export through Recession 7Vermouth 5Data Interpretation & Reporting Level 3Quantitative Techniques & Analytics 3Sparkling Wines/Champagne 30Constellation Launches First Style-Bar Wine in UK 47Portugal 375. KEY MARKETS 41Spain 37Rose Wines 30Rhone Valley 35Table 1: Global Wine Exports (2010): Percentage Increase OverGraph/Chart) 22Growing Competition from New World Wines 35Disposable Income 18Wine 45Health Benefits Driving Growth in Wine Market 14Global Trends 12Internet - Business 2 Business (B2B) 21Australian Wines in the International Market 38Argentina and Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) 24Non-Grape Wine 5Zealand (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) 9Current and Future Analysis 6Non-Grape Wine 32Various Types of Quality Wine 33Portugal and Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) 23Fine Wine Resource Launches MORENO-BHLV Sparkling Wine Variety 44corresponding Graph/Chart) 24Health Benefits - The "French Paradox" 19Alcohol Consumption Increases During Economic Hardships, butand Brut Variants 44Other Wines 332009 in Volume and Value Exports by Select Exporting NationsProduction Types 27Champagne 31The United States 37Italy 37Types of Vermouth 32This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Wine in Millions of Liters by the following Product Segments: Still Wine (Still Red, Still White, & Still Rose), Sparkling Wine, Fortified Wine, Vermouth, and Others (include non-grape wine, wine coolers and ice wine). The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2007 through 2015. Also, a seven-year historic analysis is provided for these markets. The report profiles 1322 companies including many key and niche players such as Bacardi Limited, Brown-Forman Corp., Castel Group, Constellation Brands, Inc., Constellation Wines Australia, Robert Mondavi Winery, E.&J. Gallo Winery, Kendall-Jackson Wines Estates Ltd., Lanson BCC, Maison Burtin, LVMH Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton S.A., Remy Cointreau Group, Pernod Ricard Groupe, Pernod Ricard UK, Foster's Group Limited, and Vina Concha y Toro. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources.Vermouth Wines 32Product Definitions and Scope of Study 32. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW 6Other Key Challenges Facing the Global Wine Industry 10Other Developments 18corresponding Graph/Chart) 22Emergence of Online Wine 16White Wines 29Wine Coolers 5Characteristics of Wine Market 12French Champagne/Sparkling Wines 30Fortified Wines 31Country Wine 33Popular White Wines 29Graph/Chart) 25Supply Deficit: A Major Threat 15Market Overview 6France 35Table 3: Global Wine Market (2005): Per Capita ConsumptionChannels in Select Countries - France, Italy, USA, Chile,Thailand 43Still Wines 3Quality Wine 33Languedoc 36Drastic Reduction in Vineyards Acreage in the EU 9Climatic Factors 19Brazil 43Inflated Production Holds Value Growth 13Wine Composition 28Bordeaux 36Disclaimers 2Chatham Hill Winery Unveils Wine Containing Pomegranate 47Ireland, and United States (includes correspondingDining Out 19Religion 20Flavors of Wine 26Key Historic Market and Trade Statistics 22Wine Coolers 32Russia, France, Denmark, Sweden and Others (includesTable Wine 33The Market Rebounds in 2010 7India 42Alsace 36Italy, Spain, the United States, Argentina, Australia, SouthTobacco Road Cellars to Launch Four New Cabernets 45Table 7: World Wine Imports (2005): Percentage Breakdown ofSophisticated Lifestyles Elevate Wine Consumption 13in Liters by Select Country - France, Italy, Portugal,3. PRODUCT OVERVIEW 26Korea 42Argentina - Largest Wine Producer in South America 39Other Sparkling Wine 31Table 5: World Wine Imports (2005): Percentage Breakdown ofStudy Reveals Declining Popularity of Wine 41Asia-Pacific 421. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS 17. PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS IN THE RECENT PAST - A PERSPECTIVE BUILDER 47Chile 40Urbanization 19Definition of Wine 27Africa, Germany, Chile China and Portugal (includesTaiwan 43Production Process 27Hyatt Announces Introduction of Signature Wine Brand 47Croatia, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Hungary, Uruguay,Vinsura Winery to Launch Innovative White and Red Reserve Wines 44Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations 1Industry Overview 11Latin America 43http://www.reportlinker.com/p0397873/Global-Wine-Industry.html?utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=WineGermany, Spain, and Australia (includes correspondingOthers 32Export Value by Country - France, Italy, Australia, Spain,Table 6: World Wine Exports (2005): Percentage Breakdown ofWine-Drinking Occasions 19Wine Analyzer 34Import Value by Country - The UK, The USA, Germany,Notable Recession Led Trends and Issues in the Market 10Ice Wine 32Australia 38Halewood International to Launch New Variant of Lambrini RoseImport Volume by Country - The UK, Germany, The USA, Russia,Burgundy 36Chile, The US, Moldova, South Africa, Germany, Argentina,Types of Fortified Wine 31Sparkling Wines 4not True for Wine 10Gray and Black Markets 20Wine Decreases Risk of Dementia 14Australia 42Natures Bounty and Langguth Launch New Blue Nun and Kaya Wines 45Tourism 20Domaine to Launch Chandon Rose and Chandon Brut Wines inTypes of Wines 284. PRIMARY PRODUCERS OF WINE 35Global Wine Industry6. PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS/INNOVATIONS 44E&J Gallo Winery to Launch Company's Brands of Wine in India 45Popularity of Still Red Wine 14Belgium-Luxembourg, Canada, Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland,New Zealand 39Retail Markets Vs. Horeca Markets 21Germany 36Californian Champagne/Sparkling Wines 31Red Wines 29Singapore 45- Spain, Italy, US, Argentina, Chile, Australia and NewFalling Alcohol Consumption 20Fortified Wines 4Table 8: Global Bottle Wine Market (2005): Percentage ShareAustria, Argentina, Greece, Romania, Germany, Netherlands,Argentina 43Bag-in-Box Wine 16corresponding Graph/Chart) 23Trends in Lifestyle 18Aspri Spirits Launches Ceretto Line of Premium Wines 44Red Wine Varieties 29Production in Million Liters In Major Countries - France,The expanded consumables section has been moved to the left side of the store to be near the door--a prominent location that makes the section impossible to overlook and easy to access. Plans call for an expansion of the concept to 300 of CVS' 7,100-plus stores by the end of the year, according to company spokesman Mike DeAngelis.Champagne Consumption 14France, The Netherlands, Other Central Eastern Europe,White Wines 4Caviro to Launch Tavernello Wine Brand in UK 46Export Volume by Country-Italy, France, Spain, Australia,New World Wines vs. Old World Wines 13Major Wine Producing Regions Worldwide 35Wine: Smallest Segment in the Alcoholic Beverages Market 11Washington 38Breakdown of Value Sales through Leading DistributionThe Grab & Go prepared foods--an array of prepared sandwiches, salads and fresh fruit individually wrapped for sanitary purposes--are just what the doctor ordered for on-the-go consumers. The section also includes such healthy beverages as Muscle Milk and Zico coconut water. A large cooler section houses deli meats, cheese, frozen foods, yogurt, soda and beer.Four Seasons Wines to Launch New Line of Sparkling Wines 44Busy Lifestyles 18Impact of Champagne Bubbles 15TCA Contamination 16The United States 41Rose Wines 4Common Classification of Wine 33France Steps Down to Make Way for Spain in International Trade 10Europe 41

Chatham Hill Winery Unveils Wine Containing Pomegranate 47

Purchasing An Affordable Barbecue Grill Online

A barbecue grill is a wonderful way to cook great tasting food outdoors. There are many different types of grills in all kinds of shapes, sizes, features, and prices.

You can also search for useful reviews where you'll find a great deal of information pertaining to pros and cons of different products. Many sites maintain unbiased reviews such as Consumer Digest and other magazine type sites. Be careful on some of the reviews since they are really promoting a particular brand or style they carry.Speaking of favorites, IguanaMed is back big time this season with your new favorite staples. Fantastic fit with functional details make IguanaMed scrubs favorites amongst medical professionals. The legendary Med Flex II performance fabric is now available in a super stylish hooded jacket, a new tonal print top, and a rockin' new cargo pant.Key wine accessories that will make excellent gifts are corkscrews, wine thermometers, electric wine serving coolers, butcher board cheese servers and a wine cooler that plugs into your car�s electrical system making chilled wine at your picnic or on your boat a reality.Before you begin aimlessly searching you should have some idea of what you are looking for. The most important decision is if you want to get a charcoal, propane grill or one which operates with a natural gas connection. There are pros and cons to each type but the nice thing about a natural gas connection is that you never have to worry about running out of gas during a big cookout.Show your support for the cause with one of the many items from this year's Pink Ribbon Collections. Koi, Nurse Mates, and Share the Care have come out with some great, fashion forward looks that support Breast Cancer Awareness. With shoes, socks, scopes, bags, tees and scrubs, Scrubs & Beyond lets you show your support from head to toe! New men's scrubs styles are also available this year!Wine accessories, wine racks, wine furniture and wine coolers will be appreciated and considered great gifts. Wine related products are marketed in a broad array of sizes, colors, prices, etc. making gifts that are easy to match to your favorite person and your budget. They are made in every type of material imaginable- wood, wire, steel, etc.The next major consideration is the size of grill. How many people do you anticipate cooking for on a regular basis and how much grilling room do you think you'll need? In this case the search functions on a well designed barbeque grill shopping site can help you with this.And it is always advisable to check out the online dealer you are considering to make certain they are reputable and will provide you with the unit you are expecting. Look for testimonials on these dealers and try to check out if they have any complaints through the Better Business Bureau.The broad based interest in wine can be a stimulus for an entirely new �Gift Du jour� for your friends and family. Everyone can benefit from changing your thinking about what gift to buy, especially you men like me. You can forget about that gift card from one of the large �box stores�. No more stopping at the supermarket so you can get flowers for your loved one on the way home. You will not have to get your �Uncle Jack� that knitted sweater with reindeer on it. In addition, grandma will not have to eat another box of chocolate that was made six months before it became a gift. It is paramount to get that special gift right this time.

However if you search carefully and thoroughly you should be able to find just the barbecue grill you are searching for online at a great price.

Author: Paul Jesse

Scrubs & Beyond Releases Their Autumn Catalog

Scrubs & Beyond knows scrubs like no one else, so it should come as no surprise that they are announcing the release of their new autumn catalog. This comes at a great time when many of us are ready to leave the summer heat behind and are instead looking forward to the cooler fall weather. Check out their new catalog to find new nurses scrubs and much more to get you ready for the change in seasons.

This autumn, Scrubs & Beyond brings you classics with an extra dose of style. Rich color is in and top brands are bringing you warm, cozy shades of berry, wine, olive and teal. Comfortable, chic, dress code compliant looks are easy to find in a range of sizes, styles and brands. All of the popular brands are loading their lineups with a ton of awesome products that you will be excited to wear.Corporate Contact Karla Bakersmith 314-961-9494, ext 14 Email ContactHowever if you search carefully and thoroughly you should be able to find just the barbecue grill you are searching for online at a great price.The great thing about online purchasing is that it enables you to search for and evaluate a wide variety of different kinds of grills. The first place to start should be some of the larger online stores which specialize in barbecue grills. They tend to have excellent tools to help you to determine which kind of grill is best for you; what kinds of features you should include; manufacturer recommendations; and expected pricing.As summer turns to fall, don't let the lack of warm weather get you down. Stock up on new scrubs now to suit the cooler weather and to brighten your days! To request a free catalog or find a list of all store locations, visit www.ScrubsAndBeyond.com .However, the best gift to give someone that loves wine is his or her first wine cooler refrigerator. These handy appliances will allow that favorite person of yours to get on the move to becoming a �budding� wine connoisseur. If space is a problem for your gift receiver, several countertop wine coolers can be purchased to fit their space. If your favorite person is environmentally sensitive, a thermoelectric wine cooler will help them �go green�. The choices available to match your favorite person�s taste are unlimited.

Corporate Contact Karla Bakersmith 314-961-9494, ext 14 Email Contact

The Gift Du Jour

Wine is becoming an ever-increasing favorite of many people. With over 1000 different wine varieties, the choices one has seem nearly infinite. Wine tasting parties are very popular and great events to get to know other people. The proper pre-party storage of wine is important to maintain the wine for its maximum enjoyment and that is why an investment in a wine cooler is a good choice. However, the temperature the wine needs to be stored at is not necessarily its proper serving temperature for your party. Additionally, your party guests cannot necessarily readily view wine stored in your wine refrigerator. Displaying your favorite vintages in a classy wine rack at your party will stimulate conversation about the wines and contribute to your party�s success.

March on in the season's hottest trends from Rampage, Koi scrubs and Ecko. There will be plenty of styles to suit everyone as Scrubs & Beyond brings you all the top trends in the designer labels you love. As you browse the pages of the new catalog you will see styles ranging from military looks to ultra-feminine silhouettes to your personal favorites.Once you have your choices narrowed down, it's time to do some serious price shopping. Again the web is one of the best place to price compare on specific brands and models. You'll probably be very surprised at the large variation in price for the same product.It's important to compare different prices and factor in any other costs such as shipping and handling to make certain you are getting the best overall price.Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to NewsvineHowever a natural gas connection can be expensive to install and the gas grills themselves tend to be premium units and therefore cost more. However again it depends on what you are looking forFor more information go to: http://idealwinecoolers.com

For more information go to: http://idealwinecoolers.com

Author: Ronald Senn

Wine Storage Basics

In order to maintain optimal flavor for wine, it must be stored in proper conditions that will preserve the quality and attributes. This is especially important once a bottle of wine has been opened. It is also important to consider that wine is meant to be enjoyed within two years of bottling. There are, of course, exceptions to this guideline, particularly with certain Chardonnays. Red wines will actually develop characteristics as they age, but this typically only applies to Old World wines.

Another advantage of using this cooling technology is these wine refrigerators operate with no noise and are vibration free. If you have an older refrigerator, you can hear the distinctive hum of a compressor based cooling system. When compressors kick on and off when needed, there is a vibration naturally attached to that process. However, some compressor wine cooler models do come with a �damping system� that virtually eliminates the vibration issue.Sparkling Wines (Champagne, Prosecco) 45-60 Degrees FahrenheitHorizontal StorageIf you enjoy both red and white wines then you need to get a dual zone wine refrigerator. This is critical, will likely be crucial in determining whether you succeed or fail.There are many ways to store your wine collection including wine cellars, wine coolers, hanging wine racks, and even some people will store there wine in a kitchen refrigerator. But you if you do not have the space or can afford a wine cellar then the best option is a wine storage refrigerator. But you just don't want to go out into the market without doing the proper research.Dry White Wines (Pinot Gris, Riesling) 45-50 Degrees FahrenheitThermoelectric cooling technology does not use chlorofluorocarbons like CFCs and HCFCs. These chemicals are known to be partly responsible for the thinning in the stratosphere of the protective ozone layer. There are laws now that control the use of these chemicals, but leaks in a cooling system using these chemicals could be a problem. Additionally, these eco-friendly wine coolers generally are more energy efficient than compressor designed models.Listed here are three tips to help you be on the list of winners, as an individual who succeeds. Follow the following tips and you can be sure that you will get better results!In the right situation, going eco-friendly with your wine cooler purchase is a good choice for the environment. At a minimum, this one small choice, when added to other people�s choices, will be a step in the right direction.2. Second, you will need to make sure the wine refrigerator that you buy will suit your wine collection.Sweet and Rose Wines (Malbec, Merlo) 45-60 Degrees FahrenheitIt is important for these reasons: Red and white wines need to be stored at different temperatures. Failing of doing this will likely mean your wines will lose their favor and you eventually will not enjoy drinking or serving your wine to your friends or guests.Young, Low Acid Red Wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah) 59-63 Degrees FahrenheitIgnore them and the forecast just isn't good. The choice is yours... follow them and reap the benefits; ignore them and you will most likely not. Fail to follow these tips and buying a wine storage refrigerator you may not be happen with the one you buy and you may also end up paying more for a wine storage refrigerator then you should!

For more wine and bar related resource, check out FoodServiceWarehouse.com/education/bar.

Author: Chris Thompson

An Eco-Friendly Cooling Solution

Environmental discussions of late have focused a lot of time on the �global warming� dilemma that we all face. Of course, local and worldwide politics seems to be taking an ever-increasing role in defining and resolving the impact of global warming on our future. I do not believe this issue will be resolved in the political arena any time soon, but I do believe we all can do our part in contributing to a preferred result. My mother always told me �little things always seem to add up to big things�. One little thing we can do with regard to wine and beverage cooling is the use of thermoelectric technology.

Fine Aged Red Wine (Pinot Noir) 64 Degrees Fahrenheit1. First, you have to decide on what type of wine refrigerator you need to purchase.Sparkling Wines (Malbec, Merlot) 48-50 Degrees FahrenheitWhen storing wines for more than 2 years with the intent of aging them properly, keeping vibration of the wine sediments to a minimum can be critical to success. For short-term storage (less than 2 years), there is little noticeable difference between compressor and thermoelectric cooling systems. A good case can be made that a dual zone thermoelectric wine cooler for simultaneously aging red and white wines would be an excellent choice for aging your wine collection.In the 1800�s, a French Scientist named Peltier discovered that when electric current goes through two different metals, (semi-conductors), a temperature difference occurs. The semi-conductors, working like heat pumps, drive heat from one surface to another. By adding a circulating fan to the �heat pump� process discovered by Peltier, you could design and build a �thermoelectric wine cooler�.For more information go to: http://idealwinecoolers.com/page/thermoelectricwinecoolers.html

For more information go to: http://idealwinecoolers.com/page/thermoelectricwinecoolers.html

Author: Ronald Senn

Wine Storage Refrigerator - 3 Tips For Buying A Beverage Wine Refrigerator!

Many have been happy with buying a wine storage refrigerator even though many others have not. The differences between great results and poor results are often in the way the individual carrying it out approaches the problem.

Follow these 3 suggestions for buying a wine storage refrigerator and you will most likely succeed and enjoy all the rewards and benefits that buying a beverage wine refrigerator should bring you.What is the Proper Storage Temperature For Wine?The cost can be higher than a standard kitchen refrigerator but if you really enjoy drinking wine it will be worth the additional expense. So, you need to check on the Internet and make sure you get the best deal. If you happen to neglect this or fail to do it, you must only expect to pay more for your wine storage refrigeratorIt will be most important that you choose the correct type and do the research and do that properly. If you do it in this way, go online and check out the websites that have all of the kinds and types of beverage wine refrigerators you'll be in good shape.3. Third, you have to remember to the cost of a wine storage refrigerator.For more wine and bar related resource, check out FoodServiceWarehouse.com/education/bar.Thermoelectric wine coolers are not without a major disadvantage that you must be aware of that affects their cooling efficiency. When the ambient temperature of the room where your wine cooler will be operated exceeds approximately 77 degrees F., the cooling effectiveness of a thermoelectric wine cooler declines. Additionally, the difference between the ambient room temperature and the �set� cooling temperature should not be higher than about 13 degrees F. Some people like their homes cool and some like them warmer, but it is a consideration if you opt for a thermoelectric wine refrigerator. Generally they will operate more efficiently in a home when ambient temperatures are relatively stable and on the cool side of the spectrum.Dark StorageOne of the keys to storing wine is maintaining the wine's temperature. Ideally, one needs a cellar, a wine cooler or a wine merchandiser to keep the temperature of wine constant. Using one or more wine merchandisers makes perfect sense for liquor stores or bars with space behind the bar or near it. Wine refrigerators are kept at a higher temperature than normal refrigerators, so keeping wine in the reach-in where you keep the cocktail mix and heavy cream is not typically the best idea. Maybe wine bars have wine refrigerators built into a wall or elaborate fixture where servers can grab a bottle and guests can take a peek at the selection. The key is maintaining a constant temperature to keep the wine at its peak serving temperature. After all, most of these wines are best enjoyed at the same temperature at which they are stored. Additionally, the humidity plays an important role as well. Wine corks can dry out and allow air to enter the bottle unless the storage environment !is kept at a high humidity level--about 70% humidity. Those with temperature- and humidity-controlled wine coolers have a head-start, although ideally one would have several wine coolers of different temperatures for all the different wines they keep on hand. Below is a table of suggested wine temperatures based on wine type.There is a reason that wine bottles are stored on their sides rather than upright. Storing wine on their sides ensures that the corks stay moist. If a cork is allowed to dry out, air can seep through the cork and the wine can begin to oxidize. This eventually spoils the wine. However, many establishments will allow a wine bottle to stand upright for a few moments before serving it so that any sediment in the wine can settle to the bottom of the bottle and not make it into the wine glass.

Ignore them and the forecast just isn't good. The choice is yours... follow them and reap the benefits; ignore them and you will most likely not. Fail to follow these tips and buying a wine storage refrigerator you may not be happen with the one you buy and you may also end up paying more for a wine storage refrigerator then you should!

Author: Al Hardy

Under Counter Wine Coolers For Your Wine Collection

If you are like most Americans, you purchase a bottle of wine with the idea of drinking it in a short period of time from the purchase and you are not looking to store it in one of your under counter wine coolers. For those that do collect bottles of wine either for the special occasions or for the fun of collecting wine, under counter wine coolers are a great addition to your kitchen or home bar area.

Additional contributions to wine disturbance are a function of the wine shelving you select. Many wine coolers come with racking systems that are made of metal, vinyl coated metal or wood. Mostly, these racking systems can be removed for cleaning, but essentially are designed to be stationary in the wine cooler. Some wine coolers now come with slide-out, glide-out or rollout shelving. This type of shelving is designed to allow access to your wine collection by merely pulling the shelf out. This allows you to easily and gently remove the bottle that you want without the potential to disturb other stored bottles.Are you going to collect red wine, white wine or both? This is an important question to ask as you are looking at under counter wine coolers as they need to be stored at different temperatures. Many manufacturers offer units that have temperature controls. These units will keep one side of the unit a perfect temperature for red wines and the other side of eth unit perfect for white wines.Wines should be stored away from light. Ultraviolet light (UV), especially with clear bottled wines, will damage your wine. Sparkling wines are even more sensitive to UV rays. Exposure to light may give wine unpleasant aromas and eventually ruin it. Wine coolers are made with a broad array of different interior lighting systems and glass door tints. Look for lighting that stays away from incandescent bulbs and for darkly tinted glass doors. It is pleasing to the eye to look at your wine collection through a tinted front door glass, especially if your collection is lit with a soft blue LED light.FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Autumn is one of the best times of the year to visit Florida - temperatures are cooler and crowds are fewer as kids go back to school, providing an ideal setting for romantic sunsets and strolls on the beach. Celebrate the change of season with LXR’s Florida Fall Escape which brings together fabulous rates with adult-friendly perks from the shores of Miami Beach to the shell-strewn sands of Sanibel Island.When making the purchase, keep in mind we tend to keep more bottles than we think and usually for not much more you can have a larger unit that will give you ample space for your collection. Many collectors underestimate the amount of wine they actually collect, often needing two to three times the space they planned for. Capacity listings on individual models are gross capacities--you may have to do some creative arranging to actually fill your cooler to capacity. Larger or smaller than normal bottles will also alter net capacity. Also be sure to check the shelving options of the under counter wine coolers that you are comparing. You will have more options with removable shelves to store your investments.For more information and reservations call (888) 886-5111 or visit www.LuxuryResorts.com/FallEscape

The Fall Escape is good for travel Sept. 1 - Nov. 17, 2011 at the above LXR properties. Reservations are subject to availability and a two-night minimum stay is required. Rates are quoted per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy and exclude resort fees, taxes and gratuities. Package cannot be combined with any other offer, and group reservations are excluded. Dinner value excludes alcohol, tax and gratuities, must be used at one seating at participating property restaurants and is not redeemable for cash. Spa offers vary by property.

To enjoy your wine collection for years to come, be sure that what you buy at protects your collection from temperature extremes, vibration, too much or too little humidity, light and air.

Author: Max Johnson

Invest In Wine Cooler Options

Let us say that you have finally decided to get serious about having and properly maintaining a wine collection. However, when thinking about having several bottles of wine on hand for future use and aging them to perfection, you know your refrigerator is a poor choice for storing your wine. An investment in a wine cooler is an investment in improving your enjoyment of wine by storing it properly.

A key consideration that should be a part of your final decision-making is the need to secure your wine collection. If you have children, you do not want them opening and closing the wine cooler or messing with the bottles that are so tenderly cradled within it. For that matter, you may be in a situation that your family or friends might have an uncontrolled need to investigate for themselves what you so carefully have stored away. If security is an issue, you will need to purchase a locking wine cooler. There is nothing like a locked door to maintain your collection in the undisturbed condition that good wine aging requires.Offered at LXR’s Florida properties for travel from Sept. 1 - Nov. 17, 2011, the Fall Escape requires a two-night minimum stay and includes a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival, dinner for two (up to $75) at participating property restaurants, and 20 percent off spa treatments and services or a $25 credit towards spa products.In your decision making process, you decided on a size (e.g., 24 bottle capacity), a specific application (e.g., counter top, free standing or under counter wine cooler) and color scheme (e.g., black cabinet with stainless steel door trim). Now all you have to do is to go buy one. There are many other critical options that you should consider and at the same time recognize that they incrementally will add to the cost of your wine cooler.Under counter coolers are made to match many different decorating styles and personalities. In addition, the look will also be determined where the unit is placed.For more information visit: http://www.idealwinecoolers.comDepending on the type of wine you are collecting, some wines are more sensitive than others about such factors as temperature, exposure to UV light, unsettling of sediments and cork shrinkage. Although, collecting wine sounds complicated and more importantly expensive, you can find very effective under counter wine coolers from Magic Chef. Of course the pricing of the under counter wine coolers will depend on how many bottles you will be storing in the unit.

For more information visit: http://www.idealwinecoolers.com

Author: Ronald Senn

LXR Resorts & Hotels in Florida Offer Romantic Fall Escape

Rates From $79, Complimentary Bottle of Wine, Dinner for Two, Spa Discounts at Hotels in Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Sanibel-Captiva

LXR Resorts & Hotels is a portfolio of independent properties dedicated to creating personalized experiences, a sense of ease and endless pleasure. LXR properties are distinguished by a style and spirit that captures the unique qualities of their setting, and are located throughout the United States and the Caribbean. The LXR collection also includes the renowned Golden Door® Spa. For more information, visit www.LuxuryResorts.comMany under counter wine coolers can also be free standing units. This gives you the flexibility to use them in your kitchen, home bar, outdoor kitchen or even your basement. You will also want to look into the security features of the unit as well. A lock and key system come with most units to help you keep the kids or your friends honest.Finally, wine does not like a �shake, rattle and roll� existence. If you are aging your wines carefully, you will want to maintain them in as undisturbed condition as possible. Thermoelectric wine coolers operate on a cooling system that is vibration free and are eco-friendly. Standard compressor models can operate better when indoor ambient temperature fluctuations are a concern.Deciding to buy a wine cooler is a good first step in protecting and improving your overall enjoyment of your favorite vintage. The ability to entertain your friends and family with wine at just the right temperature will make them envious. However, do not slight that initial investment of a wine cooler by not investing in the additional features that will take your wine storage from the minimal to the ultimate. You may not appreciate that investment now, but you will as time moves forward.

LXR Resorts & Hotels is a portfolio of independent properties dedicated to creating personalized experiences, a sense of ease and endless pleasure. LXR properties are distinguished by a style and spirit that captures the unique qualities of their setting, and are located throughout the United States and the Caribbean. The LXR collection also includes the renowned Golden Door® Spa. For more information, visit www.LuxuryResorts.com

The Right Wine Cooler

Wine is becoming an ever-increasing favorite of many people. With over 1000 different wine varieties, the choices one has seem nearly infinite. As wine�s popularity with us increases, the requirements for good wine storage need consideration. Wine is a perishable food that when improperly stored will lose value and flavor and eventually could end up undrinkable.

How does one get the right wine storage appliance to meet their needs? If you are the person that brings home the occasional bottle of wine for that special dinner or party, it is okay to store the wine on its side in the refrigerator until you use it. However, if you are thinking about having several bottles of wine on hand for future use and aging them to perfection, your refrigerator is a poor choice for storing your wine. Several factors need your consideration to find the wine cooler that fits your needs.THIRD, the space you have available for a wine cooler is another important consideration. If you live in a small apartment or condominium, several wine coolers are available that can fit on top of your kitchen counter. Freestanding wine coolers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can be installed anywhere you have a niche to fill. Built-in wine coolers, designed to fit under your countertop, come in the same dimensions as standard kitchen cabinets.http://idealwinecoolers.com/page/countertopwinecoolers.html.Rich Mauro has been writing about wine since 1995. He is a policy analyst for the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Reach him at rich@rmpeoplespalate.com or 30 S. Prospect St., Colorado Springs 80903.See information on our blog: http://www.winecoolerblog.comThe countertop wine cooler class has a broad array of wine bottle capacities. Wine coolers are available to store 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 or 17 bottles of your favorite vintages. Almost all of the wine coolers in this class feature thermoelectric cooling systems that use no compressor chemicals. Wine cooling results from using thermal coupling technology. Generally, the only moving part to one of these wine coolers is the fan that circulates the air within the interior of the product.Since its opening 35 years ago, Columbia Crest perennially is recognized for providing outstanding value. It certainly is true of the 2010 Grand Estates ($11), which impressed me with its juicy apple and pear fruit delivered with lively acidity that balances a slightly honeyed sweetness.SECOND, especially in today�s world, the cost of the wine cooler is an important factor. Wine coolers range in price from under $100 to several thousand dollars. Custom built wine cabinets can easily cost over $10,000. Dual-zone wine coolers will cost more than single-zone coolers and front-venting wine coolers for under-counter applications will cost more than freestanding ones. Some beverage centers can store wine as well as a good mix of canned beverages.

Author: Ronald Senn, VP Ideal Wine Coolers, September 2009

Author: Ronald Senn

THE WINE GUY: Refreshing Rieslings help you beat the heat

I'm sitting here writing this column on the seventeenth straight 90-degree-plus day, glad that I have a glass of Riesling next to me to keep me refreshed.

Kitchen countertops usually vary between 24 and 26 inches in depth. Overhead cabinets in kitchens are usually between 16 and 24 inches above the base cabinet countertop. Another critical dimension of concern is the width of the product you purchase as it relates to area you have available on your countertop. Of course, if you have some extra floor space but no countertop space, your small space-saving wine cooler can be placed on a small table. Again, the dimensions of the wine cooler you purchase are still critical to consider.You may be surprised to read that riesling was one of the first varieties grown in Washington, and still is one of the state's favorite wines. St. Michelle Wine Estates is the dominant player in the Washington wine industry. And the company has been in the forefront in establishing Riesling as the state's premier white wine grape. And with Chateau St. Michelle, Columbia Crest, and Snoqualmie wineries, it is the largest Riesling producer in the world.Not far behind St. Michelle in production and influence is Pacific Rim. The brand was created by Randall Grahm of California's Bonny Doon Vineyard in 1992 using Washington fruit, and was sold to new owners who established it as its own winery in Washington in 2006. I believe the folks at Pacific Rim when they say they are passionate about Riesling, as 90 percent of their production comes from that grape. Pacific Rim makes countless bottlings, including single vineyards, an organic Riesling and the three tasted for this report: a floral, citrus, 2010 Dry; a 2010 Riesling with slightly sweet pear and apple; and a luscious 2010 Sweet that revealed tropical and peach fruit. All are a wallet-friendly $10.I truly believe that an investment in a wine cooler that fits your needs is an investment in improving your enjoyment of wine. You will need to evaluate and balance all the decision criteria. Consider the factors that are appropriate for you and then invest in a cooler that will keep your favorite wine cool and ready for you to serve.Finally, I must emphasize that numerous smaller wineries make excellent Riesling worth seeking out. Such as Seven Hills Winery, where Casey and Vicky McClellan have been making wine from their Walla Walla home since 1988. Casey crafts exceptional merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah, often considered at the top of the Washington quality ladder. He also makes excellent Riesling and Pinot Gris. I was extremely impressed with the 2009 Seven Hills Columbia Valley ($14). It was made in a refreshing low-alcohol style that is slightly sweet but bursting with juicy apple, citrus and pear with an enticing mineral note.Countertop wine coolers are normally 10 to 19 inches wide, 19 to 25 inches deep and 11 to 21 inches in height. A few �tower� type wine coolers will be 6 to 11 inches wide, 20 to 22 inches deep and 20 to 26 inches in height.Most of the countertop wine refrigerators come in classic black. Several models sport a black cabinet but will have silver, platinum or stainless steel door trim. There is a wide range of temperature controls, door handles, and shelving styles to fit any body�s needs.I think the riesling grape makes the greatest white wines in the world. Especially in Germany and Alsace, it produces aromatic wines of bracing acidity and potentially long life. Typically, fragrant, floral aromas lead into fresh green apple and stone fruit - pear, peach or apricot - and occasionally pineapple. Most intriguing, there often is a distinctive mineral component.I also enjoyed the two Snoqualmie wines I tasted. The 2010 Winemaker's Select ($10) is fairly sweet but crisp and refreshing, and bursting with pear and apricot fruit. Snoqualmie has distinguished itself as a leader in sustainable farming and winemaking in Washington. The 2009 "Naked" Columbia Valley ($12) is made with certified organically grown grapes in a certified organic facility. Its bright, off-dry apricot fruit is offset by mineral and spice.FIRST, you need to decide what your wine storage objective is. How much wine do you want to store? What kinds of wine do you want to have on hand? How long do you plan to store it? Wine coolers are available that can store from a few bottles to hundreds of bottles. If you plan to store a mix of red and white wines, a dual-zone wine cooler would be a good choice; different wines should be stored at their optimum temperature. The best place to store your wine undisturbed until it reaches it best age is a wine cooler.For more information see: http://idealwinecoolers.com

Rich Mauro has been writing about wine since 1995. He is a policy analyst for the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Reach him at rich@rmpeoplespalate.com or 30 S. Prospect St., Colorado Springs 80903.

Author: Rich Mauro

Space-Saving Wine Coolers

For those of us that really enjoy wine, there is always the question of how best to store it properly. If your home has lots of space, the options for wine storage are nearly unlimited. However, in some homes, finding space for a wine cooler to store your best vintages is a challenge. Many people reside in apartments, condominiums, and other small homes that require a real sensitivity to space-saving opportunities. There are solutions to this very dilemma by purchasing a countertop wine cooler.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Hogue Cellars is another large Washington winery that is known for great values. For 30 years, Hogue has made an extensive line of well-priced wines delivering good quality. Their 2009 Columbia Valley Riesling ($10) did not disappoint. Juicy green apple and a touch of orange come through with a nice balance of cleansing acidity and medium sweetness.St. Michelle's premier Riesling and arguably America's best Riesling is Eroica, a collaboration with Germany's renowned Dr. Loosen winery. The 2009 ($24), its tenth vintage, harmonizes succulent peach with crisp citrus, spice and mineral notes. As good as this outstanding wine is now, it will improve in the cellar.Chateau St. Michelle, which was established in 1967 and pioneered contemporary fine wine making in Washington, is the state's largest producer, yet consistently delivers quality at remarkable prices. And there is a style to fit your preference. The 2010 Dry ($9) sports refreshing peach notes. The 2010 Riesling ($9) is just slightly sweet, with juicy apple and pear. The 2010 Harvest Select, ($10) is quite sweet but balanced with crisp pear and apple.Do not let limited space in your home keep you from investing in a wine cooler that will provide the preferred storage for all your best vintages. For more information see:-Author: Ronald Senn, VP Ideal Wine Coolers, September 2009

http://idealwinecoolers.com/page/countertopwinecoolers.html.

Author: Ronald Senn