At this point, you probably already know what you are going to cook for Christmas dinner. But if you are in need of inspiration, we have compiled articles to help you. Find out our suggestions to celebrate the holiday season with the best food:

Ideas to make Christmas dinner easier

• Christmas culinary traditions in Spain
• Christmas dinners in Europe
• The Christmas drinks you didn’t you needed
• The best cheeses in the world to serve at Christmas
• The perfect gift

Christmas culinary traditions in Spain

The typical Spanish Christmas requires the company of your friends and family and traditional locally-produced food such as Iberian ham and cheese for starters, while fish, turkey or red meat will be served as the main dish. The indispensable dessert will probably include Turrones, a Spanish variation of Nougat. Naturally, Spanish wines and sparkling will accompany the whole menu.

Christmas dinners in Europe

Soup, seafood, nougat and cava will be present at many Spanish tables this Christmas, but what do other Europeans usually drink and eat as Christmas dinners? Discover here how our neighbours celebrate Christmas. You might find some new ideas to improve your own Christmas this year.

The Christmas drinks you didn’t you needed

Autumn and Winter might just be the most underrated seasons when it comes to trying out new cocktails or punches. However, the last months of the year are ripe with occasions to discover your next favourite drink. After Guy Fawkes and Halloween, the holiday season arrives to give you new reasons to go out. Autumn drinks and Christmas cocktails are the new fad. Don’t miss it!

The best cheeses in the world to serve at Christmas

On this occasion, we have selected the best cheeses in the world to serve at Christmas. A small guide that will help you when choosing which of these delicacies to bring to your table during these festivities and with which wines to combine them.

The perfect gift

Besides the eating and drinking, Christmas is first and foremost the ideal occasion to spend quality time with your loved ones. Therefore, you might be looking for that special gift which will express your affection perfectly. That is why Uvinum has been on the lookout for the best gastronomic gifts on the market. Alternatively, if you prefer to find a great wine but feel a bit lost, we dedicated an article to help you navigate the world of wines.

Aviva Pink Gold

Aviva Pink Gold, a Spanish sparkling wine from made with moscatel and airén and  ideally combined with salt cake and almonds.

Carta Nevada Dulce

Carta Nevada Dulce, a sparkling wine from Cava produced with xarel·lo, viura, parellada and macabeo grapes.

It is not only an aesthetic question. Among all the different gadgets that make up the world of wine, the glass is one of the essentials because it directly affects its flavour.

The cup itself must be of quality and with specific forms, because thanks to it, it enhances both the fruit flavour, as well as the acidity or that helps to balance all these flavours. There are studies that have confirmed this, such as the Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering of the Medical and Dental University of Tokyo, which explained that the way in which ethanol evaporates depends on the structure of the cup.

In this study, as reported by CNN, the red colour detected by the olfactory chamber shows large concentrations of ethanol evaporating in different glasses with wine at 13 degrees Celsius. In one part of the study, three wine glasses were analyzed: a standard wine glass, a straight glass and a martini glass. Although the same amount of wine was served in the three glasses and examined at 13 degrees Celsius, the images revealed that a rim-shaped vapour pattern was created on the rim of the wine cup. This allows the wine to be appreciated without interfering with the smell of ethanol.

At the same time, wine tasting also speaks not only of the shape of the glass but also of the cleanliness of these. If you have traces of detergents or smell of plastic, then it will also condition the taste of a good wine.

Moreover, it also depends on the capacity, volume or opening of the wine glass to enhance the different aromas and nuances. But experts understand that in wine tasting everything depends, also, on the subjective factors of each person and the temperature and changes that the wine receives at each moment.

Pruno 2016

Pruno 2016: Based on 90% of Tinta Fina and 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the secrets of Pruno emerges precisely in the 64 hectares owned by Finca Villacreces in the “Golden Mile” of the Ribera del Duero. 

El Molar 2016

El Molar 2016: This Garnacha from Jumilla emphasises the appellation’s singularity.

Whether you are a fan of Sting and the Police or not, there is a wine that you will be a fan of. Sting’s Tuscan estate Il Palagio is home to the production of one of the best wines in Italy. So, what is the wine about and where can you get it? Here are some facts about Sting’s Tuscan wine that will surprise you:

An Estate That Sting Bought Fifty Years Ago and Lives at With His Family

Fifteen years ago, Sting bought an estate in the rolling Tuscan hills, which is home to a 15-century villa and more than 900 acres of pristine vineyards, orchards and forests. It is also where he lives with his family when he is not on tour.

The Fine Grapes That Are Grown at Stings Estate to Make Wine

There are several different types of grapes that are grown on the estate, which are used in several different wines produces on the estate. Several of these wines carry names of his hit songs including:

• Sister Moon
• Massage in a Bottle
• When We Dance

The first of these, Sister Moon is a wine that has been recognized by experts around the world as one of the finest Italian wines today.

American And Tuscan Wine Experts Contributed to The Development of Stings Wine

The wines produced on Sting’s estate have been developed by wine experts from Tuscany and the United States of America. These are wines that were developed using some of the grape varieties that are important to the Tuscan wine region, such as Sangiovese and Brunello di Montalcino.

The Centuries-Old Estate Produces A Lot More Than Just Fine Wine

In addition to the wine that is produced by the centuries-old vineyards, it is also home to the production of organic produce, oils and honey. So, for honey glazed ham dinner, you may want to try using Sting’s organic honey and pairing it with a bottle of Sister Moon.

These are some of the facts about Sting’s wine that will surprise you. If you want to try Sting’s fine Tuscan wine, it can be found right here on Uvinum.

Il Palagio Sting Message In A Bottle Bianco 2016

Il Palagio Sting Message In A Bottle Bianco 2016 is a dedication to the pop hit of musician and winemaker Sting. 

Il Palagio Sting Chianti When We Dance 2016

Il Palagio Sting Chianti When We Dance 2016: A red wine from the region of Chianti produced with Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo from the 2016 vintage. 

Il Palagio Sting Sister Moon 2013

Il Palagio Sting Sister Moon 2013 is a delicious red Tuscan wine named after Sting’s famous world hit “Sister Moon”. 

Talking about trends is never easy. I am not Zoltan, so I can not tell you with my crystal ball or reading in the sea of wine which wines you will like in 2018. But yes, my experience in this sector, my training and my conversations with consumers give me the opportunity to explain certain tendencies. Consumers and their consumption habits, wines that are going to be drunk, communication, digitalization and even the impact of climate change have significantly changed the landscape of the wine world.

Consumer Trends

Consumers are heteroclite. We find fans of the great classics, those who swear only by the notes of most famous guides or those who are more curious – as is the case of millennials – who are not loyal to a single brand but who constantly experiment.

Label Design

Not only is it a matter of curiosity, but also a way to approach wine. It does not matter if it is a Crianza, a Gran Reserva, “elaborated since 1890” or Reserva de la Familia, that has 95/100 or a gold medal. What matters in the first place is the label and its design. The colours, what represents the drawing or the photo and especially the emotion or the history behind each label and each wine.

Price-Quality-Ratio

In 2018, if one wine is more expensive than another, it does not mean that it is better. The public is less knowledgeable but does not have complexes and it does not matter to them not to know about wine to enjoy it and to detect the wine they like. That’s what it’s about, find the wine that excites you. Therefore, the disappearance of the great classics is not for now. The clearest trends are the search for the best value for money, where traditional and millennials coexist in total harmony.

The Wine Trends

Light red wines

At last! The time of the wines is very dark, concentrated, fleshy, structured, powerful and often drying because of a massive use, not to say abusive, of the ageing in new and very toasted wood. Wines that became fashionable in the 90s with the criterion of the great critic Robert Parker. I do not mean that they are bad wines, but that they are always consumed too young: they are wines that would have to wait to be consumed for at least 10 years to be able to appreciate themselves well. That’s as long as they are well made from the beginning because often the wood also serves to cover and disguise defects or poor quality. But this is another subject …

It was about time! The time comes for friendly, fresh and spontaneous red wines, with less alcohol, easier to understand and to enjoy. In the end, that’s what it’s about, enjoy with a glass of wine. It is more, to enjoy a glass of red wine until in the heat of summer. Wines to share, to accompany the aperitif, for the after work. Live the fruit and live the freshness without losing the quality. This challenge has been achieved by wine growers who have known and wanted to work with native grapes that have almost disappeared or that have worked in very different ways the best-known ones.

Appear red wines from Galicia of unknown varieties such as red Caiño, Brancellao, Bastardo, Loureiro, Mencía by the best known, Trepat and others. But, Miss Uva 2018, it is, without doubt, the Garnacha. For a long time, winegrowers have turned their backs on it because it is a difficult grape to work with, low yield and fragile, but it has been recovered by small producers willing to give it the opportunity it deserves in areas such as Madrid, Gredos or Catalonia. Great wines have come from there at affordable prices.

Organic, biodynamic and natural wines, from zero kilometres, terroir and made from native grapes

The trend is healthy, healthy and sustainable. The consumer is increasingly concerned about the environment, health and well-being. Organic wines are an important part of the market, but not only. Every time there is more interest for the terroir wines, of “terroir”: the town, the farm or the plot are current concepts and very appreciated that also appear on the labels. The consumer pays more attention to the most unknown and autochthonous varieties, which are valued more and more by small processors every day. It would be very interesting if the consumer was also worried about the packaging. Is it really necessary that the bottles are so thick and heavy?

White and rose wines

The consumption of white wines is increasing. And, unlike the trend in red wine – which seeks the light style – with white wines the opposite happens. White wines with more character, volume and personality are sought. Wines with an ageing “on lees”, which can have a more golden and more intense colour. Does not matter. The whites of Rueda and Galicia are no longer the only ones. The Catalan white wines (white Garnacha) and the Rioja whites, totally devalued by the national market for decades, enter through the front door. Well, it’s to be happy that fashions change because both Catalonia and Rioja produce extraordinary white wines.

The pink ones are still fashionable. Less and less are associated with temporary summer consumption and more and more are of better quality. The preference goes to the pink wines of Provencal style, that is to say: very pale pink and presented in special or different bottles. Packaging matters as much as colour. Why Provencal style? Because the great rosé wines of Provence are the best sellers and sought after in the world.

Wine without alcohol

A tendency to rise, although it does not grow as fast as others. However, wines without alcohol have more and more presence in the market, especially effervescent wines and those presented with a very careful and surprising packaging. There is also a clear commitment to quality because what matters is a product without more qualitative alcohol. Even so, I do not know if we can really call them wines!

The wines suitable for vegans called vegan wines

The other trend that many people will say that it is not a fad, but a lifestyle that is generalized: wines suitable for vegans or vegans. Veganism, the answer to our stressful and frenetic modern life. According to a study published by The Green Revolution, prepared by the Lantern consultancy, 1.3% of the Spanish population follows a vegetarian diet and 0.2% has opted for veganism. In other words, in Spain, there are around 3.6 million people (7.8% of the total) who base their diet exclusively, or with few exceptions, on products of vegetable origin. Can we afford to leave this market without wine?
The wines suitable for vegans are made without using products of animal origin. Normally, the problem is that the clarification of traditional wines is carried out with products such as egg albumin, casein (a protein derived from milk), gelatin (obtained from animal cartilages) or the ichthyosaur. of fish (obtained from the swim bladder of some fish). But, to avoid these products, the most used product is bentonite, a chemical product … Just what they avoid using the wineries that make natural wines. Is not it the fish that bites its tail?

Colourful wines

Totally contrary to all previous trends, the colour wine, that is the main protagonist of 2018. The first most famous colour wines have been Passion Blue and Gik Live, two blue wines that were and are a national and international success. Now they are appearing more colours (orange, green, violet, etc.) and every day more wineries are aimed at the production of blue or coloured wines. There are also sparkling wines of colour that devastate the young. With bright colours, with iridescence, with flaming effects and more.

For many they are not wines – for me, they are not -, but if thanks to these wines the consumers end up being interested in wines … So, welcome. And, as with generations, consumers and their tastes have changed and the wines they are looking for too.

The consumption trend

Wines by the glass

We have never seen so many bars that serve wines by the glass as now. This trend is on the rise in 2018. Above all, we find bars with wine lists that offer a good and careful selection to enjoy and try different styles, which will delight from the knowledgeable lover to the neophyte. And they also make an important rotation, monthly or weekly, in their wine lists to surprise their clients and especially so that they do not get bored. The great evil of the millennial generation, which gets bored very quickly.

Blending

A fashion that comes with strength. Play to be the winemaker making your own wine, or rather, mixing varieties of grapes to get the perfect wine! Many restaurants and bars offer a selection of different wines specially designed to make the blend or the blend and the client imagine his own wine. More than one, less of the other, a little of this, etcetera, etcetera. It’s a bit like playing magician apprentice but it’s very trendy!

Wine tourism

Wine tourism or tourism in the vineyard is confirmed as fashion. This is not what I say, says the General Director of the portal Turismodevino *. Interest in visiting the wineries and an emotional experience with the wines we like were aroused. We like the story behind each wine, the memory that each drink transmits to us, just like the scents that remind us of our grandmother’s kitchen or the flavours of our childhood. Feeling closer to nature seeing how the vineyard is grown …

Online consumption

The year 2018 or the boom in the use of social networks … We consume “information” about wines: before buying or ordering a wine to be sure not to make mistakes, when we have the bottle in front to take a photo and share it, after drinking it for share our opinion … Clearly, the use of social networks is very important and fascinating. We seek the personal opinions of those who have tasted the wine before even the wine’s own information. It matters more and more the opinion of others.

It is the reality in a world where the school wants and says to develop more the critical spirit to young people. It is clear: know how to synthesize and take distance to have an opinion of our own is something that we will have to teach future generations.
Communication trend

Evolution of wineries and processors

Faced with the evolution of consumer tastes, wineries have to adapt. Many of the famous ones have already done it. Great winemakers are precursors to changes and trends. This is the case of Artadi, who left the D.O. Rioja to produce wines from villages and plots. But it is not the only one, many more do it. In addition, a generation of young processors is doing an exceptional job with native grapes and new techniques or recovering the ancestral ones. Working in an ecological or natural way their vineyards and the wines with ageing in amphoras or “used” barrels, that is to say where several wines have already evolved, and very little toast. They do not look for quantity but for quality and pleasure.

A large number of wineries are using organic products of proximity to developing their wines without adding any type of additive, without manipulating them. Others go further and have specialized in making wines suitable for vegans, or, as I said before, in coloured wines. They are also being renovated with wine tourism. They make their products known in a different way beyond the simple visit-tasting, but providing a true experience in the vineyard, explaining a story, exciting the consumer with leisure and enjoy.

The wineries are linked to sporting events, musical events (such as Turmalina, the first wine festival held in the Comunidad Foral de Navarra) and fashion, where good wines, friends and/or personalities come together. They also enter the digital world. They no longer fear it so much …

But in addition to the product, the quality, the ingredients, the colour or where we drink it, we care how they tell us about wine. We leave behind the pompous speeches of experts such as ageing in Allier barrels, aromas of white pepper, malolactic fermentations, batonnage, residual sugar or volatile acidity and other rude words! The simple, affordable and accessible language of anyone arrives. A good sommelier is the one who knows how to explain the wine without reciting the technical specifications of the winery, which uses words and stories that will bring the wine closer to the customer.

Another great trend in the world of wine 2018 is the increase in the edition of wine comics. In Spain, there are still few, but in France, it is a phenomenon of great magnitude. It is a strong bet to spread the culture of the wine world through comics and entertainment. One of the most famous is Los Ignorantes, also Vinómics, or the manga Las Gotas de Dios. If there are still few titles in Spain, in France you can find many styles.

The digital revolution in the world of wine

The wine industry has been slow enough to adapt to the digital world, but we can say that its evolution is impressive. It could not be otherwise! Nowadays everyone is looking for information or online shopping in one click. We know the wine stores that have their website, wine stores exclusively online sales, monthly subscription and send a batch adapted to your tastes but surprising, private exclusive sales, but where is the offer in 2018?

The figure of the online Marketplace to buy wine is becoming a powerful force. The leader in Spain with the most extensive wine catalogue in Europe is Uvinum with more than 100,000 listings of wines, distillates and beers for sale.

Startups innovate more than ever. In 2018, the growth of smartphone use is confirmed and will increase. They are improving the apps that already exist and others are created, all very interesting depending on what we are looking for: price comparators; albums for collectors; to qualify a wine and buy it; another that aspires to become the wine assistant for poorly understood people; to register the wines you are tasting and record their main characteristics and include the personal tasting notes; to provide information on the quality of the harvests of the main producers taking into account the year and the appellation of origin of the wine of the main wine-producing countries; to match the pairing of their wines and food (there are exclusive ones for pairings with cheeses); to indicate the ideal consumption date of a specific wine bottle; to indicate the ideal time of consumption of natural or biodynamic wines depending on the moon and the appropriate days to open the wines (if it is a flower day, a day leaf … ok, this is very freaky, but it is fantastic); to detect new features according to your tastes; etc…

Applications about wines exist for all tastes, the number goes up and above all, they are fine-tuned. It ended up having only one web page, the app format for a smartphone is essential if you want to reach the new generation of consumers. Not only do they have to be interesting, easy to use and adapted to any device. The payment system has to be agile and secure, shipping faster, cheaper and more efficient. And, above all, that everything is “shareable” on any social network such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and all that exist …

International trends

So far the trends for 2018 in Spain. But, the fashions here are not those of other countries.

Outside of our borders, the consumption of wine in Bag in Box is imposed. Do you think it’s shabby? It will arrive here too … But, above all, it is the consumption of the magnum format that stands out the most. A festive and convivial volume (convivial is a French expression to speak of a happy atmosphere during a shared meal).
The use of screw caps for quick-consumption bottles. In Spain, it has not been imposed yet but it is not long. On the other hand, in France, it is the glass stopper that is the trend.

Outside of Spain, another trend is the consumption of sparkling wines -with better reception than they have here-, especially Prosecco and Cava, which tend to be cheaper than champagnes.

Finally, a trend that will or will come, but of course the worst, is the increase in the price of wine. Spain, Italy and France – which together produce more than half of the world’s wine – have experienced their worst harvests in decades after the grapes were damaged by extreme weather (severe drought, repeated frosts). This is also the case in South Africa – because of the drought – or in California – which has been devastated by fires – and thus for each wine-producing country.

Large producing countries such as Australia or Chile are exploring their colder zones to plant vineyards. We hope that the countries that were not producers until now see an opportunity here. England has started producing sparkling wines. Even large wineries like Taittinger are planting vineyards there. Let’s see what my wine glass says …

Pasion Blue Chardonnay (blue wine) 2016

Pasion Blue Chardonnay (blue wine) 2016:Daring and different, that’s the blue wine Pasion Blue Chardonnay, but also fruity, fresh and aromatic. 

Beefeater Pink

Beefeater Pink adds a new and bold pink face to the brand’s product range and appears as a punky hommage of London’s underground club culture. 

It is difficult to fit one year into numbers. So many things have happened! Just to give a brief example: in 2017 we made exactly 85,122 shipments to 35 different countries, and behind each shipment, there is a story. It is the story of a person who lives in Brazil, or in Sweden or in Galicia and who wanted a wine that was in Uvinum or is the story of Hannah, who recently placed an order from London to celebrate her father’s 60th birthday. It is very exciting to think that our wines were at such an intense and moving moment. How can we summarize all these stories into just a few paragraphs?
There are 85,122 stories that take place in thousands of cities. In Spain, for example, they took place in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia – the places that have bought from us the most – but also in places as remote from the point of view of these cities as Pau, in the province of Gerona (with only 551 inhabitants) or Adeje, on the island of Tenerife. And they happen in cities of other countries, of course: in London, Birmingham or Glasgow; in Berlin, Munich or Hamburg; or in Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux. Ubiquity. It is the magic of the online world.

Behind these 85,122 stories, in addition, there are sub-stories. We could say that Spin-offs if we keep the analogy of TV series. For example, many of these people from all the countries in which we sell had the desire to buy the same product, which in 2017 was the Smirnoff Red Label. The most purchased Uvinum product in the world, and also the United Kingdom … In Spain, however, they opted for a white wine, José Pariente Verdejo, or in France for the M of Minuty Rosé. Birds of a feather flock together.

More and less

As in all stories, there are contrasts, of course. Big and small, maximum and minimum, ambition and contention. For example, someone among these 85,122 people made a purchase of great value: spent nothing more and nothing less than € 14,440, the most expensive order this year in Uvinum, an amount similar to that spent by someone who in 2017 bought a Peugeot 208 LPG or a Dacia Lodgy Stepway. In contrast, there was someone much more content that made an order worth € 5.20, the cheapest order this year in Uvinum.

There was someone – the person who most times bought in 2017 – who made 138 orders, which is as if he had placed a daily order for just over 4 months. And there was someone who decided to buy a Petrus for € 3,893.96, the most expensive wine sold this year in Uvinum, and someone else who bought what they say is one of the best beers in the world (and the most expensive), Westvleteren 12, for € 11.05. And even a whiskey aficionado who bought The Macallan Fine Oak 25 Years for € 1,031.69 per bottle, the most expensive distillate sold this year.

Solidarity, originality and future

Also, as in all history, there is solidarity, that of 5,980 customers who during 2017 decided to contribute a euro in solidarity with their purchase. With this euro, we were able to contribute to improving the lives of 43 children in India with leprosy -in support of a reconstructive surgery project- and the 50 children of Mandrosoa (Madagascar), with a scholarship project, assures them a daily meal at school.

There is, of course, a bit of originality. For example, do you know the exclusive edition of Absolut Elyx? In 2017 it was one of the most striking products in our catalogue and, in addition, Uvinum is one of the few sites in Europe and the only one in Spain that has it for sale. We are happy to contribute these little details to history, just as we are happy to offer more and more products: last year we made available to our customers more than 100,000 products, 34% more than in 2016. Because this is also a story of growth. 

And, in 2018 we will continue like this. With a team of 10 different nationalities involved 100% to keep growing (in addition, a team that grows in many ways, because we had 3 new babies on board!). We will continue improving. Expanding Offering distillates, beers and, above all, wines that are part of the lives of our customers, that make them smile, dream, that becomes part of their memory when, as in the case of Hannah, remember the moment in which she toasted for his father’s 60th birthday.

That is our story. To be continued…

With the end of winter coming soon, it is time to say goodbye to all those winter cocktail recipes until next year. It is not summer yet, but spring is still a good time to welcome warmer weather with a few good cocktails that are simple and refreshing. Here are some spring cocktail recipes that you will want to try:

1. Fruity Lime Soda with Red Wine and Fresh Strawberries

Spring is a time when certain fruits start coming into season, and they are readily available in markets. You may want to try some of your first spring cocktails with strawberries which you will be able to get fresh as early as the first week of March. A simple cocktail to do with strawberries is lime soda with red wine. Mix 2 parts lime soda and 1-part red wine over a glass of fresh strawberries. Freeze the fruit to keep the cocktail cold in place of ice. 

2. Spiked and Spicy Sangria for Colder Spring Weather

Sangria is probably one of the most popular Spanish wine cocktails with hundreds of variations and recipes. While you are waiting for summer, there may still be some colder spring days. To warm up, you can try a spiked Sangria recipe. The ingredients you will need include:

• Red wine
• Kentucky Bourbon
• 1 Lemon
• 1 Orange
• 1 Stick of Cinnamon
• 1 Apple
• Syrup

Cut the fruit into slices and add it with the cinnamon stick to a glass pitcher. Fill the pitcher nearly 2/3 full of your favourite red wine and add approximately 2 tablespoons of sweet syrup. Now, add the bourbon to the sangria, which should be approximately 1 ounce per serving or too your taste.

3. Simple Classic White Wine Spritzer for A Refreshing Spring Cocktail

One of the simplest wine cocktails to make is a spritzer, but it is still a great choice for something refreshing as the weather starts to change. What you will need is white wine and club soda to make a spritzer. Add a touch of lime garnish to give your spritzer a little bitter bite. 

4. Vodka Martini with A Splash of Limon and Lime

Another classic cocktail that you may want to try giving twists to is the Martini. Use the same vermouth, but instead of using gin, replace it with vodka. To give it a little bitter kick and a nice garnish, use a slice of lime and a slice of lime to finish off your cocktail. 

With this simple wine cocktails, you will be ready to say goodbye to winter and get ready for warmer weather. Try some of our wines to add a special touch to some of your cocktail recipes this spring.

Pruno 2016

Pruno 2016: Based on 90% of Tinta Fina and 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the secrets of Pruno emerges precisely in the 64 hectares owned by Finca Villacreces in the “Golden Mile” of the Ribera del Duero. 

Marqués de Murrieta Reserva 2013

Marqués de Murrieta Reserva 2013 is an excellent taste of the classic Rioja. The red wine made by Marqués de Murrieta is already a set component of the Rioja list of Robert Parker.

We all know our signs of the Chinese zodiac and horoscope, our elements and spirit animal. But do not miss the wine of your soul. At Uvinum, we have consulted the stars to know which wine matches best with your essence in this year 2018.

Aries

The Aries are strong, a little stubborn and always wanting to come first. As a force of nature, you know how to impress those around you and are not easy to forget. Such a memorable character is only satisfied with an unforgettable wine like the Belondrade y Lurton 2015. This wine, which has revolutionised the Spanish white wine market, highlights an incredible integration between fruit and wood.

Taurus

Why do we love the Taurus so much? Because you are a kind, honest person that gives us a sense of security. But above all, you like to enjoy everything that life has to offer. A zodiac as sensual as you finds the best company in the Llopart Brut Rosé Cava, an elegant cuvée of Garnacha, Monastrell and Pinot Noir that seduces on any occasion.

Gemini

As a Gemini, you are always in search of a new experience. Your restless spirit knows how to move worlds and adapts perfectly to any situation. No wonder you have so many different friends. In the famous “Comfort Zone” you do not feel comfortable at all. If they were people, your best friends would be Adventure, Innovation and Curiosity. With these strengths, no one can stop you. You want to fly, you’re going to fly. You do not follow, but you create trends among your friends. And therefore, the wine that best represents you in 2018 is the Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial: Balanced, cool and trendy.

Cancer

Under that hard shell is a heart of gold. Cancers, like good wines, need time. But once opened, they develop all their beauty and inner delicacy. You choose your friends very carefully but then you take care of them as if they were your children. And they know how lucky they are to enjoy such a special person like you. Each cup that is taken with you is a cup full of love and compassion. A classic like you needs a classic like the Marqués de Murrieta Reserva 2013. Favourite of experts like Robert Parker and an excellent companion that improves with each vintage.

Leo

The world hears your roar, and your family and your friends follow you wherever you go. You break with old habits and create new trends. Deservedly the protagonist, unique and of an indomitable character you need a worthy wine like Gérard Bertrand’s Naturalys Merlot. A biodynamic French that, just like you, is a leader in his area that also shows great respect for its roots and the earth.

Virgo

Although many think you are sensitive and fragile, you are a more complex person. You are very strong, but you show a lot of sensitivity and tenderness. With your arms always open, ready to welcome strangers and turn them into friends, sometimes they leave you with wounds. But these small sacrifices are worth it and you quickly recognize who your true friends are, of whom you have many. The Miraval Rosé 2016 frames your spirit to perfection: it is fresh and has a complex structure with delicious notes of red fruits.

Libra

The classic pound that always seeks balance. You like making decisions but it is not one of your strengths. In moments of chaos you offer tranquillity and serenity, and when the party lacks spirit you come to the rescue telling the latest adventures of your daily life with grace and elegance. We do not know how, but you always know how to contribute just what was missing and that is why you have so many friends. You do not forget anyone, and nobody forgets you. You are an integral part of the life of your loved ones. And this leads to the following conclusion: your wine of 2018 is the Llopart Integral Brut Nature.

Scorpio

Friendly, empathetic and ambitious – Scorpio-like, you are very popular among your friends. Another of your superpowers is your subtlety and your pure presence. You stay behind the scenes to get out at the right time. Be at work, at a party or to defend your friends against any danger with your poisonous sting. No one has seen you come but you have come to stay. Pleasant and with a special touch, the Sommos Collection Gewürztraminer 2016 – just like you – knows how to conquer hearts in seconds.

Sagittarius

It’s amazing how you always know how to aim with your bow. Optimism, ambition and a fever of travel are your constant companions. You like to travel, see beautiful landscapes and expand the horizon. You enjoy giving colour to your life and that of your loved ones because a world without colours would be sad and boring. You believe in opportunities offered by destiny and in some magical way you do not miss one. In 2018, your path will take you to many various places, but it will be framed by a glass of Gïk Live, a pioneer like you, the first blue wine in the world.

Capricorn

Each of your steps is well thought out. You know the way, although not always the destination. But it is just what makes you so special. Enjoying the present, you face the future. You quickly come out as the unexpected star of each party, turning strangers into friends and you will keep many of them for the rest of your life thanks to your persistent character. A person like you only finds the best companion in a wine like El Molar 2016. It is written as your biography, experts and novices evaluate this Spanish with excellent reviews, like a diamond to discover.

Aquarius

All life begins in the water. This simple fact makes you an important connector of humanity. And although you are not always the protagonist, you will always be a fundamental part of your group of friends. You are a welcome guest at each party and you should not miss out on any wines, such as the Pago de los Capellanes Joven Roble. Young, fresh, tasty and vivacious, it combines power, structure and rich freshness.

Pisces

“Under the sea, under the sea, darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter.” Cheerful and moved, you find security and more happiness when you are surrounded by your family and your closest friends. But to truly appreciate these treasures of life, from time to time it is good to get away. Whether it’s by plane, car or bike – it does not matter, because you’re only going to come back with recharged batteries and new energies. That’s why the 2016 Bicicletas y Peces Verdejo seems to be specially made for you. Vivacious and made to enjoy, this is your wine to enjoy in 2018.

When the cold tightens, we need to warm up. Nothing better than some recipes with wine to give flavour to the dishes, and incidentally, to cope with the winter days.

Sausages with red wine

It is a classic of a home cooking recipe. To make the dish we will need large sausages, potatoes, onion, garlic and a glass of red wine. This dish is very easy to make and you can personalize it with your own mix of herbs and various spices.

Chorizo with wine

It is a perfect tapa or appetiser that is great with vermouth. Mix onion, bay leaf, small sausages, red wine and a little salt. Sprinkle with the red wine chorizos and add a pinch of salt. It is normal to present them cut into slices covered in sauce in a clay pot.

Sirloin with red wine

To make this recipe, we will take sirloin medallions, potatoes, butter, cream, 750 ml of red wine, salt, pepper and some herbs. We can add a grated cheese on top of the potatoes to make it different and then pour wine into a casserole dish next to the sirloin.

Pears with wine

It is another traditional and perfect recipe for a hot dessert. Take 4 pears, for example, half a glass of white or red wine, water, cinnamon and sugar. We start by boiling the white wine with half a litre of water, sugar and cinnamon stick. Then we will place the pears and cook them. Later, we will introduce the pears in the wine sauce to cook them for a few minutes. We can let them cool down and serve them with the red wine sauce that we will have prepared.

Hot chocolate with red wine

If you are passionate about chocolate and wine, you are in luck because you can combine both ingredients. A sweet mixture that is made in a moment, mixing milk and chocolate, and then red wine is added. Everything is heated to make it better.

Campo Viejo Tempranillo

Campo Viejo Tempranillo is a composition of Tempranillo grapes from various regions of the Rioja to achieve the purest taste of this varietal. A modern wine which honours its legacy.

Barbazul 2014

Barbazul 2014 is a full-bodied Spanish wine from Andalusia. The “Blue Beard”, a peculiar name for a red wine, is potent, round and full-bodied. 

Pizza and wine are a match made in heaven, but it is important to get the pairing right. Some of the wines that you may want to choose for pairing with pizza include red wines, sparkling wines and even some white wines for specific types of pizza. Here are a few of the best wines to consider for pairing when you have a Friday night pizza date:

Classic Italian Pizzas and Mild Red or Rose Wines

Pizza may seem like a casual food but pairing it with the right wine may be more difficult than you think. Combinations of ingredients, base sauces and meat make mild red wines the best choice for classic pizzas. Some of the best wines for the pizzas we all know, and love include:

• Chateau Lestrille Capmartin Bordeaux Clairet for spicy pepperoni pizza
• Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 For Classic Margherita (tomato sauce) and cheese pizza
• Lambrusco Palazzo Vecchio Rosso to a mild wine to pair with authentic Italian pizza

The best wines for pairing with pizza are those that help to bring out the flavours of ingredients without overpowering them with the flavour of the wine. And, it often depends on the type of pizza and ingredients as to what wine you pair with it.

Pairings for Other Italian Dishes and Meaty or Spicy Pizza Variations

Your date may want to try something other than pizza or choose to order a speciality pizza without the classic ingredients. Here are some wines to pair with dessert and other Italian dishes to cover any situation:

• Reds for BBQ and Pizza with Red Meat
• Red Lambrusco for pizza with meaty flavours

Prosecco and Italian Sparkling Wines for Desert Dishes

If you want to impress your dinner guest, pair desert dishes with mildly sweat sparkling wines. Prosecco is an excellent choice, for sweater deserts, choose brut sparkling wines, and for deserts with less sugar, pair them with seco, semi seco or dolce sparkling wines.

As you can see, choosing the right wines to pair with your favourite pizza is harder than you may think. Try some of these wines for your pizza dinner date to match the Italian flavours with the perfect wines.

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 is beyond any doubt the most emblematic wine from New-Zealand.

Chateau Lestrille Capmartin Bordeaux Clairet

Chateau Lestrille Capmartin Bordeaux Clairet: a rosé wine from Bordeaux produced by Chateau Lestrille Capmartin. 

If you are interested in starting a wine collection, there are many different wines to choose from. Some of the wines cost a fortune, but there are still some very good options if you want to start collecting wine. Some things that you may want to do to start collecting wine on a budget include:

Plan Your Budget and Your Storage

First, you will want to plan your wine collection. To start, set a budget for how much you want to spend on your wine collection, which can be monthly or annually. Storage of wine is also important, and there are many different options today, which include storing your wine in a cellar, buying a wine cooler or investing in a custom-built wine cabinet to keep your wines at the perfect temperature.

Choose Wines That You Are Familiar With

One mistake that beginning wine collectors make is that they get too carried away with their wine choices. If you are just starting your collection, it is best to start off slow and with wines that you are familiar with or have some knowledge of. Keep it simple and choose wines that are well-known. You will have a chance to be more daring with your wine choices as your collection begins to grow.

Be Daring, But Taste Wines Before Collecting Them

Investing in wine for your collection can be fun, and you may want to be more daring. As a rule of thumb, you will want to taste wines before you buy them. As you establish your wine collection, more wines will become familiar to you and the process of tasting and buying wine will be easier.

Find Deals on Wines That Are Overstocked

There are many choices of wines that range in price from a few pounds to thousands. If you have a set budget, you will get the most value from more affordable wines. There are also many wines that are on sale and need to be sold to make room for new stock. Start your wine collection with discounts and deals on wines that are on sale.

Choose Wines to Start Your Collection and Store Them Safe in The Cellar

When you have a plan and are ready to start your collection, you will be ready to start choosing your first wines. Start with a variety of wines that you have tasted and are familiar with. If you want to be daring and add something special to your collection, you can choose wines like, Brunello di Montalcino, which is becoming a popular choice amongst collectors.

Getting a wine collection started may not be as difficult as you think. With a little knowledge and a small budget, you can start storing wines away in a cellar or specially designed wine cabinet.

Bruno Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1Er Cru Morgeot Blanc 2015

Bruno Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1Er Cru Morgeot Blanc 2015: a white wine from Chassagne-Montrachet made of 2015 grapes. Uvinum users reviewed this white wine with 4 of 5 points. 

Domaine Hubert Lamy Chassagne-Montrachet 1Er Cru Les Chaumées 2015

Domaine Hubert Lamy Chassagne-Montrachet 1Er Cru Les Chaumées 2015: a white wine from Chassagne-Montrachet with 2015 grapes. At Uvinum, this white wine scores an average rate of 4 of 5 points.