Vinomagna

First Bitcoin Custom Wine Room In The World

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 13:16:00 GMT

Buy a Custom Wine Room with Bitcoin

Fancy a custom wine room? Or maybe you have a custom wine cellar design hidden away that you want to turn into a real-life project? Vinomagna is keeping up with the times and technology by accepting Bitcoin as a method of payment. Vinomagna has seen astronomical growth in the business over the past few years. Many of our clients select us over our competitors for our modern, fresh approach to Bespoke wine displays and cellars. Our team of young designers and engineers have been paramount to the bold modern signature style that has now become synonymous with the Vinomagna brand. This fresh style now translates to the way we process transactions. Vinomagna has welcomed its first BTC Custom Wine Room Installation which sets a benchmark between the company and Cryptocurrency.

This particular customer came to us and asked about the possibility of paying via Bitcoin. As this was a first for the company naturally there were areas of concern. However, after looking into the King of Cryptocurrencies it seemed a very viable option. The result? A new design added to the collection, emulating the signature Vinomagna look of modern clean lines, with a modern payment system.

So, What is Cryptocurrency?

Apart from being one of the most searched for terms in the last 3 years, Cryptocurrency is a worldwide sensation that is known by most people. Whilst in films Cryptocurrency is the bread and butter of the geeky introvert, in real life; TNC’s, banks and also governments bodies are conscious of its gravity. From the year 2015, all major banking establishments, accountancies and Fin-tech companies took a particular shine in Crypto’s and started something called a blockchain. To put it into Lehman’s terms, blockchain is a digital record in which transactions made in cryptocurrencies are documented chronologically and publicly.

What if?

Cryptocurrencies almost didn’t exist! The inventor of Bitcoin created his cryptocurrency unintentionally, as his original goals were to create a peer to peer Electronic Cash scheme. But who invented Bitcoin you may be asking. An anonymous individual who goes by the alias Satoshi Nakamoto created the first cryptocurrency in 2008. How proud he would be to know his precious brainchild has been used to buy a Custom Wine Room.

Get it?

Strip away all the confusing points and conspiracies about Cryptocurrencies, and what you’re left with is an unchangeable database which can ONLY be changed by meeting certain conditions. Although it may sound rather basic, this is how a currency is described.

The Crypto Family

Anyone can start their own cryptocurrency as long as they have the right setup. However, there are 5 established cryptocurrencies which are leagues above the rest.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is the king, the Bugatti of the motoring world, the Lionel Messi of football. BTC is the market standard, the crypto that sets most if not all the standards. De-throneable if that were a real word!

Ethereum

In basic terms, Ethereum is an open source software program loosely based on blockchain tech. This cryptocurrency allows developers to process contracts and negotiations, which separates it from the rest and makes itself unique.

Ripple

Ripple has come to be known as the least desired of the main 5 cryptos, as instead of a direct trade, it is more of an I owe you. XRP – (ripples native currency) isn’t exactly a currency by definition but is seen as more of a method of protection contra spam.

Litecoin

LTC is seen in the crypto world as the littler, not so athletic brother of the powerhouse which is Bitcoin. Litecoin is desired as it is quicker and has a less complex algorithm as opposed to Bitcoin. As Bitcoin is the golden-child, most people stockpile Litecoin just in case Bitcoin folds.

Monero

When Monero was introduced it was originally a clone program to another crypto called Bytecoin. Bytecoin was massively researched before it had even released so the crypto community dropped it like a hot coal. Monero then stepped into the spotlight and shone, due to the fact a privacy aspect was added which the golden child – Bitcoin – was missing.

What's the price?

So, we’ve met the Crypto family. But what are they worth. Let’s take a look at the king of crypto – Bitcoin.

On March 17th of 2010, Bitcoin started operating and was worth $0.003 (£0.0022). Then came the first-ever legitimate, real-world transaction. On the 22nd of May 2010, an American gentleman by the name of Laszlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for approximately 10,000BTC (Bitcoin). Fun fact: if Laszlo had saved that 10k BTC for another 8 years he would have $70m worth of Bitcoin… that’s an awful lot of money for 2 pizzas! From that moment, Bitcoin was on the rise. As of the 15th of December 2017, Bitcoin hit its peak – $17,900 (£12,884). This peak was short-lived as a mere 7 days later the price had dropped by $4000 (£2878). Since the Christmas Crash of 2017 BTC has remained around the $9726 (£7000) mark and is being treated very cautiously until the market stabilises again.

Who uses Bitcoin?

Apart from the obvious individuals who mine and buy Bitcoin in their spare time, some fairly large companies accept Bitcoin.. let’s see if you recognise them.

Expedia.com

The online travel booking giant Expedia now accept Bitcoin to fund your sun-soaked idyllic getaways.

Virgin

Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Airlines and Virgin mobile all accept Bitcoin as methods of payment. You can now visit space for 98 Bitcoins!

Microsoft

The behemoth MTNC tech company that we’ve all known and loved, now lets its users obtain online content via Bitcoin payment. Keep up apple!

Steam

The worlds most beloved online gaming platform introduced the acceptance of Bitcoin as of 2017, for their 125million customers.

Tesla

Do-no-wrong battery-powered car manufacturer Tesla accepted their first order via Bitcoin in 2017 and now looks to introduce Bitcoin as a standard method of payment moving forwards.

The Vinomagna Custom Wine Room-Crypto Realisation

So why did Vinomagna decide to allow accept the King of Crypto? There are 5 pivotal reasons as to why BTC will be accepted to build your custom wine room:

The new currency stamps out the possibility of chargeback fraud. What does that mean? When a transaction is completed via credit card, the charges can be reversed, however, with Bitcoin the payment is sacrosanct meaning once it’s done it’s done.
Another reason is that with large sums of money sometimes the banks hold it for anything up to 10 days to ensure against fraud. With BTC there is no third-party, so upon successful payment, the money is with you instantaneously.
When using your credit card, a 2-4% fee usually incurs which costs you – the buyer – money. Can you see where we’re going with this? BTC has a low flat fee rather than a percentage, saving you money. Happy days!
One more reason as to why BTC is now being accepted is due to the fact of its ever-increasing popularity. More and more people are using Bitcoin every day which opens a whole new audience of people.
Lastly, inevitability plays a huge part as to why we’re accepting BTC. Despite its fluctuations in price, since 2008 has been on the incline and shows no sign of desisting. As the main Cryptocurrency, where it goes all other cryptos will surely follow. In conclusion, the Bitcoin revelation is an all-in-all positive one, and can now be used to purchase your very own Custom Wine Wall .

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Should You Be Raiding Your Wine Room Tonight?

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 08:58:00 GMT

Wine or Water? Should You Lock Up Your Wine Room?

Are you getting enough to drink? Studies show you should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day which on average equates to around 2 litres of water. But how much wine can you or should you be drinking? To many, their wine room is a safe haven. A shrine to the wine gods. A wine room may even be visited more than their fridge to take out a bottle of water. However, is it a good to drink wine every day?

The effects of wine have long been discussed, disputed and researched. Our relationship with wine dates back thousands of years. Wine rooms and caves have been found in China, France, Egypt and all across the world where natural climate environments where used to preserve bottles.

While consuming anything in excess is bad for you, wine has been hailed as a “healthy alcohol” thanks to research surrounding its antioxidant properties. (All readers now slowly head closer to the wine room mid-sentence…). Additionally, some dieticians and doctors actually recommend the consumption of wine (all readers now opening the wine room door).

So What Are The Health Benefits of Wine?

British studies claim an 11% reduction in the risk of infections that lead to ulcers and stomach cancers. Canadian studies suggest a 50% lower risk in women having ovarian cancer whilst also increasing oestrogen level thanks to a glass a day. Further studies even show a significant correlation between reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease.

So what else can your wine room help with?

boosts immune system
an increase in bone density
lowers cholesterol
reduces blood pressure
less risk of diabetes
boosts the immune system
reduces the risk of having a stroke
acts as a natural blood thinner
reduces the risk of cancer

Seems like wine isn’t just good for the mind and soul… so top up your glass tonight and enjoy whilst knowing you could be getting healthier.

Time to start designing your custom wine cellar display as an investment for your home and health.

We are open to ideas on how we can work with you. Click here to contact us today !

The post Should You Be Raiding Your Wine Room Tonight? appeared first on Vinomagna .

Abandon Your Wine Cellar And Drink A Coffee Cocktail

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 07:53:00 GMT

Anyone else woken up this morning needing a coffee? Step back from the wine cellar and check this out instead.

If you spend your day by your desk surviving on coffee and fancy a liquid lunch with an extra kick then why not try some coffee inspired cocktails? For once we won’t be raiding the wine cellar but instead will be using some strong spirits with fresh brewed coffee for a warming and punchy way to wake up….

Espresso Martini

The top of our list of course is the espresso martini. The especially strong and stylish cocktail may look like a coffee with cream but the Kahula and vodka makes it a seriously special way to rise and shine.

2 ounce vodka
1⁄2 ounce simple syrup
1⁄2 ounce Kahlúa
1 ounce freshly brewed espresso
And a few coffee beans for decoration

Pour everything into a cocktail shaker, shake and flare if you dare then strain into a martini glass. Decorate with the coffee beans and drink. Simple!

Hot White Russian

Another one that is from the bar and not the wine cellar, this one requires a little flare and less of the flaring..Next on the dream list is the Hot White Russian. A warm spin on the cold cocktail, this one should not be taken lightly. With a strong Russian vodka base, this will warm you up and have you wide-eyed and bushy tailed…and slightly merry.

freshly brewed double espresso shot
1 ounce Kahlua
1 ounce whole milk
1/2 ounce vodka (we like Ciroc if you are wondering)
Whipped cream for topping (optional, well kinda… just add the whipped cream!)

This one requires a little heat so get the saucepan ready and add all the ingredients apart from the whipped cream and get the heat on and stir. Remember we are warming and not cooking so don’t let it boil. Pour into a glass mug and top with cream. Maybe not so much for the office but if you are working from home on a late one then get this on the hob as a late night treat to keep you pumped through the night.

Coffee Old Fashioned

Back to basics now with a true staple cocktail dating back to the 19th century. Everyone has heard of an old-fashioned, but what goes better with whisky or bourbon than coffee? For years there have been spin-offs with whisky shots and coffee. Try a coffee old fashioned with this simple recipe.

1 1/2 ounces of whiskey (we normally choose a good Bourbon)
1/2 ounce dark creme de cacao
1 1/2 ounces water
1-ounce espresso (chilled)
1/4 ounce simple syrup
a couple of dashes orange bitters
orange twist to decorate

This is a simple mix, throw everything into a cocktail shaker which ice and shake, strain into a glass, add some ice and a twist of orange to make it look pretty.

Return of the Wine Cellar…Port Cappuccino

We know we know…the wine cellar is looking full and inviting and its just sitting there staring at you while you passionately pay all you attention to the coffee machine. If you sheepishly are edging towards your under stairs custom wine display and none of the spirits will do you justice today then fear not. we have the perfect combo to try.

If you are a serious coffee aficionado and have a frothing coffee machine, add a little port to the milk as you steam and froth for your Cappuccino. Pink Port froth is delicious and the perfect way to combine the world’s most amazing liquids.

For more recipes check out the YouTube channel today!

The post Abandon Your Wine Cellar And Drink A Coffee Cocktail appeared first on Vinomagna .

Competition Winner June, 2018!

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 09:56:00 GMT

Competition Winner!

We have an announcement to make – the winner of the premium wine case competition has been revealed. Well done to Andrew C for being the lucky chosen one to get their named pick from a hat!

We hope you enjoy it thoroughly, whether you store it in your wine cellar to age for a later date, or simply down them with all your mates at a party. It’s your wine now!

More Competitions Coming!

For those that didn’t win, do not worry! We have plenty more competitions coming up in future events and even bigger prizes to competitions. We are always looking to give away more and more prizes, especially as more people enter our competitions and giveaways.

As Vinomagna grows, so will our prizes. We hope to see more of you enter in our great competitions, especially as we partner up with upcoming wine vendors, distributors and makers.

We want everyone to enjoy wine as much as we do. After all, we’re all here for our love of wine and wine storing. So it only makes sense that we do that, right?

A lot more posts coming up too about how to taste your stored wine, different ways of storing them and even galleries of user-submitted wine cellar designs that can be shared amongst everyone on the site. There are big things coming up for Vinomagna and we want you to be a part of it. We wish to integrate with more and more people, companies and businesses to help them succeed.

Thank you for entering guys, be sure to enter in our next competition!

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Luxury Wine Cellar Additions – London Wine Fair 2018

Tue, 29 May 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Wine Cellar News - Bigger, Better, Bolder

It’s here. Finally. The 38th annual London Wine Fair event of 2018 couldn’t have come at a better time – and they’ve really outdone themselves this year. With appearances from both the established high-end wine producers and outlets, to newer and fresher brands, it’s been a good year for both wine producers and tasters alike. We at Vinomagna were especially grateful since we got to try some of the most incredible smelling and tasting wines. All the while scouting for luxury wine collections that will complement our clients that have a luxury wine cellar .

With over 14,000 wines from 40 different countries showcased at the 3 day-long events, it was a huge event. We were spoiled for choice of some of the most amazing wine producers and vendors that there were too many to try (without stumbling on the way out). But that didn’t stop us from trying.

Walking through the entrance doors was almost as if it were a gateway to Narnia – it was instantly magical. The atmosphere, the people, the wine. Everyone joyful, swirling, smelling and tasting gorgeous wines from across the globe. Having a blast with like-minded people who appreciate the complexities of wine producing, storing and tasting.

The atmosphere was friendly, while extremely exciting and relaxed at the same time as everyone instantly clicked and would strike up a sociable conversation just from having the same appreciation of wine. It truly was a brilliant event for the industry, but one wine company, in particular, stole our attention throughout the fair…

Looking for a chance to win a case of Premium Wine and didn’t have a chance to go to the London Wine Fair this year? Do not panic! Just sign up on our Contact Page with code VMCASE to be entered into our competition to win brilliant wine.

Innovating Wine At Its Finest

A game changer in the wine merchant industry is newcomer The Wine Drinker . Established in 2015, they sell a range of innovative wines, spirits and prosecco. Their aim is to target millennials and put a spin on a very established industry that hasn’t changed in years.

The company actively seeks innovative winemakers around the globe to add to their collection and build up a huge selection over the next few years. This is to shake up the industry currently stale on the innovation side of things. It’s mainly for those seeking unique novelty and not directly for the culturally traditional. Those that prefer the classic approach to spirits and wine needn’t worry as much.

Their business model is simple – the customer selects the wine from a wide variety and is able to customise them. Only the colour is customisable at this stage but hopefully, more options will become available further down the line. When the customer is done selecting and customising their wines and spirits, they simply enter in their payment and delivery details – and the order gets delivered straight to your door. A very simple concept with a lot of work behind it, making the user’s experience easy to navigate and fully customise their chosen selection of drinks.

They also offer a membership subscription in which experts at The Wine Drinker do all the hard work for you by selecting their current top drinks based on your preferences and sending it straight to your door. Therefore, a brilliant service if you’re looking to add a variety of contemporary wines to your luxury wine cellar. Or enjoy a glass or two at the weekend.

Not Just Any Wine For Your Luxury Wine Cellar

The Wine Drinker doesn’t just allow any wine or spirit into their available selection. With a team of tasters and wine experts that understand what TWD is trying to achieve, they select wines based on the 4 key concepts that TWD want to follow:

1. Does it have a story behind it?

The story can be equally as important to the wine as the taste of it. A normal supermarket wine made with automation and machinery will not have the same intrinsic value as one that has a classic story behind it. Therefore backstory adds to the wine, much like an origin story about your favourite movie character – it offers intrigue and conversation – which is brilliant for your Home Wine Cellar .

2. Does it look good?

The aesthetics of the bottle isn’t the most important thing when it comes to wine however, people have always judged a drink by its bottle. Not only are the bottles of their Villa Oppi selection of wine very interesting and appeals to the millennial hipsters of Shoreditch – with labels made from recycled coke cans – the colour of them can be changed in the customisation options. Although not available for all bottles, this is a proof of concept that works very well and offers variety in creating your aesthetically pleasing wine collection.

Furthermore, a “Blue Wine” by Spanish wine company GIK is available to order from the site. Developed by tech entrepreneurs that have found a way to create an actual blue wine. Hugely popular in innovative, open-minded countries like the UK, US and Japan, its skyrocketing in sales year on year. TWD is one of the main outlets you can purchase it from. Blue wine for your luxury wine cellar? Why not!

3. Does it taste good?

The main draw to any wine is the taste of it. Even though its much of a subjective matter, there is a high expectation of taste from the selection offered by TWD. With a focus on products with a difference, it’s important that the drinks they choose still keep their core “innovative” aspect intact as it but can be very hit or miss with its audience. What TWD does well is ensuring there’s a selection of wine for everyone’s taste while keeping that “unique” appeal about them, thanks to their excellent team of wine connoisseurs.

4. Is it of good value?

One of the standout features of The Wine Drinker’s USP is their commitment to affordability and bang for your buck. With a clear goal visualised, they centre their attention on what the consumer want. They tailor their business to work around what is best for their customers both on quality, convenience and affordability based on their budget.

A growing range of drinks available, there is something for the average consumer of affordable and mid-range wines. This goes all the way to the high-end consumer market of luxury wines that can accommodate a luxury wine cellar.

After all, a luxury wine cellar isn’t complete without an innovative wine collection from around the world, is it?

Designed For Your Lifestyle

The Wine Drinker has a clear goal – creating a service that delivers unique drinks to suit each individual customer. Targeting two types of buyers within this growing market, they want to accommodate both the budget-conscious drinker and the higher end big spenders of the market. They also understand that depending on the customer, everyone consumes different amounts of wine and some even collect them. The Wine Drinker helps do that with its simple and clear website offering a simple, effective service tailored to you. Want to buy a couple of bottles? Sure! A couple of cases for a party or your luxury wine cellar? Not a problem. The Wine Drinker will accommodate you, especially after you’ve got your newly fitted Wine Wall Refrigeration this summer.

Offering more than wine, they have gin too from their newly released website Two Thirsty Bulldogs. Created by the same owner, it’s a fresh take on alcoholic drinks in the industry. In particular, their exclusive Texan gin Wild June freshens things up with its mix of two juniper berries, cinnamon and hops. Hoping to grow this section of the business, they’re constantly looking out for innovation and aren’t afraid to shake things up.

Innovation is here – and it’s revolutionising the wine industry.

Don’t forget to sign up on our Contact Page with code VMCASE to be entered for a chance to win a case of Premium Wine!

The post Luxury Wine Cellar Additions – London Wine Fair 2018 appeared first on Vinomagna .

Wine Wall Refrigeration – Is Your Wine Safe In Summer?

Mon, 21 May 2018 14:22:00 GMT

Keep Your Wine Feeling Fine

Summer is here. It’s a hot 22 degrees in the UK (scorching for British standards) – out come the vests, baseball caps and sunscreen. Out come the paddling pools, water guns and that chilled glass of wine. But then you remember – what about the custom wine wall in your cellar? Will it be ok? Should it be cooler down there?

Do I need wine wall refrigeration ?

Don’t worry; in this latest news post we’ll discuss the correct temperatures and procedures in order to keep your fine wines at their best with our short summer guide.

Wine Wall Refrigeration – Nice And Cool

Wine and heat don’t usually tend to mix well, and temperatures higher than 21°C (70° F) will age your wine a lot faster than you’ll want it to – so try to keep it chilled in the best way possible during summer. You can actually “cook” your wine if the temperature gets too high, killing the beautiful rich flavours and aroma. To put it shortly, yes – you will need to get wine wall refrigeration installed and control the temperature so that you keep your fine wine’s tasting and smelling incredible during hot summer weather.

The Perfect Temperature

So there’s no “perfect” temperature per se, but an ideal range is between 10° C and 14° C (50° F – 57° F) and should keep your wine at its optimal state. Once tricky to achieve during hot and humid summer conditions, luckily there are solutions today.

Air Conditioning to the rescue? Not so much. If the temperature is controlled by an air conditioning installation , this causes the corks to dry out and allow air to seep in from the lack of moisture – spoiling your wine. It is an absolute must to control the temperature with custom climate control and in this case, wine wall refrigeration in order to keep the wine at the desired cool temperature without drying out the wine.

Keeping It Constant

One of the most important factors when storing your wine even more than the “perfect” temperature – is the consistency in temperature. Rapid and sudden changes in the temperature and humidity on a frequent basis will expand and contract the liquid, leading to all kinds of problems such as the cork being forced out and causing the wine to seep through. Avoiding these rapid temperature swings is paramount in ensuring that your wine keeps its flavour and aromatic properties as many have found summers in the UK have had very drastic changes in the temperature on a day-to-day basis.

Wine cellar climate control allows absolute total control on the temperature in your wine cellar, keeping consistency in both temperature and humidity that won’t let the hot climate affect its maturing process.

Lights Out

Degradation of wine can occur from sunlight, in which the UV rays penetrate and age the once-gorgeous wine prematurely in your beautiful wine wall – something to remember if you’ve got your wine wall in an exposed location with direct sunlight. You’ve probably wondered why wine have coloured glass bottles (usually green)- it basically acts as a shield a lot like wearing sunglasses, preventing wines from oxidation which is a common fault with wine. Household light bulbs aren’t a huge problem as they don’t damage the wine, just keep them dim as the labels can fade. If possible, use fluorescent bulbs over incandescent bulbs due to the minimal amount of UV light emitted.

Up, Down or Sideways?

Wine cellars have typically stored bottles on their side to stop the corks drying out from the liquid wine being kept against it. Correct bottle ullage and cork contact ensures cork life span and natural breathing of the wine. However, horizontal storage of wines in a rack also helps save space, keep your wine for the long-term and looks a lot nicer too. While not necessary for wine consumed within a short period of time, it does add lot bit of oomph to the style of your home wine cellar – who doesn’t like to see an old-school wine rack in your cellar?

Humidity

Summer time is here, so it is definitely worth keeping an eye on humidity levels in case it gets too dry. Humidity is a key important factor when storing your wine and making sure it tastes as good as it can. Typically, wines should be stored at a Relative Humidity (RH) of around 60-65%. If the air is too dry, this will lead to the corks to dry out – allowing air in to spoil the fine wine, especially in 10+ years storage. It’s always a good thing to install a dehumidifier to keep your wines at its peak consistently and avoid a build up of mould from damp conditions. The mould probably won’t affect your sealed wine, but the labels definitely will get damaged and dampened. If you’re not so much of a perfectionist, anywhere between 50% and 75% is safe.

Don’t Let It Out

Just keep the bottle shaking to a minimum, we know it’s tempting to get all the wines out in the sun. Wine spoils very easily if left outside, so refrain from opening any bottles or leaving them in front of all your friends out in the garden. Exposing the wine to hugely varied temperatures and conditions will cook and destroy the flavours. Don’t let them out of the cellar!

Should I Invest In a Wine Wall Refrigerator?

In our opinion, yes – it’s an absolute must. Whether you’re a beginner starting out or a professional looking to make improvements where possible, wine wall refrigeration will keep your wines perfectly cool in the blazing hot summer we have ahead of us. Your wines will become your new obsession, and you’re going to want to make sure they mature as fine as possible. Don’t let your hard work go to waste, it’s not worth it. Check out a recent wine wall project below

Based in London? Contact us today for the best bespoke wine cellar climate control solutions in London here.

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How To Increase The Value of Your House With a Wine Cellar

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:58:00 GMT

Bespoke Wine Cellar Designers say a wine cellar can increase the value of your property

As one of the leading bespoke wine cellar designers in London, we have found that building or installing a wine cellar in your house can boost the value by £10,000 to £20,000. In the UK this would translate to around 8% increase in the value of your property. A report in 2014 revealed that just under 2 million people in the UK were planning on building a custom wine cellar display in the next five years, in hopes the new build would increase the price of their property. So why would building a custom wine room increase the price of your house?

Bigger, Better, Badder.

Clients want to elevate their quality of life. Being bespoke wine cellar designers we know that whenever people move on they want more than what they previously had. For example, moving from a 2 bedroom house into a 4 bedroom house, or a wine enthusiast might want to move into a house with a custom wine room – or wine display already built. Wine cellars are perceived as palatial and act as an altar for charming associates. When it comes to quality of life, people will always pay more.

Emotion

When it comes to buying, emotion plays a key role. If an avid wine aficionado yearns for a custom wine room you can charge whatever you want if they desire it that much. As the saying goes – Build it and they shall come!

Bigger pool, Bigger fish

Installing a custom wine cellar display into your house will attract a completely different assembly of people. In this case the more the better. When selling a house you want as many people as possible to see your property as the competition is intense. The best way to entice people to view your property and bid on it is to have something different. This particular type of In-built luxury captures the wine niche market.

Home cinema who?

There used to be a time where home cinemas were a must-have element in your house. But just like the weather, fads change and now bespoke wine cellar designers are gearing up for their 15 minutes of fame. But why? We all love movies and comfy cinema style chairs. Wine is becoming progressively popular and all fine wines need the appropriate wine cellar climate control systems . Even people who don’t necessarily collect or enjoy wine would still rather have one win their house as it elevates the levels of Feng shui and gives off a lavish vibe. Another point is, there are under stairs wine storage solutions. Try hiding a home cinema under your stairs!

No space too small.

Bespoke wine cellar designers are unflappable when it comes to spaces. No matter how big or small the space you’re working with, a wine cellar can be built. Hidden gems attract potential house buyers, which makes bespoke wine cellars or bespoke wine walls ideal as they can be built almost anywhere; Cupboards, under stairs custom wine display, garages, attics.. you name it, its possible. This is guaranteed to increase the cost of your property.

The Test Of Time

Most 18th and 19th-century houses had inbuilt underground cellars due to the fact there wasn’t refrigeration and most liquids were stored in bottles. So naturally, a wine cellar back then made the most sense. Fast forward 200 years and those houses are worth a considerable amount due to the fact they have a wine cellar. However, back in the 18th and 19th centuries, they were limited to materials and tools which meant going underground was the easiest way to implement a wine cellar. Now, in current times there are various materials and modern tools which make possibilities almost endless.

The Future

Wine cellars of today are already a couple of years into the future with their custom materials and modern technology. So how much will your house cost if it has a state of the art wine cellar in it? Only time can tell, but all bespoke wine cellar designers agree that building a wine cellar is not only functional luxury but also a wise investment for the future.

The post How To Increase The Value of Your House With a Wine Cellar appeared first on Vinomagna .

Wine Cellar Climate Control – Is Your Wine Safe In Winter?

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 13:07:00 GMT

So, Spring has finally arrived and we’ve been hit with worse weather than in winter, experiencing snow storms and cold icy mornings

While the UK is not one of the worlds biggest wine producers how does the recent bad weather and frosty mornings we’ve been experiencing effect vineyards globally? Does this affect how to store wine ?

Let’s talk about the process of winemaking and how Wine Cellar Climate Control systems are affected by adverse weather.

How the bad weather effects vineyards?

Bud Break. In a wine enthusiasts opinion, this may be one of the most exciting times of the year. Why? Because this is when you can see all of your crops and calculate the yield for that year. What is bud break you may be asking? Bud break to put it simply is when the grapes start their lifecycle. The buds on the vine start growing and eventually from the buds, leaves start growing. We all remember Secondary school biology and the lessons on photosynthesis. Yep, you guessed it.. these little leaves are able to use the light from the sun to really kickstart the growth of the grapes.

Your wine and the weather

Bud break occurs at different times of the year depending on the hemisphere. The northern hemisphere process begins around March, and September for the earth’s southern counterpart. However, a majority of wine producers face the same unpredictable variable. Bad weather. Heavy rain, hailstones, fierce winds and the bitter adversary that is snow are all moods of the weather that can seriously hinder growth and production. However, the most violent of natures tricks is the frost. Once the buds have matured a little and have sprouted green tissue, frost occurs at around 0°C. Frost is such a big problem, as once the buds have grown they will tend to sprout two to four rosettes of leaves. Once these leaves have grown, the clusters of grapes will grow – which will ultimately become the year’s by-product.

Wine cultivation and FROST

Frost is the most feared of the cold weather family due to the fact it has the ability to obliterate entire vineyards overnight. Frost damage occurs in all regions ranging from Europe to the US and also South America. So to state the obvious, colder regions are more susceptible to frost and the other bad weather conditions, but warmer wine growing regions such as western France (Bordeaux to be precise!) tend to get hit harder when the cold weather does arrive. Frost cannot be prevented, there is no switch to turn it off, so what are the solutions to ensure whole vineyards don’t perish overnight? Of course, these solutions vary depending on the level of the grower I.e. a small-time garden grower, to a mass producing vendor with acres of vineyard.

Location, Location, Location

Radiational cooling is the catalyst for frost. When you have cloudless days heat is able to penetrate the earth’s atmosphere with ease. However, when the night comes, the heat escapes much quicker than it arrives, so the ground temperatures drop rapidly causing the frost to set. A quick fix for this would be to avoid growing crops in low spots or valleys where the cold air is easily trapped.

Vitis variety

All varieties of Wine are different naturally. Just as there are hundreds of breeds of dogs, wine also has multiple species. All of these species have different characteristics and predispositions. The speed at which the buds grow is a vital factor in the chance of life. The quicker the bud can grow, the less chance it has of being destroyed. Whereas if a bud takes a long time to grow, this allows more time for weather and other factors to harm the crop. You can, however, protect yourself against losing yield if you check the time of bud break from the supplier you purchased the crops from.

Safeguarding from Frost

Methods to protect from the frost may work until the unpredictable weather rolls in unannounced and threatens your product. At this moment, last-ditch measures can be undertaken to prevent any further harm being done. Unorthodox countermeasures that originated in France such and filling barrels up and setting them alight. While this method may be effective, due to regulations and restrictions this may land you in trouble with the local authorities. Industrial-sized fans are used to prevent the cold air from setting overnight, which is a much more reasonable solution and won’t get you into any predicaments. The most complex but equally effective method involves using a network of sprinklers to freeze the grapes overnight. Yes, you read correctly, FREEZE! As water freezes, it releases surpassed heat. This is an exothermic reaction, which means heat is released, and this tiny amount of heat allows the grapes to survive the frost.

Wine storage solutions & Wine Cellar Climate Control

After enduring the elements, the maturing process of wine is heavily dependent on how the wine is later stored. As a wine collector, it is important that you have the correct wine storage solutions. Your bespoke wine cellar cooling system may need adjustments made to its outdoor unit during the extremely cold, bad weather. Low temperatures create low operational pressures if your system does not have a fan speed controller installed. In low temperatures, the fan may not need to run at all, but definitely at a low speed. When the fan runs too fast it causes “over condensing”, dropping the gas pressures and reducing the amount of heat that the internal coil can remove from the wine cellar. In turn, the indoor evaporator can also ice up, further adding to the low-pressure issue. Furthermore, this will eventually result in the system cut out via the low-pressure switch.

Wine Cellar Climate Control in Winter and Storage Temperatures

Maintaining wine temperatures is critical to its shelf life! Wine Cellar Climate Control is the most important part of this. Wine storage temperatures vary between 5-15c on average. A white wine cellar is generally cooler than it’s red counterpart and is less of a long-term stored product. When wine temperatures fluctuate in a home wine cellar it affects the pressure within the bottle. The constant pressure and temperature change in dry conditions will result in the corks weeping wine. This can be seen in older bottles of wine stored for years, within inadequate wine cellar cooling environments.

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Is Red Wine Good For You?

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:30:00 GMT

What's your favourite tipple this festive season? There are so many choices for us to choose from, but what are the effects of these drinks are there any health benefits to drinking alcohol. Other than the usual ‘slightly merry’ effect we are all too aware of, we have delved into the health benefits of our favourite beverage here at Vinomagna to see if the beneficial factors outweigh the headache hangover when you’ve had one glass too many, I’m sure you guessed it… top of our list, it’s a glass of Vino.

There have been hundreds of studies that have been published over the years that claim ‘wine is good for you’ but how beneficial really is it, if at all? Red wine is full of antioxidants as most of us will have heard, but what does this really mean and should we reach for a glass of Red or White and why? Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation, we have to throw that disclaimer out there, however, it turns out that wine in particular Red wine, may be better for us than we thought.

Top 4 Benefits of Red Wine:

Supports Heart Health :
Red wine contains high levels of antioxidants and many active compounds such as Polyphenols, Quercetin and Resveratrol which have been proven, to support and improve the functioning of the heart and help fight cardiovascular disease. Not only do these antioxidants help to reduce the fat build up, plaque and cholesterol from artery walls which ultimately causes atherosclerosis, but they also help to regulate blood pressure and reduce inflammation in the heart.
Protects against Alzheimer’s Disease :
We have all heard that a Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets to eat, a combination of fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil, oily fish and red wine daily, could reduce our chances of developing a cognitive illness such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. This is due to the high levels of Resveratrol within the diet, which help to protect the nervous system and fight against heart disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Consuming a Mediterranean diet will protect us by reducing our risk of developing these diseases by 28% as well as reducing the chance of a mild cognitive disease developing further by a massive 48%.
Reduces Cholesterol :
Alcohol raises your HDL ( good cholesterol) by up to 15 percent, red wine, in particular, is slightly more beneficial than white wine and other alcoholic drinks, due to the high levels of Polyphenol antioxidants which help to lower high levels of LDL ( the bad cholesterol). The darker and more intense colouring to the wine, the higher the antioxidant levels, a moderate serving of red wine will not only improve heart health but it has been proven to lower cholesterol. Although it is easy to lose track of how much wine one has consumed in an evening, Men should consume two servings, whilst women only one serving for 5 days of the week to see the advantages of cholesterol reduction. To lower your cholesterol further, try to eat a healthy Mediterranean diet alongside your daily glass of red. If you prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, by consuming a glass of grape juice each day you can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, blood clots and protect blood vessels within your heart against damage.
Fights Obesity :
Due to a compound called piceatannol present in Red wine, it has been proven that red wine can help fight obesity. This amazing compound blocks an early developing fat cells ability to evolve and therefore it cannot develop into a larger fat cell. This key compound has also been proven to reduce inflammation and protect nerves against a build-up of plaque helping to increase your overall lifespan. Of course there are other ways of consuming piceatannol, it is not only present in red wine, however, it certainly is another reason to justify having ‘just one glass’.

So, at the end of our research, we conclude Red Wine has many health benefits that we where unaware of and bearing in mind the darker the shade of wine the higher the antioxidant level we will most certainly be pouring ourselves a glass of pinot noir this evening. As the festive season is well upon us and wine production has plummeted to it’s lowest levels since 1961 , make sure your basement custom wine cellar is stocked up full of Pinot noir to make sure you have a ‘very Merry Christmas’.

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Global Wine Production Falls To Lowest Levels Since 1961

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 12:39:00 GMT

Stock up your custom wine cellars, as it has been predicted that this year the wine industry will plummet to it’s lowest levels in more than 50 years.

The UK wine industry believes the extreme weather conditions of frost and drought in France, Italy, and Spain (the top three producers of wine for the UK) are accountable for the decrease in wine production.

It has been projected that the total wine production could fall 8% from last year, causing inflation as well as the disappearance of many of our favourite bottles of vino.

Italy and France, in particular, have both suffered from extreme variance in weather conditions, of intense summer heat combined with frost and drought. Italy suffered freakish weather this summer after temperatures rose to more than 40C in a heatwave that was named “Lucifer”. Combined with soaring temperatures frost has plagued many vineyards, decimating grape harvests by destroying the first leaves that grow at the beginning of the season. These leaves are crucial for a strong flourishing vine which the grapes then grow from. Heavy drought can affect “dry farmed regions” , sudden decrease or increase in rainfall results in fewer bottles produced per acre, a lower production rate for the owners of the Vineyards.

Italian wine production will fall by 23%, Spain’s production is estimated to be 15% lower than last years and France will suffer a 19% decrease, predicted to be the worst harvest since 1945 said the European Commission.

As the chancellor increased wine duty in March by 3.9%, adding 8p to a bottle and there have been talks of a further increase to this duty, it looks like a duty freeze is actually what we need! With wine production at a 50 year low for the UK, high inflation costs and additional duties potentially being added to wine, the last thing the UK wine industry or British consumers need is an additional increase in duty.

Hopefully, the extreme weather conditions balance out and bring a better harvest for the forthcoming years and although the wine producers will be set back with their supplies, we shall be compiling our favourite bottles of wine into our very own custom bespoke wine cellar here at Vinomagna – ensure there is no drought in the office.

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Top 5 Halloween Inspired Cocktails

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 19:14:00 GMT

With all the Tricks and Treats in order for the Halloween gatherings, there’s only one thing left, no celebration is complete without a signature spooky cocktail (or two) to keep your guests ‘dying’ for more. So here at Vinomagna, we’ve taken the hard work out of it for you (you can thank us later).

From amateur cocktail shakers to the connoisseurs of cocktail classes, we have every level covered. Have a go at one of our top 5 spooktacular Halloween inspired cocktails, try adding Blackberries or squid ink to your cocktails to create a subtle dark mood to your drinks display.

For those who require something more elegant than a pumpkin pitcher, we thought of you too.

1. For the Wine lovers and those who like it simple but sour… we love a ‘Blood Bath’.

Ingredients:

12 dashes angostura bitters

1/2 maple syrup

1/2 lemon (juice)

1 ounce Bulleit Bourbon

1 ounce Red Wine ( Cabernet Sauvignon – this is a full-bodied red wine)

Burnt lemon peel for garnish

Method:

Simply add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake and then strain into your cocktail glass, adding a piece of burnt lemon peel to infuse your cocktail with an aromatic smokiness.

2. For the Champagne fanatics try our ‘Apple Fizz’.

Ingredients:

2 ounces of Sour apple schnapps

3/4 ounce triple sec

1 ounce of vanilla vodka

5 ounces of champagne – more if you have a tailored flute

Method:

In your shaker add together the sour apple schnapps, vodka vanilla and triple sec with a small amount of ice. After a shake equally split the mixture between 4 champagne flutes, then top up each flute with champagne. This is one of my favourite recipes, not only because it requires minimal time to create, but also the hint of vanilla really is present under the apple tones combined with the champagne.

3. For the Rum lovers and party throwers….. it’s our ‘Pumpkin Punch’.

Ingredients:

20 ounce can of lychees in syrup

16 brandied cherries

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh ginger (peeled)

1/4 cup superfine sugar

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

12 ounces dark rum

Three 12 ounce bottles of Ginger Beer

Method:

Combine the Lychee syrup and ginger together in a small saucepan and bring to the boil, take off the heat, cover and leave to steep for about 30 minutes. Then here comes the fiddly bit, stuff your lychees with the cherries and place into an ice cube tray – strain the ginger-lychee syrup from the pan into the pockets of the tray and Freeze until solid – this could take approx. 5 hours. Next, take your Pitcher, combine the sugar and lime juice and stir, add your choice of rum and chill in the fridge. Finally take out your lychee ‘eyeball’ ice cubes, place into bowl/pumpkin (in our case), drown with the refrigerated lime and rum mixture, top with ginger beer and stir. Serve over lots of ice.

4. For those slightly more adventurous in cocktail making why not try a ‘Citrus Ghost’.

Ingredients:

2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce heavy cream

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

3/4 ounce simple syrup

3 dashes orange flower water

1 fresh egg white

Soda

Method:

Add all the above ingredients except the soda and the ice, into your cocktail shaker, and shake. Shake vigorously until you cannot shake it anymore! The secret rule of this cocktail is that it requires a lot of shaking. Once you’re ‘all shook up’, open your shaker and add the ice, then back to shaking. Give your mixture a good final shake, then strain into a collins glass filled with ice stopping just short of 1cm from the top of the glass. Rinse the shaker with a small amount of soda and add onto the top of cocktail – this will complete your Ghostly Gin Fizz with a nice frothy head.

5. For the Martini Masters who want to put on a show, the ‘Deadly Dark Purple Fountain’ is the perfect challenge.

Ingredients:

Gin/Vodka ( depending on your martini preference)

Vermouth

Dry Ice

Baking soda

Red cabbage ( Yes this contains a water-soluble pH indicator)

Method:

Chop up a cabbage leaf and place in a small ball, next add boiling water and allow to steep – you should see a purple pigment starting to take to the water. Pour a teaspoon of the cabbage juice into the bottom of your martini glass, then add a small quantity of the baking soda, enough to make the solution turn blue. Now add your Gin/Vodka preference and some vermouth ( 6:1 is the ratio i usually use) into your glass. The liquid should have turned pale blue, and you’re ready to serve. Just prior to serving to your guests add a cube of dry ice into the glass, the ice will sink and start to bubble. This is now cooling the drink and neutralising the baking soda resulting in a colour change throughout the martini, a great wow factor at any Halloween event.

*WARNING: ALL THE DRY ICE MUST HAVE DISAPPEARED BEFORE DRINKING THIS COCKTAIL *

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How To Wine And Dine Like A Pro

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 12:55:00 GMT

Have you ever been out on a date and wondered if you are doing everything right? Should I sit first? How much should I drink? What shall we talk about? There are definitely rules on date night when it comes to wining and dining, and not just when it comes to choosing a bottle from the wine display.

Well here are our top rules for making that first impression stand out… for all the right reasons.

RULE 1: Let the lady sit first

Gentleman, it is always a good gesture and a testament to how you were raised to show manners in all facets of your life, but particularly when you take a lady out to eat. Trying to make a good impression or not, this move should be a staple in your etiquette regardless of whether she notices or displays good manners herself.

RULE 2: Be Decisive

Now in today’s day and age of gender equality, this rule is not about dictating but more so about showcasing your ability to be a problem solver and someone who knows what they want. When the wine list comes, make a choice and preferably not just based on price. As a rule of thumb, red for meat and white for chicken and fish if you are really lost.

RULE 3: Hold the wine glass by the stem

Not only will this rule have you looking more refined but there is also a little drinking science behind it. Wine glasses were designed in order for the warmth of your hand not to warm up your recent pour. Especially with champagne and white wine, this little trick will keep your wine chilled as though it had just come out of your wine display . It also prevents prints all over the glass.

RULE 4: Don’t tuck in your napkin

While this one seems obvious for anyone over the age of 5, but you would be surprised how many times we have seen the undesirable napkin tuck in a fine dining restaurant. While we appreciate that a messy shirt for the rest of the evening is embarrassing, the fact remains that this is an etiquette no-no, just control how you eat…which brings us to the next rule.

RULE 5: Chew with your mouth closed

Dining is less about filling a hungry belly and more about the social interaction, especially on a date. No ifs buts or maybes on this one, shuvving food into your mouth rather than taking time to chew, swallow and perhaps glance up at the person sitting opposite will leave an impression but not one that will lead to date number 2.

for the final and most important rules, check out this YouTube tutorial HERE .

Also, you can reach out to us, click here to contact us .

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London’s Best Wine Cellars and Restaurants to Try This Month

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 12:37:00 GMT

London is a hive of amazing restaurants, clubs, wine cellars and bars. Finding somewhere to go is rarely a problem, however, if you like to be in the loop of the newest and coolest wine cellars, bars and restaurants in London then why not try out our hot list.

The Salon in Brixton has been closed for refurbishment for a little while now, however, has reopened last Friday with a cool new décor and menu. The bar and wine cellar have been filled with the restaurant’s favourites bottles. The menu boasts a Nordic British fusion with wild mushrooms, chestnuts, and cod roe all playing roles in the new selection of dishes. If you fancy buying something to drink, the wine cellar next door sells a range of wonderful bottles with only a minimal corkage fee to pay to the table to enjoy. Failing that you could always take it home and put it in your own wine cellar / drink straight out of the bottle on the route (which ever takes your fancy).

Not to be out shone by the dazzle of Brixton market, Kensington too plays host to a wine room with a twist. Not just a restaurant with a wine cellar, Kensington comes with a triple threat wine bar, wine shop and restaurant (serving wine of course). Offering wine tasting courses, brunch, lunch, and dinner, the Kensington wine rooms is part of a chain with other venues listed in Fulham and Brackenbury. Opened since 2009, the place isn’t new but has become increasingly popular with the development of social media. #WineWednesdsays, now a prominent advertising feature and favoured by Decanter magazine the rooms can sit up to 40 people with 150 wine choices stashed away.

Wine cellars in London are not hard to come by but a bespoke cocktail and wine list in an orange jump suit? Not every day. If fine dining is not so much your thing and you fancy a new experience rather than just a night out then why not try heading to prison? Just for a couple of hours.. Alcatraz bar offers a full convict experience with orange jump suits as standard. Greeted by the warden the venue has all the makings of a good wine cellar (dark and damp) however the steel prison cells quickly remind inmates that this is no luxury Mayfair bar. The urban bespoke cocktail theme is based around the inmates being able to smuggle in their liquor past the warden, thus you drink what you can get in. It’s all fun and games... until you get caught with contraband.

We are open to ideas on how we can work with you. Click here to contact us today !

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Fact and Fiction On Drinking Wine

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 16:48:00 GMT

Wine lovers have participated in universal wine drinking rituals for decades. Drinking wine is less about open and pour and more so the understanding of how to drink a perfect glass starting of course with the preservation of the bottle. There is a considerable list of myths surrounding how to drink wine, while there are also some facts that have become a tradition.

So what is fact and what is fiction on drinking wine?

Try these tips the next time you open your wine cellar :

1. The taste of wine changes depending on the glass used.

So this one is a truth, often different wine is served in different glasses. There is a method to this, for example, red wine is preferably served in a wider glass, this is to allow more oxygen into the wine to “breathe” which helps enhance the aromas and therefore the wine experience. White wine, on the other hand, doesn’t need such a large surface area and so a smaller glass is perfect.

2. A swish improves the favour

This goes back to the first point, especially for red wines. Swirling the wine in a glass draws more oxygen into the wine. So another good tradition with purpose.

3. Only red wine pairs with red meat and white with fish

While a nice solid red does go well with a steak, that’s not to say there aren’t exceptions to the rule. fish with a more meaty flesh such as halibut is often nicely paired with a red wine, while a light creamy sauce on red meat will often go well with a white wine rather than red, so think about that next time you are heading to your wine cellar for a red with your roast lamb.

4. White wine should be served ice cold

While white wine is generally served cold, this generalisation is used specifically for cheaper wines in order to mask their imperfections. The wine at a more stable temperature is more likely to unleash the delicate flavours rather hide behind the chill. This one is of course down to personal preference, however, we at least recommend banishing the ice cubes..

We are open to ideas on how we can work with you. Click here to contact us today !

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Wine Wednesday Cocktail Recipies

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 14:28:00 GMT

If there is one rule we have been listening to this summer it is to stay hydrated in the heat. If like us you are partial to a glass of wine or a bottle from the wine cellar on wine Wednesday.. or any day of the week.. then why not mix it up with a daily wine cocktail from our list below.

Monday

Have you ever been kissed? French kissed specifically? If not then you should try it.. the cocktail that is. A French kiss is a perfect way to start the week, light fruity and fresh

French Kiss

Ingredients:

5/6 Grapes
5/6 Mint Leaves
Table Spoon of Unflavoured Syrup
Single Shot of Vodka (we love Cîroc) – click the link to find out why
Small Wedge of Lemon
1/2 Glass Wine
Ice
Dash of Prosecco

Directions:

Muddle the mint with the grapes and plain sugary syrup in a shaker. Add the shot of vodka, squeeze a little lemon juice, add half a glass of rose or white wine and ice. Shake and strain into a glass. Top with prosecco. MWAH!

Tuesday

Tuesday is for tequila…and wine..every day is for wine. This cocktail is one for you and friends, make a bowl and get sipping.

Liquid Lust

Ingredients:

1/2 bottle tequila
1/2 bottle white wine
1/2 cup white sugar
1 oz orange juice
2 oz cranberry juice
2 oranges (sliced)
1 lemon (sliced)
1 lime (sliced)
1 bunch of grapes (sliced)
1 apple (diced)
1/2 liter of club soda

Directions:

Find a nice glass punch bowl and combine the water, wine, tequila, sugar orange and cranberry juices in a punch bowl. Stir everything together until sugar is dissolved. Add ice to the bowl and
garnish with the fruit.

Wednesday

Wine Wednesday is reserved for a special wine cocktail recipe. Nothing works better with wine in the summer than watermelon. It’s for this reason, this cocktail gets the wonderfully sweet and refreshing Wednesday position.

Just keep Swimming

Ingredients:

1 oz Sauvigon Blanc
1 oz Vodka (try the GTV watermelon Vodka for this one) – Find out why
1 oz of watermelon juice
1 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz lemon
1 1/2 oz soda water

Directions:

Combine everything apart from the soda water in a shaker with ice and give it a mix. Strain into a glass and top it up with the soda water.

Thursday

Whether you like it shaken or stirred this next one is the perfect combination of wine and vodka. Have fun and get mixing

Ice-y Martini

Ingredients:

1 oz Rose wine
2oz Vodka
(Optional Olive)

Directions:

Mix 007 style, pour into a martini glass and don’t forget the olive.

Friday

Fancy something a little dry? Fridays are for experimenting and seeing as this makes four servings, if you are drinking alone, there is a lot to go around.

Ginger Jewel

Ingredients:

1/2-inch piece peeled coarsely chopped fresh ginger
2 ounces fresh lime juice
2 ounces simple syrup
16 ounces dry Prosecco or other sparkling white wine
Club soda
Mint sprigs (for serving)

Directions:
Muddle ginger in a cocktail shaker, then add the syrup and the lime juice . Fill shaker with ice – crushed or whole and give it a shake. Strain into 4 ice-filled rocks glasses or large wine glasses. Add Prosecco to each and top off with club soda, garnish with mint sprig- or two.

So have fun... but make sure you don’t go over the limit

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Vintage Custom Wine Cellar Unearthed In Jersey

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 14:23:00 GMT

What does the word vintage mean to you? Old? Well in terms of wine, it is a reflection of the grape that has been grown and harvested in a single specified year. It denotes an essence of quality. With age comes wisdom, one becomes more refined and with wine, rare. So what happens when you get little of both? Through bread and aged? A jersey cellar has found out. In a vintage custom wine cellar nearly as old as the country it’s self a wine collection has been uncovered. The collection is said to be owned by the first governor which had been stowed away in the Liberty Hall Museum.

The vintage custom wine cellar is said to be dating back to as early as 1776 and belonging to William Livingston.

The hoard was unearthed during a six-month renovation of the space. Hidden in plain sight, the make shift wine cellar has played home to hundreds of bottles for the past 200 years. Bottles have been uncovered in antique cages that represent colonial times. Wines such as Madeira, which is said to be one of the most distinguished wines in the British colony for the time will now be put on display in the Museum.

So does older necessarily mean better? Well, the wine cannot be drunk but…

Estimates of the wine have since been flooding in with bottles ranging between £10,000 - £25,000. Elated at the find, the museum director has remarked that ‘We could never have imagined finding what we did’, and has now vowed to turn the vintage custom wine cellar into somewhat of a feature of the museum. Once the home of the Governor, the house style museum has kept its colonial charm and now, thanks to this find has dramatically increased its net worth. So, I guess with age, or vintage comes serious financial benefit.

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The London Wine Fair 2017

Wed, 17 May 2017 09:07:00 GMT

It is that time of year again! The Kensington Olympia plays host to one of the UK’s biggest London Wine Fair. Next week, wine and spirits from around the world are to be showcased by exhibitors young and old.

Offering pop up tastings, seminars and master classes in wine. The show promises to submerge all senses in all things grape.

Last year, our favourites from the Curious Emporium, conjured up sweet inspired recipes that had our nostalgic taste buds fluttering. Mr Gladstone’s confectionary range of wines was showcased in great custom wine display with sweets and signs in an Alice in Wonderland themed pop up stand. Prompting passers-by to “DRINK ME”, the show was a clear success for the brand. It now can be seen across the likes of Amazon and various supermarket chains in the country.

If, however, you prefer a little less playful or niche and a little more refined… Then this year’s “Wine Unearthed” section of the London Wine Fair promises to be a treat. A selected 100 “new vineyards” yet to be imported to the mass market. With exhibitors from all over the world, this section often proves to hide a few little gems.

Another great feature of this extravagant wine display will be the dedicated Châteauneuf-du-Pape tastings. A favourite grape of the Vinomagna team, we look forward to seeing what red and whites are on offer by the 12 exhibitors of the 3 kilometre wide french region. We particularly look forward to the production of Chateau Rayas, their vintage bottles store well when preserved in the right wine storage conditions, with bottles such as the 1978 currently retailing in excess of £1,500 per bottle.

We are open to ideas on how we can work with you. Click here to contact us today !

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Poptail Mojito and Bellini

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 14:22:00 GMT

What, you might ask, is a poptail? Well, it’s actually just what it sounds like: half popsicle, half cocktail. Happy Cocktail Friday!

Mojito Poptail Recipe:

Mint-infused sugar syrup:

Large handful fresh mojito or normal mint leaves (about 20 – 25 leaves)
1 cup water
¾ cup sugar

2 cups prepared white rum (see notes)
1½ cups flattened club soda (see notes)
½ cup fresh lime juice

Bellini Poptail Recipe:

16 to 18 oz. ripe peaches (about 4 medium), peeled, pitted, and chopped

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2-1/4 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1-1/2 cups Prosecco

We are open to ideas on how we can work with you. Click here to contact us today !

Vinomagna’s New Custom Wine Cellars

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 08:51:00 GMT

Wine has throughout the centuries, in both literature and life, been the liquid of ritual. Binding together participants of births, deaths and anniversaries this nectar of the gods is not merely the fermented juice of grapes. For wine collectors, the storage of wine is just as important as the consumption. No longer should the dull darkness of underground dated custom wine cellars be the place to age, display and consume their favourite drink.

The desire to store wine for ageing can be financially rewarding and wonderfully gratifying on the taste buds. However, there are rules that even a modern wine cellar must adhere to. The number one rule for best stored wine practise is low lumen lighting. Wine storage can incorporate LED lighting as it does not affect the ageing process while adding ambience to a wine display. We offer custom humidification in all Vinomagna bespoke wine cellars . Demineralised humidification will help to maintain moisture in the air and aid cork life span. Additionally, it is best to store wine bottles at an angle to keep the wine in contact with the cork

Custom Wine Cellars

Functionality is key in all displays and rooms and one of the most important components of wine storage is temperature control. Wine storage temperature should not go over 75˚F (24°C), for longer than brief spans of time. At 75°F, the wine begins to oxidise. An ideal temperature for storing a varied collection is 54°F (12.2°C). As wine lovers ourselves Vinomagna have shared the heartbreaking experience of a gone off wine and the horror that can present if that wine is part of an expensive storage collection.

Vinomagna truly believes the preservation of your precious collection of vintage wines. Aesthetics and functionality are of paramount concern in the design process. Climate control expertise plays a key feature of all Vinomagna Bespoke Wine Cellars and custom wine cellars, wine walls and wine rooms. Functionality is key, with humidification, ventilation and cooling systems designed by a team of senior engineers. These custom climate control features are carefully considered in the custom design process of your bespoke wine cellar. Keeping everything hidden and discrete within cavity designs and bulkhead spaces, our designs are flawless.

Wine Storage

It is most noteworthy to remember that not all wines improve over time. Generally, new world, inexpensive wines will not improve with wine storage in custom wine cellars.

Red wine has varying periods of maturing and generally stored and aged for 2-10 years to mature. This still depends on the type of red wine and the balance of its sugar, acid and tannins. In turn, white wines should be consumed within 2-3 years of storage. There are select White Burgundies (Chardonnays) that can be aged for over 20 years.

Engineered Climate Control

To utilise cooler ground temperature for preservation, wine cellars have mostly been installed in basements. However, modern wine collectors no longer want to hide their precious collections in the home basement. The lounge, kitchen and other focal living areas of the home have become the place of choice of display.

In 2008 a climate control engineer, Craig Ellis, and a high end joinery manufacturer modernised the business of wine cellars. In previous years wine cellar furniture fitters had never implemented the most fundamental part of wine storage. Specific bespoke wine cellar climate control implementation for the space was left out. A small plug in cooler system was the only solution in hand.

The future for home wine cellars: Vinomagna

Today Craig is the lead M&E designer for Vinomagna, heading the brand as an industry leader in custom wine cellars. No more corked wines, hot and cold spots or due point condensation filled damp across walls.

We are open to ideas on how we can work with you. Click here to contact us today !

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