Bottega del Vino Crystal - If The Wine Matters, So Does The Glass!

Don't you just love when you come home to a package in the mail or a FedEx delivery? I know I do!  It reminds me of when I first went to sleep away summer camp and mom would send me cookies, brownies, and little books to read.  Or when I belonged to those wonderful record clubs that sent a new album every month! Uhhh. Umm. Yes. VINYL albums. Don't judge.

This month I received one of those wonderful packages...from the great folks at Bottega del Vino Crystal asking me to take the Bottega del Vino Wine Glass Challenge.

The premise of Bottega's challenge is charmingly simple and ties directly to their "tag" line - 

"If The Wine Matters, So Does The Glass" 

Photo Courtesy of Bottega del Vino Crystal

And the challenge? 

Simply take a glass you would normally drink wine from and compare it to the Bottega glass.

Bottega del Vino Crystal is dedicated to creating the perfect wine glass and they take true craftsman pride in their hand made glasses. Each glass is made with lead free crystal formulation, and best of all, they are dishwasher safe!

Bottega del Vino is especially proud that their glasses can make even the most inexpensive wine taste better when served from their glass.

Since I'm always up to a challenge, especially one that involves wine - I jumped at the chance to participate.

First, let me tell you about the Bottega wine glass we received!  It was stock number BV07, and is described as, "Our most popular stem, the Rosso Amarone is designed for medium bodied red wines such as amarone, merlot, Brunello de Montalcino and Shiraz"

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Bottega del Vino Crystal offers a full array of barware and glasses, with everything from apertif glasses to champagne flutes to cognac snifters.  Best of all, they offer special two-pack and four-pack packaging that's perfect for special gift-giving!

What an elegant hostess gift or something special for someone you love!

Photo Source: Bottega del Vino Crystal

Photo Source: Bottega del Vino Crystal

On a recent weekend we decided to try both a white wine and red wine challenge. I pulled out my old crystal wine glasses from the china closet to test against the Bottega del Vino Crystal glasses for the challenge.

We made this a two day affair, taste testing a Riesling on Friday and a Pinot Noir on Saturday.  Both are my favorite wines and I intentionally purchased two inexpensive brands from my FAVORITE local wine shoppe, Coastal Wines and Spirits in Branford CT.  (Long time readers will remember Coastal Wines is where I met Romana Singer of Real Housewives of New York - Read more about my Ramona meeting: HERE)

My old wine glass is on the left and the Bottega on the right.

Friday we started with a Hogue Riesling, and purchased a bottle that retails for just under $10.00. If you're unfamiliar with Riesling, it originated in the Rhine region of Germany, and is usually sweet, or semi-sweet, which is probably why I like it so much.

Hogue states that their wine "opens with a melange of aromas: orange blossom, jasmine, Meyer lemon, powdered sugar, apricot, cinnamon and clove. On the palate are tangerine and orange blossom. A naturally crisp acidity balances the slight sweetness, providing a refreshing finish" (Hogue Cellars Johannisberg Riesling).  Always the snackers, we paired the Riesling with some assorted Mediteranian olives.

Saturday we had an Angeline Pinot Noir, purchasing a bottle that retailed for $14.99. I only recently discovered how much I loved Pinot Noir wines after sampling Duckhorn Golden Eye Pinot Noir at Mohegan Sun's Wine Fest. 

Because Duckhorn retails for approximately 4 times what Angeline does, this was a true chance to see if the Bottega wine glass truly makes a less expensive wine taste better!

Angeline states, "This Pinot Noir is a lively garnet color with aromas of intense fruit, luscious vanilla and spice. Bright fruit flavors or fresh strawberry, cherry, raspberry and ripe plum are layered with creamy vanilla, smoke, tea spice and toasty oak." (Angeline Pinot Noir). We snacked on assorted mixed nuts while sampling the Angeline for the Bottega challenge.

Both nights, we followed the comparative directions from Bottega, which were to fill the glasses 20-25% full.  This is more than the standard one ounce used for tastings, but not so much that it hampers the ability to allow the wine room to breathe properly in the glass. We were then directed to pause for moment, clear our mind, give the wine a swirl in the glass, and take a deep breath from the glass. Then, pause for 10 seconds before exhaling, and commit to memory the scents we experience.  But DON'T sip the wine yet! Then repeat the process with the Bottega glass, and compare your sensory thoughts.  

Only after that process can you move on to the actual taste sampling.  Perform the same sensory actions, but this time we took a sip from each glass. I can honestly say that there was a true difference in the wine from one glass to the other.  The Bottega glass sipping resulted in a subtly smoother taste, much less acidic from the the other glass. Bottega explains that this difference is caused from not smelling alcohol in the glass, only the actual fruits, berries and other components used in the blending of the wine. 

Because the wine does taste smoother and less acidic, the Bottega Wine Glass DOES make a less expensive wine taste like a more expensive one! 

For both the Riesling and the Pinot Noir, all the flavors, textures, and aromas were clear and concise. Wonderful!

Another benefit of the glass that Bottega did not mention in their literature was the the extended rim on the glass. The extra wide circumference of the rim allowed for ease in drinking, with none of the hitting of the bridge of the nose.  I know what I'm saying might sound silly, but quite frankly, it was the first thing I noticed, pleasurable, and a great feature of the glass. In addition, the base, stem, and bowl of this glass were all superiorly made, of substantial weight - yet not heavy, well balanced, and fit comfortably in the hand.

I would heartily recommend that you try any of the Bottega del Vino Crystal handmade wine glasses, barware, or decanters and you too will be amazed at the improvement in any wine's taste.

If the wine matters, so does the glass!

You can order your own Bottega wine glass from their website:

Bottega del Vino Crystal Ordering

Photo Source: Bottega del Crystal

"Like" them on Facebook: HERE

Also available on their website is great information on:

 tips for serving wine, selecting wine glasses, information on lead free crystal, 

and MORE, MORE, MORE!

Cheers!

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Disclaimer: I received the Bottega Crystal Wine Glass as a gift to evaluate  however, all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show at the CT Convention Center

If you love everything about interior and exterior design, then the Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show is for you!

Cabinets by Stairs and Cabinets
My Dream Kitchen!

If you're looking for ideas for decorating inside **OR** out - the place to start is at the CT Home Show. Throughout the Connecticut Convention Center you'll find exhibitors ready, able, and willing to help you.  Everything from furniture, to roofing and gutters, outside water features, to lighting, to a fully decorated showcase living room and patio area!  There is truly row after row of inspiration.

All Source of Connecticut

In addition there is a full schedule of seminars to help the do-it-yourself-ers with some of the great tips and tricks from interior designers and craftsmen. Everything from decorating with lighting, using accessories, home staging for resale, window treatment help, and MORE.

This was my first time attending the Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show and I wasn't sure what to expect.  I was a little disappointed that there weren't more furniture and interior design features, but those that were there, were spectacular and worth the visit.

Kloter Farms, known for their high-quality handcrafted furniture, had a wonderful showcase of furniture in addition to their outdoor structures.

Kloter Farms Furniture Display

The majority of the exhibitors were more building and construction orientated, such as roofing, siding, and window replacement. So, if you're in the market - you're able to see the quality and assorted design features from a wide variety of manufacturers. This is probably the best feature of the Home Show, as Internet shopping doesn't allow you to see the actual product while comparison shopping

Landscaping designers and outside furnishings were also available, many that were at the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show, the previous week, and also some new features.

Returning from the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show were the landscape design team from Creative Contours. I was able to talk briefly with owner Jennifer Noyes who was thrilled when I told her that my "pin" of her table arrangement from last week's show was getting multiple re-pins! Imagine how thrilled I was when she herself pinned it that night!  ( See it HERE )

Creative Contours at the CT Home Show

Another of my favorite displays was the lighting and hardware from the Connecticut Lighting Center.
Although the pictures don't do these fixtures justice, let me just say, that there wasn't a light that I didn't want to take home with me!

Connecticut Lighting Center

We did make a small purchase today.  The cowboy was entranced by the kitchen knives, and since he's the king of our kitchen...I thought it would make a great anniversary gift. That's right folks, we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary this week!  We purchased the 4.5" utility knife.  Let me tell you, it's a beauty. The weight is wonderful and it slices tomatoes paper thin.  We also purchased a sharpener to go along with it.  (Happy anniversary honey!)

Hammer Stahl Cutlery

The shining star of the Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show was the showcase home by interior designer, Sharon McCormick, of Sharon McCormick Designs, LLC.

This living room and patio design was jaw-dropping and combined the most beautiful shade of navy/peacock blue and bright white. Truly amazing and I wanted to move right in.

Sharon McCormick Designs, LLC

Sharon McCormick Designs, LLC

Sharon McCormick Designs, LLC

As you can see...I made myself quite comfortable on the patio!

Sharon McCormick Designs, LLC

We were also able to watch one of the design tutorials, on Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Decorative Paint Finishes by Patrick Ganino of Creative Evolution from my neighboring Madison CT.

All in all it was a great and informative day and we will definitely return next year to the Connecticut Convention Center for the Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show. 

The Connecticut Convention Center is easily accessible, right off Exit 29A on CT I-91.

Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show
Connecticut Convention Center

100 Columbus Blvd.

Hartford, CT

Information: http://cthomeshow.com/

Follow them on Facebook: @CTHomeRemodeling

Hope to see you there next year!

For additional pictures, click HERE, and "like" the Home Place page.

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Didn't you just love, love, love the decorator showcase?

Do you have any major home renovations or design plans in the works?

I'd love to hear about them in the comments below!

Connecticut Flower and Garden Show 2013 at the CT Convention Center

In spite of still being somewhat buried under the remnants of snow...the Connecticut Convention Center was the first in Connecticut to welcome SPRING with the The 32nd Annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show!

The show opened on Thursday and the theme of this year's show was "Love in Bloom."  To help celebrate the romantic theme, the convention center was the venue for a local Glastonbury couple, married 50 years, to renew their wedding vows, immediately after the show's opening in the beautiful flower filled hall.

Together they joined the committee in officially opening the show with the ceremonial cutting of the garland.  

Source: CT Garden Clubs
Kristie Gonsalves, President of North East Expos, Inc. – the show’s organizer;
Becky Paul, Chair of The Federated Garden Clubs of CT’s Advanced Standard Flower Show competition;
Ronnie Schoelzel, President of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut
Flower garland of flowers and wedding flowers created by Bob Kelly Florist of Hartford.

We made our way up early Sunday, while CT dodged another winter storm (hallelujah!) The Connecticut Flower and Garden Show was just what was needed to shake off the winter doldrums, and help us welcome spring!

Hello Spring!      Hello Flowers!     Hello Fresh Mulch!

Oh, how we've missed you!

It was wonderful to breathe in the earthy scent and enjoy the bright and vibrant colors!

There was so much to see in addition to flowers, although they were the highlights! Everything from birdhouses, to sculpture, to garden sheds and hot tubs. If you are looking for any product that has to do with landscaping, the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show is the place to go.

Grasshopper sculpture and landscape display

This beautifully set table was found under the flower and wire orbs and was designed by Creative Contours

Everything for the yard - from mulch to mowing to mod hot tubs

Beautiful Flower Arrangements

Amazing floral sculptures - These each stood approximately 4 ft tall.

Birdhouses, water features, and hanging pottery.

There were also household items available, for instance, this grater demonstration that I was drawn to because of the beautifully colored pottery.

Here's some of the other items that caught my eye. You'll see I seek out any tulips, Adirondack chairs, window boxes, or bunnies!

Bright and colorful garden tools! What's not to love?

so many amazing water features!

Every building looks better with a window box!

Someday I'll have a gazebo --- and I love this horse bench

My husband said to make sure I didn't come home with anything.
He didn't know there would be tomatoes there!!

Will someone come and do this landscaping in my yard for me? Please? 

ArtArondack!

 And for those planning weddings of their own...there were plenty of centerpieces and tablescapes for inspiration.

In addition there were over 80 hours of seminars by horticulturists and experts throughout the weekend, however, we were so caught up in the exhibits we were unable to attend any. Next year, though, we'll plan better.

Show sponsors include B & P Turf Farm, Goodyear Farms, T.J. Bark Mulch, Connecticut Horticulture Society, Bob Kelly Florist, Inc., WRCH Light 100.5, WFSB Channel 3, Bedard Enterprises, and North East Expos.

Special thanks to North East Expos for hosting the event and to my great friends Carol and Gayle for taking the trip to the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show with me!

For additional pictures visit the Home Place facebook page HERE

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Are you ready to get your "garden on" this year?

Do you have any landscape projects that you're planning?

I'd love to hear about them in the comments below!