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Wines To Pair With Thanksgiving Dinner

Filed under: Wine

Pairing wines with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is a controversial affair. Seriously.

That is because there is a wide range of opinions about what pairs best with turkey, a bird that supplies two distinct meat experiences--white breast meat, and dark meat with fattier taste and texture. And then there are the side-dishes--potatoes, turnips, cranberries, stuffing, pearl onions, sweet potatoes, etc. It's a complicated melange of flavors, textures, starches, proteins and vegetables.

Scout the Internet for suggestions, and you will literally find everything from Cabernet Sauvignon to white sparkling wines. There is more agreement in Congress than on what wine, or wines, to serve on Turkey Day.

Individual experts, though, don't have such a wide band of recommendations. Consider what wine writer Thomas Pellechia says about the varietals to consider for turkey and the sides: "Zinfandel is the best red to go with turkey, because its bramble-berry characters stand well against turkey. I don't recommend Pinto Noir, as many do, because the nature of that variety, without a dark blended grape, is delicate and gets run over by turkey."

Among the whites, Pellechia recommends Riesling and Gewurztraminer--Gewurztraminer because its spiciness offsets the turkey's boldness, and Riesling because its acidity and fruit are a terrific foil to turkey's intensity.

Pellechia writes a wine blog, Vinofictions, and wrote " The Complete Idiot's Guide To Starting and Running a Winery, and "Wine, The 8,000 Year-Old Story of the Wine Trade. "I don't like Chardonnay for a traditional turkey dinner because it's generally either too flabby or too oaky...Pinot Grigio is usually too light, but its French counterpart from Alsace, Pinot Gris, is often as bold as Gewurztraminer and will work," says Pellechia.

Beaujolais Nouveau is also a good choice for a red wine, and a bargain. A light, fruity red wine, from the Gamay grape, that goes quite well with turkey and all of the fixings, this wine is released from France on the third Thursday of November, just in time to highlight your Thanksgiving feast!

Knowing the differences of opinion, it is a good idea to perhaps stock a few different wines to allow guests to choose, rather than picking one wine that you expect everyone to be happy with. Of course, if your Thanksgiving is going to be an intimate affair of three to five people, then maybe one or two wines are in order. A table of more than ten, and I'd be tempted to have at least three from which to choose, mixing reds and whites.

Tags: Beaujolais Nouveau, Elyse winery, food-pedia, gewurztraminer, Herman J. Wiemer, Heron Hill Winery, Hogue Cellars, main-pedia, riesling, Thanksgiving wine, wine with turkey, wine-pedia

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Luxist Guest Post: Chris Del Gatto of CIRCA On The Real Value of Jewelry

by Unknown (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Have you ever wondered what that diamond necklace that your grandmother left you would be worth if you ever wanted to sell it? We did, so we asked Chris Del Gatto, Chairman & CEO of CIRCA, the largest global buyer of fine jewelry from the public, to share some trade secrets on the true market value of jewelry.

As you can imagine, there's typically a disconnect between the public's perception of what jewelry is "worth", and the true market value of that item. True market value means the price that you would get if you were to sell the piece. This is very different from an appraisal value – what you would have to pay retail to replace an item if it were lost or stolen. What's important to realize is that when you're paying retail, you're paying for labor, marketing and the various profits made along the way.

For example, the generic yellow gold & diamond tennis bracelet that retails for $5,000, will typically cost a retailer an average of $1,800-$3,000, whereas the manufacturer's cost to make the piece would be more like $1,260 - $2,100. As someone who now owns that bracelet, and is selling it back into the marketplace, you're starting over again. You're not going to make back the profit that the manufacturer and retailer made. You also have to discount the labor that went into the piece. What you have left is the intrinsic value of the stones and the metal as your base. However, you can start adding value back if:

1) the piece is superbly designed and manufactured

2) the stone qualities are very high

3) it's a period piece, like Art Deco, Retro, etc.

4) the piece is signed by a famous maker such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co, etc.

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Watch Care: How to Clean and Maintain Your Watch

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

An 18K rose gold Cartier Women's Santos Watch with a diamond bezel.

A watch is an object of exceptional complication and beauty that requires regular care to work properly. Standard maintenance includes safeguarding the movement, protecting the watch from water damage and cleaning the case and band. The following tips will help you care for and preserve your timepieces for generations to come:

How to care for watches with a manual mechanical movement
For watches with a manual (or hand-wound) mechanical movement, be sure to wind the watch once a day, at the same time of day. Be careful not to over-wind the watch. Stop winding the watch as soon as you feel resistance---this indicates the spring has reached maximum tension.

How to care for watches with an automatic movement
If you own a watch with automatic (or self-winding) mechanical movements, be sure to wind the watch once every two weeks if it is worn daily. Wind the watch twice weekly if it is not worn daily.

How to care for watches with quartz movements
If your watch has a quartz movement, you should remove worn batteries and replace them every few years, according to Eli Katz, president of Ashford.com, the leading online retailer of luxury watches. When wearing your watch, it is very important to avoid equipment that create a strong magnetic field, such as speakers, mobile phones and metal detectors. Extreme temperature changes and humid environments, such as showers, hot tubs and saunas, can be harmful for your watch. Damage can also be caused by violent shocks such as dropping the watch as well as activities that require repetitive arm motion (unless the watch was designed for it). Exposure to these risks can negatively affect the movement performance.

Tags: accessories-pedia, Ashford, Ashford.com, awards-main, cleaining, how to care for watches, luxist-awards, main-pedia, timepieces, watches

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Sally Hershberger's Best Hair Tips for the Holidays

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance, Celebrity Design

Sally Hershberger offers her best tips for the holidays.

For this season's holiday parties, it's all about volume and glam. The holidays are a great time to try something new & different with you hair, Sally Hershberger, the celebrity hair stylist who has salons in New York and Los Angeles, told Luxist what she believes are the best styles to wear during the holidays.

Ponytails
"Ponytails are an easy alternative to an up-do. They are so chic and easy to do at home---perfect for the holidays!," says Hershberger. "First, I like to use a root lifter in the hair like my Shape Up. It boosts the hair from the root and gives amazing texture and hold. Then, blow dry with a round brush to give hair insane volume and polish. Next, loosely pull your hair back and secure it into a ponytail- low or high. Spray Body Fix on the ponytail to give it texture and make it slightly edgy, or keep it smooth and shiny with Smooth Fix. I like to wrap a small piece of hair around the elastic and secure with a bobby pin."

Chignon
"The chignon is one of my favorite looks for the holidays," says the celebrity hair stylist. "This style gives off an old Hollywood vibe that is elegant and easy to get at home. Prep your hair as you would a ponytail. I like to keep chignons low right now at the nape of the neck. Wrap the hair around the elastic and secure with pins. For a more polished look, spray Smooth Fix in the hair for a glossy finish. And for a fresher party style, pull some pieces out from around the face and spray a texturizer on the chignon."

Gallery: Sally Hershberger's New Line of Hair Care Products

Sally Hershberger Salon Body Fix is available for purchase on HSN

Sally Hershberger Salon Mineral Cream is available for purchase on HSN

Salon owner and Celebrity Stylist Sally Hershberger

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Classic Cocktail Recipes from the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (with video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits

Classic cocktail recpioes from the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has reinterpreted authentic cocktail culture for a new generation with a new Classic Cocktail Menu highlighting time-honored libations that are perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

For over 100 years, bartenders in many of the heritage brand's bars and lounges, from The Plaza hotel's Oak Bar (winner of the Luxist Awards' Readers Choice Award for Best Hotel Bar) to The Savoy in London, have helped invent, design, refine and serve drinks that can only be described as classic.

This fall's new menu will be whipped up by the best mixologists in the business, who have been extensively trained in the art of the cocktail. Taking inspiration from many classic cocktail eras, Fairmont's most famous recipes for delicious cocktails across the brand are available online. Expert bartenders have posted photos, tips and tricks for making lip-smacking libations that date from colonial times right up to the present. See the slideshow below for recipes for making your own classic cocktails at home and be sure to check out the video below in which Orlando Rivera, head bartender at The Plaza's Oak Bar talks to Luxist about how classic cocktails have made a comeback.

Gallery: Classic Cocktail Recipes from the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Tags: awards-main, classic cocktails, cocktail recipes, cocktails, entertainment-pedia, luxist-awards, main-pedia, Manhattan, Orlando Rivera, Plaza Hotel, recipes, sidecar, The Savoy

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Luxury in the Bush - 10 Ways to Safari in Style

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

These days, when you hear the phrase "I'm going on an African safari," roughing it doesn't necessarily come to mind. Those with the wherewithal to get themselves to Africa usually also have the means to make their trip a pretty comfortable one, even in the bush.

If you're like me, you find that almost disappointing. It doesn't seem fair to impose a luxury hotel on the wilderness of Africa, and it definitely doesn't seem right to destroy natural resources just to make the bush more amenable to wealthy guests. But, consider that some of the money from those guests goes to support the national parks and the local communities, as well as protect the natural resources. Consider that they bring not only money, and lots of it, but that they are there to experience, not destroy, the wildlife.

I still had my apprehensions about this balance when I embarked on my recent trip to Zambia, where I visited four Sanctuary Retreats camps on a tour with Abercrombie & Kent, a Luxist Awards' Nominee in the Best Adventure Getaway Category. To my surprise and delight, I found the most exceptional juxtaposition of immersion in the wild and modern convenience and comfort I have ever seen. I had heard that the Sanctuary Retreats camps were designed to be eco-friendly, but I couldn't have imagined just how seamlessly they fit into the landscape, and how natural and harmless their remarkable luxuries felt.

Here are ten ways A&K and Sanctuary Retreats make the bush luxurious -- and how they protect the environment and local communities while doing so.

1. Location, location, location.

With the exception of Sanctuary Baines' and Stanley's Camp, all Sanctuary Retreats properties are located within national parks. This make for impossibly pristine surroundings -- and allows the camp managers to be stewards of those surroundings. In most camps, the wildlife is so present that you can hear various animals wandering around your tent or room at night. They definitely don't seem to mind the guests being there.

2. Hot water.

Hot water is definitely a luxury when you're in the bush -- and Sanctuary Zambezi Kulefu Camp (above) keeps it eco-friendly by using solar power to heat the water.

Gallery: Luxury in the Zambian Bush

3. Size matters.

Each camp obeys strict regulations as to how many people and guestrooms it can have. As a result, you are always in an intimate group of travelers (the maximum number of guestrooms I experienced was 14 at Sussi & Chuma). This not only keeps the camps' footprints small, but ensures that the staff can keep an eye on all the guests. This both protects the safety of the guests and the safety of the surrounding wildlife -- and gives the experience a highly elite feel.

Tags: abercrombie and kent, adventure travel, african travel, awards-main, luxist-awards, main-pedia, safari, sanctuary retreats, summer-travel-pedia, winter-travel-pedia, zambia

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How to Make Perfect Espresso at Home

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Espresso is so much more than just really strong coffee. It's an elixir, an experience, that takes only a few sips but lingers long after. For true espresso connoisseurs brewing the perfect cup is an art form, and one that takes skill, time, and practice to master.

Start with good coffee and pure, fresh water
As with any recipe the end result will only be as good as the sum of its ingredients. Coffee beans should be as fresh as possible and medium-roasted (not dark) to preserve the delicate flavor nuances. The water should be pure, fresh and odor-free, and neither too hard nor too soft.

Use the right grind
The beans should be ground to a fine powder in order to expose as much surface area as possible to the water, but not so fine they pack too tight for the water to get through. Depending on your machine, coffee, and preference the grind consistency should be somewhere between small sugar granules smooth baking flour. Many experts recommend having your beans ground by a professional in order to get the best results. For more on grinding read How to Grind Coffee Beans Perfectly.

Tamp evenly
Tamping ensures the water to flows smoothly through all the coffee in the basket and doesn't just gush through one or two areas. To tamp put your coffee grounds into the basket and, on a smooth solid surface, use your tamper to press straight down into the basket with 20 - 30lbs of pressure. Practice by pressing on your bathroom scale to see exactly how much that is. Finish with a single firm twist to secure any loose grains and then lift the tamper straight up. The resulting packed grounds should be level and smooth, with no gaps or dimples. Note: The tamper should fit snugly into the basket -- if it's too small the coffee around the edges won't get compressed and the water will rush down the sides instead of dispersing evenly.

Tags: awards-main, coffee, dining-pedia, entertainment-pedia, espresso, food-pedia, luxist-awards, main-pedia

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The Meaning of Flowers: What Does That Bouquet Say?

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Green

We use flowers to say so many things, from "I love you" to "I'm sorry" and everything in between. Humans have been using flowers to express and punctuate feelings since the dawn of time and so over the eons certain flowers have come to symbolize certain things. The meanings of flowers can vary based on culture, context, and occasion but here are some popular blooms and their most commonly associated messages.

Roses
The Romans and Greeks both associated roses with goddesses of love (Aphrodite and Venus) and although roses today are most often used to express romance and passion they can have other meanings as well.

Red -- Love, Passion

Yellow -- Friendship, Jealousy

White -- Humility, Innocence, Purity

Pink -- Gratitude, Admiration, Happiness

Dark Crimson -- Mourning

Tags: awards-main, bouquet, decor-pedia, floral, flowers, luxist-awards, main-pedia

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How to Open Champagne (And Why It Shouldn't Pop)

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Champagne is supposed to open with a bang, right? Not necessarily, in fact a huge celebratory "pop!" is actually a sign that it was opened by an amateur. Experts contend that a bottle of champagne opened with skill will make only a very small popping sound, or perhaps none at all.

The WSJ gives us a thorough explanation of exactly how to open a champagne bottle like a pro:

Chill thoroughly Properly chilled champagne will fizz and/or froth over less
Towel dry the bottle if there's condensation to ensure a good grip and prevent slippage
Cut the foil using a knife, only tearing with fingers after you've scored the foil.
Tilt and aim Tilt the bottle to 45 degrees and aim it away from yourself, others, and anything breakable (like windows)
Hold the cork down with one hand while twisting open the wire cage with the other
Twist the bottle with one hand while continuing to hold the cork down with the other
Listen for the sound of air escaping to signal that the bottle is open. There may also be a small cloud of gas.

The pop can be fun when among friends in a party atmosphere but if opened gently and quietly the champagne will have more bubbles and taste better. As the old saying goes "The ear's gain is the palate's loss."

Once you've successfully opened the champagne the next step is pouring it. For the best results make sure the bubbly has been chilled to the proper temperature, 46º F - 57º F depending on age, and then further preserve the bubbles by using a 'beer-like' technique and pouring the liquid down the side of a tilted champagne flute.

Source

Tags: awards-main, champagne, dining-pedia, luxist-awards, main-pedia, wine-pedia

How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

How to clean stainless steel Sub-Zero kitchen appliances.

Anyone with an appliance with a stainless steel finish, such as a dishwasher, refrigerator or oven, likes to see a streak-free surface. Clean it properly, and you will have a beautiful result.

One easy way to clean the exterior of a stainless steel appliance is to be armed with two soft, clean lint free cloths. A portion of the first cloth should be soaked with very hot water. Wipe a section of the surface with the hot, wet cloth and immediately dry the same spot with the dry cloth. Wipe in the direction of any polish lines and you should have a streak-free result. If there are significant stains, try adding a small amount of a mild soap to the water. Rinse the surface thoroughly with warm water and immediately dry it with a clean cloth.

Sub-Zero, one of the most recognized manufacturers of premium built-in home refrigerators, recommends using a soft, non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner on its classic and platinum stainless steel finishes. Apply the cleaner with a soft 100% lint free cloth. Carbon stainless steel can be cleaned with mild soap and water. To bring out the natural luster of all three finishes, Sub-Zero recommends lightly wiping the surface with a water dampened microfiber cloth, followed by a dry polishing chamois. All work should follow the direction of the grain, and better results are obtained by keeping the cloth in continuous contact with the metal.

To clean interior surfaces and removable parts of a refrigerator, Sub-Zero recommends washing with a mild solution of soap and lukewarm water as well as a small amount of baking soda. Do not use vinegar. Be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid getting water on the lights and display panel and do not submerge or pour hot water over cold glass shelves.

Tags: applainces, awards-main, decor-pedia, How to clean stainless steel, kitchen appliances, luxist-awards, main-pedia, refrigerator, stainless steel, Sub-Zero, Wolf

House Cleaning Tips (with Video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Using the wrong materials to clean valuable items in your home can quickly destroy them. Gisela Lowenstein, president and founder of The Glow System, shared with us the following tips and advice on how to clean and organize a home. The Glow System is an instructional DVD that teaches viewers how to clean and organize quickly and efficiently.

Here are a few of Lowenstein's favorite housekeeping tips:

First, organize a "cleaning caddy" or container that is stocked with supplies.

Invest in specialized cloths. Terry cloths are ideal for cleaning wet areas, while felt cloths are recommended for very delicate areas, such as a piano, to prevent scratches. Microfiber cloths work well for wet or dry areas and are perfect for capturing dust on delicate and smooth surfaces.

Tags: awards-main, decor-pedia, Gisela Lowenstein, house cleaning tips, housekeeping, how to clean, luxist-awards, main-pedia, The Glow System

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Five Ways to Protect Your Purchases at New York's Affordable Art Fair

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

The Affordable Art Fair starts on September 30, 2010, and it comes with plenty of opportunities to pick up pieces by emerging artists. Featuring works priced from $100 to $10,000, the right choices can turn into astounding art investments down the road. While collectors are drawn to the pieces themselves first, it's hard to overlook the financial appreciation that can occur, especially as the art market claws its way back from financial crisis lows.

What happens if your artwork is damaged? Collectors don't always spend enough time thinking about the financial side of their holdings, and art insurance can be an afterthought. So, it might not be a bad idea to invest a little in protecting your work.

"After taking the time to evaluate a work of art, but before making a purchase, it is important that collectors consider how they are going to protect their investment," said Andrew Gristina, Fine Art Specialist, Travelers Inland Marine. "Most people buy art because of the aesthetic beauty, however, it's also a financial investment, which is why insurance coverage and proper handling should be a consideration with each purchase."

Here are three five steps you can take to protect what you pick up at the Affordable Art Fair (or anywhere else):

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10 Things Your Shoe Salesman Won't Tell You

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes

Love shopping for shoes? The shoe business is a multi-billion dollar industry and if you love designer labels you've no doubt had plenty of help from a variety of shoe salespeople. Whether talkative and friendly or all business, there are several universal truths when it comes to what that helpful sales person is thinking but would never say out loud.

"Just because I'm kneeling at your feet doesn't mean you're better than me. I'm here to help you with my expertise, not be your servant."

"No one cares how big your feet are. Seriously. Don't ask for a size 7 if you're really a size 9."

"Stop stretching out the sample shoes! Don't try them on if they're not your size -- you're ruining them for everyone else."

"Please don't make me wait while you chit-chat on your cell phone, unless of course you're okay if I do that to you."

"Losing weight will make your legs, knees, and feet feel better but it won't really change how your shoes fit. Don't buy too-tight shoes thinking you can diet your way to a more comfortable fit."

Source

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Giving Fragrant Gifts

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Cosmetics and Fragrance

Luxist Awards Expert Panelist Harry Slatkin is best known for the home fragrances he has created. Slatkin is founder of Slatkin & Co., the premier home fragrance brand celebrated for its scent experience and design (now a division of Bath & Body Works). He oversees product development for all the home fragrance brands under Bath & Body Works, the country's largest bath and body retailer with over 1,650 stores.

In this video, Slatkin explains how to give home fragrances
as gifts.

"They are great because they last for so long," he says. "Plus, it is a gift that people can enjoy instantly."

Slatkin says he may bring a fragrant candle, long with a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, but the candle will last longer than either of the other alternatives. "A box of chocolates might last a week, but a fragrant candle will last a lot longer."

Slatkin explains how he goes about selecting the scents of the candles he gives to friends.

"I always try to think of the personality of the person, but I also make it seasonal," says Slatkin. "If it is holiday time, I will give a scent that is more wintery, with tree-like scents. If it is spring time, I will select more floral scents like jasmine. If it is summer I will give cleaner scents."

Tags: awards-main, Bath Body Works, beauty-pedia, decor-pedia, fragrances, Harry Slatkin, luxist-awards, main-pedia, scents, Slatkin Co.

Beer: Best Sipped Cool, Not Cold

by Tom Henkenius (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Spirits

If it has to be served "ice cold" it probably isn't a good beer.

Instead Daniel Kahn, brew master for Buckbean Brewing Company, a microbrewery in Reno, Nevada, says all beer should be served at 55-degrees Fahrenheit. "Because when it's too cold it numbs your taste buds, which in turn affects how you taste the flavors - or really, how you don't taste them," he explains.

So throw out what you know about a frosty mug of beer, to completely appreciate the vast array of brews being produced today let them warm a couple of degrees.

The Brewers Association classifies beers into two categories: ales - where the yeast ferments on top examples include IPA, pale ale, porter, stout - and lagers - where the yeast ferments on the bottom as in pilsners, Bocks or dark lagers.

Kahn knows a lot about both types. His two-year-old brewery began by producing one of each: a Bavarian Schwarz bier Lager called Black Noddy Lager and zesty ale called Original Orange Blossom Ale. These are beers that offer huge flavors; they're meant to be sipped, not chugged. Chilling them too much does more than numb your taste buds, "If you serve your beer too cold the gases don't release and you miss out on the aromas, which also affects taste." He says the next time you have a beer - or eat anything for that matter - plug your nose. You'll find your sense of smell is responsible for a lot of the flavor.

Tags: awards-main, beer, beer temperature, beertemperature, beertypes, Black Noddy Lager, Brewers Association, buckbean, BuckbeanBrewingCompany, entertainment-pedia, lagervs.ale, luxist-awards, main-pedia, Original Orange Blossom Ale, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, perfecttemperatureforbeer, serving temperatures, temperature