Product Review
ZOS Halo Wine Preserver
Ever opened a great bottle of wine and forced yourself to drink it all within a day or two before it went bad? Or chose not to open an expensive bottle because you didn’t want it go bad before you could get your money’s worth out of it? Now there may be a solution. The ZOS Halo Wine Preserver utilizes a cartridge containing a nontoxic material which absorbs 100% of the oxygen in the wine bottle, stopping the oxidation process, to extend the life of wine for up to 2 months. Included is a test indicator light which will turn bright green or red indicating if the cartridge is still good, or ready for replacement. My unscientific test was on a very high quality bottle of wine that I opened, enjoyed a glass, and after inserting the ZOS into the bottle opening, re-tasted once a week for three weeks, and did not find any discernable difference in quality. Some caveats are: while it fits most 750 ml bottles, some larger screw cap necks and oversized bottles are not compatible; and the price, which is $75 (but almost half that much on Amazon) and $15 for replacement cartridges (last up to a dozen or so bottles, depending on usage). But you may find it worth the investment not to waste a pricy bottle, and give you the luxury of enjoying a glass at intervals greater than a few days.
Daesang Kimchi Salsas
Kimchi is one of the most treasured foods in Korean culture and a staple in Korean cuisine. To make it easy for you to obtain kimchi without having to take the time to ferment the vegetables, Daesang America has several variations ready for you to access by merely opening a jar. The Daesang company, founded in 1956 and headquartered in South Korea, has grown to be one of the world’s largest producers of fermented food products for every-day consumers. I sampled three of its newly-launched salsa products, part of its O’Food collection, and found each to have its own distinct flavor: Kimchi Salsa Tomato & Garlic, made with Napa cabbage, red pepper powder, garlic, onion, tomato and with a bit of jalapeno to give it a spicy punch; Gochujang Salsa—more intense heat, containing tomato, jalapeno, garlic and onion; and Kimchi Salsa Green Pepper & Onion—slight heat, with the main ingredient being kimchi with salted Napa cabbage, along with radish, garlic, bell pepper, ginger and jalapeno. All are only 10 calories per 2 Tbsp serving and make it easy to incorporate into your culinary creations, whether prepared at home or in a professional kitchen. I enjoyed all three, with each making me want to sample more, but also wanting to experiment with them in a dish of my creation.
Chalk Hill 2017 Estate Sauvignon Blanc
The award-winning Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, located in Healdsburg, CA, has distinguished itself as one of the leaders in the industry, producing some of the finest Sauvignon Blancs in the world. The Chalk Hill 2017 Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Sauvignon Gris, 3% Sauvignon Musqué and 3% Semillon, a mix that adds layers of flavors to the wine. The wine is aged in a combination of neutral and new French oak and stainless steel, with a bi-weekly bâttonage for the first three months. The result is a luscious, crisp and refreshing wine with flavors of grapefruit, honeydew and lime that is both harmonious and complex. The winery describes it as a versatile wine that pairs well with anything from fresh salads and sautéed vegetables to grilled seafood and pasta, or to be enjoyed as an aperitif.
Chanmé Frosé
A somewhat new wine drinking experience is the Frosé, which as the name implies, is a rosé wine meant to drink frozen. Chanmé Frosé, made with 100% real California Rosé wine and natural flavors, is packaged in an easy to transport 10 oz ready-to-drink container with a top designed to fit a straw into, so no need to blend anything or clean up after. Directions are to freeze, squeeze and Frosé and after doing so I can see how one could make this into a daily habit, especially during the hotter seasons. Plus, at only 6.9% ABV the tagline “Frosé All Day” is a possibility to consider, and after enjoying it found myself disappointed I only had one packet.