Lifestyle Hacks For Saving Money on Your Alcohol Budget-Hack #8

Full Disclosure

As a non-wine drinker (allergic), I've not personally tested this hack. And, because I don't currently maintain a lifestyle of hosting dinner parties, I can't perform my own experiment.

In the past, however, having served copious quantities at parties and family gatherings, I would have enthusiastically tested this hack had I known about it. I suspect it works, however, since the reputable kitchenware giant Williams and Sonoma recommends it (see the link below).

Bottom Line

This two-minute hack purportedly makes inexpensive red wine taste like costlier vintages. (Sorry, the hack doesn't work for white wines).

I viewed a blind taste test where the samplers believed the cheaper wine, which cost $35 less than the expensive bottle, was the higher-priced one.

How cool would it be to serve Trader Joe's "Two-Buck Chuck" (the Charles Shaw brand that probably now costs $3 or $4), an acceptable party wine anyway, according to many non-wine snobs, and transform its taste to a better-quality vino?

If I were hosting a party, I'd engage in my own test, undisclosed, of course, with lower-priced bottles along with more costly ones. The idea of transmuting an inexpensive vintage into a more sophisticated one is intriguing.

And, if you are a wine aficionado who buys higher-end bottles, you might reduce your expenditures by trying this hack.

If you are an imbiber of reds, you probably have little to lose by engaging in this test. If throwing a party, you could blend and rebottle the wine for guests a few hours early, and save a bundle on your booze tab.

How To

Pour the desired amount of inexpensive young red wine (not aged, i.e., cheap) into a standard kitchen blender. Turn on the machine to blend at high speed for 30 to 60 seconds until the wine gets foamy. Wait for the foam to dissipate. Pour the wine back into the bottle or your glass. Serve and enjoy. 

The Theory 

Aerating red wine in a blender seems odd. However, the blending action improves the taste by breaking up carbon dioxide bubbles on top of the wine and popping them into smaller bubbles. At least, that's what the experts claim.

For more information, see these resources:

1. https://blog.williams-sonoma.com/hyper-decanting-wine-blender/

2. https://recipes.ventray.com/how-to-aerate-red-wine-with-a-blender/#:~:text=Aerating%20red%20wine%20in%20a,popping%20them%20into%20smaller%20bubbles.

Second Hack

Invariably, there remains wine in a bottle after dinner or a party, yes? Not being a wine drinker myself, sadly, over the years, I've poured many liters of vino down the drain. Here are a couple of suggestions to avoid such waste.

1. Mix 50–50 red wine and Coca-Cola for a refreshing drink.

2. Add red wine to your chocolate cake recipe. As a bonus, you can feast on a yummy, decadent dessert. White wine also works in cake recipes.

Here are two recipes to assist in utilizing that leftover vino.

1. Leftover Red Wine Chocolate Cake - Make With Mara

https://makewithmara.com/leftover-red-wine-chocolate-cake/

Leftover Wine? This Leftover Red Wine Chocolate Cake is fudgy, rich, moist. Served with mascarpone whipped cream &…makewithmara.com

2. Red Wine Chocolate Cake

Use up that leftover red wine with this super fudgy bold chocolate layer cake. This red wine chocolate cake is frosted…bromabakery.com

https://bromabakery.com/red-wine-chocolate-cake-for-two/

Bonus Hack: Chill Wine Quickly in Salt Water

No one likes lukewarm bubbly or white wine. Eww! 

To chill a bottle of champagne or white wine quickly, use a tall pitcher about the height of your wine bottle. Immerse the bottle in ice water with a small handful of salt and turn it every few minutes. Your wine or champagne will chill in 20 minutes or less.

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