Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Proof.
Secret Santa
In April 2021, I was visiting my family and was at my sister’s house. While we were sitting in her living room someone came to her door and dropped something off. We went to check to see what it was, it was a gift basket type thing, but it had some wine and other stuff in it. I asked her what this was, and she told me that she is in a Facebook group that is local to her community. She said that they sign up and participate in gifting wine baskets to other participants. She told me it was fun and that she liked doing it because sometimes she will have a bad day and a gift will come and make her day better.
Heather SkeltonPublished 3 months ago in Proof
Confession Corner: The Prom Heist
Forgive me Vocal readers, for I have sinned. Wait! Forgive me again, because there is something I must do in order to be worthy of your forgiveness. Yes, it pains me so, but I must first put my transgression, my crime, my utter shame into writing. I will not omit a single dreadful detail from the egregious episode for fear of damning my eternal, online soul. I have my reputation and the view counts on my subsequent articles to think about! After years of torment, carrying around a burden of guilt like the bloke with the chains around his neck from that Charles Dickens book (the one with The Muppets in it), it shall be a great relief to me to finally open up about this subject. I also hope that this article somehow finds its way to the person my friend and I wronged all those years ago because part of me feels like this magical, storybook scenario would bring a sense of closure and catharsis to everybody involved. The other part of me would probably just be grateful for the extra click on my article to be honest (free money and all that). So, without any further ado (not adieu), I shall relay my outrageous – but unfortunately very true – tale unto you all. This, my friends, is the story of The Prom Heist.
Marco CardoniPublished 3 months ago in Proof
The Loire Valley: Refining the Art of Wine
The Loire Valley represents some of the most distinguished chateaux in all of France. Among these celebrated estates, you’ll find a wealthy generation of vintners whose low-intervention wines are among the finest natural wines in the world. Subtle flavors that range from sweet to complex to intense or even outright acidic can provide exquisite moments for wine lovers.
Anthony DezenzioPublished 3 months ago in Proof
Drinks With Famous Names
Professional Golfers American professional golfer John Daly has a drink named after him called The John Daly. It is a combination of sweet tea and lemonade with a shot of vodka.
Rasma RaistersPublished 3 months ago in ProofMy Beer Tasting Journey
P A S S I O N: "a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something [l.e for beer*] ..." Original definition found here.
Anna HarrisonPublished 3 months ago in ProofHow To Drink Beer And Avoid A Beer Belly
Well, this is a very common question from the crowd who frequently drink beer and get worried about putting on a few extra pounds in the form of a beer gut. If you face a similar issue, there are a few simple things to do. This can help you burn off those bulgy layers of fat like magic, without quitting beer altogether.
Hajii BrownPublished 3 months ago in ProofIt's All About The Grapes
Do you love wine? But are not sure what kind of wine you like? Well, there are so many varieties of wine from sweet to the driest. My preferable taste is on the dry side and red. I know some wine drinkers, may think that wine is only made in the vineyards of California. But there are wine vineyards across the continental USA. When I was about 21 years old, I had my first drink of sweet wine, called Cherry Kijafa. This wine was delightful, and it made my head spin and I got drunk. When I woke up, I had the biggest, sweet wine hangover. That was the end of my sweet wine crusade. As I begin to work in the corporate world, I found out there were many varieties of wine, and I set out to see what wine I really could enjoy. When I ordered wine, waiters or waitresses would tell me about their wine list. I began perusing and pretended I knew wine. I decided I would try drier wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot. (Not all at the same time mind you.) To be on the safe side, I tried Merlot, and this wine was not too sweet or dry, it seemed just right, and I began ordering Merlot when I went out to dinner. I then discovered that Merlot could taste fruity, dry, or between it depending on the brand of the wine. I noticed that I was a wine drinker and started trying a variety of dry wines. I discovered that there were different types of Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and they were the wines I enjoyed. Some of them taste just right not too dry or tart. Other cabernets had similar tastes but it depends upon the individual's taste buds. I wanted to know why some bottles of wine had an indent on the bottom of the bottle. In my research, I found out that this is called a “punt”. The punt allows residue to settle down into a tight space on the bottom of the bottle. This prevents the residue from being released back into the wine. The punt also allows the bottle to stand upright and be more stable and prevents the wine bottle from falling over. The punt also adds more style to the design of the bottle. In my further research, I wanted to know why there are years posted on the bottles of wine. Well, the year represents when the grapes were picked. So, if you find a bottle of wine with 2010, that is the year the grapes were picked, and the label is placed on the wine for that year. There are other variations, but this is the standard way the years are put on the bottle. Ladies and Gents, I wanted to give a little education about the wines you care to drink. In addition, to provide an insight into wine and what you may or may not think overall about wine drinking and tasting. Before I leave you, let me recommend some good-tasting wine for every palate whether sweet, sparkling, or dry. Here are a few you can enjoy, and one that I highly recommend: Cabernet Sauvignon Jacob’s Creek. Sweet Red Berringer, Napa Valley Shiraz, Lambrusco (Red wine), Sutter Home Red and White Moscato, Zinfandel Rose and Blush, Brachetto Red, Sidewood Chardonnay, Sangiovese Red Wine, Cupcake Tawny Port (sweet), 14 Hands Riesling, Bordeaux Reds, and Maury Sauvignon Blanc. Oh, I forgot to add, "drink responsibile".
Jeanette CepedaPublished 3 months ago in Proof
The same is beer, what is the difference between "bottled" and "canned"?
The same is beer, what is the difference between "bottled" and "canned"? Don't buy it randomly after you know it! Alcohol is the most common drink in our lives. In life, many friends like to have a drink or meet a few friends to drink, eat, and chat together. There are many types of wine, including white wine, beer, red wine and various fruit wines. In summer, when the weather is relatively hot, everyone will choose to drink beer, especially the cold beer, which is very popular for cooling off the heat. Everyone will order a draft beer, which feels really refreshing.
Oscar S. TuttPublished 3 months ago in Proof
The Free Wine Fountain in Italy
Have you ever walked past a fountain and wished for the water to come out as something else? Imagine a fountain that drenches your thirst with freshly squeezed lemonade or refills your pints with draft beer. A town in Italy has something that many of us can only dream of; a fountain filled with Italian red wine!
People! Just say Something!Published 3 months ago in ProofFirst try tequila
During my stay in Gandia, a coastal town in Valencia, Spain, I received my landlord, a Ukrainian who spoke Russian, and one day shared with me his favorite organic German beer with excellent taste. I seem to have asked the landlord whether it is dark beer, and added that beer in Germany and Belgium is also good, with my only experience in drinking beer. I deeply know that when I say this, it is only to open the topic. Then, somehow, the conversation turned to Tequila, which I had never tried before.
Gavin RollingsPublished 3 months ago in ProofWine Basics: A Short Course on the Different Types of Wine
Everything about wine is interesting. Stories say that wine was unintentionally discovered after the accidental fermentation of grapes in a container. Aside from its history, the different aspects of winemaking, such as the cultivation of grapevines, the various methods of fermenting grape juice, and other wine facts and figures never fail to enliven conversations among wine enthusiasts.
Raichelle CarpioPublished 3 months ago in Proof
Bourbon Collage at Its Best
People who love to drink bourbon whiskey might like the idea of this collage. For myself, I don't mind occasionally having an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. I have been bartending, as a side job, for weddings, banquets, or special events. Working as a side bartender, you could come up with some ideas to use as a mixed media artist. I came up with the idea of this bourbon collage that I titled "Bourbon at Its Best". This bourbon collage was put together with canvas board, decoupage, glue gun, fiskars scissors, acrylic paints, paper images, and red beads. It was an idea that came during the pandemic while I was not bartending due to lockdown. It is not a difficult project and the idea made me think back to some of my family members who like to drink bourbon whiskey on occasion.
Carrie BertschyPublished 4 months ago in Proof
