Germany

Prost Every Moment with Wines of Germany USA

Did you know “Prost” is the German word for “cheers”? Neither did I. That’s why when Wines of Germany USA approached me about collaborating with them on the “Prost Every Moment” campaign, I couldn't say no.

The last two years have been challenging for us all. Between the pandemic, working from home, and dodging a deadly virus at every turn, our entire lives were upended and we’ve been in a whirlwind ever since. That’s why it’s so important to celebrate life at every opportunity and German wines are perfect to “prost every moment,” big or small. From the novice to the wine aficionado, German wines are great for an imaginary adventurous escape to Germany or just treating yourself to a nice glass (or bottle if it’s a Friday night) of wine.

To be honest, I consider myself somewhere in between a novice and an aficionado. I know more than the average person but I know there is SO much more to learn. I had no idea how I’d feel about German wines or if I’d even be able to tell the difference between them and wines from other regions.

I tried The Seeker Riesling from Germany’s Mosel region and A. Christmann Spätburgunder from the Pfalz region, and honestly, was pleasantly surprised by both. According to Wines of Germany’s website, “Spätburgunder is to red wine what Riesling is to white wine: the cream of the crop.” Spätburgunder is the German name for Pinot Noir, translating to- late (spät) ripening pinot (burgunder). Germany is actually the world’s third largest producer of Pinot Noir! This Spätburgunder was full-bodied and complex like you’d expect from a Pinot Noir. I enjoyed it with a delicious salmon meal with my friend, Meghan, and she enjoyed it as well.

But I’d have to say The Seeker was our favorite. It is the perfect Riesling, which Germany is actually known for. But I’d have to say The Seeker was our favorite. It is the perfect Riesling, which Germany is actually known for. In fact, Germany is widely regarded as the birthplace of Riesling, with written records of the grape as early as 1435 but likely dating back much earlier. The Seeker was light, floral and just sweet enough. We enjoyed The Seeker as an aperitif with appetizers, but it can also be enjoyed with both sweet and spicy foods. While this Riesling is off-dry, the majority of wines made in Germany are actually dry! Riesling is a versatile grape that can be vinified in styles from bone dry to lusciously sweet.

Meghan and I had a great night escaping to Germany through our imagination! Whether you’re indulging in a glass of wine with friends, treating yourself because you had a great day, or you’re celebrating a promotion or new home, celebrate life and prost every moment with German wines!

Check out Wine.com if you’d like to try The Seeker Riseling or the A. Christmann Spätburgunder for yourself!

While this post was sponsored by Wines of Germany USA, all opinions are my own. I’d never lead you astray. :)

Popular Craft Beers from Around the World

Craft beer is made by local brewers with unique ingredients and traditional fermentation methods. In each glass, you can savor the taste of a specially brewed beverage with a distinct flavor. Recently, a rapid increase in the number of craft beers made by microbrewers has provided a variety of delicious options for beer drinkers around the globe.

From India pale ale to American hops and Belgian inspired ale, local brewers have provided many refreshing alternatives to the well-known lager beers made by major brewers. Luckily for you, we've rounded up some of the most popular craft beers from different parts of the world.

Brasserie St. James Red Headed Stranger (U.S.)

This red saison is brewed by Brasserie St. James, the award-winning American brewery located in Reno, Nevada. Made from water drawn from a 285-feet deep artesian well and a combination of orange peel, coriander, grains of paradise, and a special Belgian yeast strain, this craft beer tastes like a mixture of a saison and red ale.

The aroma of spices and delicious malt flavor leave a refreshing taste in your mouth. After receiving the applause and recommendation of many beer lovers, the Red Headed Stranger won the silver medal at this year's Best of Craft Beer Awards, after winning the gold medal at the United States Beer Championships two years ago. 

Feral Hop Hog (Australia)

Hop Hog is a regular award winner at craft beer competitions hosted in all major cities in Australia. Feral Brewing has successfully produced an American-style India Pale Ale that contains a high dose of American hops, which give this beer its name.

It has a distinct citrus flavor and a strong pine needle aroma. Apart from the Hop Hog, which is rated as one of the best craft beers in Australia, Feral Brewing also provides a range of exciting options, from the strong Imperial Stout to the wild-fermented sour beers. 

Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel (Germany)

Brewed by monks at the German Kloster Andechs monastery in the city of Bavaria, this beer is made out of four main ingredients: yeast, hops, water and barley, in line with the Beer Purity Law in Germany. 

Note: In 1516, the German government passed a law called "Reinheitsgebot" that stated "only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be barley, hops and water."  Water was often polluted so people drank beer, often in vast quantities, to quench their thirst.  By ensuring beer contained only high-quality products the law protected the public from poor standard, and potentially lethal, beverages. Reinheitsgebot also brought about a standardization in production well ahead of its time. 

But its distinct flavor has a mixture of figs, dates and cocoa. Doppelbock Dunkel has a unique reddish tint and aroma of malt and caramel that leaves a nice chocolate after-taste in your mouth. Very few craft beers have provided the same kind of satisfaction that the Benedictine brewers have provided since 1455.

Collesi Imper Ale Ubi Rossa (Italy)

This strong Belgian-style dark ale is brewed at the Collesi family estate located in the central Italian village of Apecchio. Just like the beers produced in Germany, the four main ingredients used to make Ubi Rossa are hops, barley, yeast and water. The water used for this craft beer is from a pristine, untainted spring that requires no chemical treatment or purification.

Much like traditional Belgian beers, the ale passes through another stage of fermentation in the bottle. During this re-fermentation stage, the yeast creates an exceptional mixture of dried fruit, cherry and hazelnut flavors.

Those are some of the most famous craft beers that you should strive to taste if you are a beer lover. Each beer has a unique taste that cannot be reproduced by any large scale brewer. You will cherish each moment as you savor the rich complex flavors created by award-winning microbrewers.

- Tony Bod