There are some guidelines to follow when serving champagne.  It should be chilled to around 50 degrees in the refrigerator (never the freezer) or just before serving, in a bucket of ice water. When opening the bottle, keep the cork pointed away from people or objects: place your thumb firmly on top of the cork, with your other hand, unscrew the wire and loosen the cage. Holding the cork firmly, twist the cork in one direction and the bottle in the other direction. Slowly ease the cork out, so that it makes a slight hissing sound. Hold the bottle around the base and pour. Fill each glass with about 2 inches of Champagne. Then go back and top them all up.

If only the best will do, my Champagne pick is Krug Grand Cuvee. A glorious expression of champagne, Krug is a rich, intense, dry Champagne with complex flavors of biscuit, baked apple, ginger, spice, honey and dried citrus….very dramatic with a creamy elegant texture from the start to the endless finish.

Established in 1843, Krug specializes in producing prestige and exceptional Champagnes. Krug's Champagne house still ferments all of its wines in small oak casks - necessary for developing Krug's intense bouquet and complex flavor. Since there is no precise formula, the memory of the original taste has been passed on, intact, from generation to generation in the Krug family. Today, both 5th and 6th generations supervise directly every phase of production, tasting and blending at Krug.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!

Susan Anderson

GourmetStation ships nationwide, but it's always nice to be recognized by a popular hometown newspaper. Thanks Creative Loafing for recognizing GourmetStation as one of Atlanta's Best for gourmet food gifts:

Creative Loafing – Atlanta, GA

November 14, 2006

Atlanta’s Best 2006 & 2007

Fine Dining Delivered – Gourmet Gifts & More

Acute attention to detail, the ability to adapt to the requests of clientele and comprehensive, professional services are among the most prevalent topics to be considered when giving gifts. GourmetStation meets these criteria & surpasses them. For this holiday gift-giving season, GourmetStation is the only name you need to know. Throughout the ages, food gifts remain among the favorites by their recipients. GourmetStation offers delicious gourmet gifts designed in elegant three & four course gourmet dinner and a la carte options delivered to the entire US.

Featuring world-class cuisine, GourmetStation delivers travel theme menus: Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun & Fusion. Through internationally-themed menus, recipients experience culinary travel and wonderful lasting impressions. Their gourmet dinners for two are delicious, unique and arrive in elegant gift packaging ready to heat and enjoy in only 30 minutes. Additional luxurious food gifts include gift certificates (they never expire), Dinner of the Month programs and corporate gifts & incentives. Whether for personal holiday gift-giving or innovative companies seeking upscale client gifts, employee rewards & sales promotions, GourmetStation is your one-stop gift shopping source.

GourmetStation

328 Mell Ave NE

Atlanta, GA. 30307

1-888-944-9794

www.gourmetstation.com

Hot off the press for your enjoyment!

Atlanta, GA (PRWeb) December 11, 2006 -- GourmetStation announced their selection of holiday gifts for the discriminating shopper seeking upscale gourmet food gifts. Included in the 2006 line up is their Ole English Christmas dinner delivered, dining gift certificates for gourmet dinners delivered and their dinner of the month programs.

The Ole English Christmas dinner for two features four courses including beef Wellington, creamy tomato basil soup and raspberry cordial cheesecake and Euro blend coffee with after-dinner candy. This offering allows busy patrons to give or receive a restaurant quality Christmas dinner without all the fuss. The price is $89.99 for two with free shipping.

Gift certificates are offered for three course and four course gourmet dinners delivered and range from $69.99 to $79.99. Gift recipients are given the opportunity to redeem the certificate for their gourmet food gift and select from Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun or Fusion menus.

Dinner of the month programs start at $269 and allow recipients to select a gourmet dinner delivered every month for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. Three and four course programs also include selections from Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun or Fusion menus. "Our 2006 gourmet food gift offerings range from gourmet dinners delivered to certificates to dinner of the month programs" says founder & President, Donna Lynes-Miller. "Our variety of ways to receive a GourmetStation dinner and our multiple menu selections provide many options for the gourmet food gift shopper."

About GourmetStation
GourmetStation delivers a delicious in-home dining experience complete with the flavor of travel to an exciting cultural destination. The online retailer offers the unique opportunity to give or receive gourmet food gifts to mark a life-cycle occasion or just to take a night off from cooking. GourmetStation offers multiple regional menu options including Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun, Fusion as well a Romance menu and seasonal menus like Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. The wide variety of destination themed gourmet food gifts is designed to spark the imagination of both the giver and receiver. Each gourmet dinner is intended to provide a dining experience similar to that of its regional inspiration. Internationally themed three and four course gourmet meals are delivered anywhere in the United States. Deep-chilled gourmet dinners require only 30 minutes preparation and include European blend coffee or organic tea, after-dinner candy, floating candle and matches. Prices for multi-course dinners for two range from $69.99 to $89.99. Gourmet gift certificates, including Dinner of the Month certificates, are ideal for birthdays and anniversaries. For more information, visit GourmetStation.com or call 1-888-944-9794.

Contact Information:
Donna Lynes-Miller
Founder & President
1-888-944-9794
www.GourmetStation.com
www.GourmetStationBlog.com

###

The world is changing. Here in the US boomers are maturing. Values are shifting. The days of trinket gifts are diminishing and the days of experience gifts are upon us. What does all this mean? Boomers have been there / done that. Peggy Lee’s “is that all there is” says it all.

The age of experience gifts is here. What are experience gifts? I call them memory gifts….a gift experience so unusual and remarkable, that a lingering memory is created. Gourmet food gifts aren’t really new. But their relevance is growing.

There is another element to consider – gourmet is not gourmet. The gourmet food gift experience must reek with quality, attention to detail, and delicious cuisine. GourmetStation built all these attributes into their gourmet food gifts – from beginning to end / from top to bottom.

First is free gift packaging, the first impression the gift recipient notices. GourmetStation packaging is elegant, secure and immediately gives the recipient the feeling of travel with the old world post cards from Paris, Tuscany, New Orleans & Asia. Second is ease of preparation. GourmetStation dinners delivered take only 30 minutes to prepare. Last is taste – the gourmet food gift must taste delicious. Read what our patrons have to say about the taste and quality of our gourmet dinners delivered.

For this year gift recipients may enjoy a Christmas dinner delivered, Ole English Christmas dinner featuring beef Wellington. If you want to let your recipient enjoy the fun of choosing, give a dining gift certificate for a 3 or 4 course gourmet dinner delivered – the gift serves two graciously. If you really want to create memories, remember the Dinner of the Month programs. Your recipient may select from multiple menus and receive a gourmet meal delivered every month for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months.

Gourmet food gifts from GourmetStation create an easy shopping experience for you and unforgettable memories for your recipient. It doesn’t get any better than that. Happy holidays!

Wake up wine world. There’s a whole new breed of wine shaking & rattling in the great state of Washington. When I think of Washington I think of misty Seattle and the ubiquitous Starbucks. You might even think of giant software Microsoft. Think again wine lovers because the real gem of Washington state is none other than Red Diamond Wine makers.

In 2003 these pioneering wine makers introduced a limited release of Red Diamond merlot. Red Diamond says that demand grew from a “ripple to a wave” they could ride and so followed Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in 2005.

So what’s with the name Red Diamond Wine? Eastern Washington state not only enjoys a dry arid climate just right for the vineyards – it’s also perfect for rattlesnakes. Hence the cool name and the dynamic logo with a little twist at the tail.

Every winery promotes their brand personality. You know - sleek, snobby, sophisticated. I think I like Red Diamond’s “down to earth” personality:

“We may not have big city lights or hip nightlife, but we do know a lot about growing grapes. Our expertise is found in each bottle of Red Diamond wine. In our small corner of the world, we think we've hit on one of life's great truths... sometimes it takes a slower pace to satisfy big city tastes. When you enjoy our wines, we want you to relax. Our wines are not designed to intimidate, mystify or induce snobbery. They're made to tempt your taste buds, with enticing flavors truly representative of each grape varietal. So don't wait for a special occasion or destination - wherever, however and with whomever you choose to drink Red Diamond wine is your choice. No reason required.”

Email [email protected] to find the nearest retail outlet. Are you ready to get rattled?

I love California and California loves GourmetStation. The LA Book.com discovered GourmetStation and a lucky reader won a Dinner of the Month program for three months. Congratulations Maya Tyler. Enjoy what Elyse Glickman has to say about GourmetStation and our line of of luxurious gourmet food gifts.

In Southern California, there are many different ways to have a romantic night out, until you realize there are some occupational hazards -- high parking fees, no-parking zones, surly valet people, dress codes, waiting lists and the occasional waiter who really wants to direct. There is also the romance of eating in, without the commute or distractions. However, many of even the biggest foodies among are armchair travelers in the Food Network universe, and deep down, we know Trader Joe's (as much as we love it) still may leave a little something to be desired in the romance department.

Coming to the rescue of our palates and romantic fantasies is GourmetStation.com, a service that allows you to create and customize gourmet food gifts with a prolific selection of offerings in a variety of categories (Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun and Fusion/Asian) to suit every mood and taste. Their unique "Create A Meal" menu allows you to make personalized selections, tailoring a prepared meal menu exactly to your liking and your significant others, right down to gourmet coffee and tea and the candlelight too!

GourmetStation.com goes beyond offering imaginative food gifts. they cook up lasting memories, too. Plus with special gift presentation and a 30-minute preparation window, you can stop waiting and start living. In addition to romantic dinners, meanwhile, Gourmetstation.com offers special menus for birthdays, anniversaries, and congratulatory dinners. Simply go to the web suite, cruise the menu, choose the 3- or 4-course extravaganza that suits your fancy, or customize your own from a prolific list in each category. And for just $69.99 to $79.99, based on the number of courses, the perfect gourmet gift will arrive at your home, perfectly packaged right down to the candlelight.

To whet your appetite, visit www.gourmetstation.com.

This week, one lucky reader will see the term "eating in" in a whole new way with one home-delivered gourmet meal for two delivered every month for three months to their home.

Thanks to our friends at Boca Party Supplies for planting an idea that my readers might find useful. Let’s talk about RSVP – what it really means and how you might use it for holiday gatherings or possibly Christmas dinner.

RSVP means "réspondez, s'il vous plaît," in French – English? Reply please. According to the Boca Party Supplies tips page, here’s how the term RSVP came a about?

According to historians, In the late 17th century, King Louis XIV had a list of rules for court behavior called “tickets” or "étiquette". He posted them on signs around his Versailles palace and printed them on the backs of invitations to court events. At that time French was considered the language of high society and refined manners. So these rules were adopted as etiquette in early America and still influence our behavior at formal gatherings throughout much of the western world today.

I have a tendency to want to buck social rules if you know what I mean, but this is one I pay attention to. After all the hosts need to know how many people to plan for. They need to know how much food to prepare, how much space they need, etc. Your quick reply shows your respect for them and their invitation. Happy holidays.

I know what you’re thinking. You think the idea of sending  food gifts at Christmas is a good idea. You even think the notion of a complete gourmet dinner delivered from GourmetStation is a unique idea. You’ve either tried GourmetStation gourmet meals yourself, or you’ve heard about them from others. But there are two big factors missing from the gifting equation. What gourmet dinner menu do I select? What date do I send the gourmet meals so as not to conflict with my recipients busy schedule?

We have the answer for you. Dining gift certificates from GourmetStation are the perfect food gift for both giver and receiver. You’ve hit the spot with a unique food gift they’ll enjoy but you have put menu selection and delivery date into their hands. A perfect solution!

Our most popular gift certificates for gourmet dinners delivered come in two varieties. 3 course dinner for two or 4 course dinner for two. The prices are $69.99 and $79.99 respectively with $19.99 added for shipping. So when your recipient redeems, they pay nothing. And our certificates never expire. What more could you ask for?

How about presentation? Our certificates and menus are sent in an attractive jacket resembling an old world passport. The certificate itself provides information for either telephone or online redemption. The four gourmet dinner menus are presented on attractive menu tickets to our Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun or Fusion menus each written with a travel theme. After all it is our goal to give your recipient a little culinary travel experience .

If you’re thinking about a restaurant gift certificate, think how nice it will be to have restaurant quality cuisine delivered to your recipient. For gift certificates for gourmet dinners and gourmet meals delivered, you’ve come to the right destination: GourmetStation!