Did you know that wine tastes different in the air?

According to the article by Jim Eagles in the new Zealand Herald… “When flying, that glass of sauvignon blanc you savour at home might be a bit too acidic at 10,000m. And a nice cabernet sauvignon you lick your lips over when it’s served on the plane could seem a bit overpowering when you get back down to earth.”

This interesting report can be read in full at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10632572

www.wineandhampers.com

New research suggests that women who regularly consume moderate amounts of alcohol are less likely to gain weight than nondrinkers and are at lower risk for obesity.

The findings, reported this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, are based on a study of 19,220 United States women aged 39 or older who, at the start of the study, fell into the “normal weight” category based on their body mass index. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston tracked the women’s drinking habits over 13 years. About 60 percent of the women were light or regular drinkers, while about 40 percent reported drinking no alcohol.

Over the course of the study, 41 percent of the women became overweight or obese. Although alcohol is packed with calories (about 150 in a six-ounce glass of wine), the nondrinkers in the study actually gained more weight over time: nine pounds, on average, compared with an average gain of about three pounds among regular moderate drinkers. The risk of becoming overweight was almost 30 percent lower for women who consumed one or two alcohol beverages a day, compared with nondrinkers.

More on this at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/women-drinkers-gain-less-weight/

www.wineandhampers.com

Mother’s day will be celebrated this year on Sunday 14^th March

 A little history…

 Mother’s Day is the contemporary version of the original name – ‘Mothering Sunday’. The occasion has a long history, which dates back to as far back as the year 1600. During that time, the poor used to send their children to work as domestic servants or trainees in the homes of higher class of people. Once in a year, these children were given leave for a day, so that they could visit their Mother Church as well as their own mother. The day coincided with the middle Sunday of the fasting period of Lent. It was known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’ or ‘Mid-Lent Sunday’.

The children would visit their Mother Church and then head straight to meet their own mother, with some fresh flowers. While the boys would present their mother with flowers, girls would go a step further by presenting them freshly baked handmade cakes, which were also called ‘Simnel Cakes’. With time, the holiday came to be known as ‘Mothering Sunday’. The custom of Mother’s Day was halted when the world underwent Industrial revolution, but steeply bounced back after World War II. With time, the fourth Sunday of Lent came to be dedicated to the mothers in UK.

 A number of gifts suitable for Mother’s Day are available at www.wineandhampers.com

To ensure delivery orders must be placed by 10^th March 2010

Sparkling wines are outselling champagne by more than two to one as cash-strapped consumers opt for cheaper fizz.

During last year sales of champagne slumped by 13 per cent to 30 million bottles, while consumers  bought 72 million bottles of sparkling wine, a six per cent increase.

This major change in buying habits has left the champagne industry facing its worst crisis in 50 years with 1.2billion bottles – almost four years of sales – remaining unsold in French warehouses.

Wine and Hampers has a Sparkling Chardonnay – Charles de Saint Ceran, Brut. 

A full description of this fine wine  can be seen at www.wineandhampers.com/Sparkling_Chardonnay.html

Just personalised a label on a single bottle of Champagne for a major client, its going to be part of a long serving employees retirement gift.

Wine and Hampers produces personalised labels for wines and champagne, that include a company logo and a suitible message to celebrate any occasion. We provide this specialist service for both corporate and personal gifts.

www.wineandhampers.com is now top of the first page on google for search term ” wine hampers “.

More changes to the product range at www.wineandhampers.com/acatalog/index.html  coming shortly.

Whilst we have a large range of Champagne Gift Packs available on the website we felt it necessary to offer a less expensive alternative, and our new Sparkling Wine Gift Pack meets that criteria.

75cl Varichon & Clerc Blanc de Blanc Brut
Located in the hilly alpine region between Lyon and Geneva, Varichon & Clerc have been continually producing classic “Methode Champenoise” wines since 1901. Local grapes, such as Altesse and Molette, are skilfully blended with judicious amounts of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Maccabeu to fashion this very elegant wine. This is a smooth and creamy sparkling wine with flavours of gentle pear, apple, vanilla and toast.

An ideal celebration wine and a good value for money alternative to champagne, this sparkling wine makes a suitable gift for any special occasion.

Wine and Hampers makes use of this wine in a number of our wine packs and hampers and it is always well received.

Hampers are gifts that are traditionally presented in a wicker basket. The act of giving a hamper has a long tradition, and in the past was done as a giving act, using the hamper to give food and other home necessities to the deserving. The basket the gift was displayed in was also carefully chosen as it was a helpful household item that could be used and reused.

In later times, hampers have come to be less presents of necessities and more gifts of luxury treats, such as wine hampers for example. An emphasis is placed on premium items such as gourmet jams, quality chocolates, exotic coffee beans, expensive wines and other premium items that can be enjoyed as an indulgence.

There has also been a mounting trend to make specialist hampers – hampers that contain a diverse range and types of wine, champagne, chocolates and fine foods.

The flexibility of the wine hamper is why it makes such a pleasing present. In addition to standard packs they can be modified to meet specific content requirement and can be filled with anything that would please the recipient. When picking the hamper you want to give, give careful consideration to what items the recipient enjoys – are they a wine connoisseur? Then wine hampers are a great idea! Are they a food lover? Then choose a hamper with both wine and quality food items. Are they celebrating a special occasion, a marriage or just had a baby then look for a champagne and chocolates presentation pack.

In terms of personal gifting, hampers and wine gift packs can be used for any occasion… for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements, births and most popularly for Christmas.

The Christmas hamper has become popular, and in an intriguing twist the public are now buying Christmas hampers to use for themselves instead of as a present for other people. Often filled with luxury Christmas treats such as shortbread, chocolate, wine, Christmas pudding other festive food items, they are purchased by families to be used over the Christmas period.

There are many of businesses that specialise in supplying hamper gifts and lots of them can be found quickly and easily on the internet. The search terms, Hampers, Hamper, Wine Hamper, will report a wide range of websites offering wine and hamper products. Many of them will have pre-packed hampers, such as wine hampers or food hampers, and some may let you to modify a hamper and fill it with items of your choice. Most businesses will deliver your hamper, making it a convenient and personal present.

www.wineandhampers.com features a wide selection of the type of goods dicussed above. 

A special valentines gift section has been added to the website today.

Click on the image to go directly to the special section at www.wineandhampers.com

Many of our regular clients leave the decision on their choice of staff or client gifts until the last possible date, however we are very reactive and have never failed to get the hampers or wine gift packs to them or the recipient on time.

Our clients are now starting to order from our wide range of gifts and we are seeing a particular preference for personalised wine and champagne this year.

Whatever the requirement be it a hamper, hampers, wine or gift pack Wine & Hampers have the solution and with the assistance of our sister contract packing business (CCPack Ltd) we have almost unlimited packing potential.

Contact us now:
Email: sales@wineandhampers.com
Telephone: 01530 810444
www.wineandhampers.com