How to Open Wine without a Corkscrew

Above: All you need to open a bottle of wine is a screw, screwdriver and plyers!

Have you ever gone to open a bottle of wine, but then suddenly realize that either (1) you don't have a corkscrew or (2) you can't find the friggin' thing?! I have! And that's why my boyfriend (Weikai) and I got inventive with our household tools and discovered a way to open wine without a corkscrew!

All you need is (1) a screw, (2) a screwdriver, and (3) plyers! If you have those things, you'll be good. We found out that it's actually better to have (1) a screw and (2) a hammer with a claw. However, we couldn't find our hammer at the time!

Below we'll illustrate just how it's done!

1.) Insert the screw into the cork and screw it with the screwdriver.

2.) Use the plyers (or hammer) to pry the cork up.


3.) Once the cork is almost out, use your hands to pull it out.


4.) And voila! You've done it! Your wine is ready to enjoy!!! Now, maybe you'll go all MacGyver on your wine more often!


Enjoy the new tip!!! Let me know how it goes for you!

Syrah or Shiraz?

Above: Project Happiness Syrah Red Wine from Trader Joe's

Everyone needs some happy red wine every now and then. That's why I chose pRojECt hApPinesS Syrah tonight!

And then I realized a disconnect in my knowledge between Shiraz and Syrah. I began to wonder, "Are Shiraz and Syrah the same type of grape?"

The answer: Yes!

It turns out that Shiraz and Syrah are indeed the same grape. According to weeklydig.com, the difference lies in how you use the names:

"Syrah is the old-world name, and it's used when referring to wines either from France's Rhône Valley or wines made in that style, like those from California. Shiraz is the "new-world" name, and it's given mainly to wines made in a modern style, like those from Australia."

So, there we have it! We can all go back to our normal lives, in peace of the knowledge that Shiraz and Syrah are one in the same!

The French Paradox and Red Wine

Above: My friend's 21st birthday party!

I've always wondered why everyone says that a glass of red wine a day is a healthy choice, and today I found out! It was based on a study known as "The French Paradox".

"The French Paradox" refers to the coincidence in France of lower-than-average mortality rates from cardiovascular disease and higher-than-average consumption of saturated fats, such as butter and cheese. In 1991, before 35 million American TV viewers, Doctors Curt Ellison and Serge Renaud presented research findings that attributed the phenomenon to the beneficial effects of the higher-than-average consumption of red wine. And obviously, red wine sales in America jumped dramatically after the airing.

I haven't quite committed to a daily glass of wine yet, but I'm considering! (And I must confess I'm a sucker for Sangria!)