Decanting

[dee-KANT-ing] verb: done either to separate the wine from any sediment deposited during the aging process or to allow a wine to breathe in order to enhance its flavor. When decanting an older wine, care should be taken not to disturb the sediment. A horizontal position keeps the sediment from disseminating throughout the wine. Once the foil and cork are removed, gently wipe the mouth of the bottle. Then begin slowly pouring the wine into a decantur, placing a strong light (a candle is charming, but a flashlight is more practical) behind or below the neck of the bottle. The light lets you see the first signs of sediment, at which point you stop pouring. You

Tannins

noun:[TAN-ihns]Any of a group of astringent substances found in the seeds, skins, and stems of grapes, as well as in oak barrels, particularly new ones. Tannins are part of a grouping technically called phenolic compounds. They are important in the production of good red wines because they provide flavor, structure, and texture and, because of their antioxidant traits, contribute to long and graceful aging. Tannins often give young wines a noticeable astringency, a quality that diminishes as the wine ages, mellows, and develops character. Tannins are detectable by a dry, sometimes puckery, sensation in the mouth and back of the throat.

Grenache

noun:[gruh-NAHSH] grape that comes in both red-wine and white-wine varietals. When used by itself, the word "Grenache" refers to the red version Grenache Noir, one of the world's most widely cultivated red grapes. The Grenache grape does well in hot, dry regions, and its strong stalk makes it well suited for windy conditions. It ripens with very high sugar levels and can produce wines with 15 to 16 percent alcohol. Grenache wines are sweet, fruity, and very low in tannins.The vine originated in Spain where it's called Garnacha; and is the most widely cultivated red-wine grape.

Eclectic

adj.: decorating using more than one design style, borrowing of a variety of styles from different sources and combining them.

Zabaglione

[zah-bahl-YOH-nay]noun: an ethereal dessert of Italian origin made by whisking together egg yolks, wine (traditionally Marsala) and sugar. This beating is done over simmering water so that the egg yolks cook as they thicken into a light, foamy custard. Traditional zabaglione must be made just before serving. (There is also a frozen version.) The warm froth can be served either as a dessert by itself or as a sauce over cake, fruit, ice cream or pastry.

Arabesque

adj: style using flowers, foliage, or fruit creating an intricate pattern of interlaced lines.

Focaccia

noun: an Italian olive-oil bread, quite flat and usually round or square. It has an almost cake-like texture and is often flavoured with herbs such as rosemary, sage or basil, perhaps olives or tapenade, and sometimes has a filling of ham or cheese. Cut it into generous wedges to serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Nandina

noun: also known as Heavenly Bamboo, is completely unrelated to Bamboo. It's common name comes only from it's resemblance to bamboo due to the fine lacy foliage, and the growth pattern of the plant, which is cane like. Nandina is classified as an evergreen, but will lose it's foliage if the temperature drops below 10 degreed F. The canes will die back to the ground at -10 degrees, but will come back readily the next spring.What makes this plant special is the color it provides in the garden, during all four seasons of the year. In the spring, the new foliage emerges as bright bronzed red, and is soon followed by large, six to twelve inch panicles of creamy white flowers.As the season changes, the foliage becomes blue green, fading to light green. Clusters of bright green berries replace the flowers. By late summer, the berries will ripen to a bright red.In the fall, the foliage color again begins to change to shades of pink and red, ending the year with bright red leaves and berries. The berries will remain until they are discovered and enjoyed by the local birds.Heavenly bamboo will slowly grow to 8 feet if it is left alone. However, it can be kept at a very compact size by pruning. This makes it an excellent choice for entryways, patios or foundation plantings. Multiple plantings may be used as a screen or hedge. It is also suitable for growing as a container plant, indoors.

Entrecôte

noun: boneless steak of beef cut from the sirloin, more commonly known as a sirloin steak. It’s a prime cut of beef so is best cooked quickly - either grilled or fried.

Marjoram

noun: an herb cultivated for its aromatic leaves, either green or dry, for culinary purposes; the tops are cut as the plants begin to flower and are dried slowly in the shade. It is often used in herb combinations such as Herbes de Provence because of its sweet pine and citrus flavors.
Although considered cold-sensitive, marjoram can sometimes prove hardy even in zone 5.

Pelmet

noun: a framework to conceal drapery hardware at the top of a window. It is similar in appearance to a cornice or valence.

Mâche

noun: a salad green of the valerian family. The plant grows in a rosette of long spoon shaped leaves which may also be clustered in loose heads. Used in salad mixes together with other greens. It can also be cooked like spinach and used in soups and stuffings.

Vitex

noun: also know as the chaste tree is a beautiful little deciduous tree or large shrub with a showy summertime flower display. The leaves are 3-4 inches in diameter and palmately compound with 5 to 7 fingerlike leaflets. Also called sage tree, the foliage is likewise aromatic and is typically grey-green to dark green above and lighter on the undersides. When in bloom, due to the similarity of the flowers, the chaste tree is sometimes mistaken for butterfly bush (Buddleia). The chaste tree is a sprawling plant that grows 10-20 feet and about as wide. Branched flower clusters are produced on new wood in late spring and early summer in a great flush that makes the tree look like a hazy purple cloud. It continues to bloom sporadically until early fall. Not only is the tree strikingly beautiful when in full bloom, but it is also fragrant and attracts pollinating bees and hummingbirds make hungry visits. Flower color ranges from violet to blue to deep purple.

Catalpa

noun: deciduous tree growing 10-25 feet tall, and can be recognized by their large heart-shaped to three-lobed leaves, showy white or yellow flowers in broad panicles, and in the autumn by their long fruits which resemble a slender bean pod, containing numerous small flat seeds.Due to their large leaf size, Catalpas provide very dark shade and are a popular habitat for many birds, providing them good shelter from rain and wind. These trees have very little limb droppage, but they do drop large bean pods during late summer.

Pluot

noun:a complex cross hybrid of plum and apricot, being ¾ plum and ¼ apricot in parentage. The pluot, like the aprium, is derived from the ½ plum ½ apricot hybrid called the plumcot.
The fruit's exterior fairly closely resembles a plum's. Pluots are noted for their sweetness (due to a very high sugar content) and for their intense flavor. They are also very, very juicy. Pluots are also rich in vitamin A.

Veneer

noun: paper-thin wood sheets applied to the outer surface of furniture, which are often inlaid in decorative patterns or matched to create various patterns.

Arborvitae

noun: the narrow, pyramid shape makes it a natural choice for windbreaks. Tall and elegant, it requires almost no care when used as a hedge or screen. Pairs of these hardy trees make great accents for doors and garden gates while single specimens soften house corners. In the wild single specimens commonly grow 40' to 60' with a spread of 15'. In urban settings a height of 20' to 30' with a 12' spread is more typical. Plant 3 feet apart for hedge. (zones 3-7)

Kirsch

noun: from the German meaning cherry, this is a clear liqueur distilled from cherries and their almond-flavoured stones, often used in sponge cakes, for macerating and to flavour dishes containing fruit. It's often added to fondue and is used in the dish cherries Jubilee - poached cherries flambéed with kirsch.

Fresco

noun: painted mural or decoration done on a wet plaster wall or ceiling.

Aubergine

noun: French word for eggplant. An essential Mediterranean vegetable, featuring in classic dishes such as ratatouille, moussaka and imam bayildi (stuffed aubergines). They’re also an important ingredient in many Indian vegetable-based dishes and are the basis of the Arabic mezze dish baba ganoush. In decor it refers to a deep reddish purple-brown color.