Jackie Paley

Home Bar Ideas – 6 stylish and functional designs

You want to create a practical home bar space that looks good. And, you have a great sense of style – you know what colors, lighting and material to complement your overall home décor. Yes, you may be able to create a functional and beautiful home bar space on your own.

Do I need an interior decorator to design a home bar?

It is not necessary to have an interior decorator to design a home bar. But if you have the budget, an interior decorator can help you create a cohesive design with a professional touch.

Tip: Check out resources available online, including how-to videos, and product reviews. They can provide insights into designing a home bar that meets your needs, and fits your personal style.

Six ideas for a home bar layout

Here are our six most popular home bar configurations ideas:

1. L-Shape

This layout is ideal for a corner space and is perfect for a small to medium-sized home bar.

Tip: The L-shape provides ample counter space and storage.

2. Straight Bar

This layout is a simple, classic design that can be any length. A straight bar is a good option for a narrow space or if you have limited counter space.

Tip: Consider installing a wall-height appliance on one side of your room. For example, a freestanding tall wine fridge that can hold 100 plus bottles of wine.

3. U-Shape

The U-shape configuration provides ample counter space and storage, making it a great choice for a larger home bar.

Tip: This layout is ideal for entertaining a group of people.

4. Island

An island bar is a stand-alone structure that is perfect for a large home bar. It provides ample counter space and storage.

Tip: the island layout has an added bonus of being able to entertain guests from all sides.

5. Built-In

A built-in bar is a custom solution that is integrated into the design of your home. This type of bar can be any shape or size.

Tip: the above layout can be built to match the existing cabinetry in your home for a cohesive design.

6. Wet Bar

A wet bar includes a sink, making it a great option for mixing drinks. It can be integrated into a larger home bar configuration or used as a standalone feature. Here is an example of a 14-inch by 14-inch bar sink (view on Amazon):

Tip: when shopping for a bar sink, choose an undermount unit to give you more counter space. For durability and easy of cleaning, choose a bar sink constructed of premium stainless steel.

What features to consider when designing a home bar?

When designing a home bar, here is a helpful checklist including important features to consider:

Space: Determine the amount of space you have available for the bar and make sure it is adequate for your needs. Consider factors such as bar top height, bar stool height, and storage. Tip: allocate at least 42-inches minimum for walkway space between counters.
Layout: Consider the flow and functionality of your bar. Tip: you’ll want to make sure there is enough counter space for mixing drinks, and that the refrigerator, sink, and storage are easily accessible.
Lighting: Good lighting is important for a home bar. Tip: consider task lighting for the bar top, as well as ambient lighting for the surrounding area.
Storage: Consider how you will store your wine, wine glasses, liquor, mixers and barware. Tip: Built-in shelving, bar cart, wine racks, cabinets, or beverage refrigerators can provide convenient storage solutions.

Here’s a freestanding bar-cart (view on Amazon) – a great way to bring flexibility to your home bar. It can be moved around, and you can bring this portable unit with you when you move.

Materials: Choose materials that are durable and easy to clean, such as granite or quartz for the bar top, and wood, stainless steel, or glass for the cabinetry.
Style: Consider the overall style of your home and choose a bar design that complements it. You can opt for a traditional, classic style or a more modern, minimalist look.
Appliance: Think about what bar equipment you’ll need, such as a wine cooler fridge, an under-counter beverage refrigerator and a countertop ice machine.
Bar tools: Consider a blender, a cocktail shaker, a strainer, a small cutting board, a wine bottle opener, a beer bottle opener, paring knives and ice tongs as useful barware tools.
Seating: Choose seating that is comfortable and fits the style of your bar. Bar stools are popular options, but you can also consider comfortable chairs or a sofa?

Here’s an example of a swivel barstool (view on Amazon) – it gives you the options to adjust the height, and ability to swivel the chair.

Tip: when shopping for a bar stool, choose material that is easy to clean (waterproof is a good idea). Make sure the design matches with the look you want for your home bar.

Final Thoughts

We hope you are inspired by our six ideas for a home bar layout – they are popular options with our clients. The best one for you though – will depend on your specific needs and the available space in your home.

When you are ready to start your design of a home bar, use our feature checklist to help you organize your budget and shopping list.

With careful planning, you can create a bar that is functional, stylish, and perfect for entertaining.

By Jackie Paley Leave a Comment

What is special about Pinot Noir?

It has been almost two decades when we were first introduced to Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara wine county California from the acclaimed movie “Sideways”. We have since made dozens of road trips to vineyards in Central California coast. Pinot Noir has become one of our beloved red wine to pair with many memorable dinners with family and friends.

What is Pinot Noir?

It is a thin-skin grape variety. It generally produces a medium-bodied red wine – less forbiddingly tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon does.

You might like to read our article on: The bold full-bodied red wine – Cabernet Sauvignon.

Where is the origin of Pinot Noir?

It’s of French origin in Burgundy and Champagne, France.

What is the meaning of Pinot Noir?

Let me show you a picture of Pinot Noir grapes – does the grape cluster resemble the shape of a pine cone?

You’ve guessed it – Pinot Noir means black pine cone in French. (Pinot originated from the French word for “pine cone”, and noir means black in French).

Where are the growing regions for Pinot Noir?

Besides growing in the Burgundy and Champagne regions in France, other growing regions include Germany, Switzerland, Oregon and California states in US, New Zealand, Chile and Spain.

Is Pinot Noir difficult to grow?

Yes, it’s one of the most difficult grapes to grow – and it’s difficult to vinify too. However, many grape growers and wine producers across the globe are attracted to this temperamental grape variety.

From California to Spain, so many growers are trying hard to match the classic style of Pinot Noir – Burgundy’s greatest red wine.

Is Pinot Noir a Champagne grape?

Pinot Noir plays an important role in the traditional production of champagne and other sparkling wines. It’s used to add depth to the character of Chardonnay grapes. And pink hue to the rosé wine and Spanish cava.

Is Pinot Noir sweet or dry?

It is a dry red wine with lighter body than Cabernet Sauvignon.

What does Pinot Noir wine taste like?

Depending on its age and its growing region, a pinot noir will have varied nuances of characteristics and tasting notes of a bottle of great red wine.

Its characters include elegance, complex and less structure than a Cabernet Sauvignon. Many of our fellow wine enthusiasts rank it as the smoothest red wine to drink.

In terms of tasting notes:

In youth, it can possess fruity aromas of raspberry, strawberry, red currant or cheery.

An aged Pinot Noir sometimes has spicy note of nutmegs.

In parts of California, it may also carry a faint note of sandalwood.

How much is a bottle of good Pinot Noir?

A good bottle of Pinot Noir from Burgundy France costs from $100 to $300. There are some great vintages from the west coast in the United States, California and Oregon that priced under $30.

We like a reasonably priced (under $100) Domaine Chevillon Chezeaux Pinot Noir from Burgundy – it offers an elegant medium-bodied with black cheery note.

If you like a more structure Pinot Noir, seek out a bottle for Willamette Valley, Oregon – it offers expressive raspberry note and well-balanced tannins.

If you’re opened to try a tri-appellation Pinot Noir with grapes from Santa Barbara county, Sonoma county and Monterey county, it can deliver an beautiful medium-bodied with cherry notes for under $30.

What food goes well with Pinot Noir?

We like grilled or baked fish with a lush Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir also pairs well with food with umami flavor like soy sauce or ginger notes.

You might like to read our article on: wine paring with grilled Salmon with miso-ginger sauce.

What is a good serving temperature for Pinot Noir?

Don’t serve Pinot Noir too cold – keep it around 62° Fahrenheit or 17° Celsius. You want the proper temperature to show case its aromatic bouquets including fruity notes and its delicate character.

Can you refrigerate Pinot Noir after opening?

Yes, you can – keep an opened bottle of Pinot Noir in a wine refrigerator for two to three days. Make sure you use a proper wine stopper to re-seal your opened wine bottle.

You might like to read our article on: How to store an opened bottle of wine.

Final Thoughts:

Why is Pinot Noir so special? Because 1. It’s a challenge to grow and equally-difficult to produce, 2. It tastes elegant and yet complex, 3. It pairs well with meaty fish, and dishes with umami flavor, 4. It’s the most agreeable wine by both red and white wine lovers, 5. It’s also a key grape component in the production of Sparkling wine.

By Jackie Paley

Perfect one-bite pairing with wine: Canapé and Champagne

This is a wonderful small bite pairing with Champagne created during the lively conversation about Taittinger Champagne and English Sparkling wine at our family cottage last month.

Taittinger Champagne and Canapé Pairing

An elegant and balanced Champagne

Our champagne was a 2014 Taittinger – a refined vintage retrieved from our wine storage.

It was made with matured grapes – 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier.

The Chardonnays carried notes of citrus and white blossoms, the Pinot Noirs some white and red fruits aromas.

taittinger-champagne-2014-opened-in-our-wine-cellar-top10winecoolers

Roast beef canapé with crunchy baguette recipe

Our impromptu canapés were made with ingredients found at our cottage:

A loaf of baguette – segment into ½ inch thick slices, toast slightly with olive oil.
Beef sirloin roast – left-over from the night before. It had simple seasoning of sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. My husband Chase sliced the sirloin into thin slices (cross-grain). He then topped each slice with a few tiny grains of fleur de sel – before placing it perfectly on top of each baguette slice.
Arugula – we top each canapé with a peppery arugula, and a thinly shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.

roast-beef-canape-and-champagne-pairing-top10winecoolers

Tip: you can create your own canapé using just three simple ingredients: a small piece of cracker or bread, top with any cheese or jam, and a strip of vegetable or fruit or meat. Yes, you can make a one-bite hors d’oeuvre in no time.

Does our pairing of Taittinger Champagne and roast beef canapé work?

Taittinger Champagne:

The Brut has subtle effervescence, and tiny hint of sweetness.
It holds true to an elegant Champagne’s profile – absent of saltiness sensation.
It’s full bodied, acidic and have tiny notes of smoke-tinged finishes.

Our canapés:

The seasoning of our sirloin is not too spicy to let the Champagne’s dry and sparkling notes shine.
The beef was served at the right temperature, not hot, perfect for the chilled Champagne.
The thin strip of sirloin is very tender – a complementary contrast to the crunchy crust and chewy texture of the bread.
The roast beef also allows the smooth background texture of the wine to shine through.
The crunchiness of the baguette equals to the effervescence of the Champagne.
The peppery arugula is subtle yet effective to complement the smoke-tinged finish of the wine.
The fleur de sel on the roast filled in the absent saltiness sensation from Champagne beautifully.
The delicate creaminess of the cheese goes well with the acidity of the sparkling wines.
Note: I will talk about the titration of wine in another blog – after I gather the process to measure wine acidity from Chase and his friends at the Lab.

Final Thoughts

This pairing was indeed one of the most divine canapés we had – each bite was full of flavor, and its texture paired beautifully with the spritz of Champagne on the palate. And, we shared this memorable meal with the most wonderful company in the world – Grandpa Jack and Ms. Cole from Kent, England.

P.S. I’ve saved the Champagne Cork from this wonderful pairing – yes, I have both Grandpa Jack and Ms. Cole signed this special memento!

By Jackie Paley Leave a Comment

Taittinger to produce sparkling wine in England

I am always looking forward to the beautiful Monarch butterfly season in Pacific Grove every year. Why? Because, it’s one of Grandpa Jack’s regular visits to the Bay Area from the East Coast. For those of you following our Top 10 Wine Coolers Blog, you remember I’m one of Grandpa Jack’s greatest fans.

And, this year is extra special – because Grandpa Jack brought an incomparable guest, the beautiful and elegant Ms. Cole from Kent, England.

I first met Ms. Cole two decades ago when I was still in high school – while travelling with Grandpa Jack to the Channel Islands in the English Channel (off the French coast). Then we met again at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. You can imagine my delight to see her again.

This blog is inspired by a memorable conversation with Ms. Cole at our family cottage in Carmel California last month. We had great canapés, exceptional champagne and a surprise conversation about English sparkling wine that evening.

Taittinger vineyard in England

Funny how we started this conversation:

I was giving Ms. Cole a tour of our wine cellar while we were reminiscent about our last meet back in 2014. And, there it was a 2014 Taittinger Brut Champagne – it is kismet.

So, we proceeded with an impromptu tiny party – with Champagne, and an improvisation of canapés.

Check out our flavorful recipe and perfect pairing of Canapé with Champagne.

sharing-a-bottle-of-taittinger-at-the-piano-with-grandpa-jack

Here’s the surprise (for me) that I learned from Ms. Cole that evening:

Taittinger has teamed up with their UK partner to plant some Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes in Kent. Yes, they will be producing English sparkling wine very soon – first bottle in late 2024.

From weather to wine – Ms. Cole told me that UK is getting warmer and wetter lately.

Some growers from Kent have mentioned that the soil mix (clay and chalk) is similar to the soil found in Champagne. And, the warmer trend of climate appears to be suited to growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Taittinger in England plans to produce 300,000 bottles of wine per year by 2025.

Fun Notes:

About Pinot Meunier grapes – though it’s not well-known as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir grapes, it’s actually one of what I call the trinity of grapes used in the production of Champagne. You’ve guessed it, 30% of grapes grown in Champagne, France is the Pinot Meunier grapes.
For those of you who’s been reading my blog, you remember that my husband Chase works in the Lab. And, we have previously featured Pinot Noir, the first fruit in the genome sequence research, in our blog. Now, you can imagine the lively conversation we had about the genotype of Pinot Meunier.

From what I understand from Chase, the inner cell walls of the Pinot Meunier have similar genotype to Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

The Tale of Christopher Merret

Back to English sparkling wine, I was enlightened to hear the tale that Christopher Merret, an English scientist who created bubbles in wine back in 1662 – yes, Grandpa Jack told the tale, and it was supplemented by Ms. Cole.

I think I would have to write a thesis to capture and research their wonderful tale spoken that evening. For our fun blog here – here’s a quick recap of the story:

Back in the 17th century, there were big shipments of barrels of wines from the northeast region of France (Champagne) to London (Port). And, apparently the fermentation were not quiet complete before shipment, so there was a “second fermentation” when the wine was first drawn from the barrel as the temperature warmed up a bit. So, one would see and taste “sparkles” or bubbles – a glorious experience at the tavern from the second fermentation.

Then, the creative cider makers from the south and southwest regions invented a method to create a second fermentation –by adding sugar to create delicate bubbles.

Based on some documents from the Royal society in London, Christopher Merret learned the “sparkling” method from the cider makers, and he documented it and presented it to the society in 1662.

christopher-merret-an-english-scientist-who-created-english-sparkling-wine-1662

Flash forward to the UK wine scene today, you can actually find some excellent British sparkling wine paying tribute to Christopher Merret by including the word “Merret” on the wine neck labels.

Closing thoughts

I am so inspired and intrigued by our conversation about the climate and English sparkling wine. There are half a dozen wine regions in southeast England – Grandpa Jack and I will be visiting in the next couple of years.

Of course, we hope we will have the honor of Ms. Cole’s wonderful company when we embark our journey to the UK then.

We will follow up with a set of blogs to feature the vineyards in England.

English wines have picked up some top awards in global tasting competition in recent years.

Cheers!

Home Bar Ideas – 6 stylish and functional designs

Do I need an interior decorator to design a home bar?