When it comes to wine, you probably know that it should simply taste good. However, are you aware of all the ways you can care for and choose the best wine? If not, this article is jam packed with great advice to help you get started with the world of wine!
Keep in mind that the color of the wine is not always the same as color of the grapes that are used to make it. The color results from the process of wine making and it is the skin of the grape used in the process that gives an individual wine its final color.
If you want to keep wine for long periods of time, you should consider investing in a wine refrigerator. Even if you have a dry and cool basement you can use, temperature will still vary slightly from one season to the next. The wine you store will keep its flavors if it remains at the exact same temperature.
You can make amazing pairings with your favorite wine. For example, you can pair a Chardonnay with either Gouda or Provolone. For stronger cheeses, such as Cheddar, opt for a Cabernet such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. Zinfandel wines go beautifully with the more delicate cheeses such as Feta and Gouda.
Learn the pronunciation of all of the wines that you serve so that you sound as professional as possible when you are around your guests. This can go a long way if you are having a party or get together with friends in your house. There are common names for wine, so get acquainted with the lingo.
If you have a lot of wine in your cellar, you may want to invest in an inventory management system. This will track the types of wine that you have in your cellar and how old they are at a given time. Compartmentalizing wine into a database can make your storage capabilities very efficient.
Believe it or not, the glass you choose to drink your wine out of can have a major affect on your drinking experience. You want a glass whose bowl is round so that the aroma can develop. Also, the top should taper inward; this prevents its essence from getting out.
Enjoy your wines by trying out all the different flavors it has to offer. You often will be able to look at all aspects of wine and its versatility. Enjoy yourself — wine’s purpose is to help you feel good.
It will be a lot easier to talk about wine with other connoisseurs if you master their vocabulary. There are specific words used to describe flavors and colors. You also need to familiarize yourself with different regions and wineries. Have an expert explain these terms to you and present you with a selection of wines to illustrate different examples.
When you are going to be serving wine, you have to be sure that your stemware is right for that occasion. You must use stemware that’s clean and crisp, because it really can make the wine experience more pleasurable. Chipped stemware can be dangerous and outdated stemware that is dingy will not enhance your enjoyment of wine.
If you are at a restaurant where the prices of the wine are outrageous, do not be ashamed to order beer. Sometimes, restaurants will jack up their prices knowing that the customer is coming to drink wine and will purchase it anyway. This can help save you a lot of money in the long run.
Take a good look at your wine before you taste it. You can tell a lot about a wine by its appearance. If you practice this, you will soon learn a lot from a wine by its color. Look at the wine from many angles so that you can see all of the colors it has to offer.
What is a wine which comes from a late harvest? Just that! The grapes were allowed to ripen fully on the vine, typically allowing them to fall prey to a dehydrating mold which causes them to be very sweet. These wines are high in alcohol and sugar, leading to a sweet, strong flavor which you can easily enjoy.
Pair spicy foods with sweet wines. Especially with the heat of Thai and Indian food, you will want to stick with dry white and red wines that are sweet. Some great pairings include Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. If you choose Riesling, try going with a German brand since their higher acidity doesn’t make the sweetness seem as apparent. These wines act as palate cleansers to help you enjoy the spiciness of the meal.
If you see a varietal wine, you know that it is made from mostly varietal grapes. Pinot Noir and Syrah are examples of this. To earn this title, the wine has to contain no less than 90 percent of these specific grapes. 10 percent can be other grapes, which give the wine its unique characteristics.
If you are cooking with wine, the type of dish you are making indicates whether you will need a dry or sweet wine. For savory dishes, always choose a dry wine. If you want a dry white wine, try a chardonnay. Dry red wines include merlot and pinot noir.
Joining a wine club is not always the best way to get a great price on the wine you purchase. While the prices per bottle are typically really good with a wine club membership, the shipping costs can be quite high. Check how much the wine is at your local retailer first and then compare that to the price of the wine with a club membership after adding in shipping.
As you can see, choosing, storing and serving wine is no easy task. It is a task which requires patience and plenty of knowledge before your next party, date or gathering. This article helped serve as a starting point, and make sure you apply all you’ve learned for optimal success!
