With regards to wine, we could all stand to know a bit more than we actually do. Being an expert in wine is a tell tale way to show off your sophistication, but this is much easier said that done. Luckily, the following article has a wealth of information that will help you learn all there is to learn about wine.
Do not judge a wine on its year of production alone. Just because a wine was made a long time ago does not mean that it is a quality wine. Be sure to investigate the wine thoroughly so that you are not fooled into paying top dollar for a bottom shelf wine.
If you are new to wine tasting, you should know that true connoisseurs actually spit the wine after tasting it. Spitting the wine is the best way to avoid overpowering your taste buds so you can keep tasting other wines. Take a small sip of wine, wait a few seconds to feel all its different flavors and spit it.
Read up as much as you can on wine through books and magazines. In these works, you will find that some of the best wine connoisseurs in the world rate some of the most popular wines. This will help you to decide what wines you want to buy if you have yet to try them.
Do you need a wine all your guests will enjoy? Instead of choosing a rare wine people might not appreciate, choose a Beaujolais, a Chilean, a Sauvignon or a Cava from Spain. These wines are easy to find and offer enough diversity to remain interesting for connoisseurs without making novices feel like they are sophisticated enough to enjoy the wine.
When serving wine at a dinner party, try to have at least one variety of red wine and one variety of white wine on hand. While many individuals are not particular to a specific region or winery, most will prefer a red or white. By having both on hand you are sure to please all of your guests with ease.
Allow red wines to warm up. Often, red wines are stored at temperatures near 60 degrees. The best temperature for serving red wines is above 70 degrees, which allows the full body of the wine to be present. When you open a bottle of red, allow it to sit and come to room temperature before drinking.
You should know that old bottles are often worthless. You could try selling it to another wine connoisseur, but most buyers look for large quantities. Keep in mind that serious buyers will want to know everything about the provenance of the wine you want to sell, which is not always feasible if you found a bottle in your basement.
If you are in the market for champagne for a wedding or other festive event, consider a sparkling wine instead. Sparkling wines are typically from California, and they taste similar to a Champagne. They are almost always less expensive, making it easier to afford a large quantity for big events.
When visiting a winery, be sure to plan out your trip in advance. First, enlist the company of a designated driver. It also helps to determine your budget well in advance of your trip. Write down any questions that you have, and think through your taste preferences in advance.
If you want a lighter wine, the color has no bearing. Red and white wines both have equal amounts of alcohol in them. White wines are usually easier and smoother to drink. Two lighter, smooth wines are Pinot Grigo and Sauvignon Blanc. Both are excellent choices!
Try having some merlot with your steak. The fat and umami flavors found in steak, especially medium-rare or rarer, need acidity to cut through their flavor profile. Red wine is already a popular pairing for meat. The heavier acidity and fruit of merlot can really liven up your steak dish.
To really get the most of your glass of wine, you will want to sniff it twice. The first time, take a long, slow whiff from right outside of the glass. The second time, take a sniff with your nose inside of the glass. You will see how much better the wine tastes when you do this.
If you are entertaining guests, you should choose the wine you serve in function of the meal you prepared. A Sauvignon, a Merlot or a white Zinfandel is an excellent choice if you are serving beef, but you should choose a Pinot or a Cava if you are having seafood.
If you are visiting wineries, purchase wine directly from the winery if the winery is a smaller production business. These businesses typically do not sell to retailers and that makes it more difficult to find them on the supermarket shelves. Larger production businesses almost always sell to retailers, and oftentimes for a better price than you can buy directly from the winery at.
Champagne can be consumed at occasions other than weddings. Too often, champagne is only considered to toast special occasions. The truth is that champagne goes well with a number of foods. The light flavor and the bubbles are palate cleansing. Salty foods and snacks pair quite well with champagne.
When you find a bottle of wine that really hits the spot, put away the whole case for a slightly higher price and you’ll save money in the long run. A case is usually 12 bottles of the same age and flavor. The net cost of a single case is reasonably lower than 12 individual bottles in most venues.
Hopefully, you now understand just how much information is involved when it comes to wine. This article is by no means the end of your education, however, when you use the advice given you are well on your way towards becoming a wine connoisseur. Just remember to enjoy yourself while you learn!
