When it comes to wine, you may be surprised just how much information there is out there. With so many different types across the world, it may seem difficult to really know all there is to know about wine. Luckily, the following article can be used as a guide to help you learn the basics of wine selection.
If you drink wine for its health benefits you should stick with red wines. Red wines are full of antioxidants and are believed to promote optimal heart health when you drink it in moderation, ideally one glass a day. Other wines may have the same benefit in varying degrees, but red wine is definitely the best choice.
Never cook with a wine that you do not enjoy the flavor of. When wine cooks down during the cooking process, it concentrates. Any flavors that you do not like will be more prevalent, which means you will not like the taste of the food you have worked so hard to prepare.
Go to wine tastings! You will have a lot of fun, discover new wines and meet people who are passionate about wine. You can also use the opportunity to socialize. Find some other people that like wine too This can help engage great conversation with the people that you love.
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.
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.
Choose your food and wine pairings carefully. Typically, white wine is suitable for light dishes, salads or fish. Red wine goes well with heavier dishes and dark meats. The rule of thumb is the heavier or darker the dish, the darker the wine that you choose. If you have having a multi-course dinner, start with white wine and progress to red wine.
There is no way of telling when a wine will reach its peak. A lot of bottles are made to be enjoyed immediately and stored bottles will reach their peak at different times in function of storage conditions. You can sometimes get an estimate from an expert who has enjoyed bottles of the same wine.
If you are trying to find a way to drink a less-expensive wine, consider making it into a punch or Sangria. Adding some fruit, a bit of sweet soda and a little ice can completely change the taste. This makes for a nice addition to a baby shower or birthday party, and one of your guests is sure to enjoy.
Find someone who can help you identify wines to try. This can be either a merchant who earns your trust through good recommendations, or a wine expert who seems to have a palate close to your own. Their ideas can keep you trying new wines without just picking bottles randomly.
If a lighter wine is what your searching for, don’t only look to one color. There is as much alcohol in a red wine as a white. However, whites tend to have a smoother quality, making them easier to drink. Two lighter, smooth wines are Pinot Grigo and Sauvignon Blanc. Both are excellent choices!
Carry a map or some sort of direction for your given area. Some of the best wine venues are incredibly organized and easy to navigate, while others are chaotic and will lose you in the twits-and-turns. Print off a map of your designated area, and you’ll never miss that perfect shop just around the bend.
Break out of the pairings mythology. It’s not the case that reds only taste good with meats and whites only with fish. There are wines on both sides that pair up well with these dishes. Open up your mind to experimenting with these variations. Otherwise you may be limiting your creativity with wine!
A single kind of grape, or varietal, creates varietal wines. Included in these are Pinot Noir varieties and Syrah. To use the names, wines need to be comprised of no less than ninety percent of that varietal’s juice. Many wineries will introduce a different grape to make their wine taste more unique.
A great tip you should remember about wine is to store it at the right temperature. A lot of people make the mistake of keeping their white wine too cold. This makes it painful to drink because it hurts your teeth. Red wine should be kept at about room temperature.
Investigate the place that you would like to have a wine tasting at so that you are not surprised. Some people mistakenly assume none are required for public events. The last thing that you want is to be rejected from entering in front of friends or family.
It should be stated, that you aren’t going to become a wine connoisseur overnight. However, if you implement the advice mentioned in the article above, you will be well on your way towards understanding the differences between many wines. Before long, you will be an expert in the field of wine.
