Have you ever gone to a fancy restaurant and been confused about which wine you should order? If so, you’re in luck, as you no longer have to stare at the wine menu in confusion. All you need is the right advice to help you select wine, and this article features just that.
Do not spend your money on total cases of wine if you are not sure you like it. It is best to purchase an experimental bottle or, even better, taste the wine before you purchase it. You should consider buying total cases of wine if you know you will easily be able to serve it when you have company.
To choose the best wine to compliment any meal, you must know what type of wine goes with the different types of meat. One of the easiest ways to remember which wine to choose is to match the color wine with the color of meat. For example, most red wines pair beautifully with red meat such as beef, while white wines work well with white meats like fish or chicken.
Invest in proper storage if you plan to learn about and collect wines. Wine is best when kept in a cooler, more humid environment. Many people prefer to build out a basement or cellar for storing wine. However, if your needs are more minor, there are many options for in-home storage on the market.
If you’re interested in buying wine, a great tip is not to get too carried away with buying much wine that you currently like. Tastes change all the time, and you might regret packing your wine cellar with a bunch of wine that you happen to like right now.
Do not let others influence your taste in wines. You must try different wines and decide what you love. Everyone has different taste buds and might not be looking for the same thing in a wine. Do not assume that drinking a wine recommended by an expert will make you more sophisticated.
Expensive wines should not be your only choice. If you are looking to find new wines that meet your tastes, you should experiment with wines from all price points and ratings. Sticking with expensive wines is a waste of money and could prevent you from finding the perfect wine for yourself.
If you are saving your wine after a night of drinking, make sure to cork it well. You want to avoid letting extra air into the bottle because it will completely change the taste of the wine and can cause it to go rancid. Ensure the cork fits securely, or use a wine stopper that blocks air out.
If you plan on pairing a wine with lasagna, try going with red wine. The higher acidity in these types of wines pairs exceptionally well with the tomato sauce that is usually in lasagna. Many lasagnas have ingredients like green peppers, and the flavor of red wine can accentuate them.
A trip to a winery requires planning. Decide in advance how much money you want to spend, and be sure to have a sober driver lined up. Also, be prepared to describe the wines you prefer and have questions on hand for the guide.
Suppose you are not too familiar with wine, shop at a wine store. While many grocery stores and even some convenient stores carry wine, they do not have the staff on hand who understand wine. If you shop with professionals, you will have a better chance of finding the wine you want and gaining valuable information.
Take a look at how your wine is stored in the store. In a wine store, the wine will be stored in the exact lighting and temperature required to keep that wine tasting its best. When you get home, try to mimic those conditions to the best of your ability until you drink the wine.
The vintage doesn’t mean year made, but when the actual grapes were harvested. Wine with a vintage of 2010 is made from grapes harvested in 2010. Those grapes are aged and fermented in large barrels until being bottled and sold. This wine wouldn’t have made it to store shelves until 2011!
Take the advice of wine critics with a grain of salt since you may have entirely different tastes than they do. Many people rely on critics to advise what wines to select, but they are disappointed. Only do this if you are sure that you and the critic have very similar palates.
When cooking with wine, remember that the alcohol will evaporate during the cooking process, leaving behind the authentic taste of the wine itself. For this reason, it is wise to choose a wine that you enjoy the flavor of. If you are cooking with a wine that tastes bad to you, you wouldn’t want to flavor your recipe with it.
Check out their website before visiting your favorite restaurant and mulling over which wine to choose. Most fine dining establishments will post their wine list on the site, leaving you plenty of time to investigate the possibilities. Consider your entree in advance and research the wine that best complements it.
Locate the website of your favorite vineyard or winery, and sign up for any newsletters or email bulletins they may offer. Wineries have special events every once in a while where you can find great discounts on wines and tastings. By joining their newsletter, you can ensure that you don’t miss any deals or opportunities.
Selecting wine is a pretty straightforward process once you get it. Don’t let the different kinds of wine intimidate you into not enjoying a flavorful beverage. The wine advice from this article will come in handy in the future, so use it to your advantage and pick an excellent wine for yourself.
