If you’re like most people, you enjoy having a glass of wine now and then. However, you are probably not too knowledgeable about this beautiful liquid. There are many things that you can learn to make your experience of wine that much better. Here are some wine tips that will help you.
Keep in mind that an expensive wine is not necessarily good. Everyone has different wine preferences, and you should not force yourself to drink expensive wines to appear sophisticated. There are plenty of delicious wines you can find at an affordable price. Try different varieties until you find something you enjoy instead of judging wines based on their prices.
Buy only one bottle of each wine. If you find that you like a particular wine a great deal, it can be very tempting to want to buy a lot of it at once to save money, but this is often a bad idea. Instead, buy only one to ensure that you do not fill your cellar with one type.
Contrary to popular belief, not every white wine needs to be chilled when served. Every white wine does not have the same texture so it may be better served at different temperatures. For example, almost everyone enjoys white wines when they are pretty cold, while red wines tend to be preferred cold.
Open the Merlot and Cabernet a half hour before the party starts when serving wine for parties. This will allow the wine to contact the air and start “opening up.” As reds are exposed to the air, oxygen allows the tannin and flavors to activate and become more robust.
If you have a wine cellar and need a bottle for a particular occasion party, do not bring it upstairs until the day of the event. Wine needs to be brought up at the event to reach room temperature. But, bringing it up to soon could ruin the wine.
Sangrias have become popular recently. To make the perfect sangria combine your favorite red wine and lemon and orange slices. Then, stir in 2 tablespoons of refined sugar and a shot of brandy. Pour the mixture into a wine glass and add a small amount of lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or club soda.
Keep a journal just for wine. The easiest way to keep track of the wines you enjoy and the ones you do not like is to keep a list of them. You can also include the foods you drank them with to repeat the experience.
Sign up for an online wine forum. You can learn many things from other people who also have wine experience, and you may be able to teach others too. You may end up being pointed in the direction of a fantastic label.
Many red wines are matured in oak barrels for far longer than white wine. This adds tannins from the wood into the wine, creating a complex flavor. This would be too much for the subtle flavor of a white wine, so they are rarely aged in this manner.
Remember that rules were made to be broken, even when selecting wine. Just because the “norm” indicates you should pair red wine with red meat and white with fish, chicken, or salad doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Enjoy your meal with your favorite wine, no matter who says they go together!
If you are out on a date or with someone you want to impress, do not order a wine that you have not had before. Try to order wine that you are familiar with or know you like. Be adventurous in your own time when you are not out in public.
Pair spicy foods with sweet wines. Especially with the heat of Thai and Indian food, you will want to stick with dry white and sweet red wines. 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 apparent. These wines act as palate cleansers to help you enjoy the spiciness of the meal.
If you have decided to serve white wine at your next gathering, only store it in the fridge a few hours before serving time. Storing the white wine in the fridge for too long (a few days) can affect how your wine tastes and its aroma.
As you know, how you chill your wine can affect the taste and aroma. However, wine is best served cold before a special occasion. Store the bottle of wine in a bucket filled with ice. This will chill the bottle for thirty minutes, and it will be ready for serving.
If you are out, engage in dialogue with the steward about the types of wine you like, what you are willing to spend, and how adventurous you are on that night. You will be surprised how close they get to the exact wine you want at that time.
Search for online information about different wines. Look for a wine discussion forum and read the comments until you feel confident enough to add your ideas. If you are unfamiliar with international wines, this is a great place to find information. You can gain enough information to try a few wines you would not have considered.
Newsletters are a great way to find information about your local winery. Wineries have special events every once in a while where you can find great discounts on wines and tastings. When you get their mailings, you’ll always be in the know.
Now that you have more information about wine, you can show off. Talk to other people about your new knowledge, and buy wines based on what you now know. You will discover that wine tastes better when you know something about it, and you can have a much better time with it.
